June 10, 2021 Regular Meeting

CALL TO ORDER
Meeting was called to order at 7:00pm by Supervisor Peter Shrope at the Brighton Town Hall at 12 County Road 31 (aka Jones Pond Road) in Paul Smiths, New York, on June 10, 2021
Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was recited

ROLL CALL:
Present: Supervisor Peter Shrope
Council Members: Amber McKernan, Matthew Szeliga, Steve Tucker, and Lydia Wright
Absent: None
Others Present: Paul Blaine-Code Enforcement Officer, Andy Crary-Superintendent of Highways, Elaine Sater-Town Clerk and three residents
Guests: Chris LaBarge, Franklin County Tourism, Terry Bellinger, Franklin Snowmobilers, Inc., and Tim Winstead, AFLAC Insurance

PRESENTATIONS:

Franklin County Tourism – Chris Labarge: Represents the Franklin County Tourism Committee and presented information on “Adirondack Frontier” the Franklin Economic Development Corp. theme for Tourism in Franklin County. They work with the Franklin County Legislature to promote Tourism in Franklin County. He distributed a handout with information on the Committee’s Vision, Goals, Marketing, Development and Planning, Business Partner Grant Programs, and the Recreational Trail Network, its vision, benefits and planning, development and promotion. The Committee is interested in support from the Town to develop an Adirondack Frontier Recreational Trail using the existing rail beds that Niagara Mohawk/National Grid own in the Town of Brighton. Currently only snowmobilers have the right to use the rail beds during the winter. They would like this Trail to meet up with the Rail/Trail Project currently underway in Lake Clear where the rail beds meet near Charles’ Inn. This multi-use trail would go all the way to Malone and possibly the Canadian border. It would be open to walking, bicycling/e-bikes, equestrian, canoe/kayaks, cross county skiers, snowshoers, as well as Off Highway Vehicles (OHV), which includes snowmobiles and ATV/UTVs. A Recreational Trail Coordinator position would be created and funded through the Occupancy Tax (“bed tax”) currently being collected by Franklin County. Two resolutions were provided for the Town Board’s review.
Council Member Amber McKernan asked if the Town would be responsible to provide funding for the maintenance of the trail that would go through the Town. She asked if the trail would be paved.
Chris LaBarge said the town would not be financially responsible for the trail, user fees would be used to maintain the trail. Only if it became necessary would there be pavement, otherwise the trail would be a hard packed surface.
Jeremy Asmus, Paul Smith’s College Facilities, said that Paul Smith’s College would like to be included as part of the trail discussion and would provide contact information for the Lands Office. The Visitor’s Interpretative Center (VIC) has received a grant already for signage from the grant program.
Steve Tucker asked about information on the “Cuisine Trail” that goes through the Town.
Chris LaBarge said he would get information to the Supervisor about the “Cuisine Trail”

RESOLUTION #28-2021
SUPPORT FRANKLIN COUNTY TOURISM ADIRONDACK FRONTIER RECREATIONAL TRAIL
Motion made by Supervisor Peter Shrope, Second by Amber McKernan,

ROLL CALL VOTE: Aye 5 (McKernan, Shrope, Szeliga, Tucker, Wright), Nay 0
RESOLUTION #29-2021 declared duly adopted.

RESOLUTION #30-2021
SUPPORT FRANKLIN COUNTY TOURISM RECREATIONAL TRAIL COORDINATOR POSITION
Motion made by Supervisor Peter Shrope, second by Amber McKernan,

WHEREAS, trails provide natural, scenic, and recreational value; and
WHEREAS, trails are good for the public health of our residents, offering places close to home for physical exercise, mental relaxation, and family recreation; and,
WHEREAS. a recreational trail is defined as a thoroughfare or track across land or snow, used for recreational purposes such as walking, hiking, equestrian, non-motorized snow trail activities including cross country skiing and snowshoeing, bicycling or use of other human-powered vehicles including e-bikes, canoe/kayaking and restricted motorized vehicular activities such as Off Highway Vehicles (OHV) recreational, snowmobiles and motorcycles; and
WHEREAS, trails will be defined as multi-use or dedicated to specified uses with restrictions and;
WHEREAS, a recreational trail coordinator will partner with Franklin Snowmobilers Inc., other membership clubs, non-profit organizations, municipalities, and state agencies for trail development and ongoing maintenance; and;
WHEREAS, the Recreational Trail Coordinator develops an inventory of all county trail assets and works cohesively to promote assets of the towns and county both public and private that can then be marketed through tourism and;
WHEREAS, the Recreational Trail Coordinator will work with towns, county, public and private entities to establish wish list for future trail development and prioritize the development of town, county and private trail assets; and
WHEREAS, the Recreational Trail Coordinator will coordinate new trail development and work to gain approvals of land owners, government agencies, coordinate the build, signing, and inventory electronically the assets that can then be further promoted by Tourism; and;
WHEREAS, the Recreational Trail Coordinator will define rules and establish a system of user fees for motorized trail use to aid in trail development, maintenance for a future self-funding position; and;
WHEREAS, the Recreational Trail Coordinator will be aware of known grants availability for trail development and make individuals, public and private organizations aware; and;
WHEREAS, the Recreational Trail Coordinator will focus on safe facilities to encourage bicyclists, walkers, the physically challenged, other non-motorized users of all ages and restricted motorized use to be more active and spend time outdoors, thereby improving their fitness, health and family recreation; and
WHEREAS, when communities in other areas of the United States and abroad provide for non-motorized and specific motorized trail options they thrive as places to live and work; and
WHEREAS, the Recreational Trail Coordinator work offers both residents and tourists access to natural, cultural and historical sites, will bring health and economic benefits to counties, municipalities and businesses in the region such as revenues to local economies, healthcare savings, enhanced real estate values, and increased activity; and
WHEREAS, the Recreational Trail Coordinator will be either contract or employee of the firm or entity contractually obligated to provided Tourism promotion in Franklin County to provide a cohesive partnership with inventorying and marketing the assets within Franklin County to maximize the economic benefit of tourism; and;
WHEREAS, the Town Board of the Town of Brighton has recognizes the many benefits of trails; and;
WHEREAS, the Town Board feels that it is in the best interest of the citizens of Franklin County to endorse the Recreational Trail Coordinator position and funding through the use of Occupancy Tax; and;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Brighton, Franklin County, hereby endorses an Adirondack Frontier Recreational Trail Coordinator and will provide technical assistance when available and needed for the duration of the project.

ROLL CALL VOTE: Aye 5 (McKernan, Shrope, Szeliga, Tucker, Wright), Nay 0
RESOLUTION #30-2021 declared duly adopted.

AFLAC Insurance – Tim Winstead: Distributed information on AFLAC Insurance for Town Officials and employees. The Town could form a “pool” if three people sign up for AFLAC insurance. This insurance supplements Health and other insurance, it does not replace it. The Town does not pay, but the individual would pay through payroll deductions and the Town would pay the invoice from those funds. Tim Winstead is the agent/contact person for any issues with the insurance.

REPORTS

HIGHWAY – Superintendent of Highways Andy Crary: Mowed cemeteries three times, weed whacked twice, mowed the Park twice, mowed the Town Hall and Garage lawns twice; patched pot holes on roads and went to Plattsburgh for more patch material; hauled tar for St. Armand and Harrietstown; made a dump run; put flags out for Memorial Day; worked on the small sander; chipping brush on roads; need to approve the mowing contract with Franklin County; need to approve paving of Keese Mills Road by Brunell & Sons, Inc., as the County is not helping the Town with paving again this year. There is $98,000 available in CHIPS funding to cover the expense. The budget will have to be amended as only $50,000 was budgeted under Highway Budget line DA5112.2 (Improvements).

RESOLUTION #31-2021
MOWING CONTRACT WITH FRANKLIN COUNTY FOR 2021
Motion made by Supervisor Peter Shrope, second by Lydia Wright,
RESOLVED that the Town Board authorizes the Supervisor to sign a contract with Franklin County Highway Department to mow the County Roads in the Town of Brighton, a distance of 7.96 miles at $100 per mowing for the Total amount of $1,592.00 for two mowing per season.
ROLL CALL VOTE: Aye 5 (McKernan, Shrope, Szeliga, Tucker, Wright), Nay 0
RESOLUTION #31-2021 declared duly adopted.

RESOLUTION #32-2021
PAVING CONTRACT WITH NOEL J. BRUNELL & SONS, INC FOR 2021
Motion made by Supervisor Peter Shrope, second by Amber McKernan,
RESOLVED that the Town Board authorizes the Supervisor to sign a contract with Noel J. Brunell & Sons, Inc., to pave one (1) mile by 18í wide of Keese Mills Road, up the State Route 30, for an amount Not to Exceed $14,000.
ROLL CALL VOTE: Aye 5 (McKernan, Shrope, Szeliga, Tucker, Wright), Nay 0
RESOLUTION #32-2021 declared duly adopted.

RESOLUTION #33-2021
PURCHASE OF TAR FOR PAVING KEESE MILLS ROAD
Motion made by Supervisor Peter Shrope, second by Lydia Wright,
RESOLVED that the Town Board authorizes the Superintendent of Highways to purchase tar for paving Keese Mills Road for 1 mile up to State Route 30 in an amount Not to Exceed $82,000.
ROLL CALL VOTE: Aye 5 (McKernan, Shrope, Szeliga, Tucker, Wright), Nay 0
RESOLUTION #33-2021 declared duly adopted.

TOWN CLERK – Elaine Sater: Total revenue to Supervisor as of May 31, 2021, was $1,389.00 from 11 certified copies, 1 genealogical search, and 1 marriage certificate; 4 dog licenses renewed; 5 Building permits (BP#21-017, and 019 thru 022); 36 copies on copier; and 4 Notary Signatures
TOWN HALL REQUESTS: Saturday, May 29, 9am, Neighborhood Community Meeting
TOWN PARK REQUEST: None
RECORDS MANAGEMENT: Continuing to update records retention codes for Records Index and destruction documentation, shredding/disposing of documentation that has passed it retention period.

HISTORIAN – Elaine Sater: Nothing to Report

TAX COLLECTOR – Holly Huber: In April issued check #1063 in the amount of $35,756.61 to the County Treasurer to complete the Warrant and issued check #1064 in the amount of $1,546.07 to Supervisor Peter Shrope for penalties and interest and in May issued check #1065 in the amount of $0.53 to Supervisor Peter Shrope for penalties and interest. Date for Audit of Financial Records set for Thursday, September 9 at 6:25pm. A Deputy Tax Collector needs to be appointed.

TOWN JUSTICE – Nik Santagate: Supervisor Peter Shrope received a check in the amount of $4,685 for 63 cases disposed during May

CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER – Paul Blaine: Issued 5 building permits (BP#21-017, and 019 thru 022), issued two (2) Certificates of Occupancy for BPs #18-014 and #20-039, and two (2) Certificates of Compliance for BPs #20-043 and #21-020.

ASSESSOR/DATA COLLECTOR – Roseanne Gallagher:
Received notice from the state that the final equalization rate for 2021 will be 84%.
The BAR meeting was last Thursday, June 3rd. We had no grievances. There was one stipulation that I had done with the representative from Lone Pine Camp on White Pine Rd. I had raised their assessment from $669,400 to $804,200. We agreed on a lower amount of $702,500. There were also two corrections of errors where I had been notified by a property owner that the barn I had assessed on her sonís property was really on hers. I just subtracted the value of the barn from one lot and added it to the other.
Sent letters out a few weeks ago to the two remaining properties on White Pine Rd. that I havenít yet data collected because of gates across the driveways. The owner of Camp Wanakiwin (actually on North Brook Rd) left me a phone message. We havenít spoken yet but she said they will be at their camp starting this weekend and we could schedule a time for me to data collect, hopefully next week. I havenít heard from the owner of the other home which is listed under the Beverly McCobb Trust.
Pam Sloate and I were able to spend two days data collecting on Spitfire Lake last week thanks to Peter Shrope taking us out in his boat. We were able to visit all but two properties on Spitfire. The two we couldnít do had no place to land a boat. There is a lot of new construction that we collected. We will both be doing the paperwork that we created over the next several months. We will do the remaining camps (16 or 17) on Upper Saint Regis Lake by boat after Labor Day.
Forestmere, Topridge and two other properties, one with a gate and one that I donít even know if I could get my truck up the driveway, are all thatís left to data collect besides Upper Saint Regis Lake. Also I need to find out how to access the camps on Lyme Adirondack Timberlands Land.

SUPERVISOR – Peter Shrope:
Budget update as of May 31, 2021, was distributed to Town Board; revenue received was $0.53 from the Tax Collector, $235.35 stumpage fees, $14,997.87 mortgage tax, $4,685 from the Town Justice and $1,389 from the Town Clerk
NYCLASS investment interest received for May as follows: $4.30 for General Fund, Balance is $111,174.69; $1.59 for Highway Fund, Balance is $42,368.44
Charter Communications – Received information on upcoming changes to cable television stations dated May 14 and 28 and June 8

ACCEPT/AMEND MINUTES
Regular Board Meeting May 13, 2021
Motion made by Amber McKernan, second by Lydia Wright, to accept the minutes of the Regular Board Meeting of May 13, 2021, with the following correction: Page 1, Resolution #25-2021 ROLL CALL VOTE: Change “Aye 5” to “Aye 4”, remove “Tucker” and add “Abstain 1 (Tucker)”, Aye 5 (McKernan, Shrope, Szeliga, Tucker, Wright), Nay 0

CITIZEN COMMENTS
Jeremy Asmus, Paul Smithís College Facilities, new President has been hired, Dr. Scott Dalrymple, he will be a good fit with his background. Liverpool Dorm will be brought back on-line for Freshman to live in. There are 240 to 280 new students for the Fall Semester. In 2010 there were 11,000 students total with four per room. Sodexho signed a 10 year contract with the College. There is a food trailer now at the VIC which is open to the public.

NEW BUSINESS

RESOLUTION #139 FRANKLIN COUNTY LEGISLATURE-Supervisor Peter Shrope: Received information from Andrea Dumas, District #3 Legislator, concerning Resolution #139 Waiver of Interest Owed on Delinquent Real Property Taxes if Paid in Full no Later than August 31, 2021.

CARES ACT-Supervisor Peter Shrope: Received information from Andrea Dumas, Franklin County District #3 Legislator, concerning CARES ACT funding available for Small Businesses Assistance. A Letter of Intent for the County is needed to go with their application for the funds.

OLD BUSINESS

CANNABIS SALES – Supervisor Peter Shrope: Need local law if the Town wants to opt out of dispensaries or lounges.

LOCAL LAW REVISION FOR CODE ENFORCEMENT – Supervisor Peter Shrope: Sent a draft of the Local Law to Attorney Scott Goldie for review and comment.

COMMITTEES:
Park & Recreation – Supervisor Peter Shrope/Amber McKernan: Propane tank was removed, portable toilet was delivered. Amber McKernan said the toilet gets a lot of use from traffic going by. She asked about removing the full garbage receptacles on the Paul Smithís College property.
Jeremy Amsus, PSC Facilities, said he would take care of them.

AUDIT OF VOUCHERS
RESOLUTION #34-2021

AUDIT OF VOUCHERS
Motion made by Amber McKernan, second by Lydia Wright,
RESOLVED that the Supervisor be authorized to pay the audited vouchers as listed on the abstracts as follows:
PREPAID FUNDS: Abstract #6 for Voucher #s 6A thru 6C for 2021 GENERAL FUND in the amount of $392.12 and Voucher #6C for 2021 STREET LIGHTING FUNDS in the amount of $54.10
GENERAL FUND: Abstract #6 for Voucher #96 through #116 for 2021 funds in the amount of $4,894.08 HIGHWAY FUND: Abstract #6 for Voucher #48 through #58 for 2021 funds in the amount of $6,209.18
ROLL CALL VOTE: Aye 5 (McKernan, Shrope, Szeliga, Tucker, Wright), Nay 0
RESOLUTION #34 declared duly adopted.

ADJOURNMENT
Motion to Adjourn at 8:45pm made by Amber McKernan, second by Lydia Wright, Aye 5 (McKernan, Shrope, Szeliga, Tucker, Wright), Nay 0

Respectfully Submitted, Elaine W. Sater, RMC, Brighton Town Clerk

Town of Brighton

P.O. Box 260 · Paul Smiths, NY 12970

518-327-3202 · Email: info@townofbrighton.net

June 10, 2021 Regular Meeting