Regular Board Meeting December 9, 2021 (DRAFT)

CALL TO ORDER
Meeting was called to order at 7:01pm by Supervisor Peter Shrope at the Brighton Town Hall, 12 County Road 31 (aka Jones Pond Road), Paul Smiths, New York, on December 9, 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 two residents
Guests: Matt Levenson, National Ski Patrol; MSgt Dan Fields, US Army; John Beach, National Ski Patrol Historian; and Pat McGuire, Insurance Agent

Supervisor Peter Shrope thanked Deputy Supervisor Steve Tucker for running the meeting in November.

PRESENTATIONS
Historical Marker for Ski Patrol – Matt Levenson: Charles Minot Dole (1899-1976) is buried in the St. John in the Wilderness Cemetery; he is considered the Father of the United States Army Ski Troops World War II Tenth Mountain Division and the National Ski Patrol. On the 19th of September 1998 the US Army Tenth Mountain Division Foundation dedicated a stone in the cemetery. The National Ski Patrol in conjunction with the Tenth Mountain Division would like to rededicate “Minnie” Dole with a roadside historical marker at the cemetery on May 2, 2022. They are asking the Town’s help in preparing the site for a hole to be dug in the ground now in case the ground is still frozen in May. The sign is being prepared at a foundry near Albany. The US Army plans on attending, the Town Officials are invited, and possibly national TV stations. There will be National Ski Patrol members also attending the ceremony, transportation for them is being worked out.

Supervisor Peter Shrope suggested also inviting the local State and County Officials. He said an agreement would have to be provided by the St. Johnís in the Wilderness church for permission to go on private land with Town equipment to dig the hole.

Insurance Review – Pat McGuire: Reviewed the Town’s insurance policy with the Board; new truck has was added; total cost will be $16,030.48

REPORTS

HIGHWAY – Superintendent of Highways Andy Crary:
Moved a tree on Keese Mills Road with the loader, repaired the hydraulic hose on the 2015, cleaned the trucks, installed new LED lights on the trucks, cleaned the shop, busy plowing and sanding, an employee is out due to medical reasons, made a dump run, helped the Fire Department with storage building, as of November 1 new hours for winter Monday thru Friday 5am to 1pm.

TOWN CLERK – Elaine Sater: Total revenue to Supervisor as of November 30, 2021, was $20 from 1 certified copy of a Vital Record and 2 dog licenses:1 renewed and one new (Tag#257)
November 9 – received information from the NYS Association of Towns Re: Annual Training in New York City February 20-23, 2022, distributed to Town Officials
November 16 – Updated addresses and emails for NYS Association of Towns.
December 2 – Received resignation letter from Deputy Tax Collector Linnae Hamilton, received letter appointing Anita Gochenaur as Deputy Tax Collector from Tax Collector Holly Huber. Took Oath of Office from Anita Gochenaur.
December 7 – Received notice from the Franklin County Board of Elections dated November 27, 2021, Re Official results from November 2 election: Supervisor Peter Shrope, Councilpersons Amber McKernan and Steve Tucker, and Superintendent of Highways Andy Crary
TOWN HALL REQUESTS: None
TOWN PARK REQUEST: None
RECORDS MANAGEMENT: Indexing Vol 12 (1981 to 1983) of minutes

HISTORIAN – Elaine Sater: More from the 1981 minutes:
March – The Chris Oehler Memorial Fund was disbanded and funds of $979 were donated to the Town to help pay for bleachers in his memory
June – Resolution to support a new landfill was adopted and the current landfill is to be closed when the new one is completed
July – Public Hearing was held by Office of Corrections to discuss opening a minimum-security prison in Gabriels on property Paul Smith’s College wants to sell to the State
August – Paul Smith’s College will no longer allow the Town of use the sand around the Garage. The Town will have to find another way to get sand and screen it. The Land Use Plan is proposed by the Planning/Zoning Board to the Town Board for their approval.

TAX COLLECTOR – Holly Huber: Nothing to Report

TOWN JUSTICE – Nik Santagate: Supervisor Peter Shrope received a check in the amount of $2,176.00 for 25 cases disposed during November

CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER – Paul Blaine: Issued 1 Certificate of Occupancy (BP#16-012)

ASSESSOR/DATA COLLECTOR – Roseanne Gallagher:
Aged exemption renewals have been mailed out; most of the agricultural district exemption renewals have been mailed out, two need further review to be sure the applications have all the required paperwork, finished reviewing the new and ongoing construction. Need to recheck many of these parcels in the spring so changes can be valued as of taxable status date March 1st.

SUPERVISOR – Supervisor Peter Shrope
Budget 2022: Verified meeting the maximum tax cap with Office of State Comptroller
Franklin County: Received notice from Franklin County Office of Real Property Tax Services, RE: Retirement of Jennette Gagnier (Tummons) on December 23, 2021.

Charter Communications: Received notices concerning upcoming Spectrum changes dated November 15, 2021
Tree Recycling: Received notice from Franklin County RE: Tree Recycling in Malone December 27 thru January 14, 8am to 3pm.

Sign Complaint: Received a complaint about a profane sign on County Road 60, contacted Attorney for the Town to see if anything could be done about it. First Amendment of US Constitution protects free speech since the sign is not obscene just profane. The sign is on private property.
Budget 2021: Update as of November 30, 2021, was distributed to Town Board. Revenue received $23,439.52 from Franklin County for mortgage tax, $200 for a cemetery plot, $2,176 from the Town Justice, and $20 from the Town Clerk.

NYCLASS investment interest received for November as follows: $3.24 for General Fund, Balance is $111,192.11 ($20,000 for Town Hall Roof); $1.20 for Highway Fund, Balance is $42,374.97

Email Address for Town Officials: Access to website email was changed when website was updated, will provide new address to Town Board members.

ACCEPT/AMEND MINUTES
Regular Board Meeting November 11, 2021
Motion made by Amber McKernan, second by Lydia Wright, to accept the minutes of the Regular Board Meeting of November 11, 2021, with two spelling corrections. Aye 4 (McKernan, Szeliga, Tucker, Wright), Nay 0, Abstain 1 (Shrope)

CITIZEN COMMENTS:
Tom McKernan: Wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Jeremy Asmus – Paul Smith’s College: The College has signed an agreement with the FEDCAP Group, a not-for-profit to help abolish poverty, this gives the College access to grant writers and the Group needed an accredited college, the IT and HR systems will be upgraded. NYS still must approve the agreement.

BUSINESS
Tri-Lakes Humane Society 2022 Agreement – Supervisor Peter Shrope: Received a new contract for animal shelter and animal control officer services for 2022

RESOLUTION #55-2021
TRI-LAKES HUMANE SOCIETY 2022 AGREEMENT
Motion made by Supervisor Peter Shrope, second by Lydia Wright,
RESOLVED that the Town Board authorizes the Supervisor to sign an agreement with the Tri-Lakes Humane Society, Inc. to provide for Animal Shelter services and Animal Control Officer services for 2022 in the amount of $3,902.00
ROLL CALL VOTE: Aye 5 (McKernan, Shrope, Szeliga, Tucker, Wright), Nay 0
RESOLUTION #55-2021 declared duly adopted.

Adirondack Park Local Government Review Board 2022 Agreement – Supervisor Peter Shrope: Received agreement from the Adirondack Park Local Government Review Board for 2022.

RESOLUTION #56-2021
APLGRB 2022 AGREEMENT
Motion made by Supervisor Peter Shrope, second by Amber McKernan,
RESOLVED that the Town Board authorizes the Supervisor to sign an Agreement with the Adirondack Park Local Government Review Board (APLGRB) to provide services for following actions by the Adirondack Park Agency for 2022 in the amount of $300.
ROLL CALL VOTE: Aye 5 (McKernan, Shrope, Szeliga, Tucker, Wright), Nay 0
RESOLUTION #56-2021 declared duly adopted.

COMMITTEES: Nothing to report

CITIZEN COMMENTS: None

EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion made to GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION at 8:15pm by Supervisor Peter Shrope in accordance with Public Officer Law, Article 7, Section 105(e), collective negotiations pursuant to Article 14 of the Civil Service Law (Taylor Law), second by Matthew Szeliga, Aye 5 (McKernan, Shrope, Szeliga, Tucker, Wright), Nay 0
Motion made to GO OUT OF EXECUTIVE SESSION at 8:35pm by Amber McKernan, second by Matthew Szeliga, Aye 5 (McKernan, Shrope, Szeliga, Tucker, Wright), Nay 0

AUDIT OF VOUCHERS
RESOLUTION #57-2021
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 #12 for Voucher #s 12A thru 12C for 2021 GENERAL FUND in the amount of $360.66 and Voucher #12C for 2021 STREET LIGHTING FUNDS in the amount of $70.86
GENERAL FUND: Abstract #12 for Voucher #199 through #213 for 2021 funds in the amount of $5,197.40,
HIGHWAY FUND: Abstract #12 for Voucher #101 through #112 for 2021 funds in the amount of $6,560.91
ROLL CALL VOTE: Aye 5 (McKernan, Shrope, Szeliga, Tucker, Wright), Nay 0
RESOLUTION #57-2021 declared duly adopted.

ADJOURNMENT
Motion to Adjourn at 8:37pm 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