The Regular Monthly Meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Brighton, Franklin County, NY, was held Thursday, October 12, 2023, at 6:35pm, directly following the Special Meeting at 5:30pm at the Brighton Town Hall, 12 County Road 31, Paul Smiths, NY, with the following:

CALL TO ORDER:
Meeting was Called to Order by Supervisor Peter Shrope at 6:35pm
Pledge to the Flag was recited.

ROLL CALL OF OFFICERS
PRESENT: Supervisor Peter Shrope
Council Members: Amber McKernan, Matthew Szeliga, Steve Tucker, and Lydia Wright
ABSENT: None
OTHERS PRESENT: Andy Crary-Superintendent of Highways, Elizabeth DeFonce-Tax Collector, Russell DeFonce-Deputy Tax Collector, Elaine Sater-Town Clerk and one resident
GUESTS: None

NOTICE OF MEETING:
Notice of this meeting was posted on the Town Clerkís Sign Board and distributed to the Town Board Members on October 3, 2023

REPORTS

Highway Superintendent of Highways – Andy Crary: Mowed and weed whacked the cemeteries, Town Hall, Garage and Park for the last time this year; finished Clark Wardner Road work, used 16 loads of gravel; hauled tar for Town of St. Armand; chipped brush on Church Pond, Northbrook and McDermott Roads; mowed the County Roads; cleared the intersection on Mill Hill Road; put sander chain on truck; salt came in, only got 100 tons; called Trudeau to screen sand; lights on backorder for garage will be installed on October 17th; and got two quotes for tires for 2013 truck.

RESOLUTION #39-2023
PURCHASE TIRES FOR 2013 TRUCK
Motion made by Supervisor Peter Shrope, second by Amber McKernan,
RESOLVED that the Town Board authorizes Superintendent of Highways Andy Crary to purchase eight (8) tires for the 2013 truck from Warren Tires in Plattsburgh in an amount not to exceed $6,000.
ROLL CALL VOTE: Aye 5 (McKernan, Shrope Szeliga, Tucker, Wright), Nay 0
Resolution #39 declared duly adopted.

Town Clerk – Elaine Sater: Total Revenue to Supervisor as of September 30, 2023, was $357.05; from 6 Dog Licenses, 4 renewed and 2 new (Tag# 277 and 278); 4 Building Permits (#23-27, 042 and 043) and 1 renewal (BP#20-013); and 6 copies on copier.
TOWN HALL REQUESTS: None
TOWN PARK REQUEST: None
RECORDS MANAGEMENT: Indexing Vol 14 (1988 to 1989)
FOIL REQUESTS: September 28, 2023; NY State Police/NICS Unit, request for disposition on a felony case from 1972, no records found.

Historian – Elaine Sater: No Report

Tax Collector – Elizabeth DeFonce: Franklin County has sent out their letter requesting tax collection hours for the upcoming year; plans on keeping them the same as last year with her house as the drop off point simply to help her separate the two tasks (Town Clerk/Tax Collector), at least for a year or so. If anyone has any†questions or†concerns, please let her know.
Attended the Local Government Conference in Potsdam on Tuesday, October 10.
Need to use the Credit Card to purchase envelopes for 2024 Tax Collecting season and to reserve a hotel room for the February 2024 Association of Towns Annual Meeting and Training School in New York City to take advantage of the reduced price. Voucher for Registration has been submitted for two attendees.

RESOLUTION #40-2023
USE OF CREDIT CARD FOR TAX COLLECTOR
Motion made by Supervisor Peter Shrope, second by Matthew Szeliga,
RESOLVED that the Town Board authorizes Tax Collector Elizabeth DeFonce to use the Credit Card to purchase envelopes with postage from the US Post Office for the 2024 Tax Collection season in an amount Not To Exceed $900, and RESOLVED that the Tax Collector be authorized to use the Credit Card to reserve a hotel room at the New York Marriott Marquis for the 2024 NYS Association of Towns Annual Meeting and Training School in New York City in February 2024 for two people in amount not to exceed $1,200.
ROLL CALL VOTE: Aye 5 (McKernan, Shrope Szeliga, Tucker, Wright), Nay 0
Resolution #40 declared duly adopted.

Town Justice – Nik Santagate: Disposed of 19 cases during September and the Supervisor received a check in the amount of $2,030.

Code Enforcement Officer – Rodger Tompkins: Issued 7 Building Permits (BP#s 23-044 through 050) during September. Issued 5 Certificates of Occupancy for BPs #16-032, 18-026, 22-010, 23-021 and 026. Issued 7 Certificates of Compliance for BPs#20-027, 21-032, 22-012, 23-004, 005, 028 and 029 for the period January 1 to October 11, 2023.

Assessor – Roseanne Gallagher:
REVALUATION: Spoke with Robert Koszarek from KLW about when they would want her records at the Town Hall. Will get the four-drawer legal size file cabinet moved from her house on Monday, October 23 or Tuesday, October 24th. KLM plans to be in the Town Hall either that week or the following week. They will need keys to access the Town Hall.

Data collection and paperwork for the Town is basically done. There are a few properties that she has not been able to get access to: Ed Konwinski from Lyme Timber thought it would be too hard for him to take her around to all the remote hunting camps on Lyme timber property in the Town, he has comprehensive baseline reports for each camp with photos and measurements which he is sending to her so she can compile up to date info for all the camps. There is a gate at 266 County Road 60, she has sent three letters to the property owner asking for access. There are two hunting camps off State Route 30 in McColloms that have gates. Mailed letters to the owners asking for access.

Supervisor – Peter Shrope:
Fiscal Distress: The State Comptroller sent a notice of ìno Fiscal Stressî for the Town
Camp Gabriels: Franklin County IDA mentioned the Senate has passed a Bill to get Camp Gabriels property redesignated from “Forever wild” so it can be sold on the ballot, the Assembly has not addressed a Bill.
Budget: Copy provided to Town Board members as of September 30, 2023, revenue received since last Regular Monthly meeting: $2,030 from Justice, and $357.05 from Town Clerk
NYCLASS: For September – General Fund interest $500.27, total $116,.905.96 ($20,000 for Town Hall). Highway Fund interest $190.65, total $44,552.31.

ACCEPT/AMEND MINUTES
September 14, 2023 – Regular Board Meeting
Motion made by Amber McKernan, second by Matthew Szeliga, to accept the minutes of the September 14, 2023, Regular Board Meeting, as written. Aye 4 (McKernan, Szeliga, Tucker, Wright), Nay 0, Abstain 1 (Shrope)

CITIZENS’ COMMENTS:
Tom McKernan ñ It is a pleasure to see the Board work together
Elizabeth DeFonce ñ Would like to see the Board address a 1st Amendment Policy specially creating a buffer for people who may want to record business in the Town Hall

BUSINESS

BRIDGENY – Supervisor Peter Shrope: Town needs to spend funds upfront before being reimbursed for a culvert replacement on Keese Mills Road. Asked some banks for quotes for funding, received one quote and contacted the Attorney for the Town to look into process. Looking into possibly using a ìLine of Creditî. Need more information before moving ahead on the funding.

Setbacks from Property Lines – Matthey Szeliga: Had two people question him about setbacks in the Town. They are part of the Code in the Town of Malone. He understands setbacks are part of some deed restrictions. Asked if the Town should have a policy on setbacks for all property. Currently the Town Code Enforcement Officer uses the NYS building code.

Paul Smiths-Gabriels Volunteer Fire House Water Filtration – Supervisor Peter Shrope: No further information was provided; he will contact the person again.

COMMITTEES:
Parks & Recreation – Amber McKernan/Peter Shrope: The pot-a-potty should be removed by November 1st; Amber McKernan said the Park looks nice the way the Highway Department has mowed it, wild flower seeds could be spread in the Spring.

CITIZENS COMMENTS: None

AUDIT OF VOUCHERS
RESOLUTION #41-2023
ADUIT 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 #10 for Voucher #s 10A and 10B for 2023 GENERAL FUND in the amount $406.12 and Voucher #10B for 2023 STREET LIGHTING FUNDS in the amount of $73.33
GENERAL FUND: Abstract #11 for Voucher #181 through #197 for 2023 funds in the amount of $9,366.51
HIGHWAY FUND: Abstract #10 for Voucher 95 through #102 for 2023 funds in the amount of $7,424.12
ROLL CALL VOTE: Aye 5 (McKernan, Shrope Szeliga, Tucker, Wright), Nay 0
Resolution #41 declared duly adopted.

ADJOURNMENT
Motion to Adjourn at 7:50pm made by Amber McKernan, Second by Lydia Wright,
Aye 5 (McKernan, Shrope Szeliga, Tucker, Wright), Nay 0

Respectfully Submitted, Elaine W. Sater, Brighton Town Clerk
October 12, 2023