Adirondack Town Of Franklin
Adirondack Town Of Franklin

Town of Franklin Board Meetings

Budget FY 2022 Public Hearing/Regular Board Meeting November 10, 2021

BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT:

Supervisor Dorothy Brown, Councilman Richard Jarvis, Councilman Donald Hamm, Councilman Tom Bartiss and, Councilman Leo Demong

OTHERS PRESENT:

Doris Hamm, Richard Meagher—Budget Officer, Jacques DeMars—Highway Superintendent, Lauren LeFebvre—Town Clerk, Melissa Furnia—FONC, Gail Huston—Councilperson Elect and Rachelle Waters—Councilperson Elect, Missy Begor—Secretary to the Supervisor

CALL TO ORDER

Supervisor Brown called the Public Hearing to order. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited and the Town Clerk called the roll noting the full board was present.

FY 2022 TOWN OF FRANKLIN FISCAL AND FIRE PROTECTION BUDGET

Budget Officer, Richard Meagher, explained that the Town has again stayed within the 2% tax cap

PUBLIC COMMENT None

CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING/OPEN REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING The Town Clerk closed the Public Hearing at 5:40pm. Supervisor Brown called the regular meeting to order at 5:40.

FRIENDS OF THE NORTH COUNTRY FONC Executive Director, Melissa Furnia, addressed the board and stated FONC has been made aware of a possible conflict of interest involving a recipient of rehab services. A family member of a grant recipient is related to an employee of the Town of Franklin. The Town Clerk stated that, according to the Town of Franklin Ethics Policy, there is no conflict of interest as the ToF employee has no interest, control or decision making role in the 2019 CDBG program. Ms. Furnia and Supervisor Brown will work with the Town Attorney and FONC to request HUD's determination as another person related to the same grant recipient was recently hired by FONC.

RESOLUTION #33 NO CONFLICT OF INTEREST DETERMINATION
On a motion by Supervisor Brown, seconded by Councilman Bartiss, BE IT RESOLVED the Town of Franklin Town Board does hereby declare there is no conflict of interest with regard to a recipient of 418HR345-19 NYS Office of Community Renewal 2019 Housing Rehabilitation Grant rehab services and a Town of Franklin employee as the employee has no financial interest or decision making power over the contract.

Those Voting Aye:
    Supervisor Dorothy Brown
    Councilman Tom Bartiss
    Councilman Don Hamm
    Councilman Dick Jarvis
    Councilman Leo Demong

Those Voting Absent: None


REVIEW/APPROVAL OF OCTOBER 5 AND 13, 2021 MINUTES

Councilman Jarvis requested "two" be included with the plural "kiosks". T.Bartiss-D.Jarvis (m/s/p) All Aye

APPROVAL OF CLAIMS

The board audited and approved payment of the following claims:

General FundAbstract 11Claims 233-252$8,552.40
Pre-Pay GeneralAbstract 11Claims 29-32$913.52
Highway FundAbstract 11Claim 154-169$35,783.45

((T.Bartiss-D.Jarvis m/s/p) All Aye


SUPERVISOR'S REPORT: Balances on hand as of October 31, 2021

General Fund
Checking$16,049.78
Savings$93,026.24
Historian$3,040.13
Kt. Mt SRF$2058.31
Cemetery RF$5,608.33
CLASS$24,926.25
Kate Mt. CLASS$46,665.71
Highway Fund
Checking$283,487.06
Savings$41,680.87
Cap Proj. HW$4,156.08
CLASS$410,935.81
Landfill Clos. CR
Checking$4,124.97
CLASS$8,063.40
Fire Protection
Checking$181.06
CLASS$1,517.59
Capital Proj Bldg
CLASS$912.35

(Bartiss-Jarvis m/s/p) All Aye

HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT - Superintendent DeMars read the following:

  • All sand has been hauled.
  • Per supervisor Browns request, buried propane tanks for home energy. (heat has been turned on)
  • Changed culvert on Oregon Plains Road that had severe rot. Problem initiated by beaver. We used county Vac truck prior to culvert washing out. Again, severe rot was the problem that caused it to wash out
  • Hauled millings from Harrietstown Airport
  • Patched culvert crossing on Oregon Plains Road
  • Hand work on Mensink Road, crushed concrete was placed near every drive way
  • Beaver fight continues
  • Changed W rails on Oregon Plains Road Supervisor Brown's approval
  • Received check from the county for mowing, additionally, we mowed a section of 26 for the county under shared services

RESOLUTION #34 APPROVAL FOR THE EXPENDITURE OF HIGHWAY MONEYS
On a motion by Councilman Hamm, second by Councilman Demong, BE IT RESOLVED that the Town of Franklin Town Board does hereby approve the expenditure of up to $90,000 for permanent improvements on approximately 1 mile of Norman Ridge Road.

Those Voting Aye:
    Supervisor Dorothy Brown
    Councilman Tom Bartiss
    Councilman Don Hamm
    Councilman Dick Jarvis
    Councilman Leo Demong

Those Voting Absent: None


NEW BUSINESS

A. FY 2022 Town of Franklin Budget

RESOLUTION #35 ADOPTION OF PRELIMINARY 2022 TOWN OF FRANKLIN & FIRE PROTECTION BUDGET
On a motion by Councilman Demong, second by Councilman Bartiss, BE IT RESOLVED that the Town of Franklin Town Board does hereby adopt the 2022 Preliminary Budget as presented at the November 10, 2022 Public Hearing and does hereby declare the it the 2022 Town of Franklin and Fire Protection Final Budget.

Those Voting Aye:
    Supervisor Dorothy Brown
    Councilman Tom Bartiss
    Councilman Don Hamm
    Councilman Dick Jarvis
    Councilman Leo Demong

Those Voting Absent: None


B. CBDG Expenditure Approval

RESOLUTION #36 APPROVAL OF PROJECT EXPENDITURE
On a motion by Supervisor Brown, second by Councilman Hamm, BE IT RESOLVED that the Town of Franklin Town Board does hereby authorize the capital expenditure of $54,400, plus administrative, project delivery and other soft costs in accordance with the Town of Franklin Housing Rehabilitation Program for project FR-19-10.

Those Voting Aye:
    Supervisor Dorothy Brown
    Councilman Tom Bartiss
    Councilman Don Hamm
    Councilman Dick Jarvis
    Councilman Leo Demong

Those Voting Absent: None


C. Year-End Board Meeting/Regular Monthly Meeting - December regular and year-end board meeting will be consolidated into one meeting to be held December 15, 2021 at 5:30pm at the Franklin Town Hall. The Town Clerk will provide notice to the public as required.

OLD BUSINESS

A. DASNY - No update.
B. Assemblyman Jones' Funding - No update.
C. COVID Recovery Funds - As two new board members will be joining the board in 2022, this will be discussed at a later date.
D. Code Enforcement - Supervisor Brown announced CEO Derrick Martineau has completed an online course in order to enable the Town of Franklin to be eligible for a $5,000 Energy Grant. Supervisor Brown thanked Nancy Bernstein for bringing the opportunity to the Town's attention.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

A. Recreation - Kate MT. Park: In addition to the Summer Youth Program from July 7-August 13, the Jam on August 14, the Park was reserved through the town clerk by eight families, two soccer teams and two veteran's groups. Removed volleyball equipment for winter storage. Cleared 2 downed trees on long loop trail. DeBar Draft UMP: Leo was advised by Steve Guglielmi, DEC forester, that DEC staff working on alternative language for DeBar Lodge and snowmobile trails, and likely to be public comment period. Outdoor Recreation Map Project: Application to Franklin Co. Destination and Marketing Program sent October 14, 2021 and awarded to the Town of Franklin on November 10, 2021 for two informational kiosks to be located at Kate Mountain Park and Franklin Town Hall.
B. Cemetery - Cemetery Custodians Tim and Susan Goff reported that they will remove American flags on veteran graves after Veterans Day weekend for proper disposal. They will provide a report on burials in the town cemeteries at the December meeting. St. Rose of Lima Cemetery, owned and maintained by Roman Catholic Church on Alder Brook Road, posted a new sign. The cemetery contains a bronze plaque with its history.
C. Broadband - No update
D. Newsletter - No update

EXECUTIVE SESSION

On a motion by Supervisor Brown, second by Councilman Hamm, the board entered into Executive Session to discuss Union Contract negotiations at 6:50pm. Supervisor Brown, Councilmen Bartiss, Hamm, Demong and Jarvis, and Secretary Missy Begor, were present in Executive Session as was Town Clerk Lauren LeFebvre. The board exited Executive Session at 7:15pm. Supervisor Brown reconvened the regular meeting and stated no action was taken in Executive Session.

ADJOURNMENT

There bring no further business to discuss, Supervisor Brown adjourned the meeting at 7:20pm

Respectfully submitted, Lauren LeFebvre, Town Clerk

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Town of Franklin
P.O. Box 209, Route 3, Vermontville, NY 12989  ·  Tel: 518-891-2189  ·  Fax: 518-891-6389  ·  info@townoffranklin.com
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