This Virtual Meeting of the Brant Town Board was held at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, June 9, 2020 via “GoToMeeting”, an online virtual live meeting application approved by NYS Governor Cuomo for use during the Corona Virus pandemic shut-down.

PRESENT VIA “GO TO MEETING”:

Mark DeCarlo Supervisor

Donna Marien Councilwoman

Janice Ross Councilwoman

Linda Giancarlo Councilwoman

Barbara J. Daniel Recording Secretary

William Trask Town Attorney

Absent was: Councilman Michael Muffoletto

ALSO PRESENT ONLINE:

Lynda Ostrowski Deputy Town Clerk

Kristen Giancarlo Resident

Seraphino Giancarlo Resident

Angela Joy Court Clerk

Debra Ritz Planning Board Member

The meeting opened at 7:06 PM.

Supervisor DeCarlo: 00:00 - 00:03

This conference will now be recorded

Councilwoman Giancarlo: 00:04 - 00:04

Yes.

Supervisor DeCarlo: 00:04 - 00:09

Thank you. Anyone want to lead us in the pledge?

Councilwoman Giancarlo: 00:09 - 00:29

I'll do it. (Councilwoman Giancarlo recited the Pledge to the Flag and everyone joined in)

Supervisor DeCarlo: 00:30 - 00:35

Thank you. Approval of the minutes of the May 12th, 2020 Board Meeting.

Councilwoman Giancarlo: 00:36 - 00:37

I'll approve them.

Supervisor DeCarlo: 00:38 - 00:38

Perfect. A motion by Councilwoman Giancarlo seconded by Councilwoman Ross. All those in favor?

(All responded Aye)

Supervisor DeCarlo: 00:51 - 00:54

All those opposed carried.
 

Supervisor DeCarlo 00:54 - 01:03

I’m going to table all the monthly reports until the next meeting. I expect to, unless something changes drastically, I expect to have the meeting in the Town Hall in July.

Supervisor DeCarlo 01:05 - 01:33

Public hearings. I just want to say that, I guess I want to mention that we're going to, we're going to cancel tonight's public hearing for the Special Use Permits and set a new meeting for July 14th, 2020, at 7 30 PM. There'll be no enforcement action by the Code Enforcement Officer, until after that meeting. So, can I get a motion to set that meeting for July 14.

Councilwoman Giancarlo 01:33 - 01:34

I’ll make the motion.

Supervisor DeCarlo 01:35 - 01:37

I have a motion by Councilwoman Giancarlo, do I have a second?

Councilwoman Marien 01:38 – 01:39

I’ll second it.

Supervisor DeCarlo 01:39 - 01:43

Seconded by Councilwoman Marien. All those in favor.

(All responded Aye)

Supervisor DeCarlo 01:45 - 01:48

All those opposed? Carried.

Supervisor DeCarlo 01:51 - 01:52

OLD BUSINESS

Supervisor DeCarlo 01:52 – 02:04

The CDBG Bid Proposal. We received one bid, I provided a copies for everyone. Does anyone have any questions on the bid or concerns?

Councilwoman Giancarlo 02:06 - 02:07

No.

Supervisor DeCarlo 02:08 - 02:25

I did speak with the County today and we provided them all the documentation we had the specs and everything else and they're happy for us to move forward expeditiously and get this going and hopefully in July if not sooner. I would make a motion to approve the bid.

Councilwoman Marien 02:26 – 02:27

I’ll second

Mark DeCarlo 02:28 - 02:30

Second by Councilwoman Marien. Bill?

Attorney Trask 02:31 - 02:38

Mark, the successful bidder and the dollar amount should be stated for the record.

Supervisor DeCarlo 02:39 - 02:57

Sure, OK. So, Joseph Builders, Jason Joseph, Joseph Builders, was the one bid, the dollar amount is, I don't have it in front of me. It was 99,000.

Councilwoman Ross 02:57 - 03:01

I have it. $99,249.

Supervisor DeCarlo 03:06 - 03:23

I would like to make mention, too, that he did state that, he doesn't use any subs. He does all the work himself, and all the materials will be bought, from a minority….a minority group seller… I guess… for the building materials which is nice.

Attorney Trask 03:24 - 03:35

A Minority Business Enterprise, M B E.

Mark DeCarlo 03:28 - 03:41

Yes, I'm sorry. Minority Business Enterprise. All right, so I'll make a motion. Do I have a second? I have a second, Councilwoman Marien, to accept the bid and move forward. Can I get a roll-call?

Recording Secretary Daniel 03:42 - 03:42

Supervisor DeCarlo?

Supervisor DeCarlo 03:44 - 03:44

Aye

Recording Secretary Daniel 03:46 - 03:47

Councilwoman Marien?

Councilwoman Marien 03:48 – 03:49

Aye

Recording Secretary Daniel 03:50 - 03:51

Councilwoman Giancarlo?

Councilwoman Giancarlo 03:52 - 03:53

Aye.

Recording Secretary Daniel 03:53 - 03:58

Councilmen Muffoletto? Oh, he’s absent, and Councilwoman Ross?

Councilwoman Ross 03:59

Aye

Supervisor DeCarlo 04:00 - 04:01

Carried.

Mark DeCarlo 04:05 - 04:06

New Business

Mark DeCarlo 04:07 - 04:26

We're going to be re-opening the town hall limited hours this week. We've put all the, all the safeguards in place that's required and suggested by the state and the county. We do have a plan in place and procedures. Any…anybody have any questions on that?

Councilwoman Giancarlo 04:28 - 04:29

No.

Supervisor DeCarlo 04:29 - 04:49

Allen and Todd had completed the, the stairs to the front of the Police department, we've been talking about this railing that needed to be replaced the risks of concerns of liability, if someone had fallen off of it. They did a great job, and they refinished it and re-installed it, so that is all set.

Supervisor DeCarlo 04:51 - 04:58

Anybody have any other? So report, I guess, reports or committees. Is there anybody that has anything to report?

Councilwoman Giancarlo 04:59 - 05:15

I'd like to talk about the fireworks, the family picnic in the park. Do we still want to do it? It's scheduled for June 28th. And the Car Cruise asked if they can come and be a part of that.

Supervisor DeCarlo 05:17 - 05:31

I would, I would like to do it if we can do it and keep, keep the social distancing. The Governor has now said that we can have up to 150 people in large groups. And as long as it's outdoors and social distancing, I think it'd be nice for the community.

Councilwoman Giancarlo 05:32 - 05:32

Ok.

Supervisor DeCarlo 05:33 - 05:34

What are your thoughts?

Councilwoman Giancarlo 05:36 - 05:44

I think it would be great as long as we're going to be allowed to do so. We're going to have hundreds and hundreds of people. That's the…

Supervisor DeCarlo 05:45 - 05:49

The fact that it's outdoors. And that we're going to be pretty separate. I mean.

Councilwoman Giancarlo 05:51 - 05:51

Right.

Supervisor DeCarlo 05:52 - 05:55

I think it would be alright. I don't think we'd have an issue with it.

Councilwoman Giancarlo 05:56 - 06:04

Awesome. I'll start advertising. I’ll get ahold of the Car Cruise and we have the fireworks already on hold for that night. So…

Supervisor DeCarlo 06:05 - 06:18

Ok, good. Maybe we could, when we do the advertising, just emphasize that we're going to require some rules will have some posted at the park as well as far as masks, if necessary, and things like that.

Attorney Trask 06:19 - 06:26

I really think that if you're going to advertise, you have to have rules listed in there to be in compliance with New York State Opening.

Supervisor DeCarlo 06:28 - 06:29

Sure, yep, I agree.

Councilwoman Giancarlo 06:33 - 06:36

All right, I'll get that information and make sure I advertise that.

Supervisor DeCarlo 06:38 - 06:45

All right, sounds good. Maybe I can

Councilwoman Ross 06:46 - 06:51

Yeah, we are going to go forward with the concerts then this year also aren’t we. Correct?

Supervisor DeCarlo 06:52 – 07:10

Yes, I talked to Mayor Hoisington, yesterday and he feels confident that they can meet the guidelines and he wants to move forward with the concerts, they're already scheduled so, I would say we should move forward those as well as long as like I said, we can just maintain those rules.

Councilwoman Ross 07:11 - 07:16

Do you think Barb should put an ad in the Pennysaver that we are going forward with them?

Supervisor DeCarlo 07:16 - 07:26

I think we should do that, and I think we should definitely advertise the rules. So, before they go in, I’d like to see them and have them prior approved them before being published.

Councilwoman Giancarlo 07:26 - 07:34

Is Barb going to advertise for both the Penny Saver, for the concerts and the family day in the park?

Supervisor DeCarlo 07:34 - 07:36

That's up to you. If you think that you….Ok.

Town Clerk Daniel 07:37 - 07:48

I can create it, and then you guys can approve it. I'll create it and I'll send it to all of you guys. And then you guys can just put your 2 cents in, or whatever.

Attorney Trask 07:51 - 07:57

I just have a question. I….I don't think live performances have been opened up yet.

Councilwoman Ross 07:59 - 08:02

Well, we don't start them until July 7th.

Attorney Trask 08:02 - 08:23

Ok, but just keep that in mind before you go advertising anything, until New York State gives the go-ahead for live performances because it's not just the public that shows up. You know, it's the band itself, and you know, whoever is going to be performing, they're subject to certain requirements as well.

Supervisor DeCarlo 08:24 - 08:28

Do you know if that's in Phase 3, Bill? Are you aware?

Attorney Trask 08:29 - 08:31

I don't know the details.

Supervisor DeCarlo 08:31 - 08:31

I thought.

Attorney Trask 08:31 - 08:35

I thought it was Phase 4 possibly, but I could be wrong.

Supervisor DeCarlo 08:36 - 08:42

I’ll find out and as long as we can be in compliance, we’ll move forward with it, Well, it's maybe hold off, I'd say advertising until closer to the last.

Councilwoman Giancarlo 08:44 - 08:54

We, as a band, have been, yeah, we've, we've lost all of our gigs all of the way, now it's hitting into December so.

Supervisor DeCarlo 08:55 - 08:55

Really.

Councilwoman Giancarlo 08:56 - 09:00

There is something going on with live performances and I don't know the county.

Councilwoman Marien 09:02 - 09:04

I think it's worth I think it's phase four.

Councilwoman Ross 09:04 - 09:06

I think so, too.

Supervisor DeCarlo 09:08 - 09:18

I mean, it's amazing to me that the casinos are opening next week indoors and the outdoor concerts aren't allowed. It doesn't make a lot of sense to me but...

Deputy Town Clerk Ostrowski 09:20 - 09:21

Can I ask a question?

Supervisor DeCarlo 09:21 – 09:21

Yeah

Deputy Town Clerk Ostrowski 09:22 - 09:31

If you're having the fireworks, wouldn't that be the same thing? People gathering together outdoors to enjoy the fireworks.

Deputy Town Clerk Ostrowski 09:31 - 09:33

Maybe not the same thing as it…

Supervisor DeCarlo 09:33 - 09:44

Well, Probably would be considered the same thing. I was under the impression that it's going to be opening up before the end of the month, but let me verify that, and I got to talk to a contact of the county, as far as, So.

Councilwoman Giancarlo 09:44 - 09:45

Yeah.

Councilwoman Giancarlo 09:45 - 09:53

Yeah, if you have a contact, I would get a hold them regarding both of these events, and then we'll move forward from there.

Supervisor DeCarlo 09:54 – 10:03

Ok. But I would say, the Board, as long as we can meet those guidelines, and we're within the rules of the re-opening, the board is happy to do it, right?

Councilwoman Ross 10:03 - 10:03

Yes

Councilwoman Giancarlo 10:04 - 10:05

Yes.

Councilwoman Marien 10:05 – 10:05

Correct

Supervisor DeCarlo 10:05 - 10:08

Right. So I'll find out, and this week, we'll make a decision.

Councilwoman Giancarlo 10:11 - 10:11

Ok.

Supervisor DeCarlo 10:12 - 10:13

Anybody else have any other? (No response)

Councilwoman Marien 10:14 - 10:19

We're not going forward with recreation, correct?

Supervisor DeCarlo 10:20 - 10:24

Not at this point. I honestly, I don't see it happening this year.

Councilwoman Marien 10:24 - 10:24

Yeah. It doesn't make sense to try and do it now, it’s too late.

Supervisor DeCarlo 10:28 - 10:38

Correct, I agree. And even so, I don't know that it will be allowed. They're talking about schools making drastic changes even in the fall in September.

Councilwoman Giancarlo 10:38 - 10:50

Can we go into executive session or should we go into the executive session to discuss the letter we received?

Supervisor DeCarlo 10:51 – 11:06

What I'd like to do on that is that I was going to have a meeting this week. Before we do anything, I want to have a meeting in regards to this letter, and it's difficult to go into executive session in this format.

Councilwoman Ross 11:07 - 11:11

Can we have the meeting in the town hall, since it’s open now?

Supervisor DeCarlo 11:12 - 11:21

Yeah, we could have a meeting in the town hall. It would have to not be in, only. It could only be two members of the board.

Attorney Trask 11:22 - 11:52

That's right. I was just gonna say, you can't have a majority of the board present, otherwise, you have to meet all the open meetings law requirements. One possibility for doing executive session in, coming out of a meeting like this that's publicly called, is to call for an appropriate executive session, and then have a separate go to meeting entry for the executive session. But, if that hasn't been set up, that's going to be a problem.

Supervisor DeCarlo 11:53 - 11:55

I mean, I could send an invitation out for after this meeting.

Councilwoman Giancarlo 11:57 - 12:02

I think, I think stick with you and one other person meeting at the town hall.

Supervisor DeCarlo 12:03 - 12:12

Then after that, we’ll bring it to the board for their review. Executive Session, we could set it as a separate meeting later in the month. OK perfect.

Supervisor DeCarlo 12:13 – 14:22

And then Correspondence, Moving to correspondence

We did receive the first June sales tax remittance. The current transfer is 31.92% below the 2019 corresponding year. It is starting to improve a little bit from the previous transfer. End of May receipts was 36.48% below 2019’s and currently we're running 10.66% below last year at this time.

I did have a conference call with about 10 supervisors and Senator Schumer and Congressmen Reid. They talked about this bill in Congress, that was supposed to be bringing some needed funds to municipalities. They believe, in July, end of June, early July, there may be some kind of a deal made for a Stimulus Package, that would fund the towns. Senator Schumer, also stated that the third stimulus bill, that provided a bunch of money to the state, the purpose of that was for it to trickle down, and be remitted to, remitted to municipalities but there wasn't time to put it in the bill, and the Governor Cuomo has decided to keep that money to plug the state budget. So they are looking at options, to help us. And I think those will be coming through.

And honestly, I think our sales tax, after third or fourth quarter, won't be, won't be horrible, either. The bill that was originally proposed has the Town of Brant getting over one million dollars In stimulus funds. Over $600,000 this year, and another $300 and some dollars next year. That, without a doubt, will be changed, but I think that there will be some stimulus money coming to the town.

Councilwoman Giancarlo 14:23 - 14:24

That's good.

Supervisor DeCarlo 14:27 – 15:16

Approval of the abstract.

Abstract 6, 2020

Prepaid unpaid, 6/9/20 claims are $48,638.48.

General fund town wide vouchers totaling $34,305.39.

General Fund part-time vouchers totaling $8219.18.

Highway town wide vouchers totaling $1215.18.

Highway part-time vouchers totaling $2127.23.

Street lighting totaling $2191.50.

Brant Farnham Sewer District vouchers, none.

Barbara, can you, this says none, but then it says totaling $250.

Do you know what that is?

Town Clerk Daniel 15:23 - 15:35

It's an old abstract cert and that they've always had on there. The SS2. So it's just on the wrong line, but it's, sewer, it's a debt. You know what I mean?

Supervisor DeCarlo 15:37 - 15:38

So it’s the sewers.

Town Clerk Daniel 15:42 - 15:45

Yeah the $250 is the sewer. It’s a debt.

Supervisor DeCarlo 15:47 - 15:49

So then none was for the Brant water district?

Town Clerk Daniel 15:50 - 15:53

Yeah there was nothing for the Brant water districts.

Supervisor DeCarlo 15:53 – 16:29

So OK thank you.

Brant Water Sewer District $250.

Brant Water District $10.

Payrolls, 2 payrolls all for 4/26/2020, through 5/23/2020.

General, Town Wide Payroll, totally $51,515.30.

General Part Town Payroll totaling $712.96.

Highway Payroll for 4/26 to 5/23.

Part Town totaling $7461.44.

I'll make a motion to approve Abstract Number 6 of 2020. Do I have a second?

Councilwoman Ross 16:30 – 16:31

Second

Supervisor DeCarlo 16:32 - 16:40

Seconded by Councilwoman Ross, can I get a roll-call?

Supervisor DeCarlo 16:42 - 16:43

Sorry, I didn't know who spoke.

Recording Secretary Daniel 16:45 - 16:46

Supervisor DeCarlo.

Supervisor DeCarlo 16:47 - 16:47

Aye.

Recording Secretary Daniel 16:48 - 16:49

Councilwoman, Ross.

Councilwoman Ross 16:50 - 16:50

Aye.

Recording Secretary Daniel 16:51 - 16:52

Councilwoman Giancarlo.

Councilwoman Giancarlo 16:53 - 16:54

Aye.

Recording Secretary Daniel 16:54 - 16:55

And Councilwoman Marien.

Councilwoman Marien 16:55 – 16:56

Aye

Mark DeCarlo 17:03 - 17:18

Carried.

Next meeting is, July 14th, 2020 at 7:00 PM, and I also want to remind us that the Special Use Permits will be at 7:30 that day.

I'd like to make a motion to adjourn this meeting in the memory of Ann Kijek.

Deputy Town Clerk Ostrowski 17:19 - 17:23

Question. What about the pools? You were going to talk about that this month?

Supervisor DeCarlo 17:24 - 17:47

Well, I've talked to Allen. Allen is working on opening up in conjunction with the county. As far as at least getting already ready in case we have the ability to open them, we don't have anything definitive on that as yet, but he is preparing.

Motion to adjourn in the memory Ann Kijek, Theodore “Ted” Opie and Fannie Mae Furlano.

Town Clerk Daniel 17:48 - 17:48

Fanny.

Councilwoman Giancarlo 17:48 - 17:50

I’ll second.

Supervisor DeCarlo 17:51 - 17:52

All those in favor?

(Everyone responded aye)

Supervisor DeCarlo 17:54 - 17:55

Opposed?

(No one responded)

Supervisor DeCarlo 17:55 - 17:59

Carried. Thank you.

Town Clerk Daniel 17:59 - 18:03

Fannie Furlano was her name. So, I want to make sure it gets in the minutes.

Supervisor DeCarlo 18:03 - 18:06

Yes, Fannie Furlano. Fannie Mae.

Town Clerk Daniel 18:07 - 18:07

Yes. All set.

Supervisor DeCarlo 18:11 - 18:12

I’ll get the transcripts over to you.

Town Clerk Daniel 18:13 - 18:16

7:23 PM.

See you, guys.

Supervisor DeCarlo 18:19 - 18:19

Thank you.

The minutes transcribed by GoToMeeting and Lynda Ostrowski. These minutes have are hereby certified to be true and correct and contain all verbiage and actions taken by the Brant Town Board. A digital recording of this meeting is available for those who wish to review or confirm any portion.

Respectfully submitted by,

Barbara Daniel

Brant Town Clerk