This First Regular Meeting of the Brant Town Board was held on Tuesday May 9, 2023 at the Brant Town Hall, located at 1272 Brant North Collins Rd, Brant, New York at 7:00 PM.

Present were:

Mark DeCarlo                                    Supervisor

Donna Marien                                   Councilwoman

Linda Giancarlo                                 Councilwoman

Janice Ross                                         Councilwoman

Barbara Daniel                                   Recording Secretary

Absent was:                                       Michael Muffoletto/Councilman

ALSO, PRESENT AND LEGIBLY SIGNED IN WERE:

Debra Ritz                                           Planning Board member

Brian Rott                                            Resident             

Patty Friend                                        Town Historian

Lynda Ostrowski                               Sec to Boards    

Kristen Podkulski                              Resident

Joe Giancarlo                                     Resident

Tracy Kaczmarek                              Supervisor Secretary

Tish Brady                                           Resident

Meg Pantera                                      Resident

Deandra Parker                                 Resident

Bill Kender                                          Representative of NY Citizen’s Audit

The meeting opened at 7:00 PM with the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.

APPROVE MINUTES of the APRIL 11, 2023 REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING:  Councilwoman Giancarlo motioned to approve the minutes of the meeting and was seconded by Councilwoman Ross.  4 ayes, 0 nays.  MOTION CARRIED.

SUPERVISOR’S FINANCIAL REPORT: Councilwoman Giancarlo motioned to approve the minutes of the meeting and was seconded by Councilwoman Marien.  4 ayes, 0 nays.  MOTION CARRIED.

TOWN CLERK/TAX COLLECTOR’S MARCH 2023 FINANCIAL REPORT: Councilwoman Ross made a motion to approve the Town Clerk’s March Financial report, seconded by Councilwoman Marien.  4 ayes, 0 nays.  MOTION CARRIED

COURT CLERK’S MARCH 2023 FINANCIAL REPORTS FOR KACZMAREK & GIER REGULAR AND BAIL ACCOUNTS: Councilwoman Giancarlo motioned to approve both Bail and Regular Financial accounts for Justice Kaczmarek’s & Justice Gier for March 2023, seconded by Supervisor DeCarlo. 4 ayes, 0 nays.  MOTION CARRIED.

POLICE REPORT FOR APRIL 2023:  Chief Mark Slawek was not present.  The April Police Report was presented by Supervisor DeCarlo.  Councilwoman Giancarlo motioned to approve the report as read, and Councilwoman Marien seconded the motion. 4 ayes, 0 nays. MOTION CARRIED.

HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT REPORT: No report was presented.

TOWN CLERK’S APRIL 2023 ACTIVITY REPORT TO THE BOARD: The Town Clerk read her April 2023 Activity report.  Supervisor DeCarlo then motioned to approve the report as read, seconded by Councilman Muffoletto.  4 ayes, 0 nays. MOTION CARRIED.

PLANNING OR ZONING BOARD REPORT: Secretary Ostrowski read the minutes of the May 2^nd Planning Board meeting.  Supervisor DeCarlo motioned to accept the minutes as read, seconded by Councilwoman Marien.  4 ayes, 0 nays. MOTION CARRIED.

PARK’S REPORT:  No report presented

TOWN HISTORIAN REPORT: Town Historian Patty Friend presented her report for the April 15 meeting.  Supervisor DeCarlo motioned to approve the report as read, seconded by Councilwoman Ross. 4 ayes, 0 nays. MOTION CARRIED.

BRANT FARNHAM SENIORS REPORT FOR MAY 2023: The report was read by Lynda Ostrowski. Councilwoman Ross motioned to approve the report, and was seconded by Councilwoman Giancarlo.

4 ayes, 0 nays. MOTION CARRIED.

CODE ENFORCEMENT REPORT: No report was presented.

OLD BUSINESS:  No old business

NEW BUSINESS:

SET PUBLIC HEARING DATE FOR SPECIAL USE PERMIT RENEWALS: Supervisor DeCarlo motioned to set the Public Hearing for the Renewal of Special Use Permits for Tuesday June 13, 2023 at 7:30 PM.  Councilwoman Marien seconded the motion.  4 ayes, 0 nays. MOTION CARRIED.

Community Shred Event & E-Waste set for June 10^th 9 am to Noon:  Supervisor DeCarlo discussed the Shred Event.  He noted that the Company providing the shredding offers two options for cost.  One option was to charge a fee of $9.00 per banker box of paper or $345.00 per hour of the event.  The Town Board chose $345/hour and will limit the event to Town of Brant residents only.  Proof of residency will be required.   The eWaste portion of the event will be open to both residents and non- residents.  Attorney Trask suggested the Board advertise what items will not be accepted at the eWaste event.

UPDATE NYS SEXUAL HARASSMENT PREVENTION POLICY: Attorney Trask advised the Town Board regarding the upgraded the NYS Sexual Harassment Prevention policy.  He advised that a copy of the upgraded policy to each employee and require each to sign acknowledgement of the new policy.  Supervisor DeCarlo motioned to approve the new policy, seconded by Councilwoman Giancarlo. A roll call vote was taken: Supervisor DeCarlo-aye, Councilwoman Giancarlo-aye, Councilwoman Marien-aye, Councilwoman Ross-aye. 4 ayes, 0 nays.   MOTION CARRIED.

MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY:  Supervisor DeCarlo announced that Memorial Day services will be conducted at the Village of Farnham Memorial Park at 9:00 AM on Monday May 29^th.  Refreshments will be offered by Holy Cross Lutheran Church.  Chicken Barbeque will also be available at the Village Firehall from noon until Sold out.

TOWN BOARD REPORTS:

Supervisor DeCarlo: Mentioned that progress is being made at the Memorial Park repair.  He wanted to note that three contractors were contacted and the Town followed proper procurement policy when accepting bid.  The Town is also making sure the contractors are paying NYS prevailing wage is the contractor is not a Sole Proprietor.  One of the contractors is here, and is a relation to one of the Council persons who had nothing to do with the process of hiring.  The owner of Matt’s Outdoor Solutions presented a digitally created layout of the proposed landscaping to the Town Board for approval.  The Town Board was in agreement of the layout and was impressed by the quality of the drawing.  Councilwoman Marien asked if the cement was stamped concrete.  The contractor answered that the path will be decorative brick chip.  The flowers chosen will bloom throughout the summer.  He is awaiting a few things to be able to move forward completely.  A separate contractor will be installing the flagpole.

Councilwoman Giancarlo- Announced that she reached out to Legislator Mills for help with the expense of dredging out the park pond which is used to provide water for the fire department.  He has offered up to $3,000 to assist in the expense of the project.  She then reminded everyone about the Brant summer festival June 16 and 17.  They are still seeking sponsors and just received word from GOYA that they will be sponsoring the trackless train ride in memory of Bob Drago.  There will be signs hung from the train and an article will be written.  GOYA also sponsors the fireworks.  She thanked them for their continued support with the event.  She then mentioned that there are still ad space available in the Summer Festival booklet.

Councilwoman Marien- Noted that there is a need for new picnic benches and tables at the Town Park.  She stated the Walking Path’s are atrocious.  She added that the park needs a lot of attention.  Councilwoman Ross complimented the grading done around the rec is beautiful.  Supervisor DeCarlo asked her to obtain quotes for the picnic tables and benches.  Councilwoman Marien said she will get quotes for wooden and plastic ones. 

PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR:   

Bill Kender of Eden NY spoke to the Town Board and explained he was a representative of a group called “New York Citizen’s Audit”.  He described the group as nonpartisan.  It was formed in July 2021 to ensure that elections remain “Free and Fair”.  The group claims their independent Audit of the NYS Voter Rolls revealed massive inaccuracies that violate Federal and State laws.  For example, they concluded that 338,356 more votes were cast than voters who actually voted.  He also noted that they discovered that 2,427,827 NYS Voter ID numbers are attached to 1,170,790 registrants.  He then presented the Town Board with a resolution that would allow them to sign for or against a professional audit of the NYS Voter rolls.  He requested the Town Board review the resolution until next month.  He will ask Board members to sign Yay or Nay on the resolution at the June meeting.  He noted that this is not about overturning an election but ensuring accurate voter rolls and election procedures.  He also spelled out the web address to look at a video presentation.  The web address is b.link/eyesopen

Deandra Parker, resident on Southwestern Blvd: Deandra spoke to the Town Board asking for help to convince the Dept of Transportation to lower the speed limit at the section of Route 20 near Signals Gas Station.  She explained that her daughter was almost hit by a car when exiting the school bus.  A vehicle passed the bus on the right, between the bus exit and her mailbox.  If it had not been for the bus driver, her daughter would have been struck.  She requests help from the Town of Brant acknowledging that their help is needed, even though the location is on the Reservation.  Supervisor DeCarlo said they will help and asked her to leave her contact information.  He added that he will have Police Chief Slawek speak with the Silver Creek School bus department to possibly view camera footage. 

Attorney Trask then spoke about a request to update the Dog Control Code for the Town of Brant at the request of the new Dog Control Officer.  The Town of Evans code was given to the Town of Brant Supervisor.  Trask advised that the Town allow the previous DCO to look at the proposed law from Evans for her own review based on her years as DCO.  Once it is reviewed, the Town Attorney will put it in the proper format to hold a public hearing for it’s adoption.

Discussion regarding updating the Town’s codes was discussed.  Trask stated that it will be very expensive but worth it.  Councilwoman Giancarlo agreed that it should be done.

Meetings & Correspondence: 

• The first May sales tax remittance is in. The current transfer rate is 105 % greater than the corresponding 2022 amount. Year-to-date transfers are running 3.35 % above last year at this time.

Supervisor DeCarlo announced the next regular Town Board meeting will be Tuesday June 13, 2023 at 7 PM.  

Supervisor DeCarlo read the Abstract (5 of 2023):

ABSTRACT 5 of 2023

*Prepaid and unpaid as of 5/9/23 Total Claims $ 46,215.22

Gen Fund Town wide Vouchers Totaling: $ 31,180.76

Gen Fund – Part Town Voucher Totaling: $ 9,198.36

Highway T.W. Vouchers Totaling: $ 5,836.10

Highway P.T. Vouchers, Totaling:  $ 0

Street Lighting:  Voucher Totaling:  $ -3,090.19 (Credit)

Brant Water Dist 1 (SS2&SW):  – Totaling $ 0

PAYROLL (2 pay periods):

General Town Wide Payroll 3/26/23-4/22/23 – Totaling $ 46,070.17

General Part Town Payroll   3/26/23-4/22/23 Totaling:  $ 1,512.70

Highway Payroll TW 3/26/23-4/22/23 Totaling:  $ 0

Highway Payroll PT 3/26/23-4/22/23 Totaling:  $ 6,253.49

Supervisor DeCarlo motioned to approve Abstract 5 of 2023, seconded by Councilwoman Marien. A roll-call vote was taken: Supervisor DeCarlo-aye, Councilwoman Marien-aye, Councilwoman Giancarlo-aye, Councilwoman Ross-aye. 4 ayes, 0 nays.  MOTION CARRIED.

At 8:12 pm, Supervisor DeCarlo motioned to adjourn the meeting.  Councilwoman Giancarlo seconded the motion.  4 ayes, 0 nays. MOTION CARRIED.

Respectfully submitted by,

Barbara J Daniel

Brant Town Clerk