This Budget workshop of the Brant Town Board was held on Wednesday October 23, 2024, at the Brant Town Hall, located at 1272 Brant North Collins Rd, Brant, New York at 6:00 PM.

PRESENT WERE:

Mark DeCarlo                                    Town Supervisor

Tish Brady                                           Councilwoman

Linda Giancarlo                                 Councilwoman

Michael Muffoletto                        Councilman

Donna Marien                                   Councilwoman

Barbara Daniel                                   Recording Secretary

Kristen Podkulski                              Deputy Town Clerk

Joseph DeCarlo                                 Assessor

Tracy Kaczmarek                              Supervisor’s Secretary

Mark Slawek                                      Police Chief       

Motion was made by Supervisor DeCarlo, seconded by Councilwoman Giancarlo to open the budget workshop  at 6:00 PM.  The Town Clerk read the legal notice. 

Legal Notice

NOTICE OF SPECIAL

BUDGET WORKSHOP

This is advise that the BRANT TOWN BOARD has scheduled a Special Budget Workshop for Wednesday October 23^rd, 2024 at 6:00 PM for the purpose of working on the 2025 Budget.

The posting of this notice and advising the legal newspaper, complies with Article 7 of the Public Officer’s Law relating to open meetings.

By Order of the Brant Town Board

Barbara J Daniel

Brant Town Clerk

October 18, 2024

Supervisor DeCarlo noted that the tentative budget is basically a duplicate of the 2024 adopted budget at this point.  He also noted that consideration must be made to purchase 2 new police cars.  Both vehicles will be paid off this year.  He stated he would like to sell one of them.  We will need two more vehicles.  The state bid at this time is $47,844 per vehicle.

Councilman Muffoletto asked why the Town Can’t get one regular vehicle for the police to use when weather is nice.  He noted it would be cheaper to maintain and drive.  Supervisor responded his concern of what if we have bad weather and the 4-wheel drive is in the shop.  He noted that the Town would not have a vehicle for bad weather conditions.

Councilwoman Marien mentioned the Town could really use a new plow truck.  Councilman Muffoletto responded the Town just had a lot of work done to the current one.  Supervisor DeCarlo and Councilwoman Giancarlo then suggested putting money in the budget under equipment reserve at this time and put a deposit on a new plow truck for the winter of 2025.  Supervisor DeCarlo then mentioned that over the past 7 years he was able to bring up the reserve funds.  He expects that after this year, the A fund will have approximately $177,000, the B fund approximately $143,000, the DA fund approximately $423,000, and DB fund approximately $168,000.   Tracy explained that these totals do not translate to that amount in the bank, but through good budgeting, the bank follows very closely.

After discussion, although the Board did not vote on it, the Supervisor stated he would like to speak with the Highway Superintendent to consider the ordering time, etc.  He would like another Budget workshop to discuss this further.  The Board decided to hold another workshop on Wednesday October 30^th at 6:00 PM.

Tracy then explained that the Public Hearing for the Preliminary Budget must be held no later than the Thursday following the election.  The Board then chose to hold the public hearing for the Preliminary Budget on Wednesday November 6^th at 6:00 PM.

Supervisor DeCarlo then motioned to set the Public Hearings for the Preliminary Budget at 6:00 PM & Local Law #4-2024 (tax cap) at 6:30 PM on Wednesday November 6^th and was seconded by Councilwoman Giancarlo.  4 ayes, 0 nays. MOTION CARRIED.

Supervisor DeCarlo mentioned that he would like to keep the budget increase at no more than 2.5%.  He then suggested increasing the pay for employees by 10% across the board because of the enormous inflation.  They discussed taking into consideration the employees that have received increases recently to avoid duplicate increases.

Chief Slawek spoke about what he would be paid if he worked overtime in Buffalo as opposed to working in Brant. He said it also affects his pension. 

Councilman Muffoletto asked why the Town can’t require new officers that the Town invests in can not guarantee a certain amount of time with the Town.  Further discussion was regarding the lack of police officers.  Chief Slawek advised of the option of Peace Officers who are authorized for everything a police officer is, except the serving of warrants.  Supervisor DeCarlo noted that the Town can hire up to two of them.  The Board is going to look into it.

At 6:50 PM, Supervisor DeCarlo motioned to close the workshop, seconded by Councilwoman Brady.  5 ayes, 0 nays. MOTION CARRIED.

Respectfully,

Barbara Daniel

Brant Town Clerk