This Regular Meeting of the Brant Town Board was held on Monday, December 9, 2019 at the Brant Town Hall, located at 1272 Brant North Collins Rd, Brant, New York at 7:00 PM.

Present were:

Mark DeCarlo Supervisor

Donald Clark Councilman

Donna Marien Councilwoman

Michael Muffoletto Councilman

Janice Ross Councilwoman

William Trask, Sr. Town Attorney

Barbara J. Daniel Recording Secretary

ALSO PRESENT / SIGNED IN WERE:

Joe Ostrowski Planning Board Chair

Tracy Kaczmarek Supervisor Secretary

Chad Kaczmarek Town Justice

Don Hepkins Chief of Police

Joseph Giambrone Highway Superintendent

Bradley Caruana Police Officer PT

Lynda Ostrowski Deputy Town Clerk

Joseph Ostrowski Planning Board Chairman

Ellsworth Nolan Highway Superintendent Elect

John Sotsanski

Allen Nolan Building & Grounds

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

RECOGNITION OF DIGNITARIES, OFFICIALS AND VISITORS:

SUPERVISOR’S OCTOBER 2019 FINANCIAL REPORT: Councilman Muffoletto moved and was seconded by Councilwoman Marien to accept the Supervisor’s October 2019 Financial Report as presented. 5 ayes, 0 nays. MOTION CARRIED.

BUDGET MODIFICATION: Supervisor DeCarlo read the Budget Modifications

Supervisor DeCarlo motioned to approve the Budget Modifications, seconded by Councilman Muffoletto. No Roll Call vote was taken. 5 ayes, 0 nays. MOTION CARRIED.

TOWN CLERK/TAX COLLECTOR’S OCTOBER 2019 FINANCIAL REPORT: Supervisor DeCarlo motioned to accept the Town Clerk’s October 2019 Regular Financial Report and the Tax Collector’s Report, seconded by Councilwoman Ross. 5 ayes, 0 nays. MOTION CARRIED.

COURT CLERK’S OCTOBER 2019 FINANCIAL REPORTS FOR JUSTICE GIER’S REGULAR AND BALE ACCOUNT. JUSTICE KACZMAREK REGULAR AND BAIL ACCOUNTS WILL BE TABLED UNTIL JANUARY: Councilman Clark motioned to approve both Bail and Regular Financial accounts for Justice Gier for October 2019, and was seconded by Supervisor DeCarlo. 5 ayes, 0 nays. MOTION CARRIED.

CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER’S NOVEMBER 2019 REPORT: Supervisor DeCarlo read the October report. Councilman Clark asked if there has been any activity at the scrap yard. Supervisor DeCarlo stated that there had been no activity. Supervisor DeCarlo motioned to accept the report as read, seconded by Councilwoman Marien. 5 ayes, 0 nays. MOTION CARRIED.

DOG CONTROL OFFICER’S OCTOBER and NOVEMBER 2019 REPORTS: Dog Control Officer Barbara Daniel read her October and November reports. She stated that 6 items from the Jacob Barney donation was taken from the gym area. The police department are investigating. This happened a couple of weeks after elections. Supervisor DeCarlo made a motion to accept the October and November Reports as read, seconded by Councilwoman Ross. 5 ayes, 0 nays. MOTION CARRIED.

POLICE REPORT NOVEMBER 2019: The November 2019 Police Report was read by Police Chief Hepkins. Supervisor DeCarlo made a motion to approve the report as read, seconded by Councilwoman Ross. 5 ayes, 0 nays. MOTION CARRIED.

Police Chief Hepkins read a letter he wrote to the Town Board asking to appoint Bradley Caruana as a P/T Patrolman starting at $16/hr with the condition he successfully completes the basic training academy at Niagara University. Supervisor DeCarlo made a motion to approve the appointment of Bradley Caruana as a P/T Patrolman at $16/hr at $16/hr, seconded by Councilman Muffoletto. 5 ayes, 0 nays. MOTION CARRIED.

HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT REPORT: Tabled until January.

TOWN CLERK’S REPORT TO THE BOARD: Tabled until January.

PLANNING BOARD MINUTES: Secretary Ostrowski read the November 4th Minutes. There was no meeting held in December. Supervisor made a motion to accept the November Report as read, seconded by Councilwoman Marien. 5 ayes, 0 nays. MOTION CARRIED.

ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS REPORT: No meeting held.

RECREATION DIRECTOR’S REPORT: No report.

PARKS COMMISSIONERS’ REPORT: No report.

TOWN HISTORIAN’S REPORT: The report is tabled until next month.

FIRE COMPANY REPORTS: No report

SENIORS REPORT: The November and December reports were read by Secretary Ostrowski. Supervisor DeCarlo made a motion to accept the November and December reports as read, seconded by Councilwoman Ross. 5 ayes, 0 nays. MOTION CARRIED.

Acknowledgement of the floor for Visitors, Invited Guests and Presenters: None

OLD BUSINESS

GARBAGE AND RECYCLABLES COLLECTION AND DISPOSAL BID: The only bid received was from Bestway. For the years 2020 & 2021 the cost will be $10.44 per stop for 750 stops, or $93960.00 per year for the Town share. For the year 2022 the cost will be $10.65 per stop for 750 stops or $95,850.00 per year for the Town share. For the year 2023 the cost will be $10.92 per stop or $98,280.00 for the Town share. The Village share will be approved separately by the Board of Trustees. The Village of Farnham has 150 stops. Supervisor DeCarlo made a motion to accept the bid, seconded by Councilman Muffoletto. Roll-call vote was taken: Supervisor DeCarlo -aye, Councilman Muffoletto -aye, Councilman Clark -aye, Councilwoman Marien -aye, Councilwoman Ross -aye. 5 ayes, 0 nays. MOTION CARRIED.

Supervisor DeCarlo stated that the Town was notified by I.U.O.E. Local 17 that it has pulled its petition or organize MEO’s in the Town of Brant due to lack of support by Highway department employees.

EXECUTIVE SESSION: Supervisor DeCarlo made a motion to enter into executive session at 7:19pm to discuss contractual, seconded by Councilwoman Marien. 5 ayes, 0 nays. MOTION CARRIED.

Supervisor DeCarlo made a motion to close executive session at 7:40pm, seconded by Councilman Muffoletto. 5 ayes, 0 nays. MOTION CARRIED.

NEW BUSINESS

SWEARING IN CEREMONY OF ELECTED OFFICIALS: Supervisor DeCarlo has set the date of January 4, 2020 at 10AM to swear in the newly elected officials. Officials must be sworn in by the Town Clerk before that date.

2020 ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING: Supervisor DeCarlo set the date for the 2020 Organizational Meeting to be held on Tuesday, January 7, 2020 at 6:00 PM directly followed by the first Regular Town Board Meeting.

HIGHWAY FOR F-450 REPAIR: The estimate cost to repair the exhaust manifold for the Highway Ford F-450 will be $1,650.66. Supervisor DeCarlo made a motion to have the Highway Ford F-450 truck repaired, seconded by the whole board. 5 ayes, 0 nays. MOTION CARRIED.

AFFIRM JOSEPH GIAMBRONE’S INSURANCE: Supervisor DeCarlo made a motion to affirm Joseph Giambrone’s insurance will be covered as determined at a 2005 Town Board meeting, seconded by Councilman Muffoletto. 5 ayes, 0 nays. MOTION CARRIED.

RETIREMENT OF DIANE CZYZ AS DEPUTY TOWN CLERK: Supervisor DeCarlo read a letter from Diane Czyz stating that she will be retiring as Deputy Town Clerk at the end of the month. Supervisor DeCarlo made a motion to accept the retirement of Diane Czyz as Deputy Town Clerk, seconded by Councilman Muffoletto. 5 ayes, 0 nays. MOTION CARRIED.

RESIGNATION OF HIGHWAY CLERK MARK TRASK: Supervisor DeCarlo read a letter of resignation from Highway Clerk Mark Trask. Supervisor DeCarlo made a motion to accept the resignation of Highway Clerk Mark Trask, seconded by Councilwoman Marien. 5 ayes, 0 nays. MOTION CARRIED.

APPOINTMENT OF STEVE HAMM FOR PART TIME PARKS DEPARTMENT: Supervisor DeCarlo presented the appointment request of Steve Hamm as part time laborer for the Parks Department at a starting rate of $13.50 per hour pending background check, seconded by Councilwoman Marien. 5 ayes, 0 nays. MOTION CARRIED.

AGREEMENT WITH COMP ALLIANCE: Supervisor DeCarlo stated that the rate has dropped by 12.6% for 2020. Supervisor DeCarlo made a resolution to allow the Supervisor to sign the agreement with Comp Alliance to continue for January 1, 2020 – December 31, 2020, seconded by Councilwoman Marien. A Roll-Call vote was taken: Supervisor DeCarlo -aye, Councilwoman Marien -aye, Councilman Clark -aye, Councilman Muffoletto -aye, Councilwoman Ross -aye. 5 ayes, 0 nays. MOTION CARRIED.

LETTER FROM LEGISLATURE JOHN MILLS: Supervisor DeCarlo read a letter from Legislature Mills. The letter explained the resolution being offered to return AIM funding to local Municipalities.

RESOLUTION TO HALT NEW CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM: The Erie County Governments passed the resolution to halt new criminal justice reform. There was a discussion regarding this resolution. Chief Hepkins said that if someone is brought in for a burglary 2nd, for example, they can not be held to see a judge because that would be violating their civil rights. This will be tabled until the January meeting so everyone can review it.

LETTER FROM TOWN ATTORNEY WILLIAM TRASK: Supervisor DeCarlo read a letter from Town Attorney William Trask stating he will be retiring as of December 31, 2019. No action was required.

TOWN BOARD REPORTS:

Councilman Muffoletto: No Report

Councilman Clark: No Report

Councilwoman Marien: Councilwoman Marien thanked Allen Nolan for all his help with the tree lighting ceremony. They presented him with a tractor trophy for all his hard work. Supervisor DeCarlo also thanked Sammy Sicurella for his help with putting up the lights. Also thanked Lynda Mason and the quartet for coming out to sing Christmas Carols. He also thanked the Town Board for being there and helping out with making cookies and supporting this function.

Councilwoman Ross: No Report

Supervisor DeCarlo: Supervisor DeCarlo stated that this is the last council meeting for Councilman Don Clark and thanked him for his input and hard work.

RECOGNIZED PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR: none

Councilwoman Marien asked about the street lights. Supervisor DeCarlo said he spoke with National Grid and everything will be done shortly.

Councilman Clark asked about the renovation of the Senior Building. Supervisor DeCarlo said they are still going ahead with this. They need to get the bids out. There is an approval for this to be carried out to next year.

Supervisor DeCarlo read Abstract 12:

Abstract 12 of 2019

*Prepaid and unpaid as of 12/9/19 Total Claims $197,963.16

Gen Fund Town wide Vouchers Totaling: $40,140.90

Gen Fund – Part Town Voucher Totaling: $7,937.46

Highway T.W. Vouchers Totaling: $9,361.41

Highway P.T. Vouchers, Totaling: $7.90

Fire Protection: Vouchers: Totaling: $122,463.50

Street Lighting: Voucher Totaling: $2,894.49

H Capital Projects: Vouchers Totaling: $0

Lotus Bay Sewer Dist. 1: Vouchers: $0

Brant Farnham Sewer Dist: Vouchers: none, Totaling: $0

Brant Water Dist 1 (SS2&SW): Vouchers 669 & 699: – Totaling $15,157.50

Special Grant Fund: Totaling: $0

PAYROLL (2 payrolls):

General Town Wide Payroll 10/27/19 to 11/23/19 – Totaling $47,435.10

General Part Town Payroll 10/27/19 to 11/23/19 Totaling: $698.98

Highway Payroll TW 10/27/19 to 11/23/19 Totaling: $9,201.36

Highway Payroll PT 10/27/19 to 11/23/19 Totaling: $0

Supervisor DeCarlo motioned to approve Abstract 12 for 2019, seconded by Councilwoman Ross. A roll-call vote was taken: Supervisor DeCarlo-aye, Councilwoman Ross-aye, Councilman Clark-aye, Councilman Muffoletto-aye, Councilwoman Marien-aye,. 5 ayes, 0 nays. MOTION CARRIED.

CORRESPONDENCE:

The first December Sales Tax remittance is in. The current transfer is 3.22% greater than December 2018 and year-to-date receipts is 4.08% above 2018.

Grant Writer Connie Miner notified the Town that it was awarded $2,500 for the 2020 Summer Concert Series. This is the town’s largest award ever. Last year we were awarded $1,250.

Next meeting will be Tuesday, January 7, 2020 at 6:00 PM with the Organizational Meeting followed by the Regular Town Board Meeting.

At 8:07 pm, Supervisor DeCarlo motioned to adjourn the meeting in Memory of Jack Giangrosso from Farnham, seconded by Councilman Muffoletto 5 ayes, 0 nays. MOTION CARRIED.

Respectfully submitted by,

Barbara Daniel

Brant Town Clerk