WAYS AND MEANS
COMMITTEE MEETING
Monday, January 27,
2025 - 10:00 AM
James Monty, Chairperson
Charlie Harrington, Vice-Chairperson
Vice-Chairman Harrington called this Ways and
Means committee to order at 10:00 am with the following Supervisors in
attendance: Clayton Barber, Matthew Brassard, Chris Clark, Robin DeLoria, Derek
Doty, Shaun Gillilland, Charlie Harrington, Kenneth Hughes, Steve McNally,
Cathleen Reusser, Favor Smith, Matthew Stanley, Davina Thurston, Michael Tyler,
Meg Wood and Mark Wright. Jim Monty and Joe Pete Wilson were excused.
Department Heads present: James Dougan, Judith
Garrison, Mary McGowan, Dan Manning, Michael Mascarenas, David Reynolds and
Matt Watts.
Also present:
William Tansey and Josh Favro
HARRINGTON:
I will call the ways and means meeting to order and we will begin with
the pledge of allegiance. I’ll do my
level best this morning. First up is
public safety –
GARRISON:
Is it okay to do the roll call, thank you.
HARRINGTON:
First up of the resolutions is public safety.
PUBLIC
SAFETY
Monday,
January 13, 2025
Chairman
– K. Hughes Vice-Chairman – I. Tyler
1.
RESOLUTION ACCEPTING AND PLACING ON FILE
THE 2024 WEIGHTS AND MEASURES ANNUAL REPORT.
Hughes, Tyler
2.
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE APPOINTMENTS
OF THE 2025 DEPUTY FIRE COORDINATORS, DEPUTY EMS COORDINATORS AND FIRE
INVESTIGATORS. Hughes, Wright
3.
RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE 2025 EMS BILLING
RATES. Hughes, Tyler
4.
RESOLUTION OF CONGRATULATIONS TO RANDY
WOODS UPON HIS RETIREMENT FROM ESSEX COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT. DeLoria, unanimous
ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT
Monday,
January 13, 2025
Chairman
– I. Tyler Vice-Chairman – C. Barber
5.
RESOLUTION APPROVING THE FINANCIAL
ASSISTANCE IN THE FORM OF SALES TAX ABATEMENT, MORTGAGE RECORDING TAX ABATEMENT
AND REAL PROPERTY TAX ABATEMENT TO BE PROVIDED BY THE ESSEX COUNTY INDUSTRIAL
DEVELOPMENT AGENCY IN CONNECTION WITH A PROJECT FOR LUCKY CATS HOSPITALITY GROUP,
LLC IN CONNECTION WITH THE WESTPORT HOTEL.
Tyler, Wright
HUMAN SERVICES
Monday,
January 13, 2025
Chairman – JP. Wilson Vice-Chairman - C. Harrington
NO RESOLUTIONS
DEPARTMENT
OF PUBLIC WORKS
Tuesday,
January 21, 2025
Chairman
– R. DeLoria Vice–Chairman – C.
Barber
6.
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF A
PERMIT TO THE WILMINGTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY FOR THE USE OF THE COUNTY ROADWAYS
FOR THE 2025 WILMINGTON WHITEFACE WHISKEY RUN 5K AND 10K TO BE HELD ON
SATURDAY, JUNE 21, 2025. DeLoria, Barber
7.
RESOUTION AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASING
AGENT TO AWARD A PURCHASE ORDER TO STEPHENSON EQUIPMENT, INC., IN THE AMOUNT OF
$28,800.00 FOR THE RENTAL OF A FORCE FEED LOADER IN THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC
WORKS, WITH FUNDS TO COME FROM BUDGETED FUNDS AND FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE
COUNTY CHAIRMAN OR COUNTY MANAGER TO EXECUTE SAID PURCHASE ORDER. Brassard, Clark
8.
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASING
AGENT TO AWARD A PURCHASE ORDER TO ACROW IN THE AMOUNT OF $7,500.00, FOR
PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING SERVICES TO INCLUDE CERTIFIED AND STAMPED CALCULATIONS
OF BRIDGE LOAD RATINGS FROM A NYS LICENSED PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER FOR THE MOSS
ROAD OVER THE NORTH BRANCH OF THE BOQUET RIVER BRIDGE REPLACEMENT PROJECT WITH
FUNDS TO COME FROM BUDGETED/GRANT FUNDS AND FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY
CHAIRMAN OR COUNTY MANAGER TO EXECUTE SAID PURCHASE ORDER. Tyler, Doty
9.
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY
CHAIRMAN OR COUNTY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT AMENDMENT WITH JEFF RUSHBY
MECHANICAL IN THE AMOUNT OF $15,478.89, FOR LABOR AND MINOR MATERIALS TO
PROVIDE BOILER SYSTEM PIPING MODIFICATIONS TO INSTALL OWNER SUPPLIED INDIRECT
HOT WATER HEATERS AT THE PUBLIC SAFETY BUILDING WITH FUNDS TO COME FROM
BUDGETED FUNDS. DeLoria, Reusser
10.
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY
CHAIRMAN OR COUNTY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT AMENDMENT WITH ATLANTIC
TESTING LABORATORIES, LTD., IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $9,280.00 FOR AIR
MONITORING SERVICES DURING THE OLD JAIL DEMOLITION PROJECT WITH FUNDS TO COME
FROM BUDGETED ARPA FUNDS. Wright, Doty
11.
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASING
AGENT TO GO OUT TO BID THE ASBESTOS ABATEMENT AND CONTROLLED DEMOLITION OF
FRONTIER TOWN MAIN STREET AREAS WITH FUNDS TO COME FROM BUDGETED/RESTORE NEW
YORK GRANT. Clark, Reusser
12.
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY
CHAIRMAN OR COUNTY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT AMENDMENT WITH J. HUTCHINGS,
INC., IN THE AMOUNT OF $66,014.00 FOR CULVERT REPAIR PROJECT ON COUNTY ROUTE 79
(RAYMOND WRIGHT ROAD) OVER AN UNNAMED BROOK, LOCATED IN THE TOWN OF MORIAH WITH
FUNDS TO COME FROM FEMA/BUDGETED FUNDS.
Wright, Tyler
13.
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY
CHAIRMAN OR COUNTY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT AMENDMENT WITH J. HUTCHINGS,
INC., IN THE AMOUNT OF $44,070.00 FOR CULVERT REPLACEMENT PROJECT ON COUNTY
ROUTE 6 (TRACY ROAD) LOCATED IN THE TOWN OF MORIAH WITH FUNDS TO COME FROM
FEMA/BUDGETED FUNDS. Tyler, DeLoria
14. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY CHAIRMAN OR COUNTY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT AMENDMENT WITH J. HUTCHINGS, INC., IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $585,275.00, FOR CULVERT REPLACEMENT PROJECT ON COUNTY ROUTE 44 (STEVENSON ROAD) OVER STACY BROOK, LOCATED IN THE TOWN OF WESTPORT WITH FUNDS TO COME FROM FEMA/BUDGETED FUNDS. Tyler, Doty
15. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY CHAIRMAN OR COUNTY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT AMENDMENT WITH KUBRICKY CONSTRUCTION IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $91,200.00, FOR COUNTY ROUTE 80, LAKESHORE ROAD OVER A TRIBUTARY TO THE BOQUET RIVER CULVERT REPLACEMENT PROJECT, LOCATED IN THE TOWN OF WESTPORT WITH FUNDS TO COME FROM FEMA/BUDGETED FUNDS. Wright, Clark
PERSONNEL
Tuesday,
January 21, 2025
Chairman
– M. Wood Vice-Chairman – JP. Wilson
16. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY
CHAIRMAN OR COUNTY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE TIPPING FEE
CONTRACT FOR FIVE (5) YEARS WITH THE COUNTY OF FRANKLIN SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT
AUTHORITY. Wood, Wright
HARRINGTON: Questions or concerns?
DOTY:
Are we in negotiations Mike?
MASCARENAS: No, this is a renewal. Do you know exactly what this is Dan?
MANNING:
Yes this contract has come up for renewal. The solid waste authority has
asked for $54.00 a ton for solid waste and construction debris and with Jim’s
help we negotiated that down to $51.00 a ton.
DOTY: It’s actually very good news
because if I am not misspeaking two years we were worried this contract was
going to end in ’25?
MASCARENAS: Yes, there has been that
piece of the discussion. Their permitting ended at that time but they were able
to secure future years out and utilizing our waste is part of that argument to
be able to build additional cells at their site.
DOTY: That certainly helps our planning
process.
MASCARENAS: It does. It pushes it out for
sure but at the time we weren’t sure.
DOTY: Good deal. Thank you.
MANNING: This is for ’25 through 2029.
DOTY: That is good.
HARRINGTON: Any other concerns? There
being none, all those in favor, opposed – carried.
17. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY
CHAIRMAN OR COUNTY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A ONE-YEAR CONTRACT WITH TYLER
TECHNOLOGIES FOR ANALYTICS SERVICES IN THE MUNIS SYSTEM, IN THE AMOUNT OF
$132,214.00. Wood, DeLoria
18. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY
CHAIRMAN OR COUNTY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A ONE-YEAR CONTRACT WITH BROOKS
INVESTIGATIONS, LLC., FOR ASSIGNED COUNSEL PROGRAM SERVICES AT $99.00 PER HOUR
AND $75.00 PER HOUR WITH MILEAGE AT THE IRS RATE, WITH FUNDS TO COME FROM
INDIGENT LEGAL SERVICES GRANT. DeLoria,
Reusser
19. RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND CONGRATULATING
JOHN “JACK” HANBY UPON HIS RETIREMENT AS AN ESSEX COUNTY DEPUTY FIRE
COORDINATOR AND INVESTIGATOR FOR FORTY (40) YEARS. Reusser, unanimous
FINANCE/TAX
REDUCTION/MANDATE RELIEF
Tuesday,
January 21, 2025
Chairman – S.
McNally Vice-Chairman – R. DeLoria
NO RESOLUTIONS
MISCELLANEOUS
20. RESOLUTION
RECOGNIZING LONG TERM EMPLOYEES FOR THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY. Gillilland, unanimous
21.
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZNG THE COUNTY
CHAIRMAN OR COUNTY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A MOU WITH NEW YORK STATE DIVISION OF
HOMELAND SECURITY (DHSES) AND ESSEX COUNTY EMERGENCY SERVICES FOR THE
ACCEPTANCE OF FLOOD MITIGATION EQUIPMENT.
Wright, Gillilland
HARRINGTON:
Anything else to come before ways and means this morning?
GARRISON: Everyone has a copy on their desks, a
resolution to convey a 1.74 acre parcel on Water Street to Elizabethtown for
installation of a water chlorination plant.
22.
RESOLUTION TO CONVEY A 1.74 ACRE PARCEL
ON WATER STREET TO ELIZABETHTOWN FOR INSTALLATION OF A WATER CHLORINATION
PLANT. Reusser, Wood
HARRINGTON: Questions or concerns?
TYLER:
Where exactly is this property anyways?
Right down over the back over here some place?
MANNING: Right next to public health behind
their parking lot near the bank.
MASCARENAS: Yes the Armory property.
HARRINGTON: Any other questions?
HUGHES:
Has it already been sub divided with its own partial ID number or is it
still part of our or public health’s parcel?
REUSSER: Yes.
HUGHES: To which question?
MASCARENAS: Could somebody offer Mr. Tansey
courtesy of the floor, he did all the work on this property.
TYLER: I will.
REUSSER: I will second that.
HARRINGTON: Come on up please.
TANSEY: Thank
you. Good morning. Happy Monday. The public health building has a five acre
lot on Water Street it’s right by the river near the foot bridge. US Government gave us this property in 1998
with restrictions. It’s the best spot
for the water chlorination plant for the Town of Elizabethtown which benefits
the entire hamlet here, the Essex County buildings. It’s been appraised and I got it aggregated,
my favorite word, from the US Government so we don’t have restrictions to
convey this law to start the grant application and the building process. The last step is for Essex County to convey
this 1.74 acre lot to Elizabethtown if you find it prudent, good. If it’s not being used by Essex County then
we can convey this lot.
MANNING:
Bill, part of this resolution would be getting approval from the
planning board and APA right?
TANSEY: That would be correct.
HUGHES: So my question still stands. Does this
1.74 acre parcel have its own tax ID number or is it still part of the large
five acre?
MANNING: It will once we get the sub division
approval from the town and the APA and Bill does the conveyance, I’m sorry Bill
I shouldn’t be – one of the forms, part of the deed will do that.
HUGHES: Thank you.
TANSEY: Lots keep their tax ID number until
they are conveyed. Once they are
conveyed they get a new tax ID number.
HUGHES: Thank you.
HARRINGTON:
Are there need of further clarity in regards to this?
DOTY: I just want to verify that that acreage
is actually big enough because as you know as specifications change and
everything is there room for expansion or you’ve looked far enough down the
road to transfer a big enough parcel?
MASCARENAS: Yeah it think that question is more
for the Town of Elizabethtown and their engineers. You know we were brought in on the project
basically because they have an issue with redundancy in terms of their water
system and that location was identified by their engineers and we worked with
them on that process. I think too Elizabethtown did pay for the work that
happened there that wasn’t the county we initially paid some of those bills and
they reimbursed any of the costs with that as well. I don’t know the answer to that. I’m assuming
so and I’m hoping. If I was a county planner I would want to know that what was
happening there.
DOTY: Well seeing that Bill got to use his
favor word you might as well make it big enough.
TANSEY: Thank you very much but we did use the
engineering survey for this lot.
DOTY: Okay good.
GILLILLAND: I was brought into this several
years ago and the town has been working on this project and dealing with the
county and the Federal Government to get to this point. This is not a recent
undertaking I just wanted to let you know that.
TANSEY: Thank you.
HARRINGTON:
Other concerns? All those in
favor, opposed – carried. Anything
further to come
before ways and means?
GILLILLAND:
Just for the board’s information I will be meeting with DEC in Ray Brook
on Friday afternoon anybody that wants to come is welcome. We are going to be talking about a number of
subjects solid waste and fish hatchery and a number of other subjects any
supervisor is welcome to attend just let me know so I can let DEC folks
know. And if there is any other subjects
you want to us to bring up this will be, I’m going to describe this meeting as
more of a war council than a gathering so it may not be pleasant but we are
kind of at that stage. We are a million
dollars waiting for the state to pay, it’s costing us $135 a ton to deliver a
ton of trash to Franklin end to end and if the State isn’t going to fess up
their money we are going to have to treat them like any other customer that
won’t pay their bills. Fish hatchery issue I think is going to be, I think the
issue on the fish hatchery is going to be what they expect us to do for
shutting it down. They have been talking a number last time when this
discussion came up that they wanted us to finance a decommissioning study and as
far I think we are concerned it’s pretty clear the easement or the deed of the
property when no longer operating as a fish hatchery it goes back to the state
so our decommissioning plan as Mike says will be an envelope with the keys and
a medium pepperoni pizza so that’s what we are going to go in on. Mike, I’m drawing a blank on the other
subject?
MASCARENAS:
One of the subject areas that supervisors in the Town of North Hudson
and Moriah that we are bringing up the Ensign Pond Road project is something
that they are going to have a lot of say about, them meaning the APA in terms
of some of the regulation that we are going to deal with in that area to make
that road passable. It’s gotten to the
point where I know you hear an awful lot about it in your towns I live in one
of them that road is closed more than it is open and it’s really an issue of
beavers and damming and those types of things that are happening and how to
deal with that moving forward it might be a blue print to other areas that we’re
seeing start to suffer some of the same fates as this road but if you live in
Moriah the only two ways south is really Tracy Road or Ensign Pond to get to
the interstate so it’s kind of a major artery and it certainly is for the folks
in North Hudson too who frequent Moriah and there’s a lot of those people.
GILLILLAND: And one other issue too is the day
use area and restrooms in North Hudson at the campground which is county
property that back in 2017 I believe it was we allowed them an access agreement
that has been expired, never been removed and based upon the promise that we
would have an easement that would be purchased by the state for that piece of
property which they have not done anything with and not paid so once again I
don’t know if we are going to have to go to North Hudson court to have them
evicted from our property I’m not sure but we need closure on that you know
what’s a way forward because it’s hanging out there, it’s our property they
have people on it using it as part of their campground and park and I don’t
exactly know what our exposure is or liability on that but I imagine since we
still own the property we are going to be exposed on that so it’s got to be
fixed.
TYLER: What time is that meeting Shaun?
GILLILLAND: 3:00 on Friday.
HARRINGTON: Anything else to come before ways
and means?
THURSTON: I just wanted to add a couple things
to your list Shaun, if that’s okay?
GILLILLAND: Would you mind emailing it so I
don’t forget it please.
THURSTON: Sure the lack of UMP’s in other wilderness
areas. It’s been over fifty-two years
now and then the other thing I wish Mr. Wilson was here to speak about this and
perhaps we can email him too but he has major parking issues at the garden at
the summer time.
GILLILLAND: He is coming.
THURSTON: Oh good. Perfect, thank you.
HARRINGTON: Any other concerns?
MASCARENAS: I just have one announcement if you
look out the back door you’ll see that there is a big hole in the side of the
building that Sheriff Reynolds used to occupy as a young deputy. They got here
this morning, when I got to work they had it started and within about an hour
they’ve got a few big holes punched in there.
You might want to stop and look at it quickly it’s pretty impressive.
HUGHES: One more quick announcement. In Mr. Monty’s absence today there is a
housing committee meeting. It will take place at 11:00 I wish it was sooner but
we have outside people who also are attending so housing at 11:00. Thank you.
GILLILLAND: Just to remind you also I think you
all got the email from the Acting District Attorney he has an event on the
front the courthouse at 11:30, if you are available.
HARRINGTON: Any other announcements or
concerns? We are adjourned.
As
there was no further discussion to come before this ways and means committee it
was adjourned at 10:25 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Judith Garrison, Clerk
Board of Supervisors