WAYS AND MEANS
COMMITTEE MEETING
Monday, February 24,
2025 - 10:00 AM
James Monty, Chairperson
Charlie Harrington, Vice-Chairperson
Board Chairman Gillilland called this Ways and
Means committee to order at 10:00 am with the following Supervisors in
attendance: Clayton Barber, Matthew Brassard, Robin DeLoria, Derek Doty, Shaun
Gillilland, Charlie Harrington, Favor Smith, Davina Thurston, Joe Pete Wilson, Meg
Wood and Mark Wright. Chris Clark, Kenneth Hughes, Steve McNally, Cathleen
Reusser, Jim Monty, Matthew Stanley and Michael Tyler were excused.
Department Heads present: Angie Allen, James
Dougan, Judith Garrison, Mary McGowan, Dan Manning, Michael Mascarenas, Chelsea
Merrihew, Jack Moulton and David Reynolds.
Also present:
William Tansey, Josh Favro, Krista Moran, Renee Bruno and Roy Holzer.
GILLILLAND:
I call this meeting of ways and means committee. Will you join me with
the salute to the flag. Roll call.
GARRISON: Thank you. We do have a quorum.
GILLILLAND: Thank you. We have no guests at
this time so we’ll go directly to resolutions please.
PUBLIC
SAFETY
Monday,
February 10, 2025
Chairman
– K. Hughes Vice-Chairman – I. Tyler
1. RESOLUTION
ACCEPTING AND PLACING ON FILE THE 2024 BOARD OF ELECTIONS ANNUAL REPORT. Doty, Smith
2. RESOLUTION
AUTHORIZING A BUDGET AMENDMENT IN THE EMERGENCY SERVICES DEPARTMENT INCREASING
REVENUES AND APPROPRIATIONS IN THE AMOUNT OF $46,650.00, HAZARD MITIGATION 2024
CARRY OVER FUNDS. Brassard, DeLoria
ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT
Monday,
February 10, 2025
Chairman
– I. Tyler Vice-Chairman – C. Barber
NO
RESOLUTIONS
HUMAN SERVICES
Monday, February 10, 2025
Chairman – JP. Wilson Vice-Chairman - C. Harrington
3. RESOLUTION
AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY MANAGER TO CLOSE THE COUNTY COMPLEX ON FRIDAY, APRIL 11,
2025 AND OPEN AT 1:00 P.M., TO PERFORM AN ACTIVE DRILL. Doty, Barber
4. RESOLUTION
AUTHORIZING BUDGET AMENDMENTS IN THE PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT INCREASING
REVENUES AND APPROPRIATIONS FROM VARIOUS UNEXPENDED 2024 FUNDS INTO 2025 BUDGET
LINE ITEMS. Wilson, Wright
5. RESOLUTION
AUTHORIZING A BUDGET AMENDMENT IN THE MENTAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT INCREASING
REVENUES AND APPROPRIATIONS IN THE AMOUNT OF $50,000.00, NYS OFFICE OF MENTAL
HEALTH FOR START UP OF LAKE PLACID ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL
SATELLITES. Doty, Smith
6. RESOLUTION
AUTHORIZING THE MENTAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT TO APPLY FOR AND ACCEPT AN ADIRONDACK
FOUNDATION GENEROUS ACTS GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $18,800.00, AND FURTHER
AUTHORIZING A BUDGET AMENDMENT FOR THE SAME.
Thurston, Brassard
7. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING
BUDGET AMENDMENTS IN THE MENTAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT INCREASING REVENUES AND
APPROPRIATIONS FROM VARIOUS UNEXPENDED 2024 FUNDS INTO 2025 BUDGET LINE ITEMS. DeLoria, Barber
8. RESOLUTION
AUTHORIZNG APPOINTMENTS OF MEMBERS (Cammy Sheridan and Linda Beers – Board Members,
Cammy Sheridan and Dava Clement – Mental Health Subcommittee, Kenneth Hughes –
Alcohol Substance Abuse Subcommittee, Sara Evans and Sara Stone – Intellectual
Development Disability Subcommittee) OF THE ESSEX COUNTY COMMUNITY SERVICES
BOARD OR SUBCOMMITTEE FOR A TERM EFFECTIVE 1/1/2025 TO 12/31/2028. Wood, Brassard
9. RESOLUTION
AUTHORIZING BUDGET AMENDMENTS IN THE MENTAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT INCREASING
REVENUES AND APPROPRIATIONS IN THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF $937,061.00, NYS STATE AID
AND STATE FUNDED COLA’s PASS THROUGH FUNDING. Wilson, Wright
10. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING
BUDGET AMENDMENTS IN THE OFFICE FOR THE AGING INCREASING REVENUES AND
APPROPRIATIONS FROM VARIOUS UNEXPENDED 2024 FUNDS INTO 2025 BUDGET LINE
ITEMS. Thurston, Barber
DEPARTMENT
OF PUBLIC WORKS
Wednesday,
February 12, 2025
Chairman
– R. DeLoria Vice–Chairman – C.
Barber
11.
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE TRANSPORTATION
DEPARTMENT TO APPLY FOR FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION/NYS DOT SECTION 5311
GRANT FUNDS FOR YEARS 2024-2025. Wright,
Doty
PERSONNEL
Wednesday,
February 12, 2025
Chairman
– M. Wood Vice-Chairman – JP. Wilson
NO RESOLUTIONS
FINANCE/TAX
REDUCTION/MANDATE RELIEF
Wednesday,
February 12, 2025
Chairman – S.
McNally Vice-Chairman – R. DeLoria
12.
RESOLUTION ACCEPTING AND
PLACING ON FILE THE 2024 ANNUAL ACCOUNTING OF MONIES RECEIVED AND DISBURSED BY
THE ESSEX COUNTY CLERK. Smith, Brassard
13. RESOLUTION ACCEPTING AND
PLACING ON FILE THE 2025 REAL PROPERTY TAX SERVICES ANNUAL REPORT. Wright, Barber
14. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT ON BEHALF OF ESSEX COUNTY
WITH THE NEW YORK STATE OFFICE OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES FOR THE 2025
RESOURCE ALLOCATION PLAN FOR YOUTH PROGRAM FUNDING AS PROVIDED FOR IN THE 2025
ESSEX COUNTY BUDGET. Thurston, Doty
15. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY CHAIRMAN OR
COUNTY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT AGREEMENT WITH FAX CHECK OUT IN THE AMOUNT
OF $11,935.00, FOR START UP OF AN ALL IN ONE FAX TO EMAIL SERVER AND
INFRASTRUCTURE. DeLoria, Wright
MISCELLANEOUS
16. RESOLUTION
RECOGNIZING LONG TERM EMPLOYEES FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH. Gillilland, unanimous
17.
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY
CHAIRMAN OR COUNTY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A SOLE PURCHASE/CONTRACT WITH TWINSTATE
FOR THE RENEWAL OF MITEL PREMIUM SWA FOR VOICEMAIL SERVICES IN THE AMOUNT OF
$11,102.60, FOR THE PERIOD 2/03/25 – 2/02/26.
Brassard, Wright
GILLILLAND: Discussion?
DOTY:
Mike, did we bid that?
MASCARENAS: That’s a good question. I was just
looking at that resolution. I’m not sure
where it came from, I don’t remember.
DOTY: I know there’s not many places to go.
MASCARENAS: Well typically when you’re dealing
with Motorola and those types of services they are all sole source. Is this one of yours Josh?
GARRISON:
No, it’s from IT. Linda Wolf sent
it. Here is a copy of the paperwork.
MASCARENAS:
Let me get back to that one specifically.
DOTY: We contract with Twin State I mean
certainly reputable I was just wondering what the process was.
MASCARENAS: I wasn’t even here February 19th
so I’m not sure where it came from?
GARRISON: Linda emailed it to both of us the
other day.
MASCARENAS: Linda did? I will find out what’s
going on there. I was out that day but it does have my name on it so somebody
sent it.
GILLILLAND: So we will continue to move this
forward to the full board then?
MASCARENAS: Yeah I can get you some
answers. If Linda provided it I’m
guessing it certainly probably is a sole source.
DOTY: And I also don’t know if maybe our limits
are higher than that and we didn’t have to bid?
THURSTON: It’s under twenty, that’s what I was
going to say.
MASCARENAS: It is under twenty and it is a
renewal so that tells me that there’s probably renewals left on that contract.
DOTY: So if that’s the answer, I’m fine with
that.
MASCARENAS:
But I’ll get you a real good one.
GILLILLAND: Further discussion? All in favor, opposed – carries.
18. RESOLUTION
AUTHORIZING SUBMISSION OF AN APPLICATION TO THE ADIRONDACK PARK AGENCY FOR A
PERMIT RELATIVE TO T-MOBILE’S MODIFICATION OF ITS ATENNA’S AND RELATED
EQUIPMENT ON TERRY MOUNTAIN. Brassard,
DeLoria
19. TABLED: RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING TO CREATE A PART-TIME
ATTORNEY POSITION IN THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES CHILD SUPPORT UNIT, AT
THE ANNUAL SALARY OF $50,000.00. Wilson,
Smith and tabled - Wilson, Thurston
GILLILLAND: Discussion?
MASCARENAS: I can explain it a little bit if need be. So we had some discussion around this
position this morning in terms of the specifics and we really need probably
until next meeting to work out those specifics with that employee to make sure
that certain parameters are followed. We don’t really have this kind of process
we’re not real flexible when it comes to that which is problem in itself in
terms of hiring and acquiring people. What I will tell you is that this is a
position that we’ve tried to fill for over eight months with almost no success
so determining those parameters and what the expectation is for this employee
coming in really needs to be worked out in terms of that clarity. The
resolution that we kind of have in front of us is a little insufficient in
that. I don’t know if it’s best Dan to table it, not vote on it? It’s the resolution for the part time
attorney or moving it forward knowing you are going to have to amend it at the
next meeting to meet what we are actually asking this individual to do for
work?
MANNING: I think I’d table it and get a more definitive statement
for regular board. It’s up to you guys.
WILSON: I’ll make the motion to table.
GILLILLAND: Second to table? Second by Ms. Thurston. All in favor.
Tabled.
THURSTON: I just have one comment on that and I’m in support of it
but I did notice that it includes medical benefits and I just want to make sure
that this something that is in our Personnel policy to allow a 16 hour a week
position to get the medical benefits? I
understand the need and I fully support the Department of Social Services so
please don’t think that I just want to make sure that we are following our
Personnel Policy.
MASCARENAS: So if it was conflicting with our personnel policy I
wouldn’t be here asking for a resolution from the board.
THURSTON: Alright, just making sure.
MASCARENAS: No, you bring up a very valuable point. We don’t have
rules defined for this specific class of individuals. Typically benefits are granted on a pro-rated
basis once an employee hits 19 hours in a week and you pay less as your hours
increase your contribution for health care so this is unprecedented which is
why I want and this resolution will kind of define what the rules are for this
position being that we don’t really have any now so that’s exactly why we are
here.
THURSTON: Okay thank you.
GILLILLAND: That is I believe all the resolutions that we have?
GARRISON: DPW
MASCARENAS: Jim has got some housekeeping resolutions they are
primarily on the storm.
GARRISON: Do you want me to go ahead with those?
GILLILLAND: Please.
GARRISON: The first resolution everyone has copies on their desks -
authorizing a contract amendment with J. Hutchings, Inc., in the amount of
$36,522.93 for road and culvert repair project on County Route 70 (Dalton Hill
Road), located in the Town of Moriah, with funds to come from FEMA/budgeted
funds and further authorizing the County Chairman or County Manager to execute
said contract amendment.
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A CONTRACT
AMENDMENT WITH J. HUTCHINGS, INC., IN THE AMOUNT OF $36,522.93 FOR ROAD AND
CULVERT REPAIR PROJECT ON COUNTY ROUTE 70 (DALTON HILL ROAD), LOCATED IN THE
TOWN OF MORIAH, WITH FUNDS TO COME FROM FEMA/BUDGETED FUNDS AND FURTHER
AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY CHAIRMAN OR COUNTY MANAGER TO EXECUTE SAID CONTRACT
AMENDMENT. Brassard, Doty
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A CONTRACT
AMENDMENT WITH J. HUTCHINGS, INC., IN THE AMOUNT OF $22,998.47 FOR CULVERT
REPLACEMENT PROJECT ON COUNTY ROUTE 42 (TARBELL HILL ROAD), LOCATED IN THE TOWN
OF MORIAH, WITH FUNDS TO COME FROM FEMA/BUDGETED FUNDS AND FURTHER AUTHORIZING
THE COUNTY CHAIRMAN OR COUNTY MANAGER TO EXECUTE SAID CONTRACT AMENDMENT. Thurston, Wood
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A CONTRACT
AMENDMENT WITH J. HUTCHINGS, INC., IN THE AMOUNT OF $414,741.33 FOR CULVERT
REPLACEMENT PROJECT ON COUNTY ROUTE 59 (YOUNGS ROAD), LOCATED IN THE TOWN OF
WESTPORT, WITH FUNDS TO COME FROM CHIPS/BUDGETED FUNDS AND FURTHER AUTHORIZING
THE COUNTY CHAIRMAN OR COUNTY MANAGER TO EXECUTE SAID CONTRACT AMENDMENT. DeLoria, Smith
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A CONTRACT
AMENDMENT WITH KUBRICKY CONSTRUCTION, IN THE AMOUNT OF $200,312.91 FOR THE
COUNTY ROUTE 54, (PELFERSHIRE ROAD) OVER BARTLETT BROOK CULVERT REPLACEMENT
PROJECT, LOCATED IN THE TOWN OF MORIAH, WITH FUNDS TO COME FROM FEMA/BUDGETED
FUNDS AND FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY CHAIRMAN OR COUNTY MANAGER TO EXECUTE
SAID CONTRACT AMENDMENT. Brassard, Wood
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A BUDGET
AMENDMENT IN THE DPW BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS INCREASING REVENUES AND APPROPRIATIONS
IN THE AMOUNT $568,000.00 FROM CAPITAL RESERVE FOR COUNTY BUILDINGS. Wright, Brassard
GARRISON: That was all the resolutions from DPW.
GILLILLAND: Any motions from the floor? Okay.
So also, I’d like to put a motion forward for appointment of the
Republican Election Commissioner. We have been going back and forth on this for
a number weeks and months at this point so this is the second round of
nominations that came forward I have received that the Mr. Holzer a former
colleague of ours has volunteered to step forward as the Republican Election
Commissioner. He has the support of the Essex County Republican Committee and
so at this point since the time has run out on the previous nomination that
happened on the 21st of February I’d like to make a motion to put
forward the selection of Roy Holzer as the Essex County Republican Election
Commissioner and in this vote we have a quorum of Republican members and for
this vote it is only the Republican members that will vote. So can you give me
a roll call on that?
GARRISON: Of just the Republican members?
MANNING: Yes.
GARRISON: Mr. Barber – yes;
Mr. Harrington – yes; Mr. Brassard – yes; Mr. DeLoria – yes; Mr. Wright – yes;
Mr. Gillilland – yes; and Mr. Smith – yes.
RESOLUTION APPOINTING ROY HOLZER AS
ESSEX COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS REPUBLICAN COMMISSIONER. Gillilland, unanimous
GILLILLAND: Okay, thank you.
I believe since we have a quorum that is affirmative.
MANNING: Okay, so it passes.
GILLILLAND: Congratulations Mr. Holzer. We look forward to working
with you. Is there any business to come
before this ways and means committee?
Being none, we are adjourned.
As there was no
further discussion to come before this ways and means committee it was
adjourned at 10:20 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Judith Garrison, Clerk
Board of Supervisors