REGULAR BOARD
Monday, February 3,
2025 - 10:00 AM
Shaun Gillilland, Chairman
James Monty, Vice-Chairman
Chairman Gillilland called this Regular Board
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, Steve McNally, James Monty, Cathleen Reusser,
Favor Smith, Matt Stanley, Joe Pete Wilson, Davina Winemiller, Margaret Wood
and Mark Wright. Ken Hughes and Ike
Tyler was excused.
Department Heads present: Hannah Carson, James
Dougan, Judy Garrison, Mary McGowan, Dan Manning, Michael Mascarenas, David
Reynolds and Heather Sheehan.
Also present:
Josh Favro, William Tansey, John Hanby, Krista Moran and Margaret
Bartley
News media:
None present.
GILLILLAND:
I will call this meeting of the Board of Supervisors to order. Will you join me in the salute to the flag please? We’ll start with the roll call please. Good morning. We have a guest here this
morning, Mr. Jack Hanby and I’d like you to ask you sir to join us up here as
well as Supervisor Reusser and members of the Emergency Services Department.
REUSSER: Good morning everyone. I’d like to
introduce you to John Hanby. We call him Jack.
I’m going to read a resolution regards to his service to Essex County as
Fire Investigator.
Resolution
of congratulations to John “Jack” Hanby upon his retirement as Essex County
Deputy Fire Coordinator and Fire Investigator.
The
following resolution was offered by Supervisor Reusser who moved for its
adoption.
Upon the
recommendation of the Personnel Committee, upon the approval of the ways and
means committee of this body and the same appearing proper and necessary.
Whereas,
John “Jack” Hanby was appointed in 1984 as an Essex County Deputy Fire
Coordinator Fire Investigator being one of the first trained and as one of the
first fire investigators in Essex County and;
Whereas,
John “Jack” Hanby has exhibited the highest degree of skill and competence in
performing his duties and has conscientiously and with the highest degree of
professionalism and integrity served the residents of Essex County for over
forty years and;
Whereas,
Jack has contributed greatly to the betterment through his years of public
service as Essex County Deputy Fire Coordinator and Fire Investigator and;
Whereas,
it has come to this boards attention that John “Jack” Hanby retired as Essex
County Fire Coordinator Fire Investigator with forty years of service.
Be it
resolved, that the Essex County Board of Supervisors, the Clerk of the Board,
County Manager and County Attorney hereby extend their heartfelt thanks and
appreciation to John “Jack” Hanby for his dedicated, conscientious, exemplary
public service to the people of Essex County and wish him continued help and
success upon his retirement and in his future endeavors.
This
resolution was unanimously seconded and adopted.
Congratulations.
HANBY:
It’s been a long time and many years.
When I first started we don’t know too much what was going on here in
Essex County. We didn’t have any problems and the next thing I know cars are
being brought up from New York City and set on fire to collect the
insurance. Some fires that occurred that
I went to didn’t look right I finally got myself a sniffer that allows me to
know if there is an exhilarant. It
didn’t allow me to know what the exhilarant was that was something we finally
got and I went to Montour Falls and took my vacation time to become an
investigator. It was very, very thorough
down there interviews, taking of evidence, knowing what to look for I put a lot
of weeks in down there when I could take weeks offs and eventually became an
Essex County Fire Investigator and believe me, I’ve enjoyed the journey. There’s no such thing as we can’t tell what
happened because we can, not who but we can. I thank you for your support all
these years.
GILLILLAND: I will call on Supervisor DeLoria.
DELORIA:
Yes, thank you. First congratulations to Jack Hanby for your forty years
of service. I just want to make a simple
announcement this morning that myself, after forty years of service, eight
years as supervisor for the Town of Newcomb I will not be seeking
reelection. I think when I first took
this job I felt that it was a life sentence and I think a lot of us do that
when you get in and you start doing it this is never going to end so I finally
came to the realization that had I not taken the supervisor shift in 2018 I
would be retiring from the highway department at this time. That and some family issues that went on over
the last six months it’s just time. It’s
time for me to exit. However, I want to
point out three things number one, at each meeting we salute the flag but we
also salute the republic of the United States of America and that’s truly what
we are about towns, villages, counties, cities right across the nation steady
and stern and the unity that I’ve seen with the Board of Supervisors since I’ve
stepped foot through that door right there I’m totally amazed and proud of each
and every supervisor that has ever sat in this horseshoe. We appreciate the level of competence that
our department heads have. The business office, if the supervisors could have
been in the last meeting of buildings and facilities and just to listen to the
expertise and the talent that that group alone has you see it right across the
board. You see it in Mental Health, Social
Services and from every department and I just want to point that out. It’s something we need to continually upheld
because there is no one of us that has spent enough time at the county seat
with the exception of probably Shaun and Jim that truly understand what happens
behind that curtain but that curtain is not closed those people pull it back
the transparency is astounding with what they show us and we support that. Mr. Stanley mentioned that today how
important it is for us to do that so the only other thing I want to conclude is
Shaun and I have discussed my current committee assignments and him and I are
going to look at that and see what’s best for the next eleven months. I will give 200% for the next eleven months
and if we ever have a restaurant nearby I’ll buy you all lunch. Shaun, thank
you. I appreciate it.
GILLILLAND: Thank you. We will move into resolutions please.
RESOLUTION
#18 – ACCEPTING, ADOPTING AND PLACING ON FILE POLICIES, PLANS, PROCEDURES AND
ANNUAL REPORTS.
This
resolution was moved by Mr. Monty, seconded by Mr. Clark, and duly adopted.
RESOLUTION
#19 – ACCEPTING THE 2025 LIST OF DEPUTY FIRE COORDINATORS AND INVESTIGATORS FOR
THE OFFICE OF ESSEX COUNTY EMERGENCY SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
This
resolution was moved by Mr. Barber, seconded by Mr. Brassard, and duly adopted.
RESOLUTION
#20 – AUTHORIZING AND APPROVING THE NEW EMS RATES FOR MEDICAL BILLING.
This
resolution was moved by Mr. DeLoria, seconded by Mr. Stanley and adopted upon a
roll-call vote as follows:
AYES: 2694 votes
NOES: 0 votes
ABSENT: 159
votes (Hughes, Tyler)
RESOLUTION
#21 – OF CONGRATULATIONS AND APPRECIATION TO RANDIE WOODS UPON HIS RETIREMENT
FROM SERVICE WITH THE ESSEX COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT.
This
resolution was moved by Ms. Reusser, unanimously seconded, and duly adopted.
RESOLUTION
#22 – 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.
This
resolution was moved by Mr. Monty, seconded by Mr. Wright and adopted upon a
roll-call vote as follows:
AYES: 2694 votes
NOES: 0 votes
ABSENT: 159
votes (Hughes, Tyler)
RESOLUTION
#23 – AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF A PERMIT TO ADIRONDACK SPORTS COUNCIL
ALLOWING USE OF COUNTY ROADWAYS FOR THE WILMINGTON WHITEFACE WHISKEY 5K AND 10K
RUN/RACE TO BE HELD ON SATURDAY, JUNE 21, 2025, IN THE TOWN OF WILMINGTON, UPON
APPROVAL OF THE COUNTY ATTORNEY AND WITH THE PROVISION OF INSURANCE.
This
resolution was moved by Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr. Clark, and duly adopted.
RESOLUTION
#24 – AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASING AGENT TO AWARD BIDS, ISSUE CONTRACTS/AGREEMENTS
OR PURCHASE ORDERS.
This
resolution was moved by Mr. Wright, seconded by Ms. Reusser and adopted upon a
roll-call vote as follows:
AYES: 2694 votes
NOES: 0 votes
ABSENT: 159
votes (Hughes, Tyler)
RESOLUTION
#25 – 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.
This
resolution was moved by Mr. Brassard, seconded by Mr. Doty and adopted upon a
roll-call vote as follows:
AYES: 2694 votes
NOES: 0 votes
ABSENT: 159
votes (Hughes, Tyler)
RESOLUTION
#26 – AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY CHAIRMAN OR COUNTY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT
AMENDMENT WITH ATLANTIC TESTING LABORATORIES, LLC. 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.
This
resolution was moved by Mr. Monty, seconded by Mr. Doty and adopted upon a
roll-call vote as follows:
AYES: 2694 votes
NOES: 0 votes
ABSENT: 159
votes (Hughes, Tyler)
RESOLUTION
#27 – AUTHORIZING THE ESSEX COUNTY PURCHASING AGENT TO GO OUT TO BID FOR
VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS.
This
resolution was moved by Mr. Clark, seconded by Mr. Barber, and duly adopted.
RESOLUTION
#28 – AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY CHAIRMAN OR COUNTY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT
AMENDMENT WITH J. HUTCHINS, INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $66,014.00 FOR THE 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.
This
resolution was moved by Mr. Brassard, seconded by Mr. Doty and adopted upon a
roll-call vote as follows:
AYES: 2694 votes
NOES: 0 votes
ABSENT: 159
votes (Hughes, Tyler)
RESOLUTION
#29 – AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY CHAIRMAN OR COUNTY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT
AMENDMENT WITH J. HUTCHINS, INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $44,070.00 FOR THE CULVERT
REPLACEMENT PROJECT ON COUNTY ROUTE 6 (TRACY ROAD) LOCATED IN THE TOWN OF
MORIAH WITH FUNDS TO COME FROM FEMA/BUDGETED FUNDS.
This
resolution was moved by Mr. DeLoria, seconded by Ms. Thurston and adopted upon
a roll-call vote as follows:
AYES: 2694 votes
NOES: 0 votes
ABSENT: 159
votes (Hughes, Tyler)
RESOLUTION
#30 - AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY CHAIRMAN OR
COUNTY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT AMENDMENT WITH J. HUTCHINS, INC. IN AN
AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $585,275.00 FOR THE CULVERT REPLACEMENT PROJECT ON COUNTY
ROUTE 44 (STEVENSON ROAD) LOCATED IN THE TOWN OF WESTPORT WITH FUNDS TO COME
FROM FEMA/BUDGETED FUNDS.
This
resolution was moved by Mr. Monty, seconded by Mr. Brassard and adopted upon a
roll-call vote as follows:
AYES: 2694 votes
NOES: 0 votes
ABSENT: 159
votes (Hughes, Tyler)
RESOLUTION
#31 – 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
THE CULVERT REPLACEMENT PROJECT ON COUNTY ROUTE 80 (LAKESHORE ROAD) OVER A
TRIBUTARY TO THE BOQUET RIVER LOCATED IN THE TOWN OF WESTPORT WITH FUNDS TO
COME FROM FEMA/BUDGETED FUNDS.
This
resolution was moved by Ms. Reusser, seconded by Mr. Monty and adopted upon a
roll-call vote as follows:
AYES: 2694 votes
NOES: 0 votes
ABSENT: 159
votes (Hughes, Tyler)
RESOLUTION
#32 – AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY CHAIRMAN OR COUNTY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A MUNICPAL
SOLID WASTE TIPPING FEE CONTRACT FOR FIVE (5) YEARS WITH FRANKLIN COUNTY SOLID
WASTE MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY.
This
resolution was moved by Mr. Doty, seconded by Mr. Wright and adopted upon a
roll-call vote as follows:
AYES: 2694 votes
NOES: 0
votes
ABSENT: 159
votes (Hughes, Tyler)
GILLILLAND:
Discussion?
MANNING: I just had one thing there’s been a
typographical error in this. It says at
the rate of $15.00 per ton, it’s $54.00 per ton.
GILLILLAND: Thank you. Further discussion? Being
none, roll call please.
RESOLUTION
#33 – 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.
This
resolution was moved by Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Monty and adopted upon a
roll-call vote as follows:
AYES: 2694 votes
NOES: 0 votes
ABSENT: 159
votes (Hughes, Tyler)
GILLILLAND: Discussion?
STANLEY:
Mike, would you mind explaining the data that we get from this?
MASCARENAS:
Yeah, so Munis system is our financial system that the county
utilizes. We switched over from
Pentamation a handful of years ago. It
not only handles our finances for every department but it is also our payroll
so that contract provides that annual fee and the support for any issues we may
have with the software.
GILLILLAND: Further discussion? Being none, roll call please.
RESOLUTION
#34 – AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY CHAIRMAN OR COUNTY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A ONE-YEAR
CONTRACT WITH BROOKS INVESTIGATIONS, LLC. FOR ASSIGNED COUNSEL PROGRAM SERVICES
AT THE RATES OF $99.00 PER HOUR FOR RETAINER AND $75.00 PER HOUR FOR ADDITIONAL
INVESTIGATOR SERVICES WITH MILEAGE AT THE IRS RATE WITH FUNDS TO COME FROM INDIGENT
LEGAL SERVICES GRANT FUNDS.
This
resolution was moved by Mr. DeLoria, seconded by Mr. Barber and adopted upon a
roll-call vote as follows:
AYES: 2694 votes
NOES: 0 votes
ABSENT: 159
votes (Hughes, Tyler)
RESOLUTION
#35 – OF CONGRATULATIONS TO JOHN “JACK” HANBY UPON HIS RETIREMENT AS ESSEX
COUNTY DEPUTY FIRE COORDINATOR AND FIRE INVESTIGATOR.
This
resolution was moved by Ms. Reusser, unanimously seconded, and duly adopted.
RESOLUTION
#36 – RECOGNIZING LONG-TERM EMPLOYEES OF ESSEX COUNTY.
This
resolution was moved by Mr. Gillilland, unanimously seconded, and duly adopted.
RESOLUTION
#37 – AUTHORIZING 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.
This
resolution was moved by Mr. Monty, seconded by Mr. Stanley and adopted upon a
roll-call vote as follows:
AYES: 2694 votes
NOES: 0 votes
ABSENT: 159
votes (Hughes, Tyler)
RESOLUTION
#38 – TO CONVEY A 1.74 ACRE PARCEL ON WATER STREET TO ELIZABETHTOWN FOR
INSTALLATION OF A WATER CHLORINATION PLANT.
This
resolution was moved by Ms. Reusser, seconded by Mr. Monty and adopted upon a
roll-call vote as follows:
AYES: 2694 votes
NOES: 0 votes
ABSENT: 159
votes (Hughes, Tyler)
GILLILLAND: Discussion?
GARRISON: I just have one comment, the tax
parcel number has been added to the resolution the previous resolution I sent
out did not include it.
GILLILLAND: Thank you. Further discussion? Being none, roll call please.
GARRISON:
Resolutions from the floor.
RESOLUTION
#39 – AUTHORIZING A CONTRACT RENEWAL WITH CONNECTWISE LLC, FOR INFORMATION SYSTEMS
DEPARTMENT, IN THE AMOUNT OF $17,543.85; AND AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY CHAIRMAN OR
COUNTY MANAGER TO EXECUTE SAID CONTRACT RENEWAL.
This
resolution was moved by Mr. Stanley, seconded by Mr. Wright and adopted upon a
roll-call vote as follows:
AYES: 2694 votes
NOES: 0 votes
ABSENT: 159
votes (Hughes, Tyler)
GILLILLAND: Twelve to allow it on the floor?
GARRISON:
Yes we do.
GILLILLAND: Thank you. Discussion?
MASCARENAS:
Quick explanation. We use this in the IT Department to remote in to not
only our users here on campus but any towns that we are doing work for it
allows us to get those 585 licenses so the $17,000 price tag is well saved in
terms of efficiency in not having to send people on the road.
GILLILLAND: Further discussion? Being none,
roll call please.
RESOLUTION
#40 – APPOINTING MEMBERS TO THE LAKE CHAMPLAIN-LAKE GEORGE REGIONAL PLANNING
BOARD.
This
resolution was moved by Mr. Stanley, seconded by Mr. Brassard, and duly
adopted.
GILLILLAND: Twelve to allow it on the floor?
GARRISON:
Yes we do.
RESOLUTION
#41 – OF CONGRATULATIONS AND APPRECIATION TO CHARLES WOLSON UPON HIS RETIREMENT
FROM ESSEX COUNTY INFORMATION SYSTEMS DEPARTMENT.
This
resolution was moved by Ms. Reusser, unanimously seconded, and duly adopted.
GILLILLAND: Twelve to allow it on the floor?
GARRISON:
Yes we do.
RESOLUTION
#42 – ADOPTING A HOME RULE REQUEST FOR THE ENACTION AND ADOPTION BY THE NEW
YORK STATE ASSEMBLY OF ASSEMBLY BILL A3101 AND THE ENACTION AND ADOPTION BY THE
NEW YORK STATE SENATE OF SENATE BILL S206 AUTHORIZING ESSEX COUNTY TO IMPOSE AN
ADDITIONAL 1% PERCENT RATE OF SALES AND COMPENSATING USE TAXES FOR THE PERIOD
BEGINNING DECEMBER 1, 2013 AND ENDING NOVEMBER 30, 2027.
This
resolution was moved by Mr. Monty, seconded by Mr. Wright and adopted upon a two-thirds roll-call vote as follows:
AYES: 3683 votes
NOES: 0 votes
ABSENT: 208
votes (Hughes, Tyler)
GILLILLAND: Twelve to allow it on the floor?
GARRISON:
Yes we do.
GILLILLAND: Discussion?
MONTY: Dan, why does it go back to 2013? Or is this just housekeeping?
MANNING:
It is a housekeeping thing. This
isn’t the first as you recall we could collect a 3% sales tax but in 2013 we
applied to collect another 1% so now we collect 4% and that date –
MONTY: So we just renew it?
MANNING: Yes and this last for two years and
then this only relates to 1% but 3% we did by resolution in 1967 so all we need
is a resolution for that today.
MONTY: Thank you.
GILLILLAND: Further discussion? It requires a 2/3 vote. Anything further from the board?
MONTY: I’d like to offer a resolution of
condolence to the family of Edith Smith, a long time county employee whose
daughter still works for Essex County, passed away the end of last week.
GILLILLAND: Twelve to allow it on the floor?
GARRISON:
Yes we do.
RESOLUTION
#43 – OF CONDOLENCE TO THE FAMILY OF EDITH MITCHELL
This
resolution was moved by Mr. Monty, unanimously seconded, and duly adopted.
GILLILLAND: Anything further? I would like to ask for an executive session
to brief and legal review on discussion on various issues conducted with DEC
leadership last week. Thank you. Moved by Mr. Brassard, second Mr. Smith. We
are in executive session.
THE COMMITTEE MOVED
INTO AN EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 10:30 A.M.
TO DISCUSS VARIOUS
ISSUES CONDUCTED WITH THE DEC AND
MOVED BACK INTO OPEN
SESSION AT 11:25 A.M.
GILLILLAND: I note the time is 11:25 a.m. we
are out of executive session. No
decisions were made in executive session so we are now in regular session. I
believe we have a resolution?
MASCARENAS:
Yes, I would like to offer a resolution of condolence to the family of
Jessie Sayre.
GILLILLAND: Twelve to allow it on the floor?
GARRISON:
Yes we do.
RESOLUTION
#44 – OF CONDOLENCE TO THE FAMILY JESSIE SAYRE.
This
resolution was moved by Mr. Monty, unanimously seconded, and duly adopted.
GILLILLAND: Thank you. Anything further to come
before this board? Being none, we are
adjourned.
As
there was no further discussion to come before this regular board meeting it
was adjourned at 11:25 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Judith Garrison, Clerk
Board of Supervisors