REGULAR BOARD
Monday, April 7, 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: Matthew
Brassard, Chris Clark, Robin DeLoria, Derek Doty, Shaun Gillilland, Charlie
Harrington, Ken Hughes, Steve McNally, James Monty, Favor Smith, Davina
Thurston, Ike Tyler, Joe Pete Wilson, Margaret Wood and Mark Wright. Clayton Barber, Matt Stanley and Cathleen
Reusser were excused.
Department Heads present: Angie Allen, James
Dougan, Judy Garrison, Mary McGowan, Dan Manning, Michael Mascarenas, Roy
Holzer and David Reynolds
Also present:
Josh Favro, William Tansey, Barbara Rice, Executive Director of APA and
Tim Pierce
News media:
None present.
GILLILLAND:
I call this meeting of the Board of Supervisors to order and if you will
join me in the salute to the flag please.
Thank you. We’ll start with roll call.
Thank you very much. We are honored today we have Barb Rice the Executive
Director of the Adirondack Park Agency who is coming to address us. The first
time since I’ve been on the board that the Executive Director of the APA has
come to the board so it’s a real pleasure to have her today and an honor. Thank
you so much. Barb, the dais is yours.
RICE:
Good morning and thank you Mr. Chairman for the opportunity to speak at
your meeting today. I know you have a
busy agenda I took a look at it so I appreciate you giving me the time.
I want to begin by expressing my gratitude on
behalf of the agency and board and myself for your resolution of support. If
you had said fifty years ago that both Government and the APA would find ways
to work together and support each other I’m not sure that I would be able to
say what the respond would have been at that time and I know I’m going to give
my age away here but I do remember the early days of the agency. The anger and the frustration that many
locals felt and the incredibly challenging circumstances that the original
staff had to navigate and that’s why my appearance here today is to thank Essex
County for its resolution of support is so meaningful. It’s a testament to how far we’ve come and it
shows that groups that were once on opposite sides can find common ground when
they come together with openness and a shared sense of purpose in a time when
divisiveness dominates every level of government and society we serve as an
example of what’s possible when we choose to collaborate. You know I grew up in the Adirondack Park and
my family has been around for generations and I’m deeply proud to be the first
native Adirondacker to be Executive Director of the APA. I’m also very proud
and grateful for the time I spent in local government. I know that our
communities are the heart and soul of the Adirondack Park and local government
is the foundation where decisions impact daily lives and I know that for all
the incredible advantages within this beautiful protective place there are so
many real life challenges that our communities face and one of the most
pressing is actually securing affordable public infrastructure and that’s
something that’s absolutely necessary if we are going to build critically
needed housing and expand economic opportunity so I heard consistently from
local government about the growing need for professional planning support
whether you are updating zoning codes or enhancing comprehensive planning or
preparing for impacts of increasingly severe storms or navigating the
complexities of securing state and federal grants these are real impressing
needs and I see opportunity for the APA to play a more active role in
supporting that work. So I’m very excited to continue this conversation and
explore how we can better serve 101 towns and villages across the Adirondack Park
and we didn’t come empty handed today so we have prepared a GIS map of Essex
County as one example of a service that the agency can provide to local
government. So we have a great GIS team and we have very powerful GIS tools and
so we are able to produce these beautiful maps and they can very useful to
local government in their planning purposes and if you were to ask a consultant
to do this for you you would be paying a pretty penny for it. This is just an
example of one of things that we can do to help local government and we also
brought some of our annual reports so you can get a sense of some of the work
our staff have been doing over the past year and of course we also brought
everyone an updated Adirondack park map.
So finally, I just want to invite everyone to our planning forum May 7th
and 8th and that’s at the Hotel Saranac. We will have state
representatives that administer many grant and planning programs that benefit
local government and this will be a really great opportunity to discuss what is
working and maybe how some programs can be altered to better fit the needs of
Adirondack communities. And with that I
really just want to say thank you again for your support and for your
dedication to public service and the future of the Adirondack Park and its
communities.
GILLILLAND: Thank you. Is there any questions
for Barb?
MONTY: Good morning. Are those maps available for the towns to
purchase?
RICE: You don’t have to purchase them but if
you want one you can give us a call and request it and we can have one made for
you.
MONTY: Perfect, thank you.
RICE: Yes, absolutely.
GILLILLAND:
Anything else? Thank you very
much for coming we really appreciate it.
RICE: Thank you so much I really appreciate it.
GILLILLAND: I echo your words we have got to go
forward together because the challenges out there are immense. Thank you.
RICE: Thank you so much.
GILLILLAND:
Okay we’ll move onto resolutions.
RESOLUTION
NO. 66 – RECOGNIZING THE WEEK OF APRIL 13-19, 2025, AS NATIONAL PUBLIC SAFETY
TELECOMMUNICATIONS WEEK.
This
resolution was moved by Mr. Tyler, seconded by Mr. Monty, and duly adopted.
RESOLUTION
NO. 67 – AUTHORIZING BUDGET AMENDMENTS FOR VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS.
This
resolution was moved by Mr. Brassard, seconded by Mr. Wright and adopted upon a
roll-call vote as follows:
AYES: 2345 votes
NOES: 0 votes
ABSENT: 499
votes (Barber, Reusser, Stanley)
RESOLUTION
NO. 68 – AUTHORIZNG THE EXCLUSION OF ONE PARCEL OWNED BY VALERIA M. BODNAR, IN
THE TOWN OF WESTPORT, FROM THE ESSEX COUNTY AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT #1.
This
resolution was moved by Mr. Tyler, seconded by Mr. Doty, and duly adopted.
RESOLUTION
NO. 69 – ACCEPTING, ADOPTING AND PLACING ON FILE POLICIES, PLANS, PROCEDURES
AND ANNUAL REPORTS.
This
resolution was moved by Mr. DeLoria, seconded by Mr. Brassard, and duly
adopted.
RESOLUTION
NO. 70 – ADOPTING AND APPROVING THE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES AND QUARTERLY
REPORTS FOR THE PUBLIC HEALTH UNIT AND HOME HEALTH SERVICES FOR 1ST
QUARTER OF 2025, WHICH WERE APPROVED BY THE PROFESSIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL
(PAC), PUBLIC HEALTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE (PHAC) AND THE MEDICAL DIRECTOR, ON
MARCH 4, 2025.
This
resolution was moved by Mr. Doty, seconded by Ms. Wood, and duly adopted.
RESOLUTION
NO. 71 – AUTHORIZING THE IMPLEMENTATION, AND FUNDING IN THE FIRST INSTANCE 100%
OF THE FEDERAL-AID AND STATE “MARCHISELLI” PROGRAM-AID ELIGIBLE COSTS, OF A
TRANSPORTATION FEDERAL-AID PROJECT, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFORE.
(ALEXANDRIA AVE. OVER LAKE GEORGE OUTLET)
This
resolution was moved by Mr. Clark, seconded by Mr. Wright and adopted upon a
roll-call vote as follows:
AYES: 2345 votes
NOES: 0 votes
ABSENT: 499
votes (Barber, Reusser, Stanley)
GILLILLAND: Discussion?
DOTY: Mike,
are these funds all in hand now?
MASCARENAS: No.
Right Jim, these are future projects?
Is he gone? Yes, this is a future
project I believe. Anything that we
would have committed that’s happening now would have had prior commitment. We
haven’t heard so currently we are operating under status quo until we hear
otherwise. Some of the decisions I’ve seen are coming quite quickly with little
or no time to prepare unfortunately but due to that I don’t know a better way
to react in terms of planning with that kind of process in place.
DOTY: Understood. I only bring it up because as
we accepted the Department of Health everything that they are looking at
there’s concern over basically $533,000 that’s federal oriented.
MASCARENAS: Absolutely and that’s where you’re
seeing the focus right now I haven’t heard anything in terms of infrastructure
being at risk. What I would tell you is if we were to find this out we would
get into our play book and we would look at things that haven’t happened yet
and have to put a halt on those things as we get into summer and fall months so
that’s what we are prepared to do but I think we need to continue to move
forward as we normally would with the best information that we have today.
DOTY: Okay thank you.
GILLILLAND:
Further discussion? Being none,
roll call please.
RESOLUTION
NO. 72 – AUTHORIZING CONTRACT AMENDMENTS/CHANGE ORDERS IN VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS.
This
resolution was moved by Mr. Brassard, seconded by Mr. Clark and adopted upon a
roll-call vote as follows:
AYES: 2345 votes
NOES: 0 votes
ABSENT: 499
votes (Barber, Reusser, Stanley)
RESOLUTION
NO. 73 – SETTING THE DATES AND LOCATIONS FOR THE 2025 HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE
DAY EVENTS IN ESSEX COUNTY.
This
resolution was moved by Mr. Tyler, seconded by Mr. Wright, and duly adopted.
RESOLUTION
NO. 74 – AUTHORIZING THE ESSEX COUNTY PURCHASING AGENT TO GO OUT TO BID FOR
VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS.
This
resolution was moved by Mr. DeLoria, seconded by Mr. Clark, and duly adopted.
RESOLUTION
NO. 75 – OF CONGRATULATIONS TO THE BEN WEAVER FARM LOCATED IN WILLSBORO, NEW
YORK UPON BEING NAMED THE NATIONAL WINNERS OF THE CONSERVATION PRODUCER 2024
HUGH HAMMOND BENNETT AWARD.
This
resolution was moved by Mr. Monty, unanimously seconded, and duly adopted.
RESOLUTION
NO. 76 – AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASING AGENT TO AWARD BIDS, ISSUE
CONTRACTS/AGREEMENTS OR PURCHASE ORDERS.
This
resolution was moved by Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Clark and adopted upon a
roll-call vote as follows:
AYES: 2246 votes
NOES: 0 votes
ABSENT: 607
votes (Barber, Reusser, Stanley, Tyler)
RESOLUTION
NO. 77 – RECOGNIZING LONG-TERM EMPLOYEES OF ESSEX COUNTY.
This
resolution was moved by Mr. Gillilland, unanimously seconded, and duly adopted.
RESOLUTION
NO. 78 – AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY CHAIRMAN OR COUNTY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AN EASEMENT
WITH NEW YORK STATE ELECTRIC AND GAS (NYSEG) FOR THE LOCATION OF AN ELECTRIC
POLE SITUATE ON THE BOUNDARY BETWEEEN ESSEX COUNTY TAX MAP NO. 55.84-3-26.200
AND TAX MAP NO. 55.83-3-17.110 TOGETHER WITH THE RIGHT TO ALLOW NYSEG TO CUT
ANY AND ALL TREES EXISTING WITHIN THE BOUNDS OF THE EASEMENT.
This
resolution was moved by Mr. DeLoria, seconded by Mr. Monty and adopted upon a
roll-call vote as follows:
AYES: 2345 votes
NOES: 0 votes
ABSENT: 499
votes (Barber, Reusser, Stanley)
GILLILLAND: Discussion?
DOTY: Just curious, how wide is an easement
when we give that?
MANNING:
It’s – I argue with these guys all the time but they claim by law it’s
going to be 30 feet in width. It’s only
for the placement of a pole and the pole is being placed on the exact boundary
line the hospital’s lot and our parking lot and I’ve already been nauseating with
this guy at NYSEG if I were in private practice I probably would tell him to go
pound salt but this is for the benefit of the project at the hospital. Mike and I have spoken about it and he
assures me that although the document says 30 feet it won’t be 30 feet and it’s
only a placement of a pole and some guidewires. I don’t want to be an
obstructionist with respect to their project. I had to relent after about an
hour conversation with the hospital, the guy from NYSEG which usually happens
so it’s not going to be a problem I don’t believe.
DOTY: Okay I’m just curious because the center
pole machine is pretty wide.
MASCARENAS:
Yeah, just so you know it’s the location right here.
DOTY: On the parking lot.
MASCARENAS: Yeah, on the parking lot between
the two.
MANNING: Ideally they should have two
components to their easement a construction component that goes away that
allows you to go on there do what you want, get rid of it and then another
component which is permanent as to a location but NYSEG has homed these
easements and they don’t budge for them and it’s all in their favor. I don’t
see a problem but that’s where we are at.
DOTY: And it won’t affect our parking?
MASCARENAS: No they told us no that was our
concern with the easement being that large that eventually it could impact our
parking along that side but it’s 30 feet from center right Dan which means 15
feet on each property is really kind of what it’s at so yeah, again we didn’t
want to divert the project at the hospital and hold that up so that’s where we
ended up.
MANNING: Yeah and it’s from the pole it’s not
like a transmission line where they go all the way down it’s just the placement
of the pole.
DOTY: Good deal. Thank you.
GILLILLAND: Any further discussion? Roll call please.
RESOLUTION
NO. 79 – SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF NATIONAL PUBLIC HEALTH WEEK.
This
resolution was moved by Mr. Wilson, seconded by Mr. Tyler, and duly adopted.
RESOLUTION
NO. 80 – URGING GOVERNOR HOCHUL TO RESCIND EXECUTIVE ORDER 47.3 DECLARING A
DISASTER EMERGENCY AND ORDERING THE SERVICE OF THE NATIONAL GUARD TO BE USED IN
PLACE OF STRIKING CORRECTIONS OFFICERS AND ESTABLISH A STATE POLICY BARRING THE
HIRING OF INDIVIDUALS WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE STRIKE.
This
resolution was moved by Mr. Tyler, seconded by Mr. Monty, and duly adopted.
RESOLUTION
NO. 81 – AUTHORIZING THE IMPLEMENTATION, AND FUNDING IN THE FIRST INSTANCE 100%
OF THE COSTS OF A TRANSPORTATION PROJECT, OF WHICH QUALIFIED COSTS MAY BE
REIMBURSED FROM BRIDGE NY FUNDS. (TRACY ROAD CULVERT OVER THE ROE POND OUTLET)
This
resolution was moved by Mr. Clark, seconded by Mr. Brassard and adopted upon a
roll-call vote as follows:
AYES: 2345 votes
NOES: 0 votes
ABSENT: 499
votes (Barber, Reusser, Stanley)
RESOLUTION
NO. 82 – AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF A PERMIT TO THE WHALLONSBURG GRANGE HALL
FOR THE USE OF COUNTY ROADWAY, ROUTE 55, IN THE TOWN OF ESSEX FOR THE 2025
CHAMPLAIN AREA TRAILS GRAND HIKE TO BE HELD ON MAY 10, 2025.
This
resolution was moved by Mr. Hughes, seconded by Mr. Wright, and duly adopted.
RESOLUTION
NO. 83 – OF CONDOLENCE TO THE FAMILY OF GERALD H. MORROW.
This
resolution was moved by Mr. Monty, unanimously seconded, and duly adopted.
RESOLUTION
NO. 84 – OF CONDOLENCE TO THE FAMILY OF WILLARD “JAY” KOHEN.
This
resolution was moved by Mr. Monty, unanimously seconded, and duly adopted.
RESOLUTION
NO. 85 – AUTHORIZING TO CHANGE THE HOURS IN THE OFFICE OF THE ESSEX COUNTY
TREASURER TO BE OPEN FROM 8:00 A.M. TO 4:00 P.M. BEGINNING MAY 5, 2025 THROUGH
AUGUST 29, 2025.
This
resolution was moved by Mr. Hughes, seconded by Mr. McNally, and duly adopted.
RESOLUTION
NO. 86 – OF CONDOLENCE TO THE FAMILY OF LILLIAN N. CROWNINGSHIELD.
This
resolution was moved by Mr. Monty, unanimously seconded, and duly adopted.
GARRISON:
Resolutions from the floor.
RESOLUTION
NO. 87 – ADOPTING PROPOSED LOCAL LAW NO. 2 OF 2025 ENTITLED “A LOCAL LAW TO
RESCIND LOCAL LAW NO. 4 OF 2023 ENTITLED “ESSEX COUNTY LOCAL LAW NO. 4 OF 2023
– A LOCAL LAW RELATING TO THE CREATION OF THE INDEPENDENT OFFICE OF ESSEX
COUNTY ASSIGNED COUNSEL”
This
resolution was moved by Mr. Hughes, seconded by Mr. Smith and adopted upon a
roll-call vote as follows:
AYES: 2345 votes
NOES: 0 votes
ABSENT: 499
votes (Barber, Reusser, Stanley)
GILLILLAND: Twelve to allow it on the floor
please.
GARRISON: Yes, we do.
RESOLUTION
NO. 88 – EXTENDING THE CONTRACT WITH ABSOLUTE AUCTIONS AND REALTY INC. BEARING
CONTRACT NO. MISC-23-0059, FOR A ONE YEAR RENEWAL THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2025.
This
resolution was moved by Mr. Brassard, seconded by Mr. DeLoria and adopted upon
a roll-call vote as follows:
AYES: 2345 votes
NOES: 0 votes
ABSENT: 499
votes (Barber, Reusser, Stanley)
GILLILLAND: Twelve to allow it on the floor
please.
GARRISON: Yes, we do.
GILLILLAND: Discussion?
HUGHES:
Is this for tax sale?
MANNING: Yes, it is. We have an existing contract that provides
two extensions so this would be the third extension to the edits this year then
we’ll start a new contract.
HUGHES: Thank you.
GILLILLAND:
Further discussion? Being none, roll call please. Anything further from the floor?
WILSON:
I’d like a resolution of appreciation and congratulations to Jody
Whitney on his retirement from the Keene Fire Department and Ambulance
Service. Jody served his community for
42 years, 30 of those years were as chief.
GILLILLAND: Twelve to allow it on the floor
please?
GARRISON: Yes, we do.
RESOLUTION
NO. 89 – OF APPRECIATION AND CONGRATULATIONS TO JODY WHITNEY UPON HIS
RETIREMENT FROM THE KEENE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND AMBULANCE SQUAD.
This
resolution was moved by Mr. Wilson, unanimously seconded, and duly adopted.
GILLILLAND: Anything further from the floor?
MASCARENAS: Just an announcement, reminder at
the conclusion of this meeting Angie will be doing her pinwheels out in the
flower garden if anybody would like to join her for Child Abuse Prevention
Month just a quick reminder.
GILLILLAND: Thank you. Will there be dad jokes?
ALLEN:
It depends if you are more opt to come then there will be dad jokes.
GILLILLAND: Alright, anything further from this
board. Thank you very much. We are adjourned.
As
there was no further discussion to come before this regular board, it was
adjourned at 10:25 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Judith Garrison, Clerk
Board of Supervisors