WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE MEETING

Monday, March 30, 2026 @ 10:00 a.m.

Matthew Brassard, Chairperson

JoePete Wilson, Vice-Chairperson

Chairman Brassard called this Ways and Means committee meeting to order at 10:00 am with the following Supervisors in attendance: Matthew Brassard, Chris Clark, Timothy Follos, Kenneth Hughes, Mary Lamphear, Tracie McGill, Steve McNally, Clayton Menser, James O’Bryan, Timothy Pierce, Richard Preston, Cathleen Reusser, Matthew Stanley, Joe Pete Wilson, and Meg Wood. Clayton Barber, Davina Thurston and Michael Tyler were excused.

Department Heads present: James Dougan, Judy Garrison, Dan Manning and David Reynolds. Michael Mascarenas was excused.

Deputies present: William Tansey

Also present: Amy Chapuk, Jonathan Ferguson and Cole Trager.

BRASSARD: It’s 10 o’clock. I will call the ways and means committee meeting to order. We’ll stand and salute the flag. Roll call Judy. I don’t believe we have any guests, we’ll go right into resolutions.

PUBLIC SAFETY

Monday, March 9, 2026

Chairman – K. Hughes Vice-Chairman – D. Thurston

1. RESOLUTION ACCEPTING AND PLACING ON FILE THE 2025 WEIGHTS AND MEASURES ANNUAL REPORT. Clark, Hughes

2. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A BUDGET TRANSFER IN THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS DEPARTMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,000.00, FROM TRAINING EXPENSES TO TRAVEL REIMBURSEMENT. Pierce, Reusser

3. RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING NATIONAL PUBLIC SAFETY TELECOMMUNICATIONS WEEK AS APRIL 12 -18, 2026. O’Bryan, Reusser

4. RESOLUTION CONGRATULATING ESSEX COUNTY EMERGENCY SERVICES FOR BEING AWARDED THE EMS 2026 GOLD MISSION LIFELINE ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FROM AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION. Stanely, unanimous

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Monday, March 9, 2026

Chairman – M. Stanley Vice-Chairman – K. Hughes

1. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A BUDGET AMENDMENT IN THE COMMUNITY RESOURCES DEPARTMENT, INCREASING REVENUES AND APPROPRIATIONS IN THE AMOUNT OF $55,008.00, - PREOJECT #ZEV FOR ZERO EMISSION VEHICLE GRANT. Stanley, Wood

2. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A CHANGE TO THE ESSEX COUNTY AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT’S OPEN ENROLLMENT PERIOD FROM OCTOBER 20 - NOVEMBER 19 TO MAY 1 - MAY 30. Hughes, Wood

HUMAN SERVICES

Monday, March 9, 2026

Chairman – D. Thurston Vice-Chairman - C. Reusser

1. RESOLUTION INTRODUCING PROPOSED LOCAL LAW #2 OF 2026, AMENDING LOCAL LAW #1 OF 1965, ESSEX COUNTY COMMUNITY SERVICES BOARD. Hughes, Reusser

2. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A BUDGET AMENDMENT IN THE MENTAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT INCREASING REVENUES AND APPROPRIATIONS IN THE AMOUNT OF $19,000.00, UNITED WAY FISCAL SPONSOR FOR GRANT FUNDING FROM CLOUDSPLITTER FOUNDATION. Wood, Clark

3. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A BUDGET AMENDMENT IN THE MENTAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT INCREASING REVENUES AND APPROPRIATIONS IN THE AMOUNT OF $327,135.00, NYS OFFICE OF MENTAL HEALTH STATE AID TO SUPPORT ENHANCED COORDINATION FOR ASSISTED OUTPATIENT TREATMENT/ENHANCED VOLUNTARY AGREEMENTS PROGRAM. Pierce, McGill

4. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A BUDGET AMENDMENT IN THE MENTAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT INCREASING REVENUES AND APPROPRIATIONS IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,180.85, CARRY OVER 2025 UNEXPENDED FUNDS. Reusser, Wood

5. RESOLUTION OF APPRECIATION TO THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS OF THE PROFESSIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE/PUBLIC HEALTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE - JULIE TROMBLEY, CHAIRMAN, DEREK DOTY AND MEGAN MURPHY. Brassard, unanimous

6. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS TO BE APPOINTED TO THE ESSEX COUNTY PROFESSIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL AND PUBLIC HEALTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE – JULIE ANDERSON, ANGIE ALLEN, RICHARD PRESTON, ASHLEIGH MACEY AND ANNA REYNOLDS EFFECTIVE JUNE 1, 2026. Clark, Reusser

7. RESOLUTION ADOPTING AND APPROVING THE QUARTERLY REPORTS FOR THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT INCLUDING THE REPORT OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH DIRECTOR, DIRECTOR OF PATIENT SERVICES, POLICIES AND PROCEDURES OF THE CERTIFIED HOME HEALTH AGENCY (CHHA) ALL OF WHICH WERE APPROVED BY THE PUBLIC HEALTH ADVISORY COUNCIL (PHAC) AND PROFESSIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL (PAC) AND THE MEDICAL DIRECTOR ON 3/3/2026. Wood, Pierce

8. RESOLUTION ADOPTING AND APPROVING THE QUARTERLY REPORTS FOR THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT INCLUDING THE REPORT OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH DIRECTOR, DIRECTOR OF PATIENT SERVICES, POLICIES AND PROCEDURES OF PUBLIC HEALTH ALL OF WHICH WERE APPROVED BY THE PUBLIC HEALTH ADVISORY COUNCIL (PHAC) AND PROFESSIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL (PAC) AND THE MEDICAL DIRECTOR ON 3/3/2026. Reusser, O’Bryan

9. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A BUDGET AMENDMENT IN THE PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT INCREASING REVENUES AND APPROPRIATIONS IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,865.60, CARRY OVER 2025 UNEXPENDED FUNDS. Menser, Wood

10. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT TO APPLY FOR A MINI-GRANT FROM EXCELLUS FOR YEAR FIVE (5) OF WIC-N-PICK. Wilson, Stanley

11. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ESSEX COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT TO WRITE OFF $197,785.60, IN BAD DEBT. Reusser, Wood

BRASSARD: Discussion?

HUGHES: Just a quick comment I just want to thank the Public Health Director, Linda Beers for explaining this situation. I think it’s always unfortunate but I think she did a really great job of educating the new supervisors as well as the more veteran supervisors about this situation and I just wanted to thank her.

BRASSARD: Thank you. Any further discussion? All in favor, aye, opposed - carried.

12. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A BUDGET AMENDMENT IN THE OFFICE FOR THE AGING DEPARTMENT INCREASING REVENUES AND APPROPRIATIONS IN THE AMOUNT OF $165,174.29, CARRY OVER UNEXPENDED 2025 DSRIP FUNDING. Reusser, Wood

13. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A BUDGET AMENDMENT IN THE OFFICE FOR THE AGING DEPARTMENT INCREASING REVENUES AND APPROPRIATIONS IN THE AMOUNT OF $9,616.50, CARRY OVER UNEXPENDED 2025 GIFTS AND DONATIONS FUNDING. McGill, Wood

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS

Monday, March 23, 2026

Chairman – C. Barber Vice–Chairman – C. Clark

1. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF A PERMIT TO IRONMAN LAKE PLACID FOR THE USE OF THE COUNTY ROADWAYS FOR THE 2026 IRONMAN TRIATHLON TO BE HELD ON SUNDAY, JULY 19, 2026. O’Bryan, Stanley

2. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF A PERMIT TO LAKE PLACID MARATHON/LPM EVENTS FOR THE USE OF THE COUNTY ROADWAYS FOR THE 2026 LAKE PLACID MARATHON TO BE HELD ON SUNDAY, JUNE 14, 2026. Preston, Stanley

3. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF A PERMIT TO WILMINGTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY FOR THE USE OF THE COUNTY ROADWAYS FOR THE 2026 WILMINGTON WHITEFACE 5K AND 10K RUN TO BE HELD ON SUNDAY, JUNE 20, 2026. Follos, Stanley

4. RESOLUTION AMENDING RESOLUTION NO. 295 OF DECEMBER 30, 2024, AUTHORIZING THE IMPLEMENTATION AND FUNDING OF THE COSTS OF 100% OF THE COSTS OF A TRANSPORTATION PROJECT, WHICH MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR FEDERAL-AID AND/OR STATE-AID, OR REIMBURSEMENT FROM BRIDGE NY FUNDS. (HURRICANE RD OVER SPRUCE HILL BROOK) FROM $792,000.00 TO $846,000.00. Wilson, O’Bryan

5. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASING AGENT TO AWARD A PURCHASE ORDER IN THE AMOUNT OF $549,900.00, TO THE FORT MILLER COMPANY FOR PRECAST CONCRETE CULVERT SECTIONS FOR THE TRACY & WITHERBEE ROAD CULVERT REPLACEMENT PROJECTS LOCATED IN THE TOWN OF MORIAH, WITH FUNDS TO COME FROM BUDGETED CULVERT NEW YORK FUNDS AND FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY CHAIRMAN OR COUNTY MANAGER TO EXECUTE SAID PURCHASE ORDER. Clark, Pierce

BRASSARD: Any discussion? Jim, this is for all three culverts, correct?

DOUGAN: That is correct. This is just the precast concrete but it is for all three of them.

BRASSARD: Okay, thank you very much. Any other questions? All in favor, aye, opposed – carried.

6. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY CHAIRMAN OR COUNTY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT AMENDMENT WITH CORE CLIMATE SYSTEMS IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $18,251.00, FOR BOILER ROOM CONTROL UPGRADES AT THE PUBLIC SAFETY BUILDING WITH FUNDS TO COME FROM BUDGETED FUNDS. Stanley, Pierce

7. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A BUDGET AMENDMENT IN THE DPW – ROAD MACHINERY ACCOUNT INCREASING REVENUES AND APPROPRIATIONS IN THE AMOUNT OF $73,769.00, CARRY OVER 2025 FUNDS. Clark, Reusser

8. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A BUDGET AMENDMENT IN THE DPW – BUILDINGS & GROUNDS ACCOUNT INCREASING REVENUES AND APPROPRIATIONS IN THE AMOUNT OF $30,428.18, CARRY OVER 2025 FUNDS. Reusser, Menser

9. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A BUDGET TRANSFER IN THE DPW DEPARTMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $92,368.00 FROM 2025 CAPITAL RESERVE ACCOUNT TO BUILDINGS CAPITAL RESERVE ACCOUNT. Pierce, Reusser

10. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A BUDGET AMENDMENT IN THE DPW – BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS DEPARTMENT INCREASING REVENUES AND APPROPRIATIONS IN THE AMOUNT OF $21,750.00, 2025 CARRY OVER CONTINGENCY FUNDS. Wood, Clark

11. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A BUDGET TRANSFER IN THE DPW DEPARTMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $130,000.00, FROM BUILDING ACCOUNT TO CAPITAL RESERVE ACCOUNT. Reusser, Menser

PERSONNEL

Monday, March 23, 2026

Chairman – M. Wood Vice-Chairman – C. Reusser

1. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY CHAIRMAN OR COUNTY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A PARTICIPATION AND RELEASE FORM (RUBRIS) TO PARTICIPATE IN NATIONAL OPIOID LITIGATION PER ADVICE OF COUNSEL. Wood, Follos

2. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AN AMENDMENT TO RESOLUTION NO. 41 OF MARCH 2, 2026, AUTHORIZING THE ADDITION OF SIX PARCELS IN THE COUNTY OF ESSEX TO THE ESSEX COUNTY AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT, ADDING THE NEW YORK STATE ENVIRONEMENTAL QUALITY REVIEW ACT (SEQRA) AND DETERMINING THAT THE PROJECT POSES NO SIGNIFICANT ENVIRONEMENTAL IMPACT. Hughes, Stanley

3. RESOLUTION APPROVING THE AMENDMENT TO THE POLICY FOR SALE OR TRANSFER OF REAL PROPERTY ACQUIRED THROUGH IN-REM DELINQUENT TAX FORECLOSURE PROCEEDINGS TO LAND BANKS AND MUNICIPALITES IN ESSEX COUNTY DATED DECEMBER 31, 2025. Stanley, Pierce

BRASSARD: Discussion?

MANNING: Yeah, it shouldn’t be dated December 31, 2025, that was the old one. We’ll just put –

STANLEY: Dan, isn’t this just saying it’s amending that resolution from December 31 so it should stay in there?

MANNING: Yeah, that’s fine. You’re right, you’re right.

BRASSARD: Thank you Mr. Stanley.

MANNING: Thanks Matt.

MENSER: I thought the one from December was dated December 29, 2025?

MANNING: I don’t remember, well, whatever it is we’ll stick either one in there. I will double check it. We can amend that.

BRASSARD: Okay. Any further discussion? All in favor, aye, opposed – carried.

4. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE REMOVAL OF A PIECE OF PROPERTY ON MAIN STREET IN THE TOWN OF WESTPORT FROM THE TAX AUCTION AND PLACE AN ADVERTISEMENT FOR SALE IN THE LOCAL NEWSPAPERS. Reusser, McNally

BRASSARD: Discussion?

HUGHES: Do we know the parcel number?

MANNING: Yes, we’ll get the parcel number and the location and the street address and the whole nine yards. It wasn’t given to us. Additionally, I’m just going to jump in here when Mr. Tyler made the motion because this has to comply with our PTL and when you don’t sell at auction you’ve got to have an appraisal so we have to have an appraisal of this and at least get that amount because this is not what’s known as a public sale under the law and the only thing defined as a public sale is an auction so I’ll stick that on the end of it for regular board. Thank you.

BRASSARD: Now, Dan could we accept bids? Would that be classified as an auction?

MANNING: It’s a good question because it makes sense but that’s what we are going to request in the newspaper. This will be written much better in the resolution but yeah, sealed bids are what we will be asking for however, under Section 1195 and 1196 Real Property Tax Law when we sell or pull tax foreclosure properties and we sell them and we don’t sell them at an auction they determine an auction definition of a public sale it’s just an auction under the definitions since this isn’t an auction, this is a public sale if you want to use the right nomenclature but because it’s not an auction we’ve got to get an appraisal or endeavor to get that amount of money at least which is a pain in the neck.

MCNALLY: So, this property, the high bidder declined, the second bidder declined why can we not have a record of the third bidder is? I have the same exact problem in Minerva where the first bidder declined and the second declined so we can’t keep track of who bidder was or the fourth bidder and sell it to the highest bidder? Because all this is doing is making us go through all these steps and pay for an appraisal to go out and sell this again. I think when we sign the contract with the auctioneer they should have to be responsible to maintain the bid list prior because these people come to the auction in good faith, they make a bid if their bid is not the highest and the two bids above them decline, it should go to that third person and it shouldn’t be on us to go back after we paid for the auctioneer and all this to go back get an appraisal, to advertise this and do this. We shouldn’t have to do it.

MANNING: I don’t disagree but those are all questions for Mike and the auctioneers. I don’t attend the auctions. I don’t know how they run the process and I don’t know if people are just jumping up with their little sign so that is something that we can look at in the future.

MCNALLY: There is if it is online bidding because it has the history but when people are lifting their paddles you can actually tape it and you can say, 493 was this bid, 495 was this bid. This can be done because this is just making extra work for us, it’s making confusion for us, we shouldn’t have to deal with this every year at an auction.

MANNING: Like I said, I don’t disagree. Have you spoken to Mike about it?

MCNALLY: I haven’t.

STANLEY: Does the bid at the auction not set the price? Like do we need to get the appraisal because the actual value of the property was set at a public auction it’s just they declined to pay that amount. Nobody bid any higher than that so that’s the max cost that it will sell in a public auction it doesn’t have to be sold through that because all this stuff is just to satisfy Tyler v. Hennepin correct and the law came from them?

MANNING: Yes and the New York State law that resulted in it but that’s a good point and I don’t have a crystal ball, I don’t know what the courts would say if you’re a rational person –

STANLEY: So, it’s just go get it appraised just to cover us?

MANNING: If you wanted to or you could use the argument that yes, the auction set that price, you could use that price it might fly.

MCNALLY: I think we have to go with the appraisal because if they bid whatever that doesn’t set the price because there was never a sale for that price you know what I mean? So, I think we have to go get the appraisal and do this and not rely on anything to do with the auction and pick list through people not going through with their bids.

MANNING: We could probably get an appraisal for $600 or something but Matt’s point is well taken.

BRASSARD: Any further discussion on this? All in favor, aye, opposed – carried.

FINANCE/TAX REDUCTION/MANDATE RELIEF

Monday, March 23, 2026

Chairman – I. Tyler Vice-Chairman – JP. Wilson

1. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE TREASURER’S OFFICE TO CLOSE OUT THE 2012 JAIL BOND BANK ACCOUNT AND MOVE $30,217.91 FROM EARNED INTEREST TO DEBT SERVICE. Clark, Wood

2. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A BUDGET TRANSFER OF THE FUND BALANCE IN THE AMOUNT OF $498,649.35 TO THE GENERAL FUND TO CLOSE PROJECTS IN THE CAPITAL FUND. O’Bryan, McGill

3. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A BUDGET AMENDMENT IN THE INFORMATION SYSTEMS DEPARTMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $10,075.73, TRANSFER FROM THE CONTINGENCY ACCOUNT TO COVER THE CONTRACT WITH BLACK CREEK FOR AN UPGRADE OF MAXXESS CARD ACCESS SOFTWARE. Reusser, Pierce

4. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY CHAIRMAN OR COUNTY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT AMENDMENT WITH TYLER TECHNOLOGIES TO ADD THE GENERAL BILLING PROGRAM WITH ANNUAL SAAS FEES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026 IN THE AMOUNT OF $5,981.04 AND A ONE-TIME IMPLEMENTATION AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT ($225 HOURLY) WITH A TOTAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $12,600.00. Wood, McGill

5. AMENDED: RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASING AGENT TO PURCHASE CIVICPLUS SOCIAL MEDIA ARCHIVING AND ACQUIA WEB GOVERNANCE FOR INFORMATION SYSTEMS DEPARTMENT IN THE INITIAL AMOUNT OF $12,228.00 AND $10,725.00 ANNUALLY WITH A 5% ESCALATION, WITH BUDGETED FUNDS. Reusser, Wood as amended.

BRASSARD: Under discussion, it’s been brought to my attention and Jim’s attention the actual amount was wrong. I have an amendment for $12,228.00 initially with an annual amount of $10,725.00, with a 5% escalation. I will need a motion on that. Any discussion? No discussion? All in favor, opposed – carried.

MISCELLANEOUS

1. RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING LONG TERM EMPLOYEES FOR THE MONTH OF APRIL. Brassard, unanimous

BRASSARD: Judy, we had a couple that didn’t make it through committee.

GARRISON: Yes, a couple more resolutions everyone has a copy on their desks.

RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AN AGREEMENT TO ACCEPT A COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) (PROJECT #382-HI343-25) FOR HOUSING REHABILITATION PROGRAM AND THE EXECUTION OF A SUBRECIPIENT AGREEMENT WITH NORTH COUNTRY RURAL DEVELOPMENT TO ADMINISTER THE GRANT. Follos, Stanley

BRASSARD: Discussion? All in favor, aye, opposed – carried.

RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AN AGREEMENT TO ACCEPT A COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) (PROJECT #382-HR339-25) FOR HOUSING REHABILITATION PROGRAM AND THE EXECUTION OF A SUBRECIPIENT AGREEMENT WITH NORTH COUNTRY RURAL DEVELOPMENT TO ADMINISTER THE GRANT. Pierce, Wood

BRASSARD: Discussion? All in favor, aye, opposed – carried.

WILSON: I just want to take a moment to thank the Adirondack Council for their support of the work Steve McNally and AATV have been doing to help us get our funding in place Essex and Hamilton county for solid waste they added that to their legislative priorities and they are supporting it because it’s an issue in protecting the park that all our residents are paying for and the State has not really been a supporting partner in managing solid waste so the next time you see an Adirondack Council representative give them a thank you because this is a costly issue for us.

BRASSARD: Absolutely.

MANNING: I’d like to ask for a resolution, Jim is in support of this and it’s a resolution authorizing the abandonment of the Forge Lane over the Boquet River Bridge in the Town of Elizabethtown pursuant to NYS Highway Law Section 234. The bridge is closed to traffic. It’s been closed since 1993, Jim has determined it and so has the state to be no longer necessary for public use and convenience. It’s structurally unsound and deficient and functionally obsolete. As I said, it is located in the Town of Elizabethtown, the Town of Elizabethtown has also passed a resolution that this bridge be abandoned and no longer used so therefore, and it’s also necessary for the project, the Boquet River Association and NYS DEC are completing a project to remove the fish weirs that are immediately down stream and including the removal as part of that process the removal of the abutments of this bridge so I would ask for a motion, a second, discussion.

RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ABANDOMENT OF THE FORGE LANE OVER THE BOQUET RIVER BRIDGE LOCATED IN THE TOWN OF ELIZABETHTOWN PURSUANT TO NEW YORK STATE HIGHWAY LAW SECTION 234. Reusser, Clark

BRASSARD: Any discussion on this? No discussion. All in favor, aye, opposed – carried. Any further business? I do have a resolution of congratulations to the Moriah Lady Vikings on their Section VII, Class C Championship. This was their third in a row.

MANNING: Is it basketball?

BRASSARD: Yes.

RESOLUTION OF CONGRATULATIONS TO THE MORIAH CENTRAL SCHOOL GIRLS VARSITY BASKETBALL TEAM UPON WINNING SECTION VII, CLASS C CHAMPIONSHIP. Pierce, Clark

BRASSARD: All in favor, thank you. Any further business before we adjourn? Mr. McNally has a gentlemen here from NYSEG he’s going to do a presentation and discuss our increase in electric bills at 11:00. We stand adjourned.

As there was no further discussion to come before this ways and means committee it was adjourned at 10:30 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Judith Garrison, Clerk

Board of Supervisors