227th ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING

Monday, January 5, 2026

 

 

GARRISON, CLERK OF THE BOARD:  Good morning and welcome. I would like to call this 227th organizational session to order.  Please stand for the salute to the flag.  Thank you.

We will now swear in the newly elected Supervisors.

Would Mr. Tyler and Mr. Barber please escort Mr. Menser to the County Clerk to be sworn in and escort him back to his new seat.

Would Mr. Clark and Ms. Reusser please escort Mr. Pierce to the County Clerk to be sworn in and escort him back to his new seat.

Would Ms. Reusser and Ms. Wood please escort Ms. Lamphear to the County Clerk to be sworn in and escort her back to her new seat.

Would Mr. McNally and Mr. Wilson please escort Mr. Preston to the County Clerk to be sworn in and escort him back to his new seat.

Would Mr. Hughes and Mr. Stanley please escort Mr. O’Bryan to the County Clerk to be sworn in and escort him back to his new seat.

Would Ms. Thurston and Ms. Wood please escort Ms. McGill to the County Clerk to be sworn in and escort her back to her new seat.

Would Mr. Brassard and Mr. Clark please escort Mr. Follos to the County Clerk to be sworn in and escort him back to his new seat.

Thank you.  I will now call the roll for the 2026 Board of Supervisors.

 

PRESENT:      Clayton Barber            - Town of Chesterfield

                        Clayton Menser          - Town of Crown Point

                        Cathleen Reusser       - Town of Elizabethtown

                        Kenneth Hughes         - Town of Essex

                        Matthew Stanley         - Town of Jay

                        Joe Pete Wilson          - Town of Keene

                        Timothy Pierce            - Town of Lewis

                        Stephen McNally        - Town of Minerva

                        Matthew Brassard       - Town of Moriah

                        Mary Lamphear          - Town of Newcomb

                        Richard Preston          - Town of North Elba

                        Chris Clark                  - Town of North Hudson

                        Margaret Wood           - Town of Schroon

                        Davina Thurston         - Town of St. Armand

                        James O’Bryan           - Town of Ticonderoga

                        Michael Tyler              - Town of Westport

                        Tracie McGill              - Town of Willsboro

                        Timothy Follos - Town of Wilmington

Department Heads in attendance: Doreen Abrahamsen, Angie Allen, Hannah Carson, Laura Carson, Michael Diskin, James Dougan, Emily Evatt, Josh Favro, Judith Garrison, Miriam Hadden, Michael Langey, Michael Mascarenas, Chelsea Merrihew, Anna Reynolds, David Reynolds and Heather Sheehan.  Dan Manning was excused.

Also in attendance: Laurie DeZalia, Dina Garvey, Stacey Hayes, Michael LaVallie, William Tansey, Eric Weyand, Bill McGahay, Seth Celotti, Wendy Sayward, Randi Squires, Jennifer Bridge, Melissa Stoddard, District Attorney staff, Bonnie McNally, Robin DeLoria, Jim Monty, Jim Pierce, Dana Pierce, Carrie Langey, Mr. and Mrs. Langey, Victor Putnam, Deb & Dan Palmer.

 

News Media: Sun Community News.

 

GARRISON:  I will now call for the nominations for the 2026 temporary Chairman of the Board.

 

REUSSER: Madam Clerk, I would like to move the name of Michael Tyler from the Town of Westport, as temporary chairman for 2026.

 

WILSON:  I will second that.

 

GARRISON:  Ms. Reusser moves the name of Mr. Tyler, seconded by Mr. Wilson.  Are there other nominations?

 

WOOD:  I move that the nominations be closed and the Clerk cast one ballot for Mr. Tyler as Temporary Chairman.

 

BARBER: Second.

 

GARRISON:  All those in favor, opposed – carried.

Would Ms. Reusser and Ms. Wood please escort Mr. Tyler to the County Clerk to be sworn in and then to the dais.

 

TYLER: Welcome everybody.  Happy New Year.  The first order of business is to adopt the rules and regulations that will govern this board for 2026.

 

RESOLUTION #1 – ADOPTING RULES AND REGULATIONS OF PROCEEDINGS OF THE ESSEX COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.

This resolution was moved by Ms. Thurston, seconded by Ms. Reusser and adopted upon a roll-call vote as follows:

AYES:             2853 votes

NOES:                  0 votes

ABSENT:             0 votes    

 

TYLER: We will now call for the nominations of the 2026 Chairman, and I would like to nominate and move the name of Steve McNally for the 2026 Chairman of the Essex County Board of Supervisors.

Steve has twelve years’ experience as supervisor. He has worked with State leaders and received many grants that have greatly improved the Town of Minerva. Steve has used his influence with state agencies to help move along many county projects and other issues that the county developed.  His efforts as a member and director of the Adirondack Association of Towns and Villages have helped many in the Adirondacks with issues dealing with the APA and various state agencies.  In my opinion, Steve’s passion for Minerva, Essex County and the Adirondacks makes him a great choice as Chairman of the Essex County Board of Supervisors.

 

BRASSARD: I will second that.

 

TYLER:  Are there any other nominations?

 

THURSTON:  I move the nominations be closed and the Clerk cast one ballot for Mr. McNally as the 2026 Chairman of the Board.

 

REUSSER:  Second.

 

TYLER: All in favor, opposed – carried.

 

GARRISON:  Would Ms. Thurston and Ms. Reusser please escort Mr. McNally to the front of the room where he can take his oath of office and then escort him to the dais.

 

MCNALLY:  We will now call for nominations for the 2026 Vice-Chairman of the Essex County Board of Supervisors.

 

CLARK: I would like to move the name of Mr. Brassard in nomination for the 2026 Vice-Chairmanship.

 

BARBER: Second.

 

MCNALLY:  Are there any other nominations?

 

BARBER: I move that the nominations be closed for the 2026 Vice-Chairman of the Board.

 

WILSON: Second.

 

MCNALLY:  All in favor, opposed – carried.

 

Would Mr. Clark and Mr. Barber please escort Mr. Brassard to the County Clerk to be sworn in.

 

MCNALLY:  It is a great honor and privilege to serve as the Essex County Chair. I understand the importance of this position. I will give 100% effort to be the best I can be.

I’ve worked for four different chairs and over forty different supervisors. The last few years our leadership was Shaun Gillilland and Jim Monty have been extraordinary. They are leaving the county in a very good position but that does not mean we have more work to do and all of this was accomplished not only by those two gentlemen but the board members that have served in the past and the ones that are currently serving. 

This year is unprecedented with seven new board members in my tenure here I’ve seen three or two and at the max I believe it was four but what I would like to tell the newly elected supervisors there’s a lot of resources in this room and throughout the entire complex don’t be afraid to reach out to your fellow supervisors or Mike or Dan Manning or whoever it may be the department heads, they are all here to help we are all in the same game, we’re all in it to win.  I also understand it is a commitment to come to the county every Monday as a supervisor and we have a very diverse county that’s very large and has a lot of Champlain valley and it has a lot of mountain towns. We have towns as small as 200, we have towns as large as 700 so a lot of things are not going to apply to you as much as think but your participation is appreciated.

I’d like to thank my friend and supervisor Kenny Hughes he had some words of encouragement for me.  He said, you need to be a better listener and I’m going to take that to the bank and I will listen intently.  I would also like to thank my wife who has been through this political experience for over 20 years now, going on 23 years in public office and it’s been a job for her to listen to my whining. That’s all I have to say and congratulations to the board members and we have a lot of friends and family and acquaintances and it’s a very nice that you all came out today. Thank you.

We will now swear in the newly elected District Attorney, Michael Langey.

LANGEY: I, Michael Langey do solemnly swear, that I will support the constitution of the United States and the constitution of the State of New York and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of Essex County District Attorney according to the best of my ability.

RESOLUTION #2 – APPOINTING THE CLERK OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ESSEX COUNTY SELF-INSURANCE PLAN.

This resolution was moved by Mr. Hughes, seconded by Mr. Stanley and adopted upon a roll-call vote as follows:

AYES:             2853 votes

NOES:                  0 votes

ABSENT:             0 votes

 

Swearing in the Clerk of the Board and Deputy Clerk of the Board

 

RESOLUTION #3 – APPOINTING A COUNTY ATTORNEY.

This resolution was moved by Mr. Barber, seconded by Mr. Brassard and adopted upon a roll-call vote as follows:

AYES:             2853 votes

NOES:                  0 votes

ABSENT:             0 votes

 

RESOLUTION #4 – APPOINTING A COUNTY AUDITOR.

This resolution was moved by Mr. Tyler, seconded by Ms. Thurston and adopted upon a roll-call vote as follows:

AYES:             2853 votes

NOES:                  0 votes

ABSENT:             0 votes

 

Swearing in the County Auditor and Deputy Auditor

 

RESOLUTION #5 – APPOINTING A PURCHASING AGENT.

This resolution was moved by Mr. Clark, seconded by Ms. Reusser and adopted upon a roll-call vote as follows:

AYES:             2853 votes

NOES:                  0 votes

ABSENT:             0 votes

 

Swearing in the County Purchasing Agent

 

RESOLUTION #6 – APPOINTING AN ESSEX COUNTY PUBLIC DEFENDER.

This resolution was moved by Mr. Hughes, seconded by Mr. O’Bryan and adopted upon a roll-call vote as follows:

AYES:             2853 votes

NOES:                  0 votes

ABSENT:             0 votes

 

Swearing in the Essex County Public Defender and Deputy Public Defender

 

RESOLUTION #7 – APPOINTING AN ESSEX COUNTY CONFLICT DEFENDER.

This resolution was moved by Mr. Tyler, seconded by Mr. Barber and adopted upon a roll-call vote as follows:

AYES:             2853 votes

NOES:                  0 votes

ABSENT:             0 votes

 

Swearing in the Essex County Conflict Defender

 

RESOLUTION #8 – APPOINTING AN ESSEX COUNTY DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY RESOURCES.

This resolution was moved by Mr. Clark, seconded by Ms. Thurston and adopted upon a roll-call vote as follows:

AYES:             2853 votes

NOES:                  0 votes

ABSENT:             0 votes

 

Swearing in the Essex County Director of Community Resources and

Deputy Community Resources Director

 

RESOLUTION #9 – APPOINTING AN ESSEX COUNTY TRANSPORTATION COORDINATOR.

This resolution was moved by Mr. Brassard, seconded by Mr. Tyler and adopted upon a roll-call vote as follows:

AYES:             2853 votes

NOES:                  0 votes

ABSENT:             0 votes

 

Swearing in the Essex County Transportation Coordinator

 

RESOLUTION #10 – APPOINTING ESSEX COUNTY DIRECTOR OF EMERGENCY SERVICES.

This resolution was moved by Mr. Wilson, seconded by Mr. Hughes and adopted upon a roll-call vote as follows:

AYES:             2853 votes

NOES:                  0 votes

ABSENT:             0 votes

 

Swearing in the Essex County Director of Emergency Services

 

RESOLUTION #11 – AUTHORIZING COMPENSATION FOR THE SUPERVISORS OF ESSEX COUNTY.

This resolution was moved by Mr. Tyler, seconded by Mr. Barber and adopted upon a roll-call vote as follows:

AYES:             2853 votes

NOES:                  0 votes

ABSENT:             0 votes

 

RESOLUTION #12 – DESIGNATING OFFICIAL NEWSPAPERS FOR 2026.

This resolution was moved by Mr. Tyler, seconded by Ms. Reusser and duly adopted.

 

RESOLUTION #13 – ORDERING THE CONFINEMENT OF DOGS TO PROTECT THE DEER HERD.

This resolution was moved by Mr. Tyler, seconded by Mr. Barber and duly adopted.

RESOLUTION #14 – ADOPTING AN INVESTMENT POLICY AND DESIGNATING DEPOSITORIES FOR COUNTY FUNDS.

This resolution was moved by Ms. McGill, seconded by Mr. Hughes and adopted upon a roll-call vote as follows:

AYES:             2853 votes

NOES:                  0 votes

ABSENT:             0 votes

 

RESOLUTION #15 – PURSUANT TO REAL PROPERTY TAX LAW §554 AND §556 DELEGATING TO THE ESSEX COUNTY AUDITOR THE AUTHORITY TO APPROVE CORRECTIONS TO THE TAX ROLLS OF NOT MORE THAN $2,500.00, AND THE PAYMENT OF REFUNDS DUE AS A RESULT OF SUCH CORRECTIONS.

This resolution was moved by Mr. Hughes, seconded by Mr. O’Bryan and adopted upon a roll-call vote as follows:

AYES:             2853 votes

NOES:                  0 votes

ABSENT:             0 votes

 

RESOLUTION #16 – OF ANNUAL REVIEW OF THE ESSEX COUNTY PURCHASING POLICY AND ALL PROCEDURES RELATED THERETO AND AUTHORIZATION OF THE CONTINUED USE THEREOF.

This resolution was moved by Mr. Brassard, seconded by Ms. Wood and duly adopted.

 

MCNALLY: Questions, concerns?

 

HUGHES: Mr. Chairman I noticed that the purchasing policy is dated June 2, 2015, I’m just curious if there should be a newer date on that at some point? We may want to look at that as it is ten years old now?

 

MASCARENAS: Yes, Linda and I talk about it quite often and I think our policy is pretty solid but there definitely could be some tweaks in it amounts have changed a lot over a ten year period and you’ll see us bring things to the board on multiple occasions being that we simply don’t have the authority to act quickly and it sometimes holds up public work and those kinds things when we have change orders that exceed a certain amount etc. so I’m all in favor or redoing that. I think we pass this but I think we put it on our agenda for 2026 to update our purchasing policy and fine tune.

 

HUGHES: Great, thank you.

 

REUSSER: Maybe adding to the document, a review date so that it is documented that this will be handled on annual basis just a suggestion.

 

RESOLUTION #17 – RECOGNIZING LONG-TERM EMPLOYEES OF ESSEX COUNTY.

This resolution was moved by Mr. Tyler, seconded unanimously adopted.

 

MCNALLY: Is there anything to come from the floor?

 

MASCARENAS: Just a quick announcement, we have orientation for new board members on Wednesday of this week and if the weather is horrible who knows if it sounds like it isn’t a real good week to do much travel we can certainly reschedule. I don’t want to have you drive down here but we can either do it Thursday or we can push it back but we’ll see tomorrow you will get an email from me whether or not.  Oh, it’s next Wednesday so we are good.

 

MENSER:  There’s training in Albany for some of the new supervisors and that will be taking place on the 14th.

 

TYLER: I highly recommend that training.  I went to it when I came on board and I went to it again afterwards.  If you go to the classes you’re going to learn a lot.

 

MCNALLY: Wonderful. Anything else from the board?  If not, we’re adjourned.

 

            As there was no further discussion to come before this Organizational meeting it was adjourned at 10:55 a.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Judith Garrison, Clerk

Board of Supervisors