September 9, 2025
TOWN BOARD MEETING
TOWN OF COXSACKIE
September 9, 2025
PRESENT:
Thomas Burke, Councilman
Patrick Kennedy, Councilman
Shane Pilato, Councilman
Bambi Hotaling, Town Clerk
Donna Wasilewski, Bookkeeper/Budget Officer
ABSENT: Michale Veeder, Councilman/Deputy Supervisor
GUESTS:
Carol S. Metz, Mark Maraglio, Eileen West, Mike Tighe, Eileen Tighe,
Catherine Benson, Patrick Benson, LeAnn Scherer
The meeting was called to order by Supervisor Hanse at 7:00 pm with the Pledge of Allegiance.
A motion to accept the August 12 minutes was made by Thomas Burke seconded by Patrick
Kennedy and duly carried.
Ayes: 4 – Hanse, Burke, Kennedy, Pilato Absent: 1 – Veeder
Supervisor opened the meeting to Catherine Benson, Director of the Heermance Memorial
Library; she thanked the board, the library trustees, her family, and the community.
Catherine went on to present her annual report and proposed budget. Copies were distributed.
The library budget vote will take place on Tuesday, October 7 from 10:00 am – 9:00 pm.
On behalf of the Town, Rick thanked Catherine for her efforts. Tom Burke went on to say he
appreciates her commitment to the community and expressed his congratulations to her and
her staff on their progress. Trustee Mark Maraglio stated that it is a pleasure to serve as trustee,
and Catherine is excellent to work for.
Supervisor opened the meeting to the public: Carol reported that all is going well at the Senior Center, things are running smoothly. LeAnn reported that she went to the Legislature meeting last night; she continues to work on not losing services, i.e., the homebound meals. Rick thanked Carol and LeAnn for their efforts.
Chief of EMS Myrdycz submitted a written vehicle report. They had 103 calls for August.
The new rig has arrived and is expected to be on the road next week.
Resolution regarding longevity pay was presented. This resolution preserves the longevity date for elected officials who may have been Town employees prior to their election and have served continuously with no break in service. The resolution also clarifies that appointed full-time officers of the Town, for example, the Assessor and the Supervisor’s Bookkeeper, are entitled to longevity pay calculated from the first day of their uninterrupted employment with the Town. Shane Pilato made a motion to adopt the resolution as presented which was seconded by Thomas Burke and duly carried.
Ayes: 4 – Hanse, Burke, Kennedy, Pilato Absent: 1 – Veeder
Resolution regarding appointment of an interim assessor was presented. This resolution calls for appointing Jacqueline Polizzi to the position of Acting Assessor effective September 10, 2025. She would become a salaried employee and her pay rate would increase by $20,000. She would also perform all the work of the Assessor’s Clerk. A motion to adopt the resolution as presented was made by Thomas Burke seconded by Patrick Kennedy and duly carried.
Ayes: 4 – Hanse, Burke, Kennedy, Pilato Absent: 1 – Veeder
General Fund and Highway bills in the amount of $158,803.74 were audited on abstract #9, voucher numbers 2025-504 through 2025-563. Bank reconciliations were presented for review.
Donna reported that she has been working on the 2026 budget and should have the tentative budget prepared and ready for distribution soon – in advance of the October 5 deadline. A budget workshop meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, September 23 at 5:00 pm.
A motion to accept the July Justice reports was made by Patrick Kennedy seconded by Shane Pilato and duly carried.
Ayes: 4 – Hanse, Burke, Kennedy, Pilato Absent: 1 – Veeder
At 7:33 pm a motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Thomas Burke seconded by Shane Pilato and duly carried.
Copies of all resolutions, agreements, and contracts are on file in the Town Clerk’s Office.
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Bambi Hotaling, Town Clerk
Read minutes from last month