Skip to content Skip to left sidebar Skip to right sidebar Skip to footer

Minutes

TOWN BOARD MEETING
TOWN OF COXSACKIE


October 14, 2025


PRESENT:

Richard Hanse, Supervisor
Thomas Burke, Councilman
Patrick Kennedy, Councilman
Shane Pilato, Councilman
Michale Veeder, Councilman/Deputy Supervisor
Bambi Hotaling, Town Clerk
Donna Wasilewski, Bookkeeper/Budget Officer
Larry Ross, Highway Superintendent

GUESTS:
Margeaux Pilato, Carol S. Metz, Mark Flach



The meeting was called to order by Supervisor Hanse at 7:00 pm with the Pledge of Allegiance.  


Thomas Burke made a motion to open the public hearing on the 2026 preliminary budget.  
Shane Pilato seconded the motion which was duly carried.  The legal notice was presented.


Rick reported that the Town was conservative in our revenue estimates.  The budget numbers
are reasonable and we are not under any fiscal distress.  The Village will see an increase of
2.83% while the Town will increase $3.38%.  Carol Metz asked about the difference
in the Village rate vs Town rate, which Rick explained.  Donna explained the tax cap,
stating that we are slightly under the levy.


A motion to close the public hearing at 7:12 pm was made by Patrick Kennedy seconded by
Shane Pilato and duly carried.
Ayes:  5 – Hanse, Burke, Kennedy, Pilato, Veeder


A motion to adopt the 2026 budget as presented was made by Thomas Burke seconded by 
Shane Pilato and duly carried.
Ayes:  5 – Hanse, Burke, Kennedy, Pilato, Veeder


Town Clerk noted that this is the first time in many years that the budget process has gone so
smoothly and that the budget is prepared and completed well in advance of the deadline. Donna
was thanked by everyone for working so diligently throughout the year to make this possible.


A  motion to accept the minutes of September 9 was made by Thomas Burke seconded by
Patrick Kennedy and duly carried.
Ayes:  5 – Hanse, Burke, Kennedy, Pilato, Veeder


Mark Flach inquired about the status of the school’s proposed solar project.  That project was before the planning board and has been put on pause by the school.  Bambi will have Patty reach out to Mark with further information if there is any.  


Chief of EMS Myrdycz submitted a written vehicle report.  They had 104 calls for September. 


Highway Superintendent Ross reported that VanDenberg Road has been completed; the guys did an excellent job.  The Potic Creek Road bridge project is still in the hands of DEC.
 
Resolution in support of Congressman Nick Langworthy’s Energy Choice Act and in opposition to state-mandated natural gas bans was presented. The Town board urges Congress to pass the Energy Choice Act to defend consumer choice, protect energy affordability, and preserve reliable access to natural gas for New Yorkers.  Shane Pilato made a motion to adopt the resolution as presented which was seconded by Thomas Burke and duly carried.
Ayes:  5 – Hanse, Burke, Kennedy, Pilato, Veeder


A motion to approve the appointment of Harry Albright to the Town and Village Comprehensive Planning Committee was made by Patrick Kennedy seconded by Shane Pilato and duly carried.
Ayes:  5 – Hans, Burke, Kennedy, Pilato, Veeder



Dog Control Officer Sherry Vieta has asked to attend the annual DCO/ACO Conference on November 12 & 13 in Guilderland.  The $125 registration fee would be split between the Towns of  Athens, Coxsackie, New Baltimore, and the Village of Coxsackie.  Mileage would also be reimbursed and the cost split.  A motion to approve was made by Thomas Burke, seconded by Michael Veeder and duly carried.
Ayes:  5 – Hanse, Burke, Kennedy, Pilato, Veeder


A motion to move the November 11 (Veteran’s Day) Board meeting to November 12 was made by Michael Veeder seconded by Patrick Kennedy and duly carried.
Ayes:  5 – Hanse, Burke, Kennedy, Pilato, Veeder


General Fund and Highway bills in the amount of $231,835.00 were audited on abstract #10, voucher numbers 2025-564 through 2025-631.  Bank reconciliations were presented for review. 


A motion to accept the August Justice reports was made by Patrick Kennedy seconded by Michael Veeder and duly carried.
Ayes:  5 – Hanse, Burke, Kennedy, Pilato, Veeder


At 7:32 pm a motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Thomas Burke seconded by Michael Veeder and duly carried.


Copies of all resolutions, agreements, and contracts are on file in the Town Clerk’s Office.


__________________________________
Bambi Hotaling, Town Clerk



Read minutes from last month