Minutes

TOWN BOARD MEETING

October 13, 2026

PRESENT: Richard Hanse, Supervisor
Thomas Burke, Councilman
Patrick Kennedy, Councilman
Michael Veeder, Councilman/Deputy Supervisor
Bambi Hotaling, Town Clerk
Donna Wasilewski, Bookkeeper/Budget Officer

ABSENT: Shane Pilato, Councilman

GUESTS: Carol Metz, Cherish Thanchan, Treasa Thanchan, Vincent Thanchan 

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

A  motion to accept the minutes of September 8 and September 24, was made by Patrick

Kennedy seconded by Thomas Burke and duly carried.

Ayes:  4 – Hanse, Burke, Kennedy, Veeder Absent:  1 – Pilato

The public hearing on Proposed Local Law #4-2026, Creating Alternative Veterans Exemption for Seriously Disabled Veterans pursuant to Section 458-A(11) of the Real Property Tax Law was opened; legal notice was presented.  

Carol Metz thanked the Veterans for their service and asked about how many properties this would affect.  Supervisor stated about 5.

A motion to close the public hearing at 7:03 pm was made by Michael Veeder seconded by Thomas Burke and duly carried.

At 7:04 a motion to open the public hearing on Proposed Local Law #5-2026 to Override the Tax Levy Limit Established in General Municipal Law Section 3-c was made by Patrick Kennedy seconded by Thomas Burke and duly carried.  The legal notice was presented.

Supervisor stated that the override local law is required by law.  There were no public comments. At 7:05 pm a motion to close the public hearing was made by Thomas Burke seconded by Michael Veeder and duly carried.  

At 7:06 pm a motion to open the public hearing on the 2027 Preliminary Budget was made by Patrick Kennedy seconded by Thomas Burke and duly carried. The legal notice was presented.

Budget Officer Donna Wasilewski reported that the Town is over the tax cap by 1.7%.  The total amount of taxes to be collected from all sources is $3,238,707.  Donna noted that she removed $50K surplus from the DA fund and utilized A fund surplus increasing it to $150K which maintains the same tax rate but gives DA fund some room.

At 7:08 pm a motion to close the public hearing was made by Patrick Kennedy seconded by Tomas Burke and duly carried. 

Supervisor opened the meeting for public comments.  

New resident, Cherish Thanchan introduced himself and his mother and father.  They have purchased lot #6 of the subdivision (Apple View Farms).  They are excited to be part of the community.  The board thanked them for coming in. 

Carol Metz stated that things are good at the Senior Center, getting back to normal.  She thanked Scott for providing mulch.  The board commented that an impressive job was done on the gardening in front of the center which was completed by volunteers.  Carol also welcomed the new residents to Town.

Highway Superintendent reported the following: ditch work on Kings Road, replaced 5 cross culverts on Schoharie Turnpike in preparation for next year’s paving, and ditch and shoulder work on Schoharie Turnpike also in preparation for next year, installed new driveway culverts on Webber Road and Johnny Cake Lane, cleaned up back of old shop, Sent 2 trucks to the Town of New Baltimore for a paving project, roadside mowers are still out.  The 2018 International plow truck is at HL Gage getting a new DEF exhaust filter.  The price was $15,753.53, parts were $11,741.53 and labor was $3,977.00.  The price for salt has substantially increased this year from $69.00 per ton to $99.00 per ton along with the price of diesel fuel.  Scott would like to purchase a set of pallet forks for the loader.  He received four quotes and the lowest was A. Montano equipment in the amount of $6270.40.  They have $8,100.00 from the sale of the woodchipper to cover the cost of the forks. A motion authorizing Scott to make the purchase was made by Thomas Burke seconded by Michael Veeder and duly carried.

Ayes:  4 – Hanse, Burke, Kennedy, Veeder Absent:  1 – Pilato

Chief of EMS Myrdycz provided a written vehicle report and they had 111 calls.  

A motion to issue a negative declaration for SEQRA on Proposed Local Law #4-2006 was made by Patrick Kennedy seconded by Thomas Burke and duly carried.

Ayes: 4 – Hanse, Burke, Kennedy, Veeder Absent:  1 – Pilato

A motion to adopt Local Law #4-2026 as presented was made by Patrick Kennedy seconded by Thomas Burke and duly carried.

Ayes:  4 – Hanse, Burke, Kennedy, Veeder Absent:  1 – Pilato

A motion to adopt Local Law #5-2026 as presented was made by Thomas Burke seconded by Michael Veeder and duly carried.

Ayes:  4 – Hanse, Burke, Kennedy, Veeder Absent:  1 – Pilato

A motion to adopt the 2027 Budget as presented was made by Thomas Burke seconded by Michael Veeder and duly carried.

Ayes:  4 – Hanse, Burke, Kennedy, Veeder Absent:  1 – Pilato

Councilman Burke noted that everyone involved in preparation of the budget did an excellent job.

Councilman Kennedy stated that it is important to keep communication open with the department heads.

Supervisor reiterated that Donna’s work on the budget is an on-going process throughout the year.

Carol thanked the board and Donna for their efforts.

Town Clerk requested that her change drawer be increased from $25 to $100.  Patrick Kennedy made the motion which was seconded by Michael Veeder and duly carried.

Ayes:  4 – Hanse, Burke, Kennedy, Veeder Absent:  1 – Pilato

The Cyber insurance quote was not available by meeting time, so this item was removed from the agenda.

A motion to schedule the public hearings for the fire protection contracts with Coxsackie Hose Company No. 3 and Earlton Fire Department was made by Patrick Kenndy seconded by Thomas Burke and duly carried. 

Ayes:  4 – Hanse, Burke, Kennedy, Veeder Absent:  1 – Pilato

The public hearings will take place on November 10 at 7:00 pm. Both contracts call for a 4.5% increase.

General Fund and Highway bills in the amount of $140,628.74 were audited on abstract #10, voucher numbers 2026-586 through 2026-652.  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:  4 – Hanse, Burke, Kennedy, Veeder Absent: 1 – Pilato

A motion to accept the budget transfers as presented was made by Patrick Kennedy seconded by Michael Veeder and duly carried.

Ayes:  4 – Hanse, Burke, Kennedy, Veeder Absent:  1- Pilato

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

Ayes:  4 – Hanse, Burke Kennedy,  Absent:  1 – Pilato

__________________________

Bambi Hotaling, Town Clerk

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

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