Dennis Butterfield

Key discussions and actions taken during the Directors Meeting included the approval of the bills for January 2026 and the Financial Report for December 2025. The Board reviewed and approved the 2026 Modified Budget and the January 2026 Payroll Certification. Old business involved discussion on the Oswego County budget passing, utilization of ARPA money, updates to the employee handbook, submission of the DEC Invasive Species Grant Application for HWA, acceptance of a bid for the Reforestation Timber Sale, and favorable review of proposed changes to Civil Service titles. New business covered payment of an unemployment invoice, approval of the 2026 Oswego County Soil and Water Conservation District Policies with updates, and the election of officers. Financial actions included approving payments for an invoice from Seneca County SWCD, entering into a funding agreement with FLLOWPA, and paying the 2026 NYSLRS Invoice. The board held an executive session to discuss personnel matters and subsequently voted to increase all full-time staff members' annual salaries by 3% with retroactive pay effective January 1, 2026.

The Regular meeting involved several resolutions. The first resolution regarding the allocation of American Rescue Plan Act funds to sub-recipients was tabled for further discussion in a special meeting. Subsequent resolutions, all passed unanimously, included authorizing an Intermunicipal Agreement with the Town of Scriba and the Mexico Academy and Central School District concerning real property tax negotiations related to the James A. FitzPatrick Nuclear Power Plant, appointing a Records Management Officer, establishing a Petty Cash Account for the Department of Weights and Measures, establishing Local Law No. 1 of 2023 to create a Sustainable Energy Loan Program (C-PACE), and authorizing a budget modification for the Department of Real Property Tax Services concerning Senior Exemption Mailing Notices. An 'Approval out of band verification policy' was also approved. A report was provided regarding filing dates at the Board of Elections.

The agenda for the Human Services Committee meeting included several resolutions for budget modifications and appointments. Key resolutions involved the appointment of members to the Community Services Board, authorizing fund transfers from the Insurance Recovery Fund for DSS Automotive Supplies and Repair, and accepting TANF Non-Residential Domestic Violence (NRDV) allocation funds for SFY 2025-2026 for the Department of Social Services. Other resolutions addressed accepting additional New York State Shelter Arrears Eviction Forestallment (SAEF) Program funds, transferring insurance recovery funds to repair the Camp Zerbe lodge roof, and establishing a capital project for Legends Fields Infrastructure Improvements. Additionally, the committee planned to review and make decisions on setting salaries for several Director and Administrator positions, review an appointment for the Office for the Aging (OFA) Advisory Council, and receive departmental updates and financial reports.

The Human Services Committee meeting included several budgetary modifications for the Department of Social Services, covering administrative chargeback expenses, adult and family services mileage reimbursement, residential domestic violence expenses, and preventive contracts, as well as safety net supplies and expenses. Resolutions were passed regarding awarding a professional services contract for preventive services (RFP 24-DSS-008), including a motion to extend the contract by three months and a subsequent motion to reject all proposals. A resolution was also passed for RFP 24-MH-004 concerning a Suicide Prevention Coalition Coordinator. Further resolutions authorized the execution of a lease with Catholic Charities of Oswego County and accepted funding from the Alzheimer's Association of CNY for the Office for the Aging Santa for Seniors Program. Departmental updates were provided by Imagination Library, the Oswego City/County Youth Bureau Program, the Veterans Department, the Office for the Aging, and the Department of Social Services.

The meeting commenced with the Pledge of Allegiance. Key discussions included the Fire Coordinator's Report and updates from the special team (0S-900). Old Business featured an in-depth discussion concerning Lithium-Ion batteries and dump fires, as well as preparations for new year membership. New Business covered IAR updates, and the announcement that Patrick Quinn from Believe 31 will attend the November meeting as a guest speaker. The motion to dispense with the minutes report was approved.