Donald Clark

Key discussions during the meeting included a motion to classify all actions as excluded, exempt, or Type II SEQR actions. A resident raised concerns regarding the unreliable landline phone service provided by Kinetic on Chesbro Road affecting elderly residents. Motions were passed to schedule the Organizational Meeting for January 13th, 2026. The Town approved accepting C&S Project for the Brownfield Opportunity Area Award following the RFP process. Furthermore, Slate Hill Construction's bid was accepted for the Prior Road Bridge project, exceeding the initial bid amount but approved utilizing reserve funds. The Decommissioning Surety for the Oxbow Solar Farm, amounting to $793,390, was accepted to insure proper dismantling and site restoration. Finally, motions were approved to accept letters of intent for highway equipment purchases, including a 2026 Chevy Silverado pickup with a snowplow, a 2026 Bandit woodchipper, and a 2026 CAT950 GC Front end loader.

Key discussions included the Site Plan Approval Application for Firebird Storage, which was unanimously approved subject to several conditions, including dark sky compliant lighting, NYS DOT driveway approval, Oswego County Health Department septic review, and obtaining necessary signage permits. The board also addressed neighbor complaints regarding unpermitted construction and alleged clear-cutting on property owned by Pennock Brook LLC; the owner provided an overview of her plans for multiple family homes and confirmed that required permits are in place, planning to submit a draft subdivision plan for review at the subsequent meeting. Furthermore, a Site Plan Approval application for the conversion of the former Wilkins RV Center facility (Fab-Site) was introduced and scheduled for detailed review at the February 2026 meeting, pending 239 Review by Oswego County Planning.

The Organizational Meeting involved numerous yearly appointments across various town roles, including Deputy Supervisor, Budget Officer, Deputy Town Clerk, Deputy Highway Superintendent, Marriage Officers, and liaisons to several boards and departments (e.g., Community Services, Ethics Board, Fire Departments, Planning Board, ZBA). Key appointments included the Town Counsel, Town Engineer, Comptroller, and various administrative roles. The board also addressed the yearly bonding amounts for town employees, setting the Highway Superintendent and Receiver of Taxes at higher coverage levels. Policies were adopted regarding departmental budget adherence for purchases, attendance at schooling and conferences, parking personal vehicles, submission of monthly written departmental reports, public speaking time limits, constable duty pay, mileage rates for 2026 (set at 72.5 cents), and procedures for agenda submission. The board also set the 2026 Town Board meeting schedule as the second Tuesday of each month, approved the 2026 Holiday List, established petty cash amounts for departments, confirmed salaries and hourly rates for 2026 based on the budget and existing union agreements, and approved the 2026 Fire Protection Contracts for Districts No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3. Additionally, the board granted delegated authority to the Town Supervisor for day-to-day operations, accepted the 2026 Town Insurance Policy, accepted the 2025 Uniform Justice Audit, appointed Ryan Wood to conduct the Justice Audit, and scheduled a Public Hearing for February 10th regarding a resolution to impose a one-year moratorium on Commercial Free-Standing Solar Photovoltaic Systems, as well as a Public Hearing for an ALT Vet exemption.

The Planning Board discussed several agenda items, including the redevelopment of the former Wilkins RV Center (Fab Site). For the Fab Site, the Board unanimously named itself Lead Agency for SEQR purposes and adopted a negative declaration, ultimately approving the Site Plan, contingent upon the applicant submitting for a lot line adjustment to correct property line issues. For the Nicole Williams subdivision, a public hearing was scheduled for March 25, 2026, after advising the applicant to revise the map to show a required 60-foot access strip width. Action on the RIC Solar project was deferred due to a Town Board moratorium. The Board also discussed prospective plans for a multi-residence community for disabled/mentally challenged children, suggesting a single structure might be easiest to approve. Finally, the Board addressed an appeal regarding the Norton Campground cease and desist order, where neighbors questioned the campground's operation and road usage, leading the Board to advise the property owners to seek independent legal counsel.

The key discussions and actions during the meeting included tabling the Firebird Storage Site Plan Approval Application until county approval is received, following the designation of the Planning Board as the Lead Agency and adoption of a negative declaration for SEQR review. For the Kersey Residence Solar Array, the Board opened and closed a public hearing, designated itself as the Lead Agency, adopted a negative declaration for SEQR, and unanimously approved the Site Plan and Special Use Permit subject to approvals from the Town Highway Department for driveways and the Oswego County Health Department for the septic system design. The Nexamp Solar Farm Application at 71 Hoag Road proceeded after receiving county 239 review approval and a non-jurisdictional determination for wetlands, with SEQRA review complete. Finally, the board held an organizational meeting, unanimously agreeing to retain current members and officers, including the Chairman, Recording Secretary, Alternate Member, and Legal Representation, and established compensation levels for 2026.