Karl G. Abrams

The meeting included a review of bids received on January 29, 2026, for Contract 1 -- Site Construction for the Hamilton County Emergency Communications Project Phase 1, with Rozell Industries submitting the lowest responsive bid. Committee reports addressed the awarding of tower bids, revision of an IDA cabin agreement, discussion of a DANC contract, and the status of the Indian Lake School Reunification Plan. Key resolutions involved numerous funding transfers for various 2025 and 2026 accounts, including Pretrial Services and Preschool Special Education. Resolutions authorized hiring a consultant for Domestic Terrorism Prevention Grants, amending IT services agreements with Fulton County, and amending a road maintenance service contract with the NYSDEC. Further actions included authorizing the sale of an excavator to the Town of Arietta and budget amendments for the Machinery Fund related to the excavator sale. Several grant funding resolutions were passed for various Sheriff's Office and Public Health initiatives, such as NG911 and Public Health Infrastructure. The Board also appointed members to the Hamilton County Fire Advisory Board for the term of January 1, 2026-December 31, 2026. Intermunicipal agreements for County Coordinated Assessment Programs for Indian Lake, Lake Pleasant, Benson, Hope, Morehouse, and Wells were authorized. Finally, resolutions were passed authorizing contracts for United Healthcare services, NYSDOH Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs funding, software maintenance for microwave systems, and the purchase of new vehicles for Public Health, Social Services, Buildings, and DPW.

The agenda for the third session included a proclamation honoring County Attorney Charles R. Getty, Jr. on his retirement. Key resolutions before the Board focused on Public Works matters, including authorizing the Chairman to sign a contract for property auctions in 2026, amending an agreement with the Development Authority of the North Country regarding fiber optic network construction which involved cost increases and term extension requests, and authorizing several extensions of previously awarded bids for Dust Control Materials and Cold In-Place Reclamation. The Board also addressed the award of bids for Heater Scarification of Asphalt Pavement and Bridge/Building Repair. Furthermore, resolutions authorized the creation and funding of accounts for the CR20 Bridge over Pine Brook replacement, transfers from the Building Reserve Fund for the Cold Storage Project and the Green Barn Renovation Project, and funding for a Courthouse Needs Assessment. Finally, resolutions authorized the sale of surplus vehicle, payment for loader repairs, the purchase of a new Sheriff vehicle, the purchase of a mini wheel loader for DPW, and payment for a previously ordered Sheriff vehicle.

The agenda items for this meeting primarily focused on several resolutions spanning multiple committees. The Finance Committee addressed fund transfers to cover 2025 year-end budget shortages and authorizations for Intermunicipal Agreements for County Coordinated Assessment Programs affecting various towns (Indian Lake, Lake Pleasant, Benson, Hope, Morehouse, and Wells). The Emergency Preparedness/Emergency Response Committee had numerous items concerning funding for various NYS Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Grants, including Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant funding, NG911 funding, and resolutions related to the Hamilton County Fire Advisory Board, communications tower construction awards, software maintenance, and router upgrades. The Human Services Committee considered agreements for Non-Secure Detention Services and contracts for the Hamilton County CHOICES Program with several school districts. The Public Works Committee addressed payments for insurance repairs, authorizations for fund transfers to cover 2025 overages in Buildings, Solid Waste, Machinery, and County Road Funds, payments for bridge projects (Big Brook and Gilmantown Road), payments related to the Cold Storage Project, and the re-appropriation of unexpended 2025 General Fund Capital Improvement Project accounts. Finally, audits for County Highway Funds and the County General Fund were approved.

The meeting included a review of the finance report, which detailed account balances, interest income, program income, and year-to-date expenses, resulting in a net loss. Discussions arose regarding the low interest earned on a significant deposit, and the Executive Director committed to exploring alternative banking options. The payment of bills, including attorney fees for loan collateral release and assumption reviews, as well as travel reimbursements, was approved. Under New Business, authorization was granted to proceed with the release of partial collateral for Oak Mt. upon payment and adjustment of their pay-down schedule. In Old Business, the Board discussed a request from TWI Hospitality to pay off the Woods Inn loan balance, agreeing to waive certain interest, attorney fees, and deferred interest to set the payoff amount. There was extensive discussion regarding the IDA's future role in economic and community development, focusing on leveraging existing resources, exploring partnerships with regional loan organizations, and potentially creating a survey to ascertain local business needs.

The meeting included the selection of a Temporary Chairman, followed by the appointment of Mr. Clay Arsenault as Chairman and Supervisor Steven M. Tomlinson as Deputy Chairman for 2026. Key resolutions passed included adopting the Rules of Order for 2026-2027, appointing Laura A. Abrams as Clerk of the Board for 2026-2027, and appointing Charles R. Getty, Jr. as County Attorney for 2026-2027. The Board also appointed Barry Baker as Budget Officer for 2026, renewed the Investment Policy with specific bank deposit limits, and authorized shared service contracts with several towns for accounting functions. Furthermore, the Board approved payments for the 2026 Workers Compensation premium and the 2026 County Insurance and Cyber Insurance packages. Various resolutions authorized transfers of 2025 funds for Community College and Computer Maintenance accounts, approved the award of bids for Diesel Motor Fuel, Regular Unleaded Gasoline, and Heating Fuel for 2026, authorized the County Highway Superintendent to purchase road construction materials within budget, approved the use of County Roads for snowmobile use in 2026, authorized payment for a 2025 Tandem Axle Dump Truck, made appointments to the Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District Board, created new positions including Medical Records Clerk-PT, 911 Coordinator, and Jail Administrator, authorized a contract renewal for E911 service with Essex County, and approved agreements for various Public Health Nursing Service functions including Community Health Assessment cost sharing, contracts with therapy providers, and pharmaceutical consultant services. Appointments were also made to the Continuing Quality Improvement Committee and the Professional Advisory Committee, and the 2025 Child & Family Services Plan Annual Update was authorized for signing.