Laura Carson

The key discussion centered on authorizing the Director of Emergency Services to execute agreements with EMS agencies for the temporary use of the County ambulance, which Chairman Stanley decided would be brought up during the Public Safety meeting for full Board delegation authority review. Staffing updates indicated the completion of the first round of layoffs and efforts to reduce the pre-diem pool. Contract updates noted that Newcomb had renewed its contract, while others were pending; new contracts were being drafted for the stabilization plan. Significant discussion occurred regarding performance benchmarks for EMS agencies, specifically a 95% response rate, where failure for three consecutive months would trigger intervention aimed at assistance rather than discipline. There was also discussion on how funding allocation for the subsequent year would be based on prior year's spending and performance, with a suggestion to shift the timeline for this review to August/September. Other topics included a query about wage disparities across agencies, the role and documentation of fly car responses assisting local agencies, and the status of grant funding, which remained delayed due to reporting form variations from the Department of State. Finally, training updates were provided, including completed and upcoming EMT and paramedic courses.

Key discussions focused on several departmental reports and resolutions. The Coroner's report indicated 17 calls in January, and the invoice summary showed over 2,000 invoices processed, preventing significant duplicate and overpayments. The committee reviewed budget summaries for assigned counsel expenses and discussed tax roll corrections, noting a potential major assessment increase for Crown Point. A resolution was accepted to file the 2026 Real Property Annual Report. Significant time was dedicated to the Treasurer's update on sales tax and occupancy tax revenue, which showed favorable year-to-date increases. Extensive discussion covered the implementation of tracking and registration for short-term rentals (STRs) via Deckard, including potential viewing rights for towns and reporting mandates. Furthermore, the committee addressed the need to develop a formal Automated Clearing House (ACH) policy following issues in neighboring counties, and reviewed internal controls for fund transfers and direct deposit changes. Regarding tax sales, resolutions were moved to approve the sale of tax foreclosure Lot #9 in Chesterfield and Lot #116 in North Elba, while rejecting Lot #77 in Moriah due to blighted property concerns, leading to a discussion on developing local laws concerning blighted properties. Finally, two resolutions were passed: one to execute a contract for a Maxxess Card Access software upgrade at the public safety building, and another to award federal funding under the CY22 Cyber Security Grant Program for incident response planning.

The DPW Committee meeting addressed several resolutions and departmental updates. Key resolutions included authorizing contract amendments for engineering services with SRA Engineers for two separate culvert replacement projects (Fisk Road over McKenzie Brook and Adrian's Acres Road over Slide Brook), both funded by US Fish & Wildlife. The committee also approved awarding a purchase order for two new walking floor trailers for solid waste, noting significant increases in steel costs. Furthermore, authorization was granted for a contract amendment with Atlantic Testing Laboratories for dynamic pile testing on the Moss Road bridge project. Another resolution authorized a contract amendment with Architectural and Engineering Design Associates for roof ventilation and insulation plans for the former CCE building. Finally, a budget amendment was approved to transfer $317,900.00 from the Capital Reserve Account for County Buildings Projects, leading to a discussion regarding county versus town capital reserve fund establishment rules. Departmental updates covered forthcoming bids for highway materials, the status of bridge and road projects, the Soil & Water program's hiring of interns and grant activities, and a resolution authorizing an RFP for Phase 1 engineering and design of a new Transportation Facility in Westport, along with a review of transportation statistics.

The key discussion involved departmental reports from Jen Mascarenas and Judy Garrison. Judy Garrison noted the upcoming NYSAC Conference in Albany. Dan Manning requested an executive session to obtain legal advice concerning tax foreclosure issues and policy related to surplus with respect to landbank purchases. The committee moved into and out of the executive session; no decisions were made during the open portion of the meeting following the executive session.

The Ways and Means Committee meeting addressed numerous resolutions across several departments. Public Safety resolutions included accepting the 2025 Annual Report for the Board of Elections, authorizing the purchase of a 2003 International Heavy Rescue Truck for the Emergency Services Hazmat Team, accepting reports for various county coordinators, and authorizing budget amendments related to the ESINET Readiness Grant and the 2025 SYF NextGen 911 Grant. Economic Development resolutions covered accepting a ZEV Grant, authorizing the inclusion of six parcels into the Essex County Agricultural District, accepting the 2025 Roost End of Year Report, and passing a resolution of congratulations to John Tefoe for 50 years of service. Human Services discussions involved congratulating the Department of Social Services Support Collection Unit, authorizing an RFP for Electronic Health Record (EHR) software in the Mental Health Department, authorizing appointments to the Essex County Community Services Board, and addressing budget amendments in the Public Health Department. Department of Public Works resolutions focused on contract amendments with SRA Engineers for culvert replacement projects, awarding a purchase order for enclosed walking floor trailers for Solid Waste, authorizing testing services for a bridge replacement project, securing architectural services for roof replacement at the former CCE building, and authorizing a budget amendment for capital reserve for county buildings projects. The Finance/Tax Reduction/Mandate Relief section involved approving the Essex County Tax Sale concerning specific lots and modifying terms and conditions for the Real Property Tax Foreclosure Auction to prohibit former owners from bidding. Miscellaneous business included recognizing long-term employees for March.