Tracy Benoit

The meeting commenced with the approval of the minutes from the January 14th meeting. Officer reports detailed January revenues including marriage license fees, landfill fees, short-term rentals, and septic permits, totaling \$20,1595 in local shares. The Supervisor expressed gratitude to taxpayers for timely payments, noting the town warrant was fully paid. The Assessor's report covered senior citizen exemption renewals and the mandatory mailing of second notices regarding low-income senior exemptions as required by new state law. Discussions also covered a zoning violation concerning wood processing at 25 K Street, which required court preparation scheduled for February 4th, 2026. The Board addressed several financial matters: approving a resolution to hire Sterling Commercial Appraisers LLC for \$1,600 to appraise lots on King Street for potential senior housing sale, approving the 2026 EMS contract requiring monthly reporting, and discussing three grants totaling \$1,600,000, including a \$750,000 community block grant for housing repairs. A request from the Town of Lake Wernern for \$5,000 for upkeep of 1.25 miles of Old Stage Road within the town boundaries was considered and approved. The annual financial reports for 2025 were reviewed, noting a hiccup in the highway fund due to unpaid water/sewer rents, though collections were improving. The current warrant for payment totaled \$875,531.26, largely for paying the balance of the River Street sidewalks capital account. Finally, the Board passed a resolution to schedule a public hearing for March 11th, 2026, at 7 p.m. concerning local law requirements for mass gatherings.

The Town Board meeting commenced with the pledge of allegiance. Key items included the approval of minutes from the December 10th regular meeting, December 29th special meeting, and January 2nd organizational meeting. The board then transitioned to a Board of Health public hearing regarding a septic variance application for property at 2192 Screw River Road due to insufficient setback distance, which was subsequently approved. Following this, the Town Clerk reported on December collections totaling $24,554.25. The Supervisor reported a year-end balance of $1,944,151.22 and discussed potential measures to address low water and sewer funds, such as adding late fees. The Assessor reported on the 2026 assessment sales cycle data, noting 36 property sales, and mentioned mailing senior citizen exemption renewals. Reports were given on judicial activity and enforcement actions, including addressing illegally parked vehicles obstructing snow removal and changes in procedures for identifying vehicle owners. The Highway Department reported on maintenance following snow and ice storms. The board approved Warrant number one for bills totaling $80,512.50. A discussion followed regarding establishing compensation of $100 per meeting attendance for seated Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals members, contingent upon verification of training completion via certificates. Finally, three grant awards were announced: $330,000 for Mobile and Manufacturer Home Replacement Program, $510,000 for the 2025 New York State Home Program (both for mobile homes), and $750,000 for a 2025 New York State Community Block Grant. The board then moved to executive session for attorney-client privilege.

This reorganization meeting for the Town of Warrensburg included the welcoming of a newly elected board member. The board adopted 25 resolutions in bulk, which established key operational parameters for the year. These resolutions covered setting the regular meeting time (second Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m.), appointing officials such as the Deputy Supervisor, establishing official depositories (Arow Bank and TD Bank), naming the official newspaper (The Glance Falls Postar), authorizing the supervisor's power to invest surplus funds, setting procedures for filing the annual financial report (AFR) with a provision for a 60-day extension, allowing advance payment of certain bills, naming the records management officer, specifying tax collector deposit procedures, setting up petty cash funds for the town clerk and sewer water clerk, appointing a new town historian, confirming legal services for the assessor and town, appointing the budget officer, assessing town officer salaries based on the 2026 budget, reaffirming appointments for the Zoning Board of Appeals and Planning Board members, setting the 2026 mileage allowance at $0.725 per mile, entering into contracts for engineering services (Cedarwood Engineering) and heavy equipment repair (Crane Mount Mechanical), authorizing membership and payment of dues for the Association of Towns and Aderand Association Towns and Villages, and requiring official undertakings from key municipal officials.

The meeting included reports from the town clerk, supervisor, assessor, and judges. Discussions covered marriage license and public health fees, landfill usage, short-term rentals, dog licensing, and building permit fees. The assessor's report focused on reviewing sales for the 2026 assessment roles, and the judges provided updates on cases and fines. The board also discussed landfill status, planning board activities, and code enforcement actions. The highway department reported on winter maintenance and beaver dam removal. Other topics included Christmas decorations, water and sewer maintenance, and communications. The board addressed a notice of violation from the Department of Labor, awarded employee of the quarter, and renewed agreements for stray dog care and propane supply. They also approved piggybacking on another town's fuel bid and discussed a request to open a cannabis store earlier. Appointments were made to the planning and zoning boards, and the board approved an annual accuracy tax request from the Historical Society. They also discussed accepting a portion of Bezant Drive, selling water district property, and adding late fees to unpaid water and sewer bills. The meeting concluded with setting the year-end meeting and discussing the organizational meeting for the new year.

The meeting included a public hearing on the community block grant project, where the board discussed a $500,000 grant used to help homeowners improve their properties. There was also a discussion and approval regarding a septic variance request for a property on Alton Avenue. Another public hearing was held to discuss a proposed local law amending the town code concerning zoning regulations for mobile homes, leading to extensive community input and questions about the law's impact on property values and community aesthetics.