This Regular Meeting of the Brant Town Board was held on Tuesday, July 13, 2021 at the Brant Town Hall, located at 1272 Brant North Collins Rd, Brant, New York at 7:00 PM.

Present were:

Mark DeCarlo                                    Supervisor

Donna Marien                                   Councilwoman

Janice Ross                                         Councilwoman

Linda Giancarlo                                 Councilwoman

William Trask, Sr.                              Town Attorney

Barbara J. Daniel                               Recording Secretary

Absent was:       Michael Muffoletto                        Councilman

ALSO PRESENT / SIGNED IN WERE:

Debra Ritz                                           Resident

Brian Rott                                            Resident

Tracy Kaczmarek                              Supervisor Secretary

Chad Kaczmarek                               Town Justice

Joe Giancarlo                                     Resident

Donald HEPKINS                               Police Chief

Tyler Simpson                                    Police Officer

Jessica Makuch                                 Police Officer

Cory Flutko                                         Academy Recruit

Shane Czora                                       Academy Recruit

Patty Friend                                        Town Historian

Shane Friend                                      Resident

Dolly Huffnagle                                 Farnham Trustee

Amanda Palmer                                 Deputy Clerk

Ellsworth Nolan                                Highway Superintendent

The meeting opened at 7:00 PM.

THE MEETING OPENED WITH A PLEDGE TO THE FLAG

BUDGET MODIFICATIONS: Supervisor DeCarlo read the budget modifications which included the balance of 2020 up to December 31, 2020.  He apologized for the length of the report explaining it was to finalize the 2020 budget and to bring all the accounts up to date.

Councilwoman Giancarlo motioned to approve the Budget mods, seconded by Councilwoman Marien.  4 ayes, 0 nays.  NO ROLL CALL VOTE TAKEN.  MOTION CARRIED.

MINUTE APPROVAL JUNE 8, 2021 TOWN BOARD MEETING: Councilwoman Giancarlo moved to accept the minutes of the June 8, 2021 Town Board meeting. Councilwoman Marien seconded the motion.  4 ayes, 0 nays.  MOTION CARRIED.

SUPERVISOR’S FINANCIAL REPORT AND RECENT BUDGET MODS: Supervisor DeCarlo motioned to approve the Supervisor’s financial report.  Councilwoman Giancarlo seconded the motion.  4 ayes, 0 nays.  MOTION CARRIED.

TOWN CLERK/TAX COLLECTOR’S MAY 2021 FINANCIAL REPORT: Supervisor DeCarlo motioned to accept the Town Clerk’s May 2021 Regular Financial Report, seconded by Councilwoman Ross.  3 ayes, 0 nays, 1 abstain.  Councilwoman Giancarlo abstained. MOTION CARRIED.

COURT CLERK’S MAY 2021 FINANCIAL REPORTS FOR JUSTICES GIER AND KACZMAREK REGULAR AND BAIL ACCOUNTS: Councilwoman Ross motioned to approve both Bail and Regular Financial accounts for Justice Gier and Justice Kaczmarek for May 2021, and was seconded by Councilwoman Marien.  4 ayes, 0 nays.  MOTION CARRIED.

CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER’S JUNE 2021 REPORT: Supervisor DeCarlo read the June Code Enforcement Officer’s report.  Supervisor DeCarlo motioned to approve the reports as read, seconded by Councilwoman Ross.  4 ayes, 0 nays. MOTION CARRIED.

DOG CONTROL OFFICER’S JUNE 2021 REPORT: Tabled. 

POLICE REPORTS FOR JUNE 2021: Chief Hepkins read the June 2021 Police Report.  Supervisor DeCarlo made a motion to approve the report as read, seconded by Councilwoman Giancarlo.  4 ayes, 0 nays. MOTION CARRIED.

HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT JUNE 2021 REPORT: Highway Superintendent Ellsworth Nolan presented his report for June.  Supervisor DeCarlo motioned to approve the report, seconded by Councilwoman Marien.  4 ayes, 0 nays. MOTION CARRIED.

TOWN CLERK’S REPORT TO THE BOARD: Town Clerk Barb Daniel read her report for June.  In her report, she requested increasing her deputy pay from $15.00 per hour to $15.50 per hour to keep up with the pay scale in other offices.  She had been advised at past budget meetings that as long as her budget was adequate, she could increase her deputies pay.  The Town clerk noted that she had attempted to increase the pay in March but it wasn’t accepted by the payroll dept. and therefore, she was also requesting to pro-rate the pay amount back to March 5^th.  Discussion occurred. Councilwoman Ross noted that she told Town Clerk to seek formal board approval and due to that, the Town Clerk had included the request in this month’s report. Councilwoman Ross wanted her advice to be announced during this meeting.  Councilwoman Ross also asked if the budget next year will be adequate to follow through this request.  The Town Clerk responded that as long as the Town Clerk’s office is given an increase in keeping with other offices, she should have enough. 

Approval of Deputy Pay increase: Supervisor DeCarlo then motioned to approve the pay increase for the deputies. Councilwoman Marien seconded the motion.   A roll call vote was taken.  Supervisor DeCarlo-aye, Councilwoman Marien-aye, Councilwoman Giancarlo-Abstain, Councilwoman Ross-aye.   3 ayes, 0 nays, 1 abstain. MOTION CARRIED.

Approval of Town Clerk’s report: Supervisor DeCarlo motioned to approve the Town Clerk’s report as read, and was seconded by Councilwoman Marien.  3 ayes, o nays, 1 Abstain.  Councilwoman Giancarlo abstained.  MOTION CARRIED.

PLANNING BOARD MINUTES: No report presented.

ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS REPORT: No meeting was held.

RECREATION DIRECTOR’S REPORT: No report presented but 109 people have signed up for Recreation as of now.

PARKS COMMISSIONERS’ REPORT: No report was presented.

TOWN HISTORIAN’S REPORT: Patty Friend presented her June report. Supervisor DeCarlo motioned to accept the report as presented, seconded by Councilwomen Marien and Giancarlo.  4 ayes, 0 nays.  MOTION CARRIED.

FIRE COMPANY REPORTS: No report given. 

BRANT/FARNHAM SENIORS REPORT: Senior’s report was presented by Councilwoman Ross.  It was noted that the Senior picnic will be held on August 4^th.  Supervisor DeCarlo motioned to approve the report as presented, seconded by Councilwoman Giancarlo.  4 ayes, 0 nays. MOTION CARRIED.

EXECUTIVE SESSION CALLED FOR CONTRACTUAL AND PERSONNEL ISSUES:

Supervisor DeCarlo made a motion to go to Executive Session for contractual and personnel issues at 7:30 pm, seconded by Councilman Marien. 4 ayes, 0 nays. MOTION CARRIED.

Supervisor DeCarlo made a motion to close Executive Session at 8:50 pm, seconded by Councilwoman Ross. 4 ayes, 0 nays. MOTION CARRIED.

APPROVAL TO HIRE LIFEGUARDS: Supervisor DeCarlo motioned to approve the hiring of Abigail Rocque and Anna Hartinger. Both applicants are over 21 and will share Monday thru Friday recreation days.  Both have 2 years’ experience.  The rate of pay will be $16.00 per hour pending background checks.  Councilwoman Giancarlo seconded the motion.  4 ayes, 0 nays.  MOTION CARRIED.

APPROVAL TO HIRE ADDITIONAL LIFEGUARDS: Supervisor DeCarlo motioned to hire Madeline Maybe, Sierra Danieu and Maela Murtha as lifeguards at a rate of $13.00 per hour, pending background checks.

Councilwoman Ross seconded the motion.  4 ayes, 0 nays.  MOTION CARRIED.

APPROVAL TO APPOINT DONALD CLARK AS ASSISTANT DISASTER COORDINATOR: Supervisor DeCarlo motioned to approve the appointment of Donald Clark as Assistant Disaster Coordinator.  Councilwoman Marien seconded the motion.  4 ayes, 0 nays. MOTION CARRIED.

APPROVE QUOTES FOR WINDOW TREATMENTS AT SR. COMMUNITY BLDG: Councilwoman Ross discussed a recent meeting she had with “Blind Faith” regarding the new window treatment she had chosen.  She presented a quote for the new window treatments for the Sr. Community Bldg.  The total quote was $1,880.00 for eight windows, including installation. Councilwoman Marien asked if this would conclude the grant.  It was noted this was the final portion of the project.  Supervisor DeCarlo motioned to approve the purchase, seconded by Councilwoman Marien.  A roll call vote was taken: Supervisor DeCarlo-aye, Councilwoman Marien-aye, Councilwoman Giancarlo-aye, Councilwoman Ross-aye.  4 ayes, 0 nays.  MOTION CARRIED.

ADDRESSING THE REQUEST FOR A DEPUTY DOG CONTROL OFFICER:  The Dog Control officer explained that she had requested the appointment of a deputy dog control officer in the past. The appointment request has always been denied.  At this time, the Dog control officer made another request due to an upcoming vacation at the end of July.  The Town attorney stated that if the position is not on the Civil Service list, the Town cannot appoint one.  The DCO reminded the Board that the Town has appointed an assistant DCO in the past during prior administrations.  After further discussion, the Town Board advised they prefer sharing services with the Town of Evans.  The Town Board will look into an agreement with Evans.  The request is tabled.  No assistant will be available at this time.

OLD BUSINESS. No old business was presented.

NEW BUSINESS

APPROVAL TO HIRE PATROL OFFICERS:    Supervisor DeCarlo requested approval to appoint Cory J. Fiutko and Shane D. Czora as part-time patrol officers effective today to attend the SUNY Erie Law Enforcement Training Academy starting August 2, 2021 with an 18 month probationary period.  Employment will begin with the successful completion of the Training Academy.  The rate of pay will be announced in the new policy to be voted on at this meeting.  Supervisor DeCarlo motioned to approve the appointment, seconded by Councilwoman Giancarlo.  A roll call vote was taken: Supervisor DeCarlo-aye, Councilwoman Giancarlo-aye, Councilwoman Marien-aye, Councilwoman Ross-aye.  4 ayes, 0 nay. MOTION CARRIED.

APPROVAL TO HIRE PATROL OFFICERS: Supervisor DeCarlo requested Approval to appoint Jessica M. Makuch and Tyler P. Simpson as part-time patrol officers with an 18 month probationary period to start immediately at the rate of pay to be announced at this meeting.  Supervisor DeCarlo motioned to approve the appointments, seconded by Councilwoman Giancarlo.  A roll call vote was taken: Supervisor DeCarlo-aye, Councilwoman Giancarlo-aye, Councilwoman Marien-aye, Councilwoman Ross-aye.  4 ayes, 0 nay. MOTION CARRIED.

POLICE DEPARTMENT PAY SCALE CHANGES: Supervisor DeCarlo motioned to approve the pay increase of new officers without experience at an hourly rate of $21.50 per hour to increase to $22.00 per hour after 6 months.  The pay for officers with 6 months to 3 years experience will stay at $22.00 per hour.  Officers with 3 years and over will receive $24.00 per hour.  Pay for Lieutenant Slawek will be $30.78 per hour.  Officers working on any of the 13 holidays per year will receive time and a half.  Supervisor DeCarlo motioned to approve the pay rates as listed above.  Councilwoman Giancarlo seconded the motion.  A roll call vote was taken:  Supervisor DeCarlo-aye, Councilwoman Giancarlo-aye, Councilwoman Marien-nay, Councilwoman Ross-aye.  3 ayes, 1 nay.  MOTION CARRIED.

ATM INSTALLED AT TOWN HALL: Supervisor DeCarlo announced that the Town Hall now has an ATM machine available at no cost to the Town.

TOWN BOARD REPORTS

Councilwoman Marien:   Councilwoman Marien stated that she does not want to advertise the

                                                   eWaste more than once next year.  She added that residents know

                                                   when it is and there is no need for the added expense.

Councilwoman Giancarlo: Noted that the 2021 Brant Summerfest was a huge success in spite of

                                                     the rain.  The Summerfest for 2022 will be held on the same Father’s

                                                     day weekend (Friday and Saturday) in June.

RECOGNIZED PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR: No one spoke.

Supervisor DeCarlo read the Abstract:

ABSTRACT 7 of 2021

*Prepaid and unpaid as of 7/13/21 Total Claims $54,220.23

Gen Fund Town wide Vouchers Totaling: $29,723.06

Gen Fund – Part Town Voucher Totaling: $17,466.42

Highway T.W. Vouchers Totaling: $2,505.87

Highway P.T. Vouchers, Totaling:  $2338.69

CD Special Grant Fund: $

Street Lighting:  Voucher Totaling:  $2,186.19

SF Fire Protection Vouchers: 0

Brant Water Dist 1 (SS2&SW):  – Totaling $0

PAYROLL (3 payrolls)

General Town Wide Payroll 5/23/21-7/03/21 – Totaling $76,939.16

General Part Town Payroll   5/23/21-7/03/21 Totaling:  $1,069.44

Highway Payroll TW 5/23/21-7/03/21 Totaling:  $0

Highway Payroll PT 5/23/21-7/03/21 Totaling:  $11,264.14

Supervisor DeCarlo motioned to approve Abstract 7 of 2021, seconded by Councilwoman Marien. A roll-call vote was taken: Supervisor DeCarlo-aye, Councilwoman Marien-aye, Councilwoman Giancarlo -aye, Councilwoman Ross-aye.  4 ayes, 0 nays.  MOTION CARRIED.

The next Board meeting will be Tuesday, August 10, 2021 at 7:00 PM.  .

At 9:03 PM Supervisor DeCarlo motioned to adjourn in memory of William Houston, seconded by Councilwoman Marien. 4 ayes, 0 nays.  MEETING ADJOURNED

Respectfully submitted by,

Barbara Daniel

Brant Town Clerk