This First Regular Meeting of the Brant Town Board was held on Tuesday March 14, 2023 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

Linda Giancarlo                                 Councilwoman

Janice Ross                                         Councilwoman

Michael Muffoletto                        Councilman

Barbara Daniel                                   Recording Secretary

ALSO, PRESENT AND LEGIBLY SIGNED IN WERE:

Debra Ritz                                           Resident             

Patty Friend                                        Town Historian

Lynda Ostrowski                               Sec to Boards    

Joe Ostrowski                                    Planning Board Chair

Mark Slawek                                      Chief of Police  

Brian Rott                                            Resident

Kristen Podkulski                              Resident

Joe Giancarlo                                     Resident

David Rice                                           Resident

Kevin Bartus                                       Resident
Gina Hallmark                                    Resident

Catherine Eimers                              Resident

Chad Kaczmarek                               Town Justice

Tracy Kaczmarek                              Supervisor Secretary

The meeting opened at 7:00 PM.

THE MEETING OPENED WITH A PLEDGE TO THE FLAG

APPROVE MINUTES of the FEBRUARY 14, 2023 REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING:  Councilman Muffoletto motioned to approve the minutes of the meeting and was seconded by Councilwoman Giancarlo.  5 ayes, 0 nays.  MOTION CARRIED.

SUPERVISOR’S FINANCIAL REPORT: Councilman Muffoletto motioned to approve the minutes of the meeting and was seconded by Councilwoman Ross.  5 ayes, 0 nays.  MOTION CARRIED.

TOWN CLERK/TAX COLLECTOR’S JANUARY 2023 FINANCIAL REPORT: Supervisor DeCarlo made a motion to approve the report, seconded by Councilwoman Marien.  4 ayes, 0 nays, 1 abstain (Councilwoman Giancarlo abstained).  MOTION CARRIED

COURT CLERK’S JANUARY 2023 FINANCIAL REPORTS FOR KACZMAREK & GIER REGULAR AND BAIL ACCOUNTS: Councilwoman Giancarlo motioned to approve both Bail and Regular Financial accounts for Justice Kaczmarek’s & Justice Gier for January 2023, seconded by Supervisor DeCarlo. 5 ayes, 0 nays.  MOTION CARRIED.

DOG CONTROL OFFICER’S REPORT 2023: TABLED

POLICE REPORT FOR FEBRUARY, 2023:  Chief Slawek read the February Police report.  Councilwoman Ross asked for an officer to be present at the Easter Egg hunt.  Also mentioned they are awaiting body cam quotes.  Councilwoman Giancarlo motioned to approve the report as read, and Councilman Muffoletto seconded the motion. 5 ayes, 0 nays. MOTION CARRIED.

HIGHWAY REPORT for FEBRUARY 2023:  Councilwoman Ross read the February Highway report.  Supervisor DeCarlo made a motion to the report as read, and was seconded by Councilwoman Giancarlo. 5 ayes, 0 nays. MOTION CARRIED.

TOWN CLERK’S FEBRUARY 2023 ACTIVITY REPORT TO THE BOARD: The Town Clerk read her February 2023 Activity report.  The Town Clerk read the following from her report to request the attendance at the 2023 Town Clerk training in Syracuse New York in April.  The request was as follows:

The Town Clerk was seeking approval to attend the 2023 Town Clerk’s Association training in Syracuse New York April 4/23 thru 4/26.  In an effort to save money, I would be sharing a room with another Town Clerk, and will also share mileage expenses. 

                        Total cost for the training will be $800.70 due to the sharing of a hotel room with                         another Town Clerk.  This will include hotel, meals, half of the mileage expense                            and $125 fee to attend the conference in Syracuse.

Supervisor Mark DeCarlo then motioned to approve the training at total cost of $800.70 for all three days.  Councilwoman Giancarlo seconded the motion.  5 ayes, 0 nays. MOTION CARRIED.

Supervisor DeCarlo motioned to approve the Town Clerk’s report as read, seconded by Councilwoman Giancarlo.  5 ayes, 0 nays. MOTION CARRIED.

PLANNING BOARD REPORT: NO MEETING HELD

TOWN HISTORIAN REPORT: Town Historian Patty Friend presented her report.  Town of Brant is now 184 years old on March 25th.  Councilwoman Giancarlo motioned to approve the report as read, seconded by Councilman Muffoletto. 5 ayes, 0 nays. MOTION CARRIED.

BRANT FARNHAM SENIORS REPORT FOR MARCH 1, 2023: The report was read by Lynda Ostrowski. Councilwoman Ross motioned to approve the report, and was seconded by Councilwoman Giancarlo.

5 ayes, 0 nays. MOTION CARRIED.

CODE ENFORCEMENT REPORT: Tabled.

OLD BUSINESS:

UPGRADE OF TOWN’S INTERNET SERVICE: Supervisor DeCarlo then spoke of the need to upgrade the Town’s internet service.  After reviewing the Franchise agreement, no agreement for complimentary service was found in the agreement.  Supervisor DeCarlo then motioned to approve an upgrade to 300 mbs speed at $129 per month.  Councilmen Muffaletto seconded the motion.  5 ayes, 0 nays. MOTION CARRIED.

NEW BUSINESS:

Supervisor DeCarlo then presented the following resolution:

RESOLUTION: OPPOSITION TO THE PROPOSED BAN ON NATURAL GAS HEATING AND APPLIANCES IN NEW YORK STATE

WHEREAS, Governor Hochul's state-of-the-state address contained a proposal to "... end the sale of new fossil powered heating equipment by 2030 by calling for construction of - all new construction needs to be zero emission - starting in 2025 for small buildings and 2028 for large building, "; and

WHEREAS, President Biden and the White House have come out against any prohibition of gas stoves; and

WHEREAS, the State's proposal is intended to help address climate change, but could create a burden for our region's working-class residents; and

WHEREAS, a ban on natural gas appliances and water heaters is not feasible for Western New York with harsh winter weather and exposed electrical infrastructure. Appliances used to heat water and cook food need to work during power outages especially during times of inclement weather; and

WHEREAS, the past December saw a blizzard rip through the Buffalo Metro Area leaving tens of thousands of residents stuck in their home without power, many for several days. Gas appliances, fed by more resilient infrastructure, allowed those residents to heat their homes, boil water, and safely cook their food for the days needed to clear the roads and restore electricity. Nearly four dozen people died during this storm, many more would have suffered if they had to rely on our power grid for cooking and emergency heating; and

WHEREAS, what is more, alternatives to natural gas-powered heating have yet to be proven reliable as a sole-source heating system in cold-weather climates; and

WHEREAS, electrical appliances have more moving parts and are expensive to maintain and repair, mandating their purchase is an unnecessary burden we are placing on families across New York State at a time when the cost of living has significantly outpaced wage growth; and

WHEREAS, currently, due to market conditions and technology limitations, most electric appliances are less efficient and absent improvements in electricity efficiencies and the electrical infrastructure grid, would likely cause increases in energy costs; and

WHEREAS, as we have seen with California's recent push to make everything electric, improperly planned energy transitions can lead to an increased strain on a state's electrical grid, leading to black outs and rationing, which is especially dangerous with the winter weather we experience; and

WHEREAS, the costs to transition the state's energy infrastructure grid should go through a more thorough review to understand how this will impact the energy productions and distribution system as a whole, as well as the impact on residential energy systems, before any action is taken.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT

RESOLVED, that the Brant Town Board hereby urges Governor Hochul and the New York State Legislature to pause in their rush and to fully examine the real life impact their decisions will have for all New Yorkers, especially those least able to afford them; and, be it further

RESOLVED, that certified copies of this resolution be forwarded to Governor Hochul's Office, the Western New York Delegation to the New York State Senate and Assembly, and any other party deemed necessary and proper.

Supervisor Mark DeCarlo motioned to adopt the resolution as presented, and was seconded by the whole board.  A roll call vote was taken:

Supervisor DeCarlo-voting aye

Councilman Muffoletto-voting aye

Councilwoman Giancarlo-voting aye

Councilwoman Marien-voting aye

Councilwoman Ross-voting aye                 5 AYES, 0 NAYS. RESOLUTION ADOPTED.

REMINDER ABOUT EASTER EGG HUNT:   The Board discussed the upcoming Easter Egg hunt to be held at the Town Park on Sunday April 2nd at 2:00 pm.  The Town Board thanked Snyder law, Debbie Ritz, and Brian Rott for their generous donation toward the event. 

COMMITTEE REPORTS:  Councilwoman Giancarlo reminded those present that this year’s Brant summer festival will be the 20^th annual event.

TOWN BOARD REPORTS:

Councilwoman Giancarlo- Spoke regarding improving the parking lot and lighting around the Town Hall.  She is researching grants to help with the project.  She also asked if the Board would consider enacting the requirement for Rental Inspections for homes rented out in the Town of Brant as a source of revenue for the Town.  Debra Ritz spoke against it, and Justice Chad Kaczmarek spoke in favor of it. 

Councilwoman Ross- Asked for the Easter Egg hunt to be reposted on Facebook

Councilwoman Marien- Attended the recent Village Board meeting. The Supervisor noted that he and Chief Slawek will be at the next Village meeting.  They will discuss covering the Village with radar to slow speeders.  Chief Slawek noted that 10 people were pulled over in the Village and the process will be repeated. 

Councilman Muffoletto – Nothing to report

PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR:   No one spoke

Meetings & Correspondence: 

• The 2^nd February sales tax remittance is in. The current transfer rate is 37.14 % greater than the corresponding 2022 amount. Year-to-date transfers are running 20.14 % above last year at this time.

Supervisor DeCarlo announced the next regular Town Board meeting will be Tuesday April 11, 2023 at 7 PM.  

Supervisor DeCarlo read the Abstract (3 of 2023):

ABSTRACT 3 of 2023

*Prepaid and unpaid as of 3/14/23 Total Claims $85,784.37

Gen Fund Town wide Vouchers Totaling: $49,893.42

Gen Fund – Part Town Voucher Totaling: $ 10,934.19

Highway T.W. Vouchers Totaling: $16,432.76

Highway P.T. Vouchers Totaling: $5,570.00

Street Lighting:  Voucher Totaling:  $2,954.38

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

PAYROLL February 2023 (2 pay periods):

General Town Wide Payroll 01/19/23-02/25/23 – Totaling $ 47,008.84

General Part Town Payroll 01/29/23-02/25/23 Totaling:  $ 756.34

Highway Payroll TW 01/29/23-02/25/23 Totaling:  $ 7,494.32

Highway Payroll PT 01/29/23-02/25/23 Totaling:  $ 0

Supervisor DeCarlo motioned to approve Abstract 3 of 2023, seconded by Councilwoman Marien. A roll-call vote was taken: Supervisor DeCarlo-aye, Councilwoman Marien-aye, Councilwoman Giancarlo-aye, Councilman Muffoletto-aye, Councilwoman Ross-aye. 5 ayes, 0 nays.  MOTION CARRIED.

At 7:33 pm, Supervisor DeCarlo motioned to adjourn the meeting in memory of Arica Clear.  Councilwoman Giancarlo seconded the motion.  5 ayes, 0 nays. MOTION CARRIED.

Respectfully submitted by,

Barbara J Daniel

Brant Town Clerk