CALL TO ORDER

Public Hearing for the Proposed Local Law #1 for the Year 2026 “A Local Law Increasing the Real Property Tax Exemption for Veterans and Other Qualifying Individuals Residing in the Town of Brighton” was called to order at 6:30pm by Supervisor Peter Shrope at the Brighton Town Hall, 12 County Road 31 (aka Jones Pond Road), Paul Smiths, New York, on April 9, 2026

ROLL CALL:

Present: Supervisor Peter Shrope

Council Members: Amber McKernan, Caroline T. Santagate (Tracy), and Steve Tucker

Absent: Council Member Lydia Wright

Others Present: Andy Crary-Superintendent of Highways, Elizabeth DeFonce-Town Clerk /Tax Collector, Russell DeFonce-Town Justice, John Stack-Assessor, one resident

Guests: None 

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Notice of this Public Hearing was posted on the Town Clerk’s Sign Board on March 30, 2026, and published in the Adirondack Daily Enterprise on Thursday, April 2, 2026

Supervisor Peter Shrope opened the floor for public comment on the Proposed Local Law #1 for the Year 2026 “A Local Law Increasing the Real Property Tax Exemption for Veterans and Other Qualifying Individuals Residing in the Town of Brighton”.  This law is replacing Local Law #1 for the Year “A Local Law Increasing the Real Property Tax Exemption for Veterans and Other Qualifying Individuals Residing in the Town of Brighton.”

Clarification was made between the various types of exemptions and how exemptions differ from the STAR program. There was also clarification about who would be considered “Qualifying Individuals” under this law.

All those in attendance were supportive of the law and the public comment period was closed.

ADJOURNMENT

Motion to Adjourn at 6:50pm made by Amber McKernan, second by Supervisor Peter Shrope. Aye 4 (McKernan, Santagate, Shrope, Tucker), Nay 0, Absent 1 (Wright)

Respectfully Submitted,

Elizabeth DeFonce, Brighton Town Clerk