The Regular Meeting for the Town Board of the Town of Brighton, Franklin County, NY, was held Thursday, March 12, 2026, at 7:00pm at the Brighton Town Hall, 12 County Road 31, Paul Smiths, NY, with the following:

 

CALL TO ORDER: 

Meeting was Called to Order by Deputy Supervisor Steve Tucker at 7:00pm

The “Pledge of Allegiance” to the flag was recited.

 

ROLL CALL OF OFFICERS

PRESENT:  Deputy Supervisor Steve Tucker

Council Members: Amber McKernan and Lydia Wright

ABSENT: Caroline T. Santagate (Tracy) and Supervisor Peter Shrope

OTHERS PRESENT: Andy Crary-Superintendent of Highways, Elizabeth DeFonce-Town Clerk /Tax Collector, Russell DeFonce-Town Justice, Elaine Sater-Historian, one resident

GUESTS: None

 

NOTICE OF MEETING:

Notice of this meeting was posted on the Town Clerk’s Sign Board.

 

REPORTS

 

Highway – Superintendent of Highways Andy Crary: Plowing and sanding has slowed down; cut banks back; took the loader to the Keese Mill Road turnaround and County Route 60; fixed the sander chain and the sander adjustment lines on the 2022 truck; greased the trucks and the loader; started washing down the trucks; performed road checks; asked the Town Clerk to post  in the newspaper the annual Road Closure that runs from March 20 through April 30; the new truck discussed at last month’s meeting should be arriving by the end of the month.

The Highway Superintendent of Highways asked to purchase a hot water pressure washer which would help with cleaning the trucks.

 

RESOLUTION #19

PURCHASE OF HOT WATER PRESSURE WASHER FOR HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT

Motion made by Lydia Wright, second by Amber McKernan,

 

RESOLVED that the Superintendent of Highways proceed with the purchase of a hot water pressure washer not to exceed the amount of $6,000

 

ROLL CALL VOTE: Aye 3 (McKernan, Tucker, Wright), Nay 0, Absent 2 (Santagate, Shrope)

Resolution #19 declared duly adopted.

 

Town Clerk Elizabeth DeFonce: Total Revenue to Supervisor as of February 28, 2026, was $5,570.07 from 6 building permits and 132 copies

Regular monthly reports were completed the first week of February, then the Town Clerk was out due to a medical issue. Deputy Town Clerk Elaine Sater filled in a few days. Regular hours should resume the week of March 16.

February 14: Sent HUD mortgage discharge to the sibling of a deceased resident. After some confusion, another HUD mortgage discharge was sent to the same person on March 9.

TOWN HALL REQUESTS: Saturday, February 28, Franklin County Conservative Party meeting, 5 hours.

TOWN PARK REQUEST: None

Town Clerk training: The Town Clerk would like to use the Town credit card to attend the Annual Town Clerk’s conference in Albany, New York, from April 19 to 22. The card would be used for conference registration, a hotel room for 3 nights, and meals.

Motion made by Amber McKernan, seconded by Lydia Wright, to allow the Town Clerk to use the Town credit card for conference registration, a hotel room for 3 nights, and meals. Aye 3 (McKernan, Tucker, Wright) Nay 0, Absent 2 (Santagate, Shrope)

Tax Collector – Elizabeth DeFonce: Total collected as of Monday, March 9: $1,600,145.87. There is one outstanding check to a resident in the amount of $7.19.

Reminder letters will be sent out on March 16. A motion was made by Amber McKernan, seconded by Lydia Wright, to allow the Tax Collector to create and include an enclosure regarding credit card payment information with the reminder letters. Aye 3 (McKernan, Tucker, Wright) Nay 0, Absent 2 (Santagate, Shrope)

 

Historian – Elaine Sater: Working on copying newspapers but finds the smell of spilled kerosene from the furnace room irritating. The pad has been replaced and Hyde Stone has looked into it. Copying for 2023 is done, working on 2024. The recent sale of the Adirondack Daily Enterprise has created delivery difficulties.

Town Justice – Russ DeFonce: Disposed of 8 cases during February and the Supervisor received a check in the amount of $610. There has been a noted decrease of new tickets this past month. Performed a few criminal arraignments, some for Brighton, some for Harrietstown. The Franklin County Magistrate’s Association is trying to establish a Central Arraignment Part to streamline the process of arraignments in the county. It would be established in Malone; judges would be on call and they would take turns for complete coverage. Currently the Sheriff is opposed; there is a Magistrate’s Meeting later this month to discuss this issue.

 

Code Enforcement Officer – Rodger Tompkins: no report.

 

Assessor – John Stack: There will be a Public Hearing for Local Law #1, Veterans Exemption, at 6:30 on April 9, before the Regular Board Meeting.

 Supervisor – Steve Tucker:

BridgeNY: The DEC permit has been approved and the DOT right of way has been authorized.

Annual Financial report: Has been filed.

CSEA: Supervisor Peter Shrope met with the union representative and a 2 year contract has been drawn up. It includes a 2.7% increase the first year and a 2.7% increase the second year. A motion to accept this contract was made by Steve Tucker, seconded by Lydia Wright. Aye 3 (McKernan, Tucker, Wright) Nay 0, Absent 2 (Santagate, Shrope)

Deposits: Town Clerk – $5,570.07, Town Justice – $610, Traffic Diversion Program – $1,725. There was a US Treasury refund in the amount of $26.49

Budget: No budget report was received.

NYCLASS: For February – General Fund interest $356.53, total $130,526.35 ($20,000 for Town Hall). Highway Fund interest $135.88, total $49,742.98.

 

ACCEPT/AMEND MINUTES

February 12, 2026 –Regular Board Meeting Minutes

Motion made by Amber McKernan, second by Lydia Wright, to accept the minutes of the February 12, Regular Board Meeting, as written. Aye 2 (Tucker, Wright), Nay 0, Absent 2 (Santagate, Shrope), Abstain 1 (McKernan)

 

Citizen Comments: A resident noted the recent tendency of the power cutting out briefly.

 

Business: Franklin County is still interested in creating a Multi-Use Recreational Trail System.

Zoe Smith of Paul Smith’s College had contacted Supervisor Peter Shrope about writing a letter of support to help with the development of a water and sewer system but he was uncomfortable signing anything without showing it to the board first.

 

Old business: The issues with Local Law No. 4, 2001 and motor size on Jones Pond are still on the back burner.

 

AUDIT OF VOUCHERS

 

RESOLUTION #20-2026

AUDIT OF VOUCHERS

Motion made by Amber McKernan, seconded by Steve Tucker,

 

RESOLVED that the Supervisor be authorized to pay the audited vouchers as listed on the abstracts as follows:

PREPAID FUNDS: Abstract #3 for Voucher #3A through #3C for 2026 in the amount of $1,637.89 and Voucher #3C STREET LIGHTING FUNDS in the amount of $389.30

GENERAL FUND: Abstract #3 for Voucher #32 through #44 for 2026 funds in the amount of $30,106.60

HIGHWAY FUND: Abstract #3 for Voucher #24 through #28 for 2026 funds in the amount of $4,625.28

 

ROLL CALL VOTE: Aye 3 (McKernan, Tucker, Wright), Nay 0, Absent 2 (Santagate, Shrope)

Resolution #20 declared duly adopted.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

Motion to Adjourn at 7:57 made by Amber McKernan, second by Lydia Wright,

Aye 3 (McKernan, Tucker, Wright), Nay 0, Absent 2 (Santagate, Shrope)

 

Respectfully Submitted,

Elizabeth DeFonce

Brighton Town Clerk