The Regular Meeting for the Town Board of the Town of Brighton, Franklin County, NY, was held Thursday, May 8, 2025, 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 Supervisor Peter Shrope at 7:00pm

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

ROLL CALL OF OFFICERS

PRESENT: Supervisor Peter Shrope, Council Members: Amber McKernan, Steve Tucker, Lydia Wright

ABSENT: Caroline T. Santagate (Tracy)

OTHERS PRESENT: Andy Crary, Superintendent of Highways, Elizabeth DeFonce-Town Clerk /Tax Collector, Russell DeFonce-Town Justice, and 1 resident (arrived 7:45).

GUESTS: Helene Gibbens

NOTICE OF MEETING:

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

PRESENTATION ABOUT THE ADIRONDACK NATURE FESTIVAL FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES – Helene Gibbens

Presented information on the Adirondack Nature Festival for People with Disabilities which will take place on September 7 at the Paul Smith’s College Visitor Interpretive Center. This will be the second year for the event and plans are being made to make it an annual event. Last year it was well attended so the organization is looking to expand both its offerings and its accommodations. Available ADA compliant trails were mentioned as were sponsors. Promotional materials will be left at the Town Hall.

REPORTS

Highway – Superintendent of Highways Andy Crary: cleaned up around Town Hall and Town Garage; put cemetery signs out; swept all town roads; pulled the sander out of the 2015 truck; had the pickup trucks inspected; road raked the dirt roads; worked at the Town Park; installed the basketball backboards; cleaned the shop and the trucks; made a dump run; worked on Keese Mill Road; put gravel on Church Pond Road; worked on the Clark Wardner intersection; took the 2022 truck to Plattsburgh because of bad sensors; cut the shoulder on Hull Road; painted sander parts for the 2013 truck; hauled tar for the Town of Franklin; let the new hire go.

Town Clerk Elizabeth DeFonce: Total Revenue to Supervisor as of April 30, 2025, was $235.75 from 1 genealogical search, 2 dog licenses, and 4 building permits.

Performed 3 notarizations.

Attended New York State Town Clerk’s Annual Conference in Syracuse from April 25-30. Focused on new clerk’s track. The session on cybersecurity was very informative; once the slides become available they can be shared with anyone interested in this subject.

Spoke with Williamson about their Town Clerk’s software program. The conversation was informative; a phone call with their sales team will be arranged.

TOWN HALL REQUESTS: Tuesday, June 17, Democratic Party Caucus, 7PM, 2 hours

TOWN PARK REQUEST: Saturday, May 3, Paul Smith’s College Rugby Team, 6 hours

Tax Collector – Elizabeth DeFonce: Gave the Supervisor the final payment of $3,755.70 to close out the tax collector’s bank account.

The annual Tax Collector’s Training Seminar runs from June 8-11 in Lake George. I’d like permission to use the town credit card to register for the hotel at a cost of under $800.

Motion made by Amber McKernan, seconded by Steve Tucker, to allow the Tax Collector to use the Town credit card to register at the Fort William Henry Hotel to attend the Tax Collector Training Seminar. Aye 4 (McKernan, Shrope, Tucker, Wright) Nay 0, Absent 1 (Santagate)

Historian – Elaine Sater: no report

Town Justice – Russ DeFonce: Disposed of 17 cases during April and the Supervisor received a check in the amount of $1,435. The Judge and Court Clerk will be attending a DWI training in Queensbury on May 15 and 16. There is no cost to the town.

Code Enforcement Officer – Rodger Tompkins: 6 building permits issued in April.

Assessor – John Stack: no report

Supervisor – Peter Shrope:

ARPA: The deadline for submitting the final report regarding the American Rescue Plan Act was April 30. After a few difficulties the report was successfully completed but the Town will owe $1,119.18.

BridgeNY: Reimbursement request number 7 has been submitted and approved by the Department of Transportation in the amount of $13,569.33.

Deposits: Town Clerk – $235.75, Town Justice – $1,473, Tax Collector – $3,755.70, stumpage – $498.15.

Budget: doing fine.

NYCLASS: For April – General Fund interest $431.76, total $126,125.28 ($20,000 for Town Hall). Highway Fund interest $164.54, total $48,065.80.

ACCEPT/AMEND MINUTES

April 10, 2025 – Regular Board Meeting Minutes

Motion made by Amber McKernan, second by Steve Tucker, to accept the minutes of the April 10, Regular Board Meeting, with one correction – removal of employee names from Highway report. Aye 3 (McKernan, Shrope, Tucker), Nay 0, Absent 1 (Santagate), Abstain 1 (Wright)

Business:

RESOLUTION #13-2025

SHARED SERVICES AGREEMENT

Motion made by Supervisor Peter Shrope, seconded by Lydia Wright,

RESOLVED, that the Town Board authorizes the renewal of the Shared Highway Services Agreement with the Town of Tupper Lake for a period of 5 years (May 2025 thru May 2030) and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Town Supervisor be authorized to sign the Shared Highway Services Agreement.

ROLL CALL VOTE: Aye 4 (McKernan, Shrope, Tucker, Wright), Nay 0, Absent 1 (Santagate)

Resolution #13 declared duly adopted.

A new Community Center is opening in Newcomb on May 24. A celebration is planned for that day at 2PM.

The Community Bank branch on Lake Flower Avenue in Saranac Lake will be closing on Friday, August 8.

ADK Tech tested the internet speed at the Town Hall on Tuesday, May 6, and found it adequate. Business pricing for increased internet speeds is very high so the Town will investigate whether or not it qualifies for the residential rate.

CITIZENS’ COMMENTS: A local electrician has been asked to put some lights near the new playground equipment.

AUDIT OF VOUCHERS

RESOLUTION #14-2025

AUDIT OF VOUCHERS
Motion made by Lydia Wright, seconded Amber McKernan,

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

PREPAID FUNDS: Abstract #5 for Voucher #5A through #5C for 2025 in the amount of $814.61 and Voucher #5C STREET LIGHTING FUNDS in the amount of $85.66
GENERAL FUND: Abstract #5 for Voucher #68 through #87 for 2025 funds in the amount of $6,623.65
HIGHWAY FUND: Abstract #5 for Voucher #59 through #65 for 2025 funds in the amount of $8,496.44

ROLL CALL VOTE: Aye 4 (McKernan, Shrope, Tucker, Wright), Nay 0, Absent 1 (Santagate)

Resolution #14 declared duly adopted.

ADJOURNMENT

Motion to Adjourn at 8:20 made by Lydia Wright, second by Amber McKernan,
Aye 4 (McKernan, Shrope, Tucker, Wright), Nay 0, Absent 1 (Santagate)

Respectfully Submitted,

Elizabeth DeFonce

Brighton Town Clerk