The Regular Meeting for the Town Board of the Town of Brighton, Franklin County, NY, was held Thursday, June 11, 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 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, and Lydia Wright

ABSENT: Caroline T. Santagate (Tracy)

OTHERS PRESENT: Andy Crary-Superintendent of Highways, Elizabeth DeFonce-Town Clerk /Tax Collector, Russell DeFonce-Town Justice, Elaine Sater-Historian, Tom Tucker-Paul Smiths Gabriels Volunteer Fire Department, 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: Cleaned up the cemeteries, the park, and the Town Hall; mowed the cemeteries, park, and Town Hall; road raked the dirt roads three times in the past month; put flags out for Memorial Day; received the new truck and plow, had it decaled and registered for plates; removed a tree on Keese Mill Road; put up “No ATV” signs on Keese Mill Road; cleaned the shop; mowed the soccer field; hauled tar for the towns of St. Armand, Harrietstown, and Franklin; dealing with the beaver between Vosburgh and Tebbutt Roads.

Discussion took place regarding the abandonment of the following town roads: McColloms, Slush Pond, Mountain Pond, Riley, McDermitt, and Grandma’s Pond. Riley Road and Grandma’s Pond Road are essentially private driveways, most of the others have state land on either side, a few are seasonal. Total loss would be 4.2 miles; CHIPS money would be decreased but the amount would be minimal. The town would be able to resume jurisdiction over these roads in the future if it decides. Questions arose about who would be liable if a vehicle, especially a fire truck, were to incur damage while traveling on one of these roads. The town lawyer was consulted about this issue in 2011 but since laws may have changed he will be contacted again, as will the town’s insurance agent.

 

Town Clerk Elizabeth DeFonce: Total Revenue to Supervisor as of May 31, 2026, was $77.50 from 1 vital record, 4 dog licenses, and a Town Park donation.

May 18: Received notice from the New York State Department of State that Local Law 1 of the year 2026 was filed with that office on April 30, 2026.

June 2: Attended Clinton-Essex-Franklin Town Clerks’ Association meeting in Westport. Much of the discussion revolved around implementation of the New York State law regarding shelter donations. To comply with the law the dog license form will be updated and a resolution needs to specify who will receive the donations.

June 8-9: Attended the New York State Association of Local Government Records Officers Annual Conference in Lake Placid.

Performed two notarizations.

TOWN HALL REQUESTS: None

TOWN PARK REQUEST: None

RESOLUTION #24-2026

DESIGNATION OF SHELTER FOR DONATIONS

Motion made by Amber McKernan, seconded by Lydia Wright

 

RESOLVED that donations made through dog licensing done within the Town of Brighton will be given to the Tri-Lakes Animal Shelter located at 255 George LaPan Memorial Highway, Saranac Lake New York.

 

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

Resolution #24 declared duly adopted.

 

Tax Collector – Elizabeth DeFonce: The Tax Collector’s books were audited on Thursday, May 21^st.

There is still 1¢ of bank interest left in the account despite efforts to prevent this. A conversation to see how to eliminate this in the future will be had with officials at NBT.

 

Historian – Elaine Sater: The copier is low on toner making copies difficult to read. Supervisor Peter Shrope ordered toner but it hasn’t arrived yet. He will follow up.

 

Town Justice – Russ DeFonce: Disposed of 18 cases during May and the Supervisor received a check in the amount of $1,790.

 

Code Enforcement Officer – Rodger Tompkins: no report.

 

Assessor – John Stack: The Board of Assessment Review met on June 4. There were 11 stipulations. One person appeared but left satisfied once the process was explained to him.

 

Supervisor – Peter Shrope:

ARPA: Emails regarding the American Rescue Plan Act funds are still arriving. Opening the accounts and setting the bank balances to $0 as of  2025 should prevent future emails.

BridgeNY: Reimbursement #12 can be found in this month’s vouchers. Details are being finalized, including right-of-way agreements with Paul Smith’s College. Barton & Loguidice will come to place stakes and remove trees if necessary. Work is scheduled for next year.

Deposits: Town Clerk – $77.50, Town Justice – $1,790, Franklin County mortgage tax – $12,439.21.

Budget: Almost halfway through the year, looks good.

NYCLASS: For May – General Fund interest $391.42, total $131,689.51 ($20,000 for Town Hall). Highway Fund interest $149.18, total $50,186.28.

 

ACCEPT/AMEND MINUTES – TAX COLLECTOR’S AUDIT

May 14, 2026 –Regular Board Meeting Minutes

Motion made by Amber McKernan, second by Steve Tucker, to accept the minutes of the May 14, Regular Board Meeting, with the following correction: add a comma in the Highway Report. Aye 3 (McKernan, Shrope, Tucker), Nay 0, Absent 1 (Santagate), Abstain 1 (Wright)

 

RESOLUTION #25-2026

AUDIT TAX COLLECTOR FINANCIAL RECORDS 2026

Motion made by Amber McKernan, seconded by Lydia Wright,

 

WHEREAS the audit of the Tax Collector’s 2026 Financial Records was conducted on May 21, 2026, by Council Member Amber McKernan

 

RESOLVED that the audit of the Tax Collector’s 2026 Financial Records be accepted as satisfactory as presented by Council Member Amber McKernan.

 

ROLL CALL VOTE: Aye 3 (McKernan, Tucker, Wright), Nay 0, Absent 1 (Santagate), Abstain 1 (Shrope)

Resolution #25 declared duly adopted.

 

Citizen Comments: A helicopter had been spotted hovering in the area. A resident called the Airport and was told that it was a private helicopter that was not interested in divulging its purpose. Since it was seen near power lines at various areas around town there was speculation that they were searching for a broken insulator.

 

Business:

 

PSGVFD: A new contract was presented to the board. It proposes a 3% increase every year over the next 5 years. A public hearing on the contract will take place on July 9 at 6:30, just before the regular board meeting.

The fire department responded to 203 calls last year, an all-time record, and 109 so far this year.

They are conducting a door-to-door campaign to thank taxpayers for their support, inquire if anyone has any fire suppression questions or concerns, and to pass out applications in an attempt to increase year-round membership.

The company who had been picking up the cans and bottles from the drop box has recently become unresponsive, making the placement of another drop box at the Town Park problematic.

A recent fire at the Packbasket Diner (781 New York State Route 86) was serious and may result in the loss of the building.

BESS: Nancy Bernstein and Jill Henck from the Adirondack North Country Association (ANCA) stopped in to discuss the email from Violet Martin regarding battery energy storage systems. The Town of St. Armand passed a local law establishing a 12 month moratorium prohibiting the review and approval of applications and permits for these systems but the Town of Franklin didn’t take any action on the matter at their latest board meeting as they felt the issue wasn’t imminent. These facilities are situated near substations of which there are 2 small ones in town. ANCA presented information regarding these facilities (strong New York State regulations; proximity to substations could help during a power outage; they are safer than a house fire); however, ANCA is neither for nor against their installation. There are concerns regarding impacts on the aquifer, fire suppression, and other environmental concerns so Nancy and Jill will be asked to attend the July board meeting.

CSEA MOU: A memorandum of understanding between the town and CSEA regarding pay rates has been proposed. Our newest Town employee has been fully enrolled in the town’s insurance plan, the health reimbursement plan, and the New York State Retirement system. He is labeled an Equipment Operator (EO) with the union; the employee with a CDL is labeled a Motor Equipment Operator (MEO). Currently the MEO makes $26.40 an hour while the EO makes $25.77 an hour with an increase of 2.7% next year, depending on Cost of Living Adjustment. The difference between the two positions is .63¢; should the pay rate be equalized?

 

RESOLUTION #26-2026

ACCEPTANCE OF CSEA MOU AT HIGHER PAY RATE

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

 

RESOLVED that the board accept the Memorandum of Agreement by and between the Town of Brighton and CSEA Local 1000, AFSCME AFL-CIO with the following change: that the pay rate of the Equipment Operator be at the same rate as that of the Motor Equipment Operator.

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

Resolution #26 declared duly adopted.

 

Town Hall painting: The last time work was done on the Town Hall was 7 years ago when the building was stained; prior to that the building was painted and the roof repaired in 2013. An estimate of $24,550 has been received from Christopher Caldwell, LLC with a 10% deposit required up front.

 

RESOLUTION #27-2026

TOWN HALL PAINTING CONTRACT

Motion made by Supervisor Peter Shrope, seconded by Steve Tucker,

 

RESOLVED to accept the contract from Christopher Caldwell, LLC, to paint the Town Hall for the amount of $24,550, with a 10% deposit to be paid up front.

 

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

Resolution #27 declared duly adopted.

 

Park Building, SL Youth Soccer: Jill Henck, the new director of the Saranac Lake Youth Soccer Association, has asked to store their equipment in the food pantry section of the park building. There are insurance issues to address before she can be given a key.

 

RESOLUTION #28-2026

SLYSA EQUIPMENT STORAGE

Motion made by Supervisor Peter Shrope, seconded by Amber McKernan

 

RESOLVED that Jill Henck, the director of the Saranac Lake Youth Soccer Association be allowed to store the Association’s equipment in the old food pantry section of the Town Park building pending insurance approval.

 

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

Resolution #28 declared duly adopted.

 

CR60 Bottle bins: The accumulation of bags at this location has become an eyesore and could be subject to Local Law No. 3, 2001, “Prohibition of Clutter, Litter and Debris in the Town of Brighton,

Franklin County, New York.” The Code Enforcement Officer would inspect the property, file a written report with the Town Clerk, and prepare and serve a written notice to the property owner. If no action is taken in 30 days the Town can remove the offensive materials. A question arose about the need for a public hearing but one is not required according to the law referenced.

BAR appointment: A current member of the Board of Assessment Review recommended Danielle Carr to finish out the term of a BAR member who recently passed away.

 

RESOLUTION #29-2026

APPOINTMENT OF BAR MEMBER CARR

Motion made by Supervisor Peter Shrope, seconded by Steve Tucker,

 

RESOLVED that the Town Board appoints Danielle Carr of Jones Pond Road, Rainbow Lake, as Board of Review Member for the term June 11, 2026, to September 30, 2026.

 

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

Resolution #29 declared duly adopted.

Old business:

 

Local Law No. 4, 2001/Jones Pond, motor size: This topic will be revisited should it become an issue again.

 

AUDIT OF VOUCHERS

 

RESOLUTION #30-2026

AUDIT OF VOUCHERS

Motion made by Amber McKernan, seconded by Lydia Wright,

 

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

PREPAID FUNDS: Abstract #6 for Voucher #6A through #6C for 2026 in the amount of $879.95 and Voucher #6C STREET LIGHTING FUNDS in the amount of $90.35

GENERAL FUND: Abstract #6 for Voucher #87 through #105 for 2026 funds in the amount of $10,817.29

HIGHWAY FUND: Abstract #6 for Voucher #58 through #66 for 2026 funds in the amount of $6,706.85

 

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

Resolution #30 declared duly adopted.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

Motion to Adjourn at 9:11pm made by Amber McKernan, second by Lydia Wright,

Aye 4 (McKernan, Shrope, Tucker, Wright), Nay 0, Absent 1 (Santagate)

 

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

Elizabeth DeFonce

Brighton Town Clerk