1 00:00:03,280 --> 00:00:13,759 Okay, good evening everyone. Welcome to the August 25th, 2026 2 00:00:10,160 --> 00:00:19,560 town hall town hall town meeting. Please rise and join me 3 00:00:15,920 --> 00:00:19,560 for the pledge of allegiance. 4 00:00:36,800 --> 00:00:42,239 Couns Council person Manikio. >> Council person Weiss 5 00:00:41,280 --> 00:00:45,680 » present. >> Uh deputy supervisor Meyer 6 00:00:45,040 --> 00:00:48,719 » present >> and supervisor Felman 7 00:00:47,360 --> 00:00:53,920 » present. >> Okay. Okay. A rec recognition of the 8 00:00:51,200 --> 00:00:58,239 fire of the first responders for the fire at Parthnulls. 9 00:00:55,600 --> 00:01:03,120 » Okay. Okay. Tonight we come together to recognize an extraordinary emergency 10 00:01:00,320 --> 00:01:06,640 response and to express gratitude, the gratitude of the town board and the 11 00:01:04,879 --> 00:01:11,360 whole town of Austining for the many people and agencies who answered the 12 00:01:08,720 --> 00:01:16,159 call when a fastmoving fire struck 87 Hawks Avenue, the Parthnull Complex. 13 00:01:14,479 --> 00:01:20,320 What could have been an even greater tragedy was met with courage, 14 00:01:18,080 --> 00:01:25,360 professionalism, quick thinking, and remarkable coordination. More than 30 15 00:01:23,040 --> 00:01:29,920 emergency response agencies and over 200 first responders came together to 16 00:01:27,439 --> 00:01:34,240 protect our residents and our community. We are especially grateful that despite 17 00:01:32,320 --> 00:01:38,159 the intensity of and danger of this fire, there was no loss of life and no 18 00:01:36,640 --> 00:01:41,680 injuries to residents or first responders. 19 00:01:39,840 --> 00:01:46,000 That outcome began with the immediate actions of eight police officers and two 20 00:01:44,320 --> 00:01:50,720 firefighters who entered the building without hesitation to get the residents 21 00:01:48,320 --> 00:01:54,720 to safety. Their courage and commitment in those critical first moments made a 22 00:01:52,640 --> 00:01:59,040 profound difference and today we will recognize them for their heroic actions. 23 00:01:57,360 --> 00:02:02,560 We will also present certificates of appreciation to the many fire 24 00:02:00,560 --> 00:02:06,479 departments, ambulance cores, emergency service agencies, and other responders 25 00:02:04,719 --> 00:02:11,360 whose teamwork and dedication were essential throughout this emergency. And 26 00:02:09,039 --> 00:02:15,760 finally, we will recognize Chiefs Luis Luis Sanchez, First Assistant Chief 27 00:02:13,599 --> 00:02:19,840 Anthony Martinez, and Second Assistant Chief Joseph Raldi. Their exceptional 28 00:02:18,160 --> 00:02:24,080 leadership and coordination of this massive response. Today is an 29 00:02:22,400 --> 00:02:28,720 opportunity to say on behalf of the entire town of Oening, thank you. Thank 30 00:02:27,040 --> 00:02:32,879 you for your courage, your professionalism, 31 00:02:30,319 --> 00:02:36,720 and your willingness to answer the call. And most importantly, for helping bring 32 00:02:35,040 --> 00:02:40,560 everybody through this terrible incident safely. 33 00:02:38,879 --> 00:02:45,840 And it is my honor to begin these recognitions. So, if we were going to 34 00:02:42,879 --> 00:02:51,280 start with calling up our fire chiefs, Chief Sanchez, Chief Martinez, and Chief 35 00:02:48,640 --> 00:03:00,200 Raldi. Um, okay. Yeah. And we will let Chief 36 00:02:54,480 --> 00:03:00,200 Raldi give a brief synopsis of the 37 00:03:00,800 --> 00:03:04,040 all chiefs. 38 00:03:04,879 --> 00:03:10,480 » All right. So, I figured it'd be a good idea to give a little update or actually 39 00:03:08,879 --> 00:03:16,000 what happened that evening to the town board here. So, Friday, August 7th, 2026 40 00:03:14,080 --> 00:03:20,560 started out as any typical August day, sunny, hot, and humid, and preparations 41 00:03:18,720 --> 00:03:24,959 for were underway for the Austining Fire Department annual parade. The stage on 42 00:03:22,800 --> 00:03:29,040 Main Street was set. The flag raising ceremony in Market 43 00:03:26,640 --> 00:03:33,760 Square with US Ambassador Lu Rinaldi was a success. The parade lineup was covered 44 00:03:31,840 --> 00:03:38,879 and preparations for the post parade festivities were complete. Then heavy 45 00:03:36,799 --> 00:03:43,360 thunderstorms moved into the area. As the storms intensified, there was 46 00:03:41,120 --> 00:03:48,319 growing uncertainty as to whether the parade would be able to take place. 47 00:03:45,920 --> 00:03:51,920 Participating sorry, participating departments began arriving while the 48 00:03:50,239 --> 00:03:56,799 Austin Fire Department handled a fire alarm call on the south end of the 49 00:03:53,280 --> 00:04:00,159 village. At 17:30 hours, our parade standby crews arrived from Pirmont, 50 00:03:58,640 --> 00:04:04,720 Spring Valley, Mount Kiscoco, and Katona. Chief Sanchez, Chief Martinez, 51 00:04:02,879 --> 00:04:08,159 and I met with the parade judges and unfortunately made the difficult 52 00:04:06,080 --> 00:04:13,280 decision to cancel the annual parade due to weather at approximately 1857 hours. 53 00:04:11,680 --> 00:04:17,359 The Austining Fire Department and our standby crews were alerted to 87 Hawks 54 00:04:15,599 --> 00:04:22,240 Avenue, Parthn Noles, in the town of Austining for a reported building struck 55 00:04:20,160 --> 00:04:26,400 by lightning with smoke in the area. Multiple units immediately began 56 00:04:23,759 --> 00:04:31,600 responding. In less than four minutes, foreman Michael Aurora, Lieutenant Lewis 57 00:04:28,560 --> 00:04:36,240 Raldi, and I arrived on scene to find a large volume of thick smoke emanating 58 00:04:33,600 --> 00:04:40,160 from the roof of building number one. I immediately advised Wester County Fire 59 00:04:38,000 --> 00:04:44,960 Control that we had a working fire assignment and were transmitting a 1075, 60 00:04:42,479 --> 00:04:48,880 reporting heavy smoke from the roof. As we pulled it into the complex, I 61 00:04:47,120 --> 00:04:52,479 remember Lieutenant Raldi asking me, "What do you want us to do?" and I 62 00:04:50,720 --> 00:04:57,280 simply replied, "Go save as many people as you can." And that is exactly what 63 00:04:54,960 --> 00:05:00,800 they did. Foreman Aurora and Lieutenant Raldi immediately exited my vehicle and 64 00:04:59,040 --> 00:05:04,639 ran into the building alongside eight Austin police officers. Initial reports 65 00:05:03,120 --> 00:05:08,960 indicated that the building's fire alarm system was not alerting res residents 66 00:05:07,039 --> 00:05:13,039 with Austin PD officers reporting they attempted a manual pole station. It was 67 00:05:11,440 --> 00:05:18,160 later determined that the alarm system may have been compromised and rendered 68 00:05:15,600 --> 00:05:22,320 inoperable as a result of the lightning strike. however, never confirmed. Within 69 00:05:20,960 --> 00:05:26,880 seconds, fire broke through the roof line and rapidly traveled throughout the 70 00:05:24,720 --> 00:05:30,080 entire common loft. Due to the number of potential occupants, the 71 00:05:28,720 --> 00:05:34,400 building construction, and the significant fire load, a second alarm 72 00:05:32,320 --> 00:05:38,160 was transmitted. Only 2 minutes after our arrival, the standby crews arrived 73 00:05:36,479 --> 00:05:43,039 and immediately began deploying a hose line into the interior and then flowing 74 00:05:40,479 --> 00:05:47,919 large volumes of water using deluge guns and ladder pipes. Fire conditions 75 00:05:45,440 --> 00:05:51,440 continually uh continue to rapidly deteriorate and firefighters were 76 00:05:49,840 --> 00:05:55,199 ultimately ordered out of the building and due to multiple structural 77 00:05:53,120 --> 00:05:59,440 collapses. At that point, the entire roof was fully 78 00:05:57,039 --> 00:06:02,800 involved. Fortunately, everyone was successfully evacuated from the 79 00:06:00,880 --> 00:06:06,639 building. Seven families were evacuated through the courageous and immediate 80 00:06:04,479 --> 00:06:10,400 actions of foreman Michael Aurora, Austining Fire Department. Lieutenant 81 00:06:08,319 --> 00:06:14,160 Lewis Ronald, Austin Fire Department. Sergeant James Castanis, Austining 82 00:06:12,240 --> 00:06:18,080 Police Department. Police Officer James Hazel, Austining Police Department. 83 00:06:16,160 --> 00:06:23,520 Police Officer Brett Malfetano, Austining Police Department. Police 84 00:06:20,160 --> 00:06:27,600 Officer Diego Mango, Austining Police. Police Officer Luke Malone, Austining 85 00:06:25,199 --> 00:06:31,600 Police. Police officer Steven Pupchek, Austining Police. Police Officer William 86 00:06:29,520 --> 00:06:36,880 Puffers, Austining Police. Police officer Farooq Kapalo, Austining Police. 87 00:06:34,720 --> 00:06:41,280 These 10 brave individuals successfully evacuated an entire multi-occupied 88 00:06:38,960 --> 00:06:44,560 residential building in only a matter of minutes without protective gear. And 89 00:06:43,199 --> 00:06:48,479 while conditions inside the building were rapidly deteriorating, I truly 90 00:06:46,960 --> 00:06:53,360 believe their actions saved lives that evening. What else? What? Sorry. What 91 00:06:51,280 --> 00:06:57,600 makes this even more remarkable is the outcome. Approximately 200 firefighters 92 00:06:55,680 --> 00:07:01,919 responded, including members of our own junior corps, our standby crews, mutual 93 00:06:59,919 --> 00:07:05,199 aid, EMS, police officers, and despite the tremendous fire conditions and 94 00:07:03,360 --> 00:07:09,199 structural collapse, there were no reported injuries, and most importantly, 95 00:07:06,720 --> 00:07:14,000 no fatalities. The events of August 7th are a powerful reminder of what our 96 00:07:11,840 --> 00:07:17,599 firefighters and police officers do. Not only when conditions are ideal, but when 97 00:07:15,840 --> 00:07:21,120 plans change, the weather turns dangerous, and people need help. On 98 00:07:19,680 --> 00:07:24,479 behalf of the fire, Austining Fire Department alongside the town of 99 00:07:22,319 --> 00:07:28,560 Austining, we extend our sincere appreciation to all the mutual aid 100 00:07:26,000 --> 00:07:31,840 partners and agencies who responded and assisted that evening. Westers County 101 00:07:30,240 --> 00:07:36,080 Department of Emergency Services, Austining Police Department, Austining 102 00:07:33,599 --> 00:07:39,039 EMS, and most importantly, the volunteer members of the Austining Fire Department 103 00:07:37,440 --> 00:07:43,919 and the Austining Fire Department Junior Corps. August 7th may have started as a 104 00:07:41,759 --> 00:07:47,199 day of celebration, but it ended as a night that demonstrated the courage, 105 00:07:45,280 --> 00:07:53,720 dedication, and selflessness of the men and women, sorry, men and women who 106 00:07:49,199 --> 00:07:53,720 serve our community. Thank you. 107 00:07:57,599 --> 00:08:02,879 » You want to say anything? >> Oh, one more thing, town supervisor, I 108 00:08:01,280 --> 00:08:07,599 just want to say the building owner is here, Mr. Beldi. He has been great. 109 00:08:05,520 --> 00:08:12,240 worked with us all night and he was very very sincere about his residence and uh 110 00:08:10,639 --> 00:08:17,319 you don't see that often with a landlord and we also thank you for that 111 00:08:35,839 --> 00:08:39,240 I have a big 112 00:08:48,560 --> 00:08:51,959 Okay. All right. 113 00:08:56,240 --> 00:09:02,480 Emily woman Dana Levenberg would like to say a few words. 114 00:08:59,760 --> 00:09:08,640 » Thank you. Uh pleasure to be here on Town of Ashley town hall meeting. I just 115 00:09:04,959 --> 00:09:12,800 wanted to uh um also express my great appreciation for the incredible work of 116 00:09:11,279 --> 00:09:18,560 uh all of the men and women who responded. Uh I was actually out of town 117 00:09:15,279 --> 00:09:23,200 at the time. Uh but I heard about it and uh I know that I've heard from the 118 00:09:21,360 --> 00:09:28,320 residents um some of whom are here tonight how grateful they were to the 119 00:09:25,440 --> 00:09:34,000 incredible response of all of the first responders, the fire department, police 120 00:09:30,000 --> 00:09:39,920 department, um EMS, but also uh I wanted to just recognize uh Supervisor Liz 121 00:09:36,560 --> 00:09:44,720 Feldman. She also was there. she was she responded immediately and did everything 122 00:09:42,080 --> 00:09:49,760 she could to help the residents find um and feel better that night and find a 123 00:09:47,120 --> 00:09:54,160 safe place to lay their heads and that's what all that we can ask for from 124 00:09:52,160 --> 00:09:58,320 anybody and certainly that's what all of you give us the ability to do every 125 00:09:56,240 --> 00:10:03,519 night. So knowing that we can be safe because of you uh we couldn't be more 126 00:10:00,160 --> 00:10:08,880 appreciative. So I know that uh the the um town has prepared certificates for uh 127 00:10:06,160 --> 00:10:13,040 for all those of you up here as well as some of you in the audience and um I 128 00:10:11,200 --> 00:10:18,399 have also have certificates for you from New York State Assembly. Again, my 129 00:10:15,279 --> 00:10:23,240 sincere appreciation. Thank you. and 130 00:10:20,240 --> 00:10:23,240 really 131 00:10:30,880 --> 00:10:35,600 uh this is just a bonus for Supervisor Liz Feldman who deserves special 132 00:10:34,000 --> 00:10:39,360 recognition for her empathetic and dedicated response to the devastating 133 00:10:37,600 --> 00:10:44,360 fire at Perth no Apartments on August 7th, 2026. Thank you so much. Appreciate 134 00:10:41,360 --> 00:10:44,360 you. 135 00:10:46,880 --> 00:10:49,440 There you go. 136 00:10:52,720 --> 00:11:02,720 Okay. Unexpected, but thank you. Okay. All right. So, this proclamation is in 137 00:11:00,320 --> 00:11:06,079 recognition of our three chiefs. I'm not going to read all three. I'm going to 138 00:11:03,920 --> 00:11:11,519 read one, which will be for Chief Luis Sanchez. Um, but know that the other two 139 00:11:09,920 --> 00:11:16,480 match. Whereas on August 7th, 2026, a 140 00:11:14,480 --> 00:11:21,760 fast-moving dangerous fire caused by a lightning strike erupted 87 Hawks Avenue 141 00:11:18,560 --> 00:11:25,200 in the Parthnull area of Aening. And whereas the magnitude and rapid 142 00:11:23,600 --> 00:11:29,440 progression of the fire required immediate and extraordinary emergency 143 00:11:27,279 --> 00:11:34,640 response involving more than 30 emergency service agencies and over 200 144 00:11:32,160 --> 00:11:39,279 first responders. And whereas through exceptional leadership, preparation, and 145 00:11:36,720 --> 00:11:42,959 coordination of Chief Lewis Sanchez, emergency personnel from throughout the 146 00:11:41,120 --> 00:11:47,680 region work together to protect the residents, neighboring properties, and 147 00:11:44,959 --> 00:11:52,160 the Austin community. And whereas, despite dangerous conditions and 148 00:11:49,760 --> 00:11:56,800 intensity of the fire, the coordinated efforts of the first responders resulted 149 00:11:54,399 --> 00:12:01,040 in no loss of life, no injuries to residents or emergency personnel. And 150 00:11:59,440 --> 00:12:05,360 whereas Chief Lewis Sanchez has demonstrated outstanding leadership, 151 00:12:02,800 --> 00:12:08,959 professionalism, courage, and unwavering commitment to public safety during one 152 00:12:07,360 --> 00:12:13,519 of the most significant emergency responses ever in our community. Now 153 00:12:11,920 --> 00:12:17,519 therefore, be it resolved that I, Elizabeth Felman, supervisor of the town 154 00:12:15,360 --> 00:12:22,160 of Austining, with the enthusiastic support of the entire town board, 155 00:12:20,079 --> 00:12:25,680 proudly recognize and honor Chief Lewis Sanchez, for extraordinary leadership 156 00:12:24,160 --> 00:12:30,639 and service during the emergency response to the fire of 86 87 Hawks 157 00:12:28,320 --> 00:12:34,480 Avenue, and extend the gratitude and appreciation of the entire town of 158 00:12:32,320 --> 00:12:39,880 Aening for helping to ensure the safety of our residents and first responders. 159 00:12:36,720 --> 00:12:39,880 Thank you. 160 00:12:57,600 --> 00:13:04,600 Okay. Do you want a picture? Okay. Who's taking pictures? I guess Martha's taking 161 00:13:01,600 --> 00:13:04,600 pictures. 162 00:13:46,000 --> 00:13:56,000 Next, we'd like to recognize the fire department members and officers who 163 00:13:52,800 --> 00:14:00,519 bravely ran into the building to rescue the residents and to clear the building. 164 00:14:03,440 --> 00:14:10,519 Uh oh. Okay. Uh, foreman fire foreman Michael Aurora 165 00:14:20,399 --> 00:14:25,880 and Fire Lieutenant Joseph Lewis Ronald. 166 00:14:34,320 --> 00:14:41,839 So this certificate is proudly presented for extraordinary bravery and quick 167 00:14:38,959 --> 00:14:46,480 thinking in the line of duty on October August 7th. Your fearless response 168 00:14:44,240 --> 00:14:51,279 during the Parthnulls fire at 87 Hawks Avenue fire saved lives and protected 169 00:14:48,880 --> 00:14:57,000 our community. Your selfless actions show the highest standard of public 170 00:14:52,959 --> 00:14:57,000 service. Thank you. 171 00:15:05,120 --> 00:15:08,760 You know, you want to come 172 00:15:46,880 --> 00:15:52,040 Okay. Sergeant James Castanis. 173 00:15:56,800 --> 00:16:00,759 Officer William Peppers. 174 00:16:07,120 --> 00:16:12,839 » I think he worked at >> Officer James Hazel. 175 00:16:23,759 --> 00:16:27,560 Officer Luke Malone, 176 00:16:35,040 --> 00:16:38,839 Officer Brett Malfetano, 177 00:16:43,920 --> 00:16:48,120 Officer Farooqap, elbow, 178 00:16:56,079 --> 00:17:00,120 officer Diego Manco, 179 00:17:03,279 --> 00:17:07,559 and Officer Steven Pupchic. 180 00:17:07,679 --> 00:17:16,000 You could just hold it. Okay. So this certificate is pres pr proudly 181 00:17:13,280 --> 00:17:21,760 presented for extraordinary bravely extraordinary bravery and quick thinking 182 00:17:18,240 --> 00:17:24,959 in the line of duty on October 7th 2026. Your fearless response during the 183 00:17:23,199 --> 00:17:30,640 partnels at 87 Hawks Avenue fire saved lives and 184 00:17:28,400 --> 00:17:36,520 protected our community. Your selfless action showed the highest standard of 185 00:17:32,240 --> 00:17:36,520 public service. Thank you. 186 00:17:39,919 --> 00:17:44,840 We'll get this. Okay. 187 00:18:43,039 --> 00:18:49,520 I see Luke Powell from the governor's office. Did you want to say anything or 188 00:18:46,640 --> 00:18:54,080 just Governor Hokll sent her representative here to honor you all as 189 00:18:51,679 --> 00:18:58,720 well? Okay. I'm going to call up a representative from each of the fire 190 00:18:55,760 --> 00:19:03,120 departments that's here to receive your proclamation. So Bedford Hills Fire 191 00:19:01,520 --> 00:19:08,480 Department, Briercliffe Manor Fire Department, 192 00:19:05,440 --> 00:19:14,080 Buchanan Engine Company, Continental Village Fire Department, Croin Falls 193 00:19:11,440 --> 00:19:19,919 Fire Department, Croinon Hudson Fire Department, Dubs Ferry Fire Department, 194 00:19:17,360 --> 00:19:25,039 Golden's Bridge Fire Department, Katona Fire Department, Mayapac Falls Fire 195 00:19:22,480 --> 00:19:29,840 Department, Mount Kiscoco Volunteer Fire Department. I know I saw Mayapac here. 196 00:19:27,840 --> 00:19:34,480 Uhhuh. Now, Kiscoco Volunteer Fire Department, 197 00:19:31,679 --> 00:19:39,360 Mutual Engine, North White Plains Fire Company, number one, Austining Fire 198 00:19:36,880 --> 00:19:44,720 Department, not all of you, please. Austining Police Department, Austining 199 00:19:41,679 --> 00:19:47,720 Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Pleasantville. 200 00:19:47,840 --> 00:19:55,280 All right. Uh, Pleasantville Volunteer Fire Department, Mechanical Hills Fire 201 00:19:52,320 --> 00:20:00,200 Department, Portchester Fire Department, Putnham Valley Fire Volunteer Fire 202 00:19:57,200 --> 00:20:00,200 Department, 203 00:20:05,679 --> 00:20:12,559 » Scarsdale Ambulance Corps, Sleepy Hollow Fire Department, South Salem Fire 204 00:20:10,640 --> 00:20:17,120 Department, Spring Valley Hook and Ladder Company, Terrytown Fire 205 00:20:14,720 --> 00:20:21,679 Department, Thornwood Fire Department, Valhalla Fire Department, Burplank Fire 206 00:20:19,760 --> 00:20:25,600 Department, Village Piermont Fire Department, West Harrison Fire 207 00:20:23,760 --> 00:20:29,520 Department, Westchester County Department of Emergency Services, and 208 00:20:27,520 --> 00:20:32,520 Yorktown Heights Volunteer Fire Department. 209 00:20:36,880 --> 00:20:47,880 H >> and Milwood, didn't I say Milwood? Yeah. 210 00:20:43,840 --> 00:20:47,880 » Milwood came like repeatedly. 211 00:20:50,799 --> 00:20:57,559 picture. >> Okay. Martha, can I have one of the 212 00:20:54,559 --> 00:20:57,559 certificates? 213 00:21:02,960 --> 00:21:13,440 » Yeah. Come on down. Okay. This certificate accommodation is 214 00:21:10,960 --> 00:21:17,280 awarded to each and individual fire department in 215 00:21:15,520 --> 00:21:21,840 recognition of their part in the rapid and coordinated response to the August 216 00:21:19,679 --> 00:21:28,080 7th fire at Barthnol. The town of Austining will forever be grateful for 217 00:21:23,760 --> 00:21:34,400 your teamwork and your coordination with our fire department and the county. And 218 00:21:30,640 --> 00:21:40,000 it is heartening to know how the Austining community and the greater 219 00:21:37,280 --> 00:21:44,159 Westchester and beyond fire communities work together and coordinate to protect 220 00:21:42,159 --> 00:21:48,960 life and limb and most of your volunteer. So with you and all of your 221 00:21:46,960 --> 00:21:54,360 200 volunteer firefighters that showed up, we just wanted to say thank you. 222 00:21:50,799 --> 00:21:54,360 Thank you very much. 223 00:21:57,919 --> 00:22:07,080 And you can all see Martha for your actual certificate. 224 00:22:02,000 --> 00:22:07,080 Oh, picture. Yes, sorry. Picture again. 225 00:22:56,559 --> 00:23:00,200 people. Good work. 226 00:23:57,760 --> 00:24:00,760 Good. 227 00:24:01,120 --> 00:24:04,480 » Thank you guys. >> Okay. 228 00:24:05,360 --> 00:24:12,200 Now, anybody that wants to stay for our audit report is absolutely welcome to 229 00:24:55,200 --> 00:24:58,600 very much. 230 00:25:07,840 --> 00:25:11,080 Yeah, right. 231 00:25:19,520 --> 00:25:22,520 Okay. 232 00:25:33,760 --> 00:25:37,799 Okay, perfect. 233 00:25:42,720 --> 00:25:50,400 Chief, could we close those two doors possibly? 234 00:25:47,679 --> 00:25:54,200 » How'd I get one? Stop listening. >> Okay, 235 00:25:50,799 --> 00:25:54,200 » my first one. 236 00:26:02,640 --> 00:26:09,080 Keith, there's one there for you, Keith. 237 00:26:17,840 --> 00:26:24,960 Okay. Uh, we're going to begin with our We're going to begin with our public 238 00:26:22,640 --> 00:26:31,960 hearings. Our 239 00:26:27,120 --> 00:26:31,960 first public hearing is we're going to 240 00:26:35,679 --> 00:26:42,720 Okay. I need a motion to table the first public hearing on local law 2026 241 00:26:40,960 --> 00:26:44,799 regulating drones in the town. Do I have a motion? 242 00:26:43,440 --> 00:26:49,159 » So moved. Second. >> All in favor? I 243 00:26:49,279 --> 00:26:58,559 » I do it all the time. Uh, our second public hearing will be the 2026 Cabaret 244 00:26:54,960 --> 00:27:03,279 license for Flames Bar and Grill LLC. There anyone online since there's no one 245 00:27:00,320 --> 00:27:09,760 left in our audience now um that would like to speak on that public hearing? 246 00:27:08,159 --> 00:27:14,559 Seeing no one, do I have a motion to close the public hearing on uh the 2026 247 00:27:12,559 --> 00:27:16,320 Cabaret license for Flame Spar and Grill? 248 00:27:15,039 --> 00:27:19,120 » So moved. Second. >> All in favor? 249 00:27:17,440 --> 00:27:22,600 » I. Special presentation. 250 00:27:22,720 --> 00:27:34,159 » Oh, there he is. Uh, the 2025 audit presentation. Robert A. Denell, CPA of 251 00:27:30,320 --> 00:27:38,080 PKF O'Conor Davies. And we would like to welcome our comproller, Dale Brennan, 252 00:27:36,080 --> 00:27:43,279 and our deputy comproller, Liz Nikari, who are also here. 253 00:27:40,159 --> 00:27:46,279 » Good evening. Okay, 254 00:27:47,360 --> 00:27:51,480 it's going to get a little bit quieter. 255 00:27:54,480 --> 00:28:01,240 » All right. Do we have the PowerPoint up um that we can present? 256 00:28:01,600 --> 00:28:06,039 » One moment, please. Yeah. 257 00:28:11,840 --> 00:28:15,840 Um, it's up and ready, Rob. Just let me know when you want me to skip to the 258 00:28:14,960 --> 00:28:19,760 next slide. Okay, >> you got it. Thank you. All right, so 259 00:28:18,080 --> 00:28:23,600 we'll start. Uh, good evening and thank you for having me present the audit 260 00:28:21,440 --> 00:28:27,520 results for the town of Austinine again for the fiscal year ended December 31st, 261 00:28:26,000 --> 00:28:32,159 2025. Uh, before I begin, I just wanted to 262 00:28:29,279 --> 00:28:36,559 thank all the finance folks led by Dale Brennan at the town uh for all their 263 00:28:34,480 --> 00:28:41,120 assistance throughout the audit process. We began this process sometime in 264 00:28:38,559 --> 00:28:47,279 December doing some preliminary work and we were able to issue this probably a 265 00:28:44,000 --> 00:28:51,760 month or so ago um or even sooner actually and we're here presenting the 266 00:28:49,360 --> 00:28:55,360 results. So again, thanks to to Dale and her team. Um so again, we prepared a 267 00:28:53,919 --> 00:29:00,000 PowerPoint rather than go through a 100page audit report. So uh if you turn 268 00:28:57,840 --> 00:29:03,000 to the next page, next slide, table of contents, 269 00:29:03,440 --> 00:29:09,440 we'll go through a brief overview and required communications. What are 270 00:29:07,279 --> 00:29:14,159 management's responsibilities? What are our responsibilities as your external 271 00:29:11,679 --> 00:29:18,240 auditors? The reports we have issued and the opinions we have rendered. Uh we'll 272 00:29:16,640 --> 00:29:22,720 spend a couple of minutes in the general fund and the town outside villages fund. 273 00:29:20,559 --> 00:29:27,919 Those are the main operating accounts of the town. We'll go through some budget 274 00:29:24,720 --> 00:29:32,480 to actual summary. Um, we do have a few slides and some three-year comparison of 275 00:29:30,480 --> 00:29:37,360 how you ended up as far as fund balance and a three-year comparison as well as 276 00:29:35,120 --> 00:29:40,640 your revenues and expenditures and maybe, you know, we won't spend that 277 00:29:39,039 --> 00:29:44,960 long on those, but it'll give you some trends uh that are happening. Same thing 278 00:29:43,120 --> 00:29:49,520 with the town outside village, a budget to actual summary and give you some uh 279 00:29:47,279 --> 00:29:54,080 some of the budget to actual revenues and expenses and then a three-year uh 280 00:29:51,760 --> 00:29:57,120 look back. Uh the town does operate other funds. We'll spend a couple of 281 00:29:55,279 --> 00:30:01,200 minutes on those funds as uh we have a slide on your debt service requirements, 282 00:29:59,279 --> 00:30:07,039 your your bonds outstanding and then we'll close with some summary closing 283 00:30:03,039 --> 00:30:10,880 points. So very quickly if next slide um although that we do prepare the 284 00:30:09,440 --> 00:30:14,640 financial statements we have to say they're ultimately management's 285 00:30:12,159 --> 00:30:18,799 responsibility. So we do make sure that management is selecting and implementing 286 00:30:16,480 --> 00:30:22,080 the appropriate county policies and fairly presenting the financial 287 00:30:20,559 --> 00:30:26,480 information in accordance with the standards generally accepted accounting 288 00:30:24,320 --> 00:30:29,760 principles that they're establishing and maintaining effective internal controls 289 00:30:28,159 --> 00:30:34,399 over financial reporting throughout the year and more importantly that they're 290 00:30:31,840 --> 00:30:39,360 in compliance with laws, regulations, provisions of contracts and then really 291 00:30:36,799 --> 00:30:43,520 providing us with all of the financial records so that we can complete the 292 00:30:40,799 --> 00:30:48,480 audit. Next slide. So our responsibility is we take all 293 00:30:46,720 --> 00:30:52,799 that information um and we are charged with rendering an 294 00:30:51,120 --> 00:30:58,000 opinion on the financial statements taken as a whole. You could go to the 295 00:30:54,799 --> 00:31:01,679 next slide if you don't mind. So again we are crunching numbers but ultimately 296 00:30:59,840 --> 00:31:05,120 we issue an opinion on on on the financial statements taken as a whole. 297 00:31:03,600 --> 00:31:08,880 It's the first couple of pages in the audit report entitled independent 298 00:31:06,720 --> 00:31:12,640 auditors report on the basic financial statements. We have issued what is 299 00:31:10,399 --> 00:31:17,279 termed an unmodified opinion. An unmodified opinion is a clean opinion. 300 00:31:14,799 --> 00:31:21,440 It's the highest level of assurance that an entity can receive and it basically 301 00:31:19,279 --> 00:31:27,520 states that the financial statements uh present fairly the financial position of 302 00:31:23,520 --> 00:31:31,520 the town again as of December 31st, 2025 and in accordance with the current 303 00:31:29,200 --> 00:31:35,520 accounting standards. We also issue a report on our required communications 304 00:31:33,440 --> 00:31:39,679 together with our management letter. I'm happy to report that although we did 305 00:31:37,200 --> 00:31:44,240 have a couple of comments, nothing rose to a level that we call a material 306 00:31:41,519 --> 00:31:49,120 weakness or a significant deficiency. Uh and we also audit the town justice court 307 00:31:46,320 --> 00:31:53,840 and we issue a separate report. Uh and during the course of our audit, um we 308 00:31:51,279 --> 00:31:57,919 are required to communicate any fraud or illegal illegal acts noted during the 309 00:31:55,919 --> 00:32:01,440 course of our audit. Again, I'm happy to report there were no allegations of 310 00:31:59,440 --> 00:32:06,240 fraud or actual fraud that was uncovered. uh business office very 311 00:32:03,519 --> 00:32:10,240 cooperative, no difficulties. Internal controls appear to be in place and 312 00:32:07,760 --> 00:32:13,600 operating as designed. What we mean by uncorrected or corrected misstates that 313 00:32:12,080 --> 00:32:18,320 just means if there was something that we proposed as far as an entry that it 314 00:32:16,320 --> 00:32:23,120 was recorded by management and it's included in your numbers and again the 315 00:32:20,399 --> 00:32:27,919 business office very cooperative. Uh next next slide. So this is a highle 316 00:32:26,080 --> 00:32:33,600 look at the general fund budget to actual summary. Uh details can be found 317 00:32:30,559 --> 00:32:37,760 on pages 64 to 69 in the actual audit report. You can see there are four 318 00:32:35,440 --> 00:32:44,080 columns. The original budget is what you folks, the town board approved back in 319 00:32:40,960 --> 00:32:47,840 the fall, I guess, of 2024. Uh I'm going to give you some highlevel numbers and 320 00:32:45,679 --> 00:32:53,440 then we'll get into details. Um but again, from a from a high level, $6.4 321 00:32:50,480 --> 00:32:58,559 million in revenues, almost $6 million in expenditures representing in excess 322 00:32:56,000 --> 00:33:04,080 of $495,000. When you factor in uh what we call other 323 00:33:00,880 --> 00:33:07,679 financing uses, those are transfers to other funds. Transfers to the debt 324 00:33:05,840 --> 00:33:12,320 service fund to cover your principal and interest on your outstanding debt. Uh 325 00:33:10,559 --> 00:33:17,840 transfers to the capital projects fund to do your ongoing capital improvements 326 00:33:14,960 --> 00:33:22,399 and transfers uh to the special purpose fund. You do operate a Dale Cemetery 327 00:33:20,399 --> 00:33:28,080 that requires some funding from the special uh purpose fund. When you factor 328 00:33:25,200 --> 00:33:32,720 in the the bracketed 529,000, you come down to that bracket at 33,000 and 329 00:33:30,559 --> 00:33:38,720 that's just open purchase orders from the prior year. Those automatically roll 330 00:33:35,120 --> 00:33:42,000 and amend the 2025 budget. The middle column is your final budget. Um during 331 00:33:40,399 --> 00:33:46,399 the year, you can amend the budget. You can see that your revenues went up about 332 00:33:44,240 --> 00:33:52,480 close to $400,000. The town did recognize a portion of its 333 00:33:48,640 --> 00:33:59,279 American Rescue Plan Act funding in 2025 to the tune of about 400 385,000 close 334 00:33:56,399 --> 00:34:04,000 to 400,000. So that was amended. Uh expenditures weren't really touched and 335 00:34:01,039 --> 00:34:09,119 and uh you could see the transfers out went up uh about a million dollars, a 336 00:34:06,240 --> 00:34:13,599 little over a million dollars. Uh and 385,000 was the ARPA, the American 337 00:34:11,919 --> 00:34:17,520 Rescue Plan Act funds that you recognize. Uh but the town did 338 00:34:15,679 --> 00:34:22,320 appropriate about a million dollars to cover some capital projects rather than 339 00:34:20,000 --> 00:34:25,839 going out and borrowing. Uh so from its own surplus it transferred about a 340 00:34:24,399 --> 00:34:30,879 million dollar. Some of the projects were the uh angle waterfront uh 341 00:34:28,560 --> 00:34:36,639 waterfront park capital project they transferred at $375,000 342 00:34:33,760 --> 00:34:42,320 and the geared back uh park project about $230,000. Those were some of the 343 00:34:39,599 --> 00:34:46,079 uh larger transfers. Third column is your actual results and you can see your 344 00:34:44,079 --> 00:34:52,240 actual revenues came in at a little over $7.2 million, $423,000 345 00:34:49,919 --> 00:34:56,720 better than your final budget. You also had expenditure savings of about a 346 00:34:54,240 --> 00:35:02,560 little over $97,000, $5.8 million compared to a budget of 347 00:34:59,599 --> 00:35:07,119 just under $6 million. Uh you take your revenue, subtract your expenses, you 348 00:35:04,320 --> 00:35:11,359 have an excess of $1.4 million. When you factor in transfers in and transfers out 349 00:35:09,280 --> 00:35:16,480 to the other funds, again remember these were planned transfers uh that you did 350 00:35:13,839 --> 00:35:20,880 for for capital projects mostly you come down to that net change in fund balance 351 00:35:18,880 --> 00:35:27,200 which just means that your expenses exceeded your revenues by $188,000 but 352 00:35:24,000 --> 00:35:32,640 as I mentioned you did transfer uh close to a million uh for these capital 353 00:35:29,520 --> 00:35:37,920 projects. So you subtract $188,000 from your opening fund balance of $6.9 354 00:35:34,880 --> 00:35:42,800 million and you do end the year at $6.7 million. So um although you do show a 355 00:35:41,200 --> 00:35:47,760 small loss I would call that break evening uh because you did make those 356 00:35:45,119 --> 00:35:51,920 transfers that's what caused that. So, um, overall a really good year in the 357 00:35:50,079 --> 00:35:55,839 general fund. And if you look at that net change in fund balance line, you can 358 00:35:53,920 --> 00:36:00,800 see that again, if everything went according to your budget, you would have 359 00:35:57,440 --> 00:36:05,920 anticipated using $762,000 of your own funds, and you only really 360 00:36:02,880 --> 00:36:11,680 needed to utilize $188,000. So, you had a budget surplus all the way to the 361 00:36:07,839 --> 00:36:16,480 right there of almost $575,000. U, so I mentioned you end the year at 362 00:36:13,599 --> 00:36:22,320 what, $6.7 million. If we go to the next slide, 363 00:36:18,320 --> 00:36:27,280 um, and we focus on the 20 2025 column, that's your 6.7 at the bottom. Um, it's 364 00:36:25,440 --> 00:36:33,920 broken down into really three buckets, if you will. Uh, $87,000 is what we call 365 00:36:31,200 --> 00:36:39,680 non-spendable fund balance for prepaid expenditures. That just means that you 366 00:36:35,520 --> 00:36:46,640 paid an insurance bill early for 2026 in 2025. So these funds are set aside and 367 00:36:42,880 --> 00:36:50,240 once that expense is recognized in 2026, it'll be taken from that bucket. You 368 00:36:48,720 --> 00:36:54,720 have a small amount of what we call purchase orders, $8,430. 369 00:36:52,800 --> 00:36:59,760 Again, this is going to automatically roll and amend the 2026 budget. And more 370 00:36:58,000 --> 00:37:06,240 importantly, you have unassigned fund balance of $6.6 million, which is free 371 00:37:02,640 --> 00:37:14,960 and clear to spend as you have utilized in doing capital projects. Um, so 6.6 6 372 00:37:10,480 --> 00:37:20,240 million on a 2026 adopted budget of $6.6 million. You have pretty much fund 373 00:37:17,200 --> 00:37:24,640 balance equal to 100% of of of next year's budget. 374 00:37:22,880 --> 00:37:29,040 So, next slide. How did you get there? Very quickly, um these are your 375 00:37:26,560 --> 00:37:33,920 revenues. Some of the uh amounts highlighted in green. I have some backup 376 00:37:31,359 --> 00:37:37,920 down below, but real property taxes. Real property taxes came in short of the 377 00:37:35,760 --> 00:37:42,000 budget. Uh that doesn't mean you're not going to collect those. there there are 378 00:37:39,760 --> 00:37:46,560 different rules. Um you can only recognize revenue to the extent that 379 00:37:43,760 --> 00:37:52,000 they're collected within 60 days of your fiscal year end. Uh so you have some 380 00:37:48,720 --> 00:37:56,640 slowpaying taxpayers. As I said, it doesn't mean you're not going to collect 381 00:37:53,200 --> 00:38:00,320 it. You'll probably get it in 2026. So there could be a chance that your 382 00:37:58,079 --> 00:38:04,720 revenues for real property taxes could exceed uh your budget because of this in 383 00:38:03,040 --> 00:38:08,800 2026. Other tax item the these are interest 384 00:38:06,640 --> 00:38:13,839 and penalties on taxes. you do have a budget of about $500,000. 385 00:38:11,440 --> 00:38:20,800 Uh those interest and penalties uh received exceeded the budget by $57,212 386 00:38:18,480 --> 00:38:24,720 that generated some of the surplus. And then if you go down to use of money and 387 00:38:22,720 --> 00:38:29,680 property, which is just another fancy name for interest earnings. And given 388 00:38:26,960 --> 00:38:37,040 that the interest rates slightly went down but stabilized, u you were able to 389 00:38:31,839 --> 00:38:42,320 generate uh interest income of $360,000 uh which was $270,000 390 00:38:39,760 --> 00:38:46,960 more than the final budget of $90,000. And again, it's interest earnings and 391 00:38:44,320 --> 00:38:51,359 and and includes some rental income in that line as well. The next line is your 392 00:38:49,440 --> 00:38:57,200 fines and forfeitures. These are tickets that your police officers issued. Again, 393 00:38:54,480 --> 00:39:02,800 um although less than the prior year from an actual perspective, the revenues 394 00:38:59,680 --> 00:39:08,880 generated were $392,000 and that did exceed the budget by over $182,000. 395 00:39:06,400 --> 00:39:13,040 And then lastly, under state aid, uh there is a caption there. The mortgage 396 00:39:10,560 --> 00:39:19,599 tax revenues, they did exceed the budget by approximately $10,000. Uh final 397 00:39:15,839 --> 00:39:23,680 budget was $461,000. He did receive over $472,000. 398 00:39:21,280 --> 00:39:29,839 So, the $423,000 was the revenue surplus that you saw. 399 00:39:26,160 --> 00:39:34,800 Um, if you turn the page, um, these are some of the the next slide. Um, these 400 00:39:33,359 --> 00:39:39,839 are some of the major revenues and giving you a three-year look back again. 401 00:39:36,960 --> 00:39:44,800 Real property taxes. Um, those are in line. You're the town has not exceeded 402 00:39:41,760 --> 00:39:50,240 the tax cap. You've you're within the 2% tax cap uh from actually for a long 403 00:39:47,680 --> 00:39:54,400 time. I just presented three years here. Your interest in penalties on taxes 404 00:39:52,079 --> 00:40:00,400 actually dropped in 2024, but it's trending upwards in 2025. You do provide 405 00:39:58,400 --> 00:40:04,720 clerk services for the town and village, and you do receive a revenue offset from 406 00:40:02,480 --> 00:40:10,240 the village. Uh historically, that's been around $2 $300,000. So, it did drop 407 00:40:07,760 --> 00:40:14,960 a little bit in 2024, but it's a little over $200,000 408 00:40:12,160 --> 00:40:20,240 and 25. Use of money and property, your interest earnings. again um you know we 409 00:40:17,760 --> 00:40:26,000 go back to 22 where we're getting out of the COVID years 22 23 uh we've expected 410 00:40:24,160 --> 00:40:31,599 interest rates to kind of go down they have stabilized um you did have pretty 411 00:40:28,400 --> 00:40:37,599 good interest uh earnings in 2024 it dipped a little bit in 2025 412 00:40:34,720 --> 00:40:44,079 um but relatively right around $300,000 on a $90,000 budget uh I'm sorry 413 00:40:40,560 --> 00:40:47,839 $378,000 on a $90,000 budget. your fines and forfeited bail. Again, these are 414 00:40:45,599 --> 00:40:54,079 your tickets and and your bail. Uh roughly about $400,000. It dropped a 415 00:40:50,240 --> 00:41:00,240 little bit in 2025. Uh state aid, your mortgage tax revenues. It's encouraging 416 00:40:56,400 --> 00:41:05,359 to see mortgage tax um on an upscale. It did dip a little bit 417 00:41:02,240 --> 00:41:10,800 in 24, but we're back up to uh numbers that we've seen in 23 and 22. And then 418 00:41:08,960 --> 00:41:16,960 all other categories I just wanted to tie into your overall uh revenues and 419 00:41:13,760 --> 00:41:21,359 that's just other items uh significant amount of items there. 420 00:41:19,359 --> 00:41:26,240 Uh we did the same thing if you next slide on your expenses. 421 00:41:23,520 --> 00:41:30,880 Um to the left there these are general terms your general government support 422 00:41:28,319 --> 00:41:35,839 basically the town's administrative costs from the supervisor's office the 423 00:41:33,359 --> 00:41:40,640 engineering office. you do pay certain tax or shirari claims from those, but 424 00:41:38,160 --> 00:41:47,680 you can see that generated a favorable variance all the way to the right of 425 00:41:42,960 --> 00:41:51,599 $72,000 on a $2.7 million budget. Uh you do have economic opportunity and 426 00:41:49,599 --> 00:41:57,280 development and these are your senior programs, nutrition programs, your 427 00:41:54,000 --> 00:42:04,319 transportation support services um to generate a small variance 7.7,200 428 00:42:02,000 --> 00:42:09,200 on a $726,000 budget. Your culture and recreation, 429 00:42:06,800 --> 00:42:13,359 which is your parks programs, also had a a favorable variance on the expenditure 430 00:42:11,200 --> 00:42:18,400 side. home and community services, which is your refuge and garbage, small 431 00:42:15,760 --> 00:42:22,480 surplus. Uh, again, on the expenditure side, and your employee benefits, which 432 00:42:21,040 --> 00:42:26,880 most significantly is your medical insurance, also was pretty much break 433 00:42:24,560 --> 00:42:31,440 even compared to your final budget. It's actually a little bit less than when uh 434 00:42:28,960 --> 00:42:34,880 you originally adopted. Your debt service is your interest on bond 435 00:42:33,200 --> 00:42:39,440 anticipation notes. And then you do have transfers as we talked about. uh you did 436 00:42:37,520 --> 00:42:44,240 amend the budget to transfer more money to the capital projects fund for ongoing 437 00:42:41,920 --> 00:42:47,839 capital activities, but overall you had expenditure savings of just under 438 00:42:46,000 --> 00:42:53,520 $100,000, about a little 1.6 million, 1.6% of the 439 00:42:51,440 --> 00:42:56,880 overall budget. Same thing on the expense side, just to 440 00:42:55,280 --> 00:43:02,400 give you some perspective on the next slide. Um a three-year comparison. Uh 441 00:43:00,400 --> 00:43:06,560 you can see your general again general government support your administrative 442 00:43:04,000 --> 00:43:13,040 cost pretty much in line over the past three years roughly about $2.6 million. 443 00:43:09,359 --> 00:43:18,480 Your transportation support services um did did see a little drop in 2024. You 444 00:43:15,920 --> 00:43:23,280 did purchase uh equipment that wasn't present in 25 and that accounts for the 445 00:43:21,040 --> 00:43:30,880 the expense expenditures being slightly less parks programs. Um we did see a 446 00:43:28,319 --> 00:43:36,160 a rise in salaries. You did hire a new full-time person in the parks department 447 00:43:33,680 --> 00:43:41,440 and you did purchase some equipment in 2025 and that results in the increase 448 00:43:38,880 --> 00:43:47,200 compared to 2024. State retirement is uh based on the 449 00:43:44,240 --> 00:43:52,079 employees that are reported uh at the contribution rate. The contribution rate 450 00:43:49,280 --> 00:43:58,640 is up slightly. Um, I believe it's up five or 6% and that really translates 451 00:43:55,119 --> 00:44:03,119 into a slight rise in your state retirement expenditures from um 33 452 00:44:01,440 --> 00:44:07,079 $34,000 and 24 to 355,25. 453 00:44:07,280 --> 00:44:13,599 And the good news is the medical insurance, the nice ship rates. Uh, we 454 00:44:10,880 --> 00:44:18,480 all expected some double digit increases and the rate increases wasn't as 455 00:44:15,760 --> 00:44:25,760 significant. um you did have less retirees and that translated into being 456 00:44:21,680 --> 00:44:29,599 a little bit less uh than 2024 and then you do have transfers out debt service 457 00:44:28,000 --> 00:44:34,319 fund that covers your principal and interest on debt pretty much in line 458 00:44:32,160 --> 00:44:40,160 based on the amortization schedules. Capital projects fund that's can change 459 00:44:36,880 --> 00:44:45,520 uh based on your capital needs. Um, you can see that last year you did work on 460 00:44:42,560 --> 00:44:51,520 that continued in 2025. And again, some of the funding in the special purpose 461 00:44:47,280 --> 00:44:55,440 fund is to cover the Dale Cemetery. Um, so that's the general fund. Next 462 00:44:53,359 --> 00:45:00,079 slide. Um, you do operate a town outside villages. Same presentation here. Um, 463 00:44:58,160 --> 00:45:06,319 four columns. The original budget is what you folks approved back in the fall 464 00:45:02,880 --> 00:45:11,440 again of 2024. Details can be found on pages 70 and 74 of the audit report. 465 00:45:08,960 --> 00:45:18,160 Again, from a high level, 4 point almost $4.7 million of revenues, expenditures 466 00:45:14,880 --> 00:45:22,400 of $4.4 million representing an excess. And when you factor out transfers again 467 00:45:20,480 --> 00:45:27,280 to other funds, you come down to that net change in fund balance of the 468 00:45:24,480 --> 00:45:35,119 bracket at $177,000. That represents two components. 77,928 469 00:45:31,520 --> 00:45:40,160 again are open purchase orders from 2024 that automatically roll and amend the 470 00:45:38,079 --> 00:45:46,480 2025 budget. That just means that the town committed to funds. It just didn't 471 00:45:42,560 --> 00:45:54,960 receive them as of December 31st 24. Um so again they automatically roll and the 472 00:45:49,599 --> 00:46:00,079 $100,000 is what the town um designated from its own fund balance in 24 to 473 00:45:57,760 --> 00:46:04,560 balance the 2025 um budget. 474 00:46:02,400 --> 00:46:11,200 Final budget very very little change in the final budget. Um again the town did 475 00:46:08,720 --> 00:46:17,599 uh appropriate some funds. You can see that net change in fund balance went 476 00:46:13,040 --> 00:46:21,920 from 177,000 to $214,000. So slight amendment about $30,000. 477 00:46:20,160 --> 00:46:27,040 Um and then you come to the third column, your actual results. Your actual 478 00:46:24,240 --> 00:46:32,960 revenues came in $485,000 better than your final budget and your you had 479 00:46:29,440 --> 00:46:37,440 expenditure savings of $195,000. So take revenue, subtract your expenses and 480 00:46:35,280 --> 00:46:42,480 subtract your other financing sources. You come down to that net change in fund 481 00:46:40,079 --> 00:46:47,599 balance. Again, you had revenues that exceeded expenditures by $464,000. 482 00:46:45,680 --> 00:46:53,520 So, you're able to add that to your opening fund balance of $5.7 million and 483 00:46:50,480 --> 00:46:57,760 you end the year at $6.2 million. Again, from a budgetary standpoint, that third 484 00:46:56,240 --> 00:47:04,160 line from the bottom, that change in fund balance, um you anticipated using 485 00:47:00,880 --> 00:47:08,160 $214,000 of your own funds. Um, but not only did you not need to utilize those, 486 00:47:05,839 --> 00:47:15,520 you actually generated a surplus in the town outside villages fund of $464,000. 487 00:47:12,000 --> 00:47:22,400 So that swing from anticipating using 214 to actually generating $464,000 488 00:47:20,000 --> 00:47:28,240 represents a budgetary surplus of almost $680,000. 489 00:47:25,359 --> 00:47:32,160 So again, uh, next slide. Um, we're going to focus on the 25 490 00:47:30,160 --> 00:47:36,640 column. You ended the year with $6.2 $2 million in fund balance. Again, same 491 00:47:34,720 --> 00:47:42,000 presentation. You have money set aside for prepaid expenditures. You do have 492 00:47:39,520 --> 00:47:46,800 money set uh restricted for cable television purposes to the tune of 493 00:47:44,640 --> 00:47:51,200 $347,000. So, that's slightly up. In the current 494 00:47:48,800 --> 00:47:56,800 year, you do have purchases on ordered and again, these will automatically roll 495 00:47:53,119 --> 00:48:02,160 and amend the 26 budget. uh you did utilize $50,000 to balance the current 496 00:47:59,520 --> 00:48:08,880 budget that you're in, the 2026 budget, and you do have a healthy fund balance 497 00:48:04,000 --> 00:48:14,000 of $5.7 million on an overall uh budget of about $5 million. 498 00:48:12,400 --> 00:48:19,359 Again, next slide. How did you get there? Again, here, same presentation. 499 00:48:16,880 --> 00:48:24,079 The two big factors again were your nonpropy taxes, which is really your 500 00:48:21,520 --> 00:48:28,160 sales tax revenues that the count that Westchester County shares with you. And 501 00:48:26,240 --> 00:48:33,920 you can see that those revenues exceeded the budget by $376,000. 502 00:48:31,200 --> 00:48:39,280 $1.2 million budget in your actual revenues came in at $1,576,000. 503 00:48:37,359 --> 00:48:43,599 And the other significant area is your use of money and property again which is 504 00:48:41,599 --> 00:48:49,200 your interest earnings which um generated income which was $44,000 505 00:48:46,720 --> 00:48:55,839 more than the final budget. And really those categories there uh translated 506 00:48:51,680 --> 00:48:59,839 into your revenue surplus of $484,000. Uh we did the same next slide. Uh those 507 00:48:58,160 --> 00:49:05,760 some of the major revenues just to give you uh some historical trends. Real 508 00:49:02,960 --> 00:49:10,559 property tax is all in line with the 2% property tax cap uh slightly up in 509 00:49:08,319 --> 00:49:16,079 accordance with the levy increase. Franchise fees are uh pretty much 510 00:49:13,520 --> 00:49:21,200 roughly around $160,000 over the past 3 years. Your nonpropy tax 511 00:49:18,800 --> 00:49:25,200 distribution from the county sales tax uh has been rising. It's trending 512 00:49:22,720 --> 00:49:29,599 upwards which is a great sign uh not only for Austin but all the communities 513 00:49:27,040 --> 00:49:34,319 in Westchester. Uh your departmental income which is your permit fees. Um we 514 00:49:32,079 --> 00:49:38,480 saw a little drop in 2024, but that's trending upwards. Uh you know, with the 515 00:49:37,040 --> 00:49:43,599 interest with the mortgage interest rates um being a little bit high still 516 00:49:41,440 --> 00:49:47,599 people are, you know, deciding to do some work and on their homes and pulling 517 00:49:45,839 --> 00:49:51,680 out permits and things like that. So that generated a pretty good surplus. 518 00:49:49,920 --> 00:49:56,240 And your state aid, your mortgage tax, we've seen um those are trending upwards 519 00:49:53,920 --> 00:50:01,359 as well. the the general fund and the town outside villages share in in that 520 00:49:58,960 --> 00:50:05,200 uh mortgage tax. Um and that's really it. I just wanted 521 00:50:03,280 --> 00:50:09,200 to tie in and I just put everything else in all other categories. So same thing 522 00:50:07,440 --> 00:50:14,960 on the expenditure side real quick. You had a u expenditure savings of in all 523 00:50:12,480 --> 00:50:19,040 categories. Um same setup. General support is your administrative cost. In 524 00:50:17,280 --> 00:50:24,559 this case your public safety is your police services. Um your culture and wer 525 00:50:22,160 --> 00:50:29,839 your parks program. Uh and then again your employee benefits overall you had 526 00:50:26,640 --> 00:50:35,839 expenditure savings of 195,000 a little over 4% of the town outside villages 527 00:50:32,880 --> 00:50:40,000 funds budget. Um 528 00:50:37,760 --> 00:50:44,640 next slide is just to give you some of the major expenditures. Again a 529 00:50:41,920 --> 00:50:48,559 three-year comparison. Um general government support is roughly around a 530 00:50:46,800 --> 00:50:53,520 half a million dollars. We did see a slight increase uh in the engineering 531 00:50:51,200 --> 00:51:00,000 department for some drainage work in 2025 and that resulted in that slight 532 00:50:56,079 --> 00:51:06,079 increase um in the police line and those are increases in salaries in accordance 533 00:51:02,000 --> 00:51:14,559 with your uh police IMA contract um from 2.5 to $2.6 million. Building inspection 534 00:51:10,240 --> 00:51:19,599 uh fees roughly around $200 $220,000. your intermunicipal agreement with the 535 00:51:16,240 --> 00:51:25,520 village slight increase um but gen generally around the 400 and 536 00:51:22,720 --> 00:51:29,440 $400,000 mark over the past three years and then the transfers are going to be 537 00:51:27,119 --> 00:51:36,240 on an annual basis of what's needed. Highway Department did a lot of paving 538 00:51:31,839 --> 00:51:42,400 in 2024, transferred more more funds. Um did significant amount of work in 25 as 539 00:51:39,359 --> 00:51:47,440 well, but not to the extent of 2024. Capital projects. Um again doing some 540 00:51:45,280 --> 00:51:54,800 capital work and debt services to cover some interest on your debt obligations. 541 00:51:51,839 --> 00:51:59,359 Next slide. Um you very quickly you do operate some other funds. You have a 542 00:51:57,359 --> 00:52:03,200 highway fund that remained strong that ended the year with revenues that 543 00:52:01,440 --> 00:52:09,599 exceeded the expenditures by a little over $63,000. You have a healthy fund 544 00:52:06,160 --> 00:52:13,680 balance there of $1.6 million which is a sign specifically for the highway 545 00:52:11,359 --> 00:52:17,920 department. You have a special districts fund where expenditures did exceed 546 00:52:16,240 --> 00:52:22,880 revenues. It was almost a break even year. You still have fund balance there 547 00:52:20,160 --> 00:52:27,680 to the tune of $970,000. again specifically assigned for special 548 00:52:25,040 --> 00:52:31,520 districts. And you do have an active capital projects fund. There are 549 00:52:29,040 --> 00:52:35,119 currently over 30 active projects. Although the fund does show a deficit of 550 00:52:33,599 --> 00:52:43,440 $1.19 million, it is supported by a $3.97 551 00:52:39,680 --> 00:52:48,720 million short-term bondicipation notes. Um the accounting for short-term 552 00:52:45,599 --> 00:52:54,480 bondication notes is different than when you issue uh permanent financing such as 553 00:52:51,760 --> 00:52:59,520 bonds. The short-term bond anticipation notes are not recognized as revenue 554 00:52:56,640 --> 00:53:04,640 until you pay them down or you convert them to permanent financing. So although 555 00:53:01,760 --> 00:53:10,400 the fund has a deficit overall, it is supported by short-term financing. 556 00:53:08,480 --> 00:53:15,520 That leads into the next slide which is your your this is your debt service 557 00:53:12,960 --> 00:53:21,040 obligations and this is your bonds only. You can see that the town has 1.86 558 00:53:18,079 --> 00:53:27,599 million in bonds outstanding at December 31st, 2025 with interest rates from a 559 00:53:24,720 --> 00:53:32,640 low of a half a percent to a high of 4.25%. 560 00:53:30,000 --> 00:53:39,440 Um the higher interest rate will be paid off um in in April of 2027. down at the 561 00:53:37,599 --> 00:53:43,599 bottom, we are required to report those payments to maturities over the next 562 00:53:41,920 --> 00:53:47,280 five years and then in increments of five years. So you can see your debt 563 00:53:45,680 --> 00:53:52,559 service requirements if we look at the total column is very small compared to 564 00:53:50,240 --> 00:53:59,839 your overall town and town outside villages funds uh 468,000 565 00:53:56,319 --> 00:54:05,200 that's probably less than 1%. Um, and then it it kind of drops down. Again, 566 00:54:02,880 --> 00:54:09,440 you do have short-term bonds and if you do convert them into permanent financing 567 00:54:07,760 --> 00:54:15,200 into bonds down the road, it could change uh what's due in 28 29 and so on. 568 00:54:13,520 --> 00:54:20,480 But right now, your debt service requirements are low overall. 569 00:54:18,240 --> 00:54:25,599 So, uh that's it. Next slide. And just some closing points. Um the town had a 570 00:54:23,200 --> 00:54:29,520 great year. uh town's in great uh financial health and that could be 571 00:54:27,040 --> 00:54:33,920 credited to you folks the town board as well as the finance department. You have 572 00:54:31,599 --> 00:54:39,119 demonstrated a history of uh prudent budgetary management and tax levy 573 00:54:36,480 --> 00:54:44,319 discipline. As I mentioned, you haven't exceeded the tax cap since uh I could 574 00:54:41,599 --> 00:54:48,079 recall. uh the general fund performed better than budget and you did have 575 00:54:45,760 --> 00:54:53,200 revenues exceeding the final budget by over $442,000 576 00:54:51,280 --> 00:54:58,480 and your expenditures were below budget by almost $100,000. So after plan 577 00:54:56,240 --> 00:55:03,440 transfers, your fund balance did show a modest decrease of $188,000 as 578 00:55:01,359 --> 00:55:10,000 discussed, but your overall fund balance is at a healthy $6.7 million. And the 579 00:55:06,720 --> 00:55:13,920 tan outside fund also had favorable um had a favorable year with revenues that 580 00:55:11,680 --> 00:55:18,000 exceeded the budget and expenditures that were below the budget and actually 581 00:55:15,920 --> 00:55:23,040 increasing fund balance uh by approximately $465,000. 582 00:55:20,880 --> 00:55:30,160 So why is all that important? Because it's going to help you when you uh come 583 00:55:25,520 --> 00:55:33,839 and sit to formulate your 2027 budget in the fall of this year. It's going to 584 00:55:32,079 --> 00:55:38,400 improve your cash flow. You have a great bond rating. So that translates into 585 00:55:36,400 --> 00:55:43,040 better interest earnings when you do decide to go out and get some permanent 586 00:55:40,480 --> 00:55:50,400 financing. Um it allows you to fund unexpected um budgets or uh revenue 587 00:55:47,040 --> 00:55:54,880 shortfalls. In your case, the town did uh transfer some funds to the capital 588 00:55:53,040 --> 00:55:58,799 projects fund for its ongoing capital improvements rather than going out to 589 00:55:56,880 --> 00:56:05,200 borrow funds. So it allows the opportunity to do that by having uh that 590 00:56:02,000 --> 00:56:10,319 fund balance. Um and you do the town does guarantee the full payment of the 591 00:56:07,599 --> 00:56:15,760 school district warrants. Um so the town pays the school uh no matter if it's 592 00:56:12,480 --> 00:56:20,160 collected and they assume um the the uncollected taxes. So from a cash flow 593 00:56:18,000 --> 00:56:24,960 perspective the town has to factor that in but overall you do have uh you know 594 00:56:22,559 --> 00:56:28,400 fund balance to account for that. Um there are a couple of pronouncements at 595 00:56:26,480 --> 00:56:34,160 the bottom there that will impact the uh town uh in 2026 and we will work with 596 00:56:31,839 --> 00:56:37,680 the finance department to make sure that those are implemented. But overall a 597 00:56:35,760 --> 00:56:43,480 great year. I know I went through a lot of numbers in a short time but if 598 00:56:39,920 --> 00:56:43,480 there's any questions. 599 00:56:45,359 --> 00:56:53,440 No, we appreciate the uh thorough comprehensive 600 00:56:50,720 --> 00:56:55,599 uh brought going through it. You want to 601 00:56:55,040 --> 00:57:00,359 say something? >> Yes. Um thank you for the effort. 602 00:57:05,920 --> 00:57:12,720 Um just want to thank the finance team and 603 00:57:10,160 --> 00:57:17,400 effort very strong confident. 604 00:57:17,599 --> 00:57:24,160 Yeah. And and Martha, we can't forget Martha who does a lot of work. So 605 00:57:21,200 --> 00:57:28,000 between Martha, Dale, and Liz, um myself, we really keep an eye on the 606 00:57:26,559 --> 00:57:31,359 numbers. And I really do have to thank the department heads for being 607 00:57:29,280 --> 00:57:38,319 responsible and really thinking through each person purchase and each process. 608 00:57:34,799 --> 00:57:46,640 Um, we work hard to make every dollar count. So, and thank you for putting 609 00:57:43,280 --> 00:57:50,440 that all in paper for us. So, have anything to add, Dale? 610 00:57:53,440 --> 00:58:01,359 » Uh, I just wanted to say a big thank you obviously to the town board and town 611 00:57:58,880 --> 00:58:08,400 supervisor and of course, Magical Martha. Um, but of course to the finance 612 00:58:04,880 --> 00:58:14,240 team as well, Liz Nikari's on um who really uh they all everybody pitches in. 613 00:58:11,839 --> 00:58:19,280 There's never anybody that says, you know, can't do it, don't have time. Even 614 00:58:17,440 --> 00:58:22,960 if they don't, they don't tell me that. So [laughter] 615 00:58:20,960 --> 00:58:27,839 that that that's something else. And and a huge thank you to Rob and his team. Uh 616 00:58:25,680 --> 00:58:32,480 always always a learning experience because of all these new pronouncements 617 00:58:29,680 --> 00:58:35,599 every year. So, um, get ready for the next ones, right, Ron? [laughter] 618 00:58:34,240 --> 00:58:40,079 » Yeah. >> So, I appreciate that because they they 619 00:58:37,599 --> 00:58:45,520 they're they're a huge help and and and help us keep the train train moving. 620 00:58:43,839 --> 00:58:49,599 » Yeah. You definitely keep us on our toes with what we have to go find for you. 621 00:58:47,870 --> 00:58:55,119 [laughter] >> We'll find a receipt from Okay. 622 00:58:53,760 --> 00:58:56,319 » Anyway, thank you. >> Thank you. 623 00:58:55,760 --> 00:59:00,720 » Thank you. >> Thank you. 624 00:58:58,960 --> 00:59:05,680 » Okay. Okay, thank you very much. Moving on, supervisor and town board 625 00:59:04,240 --> 00:59:10,240 announcements. >> Okay, 626 00:59:08,240 --> 00:59:14,400 the Austining River Jam Con summer concert series finale is this Friday 627 00:59:12,400 --> 00:59:19,680 with another great evening of live music on our waterfront. This week's featured 628 00:59:16,720 --> 00:59:24,240 performer is the Barn Barn Vultures performing a mix of classic Americana 629 00:59:21,839 --> 00:59:29,280 and Roots Rock. The food trucks will begin serving at 5:00 p.m. and the 630 00:59:26,240 --> 00:59:34,960 concert starts at 7:00 p.m. Lewis Engle Spray Park remains open 7 631 00:59:31,520 --> 00:59:39,440 days a week from noon until 7:00 p.m. During periods of extreme heat, the town 632 00:59:37,119 --> 00:59:43,760 may extend the operating hours 1 hour in the morning and 1 hour in the evening. 633 00:59:41,599 --> 00:59:48,559 Any scheduled changes will be announced on the town website and Facebook page. 634 00:59:46,400 --> 00:59:52,799 Residents visiting the John Paul Rodriguez Operations Center at 101 Route 635 00:59:50,799 --> 00:59:58,400 9A are reminded that the building is secured daily at 3:30 p.m. Appointments 636 00:59:56,000 --> 01:00:02,960 are available between 3:30 and 4:30 for town applicants and submissions by 637 01:00:00,960 --> 01:00:06,760 contacting the building department in advance at 9147628419. 638 01:00:08,640 --> 01:00:16,559 We're also pleased to remind the residents that the Aston Havstra ferry 639 01:00:12,480 --> 01:00:22,799 is offering hourly weekly weekend hourly weekend service also on Saturdays and 640 01:00:18,880 --> 01:00:27,280 Sunday through October 31st. Naerta Health and Wellness Journey will 641 01:00:24,640 --> 01:00:31,839 be hosting free guided meditation on Wednesday, August 26 at 5:30 at the 642 01:00:29,680 --> 01:00:35,200 Cedar Lane Art Center. There will also be a wellness talk and additional 643 01:00:33,599 --> 01:00:38,720 giveaways. The friends of Old Croin Aqueduct are 644 01:00:37,200 --> 01:00:45,119 running an invasive plant removal extravaganza on Saturday, August 29th 645 01:00:41,920 --> 01:00:49,440 from 11 10:00 a.m. to 3 p.m. Learn from the expert crew leaders of the N New 646 01:00:47,760 --> 01:00:54,160 York New Jersey trail conferences invasive strike force to manage invasive 647 01:00:51,920 --> 01:00:58,480 grasses and bushes. No experience is needed and tools will be provided. For 648 01:00:56,720 --> 01:01:02,280 more information, please visit aqueduct.org. 649 01:01:03,440 --> 01:01:10,559 The 7th annual ASA Hispanical Festival is scheduled for Saturday, September 650 01:01:08,319 --> 01:01:15,760 12th. Join them for a vibrant celebration of Hispanic culture. Enjoy 651 01:01:12,960 --> 01:01:19,920 live Latin music, folklore, dance, and authentic food. The event also features 652 01:01:18,240 --> 01:01:24,960 arts, crafts, family-friendly activities, and is presented by Austrian 653 01:01:22,640 --> 01:01:30,880 Padre Suspenos. It will take place at Nelson Park from noon until 7:00 p.m. 654 01:01:28,640 --> 01:01:35,040 Up the Rivers Blues Festival returns this year Saturday, September 12th at 655 01:01:32,880 --> 01:01:40,440 the Louiswis Englewaterfront Park. For more information, please visit up the 656 01:01:36,880 --> 01:01:40,440 ros riverbluesfest.com. 657 01:01:41,200 --> 01:01:48,640 Elig eligible moderate income household households may qualify for monthly 658 01:01:46,799 --> 01:01:53,440 utility bill discounts through the New York State Expanded Energy Affordability 659 01:01:50,799 --> 01:01:56,440 Program. To learn more, please visit nyapp.com/program. 660 01:01:59,040 --> 01:02:04,960 Jazz at the Lodge continues every Thursday evening. Please visit 661 01:02:02,640 --> 01:02:09,200 jazzatthewthedge.com for the performance schedule and additional details. 662 01:02:07,680 --> 01:02:12,720 Sustainable Westchester reminds residents that its free grid rewards 663 01:02:10,799 --> 01:02:17,839 program allows participants to earn incentives by reducing electricity 664 01:02:15,200 --> 01:02:22,400 during periods of peak demand. Additional information is available at 665 01:02:19,599 --> 01:02:26,480 sustainable westchester.org. Neighbors Link continues to provide 666 01:02:24,160 --> 01:02:30,240 valuable services and trusted resources for our immigrant community, including 667 01:02:28,559 --> 01:02:34,240 know your rights webinars offered in both English and Spanish. Residents can 668 01:02:32,559 --> 01:02:37,839 find information for trusted local professionals by visiting 669 01:02:35,440 --> 01:02:42,400 neighborslink.org and selecting the resources page. The Austining Public 670 01:02:40,640 --> 01:02:46,480 Library continues to offer outstanding educational culture and family program 671 01:02:44,480 --> 01:02:50,400 throughout the year. For the latest calendar of events, please visit the 672 01:02:48,240 --> 01:02:56,559 library's website or follow its official Facebook page. Um, they are doing 673 01:02:53,200 --> 01:03:02,480 construction and they will be possibly moving their book um, lending 674 01:03:00,079 --> 01:03:07,520 services to alternate locations. So, please keep an eye out for that as well. 675 01:03:04,960 --> 01:03:12,480 The Loft LGBTQ plus community center offers a wide range of support programs, 676 01:03:10,319 --> 01:03:17,039 groups, educational opportunities, and community resources for LGBTQ plus 677 01:03:14,960 --> 01:03:21,839 individuals and families. For more information, P is available at the 678 01:03:18,960 --> 01:03:25,280 lofgaycenter.org. And as always, there are many more 679 01:03:23,599 --> 01:03:29,520 exciting events taking place in our community and we have time to mention. I 680 01:03:27,520 --> 01:03:33,119 encourage everyone to visit the weekly supervisors update on the supervisor's 681 01:03:31,440 --> 01:03:37,440 page to stay informed about upcoming events, programs, and opportunities 682 01:03:35,200 --> 01:03:41,720 throughout the town of Austin. Thank you. Anybody have any 683 01:03:44,079 --> 01:03:48,960 » Oh, >> nothing waterfront 684 01:03:46,319 --> 01:03:54,319 » and it's the 25th anniversary, I can't believe it, of 911. And there will be a 685 01:03:52,079 --> 01:03:58,960 waterfront ceremony at >> Louis Engle Park. From 5 to 8:00 PM 686 01:03:57,680 --> 01:04:02,880 911 >> from 5 to 8:00 p.m. at Louiswis Engle 687 01:04:01,039 --> 01:04:07,680 Park. We'll give you more information next week. 688 01:04:04,720 --> 01:04:10,720 Thank you. I think it's two weeks. Two weeks. 689 01:04:08,319 --> 01:04:13,839 » Yep. And I think we have one more meeting before that. 690 01:04:11,599 --> 01:04:18,400 » Yeah, he said she'll give them. 691 01:04:16,559 --> 01:04:24,160 Okay. [clears throat] Thank you all. Moving on, public comment 692 01:04:21,599 --> 01:04:27,359 on agenda items. Visitors are accorded a fourminuted opportunity to address the 693 01:04:25,760 --> 01:04:32,480 board on any of the resolutions on the agenda. Is there anyone online that 694 01:04:28,960 --> 01:04:35,680 would like to raise their virtual hand? No one. Let's move on to board 695 01:04:33,839 --> 01:04:40,000 resolutions. Approval of minutes regular meeting August 11th, 2026. 696 01:04:38,559 --> 01:04:44,400 Resolve that the town board of the town of Austin hereby approves the August 697 01:04:41,920 --> 01:04:46,240 11th, 2026 minutes of the regular meeting as presented. Do I have a 698 01:04:45,680 --> 01:04:47,839 motion? >> So move. 699 01:04:46,880 --> 01:04:50,160 » Second. >> In favor? 700 01:04:48,799 --> 01:04:53,760 » I. I >> approval of voucher detail report that 701 01:04:52,480 --> 01:04:59,200 the board of trustees of the village of Austin hereby approves the voucher 702 01:04:55,440 --> 01:05:02,760 detail report dated August 25th 2026 in the amount of $588,58648. 703 01:05:04,240 --> 01:05:09,599 Do I have a motion? >> So move second. 704 01:05:06,720 --> 01:05:13,160 » All in favor? Hi, I'm wrong group. 705 01:05:14,319 --> 01:05:19,839 » Personnel appointment highway seasonal labor resolved that the board of 706 01:05:17,440 --> 01:05:23,599 trustees of board of trustees resolved that the town board of the town of 707 01:05:21,119 --> 01:05:28,079 Austin hereby uh appoints Jonathan Aurora Austining to a seasonal position 708 01:05:26,160 --> 01:05:34,079 of labor on the town highway department at an hourly rate of $17 an hour 709 01:05:31,119 --> 01:05:37,920 effective August 17th, 2026. Do I have a motion? 710 01:05:36,079 --> 01:05:41,599 » So moved. All in favor? >> I 711 01:05:40,480 --> 01:05:45,440 personel, [laughter] >> we had a second on there, didn't 712 01:05:42,720 --> 01:05:49,440 » Sorry, I said I didn't second. >> Personnel appointment highway seasonal 713 01:05:47,280 --> 01:05:53,680 labor resolved that the town board of the town of Austin appoints Darien 714 01:05:51,760 --> 01:05:56,680 Blocking Blocking 715 01:05:56,960 --> 01:06:03,119 to the seasonal position of labor for the town highway department at an hourly 716 01:06:00,799 --> 01:06:06,799 rate of $17 an hour effective August 17th, 2026. Do I have a motion? 717 01:06:06,000 --> 01:06:10,400 » Move. Second. >> All in favor? 718 01:06:07,920 --> 01:06:14,240 » I. >> New York State Liquor Authority special 719 01:06:12,160 --> 01:06:18,000 event permit up the river Bluesfest resolve the town board of the town of 720 01:06:15,839 --> 01:06:22,079 Austin hereby authorizes the supervisor to sign a landlord authorization form 721 01:06:20,319 --> 01:06:27,520 for the New York State Liquor Authority special event permit application for 722 01:06:24,559 --> 01:06:33,359 each of the following vendors. 6° or less brewery and wana sip for a craft 723 01:06:30,799 --> 01:06:38,880 beverage corral at the up the river Bluesfest event September 12th 2026 at 724 01:06:36,799 --> 01:06:42,079 Lewis Angel Park and be it further resolved that each applicant will 725 01:06:40,480 --> 01:06:47,039 provide the proof of insurance and a letter of indemnity to the town in a 726 01:06:44,640 --> 01:06:49,760 form acceptable to council for the to to the town. I have a motion. 727 01:06:48,559 --> 01:06:58,280 » So moved. Second. >> All in favor? I 728 01:06:53,200 --> 01:06:58,280 » finance capital project 2026-5271-2026 729 01:06:59,440 --> 01:07:05,839 chapar and Gord Gordon stream slope reinforcement for the highway department 730 01:07:04,400 --> 01:07:12,559 resolved that the town board of the town of Austin authorize the opening of the 731 01:07:08,559 --> 01:07:18,640 2026 capital project 2026-5271 entitled the 2026 chapar and Gordon 732 01:07:15,599 --> 01:07:23,119 stream slope reinforcement for the for the town highway department with 733 01:07:20,319 --> 01:07:28,400 projected budget of $70,000 and the project will be funded by transfers for 734 01:07:24,960 --> 01:07:33,359 the fund highway fund balance of $70,000 and the ins and outs of uh the debits 735 01:07:31,280 --> 01:07:37,039 and the credits are will be posted on the clerk's bulletin board and on the 736 01:07:35,520 --> 01:07:39,440 web page. Do I have a motion? >> So moved. Second. 737 01:07:38,480 --> 01:07:44,400 » All in favor? >> I. Resolution Park nullles amendment to 738 01:07:42,720 --> 01:07:48,640 the affordable declaration. And whereas due to fire in building one of a 739 01:07:46,000 --> 01:07:52,960 two-building multi-family residential rental property located at 87 Hawks 740 01:07:51,440 --> 01:07:57,760 Avenue known as Parthnos, residents of building 741 01:07:55,520 --> 01:08:03,039 one have been displaced and whereas the owner of the property of Parthnos LLC 742 01:08:00,319 --> 01:08:07,839 has requested the town temporarily authorized modification to the owner's 743 01:08:05,280 --> 01:08:13,200 declaration of restricted covenants for affordable housing dated December 2nd, 744 01:08:10,480 --> 01:08:18,719 2021 and allow displaced residents of building one to reside in those two of 745 01:08:15,280 --> 01:08:23,839 the designated below market rate units at the current at the currently vacant 746 01:08:21,440 --> 01:08:27,679 in building that are currently vacant in building two. And whereas while the town 747 01:08:25,759 --> 01:08:33,359 board recognizes the need for affordable housing giving the BMR units are vacant 748 01:08:31,440 --> 01:08:37,040 and there are Austining residents who currently have nowhere to live, the town 749 01:08:35,199 --> 01:08:42,000 board believes it's unprecedented and time-sensitive circumstances warrant 750 01:08:39,359 --> 01:08:47,440 temporary allowing of these two units to be used to for the displaced market rate 751 01:08:44,560 --> 01:08:52,719 residents of building one provided there is a plan in place for the owner to 752 01:08:49,759 --> 01:08:57,440 reestablish the BMR units with a reasonable period of time and that a 753 01:08:54,880 --> 01:09:03,199 third vacant BMR unit in building 2 be rented to a former occupant of building 754 01:09:00,400 --> 01:09:06,560 one BMU. And therefore, be it resolved that the town board hereby authorizes 755 01:09:05,120 --> 01:09:10,480 the supervisor to enter into the agreement amending the declaration of 756 01:09:08,319 --> 01:09:16,159 restricted covenants for affordable housing effective a excuse me August 757 01:09:13,359 --> 01:09:18,239 18th, 2026. Do I have a motion? >> So moved. Second. 758 01:09:17,279 --> 01:09:22,719 » All in favor? >> I. 759 01:09:19,839 --> 01:09:27,679 Resolution tax certuary statement by Cliff Commons. Be resolved that on upon 760 01:09:25,359 --> 01:09:31,839 recommendation of the town assessor and the town council and findings to be in 761 01:09:30,319 --> 01:09:36,239 the best interest of the town, the town board approves a settlement of tax 762 01:09:33,759 --> 01:09:42,640 circuitary proceedings pending at 139 Scarboro LLC versus the town of Austin 763 01:09:39,839 --> 01:09:46,120 at all Westchester County Supreme Court index 71702-2825 764 01:09:47,600 --> 01:09:55,920 for the property located at 139 Scarbor Road, village of Briercliffe Manor, town 765 01:09:52,480 --> 01:10:01,760 of testing as to set forth in a proposed consent uh judgment for assessments for 766 01:09:58,400 --> 01:10:05,000 year 2025 the estimated total tax refund of $1,224.33 767 01:10:05,360 --> 01:10:11,679 and a 2026 final assessment role to value the subject property at $2 768 01:10:09,760 --> 01:10:15,600 million. And we had further resolved that the 769 01:10:13,600 --> 01:10:20,640 town supervisor, the town assessor, the town receiver of taxes, town controller, 770 01:10:18,239 --> 01:10:25,280 the town council and other revelent revelent staff are authorized to take 771 01:10:23,120 --> 01:10:30,239 the necessary step steps and appropriate actions to ex execute, file, process and 772 01:10:28,320 --> 01:10:33,520 make payment on the aforementioned settlement. Do I have a motion? 773 01:10:32,000 --> 01:10:38,480 » No move. >> Can we have it as amended? Um just the 774 01:10:36,000 --> 01:10:46,360 heading um it's not even the resolution itself but um the Brier Cliff Commons is 775 01:10:41,600 --> 01:10:46,360 incorrect. It should be 139 Scarboro. 776 01:10:46,480 --> 01:10:52,239 » Do I have a motion as amended? >> The motion as amended. 777 01:10:50,080 --> 01:10:56,120 » Second as amended. >> All in favor? 778 01:10:53,120 --> 01:10:56,120 » I 779 01:10:58,400 --> 01:11:05,120 I'll uh resolution taxuary uh settlement Eminem realy corporation. That's 780 01:11:04,640 --> 01:11:09,679 correct. >> Excellent. Uh, be it res I just want to 781 01:11:07,360 --> 01:11:13,199 know it ahead of time. Of course, I read the whole thing and didn't realize. Uh, 782 01:11:11,520 --> 01:11:17,440 be it resolved at the recommendation of the town assessor and the town council 783 01:11:15,760 --> 01:11:21,280 and finding that be in the best interest of the town, the town board approves the 784 01:11:19,040 --> 01:11:26,800 settlement of taxuary proceeding pending for Eminem realy corporation versus the 785 01:11:23,600 --> 01:11:31,920 town of Osning at all Westchester County Supreme Court. And then the indexes 786 01:11:29,520 --> 01:11:37,120 follow for the property located at 520 North State Road, town of Austining and 787 01:11:34,320 --> 01:11:43,280 set as set forth in the proposed consent judgment for the assessment year 2025 788 01:11:39,360 --> 01:11:48,719 with an estimated total t tax refund of $2,528 789 01:11:45,840 --> 01:11:55,360 and a 2026 final assessment rule to reflect the aggregate value of the 790 01:11:50,800 --> 01:11:58,719 subject parcels at $74,000. And be it further resolved that the 791 01:11:56,800 --> 01:12:03,840 board the town supervisor board supervisor town supervisor, town 792 01:12:01,199 --> 01:12:07,199 assessor, town receiver of taxes, town controller, town council and other 793 01:12:05,440 --> 01:12:10,719 relevant staff are authorized to take the necessary steps and appropriate 794 01:12:08,640 --> 01:12:14,719 action to execute, file, process and make payment on the aformation 795 01:12:13,120 --> 01:12:16,719 settlement. Do I have a motion? >> So move second. 796 01:12:15,760 --> 01:12:22,440 » All in favor? >> I. 797 01:12:18,480 --> 01:12:22,440 » Okay. Monthly reports. 798 01:12:23,199 --> 01:12:29,040 Resolve the town board of town of Austin hereby accepts the following monthly 799 01:12:26,320 --> 01:12:33,920 reports for the month of July 2026. Dale Cemetery and Highway Department. 800 01:12:31,840 --> 01:12:38,480 There's a recognition. Visitors shall be accorded a fourm minute opportunity to 801 01:12:35,600 --> 01:12:42,080 speak. Is it motion vote on the res? >> I apologize. I should have done that. 802 01:12:40,159 --> 01:12:43,360 Okay. Do I have a motion? >> So move. 803 01:12:42,880 --> 01:12:50,239 » Second. >> All in favor? I 804 01:12:46,000 --> 01:12:53,679 » pass. I'm so close. Visitor recognition. Visitors are accorded a one fourm minute 805 01:12:52,239 --> 01:12:58,480 opportunity to speak. Is there anyone online that wishes to speak to the ward? 806 01:12:55,920 --> 01:13:03,080 Thank you. And do I have a motion to adjurnn? Are you going into executive 807 01:13:00,080 --> 01:13:03,080 session? 808 01:13:04,080 --> 01:13:10,480 Um Martha, do you have anything? I think we're good. 809 01:13:09,199 --> 01:13:14,080 » Motion to adjurnn. >> So move. Second. 810 01:13:11,679 --> 01:13:19,440 » All in favor? Hi. >> Hey. I'd like to thank everybody for 811 01:13:15,920 --> 01:13:23,120 joining us um our meeting and for our recognition of the amazing first 812 01:13:21,520 --> 01:13:31,320 responders that are in our community and beyond. Um 813 01:13:26,960 --> 01:13:31,320 see you when is our next meeting? 814 01:13:32,000 --> 01:13:38,080 September 1st. See you September 1st work session, right? 815 01:13:37,360 --> 01:13:43,760 » Town hall meeting. >> Town hall. 816 01:13:39,120 --> 01:13:43,760 » Or a town hall meeting. Thank you.