[This transcript was generated automatically from audio using AI and hasn't been reviewed by a person -- it can contain mistakes, including plausible-sounding sentences that were never actually said. Treat it as a starting point, not a verbatim record.]

[0:13] Thank you.
[0:42] Good to meet
[0:49] you.
[1:07] Good evening everyone. We just completed a special meeting of the Town Board, which we adjourn
[1:14] to executive session to discuss computer security. May I have a motion and a second to adjourn
[1:19] special meeting of the town board.
[1:22] No move.
[1:23] Second.
[1:23] All in favor?
[1:25] Thank you.
[1:26] I now convene a regular meeting of the town board.
[1:29] And I ask that you join us in the pledge of allegiance.
[1:38] I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America into the Republic for which it stands.
[1:45] One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.
[1:51] Thank you.
[1:52] I have nine announcements this evening.
[1:53] First, thank you to the American Legion Post, 1040 Blanchard Curry Post, for another wonderful
[1:59] memorial day parade, and ceremony of Veterans Memorial Park.
[2:03] Thousands of residents lined the streets and hundreds walked in the parade and it was a perfect
[2:07] day for honoring fallen soldiers and celebrating our community.
[2:12] Second, congratulations to the Bethlehem Historical Association for 60 years of showcasing
[2:17] our town's fascinating history.
[2:19] Their Museum in the Little Red School House on River Road in Selkirk always has interesting displays and the regular news letter is a great read so for more information visit www.bethelhamhistorical.org.
[2:34] Third, Delmar Bethelham EMS, the non-profit who stands ready to deliver emergency medical services every hour of every day,
[2:42] We'll be holding our community open house on Saturday May 31st from 11am to 3pm at their
[2:48] station on Adam Street near the four corners. Check out the Dalmar Bethlehem EMS Facebook page
[2:54] for more information. Fourth, Thursdays on the park will kick off on Thursday June 12 at 6pm with
[3:02] Magician Sean Robinson. Join your neighbors at LMAF, Park to enjoy a slide of hand, comedy,
[3:07] and mind-reading unmatched by any other magician.
[3:12] Check out the Park Playbook and the Parks and Rec website for the complete schedule of performances
[3:16] which will continue each Thursday, weather permitting through August 14th.
[3:21] And speaking of Parks, the pool complex is scheduled to open on Friday, June 13, June 13th,
[3:29] featuring a beautifully rebuilt and restored Olympic pool, our exceptional pool complex now
[3:35] Most completely restored pools in addition to a great splash park and curly fries, burgers and more at the concession stand.
[3:43] Remember that you need a pool flop to enter the park complex or be sure to visit the Parks and Rec website for guidance on how to do this.
[3:52] Sixth, the Bethlehem Garden Club's annual garden tour will be held on Wednesday, June 11 from 4 to 8 p.m. at 8 gardens throughout town.
[4:00] You can get more information and advance tickets at www. Bethlehem Garden Club, New York, or NY.org.
[4:10] 7. Our town clerk Kim Witzit is pleased to announce that her office can now issue state hunting and fishing licenses and tags.
[4:18] Check out the clerk's page on the town website for more information on this new service.
[4:23] 8. The planning board is continuing to prepare zoning law updates to implement the recommendation
[4:29] of the Towns Comprehensive Plan. The board meets regularly on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday
[4:34] of each month, and all zoning law update meetings are open to the public. You can find the
[4:39] latest draft documents associated with zoning districts, land use, and development regulations
[4:44] by going to the town website homepage and clicking the zoning changes update link on
[4:49] website of the page. Also the planning board holds a public comment period at the end of each meeting
[4:54] and also accepts written comment via email at Bethlehem Forward, a town of Bethlehem.org.
[5:01] And finally, community members can receive email and text notifications of meeting agendas events
[5:06] and more by signing up for notifications on the town website. To do this, go to the town website,
[5:12] click the blue notification button on the left side of the page and select the town website on the
[5:17] the page and select the things you want to be told about. So that's all I have. Anyone
[5:21] have any additional announcements this evening?
[5:27] What's to go first? Go ahead Joyce.
[5:32] Again, I'm going to announce that, come meet new friends and dance your heart out. That's going
[5:38] to be on Friday evening. Today's to the hits of the 70s, enjoy light refreshments and where
[5:44] your best retro outfit. That's going to be here in the town hall, the music of Earth Wind and Fire,
[5:50] Abba, the Beegees, and Donna Summer.
[5:55] Come join us, it's a free event with light refreshments.
[5:59] No need to register, just be a walk-in.
[6:02] Take care.
[6:08] I want to encourage everyone, you know, let's all get revved up
[6:11] for the Tom McCormick Memorial Car Show.
[6:14] At the Bethlehem YMCA this Sunday,
[6:17] it will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
[6:19] Get ready for, to bring the whole family,
[6:21] enjoy some amazing looking cars, some classics,
[6:23] live music by a DJ food trucks. It's fun for all ages. It's $5 for adults and free
[6:29] for kids. So I hope you'll join me at the YMCA on Sunday.
[6:35] I just wanted to remind folks that the town has set up a dedicated
[6:39] phone line for water-related concerns and water quality issues that
[6:42] numbers 518-694-464-0. We have the town of that
[6:47] lens been active for 5-6 weeks now, did it? A little bit longer?
[6:52] Water quality hotline? Water quality hotline has been up since I
[6:55] I think, January.
[6:56] Okay, even longer than that than I don't even know what that is.
[6:59] But that line is up and active so please do call in with any concerns or DPW staff can
[7:04] get right on them.
[7:05] Thank you.
[7:07] All right.
[7:07] We're going to move on to public comments.
[7:09] The public comment period at each time board meeting is an opportunity for people to share
[7:13] their thoughts and ideas on issues.
[7:15] We have a public hearing immediately following the public comments regarding submission at
[7:20] the 2025 micro enterprise grant program grant application,
[7:24] so please hold comments on that topic until the public hearing.
[7:27] To keep the meeting moving smoothly,
[7:29] we have established a town board public comment policy,
[7:32] which is available in the back of the room,
[7:34] included in it are three things that everyone needs to respect.
[7:37] First, comments may not exceed five minutes.
[7:40] We want everyone to have an opportunity to speak,
[7:42] while the board and the audience are fresh,
[7:44] and we want to be respectful of others
[7:46] who may want to speak as well.
[7:48] Second, audience members are asked to help maintain an environment that is welcoming and
[7:53] respectful of all speakers by not applauding or otherwise expressing support for or
[7:58] opposition to other speakers.
[8:01] And third, the town board typically does not respond to questions or comments during the
[8:04] public comment period, but we're always happy to speak with you directly at other times.
[8:08] So with that said, would anyone like to address the town board this evening?
[8:14] Good evening, my name is George Harder, and I live at 15 Euclidav and Delmar.
[8:22] For the 18th time, when will you permanently shut off the valve at the Clapper Road Water
[8:28] filtration plant that allows carcinogens, such as Tri-Hellumethane, PFOA's, PFA's, and
[8:36] PCBs, into our drinking water system.
[8:39] Any level of carcinogens is dangerous and no level of carcinogens is safe to drink as you claim.
[8:49] Stop deliberately poisoning and killing Bethlehem residents. Stop ripping off the taxpayers by wasting multi-millions of our dollars on quote extensive investments on quote for so-called improvements that will never rectify the situation at this failed facility.
[9:08] The use of this water should be restricted for commercial and industrial purposes only, as it had been for about 12 years after the plant became operational.
[9:21] The Beacon Island Fiasco has compounded the water pollution problem.
[9:27] You allowed clear-cutting wall vegetation on the island that exposed highly toxic chemicals
[9:34] in fly ash that was dumped there for decades.
[9:38] These toxic chemicals were dispersed into the air, onto the land, and into the river.
[9:45] 11 wells in the river drew up the chemicals and fed them to the Clapper Road facility, from which they were sent into our drinking water system.
[9:56] The county legislature should prohibit the use of the Hudson River as source water for the drinking water system in Bethlehem and throughout the county.
[10:07] You should stop your false assertion that water drawn from the aquifer under the river is not Hudson River water.
[10:16] Any reasonable person knows that the Hudson River water and any contaminants and pollutants are pulled by gravity through the soil into the aquifer.
[10:27] And this process has been taking place since the end of the last Ice Age.
[10:33] Also, pollution of the river has been continuously occurring since the first Europeans arrived
[10:40] here 500 years ago.
[10:45] Your ignorance and arrogance make you unfit to govern our town.
[10:49] Your inaction leads me to conclude that you just don't care about the health and welfare
[10:54] of residents and business owners alike.
[10:58] You have a responsibility to care for the common good but you are failing to do so.
[11:03] You should all resign immediately. Thank you.
[11:07] Thank you. We didn't want else like to address the town board.
[11:14] All right, Michael Carey was a blow or civil rights disability rights advocate.
[11:22] Between four or five thousand people die in the mental health care system.
[11:27] Every year, mandate reporters report into town, town hides the deaths from the medical
[11:32] of examers and corners, local police, and the district attorneys.
[11:36] Same thing with sex crimes.
[11:38] This is going on.
[11:39] You try to say it was not factual.
[11:41] I didn't try to bring evidence to the police,
[11:44] which is not true.
[11:45] I've asked the police to investigate.
[11:46] I've never asked you to investigate.
[11:48] They asked you to simply do a letter to the feds.
[11:51] They asked for federal investigations.
[11:53] Why you're not doing that?
[11:54] It makes no sense.
[11:55] I'm asking you to do it again.
[11:57] These crimes have to stop.
[11:58] These state and federal crimes are occurring in town at the stop.
[12:02] The city mail I read this public record, dear Mr. Potter and all town officials, as a well-known
[12:08] well-respected town resident, whistleblower, civil rights, this bill rights advocate.
[12:11] I continue to blow the whistle to you and inform each of you that numerous state and federal
[12:15] crimes continue at 161 Delaware Avenue across from the Delaware Plaza. Thousands of people
[12:21] with disabilities that are incompetent and physically disabled are being harmed and killed as
[12:25] those that are committing these heinous crimes against them are protected and shielded
[12:30] from criminal prosecution, it's all happening here in town.
[12:33] The Betham police department's top officials have full knowledge of these criminal activities
[12:37] and some of the specific individuals directly involved and have continued to look the other
[12:42] way.
[12:43] Chief Court Chair and Deputy Chief Rexford, I've asked you to remove them and you haven't done
[12:49] so.
[12:50] They're not doing their job.
[12:51] I have made numerous attempts via personal meetings, town board meetings, email, certified
[12:55] letters, touch evidence, seeking emergency actions by the town to get the Feds in
[12:59] to know a veil and outright refusal to simply write a letter to a U.S. Attorney-Pay on
[13:04] Bondi, seeking criminal and civil rights investigations. Why? What are you afraid of?
[13:09] And outright refusal to simply write a letter to the FBI Director Cash Patel, ask you
[13:15] for a special investigations unit to investigate the public corruption, criminal cover-ups,
[13:19] a massive Medicaid fraud. Why aren't you doing it? What are you afraid of? Who is directing
[13:25] you to stand down and do nothing,
[13:30] you know, is it the governor, is it the governor, Kathy
[13:33] Hockel, is it Attorney General James, is it, is the board being told by the supervisor
[13:39] van Louvre and to stand down, do nothing? I'm asking these answers to be in writing back
[13:46] to me since you don't, you just do nothing here.
[13:51] Play Sergeant Schultsey, I know nothing
[13:53] see nothing, you know everything and you have responsibilities.
[13:59] The common denominator that I
[14:01] that everyone involved in the crimes are protecting them, also crimes, are the same political
[14:05] party.
[14:06] Everybody's involved is in the Democratic Party.
[14:10] For the record, I'm not in any party.
[14:13] And this is in about a party, but a party political corruption and protecting one another.
[14:18] And not people with disabilities and mental health problems is insanity and it's illegal.
[14:25] Please explain why you would write the state asking them to make a safety adjustments to
[14:29] road where two people in the general public died, but you won't write the DOJ and FBI letters
[14:35] when I've requested you as the town officials, close to 50,000 people with disabilities
[14:40] that I represent and have been called, and I, 161 Della Rav and almost all were kept
[14:48] from medical examers, county district attorneys, and a high percentage of these deaths are
[14:52] intelligent desk that are being covered up in town with the knowledge of the
[15:00] The President, please, to pardon. My advice to each of you is that you remember and honor your oath of office, instead of continue to look the other way and do nothing.
[15:08] Now, one more minute should be wasted. You cannot continue to protect the criminal obstruction of justice and lawlessness occurring in our town.
[15:15] I once again blew the whistle on this last town board meeting, May 14, about the 15th time at least.
[15:24] In the presence of most of you, including Bethlehem, please Chief Courtshire, I've asked you to remove her from her duties due to her involvement in the cover-ups.
[15:34] She is criminally obstructing justice.
[15:36] You have not done so yet. Why?
[15:40] I've informed each of you that the State of New York has been used.
[15:43] The Bethlehem Police Department attempts to illegally try to intimidate me for my whistleblower efforts to try to frighten my family.
[15:51] Show it up at my house.
[15:52] 20 seconds Michael
[15:56] you defame me. I left last time you said what I was saying was not true
[16:00] You need to ask you to apology
[16:02] Yeah, the memorial day you said you wouldn't do it. I'm asking publicly that you apologize if you don't think I'm speaking something true
[16:09] Speak it at my presence and you owe me apologies and you need to get the feds in here now
[16:15] Thank you. Would anyone else like to address the town board this evening?
[16:33] Hi
[16:34] And my comments will be regarding the tree resolution, first I want to thank the town for
[16:43] advancing the resolution to manage and protect the street teas in our town.
[16:51] I think it shows a lot of leadership and also much foresight.
[16:55] You understand the value of trees and the importance of maintaining our tree canopy.
[17:01] So I live near the Normanside Gulf course, and I walk the streets in that neighborhood
[17:04] including Euclid in Burhans multiple times a day, year round, during the summer I absolutely
[17:11] depend on the canopy of those trees for relief from the sun and so does my dog.
[17:18] I know that some of those silver maples on Burhans and Euclid are approaching the end of their
[17:24] life and they will need to come down for safety reasons and I hope that each one that is taken down
[17:31] will be replaced by another tree to maintain the tree canopy in that neighborhood.
[17:36] Development of the Education of Materials, describing the many public and private benefits
[17:41] of street trees, and the selection of trees that would be appropriate for replanting is
[17:47] going to be extremely critical.
[17:51] I want to volunteer my expertise to the town to help develop these materials to frame the
[17:57] to encourage homeowners to allow the highway department to replace the street trees that may be removed.
[18:04] When I worked at NYSERDA, I managed the behavior research program there.
[18:08] I have a educational background in behavioral science, and I also have experience applying behavioral insights for positive change.
[18:20] The educational materials should be from the town of Bethlehem, not from the highway department, and that will be critical.
[18:28] And also not from another entity, because the town of Bethham is a trusted messenger that the neighbor's will respect.
[18:38] And again, I want to thank you for your leadership and for recognizing the importance of trees in our town and the importance for protecting them.
[18:48] Thank you.
[18:48] Would anyone else like to address the town board?
[19:00] Good evening.
[19:00] I'm Dr. David Hoffman.
[19:02] I reside on East Popular Drive in Delmar, and I also would like to address the Tree Resolution.
[19:11] I think this resolution is a big step in the right direction for the town, and I applaud
[19:16] this effort.
[19:17] The recognition that trees provide value is in many ways essential, and the fact that the
[19:24] town board is considering this recognition is an important step.
[19:28] The whereas clauses of the resolution describe many of the benefits we can all enjoy with more care for trees,
[19:36] preserving trees whenever safe and possible, and planting trees whenever one is removed and where trees have previously been removed and not replaced.
[19:48] The education products and programs for town staff and the public that are referenced in the resolution
[19:55] can assist us now and in the future.
[19:59] The presence of a new town tree advisory committee mentioned in the resolution can assist with guidance for the appropriate removal or replacement of trees going forward.
[20:11] I'm hopeful that this action and those that follow will serve as informative and inspirational
[20:17] to local businesses and residents to consider planting or replanting trees to achieve all of the
[20:25] benefits outlined. I applaud the effort of the town board considering this resolution as
[20:31] a movement toward a healthier, safer and more attractive community. Thank you.
[20:38] Thank you. Would anyone else like to address the town board this evening?
[20:46] First, for sure, I live in 86, Somerset Drive in Glenmont.
[20:51] I'm tempted to say what they said, but a couple of notes here, we've moved to town
[20:57] about 40 years ago, but attracted by the four corners, the tree canopy, which is a term I've
[21:03] just learned, and schools.
[21:05] We decided to retire here about 15 years ago for about the same things, plus the community,
[21:12] and now trader Joe's.
[21:14] So I'm here speaking in support of the tree resolution and the effort that David Van Lovan has given us to pull all the pieces together and go through a lot of our
[21:26] more expansive thing and come to what I think is a pretty good package to start looking at our tree.
[21:32] So I think if you looked at over the 40 years that I've been here drone shots over each five years you see a lot less trees here now than then.
[21:42] And so I think it makes the town tree management a lot more important
[21:46] that we do as the best we can do to preserve those trees to replace and maintain them
[21:52] the best we can.
[21:53] I think the Tree Advisory Committee will provide an act of source for educational materials
[21:58] and to advocate for the trees in the sense if you can do that.
[22:03] The development of an Everest, like I talked to our first, in that was helpful for expertise.
[22:09] And I think that you think it was just mentioned the fact that you'll have some sort of a little guidance
[22:15] thing to look at in your front yard if you're replacing a tree.
[22:19] What do I put there?
[22:20] And you typically, I would typically pick the wrong thing.
[22:23] This will give you some guidance as to how tall the root structure and all that.
[22:27] So that's helpful.
[22:29] You get a little bit of community complaining about raking leaves, but it's pretty nice
[22:34] and the fall to sit there under those leaves.
[22:36] Yes, so I again speak in favor of this and thank you so much and I hope the board will give it consideration.
[22:44] Thank you. Would anyone else like to address the town board?
[22:54] Supervisor Rand Loven. Members of the town board. Thank you for this opportunity. My name is Pam Skripack.
[23:00] I live at 98 Cellsbury Road. I want to also express my thanks for you taking up a vote on this
[23:07] management resolution and strongly encourage you to vote yes for it. It is a step forward
[23:12] in our communities effort to protect one of our most precious assets which is our trees.
[23:18] I served with many others on that tree committee and while I was not one of the most active
[23:23] participants I can tell you we worked hard and for a very long time to try and create something that
[23:28] is thoughtful and reasonable and provides for the protection maintenance and when necessary replacement
[23:34] of our current treeline streets with carefully selected need of trees that will provide a multitude
[23:40] of benefits. I think we have all seen how poor tree management can significantly diminish a
[23:45] neighborhood as well as negatively impact the environment. I don't think I need to tell you
[23:51] the environmental associate economic and health-related benefits of trees, but let me just mention a
[23:56] few anyway that I hope you're all familiar with. Trees provide for air quality improvement and
[24:02] absorb pollutants like carbon monoxide.
[24:05] They sequester carbon, absorbing carbon monoxide dioxide to help reduce the impacts of climate
[24:10] change.
[24:11] They regulate temperature, so tree line sheets, tree line streets will provide shade.
[24:17] They also release moisture cooling this around in air and reducing heat.
[24:22] They provide for storm water management, tree roots, absorb rainwater, reduce runoff,
[24:27] helping prevent flooding and erosion, which is a greater and greater concern as we have
[24:31] moisture due to climate change. Obviously, we know that trees support birds and sex and other
[24:38] wildlife maintaining biodiversity. There is a lot of research about how green spaces and trees
[24:43] reduce stress, anxiety and depression, and lead to healthy communities. Physical health, it
[24:50] allows people to stay outside longer, promoting exercise and outdoor activity. Community
[24:55] Patreys create community spaces in our parks on our neighborhoods that are more
[25:00] void inviting and enjoyable trees save energy shading buildings helps
[25:08] reduce the need for air conditioning trees improve and increase
[25:13] property values homes and businesses near trees often have higher property
[25:17] values associated with them and they and beautiful tree line neighborhoods
[25:22] are exactly the kind of time the ones that we want to spend time in. So as a
[25:25] community being a tree line community will attract customers and tours and visitors to come
[25:32] into our town.
[25:33] So I ensure our trees are essential for creating a healthier and more sustainable and more
[25:38] vibrant towns.
[25:39] We have lost many, many, many trees over the last 10, 20, 30 years with the increasing
[25:45] development.
[25:46] We don't have this resolution does not yet speak to a requirement for landscape or landscape
[25:53] is following developers, developers, to install trees, but it is an essential and we hope that
[25:59] the town of Bethlehem will actually become a leader and an inspiration to homeowners, to
[26:03] developers and to other communities in adopting this. So thank you for taking into consideration,
[26:09] thank you for your interest in this issue and thank you for taking it into consideration. Thank you.
[26:17] Thank you. Would anyone else like to address the town board?
[26:23] Linda Juzinski from South Bethlehem, the Champlain Hudson power line has been going through
[26:31] for the past year and a half down South Albany Road, West Jard Road. It has really disrupted
[26:36] life down in South Bethlehem and going through those roads. But I remember and I'm not my memories
[26:43] not so great, I'm getting older. There was supposed to be some money that the town was to get
[26:48] for the line going down West Yard Road.
[26:53] I believe it was a couple hundred thousand dollars.
[26:55] And when I was here the last time talking about it,
[26:58] you said you would definitely be using it in the south Bethlehem area,
[27:02] because we are the ones affected by that power line.
[27:05] So I'd like to know where it is, how much it is,
[27:08] and what you're going to do with it.
[27:11] I was out on my 10-eye house the other day,
[27:14] and one of the highway department guys stopped
[27:17] to talk to me and he told me that they're going to be digging up the side of the road to put
[27:24] in a 15-inch pipeline to drain the swamp at the top of the road. Now I always thought
[27:33] swamps were wet and wet lands were supposed to be protected because they're so important in
[27:37] the amphibians that are living there are supposed to be protected. You guys even help them cross
[27:42] the street.
[27:44] But I was kind of surprised to hear this. And so I asked to see the plans, the engineering
[27:51] plans and what they plan to do. And he said, oh, we're just going to dig it up and we're
[27:55] going to put in some catch basins and we're going to dump it at the bottom of the hill because
[28:00] water flows downhill. Which, of course, the two houses at the bottom of the hill have flooded
[28:06] basements a lot when the rain comes because of the topography down there and the creek and
[28:13] everything else. So I asked where I was going to go after that and he said, well, I'll go in
[28:17] the creek and I'm like, hmm, I didn't think storm water should be going into the creek but
[28:22] well, whatever. But I have concerns because there's no plans. I'd like to see plans. I'd like to
[28:30] know what you're going to do. I'd like to know how you're going to repair the drive ways you're
[28:35] Take care of the lawns and gardens and the gas lines that are there and make sure that
[28:42] this doesn't make a situation worse because catch basins overflow when too much water
[28:46] comes through it.
[28:48] And I also have concerns because I have an aging parent in the house there and there are
[28:53] people going in and out of that house four or five times a day to take care of them.
[28:57] So we really can't have the road closed off or the driveway closed off at this time, which street is that again?
[29:07] Ten-Ike Avenue, ten-Ike, down in South Bethlehem.
[29:13] And I've been up here a couple of times talking about the four wheelers, ATVs, motorcycles,
[29:19] dirt bikes that go up and down the road, and it is very annoying.
[29:23] I mean, there's 4 or 5 of them going 70 miles an hour down 396 on people's backends, doing
[29:32] wheelies down the road and now we're getting harassed by the parachuting lawn chair people
[29:40] that are circling around. Now I know the police don't have anything they can do about that,
[29:45] but I really am getting tired of three, four times having screaming motorcycles and I'm way off
[29:51] road. So, and I can hear them coming way down, picked away road. I'd like to have something
[29:57] done about that. Thank you.
[30:00] Thank you. Would anyone else like to address the town board?
[30:04] And Linda, could you please send me your email address so I can follow up with you?
[30:12] I'm new to this. I'm sorry. My name's Harry Sheavers. I've spoken with you on numerous occasions via emails and such.
[30:21] I live in the Brookfield Development Cross from the High School and Eagle Elementary.
[30:25] And my concern is elementary age, young adult, other pedestrian, safety, particularly at the corner of a long metal, and a 443 otherwise known as the Delaware Turnpike, which begins in Skahari, and moves unfettered until it gets to my grandchildren's crosswalk.
[30:53] ostensibly at 35 miles an hour.
[30:57] And just giving you an update, I have like three or four balls in the air with y'all.
[31:04] I've been talking with folks affiliated with the town planner, as well as the transportation
[31:12] and pedestrian committee.
[31:15] One of my recommendations was sent up.
[31:17] I don't know how they voted on it, but it was sent up to the nice dot region one.
[31:25] I thought it was a reasonable request to proactively reduce the probability of the
[31:32] facility at this intersection at a minimal cost.
[31:36] For example, a high-end smiley face sign.
[31:40] I've noticed I can buy for 1699 on eBay or someplace.
[31:45] So presumably this doesn't cost a lot of money to fix this.
[31:51] DOT has, I'll spare you the details,
[31:54] but they said, no, you can't have a school zone,
[31:57] and we can't reduce the speed.
[31:59] However, 30 feet to the east, there is a school zone.
[32:05] So my theory is my feeling,
[32:09] I've been researching this,
[32:10] so I've just got out of my cave of looking at nice doc,
[32:20] But I really think they're wrong on this.
[32:26] I've tried to follow their logic, their engineering logic,
[32:30] and I hope it's for a physiological reason,
[32:33] or they're just afraid that people will get distracted
[32:37] by two sets of lights, a school light,
[32:40] and then what they call the signal light.
[32:44] I've talked to some of my engineer friends, and my worst fear is that they did this back in 2003.
[32:51] They made this revision to the federal highway requirements, and I think they did it for money, for budgetary reasons.
[33:04] I can't see any other reason why you wouldn't do this.
[33:10] Let's see,
[33:13] I'm sorry, so anyway,
[33:18] the safety of our children, the young adults attending
[33:23] the high school and the other pedestrians, this has got to be in the top three, right,
[33:27] people for the town.
[33:29] Okay, I mean, this is no nonsense, so I've been asking the town for years to remove the
[33:38] because you see if there's a pile of snow where the pedestrians wait, where the kids wait,
[33:43] then they have to go stand three feet closer to traffic, that's accelerating out of the Clarksville
[33:50] or coming into 35 miles an hour.
[33:53] Okay, so the snow should be removed.
[33:57] Okay, and I haven't heard anything on that.
[34:00] So again, I'm trying to be proactive here.
[34:03] I think I understand what they're saying.
[34:07] I took a quick look at, I apologize for not getting involved earlier.
[34:12] I was supposed to show up here in July to make comments about the transportation plan going east from Ellsner, okay, to the city line.
[34:23] It looks great.
[34:24] I don't know where the money comes from.
[34:26] I personally think the design at the corner there by CVS is dangerous.
[34:35] I think the children should be encouraged to move closer to Elzmir and cross there.
[34:42] I personally think the top most dangerous intersections are Elzmir, over there by the stewards.
[34:52] 20 seconds.
[34:54] I will please call me on this.
[34:57] And my solution.
[34:58] I'm sorry.
[34:58] My solution, I think, is to begin a to come traffic out by the YMCA down to 40 miles an hour.
[35:07] And then drop it down to 30 and then to introduce the school zone.
[35:11] And please, somebody please call me on this because I still have some else.
[35:15] Outstanding questions.
[35:16] I apologize.
[35:17] Okay.
[35:17] Thank you.
[35:19] Would anyone else like to address the town board?
[35:21] All
[35:25] right, we're going to move on to our public hearing and thank you everyone for your comments this evening.
[35:32] Just as with the public comment period, we asked that speakers please keep their comments to five minutes or less,
[35:37] that audience members be respectful of all speakers by not applauding or otherwise expressing support for or opposition to speakers.
[35:45] So with that said, may I have a motion and a second to open a public hearing to solicit public comment on the submission of the 2025 micro enterprise program grant
[35:54] application to the New York State Office of Homes and Community Renewal.
[35:59] So moved.
[36:00] All in favor?
[36:01] Aye.
[36:02] May I have a motion and a second to to to forgo the reading of the public notice and to
[36:08] indent the notice into the minutes?
[36:10] So moved.
[36:11] Second.
[36:12] All in favor?
[36:13] Brianna, do you have a presentation for you?
[36:16] Brianna.
[36:17] Brianna.
[36:18] Brianna.
[36:21] Brianna.
[36:22] Brianna.
[36:23] Brianna.
[36:23] Brianna.
[36:24] prize grant program is, so if people do have comment, they know exactly what they're commenting
[36:28] on. My name is Brienne Connor. I'm the senior economic developer here at the town of Bethlehem.
[36:33] If you haven't met me before, it's because I'm relatively new in the position. Thank you guys for
[36:37] giving me the opportunity to share a little bit more about this program. So we're about to put
[36:42] in the grant application with the Department of Home and Community Renewal. I'll tell you a
[36:49] little bit about the background of the program. This program is made possible with the New York
[36:53] state office of homes and community renewal, the town of Bethlehem has administered this grant
[36:58] in four previous rounds, 2014, 16, 18 and 2021. This program has provided 36 separate grant
[37:06] awards totaling almost $700,000 since 2014. That is just for town of Bethlehem,
[37:14] micro enterprise businesses. The 2025 town of Bethlehem
[37:19] request this time is $200,000, $180,000 of that goes directly to grants for businesses.
[37:26] 20,000 of that is program administration delivery fees. Additional funds are available. If we
[37:32] use up all of that $200,000, we have more interested businesses we can request more funds.
[37:39] These are many of our local businesses that have been previous grant recipients.
[37:43] You will probably recognize many of your favorites up there.
[37:48] Their success has been supported by this program.
[37:56] The way this program works is that awards are provided to the businesses that in the awards range from 5,000 to 35,000.
[38:05] They tell us their project, they make a budget for it, and they apply based on the amount that they are hoping to receive within that range.
[38:12] The grant funds may cover up to 90% of their total project costs.
[38:16] We are expecting them to put in a little bit, 10%, the primary goal of this program because
[38:24] of the way that it's funded through the federal government is that it creates or sustains
[38:28] a permanent job, principally for a person of low to moderate income.
[38:32] So this can be the owner of the business or it can be a new job that that business creates
[38:37] and hires for.
[38:40] This program is realized through support of businesses, specifically micro enterprises, so we aren't paying for the job, we aren't paying someone salary, but we're paying for a project that helps the business grow so the business can support their own payroll.
[38:58] A micro enterprise is a commercial enterprise that has five or fewer employees.
[39:03] One of those would be the owner at the time of the application.
[39:07] The business would be a private for-profit business, a corporation, partnership, or
[39:13] sole proprietorship that is already legally licensed and operating.
[39:18] And the applicant's future or existing business location must be within the town of Bethlehem.
[39:22] So we're not given money away to businesses that are not operating in the town of Bethlehem.
[39:29] The grant funds can be used by the applicant to purchase capital goods, machinery, furniture,
[39:34] fixtures, equipment, or provide working capital in some cases to support business operations.
[39:40] Grant funds cannot be used to purchase real estate to repay existing debt or to undertake any kind of construction or renovation.
[39:50] Here's some examples of things that these grant funds have been used for before.
[39:56] The top left is Warbler Brewery and some brewing equipment.
[40:03] I don't know how it works, but it looks fancy.
[40:07] Top notch athletics, if you guys have ever been out to their place, really fun facility and
[40:13] they were able to use this funds to outfit that.
[40:16] Brutish Roasting, this is a big coffee roaster over on the right-hand side there, Max Ross Insurance and support for updated computer equipment and Sandy seedlings, which is this wonderful playground for this child care provider in our town.
[40:38] There are many stories of this because like I said there's been 36 separate awards over the life of this program.
[40:46] So, what's next is following this public hearing, the grant will be submitted.
[40:52] If awarded, we'll provide public information sessions in the fall, it late summer fall
[40:57] for any interested businesses, so they know exactly how to apply and how they can receive
[41:02] these grants.
[41:03] They will open it up for applications in the last quarter of the year, participants complete
[41:08] training, provide documentation of their projects, and then they receive the grant funds.
[41:13] I'm excited to give away some money, you guys.
[41:17] This is the part where if any of you have anything you would like to say, as part of this public hearing about the application of this grant, you have the opportunity to do so.
[41:29] Thank you, Brian.
[41:30] Would anyone like to share their thoughts on this proposed grant application?
[41:38] Well, that a lot of competition for this one.
[41:40] I'm good evening everybody, Terry Egan on behalf of the Beth
[41:43] on Chamber of Commerce.
[41:44] I don't want to repeat that many of the things that Brand said,
[41:49] but we are here to clearly support this application.
[41:54] I know certainly I've heard more in-speak very highly of this program
[41:57] in the past as well as many of the other town board members here.
[42:01] It is a phenomenal program.
[42:03] As you can see, 36 businesses here in town and I want to underline
[42:06] it's here in town, so we as residents are receiving the benefit of what comes out of this in addition
[42:13] to the business owner themselves, and importantly, we are giving opportunities for employment
[42:18] here in town, and hopefully people live here, play here, and work here.
[42:23] So we are asking for your support letting you know that certainly as the Chamber of Commerce,
[42:29] we support it wholeheartedly.
[42:31] We've been working with Rob in Breann's absence and we're very thrilled to have her here.
[42:37] Hopefully helping out to get this program kicked back off again.
[42:40] We know we've had a lot of interest from many of our members about when is it going to start again.
[42:46] So I think you will have many applications starting to line up.
[42:50] Importantly, as well, the chambers stands ready willing and able to assist.
[42:54] We've started discussions with Rob and Breann about how we can help.
[42:58] There are certain requirements of this program, technical requirements that we're hoping that with the chamber we can help with that.
[43:06] One underlying, you do not need to be a chamber member to be an applicant or take advantage of this.
[43:11] Our interest is just business improvement here in the town in general.
[43:16] So again, we're here to help anyway we can and we would certainly request your support for this application.
[43:23] Thank you very much.
[43:25] Thank you. We didn't know when else like to address the town board on this.
[43:30] I'm sorry. I'm a newbie to this. Just a quick question. I noticed one of the slides had
[43:36] past users of this. Yeah, past recipients of this.
[43:39] So they're quite a few of those. So are they success stories?
[43:44] So I'm sorry. The public comment period is an opportunity for you to provide comments.
[43:49] If you have questions, you should talk to Brian after the public.
[43:52] Okay, all right, so my comment would be,
[43:55] I would like to make sure, or I would like to know more
[43:59] about the longevity of the employees.
[44:02] Great.
[44:04] Thank you.
[44:04] Thank you.
[44:06] But anyone else like to address the town board?
[44:10] I just want to say quickly.
[44:13] I suspect that this is a federal funded program,
[44:17] and so they probably input these requirements into place.
[44:21] But if there's any way that this could be expanded to support non-profits doing social enterprise,
[44:26] I would be delighted personally.
[44:29] So I just want to put that out there if we have any control over that.
[44:32] It would be wonderful if such a thing could also be included.
[44:35] Thank you.
[44:35] Thank you.
[44:36] We did anyone else like to address the town board?
[44:43] With that, we are going to close the public hearing.
[44:49] So are there any questions or comments from the board?
[44:53] I didn't know if we were going to talk, but I do love this program as Terry said.
[45:00] And I've said that for years. And I think the last time we spoke about it a recent time when we spoke about applying again, maybe it was wrapping up the last round. I asked, okay, when are we going to do another expo of all the businesses that was done several years back? I think before COVID. And they said, we've got to wait for the new staff person to come on board to be able to do that.
[45:23] But that was such a great event to highlight all the businesses into Mr. Sheaver's point to celebrate the successes.
[45:32] So I'm signed me up to help on that and maybe Terry again, her crew can also help.
[45:39] And then the second thing, just building on what Mr. Sheaver said,
[45:43] I think we probably don't celebrate enough the successes of the past and check in and do sort of a retro
[45:52] annual report on, you know, what the last 10 years of this program have brought to Bethlehem.
[45:59] So now that we have you on board, I guess there's more possibilities to doing this.
[46:04] But yeah, that's a great job and glad to have you on board.
[46:08] Thank you, Martin. Anyone else?
[46:11] All right. I may have a motion in a second to close the public hearing.
[46:15] Oh, moved.
[46:17] All in favor?
[46:18] Aye.
[46:18] Great.
[46:18] Thank you.
[46:19] Minutes approval.
[46:20] May I have a motion and a second to approve the minutes from the Town Board Regular Meeting
[46:24] on May 14, 2025?
[46:27] Second.
[46:28] Second.
[46:28] All in favor?
[46:29] Line items.
[46:30] We have nine line items this evening.
[46:32] Item number one.
[46:33] I have a request from the Administrator of Parks and Recreation for the approval of
[46:37] Seasonal Personnel is attached.
[46:39] Are there any questions or comments from the board?
[46:41] I have a motion and a second please.
[46:43] I'll move.
[46:45] All in favor?
[46:46] Aye.
[46:46] Aye.
[46:47] Item number two.
[46:47] I have a request for the Town Board to approve a tree management resolution to guide
[46:52] management or trees on town properties, easements, and rights of way.
[46:56] So, some background on this, a bit over a year ago, I brought together a small working
[47:00] group of interested residents to discuss how we could incentivize tree conservation in
[47:05] our community.
[47:07] And this resolution is the first product of our collaborative efforts, and it's rooted in
[47:12] idea that the town should be practicing, in our operations, the things that we would like to see
[47:18] our landowners doing on their properties. So I'm going to just quickly read the wear-ass statements
[47:24] for the resolution and the four major actions, but I'm not going to read all of the sub-actions
[47:29] associated with that, but that's all available in the agenda packet. So this is a resolution
[47:36] regarding the management of trees on town properties, easements, and rights of way,
[47:40] We're as in 2014 the Bethlehem Town Board launched the Bethlehem Street Tree program to commit the town to planting and maintaining street trees throughout our community.
[47:51] And we're as the town of Bethlehem completed a street tree inventory analysis and management plan at 2020, which described the town's aspirations for street trees.
[47:59] Identified actions for maintaining existing trees and planting new street trees and
[48:05] recognized the many benefits that street trees yield for our community's aesthetic value,
[48:10] air quality, and public health, and whereas the Bethlehem forward comprehensive plan
[48:15] update recognizes the value of street trees and encourages implementation of the street
[48:19] tree inventory analysis and management plan, including the creation of a tree advisory committee,
[48:25] And whereas street trees in Bethlehem have annually removed more than 1,800 pounds of air pollution from neighborhoods,
[48:33] and observed 783 gallons of storm water, which helps reduce flooding and protects creeks of wetlands.
[48:40] And whereas trees decrease lower heating and cooling expenses by providing shade and acting as wind brakes and help reduce neighborhood noise levels.
[48:49] And whereas large trees in yards and neighborhoods increase residential property values by an average of 3 to 15% nationally,
[48:58] and commercial property rental rates are 7% higher nationally when trees are on a property.
[49:05] And whereas tree line streets typically have lower traffic speeds, making them safer for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians, and whereas,
[49:12] The more mature at tree, the greater the benefits it delivers, so it is critical to preserve existing trees on town properties,
[49:19] easements and rights of way, whenever possible, to plant new trees with mature establishment in mind,
[49:25] and to encourage property owners to keep and care for their trees.
[49:29] And whereas due to the many benefits that trees provide the U.S. Forest Services estimated that for every dollar spent on trees,
[49:36] return of $2.70 is received. Now for be it resolved that one, preserving and planting
[49:43] healthy trees is a priority for the town of Bethlehem in its easements rights of
[49:47] way and the properties it owns.
[49:52] When trees are removed from town properties easements
[49:54] rights of way, replacing them is always the preferred approach.
[50:02] Three,
[50:07] we will appropriately
[50:07] are any questions or comments from the board?
[50:12] Well, I hate to fall back on Proverbs and cliches, but I think on this, we have to.
[50:18] The ancient Greeks said that a society grows great when old men plant trees they will never
[50:23] see the shade of, and while I will reject the ages of inherent in that statement, and
[50:28] rage against the dying of small loises from my back, I will say that this is a chance for
[50:34] us as a town to grow even greater, the trees that we need, the environmental benefits, the aesthetic
[50:39] benefits and the financial benefits are important. I commend and advance the volunteers that
[50:45] will make up the Tree Advisory Committee for their expertise for their efforts and for their
[50:49] commitment not just to the tree that they see in front of them but for the next 50, 80, 100 years
[50:55] that that tree will be providing shade and benefits to their neighbors and descendants so that I will
[51:00] be happily voting in favor.
[51:05] I would argue that two of the best things about Bethlehem are
[51:10] local businesses, which we already talked about the people, obviously, and then the trees.
[51:15] And I've had visitors coming from different states, different countries, and they always
[51:22] remark about the trees and the giant trees we have around town.
[51:29] So yeah, I think this is great.
[51:31] I was on an early, street advisory committee years ago, 10 years ago, probably with David.
[51:39] And I'm just happy to see this now moving forward.
[51:42] I think it's a big step forward.
[51:44] Thank you.
[51:46] All right.
[51:47] So I'm going to restate the motion.
[51:49] I have a request for the town boards to approve a tree management
[51:51] resolution to guide management to trees on town properties,
[51:54] easements, and rights of ways.
[51:56] I have a motion that a second place.
[51:58] I'm moved.
[51:58] Second.
[51:59] All in favor?
[52:00] Aye.
[52:00] Item number three.
[52:01] I have a request from the Assistant Administrator of Parks and Recreation
[52:05] to approve a memorandum of understanding
[52:07] between the Parks and Recreation Department
[52:09] and the Bethlehem Public Library
[52:10] for the Thursdays and the Parks special event series.
[52:13] Are there any questions or comments from the board?
[52:16] I have a motion on a second please.
[52:18] I'll move.
[52:19] Second.
[52:19] I'll in favor.
[52:20] Item number four.
[52:21] I have a request for the town board
[52:23] to authorize the town supervisor
[52:25] to sign a memorandum of understanding
[52:27] with the capital district transportation authority
[52:30] for a CDPHP cycle bike sharing operations in 2025
[52:34] I have 2026 and 2027.
[52:36] Are there any questions or comments from the board?
[52:40] I think this is just a great program.
[52:42] I'm excited we're continuing it in partnership.
[52:44] I'm excited about the long-term cost savings opportunities
[52:47] for the town here in.
[52:50] And I'd like to commend our folks in Bethlehem
[52:52] for starting over 400 bicycle rates through this program.
[52:57] Staying active, staying healthy, and keeping carbon
[52:58] under the atmosphere.
[52:59] So thanks to CDTA and CDPHP for making that happen
[53:02] and excited to see this move forward.
[53:05] And that was just in one year, right?
[53:06] That was the first year.
[53:07] It'll go up.
[53:09] All right.
[53:10] May I have a motion in a second, please?
[53:11] And moved.
[53:12] Second, I'll have favor?
[53:14] Aye.
[53:14] I'd have number five.
[53:16] I have a request from the Superintendent of Highways
[53:18] to purchase a 2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee
[53:20] for use by the police department,
[53:22] subject to permissive referendum.
[53:24] The total amount of this purchase is $48,971.37 and includes
[53:30] the emergency equipment and upfitting. The funds for this purchase will come from the general fund
[53:35] capital reserves subject to permissive referendum. Are there any questions or comments from the board?
[53:40] I have a motion on a second please.
[53:42] It's all moved.
[53:43] Second, all in favor? I don't know number six. I have a request from the Chief of Police for authorization
[53:49] for authorization to accept $12,285 in trade value for the current department's
[53:56] block model 45 handgun inventory and to acquire upgraded firearms equipped with miniature red dot site
[54:03] systems for a total of $16,200 and $16 since after trade. The funds for this purchase, the funds
[54:11] to purchase the new systems will be taken from the department's asset for future funds, 1100.31200.522-23.05. This
[54:23] The purchase will fully modernize the department's existing handgun platform.
[54:27] Then, any questions or comments from the board?
[54:29] We have a motion at a second, please.
[54:32] A moved.
[54:33] Second.
[54:33] All in favor?
[54:34] Aye.
[54:35] Item number seven.
[54:36] I have a request from the town engineer for the town board to grant a temporary easement
[54:40] at the Rockefeller Pomp station property located at 43 Rockefeller Road.
[54:45] Tax parcel ID 86.07-2-9
[54:49] 9.
[54:50] Tonight, Agra Mohawk Power Corporation in Eastern Gas Transmission and Storage Incorporated.
[54:55] Are there any questions or comments from the board?
[54:57] They have a motion and a second, please.
[55:00] So moved.
[55:01] Second.
[55:02] All in favor?
[55:03] Hi.
[55:03] Item number eight.
[55:04] I have a request for the town board to approve a temporary use agreement with Niagara Mohawk
[55:09] Power Corporation in Eastern Gas Transmission and Storage Incorporated and authorized
[55:13] to supervise or to execute the agreement.
[55:16] Are there any questions or comments from the board?
[55:17] May I have a motion on a second please?
[55:20] On that.
[55:21] Second.
[55:21] On favor?
[55:23] And before we kick in on our final item, participation and government students, if you could
[55:28] bring your agendas up, we can sign them and you can go off and do all of your homework and
[55:32] other responsibilities.
[55:33] Off touch.
[55:41] Anyone up here can sign them?
[55:51] Have a good night.
[55:52] Are you doing?
[56:13] Have a good night.
[56:16] All right.
[56:17] Have a good night, everyone.
[56:19] All right.
[56:19] We will now have a presentation by our town com controller Michael Cohen on our 2024 financial results and look ahead to the rest of 2025 and 2026 over to you Michael
[56:32] Everyone disappearing kind of hurts
[56:38] We wouldn't leave you
[56:40] I appreciate all of you out there and you there to the millions watching at home. Thank you and everyone at home, but
[56:50] Anyway. Okay. I will keep this to my lips. All right. So the presentation touches on the
[57:00] finances of 2024. Highlights key occurrences that have already happened in 2025 and provides
[57:07] insights into what lies beyond the end of this month in titled yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
[57:15] we'll
[57:20] start with yesterday. From a financial standpoint, this slide summarizes 2024.
[57:27] Notably all four major operating funds recorded operating surpluses will first look at these.
[57:36] Within the general fund, sales tax says slightly surpassed last year's figures and exceeded the budget by $1.1 million.
[57:44] Three interest rate decreases, totaling 1% should have led to a decrease in mortgage taxes,
[57:51] but due to two large commercial mortgages during the year, mortgage taxes netted an increase
[57:57] of $429,000 over budget. The positive side of increasing interest rates is that our investments
[58:03] did well across all funds, but in the general fund we exceeded budget by $680,000. However,
[58:11] On the expenditure side, the cost of the general fund employees fell short of the budget by
[58:16] $415,000 due to turnover and challenges in hiring replacements and the related benefits.
[58:25] Within the highway fund, Interest Income exceeded expectation by $190,000.
[58:31] Meanwhile, on the expenditure side, savings stemmed from term stemming from turnover
[58:35] and difficulties in recruitment amounted to $598,000 and due to a delay in receiving
[58:41] vehicles highway acquired $238,000 less in fleet purchasing than expected.
[58:51] The water fund exceeded expectation primarily due to $943,000 in user charges including
[58:58] late payment penalties.
[59:01] This was due in large part to a back bill of one industrial user totaling over $576,000
[59:07] including penalties. In addition, the town received $253,000 in interest income above expected.
[59:15] On the expenditure side, turnover led to savings totaling $250,000 in wages and related fringe.
[59:22] Additionally, we didn't spend as much on water mains to the tune of $357,000.
[59:30] The sewer fund exceeded their user charge estimates by $175,000,
[59:35] and their interest income estimates by $93,000.
[59:40] On the expense side, again, turnover allowed the fund to save $271,000 in personnel and
[59:46] fringe costs.
[59:51] The capital fund transfers in the general fund relate to the shifting of cash to repay the
[59:56] on anticipation note, or ban, as the town is...
[1:00:00] There's no longer borrowing for the Olympic pool, the project for which the funds were obtained. The
[1:00:05] water and sewer funds relate to the movement of cash from ARPA to pay for a vehicle. The transfer
[1:00:12] is out, relate to cash that was previously approved for spending on capital projects through
[1:00:16] the reserve funds, but held in respective operating funds within the fund balance. These funds
[1:00:24] required to be moved to the reserve and expense as a transfer as specific projects are approved.
[1:00:33] Earmarked fund balance relates to fund balance that is otherwise committed. This would
[1:00:38] be items such as purchase orders written, which is a commitment to pay for a particular
[1:00:42] items ordered, funds approved for capital reserves, fuel waiting to be pumped, sitting in
[1:00:49] our fuel pumps, or even prepaid workers compensation insurance.
[1:00:55] The contingency line is uncommitted rainy day funds for when we find ourselves in a bind.
[1:01:00] I put the unimperant the seas because only the general fund can truly be unassigned.
[1:01:09] So while the other funds have to be assigned for the purpose of contingency, which the fund balance policy automatically does when certain parameters are met,
[1:01:18] These funds also represent 20% of the most recently adopted budget, which as of today is the 2025 budget.
[1:01:26] Infrastructure reserves are the designed end of year holding area to accomplish this as we have a catch 22.
[1:01:34] Any dollars in our four primary funds that would have been assigned or unassigned for contingency in excess of 20% are automatically designated to be moved to the capital reserve.
[1:01:46] But they can't actually be transferred there until the financial statements are issued.
[1:01:51] Lastly, the Farms and Forest Fund Reserve is calculated based on a formula in the town's Farms and Forest Resolution.
[1:01:58] This calculation is capped at $500,000.
[1:02:03] Now for today.
[1:02:07] So let's see what we're looking at thus far in 2025.
[1:02:11] Sales tax.
[1:02:12] Sales tax receipts are up slightly by less than 1% year over year.
[1:02:17] Typically, we would expect an increase of closer to 2%, but, which is in line with inflation,
[1:02:26] but it appears this year, we may fall short of that benchmark.
[1:02:31] Mortgage tax, based on the information provided from the county, the town is expecting
[1:02:36] $524,000 for the first seven months of the Mortgage tax collection year.
[1:02:41] This leaves the town needing approximately $72,000 per month for the remaining five months to meet budget.
[1:02:49] Interest rates are expected to gradually decrease by up to 1% this year, which could spur borrowing an increase annual revenue.
[1:02:58] Interest income in 2024, the town earned $2.1 million in overall average interest earnings rate of 4.6%.
[1:03:09] That's up from 1.6 million and a 3.7% overall earnings rate in 2023.
[1:03:17] To date this year, we've already booked $591,000 with an overall interest earnings rate of 3.8%.
[1:03:25] Also, we're locked into tables with varying maturity dates.
[1:03:29] Primarily in May, June, July, November that will earn another $121,000 this year.
[1:03:35] Even with the expected rate cuts, we should meet or exceed or slightly exceed this year's budget.
[1:03:44] The water and sewer are user charges.
[1:03:48] Late spring and summer mark the peak water consumption periods in the town, as lawns often demand,
[1:03:53] irrigation and pools need to be maintained at our above minimum levels.
[1:03:58] The rise in temperature and decrease in precipitation lead to increased usage while cooler rainier weather results in fewer sales.
[1:04:07] June and July 2024 were below average in terms of total rainfall with less than six inches falling over the two months.
[1:04:14] Additionally, the town identified and corrected a billing issue with an industrial customer from 2023 after the budget was completed in 2024.
[1:04:23] this is producing stronger than expected 2025 financial results.
[1:04:31] Employees, as noted above,
[1:04:33] we had significant savings from staffing changes in 2024. This year appears to be consistent
[1:04:40] as we had as of this writing, a net loss of five full-time staff this year bringing us to a total
[1:04:47] of 16 unfilled positions ranging from help desk technician to deputy commissioner of the DPW
[1:04:54] and from utility service helper to senior outreach worker.
[1:05:00] Pension.
[1:05:02] Despite the savings that I just outlined regarding personnel,
[1:05:06] the costs for both our employee and police retirement systems have gone beyond the unthinkable.
[1:05:11] Rising a projected $1.39 million in just three years.
[1:05:16] This was primarily due to two factors.
[1:05:18] The first was a series of reductions over the past decade
[1:05:21] of the expected rate of return from the pension plan investments.
[1:05:25] The hit is because the worse you expect the market to do,
[1:05:29] the more you need your participants to contribute to make up the shortfall.
[1:05:34] The second occurred over the last couple of years,
[1:05:36] which was the increase to the benefits of Tier VI,
[1:05:40] a tier that was originally created in 2012 with fewer benefits
[1:05:43] in order to help municipalities and the residents cope with rising pension costs.
[1:05:48] Both the decrease in expected rate of return and the increase to tier six benefits placed
[1:05:54] significant strain on municipal budgets.
[1:05:59] Cable. The payment from the cable industry to the town based on the use of the town's
[1:06:06] right away has been slowly disappearing for the last several years due to the rise of streaming
[1:06:11] services. In fact, the first quarter of 2025 has been no different. As it is $7,000 less
[1:06:19] than the first quarter of 2024.
[1:06:22] If anything, I'd say that there does appear
[1:06:23] to be an acceleration of that pace.
[1:06:28] That said, and despite my indication,
[1:06:30] the cable is receding.
[1:06:32] The two cable companies that provide service
[1:06:34] to the town, charter and Verizon,
[1:06:36] would each like to negotiate a new contract
[1:06:38] as both agreements are now expired.
[1:06:41] I'd like to say that this comes with an opportunity
[1:06:43] to increase the revenue that comes into the town,
[1:06:47] But based on New York State rules and regulations, we already obtained the maximum allowed.
[1:06:56] Borrowing.
[1:06:58] We are currently paying the annual debt service.
[1:07:00] We are currently paying annual debt service cost of $2.4 million on five bonds,
[1:07:06] which as of December 31, 2024, totaled $33.6 million.
[1:07:11] These were sold between the years 2015 and 2019.
[1:07:15] Further, we have obtained additional borrowing in the form of a bond anticipation note or ban,
[1:07:21] totaling $5.96 million, which represents a $1.06 million increase from 2024, as we attempt to borrow money
[1:07:30] only when the cash is actually needed. Unlike bonds, which have interest rates locked in for an extended period of time,
[1:07:45] from 4.5% to 5% we received extra money from the lenders called a premium on both issuances
[1:07:51] which offset some of that rate. Therefore, the difference is the net interest cost or
[1:07:57] Nick, which changed from 3.95% to 3.62% from 2024 to 2025, meaning that the actual cost of the
[1:08:05] barrowing was lower this year than last. That's the most difficult slide of all of the ones to explain.
[1:08:12] I promise. Capital Reserves, we maintain reserve funds to cover capital projects and equipment
[1:08:19] expenses aiming to minimize reliance on borrowing and the additional costs associated with
[1:08:24] that. If you're interested in seeing how these are used, we provide a review of our plans to
[1:08:30] utilize these capital reserves in the annual capital plan document released each September.
[1:08:36] This document offers valuable insight into our current position.
[1:08:40] Lastly, please note that the numbers shown on the slide include the infrastructure reserve
[1:08:44] numbers from 2024, which were identified on the second slide.
[1:08:53] On to tomorrow.
[1:08:57] I don't know what keeps anyone else from getting a good night's sleep, but for me, the
[1:09:00] chaos at the federal level is driving me crazy.
[1:09:03] For more than a century, the U.S. economy and the federal government have demonstrated
[1:09:08] a general consistency in approach, while presidents and congressional majorities have shifted
[1:09:14] left or right, those shifts have typically remained within a range that maintained an overall
[1:09:19] balance, never allowing one side of the economic teeter totter to dominate entirely.
[1:09:25] That balance now appears to be under strain.
[1:09:28] Whether one believes this shift is necessary or not, the result has been an increased turbulence
[1:09:33] and uncertainty.
[1:09:35] Economic forecasting already a complex task has become even more difficult if not impossible
[1:09:41] in some areas.
[1:09:43] Threats of federal grants being revoked after having been awarded discussions about ending
[1:09:49] municipal tax exempt borrowing, and potential cuts to state funding, all raised serious
[1:09:55] concerns for local governments.
[1:09:58] Other fiscal pressures also play higher tariffs, reduced household spending power, which
[1:10:05] can lower sales tax revenues, declining interest rates may reduce income from bank reserves,
[1:10:12] though they might boost mortgage tax collection.
[1:10:15] The full impact is hard to predict.
[1:10:19] It's impossible that policy may shift again
[1:10:22] returning toward the center in order to restore
[1:10:24] more stable footing, but for now, the outlook remains uncertain.
[1:10:32] So what do the computers have to say about what's going on?
[1:10:35] Well, this is from AI.
[1:10:38] Economic outlook is mixed.
[1:10:39] Inflation has eased, and interest rate cuts are expected,
[1:10:42] but growth remains soft amid lingering recession fears, global instability and tight consumers
[1:10:48] spending. Municipality should plan cautiously amid revenue, uncertainty, and shifting fiscal
[1:10:53] conditions.
[1:10:59] So, the tax cap. A 2% tax cap on property taxes today represents only $340,000 increase
[1:11:05] to our tax levies. Compared to a 2% coal in wages, salaries and overtime, which exceeded
[1:11:11] $19 million in 2024, we fall short by $40,000.
[1:11:17] That doesn't even include the increased to fringe costs, which includes Social Security
[1:11:21] Taxes, Workers' Compensation, Retirement Contribution, Health Insurance, and other things.
[1:11:27] The increase in these and fringe costs, which are salary adjacent costs, actually increased
[1:11:32] $800,000 from 223 to 224 primarily as earlier indicated earlier due to retirement contribution
[1:11:42] increases over which we had no control. Without a flourishing economy and department heads
[1:11:49] diligently and actively working to offset shortfalls, the tax cap would have caused us
[1:11:54] more significant issues much earlier.
[1:11:59] Questions?
[1:12:01] Thank you, Michael. Any questions or comments from the
[1:12:03] I
[1:12:07] just want to thank you for the report for your in-depth, you know, touchy based on what the end you were talking about concerns we have to deal with right now moving forward.
[1:12:20] I feel that when we look at the reserve accounts, I think it's time for us to start following your advice, which is basically, I think we need to start creating a special infrastructure account for the town.
[1:12:34] We have infrastructure needs are going to be growing over the next several years, whether
[1:12:38] they'd be from the highway department building to infrastructure, other buildings we have.
[1:12:44] But I think we need to start preparing ourselves that we are not how much money is coming
[1:12:47] down down the road here, how bad these federal cuts are going to be.
[1:12:52] So I think we start making a special accounts for infrastructure needs, whether we have the
[1:12:57] water facilities, I said how we're department, so I think I want to start looking into that,
[1:13:01] of how we can structure some kind of reserve account for widespread infrastructure needs.
[1:13:09] The challenge will be finding areas, revenue sources that will fund those infrastructure
[1:13:17] reserves. Because most of our areas are already being utilized for general operating,
[1:13:26] And we do have healthy capital reserve funds and a lot of those are being tapped already for projects that are in the capital plan.
[1:13:43] But it's a good idea.
[1:13:48] Just on that note, the capital plan we start working on that this fall.
[1:13:54] And that's an important way we can start thinking about the funding sources for that as well.
[1:14:00] Sure.
[1:14:01] Just a couple questions based in some of your stuff at the beginning.
[1:14:07] We said that we had Highway Department had Vehicle Acquisition Delays, which led to,
[1:14:14] in some parts of their surplus, are we expected to see corresponding deficits in this fiscal year as they acquire,
[1:14:20] or those delays were out?
[1:14:26] That money is any vehicles that were ordered during the year would have been, should have been, and probably were.
[1:14:42] And then conference would have been issued, which is a purchase order would have been issued.
[1:14:47] So that money would be sitting in the fund balance.
[1:14:50] It's just at the moment.
[1:14:51] It's not an expenditure, so we had the revenues come in that were budgeted for.
[1:15:00] So whether it's property taxes, chips funding, whatever. And then we expected that there would be an offsetting expense for the vehicle, or for vehicles. But if the vehicle doesn't come in, we're not actually expensing it. So yes, it's sometime in the future, chances are good that an expense will come that does not have a matching or offsetting revenue source.
[1:15:27] Okay, so it's a at least in some cases. It's not quite a morage, but it's just a timing issue. It's a time for someone to see
[1:15:34] Plus. Yes, but the money will should be in fun. Money's there in fun balance. Yeah, and it's in that you're we calling that part of your mark fund balance
[1:15:42] Correct. That would be okay. The earmarked fund. That would be a signed or unassigned for contingency as that. That's right.
[1:15:48] Fantastic and do we expect
[1:15:51] I'm moving on to a couple of things.
[1:15:53] Do we expect, I know we're moving through two or three into your four, two or three is like five people.
[1:15:59] But to your four retirees, do we expect that those pension obligation costs will decrease to end to the state of local retirement system as some of those folks retire.
[1:16:08] And we move into a more fully tier six workforce, or because of the additions and benefit increases for two or six that those costs are going to continue to grow.
[1:16:20] I will say that since I've been here,
[1:16:22] Well, Tier VI started, 2012, this is the same year I became
[1:16:28] Comptroller, and at that time, many municipalities were saying, you
[1:16:34] need to help us now, you need to help us now, and the state
[1:16:37] government said, well, this is the best we can do, and over time it
[1:16:43] will help, and it has, it's helped tremendously,
[1:16:49] that said, a number
[1:16:52] of the savings areas of savings, the differentiated tier 6 from tier 5 were given back.
[1:17:06] So yeah, as tier 3 and 4, which is probably relatively even right now with tier 6 in
[1:17:18] of total salaries that are being contributed toward it, but yeah, I mean we should see some
[1:17:28] offsetting savings there, but you know it was a huge spike by giving back those benefits to
[1:17:36] tier 6.
[1:17:41] Basically it was ten years worth of give back.
[1:17:45] And not something within our control.
[1:17:47] No, from another one.
[1:17:48] So that's.
[1:17:49] But yet, so do you expect that that rate of increase?
[1:17:52] We've looked at a 56% increase in three years.
[1:17:55] Do we expect that rate to continue to spike?
[1:17:57] Or is that an level off at some point?
[1:17:59] I would imagine that it will level off.
[1:18:01] I mean, we've already experienced the tier 6 pushback.
[1:18:08] I mean, the big catch-up, 4 tier 6.
[1:18:11] And the market, so the market cutoff date is March 31st, which is the stage fiscal year and cutoff.
[1:18:21] So the market itself, the stock market, particularly, is a decent measuring stick, although not all the investments are within the stock market.
[1:18:32] But it's a decent measuring stick, and it was pretty good between the increase from March 31st, 2024 versus March 31st, 2025.
[1:18:49] So hopefully the next projected bill will be lower, but I can't, obviously.
[1:18:56] Can you see that lower and absolute terms are lower in terms of rate of increase?
[1:18:59] I think absolute terms, that would be my guess.
[1:19:03] Thank you.
[1:19:04] It's the tall ahead.
[1:19:06] I just want to say, I know the tier 6 stuff you're talking about.
[1:19:09] But I think we all thought to keep in mind,
[1:19:12] you know, when you say all these giveaways to them,
[1:19:14] or give back, it's like, those adjustments for me
[1:19:17] to help working families.
[1:19:19] Yeah.
[1:19:19] You know, this is helping our county employees have a better,
[1:19:23] you know, a job more attractive.
[1:19:25] actually helps bring people to want to work for government and talent
[1:19:29] government because the problem was what what they saw was people were not
[1:19:32] coming to town to government service because the pension had changed so much
[1:19:36] so this is hopefully it does as they adjust that is to help people want to
[1:19:42] come into public service and actually start filling the jobs that we need to
[1:19:46] build. We have 16 vacancies here and love it is because some of it is salaries and
[1:19:52] and benefits, so hopefully it's going to get better.
[1:19:56] And don't give me wrong.
[1:19:57] I'm not opining on that.
[1:20:00] I'm explaining why we've gone up by $1.39 million in the last three years.
[1:20:09] Any other questions or comments?
[1:20:12] Great.
[1:20:12] I just have one quick comment.
[1:20:14] Thank you.
[1:20:14] Always very clear.
[1:20:16] And I don't have questions often because you are so clear in your presentation.
[1:20:21] But I also want to say, you want to save some money, turn down the AC a little bit in this room,
[1:20:27] and that would save some energy costs, and, you know, it's good for climate as well.
[1:20:33] So, that's my suggested for saving money.
[1:20:36] You're just looking into hypothermia over in the corner there.
[1:20:40] All right, shivering. Any other questions or comments?
[1:20:42] All fruiting.
[1:20:44] All right, this concludes a regularly scheduled meeting items,
[1:20:47] Does anyone have any new business?
[1:20:49] All right, this sends the regular session of tonight's town board meeting.
[1:20:53] May I have a motion and a second to adjourn?
[1:20:55] So moved.
[1:20:56] Second.
[1:20:56] All in favor?
[1:20:57] Aye.
[1:20:57] Be kind, be well and stay safe, everyone.
[1:20:59] Thank you.