[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6397853,"mediaKeyId","2091132-ff7e686f900130eee4a5b51ec465ddf1","parentId",2091132,"title","Votes at a glance: Putnam County Legislature actions from the Jan. 6, 2025 organizational meeting","audioSeconds",5596,"startMs",674000,"endMs",6270000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2091132-ff7e686f900130eee4a5b51ec465ddf1&start=674&end=6270","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2091132-ff7e686f900130eee4a5b51ec465ddf1/thumbnail_674000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6397853/Putnam-County/New-York/Votes-at-a-glance-Putnam-County-Legislature-actions-from-the-Jan-6-2025-organizational-meeting","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6397853-c955eb03ee3f8cd5452633541562f9d9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771127687&Signature=fUtWmhdG9-LyUD3q5sDFjkS407wvIULix33kOu31CSQ0oAVoH73hqsRr2LrKKj4bhqt6C2HsuMdgqlvNqIkRanxnw0A2nZ1J69NkBlKJgDciaOQBSmzJ6OWNWjVjz3Nd326oMX8j8I75tFnwVEVJ2As2hAuKPXS0YXA75Q8m1hWh~q50-QWc1KaWJ33QdA6iCY6vsDEgP~LrqCQ4pDyDMbKco~NJ~WylnWpOqWGfT2gRj9HQWw4TOzEJt8QKmwvcUiTQECzNq58ALQTJ8z6D8J6It6BFju-IGL3Hd4V4PyxzQswKXxJgSQtBzgthINkfEyVduG2fL7DelNW~8DyD6g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Putnam County, NY","date","2025-01-07T00:00:00Z","article","The Putnam County Legislature recorded the following formal actions, approvals and appointments on Jan. 6, 2025 (outcomes are listed as recorded in the meeting transcript):

Votes at a glance

- Reappointment of County Auditor: Reappointed Michelle Albano Sharkey to a three-year term ending Dec. 31, 2027. Outcome: approved (voice vote recorded). (Agenda item 6)

- Adoption of the 2025 Legislative Manual: Outcome: approved after debate and multiple amendment votes. (Agenda item 7) See separate article for details.

- Designation of official newspapers: The legislature considered adding multiple local papers (Putnam County News & Recorder (PCNR), Putnam County Press, the Courier and others). The clerk and members divided the question and held separate votes; outcomes were recorded on the floor. (Agenda item 9)

- Appointments and designations (selected items recorded in transcript):
- Legislative representative to Cornell Cooperative Extension board: nomination(s) considered; outcome: appointment process continued (nomination removed and reopened on the record). (Agenda item 12)
- Putnam County Board of Health: appointment/continuation motion passed. (Agenda item 15)
- Farmland Protection Board: Erin Crowley reappointed through Dec. 31, 2025. (Agenda item 18) — approved.
- Catskill Regional Off-Track Betting Corp. representative: Paul Yonke appointed. — approved. (Agenda item 19)
- Fish and Wildlife Management Board: Legislator Montgomery appointed as legislative representative. — approved. (Agenda item 20)
- Veterans Affairs legislative liaison: Primary and alternate appointed (names recorded). — approved. (Agenda item 29)
- Fire advisory board, traffic safety board, capital projects minority representative and other committee and board appointments: motions and seconds recorded; most appointments approved by voice vote or roll call as recorded. (Agenda items 23–26 and others)

- Budgetary items, transfers and contract approvals (selected, amounts as read into the record):
- PICC contract settlement (personnel/budget training program): $328,170 — approved. (Agenda item 29)
- Social Services personnel/budget adjustment: $9,391 — approved in committee and on the floor. (Agenda item 30)
- Suicide Survivors' Loss Team funding (Suffolk County Suicide Prevention Task Force): increase in appropriation $12,480 — approved. (Agenda item 32)
- IT/GIS reclassification (personnel): account clerk to IT operations assistant — approved. (Agenda item 31)
- Other routine budgetary transfers and personnel adjustments were presented and approved by the legislature during the meeting (several were described as previously considered in December committee meetings).

- Miscellaneous: The legislature designated the county jail chief medical officer (Dr. Michael Nesbod) and approved Department of General Services purchasing delegation items; motions recorded and approved. (Agenda items 27–28)

How to read these entries: Each item above reflects the outcome as recorded in the meeting transcript. The transcript reports roll-call and voice votes for many items; in some cases a numeric roll-call tally was not printed in the section of the transcript provided. If a numeric roll-call is required for record-keeping or further reporting, consult the official minutes or the legislative clerk's certified roll-call ledger.

Ending: Many of the appointments and budget items were described as having been vetted in December committee meetings; several members signaled they expect additional committee work in the weeks ahead for items that either lacked public committee review or where legal counsel recommended further analysis.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Putnam County Government Legislative Meeting 1-7-2025","oneSentenceSummary","Summary of formal actions, appointments, budgetary approvals and designations the Putnam County Legislature recorded during its Jan. 6, 2025 organizational meeting.","taxTitle","Putnam County, New York","taxId",59456,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6397858,"Amy Sage elected chair of Putnam County Legislature; deputy chair named in same organizational meeting",447,16000,463000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2091132-ff7e686f900130eee4a5b51ec465ddf1&start=16&end=463","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2091132-ff7e686f900130eee4a5b51ec465ddf1/thumbnail_16000.jpg","/articles/6397858/Putnam-County/New-York/Amy-Sage-elected-chair-of-Putnam-County-Legislature-deputy-chair-named-in-same-organizational-meeting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6397858-a8a22f45005f7032a04473864bc8caff/orig.mp4?Expires=1771127687&Signature=ksaK3spiG52hY6-1oNlFq0D9NDAJ1~msC~XSld4MZH2h~rgRl5qcw00Wt8Tvi8n3W99Gml5qlCyBZOeKUhzPNwpqRg-IrGIYMeRlfJ6BoC17rKBiUYadgw8dy7w6R~7aJOXow9dnRL7RRWLRWoesvFwZ2HOgw6bGKFRRBAnleB3YJKFPQ8taF-vE9cFsC6LObB1MMsWzjrxbfjezquU5TDdKOgttUR8pDsfs-9Kh01SN4NJEPjRVWNHhSqq8ePE16pgNOpjGMEuCDMi-bWGdwL2Xx84qOZQB8Ggz6dkto7nVxAaBNos4kjQ-2sq8nufZd92C3-xklBO5Z2ElLY2ldQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Putnam County Legislature elected Amy Sage as chair at its Jan. 6, 2025, organizational meeting and confirmed a deputy chair for the 2025 term.

A legislator nominated Amy Sage for the chair position and the nomination was seconded; the clerk conducted a roll-call vote and Sage was elected chair. During the roll-call portion of the meeting several members spoke about their hopes for civility and efficiency in the new year. Legislator Elmer was nominated and seconded for deputy county chair and that nomination also passed by voice vote during the organizational business.

Supporters of Sage praised her previous service as deputy chair and long tenure chairing the health committee. In nominating remarks a legislator said Sage is \"steadfast and calm in her demeanor,\" prepared, and experienced in committee leadership. Several legislators said they would support the leadership in hopes of moving toward more civil, collaborative meetings in 2025.

Ending: Sage steps into the role as chair with the manual adoption and a full slate of committee and board appointments to follow; members indicated priority items and promised further committee work in the coming weeks.","At the Jan. 6 organizational meeting the Putnam County Legislature elected Amy Sage as chair and confirmed a deputy chair. The votes were taken by roll call; members said the new leadership aims to focus on civility and committee process in 2025.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6397861,"Putnam County Legislature adopts new legislative manual after heated debate over oaths, subpoenas and confirmations",4159,724000,4883000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2091132-ff7e686f900130eee4a5b51ec465ddf1&start=724&end=4883","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2091132-ff7e686f900130eee4a5b51ec465ddf1/thumbnail_724000.jpg","/articles/6397861/Putnam-County/New-York/Putnam-County-Legislature-adopts-new-legislative-manual-after-heated-debate-over-oaths-subpoenas-and-confirmations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6397861-cea9e9227e059080fcc852f98beb1375/orig.mp4?Expires=1771127687&Signature=Nx0ONyXNsR99eNjVLk7NEGqv89MaPgHq5xjXA6kOF1seNK0PkeSBN4biB2bQ1ciQ8YT4gXjPBuztDyGKQPTyvUeyHJW4CUYF8CN0od7y-EcsDX8G4fDXZsTKv-yD~mUn0VVUgedRrO8UBqB15mnUgUmuLmQSP1NjabrdYDzQmrLdx21JsxCAQsULrZMlW~XEt7vNN4vQQi548pGcW5P2mFwKdUwUtMX-tukIVr6xiQnPOl~5iPQEZEKqKt9pGd5rVbAfSQfnHSBM65TF~1M~95rts~U4YySSVPeVBiqAGbMVcAcX8dSOE2uQh4G1JZFtTIujGY1T5guv4h~J5rBmMw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Putnam County lawmakers voted to adopt a revised legislative manual on Jan. 6, 2025, after an extended debate over new provisions that would allow chairs to request oaths of speakers, codify subpoena authority and establish confirmation procedures for certain county appointments.

Supporters and opponents clashed over provisions labeled in the draft as proposed rules 31, 32 and 33, which would (respectively) allow chairs to request an oath or affirmation of truthfulness from speakers when the facts will be used in decision-making, establish a committee-level process for issuing legislative subpoenas, and set documentary and background-check requirements for some executive appointments. Interim legislative counsel Ron Westfall told the legislature that the draft raises legal questions that merit further research but said, \"I believe it may be prudent to move forward with the adoption of the manual in its current form to give us opportunity to discuss potential legal issues and exposure to the county that could result from the amendments\" (memo read into the record).

Opponents argued the oath provision would intimidate public commenters and chill participation. Resident Lynn Eckhart submitted a letter read into the record that said the oath policy \"is incredibly, incredibly burdensome\" and called rule 31 \"the antithesis of open government.\" Several legislators urged tabling the item for committee review and more public input; one said the county attorney's memo advised the changes were not ready.

The meeting included multiple subsidiary motions and roll-call votes on amendments that would have removed or revised sections of the proposed manual, including proposals to remove the oath rule (rule 31), the subpoena rule (rule 32) and the confirmation procedures (rule 33), and an amendment to eliminate a new section specifying courtroom location and dais seating (section 5). Those amendment motions were debated at length and voted on individually; in the end the full manual as presented at the meeting was adopted by the legislature. Members also proposed and voted on several technical \"housekeeping\" changes during debate.

Supporters said the manual mostly codifies powers the legislature already holds under the county charter, including the ability to issue subpoenas and administer oaths. Legislator Birmingham, who introduced the manual revisions and cited other counties' manuals as models, said parts of the draft were adapted from Erie and Rockland counties to provide process and clarity. Detractors said the timing — presenting a lengthy set of changes at the organizational meeting without prior committee consideration — denied the public adequate opportunity to weigh in.

After hours of discussion and multiple recorded votes on amendments, the legislature approved the manual and then invited legislative counsel and the clerk to the dais for the transition. The record shows the body adopted the manual on the evening of Jan. 6, 2025; the manual will be used as the legislature's procedural guide going forward, subject to any future amendments the body may make following committee review.

Ending: The legislature's adoption closes the immediate question but several members said they expect to revisit parts of the manual in committee and to seek additional legal analysis. Interim counsel’s memo and multiple members’ requests for committee review create an expectation that at least some of the new provisions will be examined again before the body relies on them in high-stakes proceedings.","Putnam County Legislature approved a revised legislative manual that adds procedures for oaths, subpoenas and confirmation reviews after hours of debate, public letters and multiple amendment votes. Interim counsel flagged legal questions but recommended moving forward with adoption while researching potential issues.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Putnam County Legislature actions from the Jan. 6, 2025 organizational meeting

Amy Sage elected chair of Putnam County Legislature; deputy chair named in same organizational meeting

Putnam County Legislature adopts new legislative manual after heated debate over oaths, subpoenas and confirmations