[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_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",6675750,"mediaKeyId","2628410-2eca1524b20ff7d6735b6d56e176f697","parentId",2628410,"title","Town of Clinton board approves multiple contracts, hiring and warrants; electricity MOU fails","audioSeconds",416,"startMs",150000,"endMs",566000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2628410-2eca1524b20ff7d6735b6d56e176f697&start=150&end=566","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2628410-2eca1524b20ff7d6735b6d56e176f697/thumbnail_150000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6675750/Clinton/Oneida-County/New-York/Town-of-Clinton-board-approves-multiple-contracts-hiring-and-warrants-electricity-MOU-fails","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6675750-abc0535e2434217f3f960ecb69265ca0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770997001&Signature=kKwProFNLlWgNjWU4D-lBhPdCCe8iF74oAV1he4WkkfQC~XU3ergbFZfUpIlB4Gf5sImn2JWH-Ct-9sEmj9XRbjD40KY4Cr-apK6s2NTK9tldb2Ha~aXEiampm2jcT5-ZdQYzsjX3Bzu23PIdUgAnVoRmS8YBm9Xpy345c516DIcypDiLF3bWkzC8Z2OtF0eEEARESpt38PdfcF-wItJzD7h8mQhM~Z2BMm35APew6gNzEINs0VakdDyS6tT-IPDyTX-e~uVIY4QXhTt6REuVMOUWeFKlDMFhyBYVKmf~3qXmEboCyL9aBm5I3npikmLg2LmxrkDjo3~2thpzgihdA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Clinton, NY","date","2025-02-12T14:16:30.533Z","article","The Town of Clinton Town Board on Feb. 11 approved a package of routine and budgetary actions — including a deferred compensation plan for employees, a planning‑consultant contract, participation in the Sourcewell cooperative purchasing program, several staff appointments and the month’s warrants — while voting down a proposed memorandum of understanding tied to a community choice aggregation electricity procurement.

The board approved a resolution adopting the New York State Deferred Compensation Plan for voluntary employee participation, effective Feb. 11, 2025. The board’s bookkeeper, Van Norsten Houlihan, told the board she would not charge extra to implement the program; the measure passed on a voice vote with the board chair calling “Aye.”

The board also approved a contract with Nelson, Pope & Voorhees LLC to provide planning‑board consultation and to serve as consultants to applicants who pay escrow fees. During discussion a board member clarified that the contract is a vendor agreement distinct from a separate vote at a prior meeting to establish an escrow policy for application review. The Nelson, Pope & Voorhees contract passed on a voice vote.

Separately the board approved participation in the Sourcewell Cooperative Purchasing Program effective Feb. 11, 2025. The Sourcewell agreement was authorized and the supervisor was directed to sign the participation agreement.

The board approved its 2025 fee schedule as printed, including the schedule for mass‑gathering permits. Members discussed one line on the mass‑gathering fees that reflects the town’s current code; after discussion the board voted to adopt the fee schedule as printed.

The board accepted several personnel actions: the board accepted the separation of Jake Mignano from the full‑time MEO position (the meeting record described this as a dismissal presented as a resignation), accepted the resignation of Susan Michael from the Board of Assessment Review effective Jan. 1, 2025, and accepted the resignation of Jeff Newman as municipal code enforcement inspector with appointment of Newman as zoning administrator to be effective Feb. 12, 2025. The board also approved hiring Ken Wallace as a part‑time seasonal winter on‑call employee at $16.80 per hour through March 31, 2025.

Warrants approved by the board were the February general fund warrant (vouchers 31–67) totaling $60,322.82; the February highway fund warrant (vouchers 28–65) totaling $107,221.27; and the February capital fund warrant (vouchers 1–2) totaling $4,030.10. The board also approved a housekeeping transfer resolution dated Feb. 11, 2025.

A proposed memorandum of understanding (MOU) authorizing the town to join other municipalities in a community choice aggregation (CCA) electricity procurement and setting target rates did not pass. During lengthy discussion board members debated whether the MOU is binding, the effect of differing rates among participating municipalities and whether residents who had previously opted out could be re‑included automatically. Board members said unresolved questions remained about historical rate comparisons and supplier risk; one board member said the MOU could be revised and the group could reconsider in March. The MOU vote failed on a recorded roll call.

All routine housekeeping motions reported in the meeting minutes — vendor contracts, warrants, personnel items and fee schedule adoption — carried by voice vote unless otherwise noted.

Votes at a glance (as recorded in the meeting):
- Adopted: New York State Deferred Compensation Plan (effective 02/11/2025). (resolution)
- Approved: Contract with Nelson, Pope & Voorhees LLC for planning‑board consultation. (contract_award)
- Approved: Sourcewell Cooperative Purchasing Program Participation Agreement (effective 02/11/2025). (contract_award)
- Adopted: 2025 fee schedule as printed (includes mass‑gathering fee lines). (resolution)
- Accepted: Separation of Jake Mignano from full‑time MEO position (effective as stated at meeting). (other)
- Accepted: Resignation of Susan Michael, Board of Assessment Review (effective 01/01/2025). (other)
- Appointed: Jeff Newman as zoning administrator (effective 02/12/2025). (appointment)
- Appointed: Ken Wallace, part‑time seasonal winter employee, $16.80/hr (01/31/2025–03/31/2025). (appointment)
- Approved: February warrants — General $60,322.82; Highway $107,221.27; Capital $4,030.10. (budget_adoption)
- Approved: Motion to move funds dated 02/11/2025 (housekeeping). (other)
- Failed: Memorandum of Understanding regarding joint RFP for electricity suppliers (recorded roll call). (other)

Notes: Where the meeting record did not provide a formal roll‑call tally the minutes record voice votes and the chairman’s announcement that motions carried.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2 11 2025 Regular Town Board Meeting, Town of Clinton, NY","oneSentenceSummary","The Town of Clinton Town Board on Feb. 11 approved several contracts, personnel appointments and warrants while rejecting a proposed memorandum of understanding on a community choice aggregation electricity procurement.","taxTitle","Clinton, Oneida County, New York","taxId",54267,"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},6675739,"Board hears update on local cell‑service efforts; volunteers to compile applications and contact carriers",64,26000,90000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2628410-2eca1524b20ff7d6735b6d56e176f697&start=26&end=90","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2628410-2eca1524b20ff7d6735b6d56e176f697/thumbnail_26000.jpg","/articles/6675739/Clinton/Oneida-County/New-York/Board-hears-update-on-local-cellservice-efforts-volunteers-to-compile-applications-and-contact-carriers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6675739-dd756e7c4ab8b34ab4746c9e557c7e74/orig.mp4?Expires=1770997001&Signature=JeozVriiOumqePToF7wuLYU9M8m-SFAFk~Xey6AmEP0faZkJibCpJOc-U6iXXGVeIsdDNiKckm8~JNM4H8R4UyjFsFcnAuvE9z5wAK8GFoDpUoBfxtqu5HdxxWR3LrMi4i-5tgdzxTEXsmEy6iygspFnfxt561-VogQ9ih2qc-~pcUn3MLCUwUALuGASKiF24nk6EjZOyW~37gpCjUZvMyyfD7cVh0iwCYU-H6YjkprYeldkgLC4~HZlwuT42ZjOMIlKfeOQ1kCSKwGr3TMykQwjlTjTcztGX4st8uYppXm8fUyV2sdO4U65qm3x7DHS0HTmvA-zTxPZlB9oQpQqHQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Town officials reported progress in gathering materials for improving cell service in areas of the town where coverage is poor.

A board member said, with assistance from Arlene Campbell, the town located prior applications and related documents from carriers such as Verizon and that about 50–60 pages of material remain to be reviewed. The member said the town will develop a concise summary (an “elevator pitch”) and reach out to carriers and regional elected officials to speed improvements. “We do wanna get improved cell phone service in this area as quickly and efficiently as possible,” the board member said, adding concern that the current lack of reliable service is “dangerous.”

No formal action or funding was authorized at the meeting; board members described the current work as investigative and preparatory. The town plans to compile the historical applications and contact carrier representatives and potentially a congressional office to press the case.

","Board members said they located prior cell‑service applications and plan to compile materials, draft an elevator pitch and contact carriers and elected officials to pursue improved coverage; residents characterized current service as inadequate and potentially dangerous.",{"_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},6675741,"Residents and board debate ‘conference center’ zoning loophole; ad hoc committee proposal fails",1065,1408000,2473000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2628410-2eca1524b20ff7d6735b6d56e176f697&start=1408&end=2473","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2628410-2eca1524b20ff7d6735b6d56e176f697/thumbnail_1408000.jpg","/articles/6675741/Clinton/Oneida-County/New-York/Residents-and-board-debate-conference-center-zoning-loophole-ad-hoc-committee-proposal-fails","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6675741-1a86c1e40d815ca2394aff2c69a0d245/orig.mp4?Expires=1770997001&Signature=hB1Vmk~foTXdMUyQUEvTUOwVQNxkEsi08B~C3MTiuLAfqkrf9jJHNDTW0pRvZx2tZydo23P1fHrqJQ4aui9g1yzPmEAtENNl7A6HC21uBJOy7lpMXaJ25H1YB3lL9wQzt62ycT6pfN4uP5IZfUHPlD-IcTbLK2K0dM2cM17HAm09WZ13s90ybsww9NbA~iOEmTIBk2REvlW3Q~IcSza~UrtMkNxqpxL7XRRy2d71gD9KU5~C9ZVHcHv-eyYf3XHuiInHrXJNL0qsklgXFENclVMkXX~zWJCGxSpPiyMEM3rCI6sUwWhEdW2MHO2qL5aHv7e0GvWZzwxvq4pyJtNYbg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Residents urged the Town of Clinton Town Board on Feb. 11 to revise a stand‑alone conference‑center law they described as a loophole that permits hospitality uses across the town’s agricultural districts. The board voted down a motion to establish an ad hoc committee to draft possible zoning amendments, while several residents and board members recommended a transparent public workshop process instead.

Adam Dykesel, a homeowner on Camp Drive, told the board the conference‑center law allows operators to place hotel and related commercial uses on any lot of 25 acres or more, circumventing other rules that limit where restaurants, bakeries and commercial laundry are allowed. “The conference center law is a loophole,” Dykesel said. “The town has expressed the fact that it doesn’t want hotels in the agricultural districts but call the hotel a conference center and we’ll allow it anywhere on any lot over 25 acres.”

Several board members and public commenters said that leaving the law unchanged while the town completes a comprehensive‑plan update would risk irreversible changes to the town’s rural resources. One board member cited a 13‑year‑old comprehensive‑plan survey (as described by a speaker) showing strong support for protecting rural character, agricultural soils, wetlands and water resources.

The board considered but did not adopt a motion to establish an ad hoc committee to review Town Code Chapter 250 zoning for possible amendments related to conference centers, hotels and motels. Members who opposed the committee said they preferred the larger‑forum “workshop” approach used during the last comprehensive zoning revision, where the entire board conducted televised workshops open to the public. Opponents also raised concerns that including current enforcement officers on a drafting committee could create a structural conflict between enforcement and law‑writing roles.

Public commenters repeatedly asked for transparency and for any working group to include proponents and opponents. Paul Thomas, chair of the planning board, and others confirmed an informal working group had drafted a document for the town board’s consideration and said that document will be brought forward for the board to decide whether to pursue formal review.

Board members said the issue remains active and that options include continuing informal working‑group discussions, convening televised workshops on a draft, or bringing a formal proposal to the board for a public hearing.

","Public commenters and board members disputed a stand‑alone conference center law that allows hospitality uses on 25‑acre lots, calling it a loophole that could allow hotel‑scale development outside hamlets; a motion to create an ad hoc review committee failed and residents urged open workshops and a review of related hotel/motel code provisions.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6675745,"Town board rejects memorandum of understanding on joint electricity procurement after extended debate",814,538000,1352000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2628410-2eca1524b20ff7d6735b6d56e176f697&start=538&end=1352","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2628410-2eca1524b20ff7d6735b6d56e176f697/thumbnail_538000.jpg","/articles/6675745/Clinton/Oneida-County/New-York/Town-board-rejects-memorandum-of-understanding-on-joint-electricity-procurement-after-extended-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6675745-343ca9c026a00fb5c9a71188d03da483/orig.mp4?Expires=1770997001&Signature=Xc-B4~Av7eXGWon-lzhFd6xcR3e4HJ2iSZd~gZsjuKBhWHeMrbD7j3JI011iFkrBMGg7m9b8R5YvYMvQdO9gfmN19tbcBHwbEqR31SIRKIdUNiAkAMq8OH86w6G0jRdDd0zbb30vpUWZVab12sE1mBsOSJoD~mHS8UlwuL7uKPJu8Ml~6eyxQoeGfXi3EDIHp1gAsiMAmI3Bu7-Knx1ype67~7PnxRi50sfRHi9tATHX7WXajjBm9pUzasH0tX1eyoUItVCnCKbQTdmygntwHbxmcmDBV53KMdBqlnuRdTmAijCkFRsD-LRR23No6FuWL0FE1nPQH-rp8ZuPHdfscg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A proposed memorandum of understanding to let the Town of Clinton join other municipalities in a community choice aggregation (CCA) electricity procurement failed after extended discussion and a roll‑call vote at the Feb. 11 Town Board meeting.

The proposal would have authorized the town supervisor to sign an MOU outlining target rates and procedural terms for a joint request for proposals (RFP) for electricity suppliers. Board members questioned whether the MOU is binding on the town, whether differing rate targets among participating municipalities would be reconciled and whether historical performance data for prior CCAs had been made available to the town.

“We were told this MOU is not binding,” one board member said in debate, “but after conversations with the administrator we learned it can become binding if an RFP matches the MOU’s terms — so we need to be careful.” The board also heard that Jewel, the administrator the town would use, had changed how it purchases electricity futures after an earlier supplier went bankrupt in a prior round; board members said they were not fully convinced by the administrator’s assurances.

Members also discussed the program’s opt‑in/opt‑out mechanics. The board asked whether residents who had opted out of a prior CCA would be automatically re‑included; an administrator’s representative said residents who previously opted out would not receive the initial notification postcard and would need to take action to re‑enroll.

Board members said they lacked historical comparisons showing whether prior CCA rates beat Central Hudson’s standard supply rate. One board member said he would vote no, and two other members recorded “no” votes on the roll call; the motion failed. Several board members indicated they would consider a revised MOU or joining the next round after receiving additional historical data or if the MOU’s target rates were changed.

The failure leaves the town outside the current RFP timetable for participating municipalities; board members discussed the option of lowering the town’s target rate and reconsidering participation in March if suppliers’ responses permitted it.

","A proposed MOU to set CCA target rates and timeline drew lengthy questions on whether the MOU is binding, historical rate comparisons and opt‑in mechanics; the board voted the measure down and left the door open to revisit the matter in March.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Town of Clinton board approves multiple contracts, hiring and warrants; electricity MOU fails

Board hears update on local cell‑service efforts; volunteers to compile applications and contact carriers

Residents and board debate ‘conference center’ zoning loophole; ad hoc committee proposal fails

Town board rejects memorandum of understanding on joint electricity procurement after extended debate