Lewis County legislators approve claims, accept two bridges, back broadband project and discontinue town assessment services

The Lewis County Board of Legislators on June 3 approved four county resolutions including auditing and allowing claims totaling $3,996,019.01, accepting responsibility for two town bridges, supporting a regional broadband infrastructure project and discontinuing county assessment services with towns.

The board voted to audit and allow claims in the amount of $3,996,019.01 after a roll call that recorded eight "yes" votes, one abstention and one absence. Legislator Andrea Moreham moved the claims measure and Legislator Jess Gepp seconded the motion; Legislator Mosher recorded an abstention and Legislator Norts was absent for the roll call. The motion passed.

The board also approved a resolution accepting ownership and responsibility for two Krogan town bridges identified by BIN numbers 3340020 and 2220310. Tom Kalmus moved the resolution and Herb Prost seconded; the chair called for a voice vote and the measure "carrie d." (voice vote; tally not specified in the record.)

Legislators voted to endorse the Development Authority of the North Country's continued work on broadband access through its "Northern New York Bridal Mile Broadband Infrastructure Project" (as recorded in the clerk's report). Herb Prost moved the broadband resolution; Tom Osborne seconded. The board approved the resolution by voice vote; no individual vote tally was recorded in the transcript.

Finally, the board approved resolution 125-2025 to discontinue county assessment services with towns. Tom Kalmus moved the resolution and Jeff Nelmach seconded; the motion carried on a voice vote (tally not specified).

Why it matters: The claims approval clears nearly $4 million in county payments. Accepting bridge ownership shifts maintenance and liability responsibility to the county for the two BIN‑identified structures. The broadband endorsement signals local legislative support for a regional infrastructure project; discontinuing assessment services could change how towns manage property assessment work and may require them to arrange alternative local assessment services.

Details and context: The claims resolution was handled separately with a roll call that produced the recorded votes (eight yes, one abstain, one absent). For the other resolutions the transcript records motions, seconders and the chair's call for a voice vote; the minutes record the measures as carried but do not include individual vote tallies.

Votes at a glance - Resolution 104 — Auditing and allowing claims in the amount of $3,996,019.01. Moved by Andrea Moreham; seconded by Jess Gepp. Roll call recorded eight yes, one abstain (Legislator Mosher), one absent (Legislator Norts). Outcome: approved. - Resolution 109 — Accept ownership/responsibility for Town of Krogan bridges (BIN 3340020 and 2220310). Moved by Tom Kalmus; seconded by Herb Prost. Outcome: approved (voice vote; tally not specified). - Resolution 120-2025 — Support for the Development Authority of the North Country's broadband infrastructure project. Moved by Herb Prost; seconded by Tom Osborne. Outcome: approved (voice vote; tally not specified). - Resolution 125-2025 — Discontinue county assessment services with towns. Moved by Tom Kalmus; seconded by Jeff Nelmach. Outcome: approved (voice vote; tally not specified).

What the record does not specify: For the three voice‑voted resolutions the transcript does not include individual roll call tallies or recorded no votes. The resolutions' texts, effective dates and any implementation steps are not printed in the transcript; those materials were on the consent packet referenced during the meeting.

Next steps: For any of the measures that require administrative implementation (for example, bridge transfer paperwork or transition of assessment services), county staff will carry out the procedural steps; the transcript does not record specific implementation assignments or timelines.