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Franklin County Legislature approves payments, grants, budget amendments and appointments
Summary
At its April 16, 2026 regular meeting the Franklin County Legislature approved a slate of routine resolutions: payments to vendors and school districts, acceptance of a $50,000 cybersecurity grant, a $250,000 tourism appropriation, appointment of a buildings superintendent and authorization of multiple contracts. Most measures passed unanimously; several votes recorded one dissent or abstention.
The Franklin County Legislature convened on April 16, 2026 and approved a series of routine administrative and budgetary measures, including vendor and school district payments, grant acceptances, budget amendments and an appointment to the County’s buildings and grounds leadership.
The meeting opened at 11:32 A.M. with Chairman Greg Janisewski calling the roll; Clerk Heather Marlow confirmed all members were present. The Legislature approved minutes from its regular and special meetings and accepted correspondence including a New York State Division of Budget certification related to 2026 tax cap compliance and a notice from the Mountain View Association about an invasive aquatic plant management proposal for Mountain View Lake.
Key outcomes
- Payments and vendor approvals: The Legislature authorized payment to Plattsburgh Dental Plaza for prior‑years dental invoices totaling $28,442.24 (Resolution No. 73). It also authorized payment of reconciled pre‑K rates to Brushton‑Moira Central School ($17,889.88, Res. 92), a 2025 preschool transportation invoice to Malone Central School District ($55,710.00, Res. 93), and two invoices to Tupper Lake Central School for 1:1 preschool special‑education aides totaling $3,306.00 (Res. 94). A 2025 fuel oil invoice from Sunoco LLC for $13,592.87 was also approved (Res. 95).
- Grants and program funding: The Legislature accepted a FY2023 Cyber Security Grant in the amount of $50,000 and authorized related appropriations (Res. 89). The Legislature also approved contracting for SMART Recovery services with Community Connections (not to exceed $16,700), funded through Opioid Settlement LGU Abatement funds (Res. 90).
- Budget amendments, Community Services: Res. 91 authorized reallocation of additional State Aid from the NYS Office of Mental Health and Addiction Services and Supports across multiple Community Services programs to account for wage and inflationary adjustments. Notable line items included a +$43,807 increase for Community Connections and a -$55,863 decrease for Medically Supervised Outpatient services; numerous smaller program reallocations were recorded in the resolution text.
- Economic development and tourism: The Legislature authorized small business grant awards through the Office of Economic Development (Village of Tupper Lake and Tupper Lake Golf Club, each up to $5,000) and amended the 2026 budget to appropriate $250,000 from the Tourism Reserve to contractual expense accounts to support tourism work (Res. 99, Res. 100).
- Appointments and contracts: James Harrigan Jr. was appointed Superintendent of Buildings & Grounds (HELP Program), effective April 20, 2026, with a base salary of $73,000 (Res. 97). The Legislature authorized a contract with Peter Dumas to provide indigent legal services for the Public Defender for the period April 8, 2026–April 7, 2027 (Res. 98); that resolution was adopted with one abstention (Legislator Dumas).
- Property sale: The Legislature amended a prior resolution to approve the sale of county property at 1860 State Route 95, Bombay (Tax Map No. 50.1‑2‑5) to the Town of Bombay for $5,500 (Res. 101).
Votes at a glance (selected)
- Res. 73 — Authorization to pay Plattsburgh Dental Plaza $28,442.24: Passed; mover Legislator Lauzon; seconded Legislator Lockwood. Vote: 6 ayes, 1 nay (Legislator Dumas). - Res. 88 — Employee recognition (longevity awards): Passed unanimously. - Res. 89 — Accept FY2023 Cyber Security Grant ($50,000): Passed unanimously. - Res. 90 — Contract with Community Connections (SMART Recovery, up to $16,700): Passed unanimously. - Res. 91 — Amend Community Services budget (multiple reallocations): Passed unanimously. - Res. 92 — Pay Brushton‑Moira $17,889.88: Passed; mover Legislator Dabiew; seconded Legislator Lauzon. Vote: 6 ayes, 1 nay (Legislator Dumas). - Res. 93 — Pay Malone Central School $55,710.00: Passed unanimously. - Res. 94 — Pay Tupper Lake School District $3,306.00: Passed; Vote: 6 ayes, 1 nay (Legislator Dumas). - Res. 95 — Pay Sunoco LLC $13,592.87: Passed unanimously. - Res. 96 — Amend DA budget returning NYPTI funds ($2,340.72): Passed unanimously. - Res. 97 — Appoint James Harrigan Jr., Superintendent of Buildings & Grounds: Passed unanimously. - Res. 98 — Contract with Peter Dumas for indigent legal services (4/8/26–4/7/27): Passed; vote recorded as 6 ayes, 1 abstention (Legislator Dumas). - Res. 99 — Authorize small business grant awards (Village of Tupper Lake; Tupper Lake Golf Club, up to $5,000 each): Passed unanimously. - Res. 100 — Appropriate $250,000 from Tourism Reserve to 2026 budget: Passed unanimously. - Res. 101 — Amend prior sale resolution; approve sale of property in Bombay for $5,500: Passed unanimously. - Res. 102 — Correct SAEF account number and amend 2026 Social Services budget ($15,234.22): Passed unanimously.
What this means: The meeting was largely procedural. Most items were routine fiscal housekeeping, grant acceptance, contract authorization and personnel action. A small number of payments recorded a single dissenting vote (Legislator Dumas) or an abstention; no substantive policy controversies or extended debates were recorded in the minutes. The Legislature adjourned at 11:45 A.M.
