Washington County Board of Supervisors adopts local law B, approves opioid settlement and dozens of routine measures; defeats one hearing on animal abuse

The Washington County Board of Supervisors on April 17, 2026, adopted Introductory Local Law B of 2026 and approved a settlement authorization tied to the county’s opioid litigation, along with a package of budget, staffing and procurement measures, during a regular session in the County Office Building in Fort Edward.

Chairman Henke opened the meeting at 10:00 AM. The board accepted the condensed minutes of its March 20 meeting and adopted the April audit report. The board then opened and promptly closed a public hearing on Introductory Local Law B at 10:05 AM after calling for public comment three times and receiving none.

The board approved Resolution No. 104 to adopt Introductory Local Law B; the roll call recorded 13 supervisors voting aye (Henke, Fedler, Herrick, Hall, Fisher, Baker, Mumby, O’Brien, Skellie, Kerr, Clary, Wang and Rozell) with four absent (Dresden, Hahn, Campbell and Hogan). The transcript includes the numeric tallies as presented during roll call: AYES: 3,426; ABSENT: 1,264.

Resolution No. 105, authorizing and approving a settlement related to the opioid crisis involving the referenced defendants, was moved by Supervisor Baker and adopted. The board adopted additional routine and substantive measures across the agenda, including awarding Bid 2026-15 for precast concrete box culverts (Resolution 110); approving change orders and contracts related to the Washington County/Town of Fort Ann combined highway barn (Resolutions 125–127); amending staffing patterns for the DPW Road Fund and County Clerk (Resolutions 113 and 114); adding an Alternative Sentencing Intern position (Resolution 123); and carrying over unspent grant funds and amending budgets to accept a new Domestic Terrorism Prevention Grant and to carry over a Hazard Mitigation Grant (Resolutions 119–121).

The board considered but defeated Resolution No. 107, a motion to set a time and place for a public hearing on Introductory Local Law C of 2026, which would have established a county-wide animal abuse registry. The motion, moved by Mrs. Clary and seconded by multiple supervisors, failed on roll call: Ayes 10 (Fedler, Herrick, Fisher, Mumby, O’Brien, Skellie, Kerr, Clary, Wang, Rozell); Noes 3 (Henke, Hall, Baker); Absent 4 (Dresden, Hahn, Campbell, Hogan). Chairman Henke said he would vote no and indicated a preference for a statewide registry rather than a county-run system.

During discussion of change orders tied to county construction contracts, Supervisor Rozell stated, "he is not related nor does he do any business with Rozell East, Inc.," and later made the same clarification regarding Rozell Industries, Inc., before the board adopted the related change orders. On a separate staffing vote (Resolution 113) Supervisor Baker opposed the motion; and on Resolution 118 (amend 2026 budget — County Road Machinery Fund) Mrs. Clary registered opposition as noted in the record.

Chairman Henke also announced that Clerk of the Board Debra Prehoda will receive the Liberty Bell Award on National Law Day. The board issued proclamations recognizing National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (April 19–25, 2026) and National Telecommunicator’s Week (April 12–18, 2026); the telecommunicator proclamation was presented to Public Safety staff.

During Supervisors' Privilege, members introduced several community presenters: Merle Nichols of the Town of Argyle addressed clean air and clean water; Tara Colvin introduced a "Tiny Taratory" community housing project; Lindsay of Granville asked the board to consider building an animal shelter with Warren County; and Ron Atkinson of the Town of Kingsbury urged the board to revisit a moratorium on PFAS. Mrs. Clary later noted that a remote area medical event in Schuylerville had served more than 360 people; Mrs. Fedler mentioned Deputy Public Safety Director Tim Hardy’s presentation at the NYSAC conference; and Ms. Kerr praised Meals on Wheels drivers for their volunteer commitment.

The meeting closed with Chairman Henke offering condolences to family members of John Graham and Scott Hahn and reiterating his stated opposition to municipal animal shelters, citing a "five day kill policy." Mr. Wang announced adjournment at 11:07 AM.

Next steps: public hearings were set for Introductory Local Laws D and E (nitrous oxide sales restrictions and kratom prohibition); Introductory Local Law C (animal abuse registry) will not move forward at this time absent further action. Several administrative and procurement items adopted at the meeting will proceed under the terms authorized by the board.