Ghent swears in officials, adopts routine organizational resolutions and appoints ZBA chair

The Ghent Town Board opened its organizational meeting on Jan. 6, 2026, swearing in newly elected and returning officials and adopting a slate of annual housekeeping resolutions to set meeting dates, financial policies and appointments for the year.

Michelle Bradley was sworn in as town clerk, pledging to "support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of New York" and to "faithfully discharge the duties of the town clerk," the oath recorded in the meeting minutes. Craig Simmons took the oath as town supervisor, Walter F. Angel as town council member and Benjamin J. Perry as highway superintendent. Board members offered brief congratulatory remarks after each oath.

The board then moved quickly through routine organizational business that it said it holds each year. Members unanimously adopted Resolution No. 1 to fix the board's regular meeting schedule for 2026. The board also approved resolutions setting salaries for appointed and contractual positions (Resolution No. 2), authorizing mileage reimbursement at the federal rate (Resolution No. 3, adopted in amended form to correct a clerical typo), designating the Register-Star as the town's official newspaper (Resolution No. 4), and naming official depositories for town funds (Resolution No. 5).

Among the financial and operational measures, the board approved Resolution No. 6 authorizing the highway superintendent to make purchases up to $5,000 without prior board approval, noting the increase to the threshold was intended to address practical needs. Resolution No. 7 authorized early payment of routine off-cycle bills such as utilities, postage and medical insurance premiums. The board also authorized town officers to endorse checks (resolution presented and carried), and adopted an investment policy (Resolution No. 9) after correcting the document's date.

Resolution No. 10 named the town's delegate to the Association of Towns annual meeting (Feb. 14–16). The motion carried despite one member announcing opposition. Resolution No. 11 established a $200 petty-cash fund for Shelly (staff), and Resolution No. 12 set procedures for delinquent tax notices as required by law. Resolution No. 13, listing annual appointments for 2026, was amended to correct an incorrect year in the draft and noted that the Environmental Management Council seat remains vacant; members said Dave Newman had previously served as that delegate. The board also approved Resolution No. 14 to establish alternates for planning boards to address conflicts of interest.

The board moved to appoint Lyall Truad as chair of the Zoning Board of Appeals; members praised his long service on the board, the motion was seconded and the appointment carried.

Several brief announcements were made during the meeting: Greg Behringer reported that a wreath would be hung at the Knox Trail at 10:30 a.m.; the board noted a short training session planned for new members; and routine clerical corrections to draft documents (dates and typos) were corrected on the floor prior to votes.

Votes at a glance: Resolution Nos. 1–14 and the ZBA chair appointment were each moved, seconded, and carried during the meeting. Where the record shows an objection, it is noted above (Resolution No. 10 received one recorded vote in opposition). Specific individual vote tallies were not read into the record during the motions referenced in the transcript.

The board adjourned after completing the organizational business and indicated members could discuss outstanding items outside the meeting.

(Reporting based on the Jan. 6, 2026 organizational meeting transcript.)