Union Vale board adopts 2026 policies, appointments and payment systems; schedules executive session on library lawsuit

The Town of Union Vale board met Jan. 7 for its reorganizational session and approved a package of routine 2026 authorizations, appointments and operational rules while adding an executive session to discuss an ongoing lawsuit by library trustees and legal advice on an employee matter.

Supervisor Steve Frasier opened the meeting, presented the town's finance report and walked the board through a comprehensive resolution adopting the town’s 2026 policies and procedures. The report listed account balances as of Nov. 30: general checking $355,179; miscellaneous receipts $1,248; NYCLASS general $2,751,589; NYCLASS reserve $5,188; total general $3,217,114; and a highway total that, combined, produced a grand total the supervisor read as $4,147,774.

The board set its 2026 meeting schedule and designated the Union Vale Firehouse Station on Route 82 as an official polling site for specified districts. It also adopted operating hours for town offices and a holiday schedule for town personnel.

Under a slate of appointments and designations the board confirmed dozens of standing positions for 2026, including Robert Taft as assessor, Vincent Germano as municipal park manager, Margaret Collins as recreation director and William Dempsey as zoning administrator and MS4 coordinator. The board noted several vacancies on advisory bodies, including the Conservation Advisory Council.

The board accepted the resignation of Town Justice Steven E. Diamond, effective immediately, and appointed Andrea Men to serve as town justice effective Jan. 1, 2026, until a successor can be elected at the Nov. 3, 2026 general election; the appointment carries the salary the board recorded as $11,133.50 per year.

The board set 2026 salaries for elected officials as presented in the meeting packet (supervisor $21,175; council members $6,233.25 each; town clerk Andrea Casey $49,343 plus $1,540; town justice $11,133.50; highway superintendent $72,828) and adopted a budget-referenced schedule for appointed employees.

On payments and revenue, the board reauthorized Value Payment Systems to accept credit cards and e-checks for taxes, building fees and other town charges. The board recorded the convenience fee rates in the motion as 2.245% for credit-card payments and $1.75 for e-checks; the fees are paid to the processor and are not retained by the town.

At the start of the meeting the supervisor asked the board to amend the agenda to add an executive session after public comment to discuss the ongoing lawsuit by the library trustees and to receive legal advice on an employee matter. The motion to add the executive session was made, seconded and carried with a recorded dissent before the motion passed. The board later moved into executive session and, on returning, said that no funds were spent and that no decisions had been made.

During public comment Joseph Tresque introduced himself as the newly elected county legislator for District 22 (Union Vale and Beaman) and provided contact information, saying he is available to constituents.

The board discussed procurement for a phone and copier contract and directed staff to return with pricing comparisons at a future meeting to determine whether splitting contracts would produce lower costs or whether combining services would offer better value.

The meeting closed after routine motions to pay bills and adjourn; the board set its next regular meeting for Jan. 21 at 7:30 p.m.

Ending: The actions taken were procedural and administrative for 2026; the executive session added for legal advice produced no public actions when the board returned and adjourned.