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Votes at a glance: key Franklin County Legislature actions, May 2 and May 16, 2019
Summary
Between May 2 and May 16 the Franklin County Legislature unanimously approved multiple routine and programmatic resolutions including land sales, grant acceptances, personnel changes, procurement authorizations and recognitions; two resolutions recorded single abstentions on reappointments and counsel contracting.
The Franklin County Legislature met on May 2 and May 16, 2019 and approved a range of resolutions. Key actions and recorded outcomes follow.
• Operation Stonegarden 2018 funding: The Legislature authorized acceptance of $194,604 to the District Attorney's office and amended the 2019 budget to appropriate funds for equipment, telephone, equipment service and fuel (RES 112). Vote: unanimous.
• Real property transactions: Multiple quitclaim deeds and approvals for the reversion of unredeemed land were adopted (RES 109, RES 122, RES 127). Purchasers and amounts are recorded in resolutions (example: Sheree Aubin purchase $52,608.63; North Country Habitat for Humanity $1.00).
• Symquest plotter lease: Legislature authorized the County Manager to enter a retroactive lease with Symquest for a plotter (retroactive to April 26, 2019 through May 31, 2024) and approved a $3,500 transfer from contingency (RES 110). Vote: unanimous.
• Office for the Aging transportation grant: The Legislature accepted $40,000 from NYSOFA for transportation—$12,500 for contract services and $27,500 for volunteer mileage (RES 126). Vote: unanimous.
• Berkshire Farm contract amendment: Agreement increased by $40,921 to expand the Homerun youth program, funded from preventive funds in the 2019 budget (RES 115). Vote: unanimous.
• Traffic Safety Board reappointments: Kip Cassavaw, Melinda Ellis and Bruce Mallette were reappointed for three-year terms; vote passed 6–0 with Legislator Ellis recorded as abstaining (RES 130).
• Assigned counsel contract: Legislature authorized a contract with attorney Kevin F. Nichols for indigent defense services at $152,500 annually; vote passed 6–1 with Legislator Dumas abstaining (RES 138).
• Sheriff’s staffing changes: Creation of a Deputy Sheriff/Correction Officer and a Correction Officer Sergeant and abolition of other positions were authorized to maintain courthouse and DSS security coverage (RES 132). Vote: unanimous.
• Occupancy tax distribution: $32,000 in excess occupancy tax to be distributed among trail signage ($10,000), IDA marketing ($10,000 contingent on $10,000 IDA match) and regional marketing managers ($12,000 total); vote unanimous (RES 133).
• Highway procurement: Legislature authorized entering a piggyback milling contract with Peckham Road Corp. (RES 140) and other shared-services and procurement actions were approved, some with abstentions noted in the minutes where applicable.
• Honorees and proclamations: Multiple honorary resolutions and proclamations were adopted recognizing long‑serving volunteers and declaring awareness months (RES 114, 116, 119, 124, 125, 128–129, 135–136, 141).
What to watch: Implementation items include execution of the Energize NY agreement, county entry of energy benchmarking data by Dec. 31, 2019, and Solid Waste Authority follow-up on bond issuance and Cell 6 construction.
