Franklin County Legislature approves grants, road contracts, personnel changes and tax amnesty in May sessions

The Franklin County Legislature met in regular session on May 4 and May 18, 2017 and unanimously approved multiple resolutions covering grants, contracts, personnel actions and local proclamations.

Chairwoman Barbara Rice called both meetings to order; Clerk Gloria J. Valone read correspondence and roll calls. The body accepted minutes and correspondence by unanimous votes before considering individual resolutions.

Most consequential for county infrastructure and emergency communications, the Legislature authorized acceptance of a New York State Division of Homeland Security State Interoperable Communications Grant for $701,096 to be appropriated to equipment for Emergency Services. The Legislature also accepted two NYSDOT awards under the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP/CMAQ) for local sidewalk and pedestrian crossing projects: the Malone Sidewalk Extension and Pedestrian Crossing Project ($1,071,200) and the State Street Sidewalk and Crosswalks Project ($280,800). Those items were presented to the Legislature as correspondence and program awards.

Road projects proceeded through formal contract awards. The Legislature accepted the engineering recommendation and awarded the County Route 4 rehabilitation contract to Luck Brothers, Inc., with the project capped at $1,434,160.64. The County also awarded County Route 22 roadway and drainage improvements to Steven E. Fuller Excavating, Inc., not to exceed $296,000. Taken together, the two contracts represent county commitments for significant roadway rehabilitation this construction season.

On budgeting and county finances, the Legislature amended CHIPS and project lines to account for PAVE‑NY/EWR and rolled‑over funds, moved revenue and expense lines to pay a special prosecutor invoice of $5,953.90, and accepted the mortgage tax schedule for Oct. 1, 2016 through Mar. 31, 2017 allocating $306,204.12 among towns and villages as certified by the County Treasurer.

Personnel and program decisions included creating an Employee Benefits Coordinator position (Grade 8) to replace the retiring Principal Clerk of Workers Compensation/Self Insurance, and approving Social Services staffing adjustments: creation and filling of a Caseworker (Grade 11) and a Social Welfare Examiner (Grade 7) to maintain services during internal reorganizations. The Legislature also authorized an amended agreement with Berkshire Farm Center to add two Family Specialists for the Stepping Stones program beginning July 1, 2017 at a cost of $90,846.50 for the current fiscal year, to be funded from reimbursable Flexible Funds for Family Services.

Public health and service items approved included authorization for Franklin County Public Health Services to contract with HEALTHCAREfirst for firstHOMECARE software (monthly fee $1,995; annual ICD‑10 fee $395) contingent on legal review and release from the prior Carefacts license, adjusted clinic and nursing billing rates, and adoption of rabies clinic staff reimbursement rates.

The Legislature adopted administrative policy changes: an amended Civil Rights Policy & Procedures for County Transportation to comply with NYSDOT, revised benefits language for non‑bargaining employees, and a new accrual payout policy capping vacation payout for Category B & D employees at 21 days. The Legislature also approved a limited amnesty for Occupancy Tax registration, directing the County Treasurer to waive penalties and interest for owners who register and certify rental properties for the period from the Local Laws' inception through June 16, 2017 (base tax remains due).

Several ceremonial resolutions were adopted unanimously, honoring long‑serving volunteer firefighters (Elton “Cappy” Cappiello for 75 years; Larry Leduc and William Armstrong for 50 years), recognizing Darrell Manley as Senior of the Year for volunteer transportation service, and congratulating Bennett Martino on achieving Eagle Scout.

Other administrative actions included awarding the county's insurance program through NYMIR (total premium & fees: $290,457.99), approving acceptance of additional Office for the Aging funding coordinated with the Adirondack Health Institute (budget amendment adding $31,850), and consenting to act as Project Sponsor for a Bridge NY culvert replacement project on Fountain Street in the Town of Constable (PIN 775368) with the Town indemnifying the County and agreeing to reimburse any non‑Bridge NY costs.

All motions and resolutions recorded in the minutes were adopted unanimously with the notation that "All Members present voted in the affirmative." The May 4 session adjourned at 12:10 P.M.; the May 18 session adjourned at 11:48 A.M.

The Legislature's actions fund multiple near‑term infrastructure and public‑safety investments, authorize staffing and software changes in county service departments, and implement administrative policy clarifications; follow‑up actions include contract execution, budget line adjustments and project management steps by county staff and outside contractors.