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January 13 2026 Regular Town Board Meeting Minutes This Regular Meeting of the Brant Town Board was held on Tuesday January 13, 2026, at the Brant Town Hall, located at 1272 Brant North Collins Rd, Brant, New York at 7:00 PM. PRESENT WERE: Mark DeCarlo Town Supervisor Tish Brady Councilwoman Linda Giancarlo Councilwoman Michael Muffoletto Councilman Don Clark Councilman Kristen Podkulski Recording Secretary Absent Bill Trask Town Attorney Barb Daniel Town Clerk ALSO, PRESENT AND LEGIBLY SIGNED IN WERE: Ellsworth Nolan Highway Superintendent Patty Friend Town Historian Janice Ross Resident Brian Rott Resident Tracy Kaczmarek Supervisor’s Secretary Mark Slawek Chief of Police Debra Ritz Planning Board Chair Donna Marien Resident Joe DeCarlo Assessor Chad Kaczmarek Resident Aaron Ruminiski Resident Deborah Bushnell Resident Jack Giacchino PD Investigator Brenda Giacchino Resident The meeting opened at 7:00 PM with the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES of the DECEMBER 9 th 2025 TOWN BOARD MEETING: Councilwoman Giancarlo motioned to approve the minutes and was seconded by Councilwoman Brady. 5 ayes, 0 nays. MOTION CARRIED. SUPERVISOR’S NOVEMBER 2025 FINANCIAL REPORT: Councilman Muffoletto motioned to approve the Supervisor’s November Financial Report, seconded by Councilwoman Brady. 4 ayes, 1 nay. MOTION CARRIED . TOWN CLERK/TAX COLLECTOR’S NOVEMBER 2025 REPORTS : Councilwoman Brady motioned to approve the Town Clerk’s Tax Collector Report, seconded by Supervisor DeCarlo. 5 ayes, 0 nays. MOTION CARRIED. COURT CLERK’S NOVEMBER 2025 FINANCIAL REPORTS FOR KACZMAREK & GIER REGULAR AND BAIL ACCOUNTS: Councilwoman Brady motioned to approve both Bail and Regular Financial accounts for Justice Kaczmarek’s & Justice Gier for November 2025, seconded by Councilman Muffoletto. 5 ayes, 0 nays. MOTION CARRIED. POLICE REPORT FOR DECEMBER 2025: Report was read by Chief Mark Slawek. He stated that they were still working on the radio issues with the Town of Evans. He mentioned the publication of the press release regarding the Richard Fox case and acknowledged our Brant Police investigator Jack Giacchino for all his hard work that he put into this case. He went on to mention that they were able to order new bullet proof vests through a grant they were awarded. He also brought up the issues at 957 Hammond Road and that the construction workers were coming at night to work on the house. Councilwoman Giancarlo mentioned getting in touch with our code enforcement officer to look into it and go to the house to check to see if work is actually getting done. Chief Slawek went on to inform the Board that Officer Mayer has started and that Officer Zach Whintney will be leaving to take on a new job at another Police Department. Supervisor DeCarlo made a motion to approve the report as read, seconded by Councilman Muffoletto. 5 ayes, 0 nays. MOTION CARRIED . HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORTS: Superintendent Ellsworth Nolan read his Highway report. He mentioned that Evans Highway help with the repair of the salt box. He also questioned the board about the status of the old police vehicle that was supposed to be transferred over to the Highway Department for their use to run for parts and errands instead of using the trucks. Supervisor DeCarlo stated that he needs to still look at the proper way to do that. Supervisor DeCarlo motioned to accepted the report as read, seconded by Councilwoman Brady. 5 ayes, 0 nays. MOTION CARRIED. TOWN CLERK’S NOVEMBER 2025 ACTIVITY REPORT TO THE BOARD: Deputy Town Clerk Kristen Podkulski read the report. Supervisor DeCarlo motioned to accept, seconded by Councilman Muffoletto . 5 ayes, 0 nays. MOTION CARRIED . PLANNING BOARD REPORT: Chairperson Debra Ritz read the report. She stated that they had their first meeting of the year with a full board and she is very pleased with the committee members. She discussed looking into training possibilities & requirements for the members of the Planning Board. Supervisor DeCarlo motioned to accept the report as read. Seconded by Councilwoman Brady. 5 ayes, 0 nays. MOTION CARRIED . ZONING BOARD REPORT: No report. RECREATION DIRECTOR’S REPORT : No report. BUILDINGS & GROUNDS REPORT: No report. TOWN HISTORIAN REPORTS : Town historian Patty Friend read her report. She made mention of her new hours for the Historical Meetings which are now every Monday that the Town Hall is open. She will no longer be opening on Saturdays. She will be opening the historical room from 9:30am-11:30am every Monday. She mentioned that she already has had so many more visitors since having the new hours! She also mentioned that she will be working on the 250 Year Anniversary and that will be her theme for the Brant Summer Festival Historical Display this year. She also mentioned that she received a few more donations from community members, including an old butter churn! Councilwoman Giancarlo motioned to accept the report as read, seconded by Councilwoman Brady. 5 ayes, 0 nays. MOTION CARRIED. FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT: No report presented. BRANT FARNHAM SENIORS : No report. CODE ENFORCEMENT REPORT : Code Enforcement report was read by Councilwoman Brady. Supervisor DeCarlo motioned to accept the report, seconded by Councilwoman Giancarlo. 5 ayes, 0 nays. MOTION CARRIED. OLD BUSINESS : Supervisor DeCarlo stated that there needed to be a correction on the Organizational Minutes. He made a motion to re-appoint Ray Ashton as a part time police officer at $31.80/hr. Seconded by Councilwoman Giancarlo. Roll Call was taken: Supervisor DeCarlo Aye Councilwoman Giancarlo Aye Councilman Clark Aye Councilman Muffoletto Aye Councilwoman Brady Aye 5 ayes, 0 nays. MOTIONED CARRIED. NEW BUSINESS: RESOLUTION FOR REAL PROPERTY TAX PAYMENTS IN CASH Supervisor DeCarlo read the resolution : RESOLUTION 26-01-13 Real Property Tax Payments in Cash WHEREAS , among other methods, the Town Receiver of Taxes accepts payment of real property taxes in cash if the payment is made in person at Town Hall; and WHEREAS, the Town Receiver of Taxes cannot accept less than full payment of the tax bill; and WHEREAS , real property tax bills are rarely whole numbers and often have cents associated with the amount; and WHEREAS , the Federal Government has stopped minting pennies, meaning eventually pennies will no longer be available and the Town will not be able to provide exact change to those property owners paying in cash; and NOW THEREFORE , BE IT RESOLVED , anyone paying their real property taxes in cash must pay the exact amount of the tax bill to the one-hundredth of a dollar and the Town Receiver of Taxes shall not accept a different amount. Supervisor DeCarlo made a motion to accept the Resolution. Seconded by Councilman Muffoletto. Roll Call was Taken: Supervisor DeCarlo Aye Councilman Muffoletto Aye Councilwoman Giancarlo Aye Councilman Clark Aye Councilwoman Brady Aye 5 ayes, 0 nays. MOTIONED CARRIED. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A JOINT SPECIAL MEETING WITH THE PLANNING BOARD FOR JANUARY 29, 2026 AT 7PM: Supervisor DeCarlo read the resolution: TOWN OF BRANT TOWN BOARD RESOLUTION Resolution Authorizing a Joint Special Meeting with the Planning Board WHEREAS , NED-Aurora Solar 8, LLC has submitted an application for approval of a Tier 3 Solar Energy System proposed to be located at 11425 Mileblock Road, Town of Brant, New York; and WHEREAS, the Town Board of the Town of Brant desires to meet jointly with the Planning Board of the Town of Brant to discuss the application and related matters; and WHEREAS , Town Law and the Open Meetings Law authorize the Town Board to call a special meeting upon proper notice; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Brant hereby calls and authorizes a Joint Special Meeting of the Town Board and the Planning Board to be held on Thursday, January 29, 2026, at 7:00 P.M., at the Brant Town Hall, 1272 Brant-Reservation Road, Brant, New York; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the purpose of said Joint Special Meeting shall be to discuss NED-Aurora Solar 8, LLC’s application for a Tier 3 Solar Energy System at 11425 Mileblock Road, and to conduct any other business that may properly come before the Town Board and Planning Board; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Town Clerk is hereby authorized and directed to provide notice of said Joint Special Meeting in accordance with the Open Meetings Law, including publication of a legal notice and posting as required by law. Supervisor DeCarlo made a motion to accept the Resolution. Seconded by Councilwoman Brady. Roll Call was Taken: Supervisor DeCarlo Aye Councilwoman Brady Aye Councilwoman Giancarlo Aye Councilman Clark Aye Councilman Muffoletto Aye 5 ayes, 0 nays. MOTIONED CARRIED. AGREEMENT TO SPEND TOWN HIGHWAY FUNDS TO BE SIGNED BY TOWN BOARD MEMBERS AND TOWN HIGHWAY SUPERITENDENT Supervisor DeCarlo acknowledged that the agreement has been signed. No motion was made. ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION FUND GRANT PROGRAM FOR PARKS, PRESERVATION AND HERITAGE (EPF) THROUGH THE REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCILS (REDC) AND THE CONSOLIDATED FUNDING APPLICATION HAS AWARDED THE TOWN OF BRANT A GRANT OF $334,719 FOR THE BRANT TOWN PARK REHABILITATION PROJECT. Supervisor DeCarlo announced that the Town of Brant was awarded this grant and can be used in conjunction with the grant that was also awarded for the renovation of the Recreation Building at the Town Park of $400,000. NEW HOURS FOR THE HISTORIAN. Supervisor DeCarlo again mentioned that the Historical room will be open on Mondays from 9:30am to 11:30am. It will be closed on the Mondays that the Town hall is closed and for holidays that fall on Mondays. LARGE ITEM TRASH COLLECTION HAS CHANGED: Supervisor DeCarlo announced that large item trash collection will now be the FIRST and LAST Thursday of each month. Casella has also switched to the automatic trucks. Please be sure trash bin handles are pointed towards your home. REPORTS OF COMMITTEE AND TOWN BOARD REPORTS: Councilman Clark : Reported that he is on the search to purchase new chairs for the bench. The old chairs are worn and some are broken. He will be shopping around. ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF THE FLOOR : Resident Donna Marien questioned if Town equipment was moved out of Donna Borngrabers shop? She mentioned that she still sees the Town Truck being parked there. Supervisor DeCarlo stated that he will follow up on that. MEETING & CORRESPONDENCE The second December sales tax remittance is in. The current transfer is 4.43% greater than the corresponding 2024 amount. Year-to-date transfers are running 5.11% ahead of last year at this time. APPROVAL OF ABSTRACT 13 of 2025 & Abstract 1 of 2026 read by Supervisor DeCarlo: ABSTRACT 13 of 2025 *Prepaid and unpaid as of 1/13/26 Total Claims $ 71,264.71 Gen Fund Town wide Vouchers Totaling: $ 31,232.24 Gen Fund – Part Town Voucher Totaling: $ 13,981.09 Highway T.W. Vouchers Totaling: $ 22,639.20 Street Lighting: Voucher Totaling: $ 3,412.18 Brant Water Dist 1 (SS2&SW): – Totaling $ - LAST PAYROLL 2025 (2 pay periods): General Town Wide Payroll 11/16/25-12/13/25 – Totaling $ 62,383.82 General Part Town Payroll 11/16/25-12/13/25 Totaling: $ 1,609.09 Highway Payroll TW 11/16/25-12/13/25 Totaling: $ 13,142.05 Highway Payroll PT 11/16/25-12/13/25 Totaling : $ - ABSTRACT 1 of 2026 *Prepaid and unpaid as of 1/13/26 Total Claims $ 22,940.50 Gen Fund Town wide Vouchers Totaling: $ 20,719.93 Gen Fund – Part Town Voucher Totaling: $ 225.00 Highway T.W. Vouchers Totaling: $ 1,995.57 Highway Part Town Vouchers Totaling: $ - Brant Water Dist 1 (SS2&SW): – Totaling $ - Supervisor DeCarlo made the motion to approve the abstract. Seconded by Councilwoman Brady. Roll call was taken. Supervisor DeCarlo Aye Councilwoman Brady Aye Councilwoman Giancarlo Aye Councilman Clark Aye Councilman Muffoletto Aye 5 Ayes, 0 nays MOTION CARRIED. NEXT REGULAR BOARD MEETING : February 10, 2026 at 7pm. Also, the Solar Meeting on January 29 th 2026 at 7pm. At 7:30 pm, Supervisor DeCarlo motioned to adjourn the meeting in memory of Fr. James Vacco. Seconded by Councilwoman Giancarlo. Roll Call was taken: Supervisor DeCarlo Aye Councilwoman Giancarlo Aye Councilman Clark Aye Councilman Muffoletto Aye Councilwoman Brady Aye 5 ayes, 0 nays. MOTION CARRIED. Respectfully submitted by, Kristen Podkulski Brant Deputy Town Clerk