FOURTH REGULAR SESSION
Johnstown, NY April 12, 2021
Roll Call – Quorum Present
Supervisors: Argotsinger, Blackmon, Born, Bowman, Bradt, Breh, Callery, Fagan, Goderie, Greene, Groff, Horton, Howard, Kinowski, Lauria, Perry, Potter, VanDenburgh, Wilson, Young
TOTAL: Present: 20
Chairman Callery called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m. and welcomed all attendees. He noted that National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week is April 11-17, 2021 which honors 911 Dispatchers. He took a moment to thank local dispatchers for the tremendous job they do.
Following the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, Chairman Callery asked if there was anyone from the public who wished to address the Board. No one came forward.
COMMUNICATIONS
Mr. Stead stated that Assemblyman Robert Smullen has scheduled a presentation to unveil Fulton County’s “Purple Heart Signs” on May 10, 2021 at 12:00 p.m. prior to the monthly Board of Supervisors meeting. The unveiling ceremony will be held in Sir William Johnson Park in Johnstown.
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Resolution from Hamilton County urging the Governor and Federal Government to Expand Broadband and Rural Cellular Coverage to all New Yorkers
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Letter from NYSAC thanking Fulton County for forwarding a copy of Resolution No. 73 of 2021, Calling upon NYS Legislators to Curtail Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Emergency Powers Authority
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Letter from Town of Johnstown Code Enforcer notifying Fulton County of a Public Hearing for the purpose of reviewing Olbrych Realty, Inc’s Site Plan application for a warehouse addition along East State Street Extension in the Town of Johnstown
L-1 – Letter from the NYS Public Service Commission by Transco, LLC.
Subj: Stray Voltage Testing of Various Facilities
REPORTS
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Fulton County Industrial Development Agency 2020 Annual Report
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Fulton County Planning Board 2020 Annual Report
UPDATES FROM STANDING COMMITTEES
Human Services: Supervisor Potter presented a handout of current covid-19 statistics listed below:
1. Current Statistics: Total Positive Cases 3,927
Active Cases 117
Recovered Individuals 3,715
Hospitalized Currently 15
Total Deaths 95
Total Persons Tested 91,787
7-day Rolling Average 3.2%
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Statistics are stable at these levels but have not gone down much either in last 4 weeks. After-effects of Spring Break/vacations may keep numbers around this level for a few more weeks.
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The Sheriff and his staff have been working through an outbreak at the Correctional Facility that has affected inmates and staff.
2. Vaccinations
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The Fulton County Public Health POD has been running routinely every Thursday. POD Link is typically released each Tuesday on Public Health Facebook page.
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This Thursday will have a POD of 200 first doses as well as additional second dose visits.
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Most counties, including ours, are starting to see a slow-down in persons looking for vaccination.
a. It appears some people are not wanting vaccine.
b. Some respond “I am waiting for single-dose Johnson & Johnson brand”.
- Vaccine is now available to all age groups.
- The COVID-19 Task Force is beginning to reach out to CRG, Chamber of Commerce and larger local businesses to pass the POD Link to employers.
Mr. Stead stated that Fulton County will likely stay on the current plateau and won’t see a large downtick for a few weeks due to schools restarting and spring vacation traveling.
Public Works: Supervisor Fagan stated that bids for “Main Apron Project” at the Fulton County Airport were opened and the lowest bidder was $300,000.00 lower than originally projected. He also stated that road paving material bids came in exceptionally well this year and the State is restoring some of the funding it had said it would withhold.
He noted that there are three (3) Resolutions that will be reviewed today, and if passed, will allow LifeNet of NY (Air Methods) to be based at our Fulton County Airport.
REPORTS OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES
Soil and Water Conservation District: Supervisor Horton stated that prices of construction materials have increased greatly due to the pandemic. He also stated that Soil and Water has had an 8 percent “hike” in plastic piping and landscaping fabric costs. He noted that people may want to get orders in if fabric is needed because they are expecting future shortages and an increase in prices. He stated that Soil and Water is going to create tighter credit policies due to people not paying their debts.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
Chairman Callery stated that it’s been a “normal month”. He noted that U.S. Senator Charles Schumer came to town and had a meeting with Administrative Officer Jon Stead and him at the Mohawk Harvest Cooperative Market in Gloversville. He stated that Senator Schumer asked how the County has been doing during the COVID-19 pandemic. He noted that it was an informative meeting.
Chairman Callery also stated that he presented the sewer line project for the Route 30/30A Corridor to Senator Schumer. He stated that the Senator was very appreciative of the meeting and listened to the concerns of Fulton County and local City officials.
Chairman Callery added that Dr. Gregory Truckenmiller was recently appointed as President of the Fulton-Montgomery Community College and is no longer in interim status. He stated that he is glad that the process is over and noted that Dr. Truckenmiller is very deserving of that position.
Resolutions were then deliberated on.
PROCLAMATIONS
RECOGNIZING FULMONT COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY, INC. AND DECLARING MAY 2021 “COMMUNITY ACTION MONTH IN FULTON COUNTY”
WHEREAS, Fulmont Community Action Agency is one of the 48 Community Action Agencies serving the low income, elderly and disabled residents of the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Fulmont Community Action Agency has served the low income, elderly and disabled residents of Fulton and Montgomery counties for over 56 years; and
WHEREAS, Fulmont Community Action Agency conducts numerous programs to meet the needs of Fulton and Montgomery County residents, including Head Start, Universal Pre-Kindergarten, Weatherization, EmPower, Senior Transportation, Community Services, Wheels for Work and Women, Infants and Children Programs; and
WHEREAS, Fulmont Community Action Agency, in partnership with government, the private sector and low-income citizens, continues to identify poverty conditions and find solutions; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Supervisors hereby commends the Fulmont Community Action Agency for its steadfast efforts to improve the human condition; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the Fulton County Board of Supervisors hereby proclaims the month of May 2021 as “COMMUNITY ACTION MONTH” in Fulton County.
OLD BUSINESS
Mr. Greene spoke about the passing of Town of Mayfield resident, Earl Hare. Mr. Greene stated that he was a former member of the Board of Directors of the Fulton County Soil and Water Conservation District and served on its Board for many years. He stated that anyone who knew Earl would probably classify him as a “character in the nicest sense of the word”. He also noted that he was a nice guy, touched a lot of people’s lives and was involved in a lot of local events and programs. Chairman Callery stated that Earl was a teacher for Mayfield Central School District and was a contributor to many District activities.
ADJOURNMENT
Upon a motion by Supervisor Bradt, seconded by Supervisor Wilson and unanimously carried, the Board entered Executive Session at 1:32 p.m. to discuss employment history.
(Supervisor Young left the meeting at 1:32 p.m., stating that he would be leaving the meeting in order to recuse himself from the subject of the executive session due to his employment at FMCC.)
Upon a motion by Supervisor Fagan, seconded by Supervisor Groff and unanimously carried, the Board re-entered into Regular Session at 2:18 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
Upon a motion by Supervisor Greene seconded by Supervisor Bowman and unanimously carried, the Board adjourned at 2:19 p.m.
Certified by:
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Jon R. Stead, Administrative Officer / DATE.
Clerk of the Board.
RESOLUTIONS