SIXTH REGULAR SESSION
Johnstown, NY June 14, 2021
Roll Call – Quorum Present
Supervisors: Argotsinger, Blackmon, Born, Bowman, Bradt, Breh, Callery, Fagan, Goderie, Greene, Groff, Horton, Lauria, Perry, VanDenburgh, Wilson, Young
TOTAL: Present: 17 Absent: 3 (Supervisors Howard, Kinowski and Potter)
Chairman Callery called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Chairman Callery asked if there was anyone from the public who wished to address the Board.
PUBLIC SPEAKERS
Tamara Dunlap, 193 Royal Coachman Drive, Amsterdam, New York: Ms. Dunlap stated that she asked for help from Supervisors regarding school restrictions at the May 2021 Board of Supervisors Meeting. She stated that she would like to make it very clear that she is looking for help from the Supervisors in getting local children back in school and back to normal. She said that certain Supervisors in previous conversations had basically responded “That’s not my job”.
She stated that COVID-19 hasn’t been fair to anyone and noted that she is taking time from her work to advocate for her family and children. She stated that it is being announced by State officials that the children will be back in school full-time next fall, although she doesn’t think that will happen. She noted that schools were not told that “hybrid plans” were necessary. She stated that the Board of Supervisors is the highest level of the local government in our area and that they are some of the highest paid elected officials here. Ms. Dunlap contended that she had asked the Board for its help to change the state rules for COVID-19 in schools, but it did not help. She thanked the Board for its time today.
Chairman Callery then asked for the reading of any Communications and Reports that were on the Agenda.
PUBLIC HEARINGS/SCHEDULED SPEAKERS
1:30 P.M. PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING PROPOSED LOCAL LAW “A” OF 2021 ENTITLED “A LOCAL LAW TO AUTHORIZE 12 AND 13-YEAR OLD LICENSED HUNTERS TO HUNT DEER WITH A FIREARM OR CROSSBOW DURING HUNTING SEASON WITH THE SUPERVISION OF AN ADULT LICENSED HUNTER”
COMMUNICATIONS
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Letter from NYS Department of Transportation dated May 3, 2021
Subj: Informing Fulton County that NYSDOT processed an additional payment under the Statewide Mass Transportation Operating Assistance (STOA) program for upstate formula bus systems
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Letter from Commissioner Sheila Poole, NYS Office of Children and Family Services dated May 28, 2021
Subj: Replying to Chairman Callery to explain that revised guidance has been enacted allowing child care providers to not require children aged 2-5 to wear masks
REPORTS
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2019 and 2020 Capital District Regional Off-Track Better Corporation Financial Audit Statements
LATE COMMUNICATION
L-1 Letter from Nina Aledort, Deputy Commissioner, NYS Office of Children and Family
Services dated March 30, 2021
Subj: Fulton County’s Resource Allocation Plan (RAP) has been received and approved.
REPORTS OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES
Soil and Water Conservation District: Supervisor Horton stated that the Fulton County Highways and Facilities Department has been replacing culverts throughout Fulton County. He also stated that Town Highway Departments are working on storm drainage.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
Supervisor Callery stated that it’s tremendous seeing no masks for fully vaccinated individuals and very low numbers for COVID-19 positivity rates. He stated that partial US. Department of Treasury funds have been received at approximately $5 million. He stated that the County must report all expenses and keep track of each expenditure when using the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. A Resolution is on todays Agenda to formally accept the funds.
RESOLUTIONS
Resolutions on the regular Agenda were deliberated upon.
A motion was offered by Supervisor Fagan, seconded by Supervisor Lauria and unanimously carried, to waive the Rules of Order to take Action on Late Resolution 1.
Supervisor Young announced that he must Abstain from proposed Resolutions 38 and 39 due to his current positions with organizations referenced in each Resolution.
No. 204 (Resolution Urging Governor Cuomo to Reject Senate Bill S7196/Assembly Bill A6762 Which Would Enact Unconstitutional Law Harming Firearms Manufacturers): Mr. Stead stated that Herkimer County has passed a similar resolution already. Herkimer County Legislature is asking other counties to also follow suit. Supervisor Callery asked Assemblyman Robert Smullen if he wanted to comment on this. Assemblyman Smullen thanked Chairman Callery for asking for his opinion on this bill and stated that this bill will have some serious legal challenges moving forward. He noted that he spoke at the Assembly floor about this bill. He also stated that Herkimer County and other counties are urging the rejection of this bill and he expressed that “it’s great”. Mr. Stead stated that Rem Arms (formerly known as Remington Arms) is the largest manufacturer in this area but noted there are smaller, lesser known companies that will also be impacted by this law if it passes. Supervisor Greene stated that this law makes no sense to him and expressed that he is fully against this law as it is presented. Supervisor Horton stated that Rem Arms has invested a lot of money in this area and has brought a lot of people back to work.
Chairman Callery opened the Public Hearing to receive comments on Proposed Local Law “A” of 2021 entitled “a Local Law to Authorize 12 and 13-year old Licensed Hunters to Hunt Deer with a Firearm or Crossbow during Hunting Season with the Supervision of an Adult Licensed Hunter” at 1:30 p.m. Chairman Callery asked any interested speakers to step to the podium.
Assemblyman Robert Smullen - Assemblyman Smullen stated that he appreciated the opportunity to speak today. He read sections of the law to the Board of Supervisors. He stated that New York has a lot of strict laws when it comes to hunting which is the responsible thing to do. He stated that this program will allow this additional youth hunting to be executed safely. He noted that it is very rare that a home rule is extended back to the counties. Many counties are able to “opt in” to this law and he expressed the importance of opting in. He noted that there are 25 counties that are still pending while the other counties have adopted the “pilot program”. He stated that, during the pilot, the number hunting related incidents and other information will be reported and then it will be reviewed after 2023. It will show the data of responsible hunters that teach younger children how to hunt responsibly.
Mr. Smullen continued that there are anti-hunting bills “out there” now and but this bill is a step in the right direction. He noted that this bill has the support of the Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Conservation and the New York State Conservation Advisory Board. Assemblyman Smullen expressed that he urges Fulton County to join this “pilot program” as other counties have done.
Chairman Callery called for a five-minute recess at 1:37 p.m.
Chairman Callery called the meeting back to order at 1:45 p.m.
Chairman Callery again asked if there were any members of the public who wished to make comments regarding Proposed Local Law “A” of 2021 entitled “a Local Law to Authorize 12 and 13-year old Licensed Hunters to Hunt Deer with a Firearm or Crossbow during Hunting Season with the Supervision of an Adult Licensed Hunter”. There being no other interested speakers, Chairman Callery closed the Public Hearing at 1:46 p.m.
Upon a motion by Supervisor Fagan, seconded by Supervisor Greene and unanimously carried, the Board entered Executive Session at 1:50 p.m. to discuss collective bargaining.
Upon a motion by Supervisor Fagan, seconded by Supervisor Greene and unanimously carried, the Board re-entered into Regular Session at 2:18 p.m.
The Board then deliberated upon proposed Resolutions 180, 181 and 182.
Upon a motion by Supervisor Greene, seconded by Supervisor Groff and unanimously carried, the Board adjourned at 2:25 p.m.
Certified by:
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Jon R. Stead, Administrative Officer/ DATE
Clerk of the Board