Special Town Board Meeting

SPECIAL MEETING OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF NEW HARTFORD, NEW YORK, HELD AT TOWN HALL, 8635 CLINTON STREET, NEW HARTFORD, NY ON WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2026 at 5:00 P.M. Town Supervisor Messa called the meeting to order at 5:00 P.M. and the roll was taken with the following Town Officials and Department Heads being present during the progress of the meeting. Supervisor Messa then led those in attendance in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag. TOWN BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Councilman Vincent Pristera Councilman John Latini Councilman David M. Reynolds Councilman David Tehan Supervisor James Messa OTHER TOWN OFFICIALS/EMPLOYEES PRESENT: Deputy Town Supervisor, David Tehan Town Attorney, Herb Cully Town Clerk, Michele Moran Highway Superintendent, Richard Sherman Police Chief, Ronald Fontaine Finance Dept., Christina Lacy Supervisor’s Confidential Secretary, Christine Martin Lt. Thomas Hulser, NHPD Inv. Adam Sardina, NHPD ABSENT: Assistant Director of Personnel, Barb Schwenzfeier Assessor Darlene Abbatecola Codes Officer George Farley Thereafter a quorum was declared present for the transaction of business. APPROVAL APPOINTMENTS FOR POSITIONS Supervisor Messa announced a Part-Time position of Clerk to Town Justice at a salary of $23.34/hr, effective immediately to fill an open part-time position. The following Resolution was introduced for adoption by Councilman Tehan and duly seconded by Councilman Latini. (RESOLUTION NO. 38 OF 2026) ORGANIZATIONAL TOWN BOARD MEETING January 21, 2026 Page 2 of 7 RESOLVED, that the New Hartford Town Board does hereby accept and approve Anne Kuhn as Town Court’s newest employee as stipulated above. The Town Board voted upon roll call, resulting as follows: Councilman Pristera -Aye Councilman Latini -Aye Councilman Reynolds -Aye Councilman Tehan -Aye Supervisor Messa -Aye The Resolution was unanimously carried and duly ADOPTED. APPROVAL APPOINTMENTS FOR POSITIONS Supervisor Messa announces 2 Full-Time positions of Motor Equipment Operator (MEO) in the Highway Department at a salary of $22.00/hr., effective immediately to fill 2 of 5 open full-time positions. The following Resolution was introduced for adoption by Councilman Latini and duly seconded by Councilman Pristera. (RESOLUTION NO. 39 OF 2026) RESOLVED, that the New Hartford Town Board does hereby accept and approve Zachary J. Constas as Town Highway’s newest employee as stipulated above. The Town Board voted upon roll call, resulting as follows: Councilman Pristera -Aye Councilman Latini -Aye Councilman Reynolds -Aye Councilman Tehan -Aye Supervisor Messa -Aye The Resolution was unanimously carried and duly ADOPTED. ORGANIZATIONAL TOWN BOARD MEETING January 21, 2026 Page 3 of 7 The following Resolution was introduced for adoption by Councilman Tehan and duly seconded by Councilman Latini. (RESOLUTION NO. 40 OF 2026) RESOLVED, that the New Hartford Town Board does hereby accept and approve Bruce A. Relyea, Jr. as Town Highway’s newest employee as stipulated above. The Town Board voted upon roll call, resulting as follows: Councilman Pristera -Aye Councilman Latini -Aye Councilman Reynolds -Aye Councilman Tehan -Aye Supervisor Messa -Aye The Resolution was unanimously carried and duly ADOPTED. STORAGE TANK LIABILITY POLICY – RATE INCREASE Supervisor Messa announces a proposal to sign a new Storage Tank Liability Policy from Highstreet reflecting a rate change from $2,695 to $2,788. The contract had previously been signed with the lower rate. The following Resolution was introduced for adoption by Councilman Reynolds and duly seconded by Councilman Pristera. (RESOLUTION NO. 41 OF 2026) RESOLVED, that the New Hartford Town Board does hereby accept and approve the rate change as stipulated above and direct Supervisor Messa to sign the new contract. The Town Board voted upon roll call, resulting as follows: Councilman Pristera -Aye Councilman Latini -Aye Councilman Reynolds -Aye Councilman Tehan -Aye Supervisor Messa -Aye The Resolution was unanimously carried and duly ADOPTED. ORGANIZATIONAL TOWN BOARD MEETING January 21, 2026 Page 4 of 7 BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS for year 2026 1.) Supervisor Messa presented budget (transfer) – decrease is A50100.14 (Personnel - Highway Secretary) for $4,264.00 and increase A13150.14 (Personnel – Comptroller) for $4,264.00. Councilman Tehan introduced the following Resolution for adoption and seconded by Councilman Latini. (RESOLUTION NO. 42 OF 2026) RESOLVED, the Town of New Hartford Town Board does hereby approve to increase funding for Comptroller Personnel from Highway Secretary for $4,264.00. The Town Board voted upon roll call, resulting as follows: Councilman Pristera -Aye Councilman Latini -Aye Councilman Reynolds -Aye Councilman Tehan -Aye Supervisor Messa -Aye The Resolution was unanimously carried and duly ADOPTED. 2.) Supervisor Messa presented budget (transfer) – decrease is A50100.14 (Personnel - Highway Secretary) for $5,179.00 and increase A14100.13 (Personnel – Deputy Clerk II) for $5,179.00. 3.) Supervisor Messa presented budget (transfer) – decrease is A14100.12 (Personnel – PT Clerk) for $19,467.00 and increase A14100.13 (Personnel – Deputy Clerk II) for $19,467.00. Councilman Tehan introduced the following Resolution for adoption and seconded by Councilman Reynolds. (RESOLUTION NO. 43 OF 2026) RESOLVED, the Town of New Hartford Town Board does hereby approve to increase funding for Deputy Clerk II Personnel from Highway Secretary ($5,179) and PT Clerk ($19,467.00) for a total of $24,646.00. ORGANIZATIONAL TOWN BOARD MEETING January 21, 2026 Page 5 of 7 The Town Board voted upon roll call, resulting as follows: Councilman Pristera -Aye Councilman Latini -Aye Councilman Reynolds -Aye Councilman Tehan -Aye Supervisor Messa -Aye The Resolution was unanimously carried and duly ADOPTED. 4.) Supervisor Messa presented budget (transfer) – decrease is A50100.14 (Personnel - Highway Secretary) for $18,200.00 and increase A12200.12 (Personnel – Confidential Secretary) for $18,200.00. Councilman Tehan introduced the following Resolution for adoption and seconded by Supervisor Messa. (RESOLUTION NO. 44 OF 2026) RESOLVED, the Town of New Hartford Town Board does hereby approve to increase funding for Confidential Secretary from Highway Secretary for $18,200.00. The Town Board voted upon roll call, resulting as follows: Councilman Pristera -Aye Councilman Latini -Aye Councilman Reynolds -Aye Councilman Tehan -Aye Supervisor Messa -Aye The Resolution was unanimously carried and duly ADOPTED. EXECUTIVE SESSION – MATTERS SUBMITTED BY SUPERVISOR MESSA 1. Discuss NH PBA Contract 2. Personnel Matters (unknown Dept.) 3. New Hartford Central School Contract EXECUTIVE SESSION – MATTERS SUBMITTED BY TOWN ATTORNEY CULLY 4. Wachs Tax Certiorari ORGANIZATIONAL TOWN BOARD MEETING January 21, 2026 Page 6 of 7 Councilman Latini introduced the following Resolution for adoption and duly seconded by Councilman Pristera: (RESOLUTION NO. 45 OF 2026) RESOLVED, that the New Hartford Town Board does hereby approve to enter into Executive Session at 5:39 pm. The Town Board voted upon roll call, resulting as follows: Councilman Pristera -Aye Councilman Latini -Aye Councilman Reynolds -Aye Councilman Tehan -Aye Supervisor Messa -Aye The Resolution was unanimously carried and duly ADOPTED. Councilman Latini introduced the following Resolution for adoption and duly seconded by Councilman Pristera: (RESOLUTION NO. 46 OF 2026) RESOLVED, that the New Hartford Town Board does hereby approve to come out of Executive Session at 6:57 pm. The Town Board voted upon roll call, resulting as follows: Councilman Pristera -Aye Councilman Latini -Aye Councilman Reynolds -Aye Councilman Tehan -Aye Supervisor Messa -Aye The Resolution was unanimously carried and duly ADOPTED. ORGANIZATIONAL TOWN BOARD MEETING January 21, 2026 Page 7 of 7 Councilman Reynolds introduced the following Resolution for adoption, seconded by Councilman Latini: (RESOLUTION NO. 47 OF 2026) RESOLVED, the Town of New Hartford Town Board does hereby approve and authorize Supervisor Messa to execute the formal offer of settlement as it relates to the new PBA contract, with 1 change on page 26 - shortening the contract period from 4 to 2 years (2026 & 2027). The Town Board voted upon roll call, resulting as follows: Councilman Pristera -Aye Councilman Latini -Aye Councilman Reynolds -Aye Councilman Tehan -Aye Supervisor Messa -Aye The Resolution was unanimously carried and duly ADOPTED. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Board, upon motion duly made by Councilman Latini seconded Councilman Pristera, the meeting was adjourned at 7:01 P.M. (RESOLUTION NO. 48 OF 2026) The Town Board voted upon roll call, resulting as follows: Councilman Pristera - Aye Councilman Latini - Aye Councilman Reynolds - Aye Councilman Tehan - Aye Supervisor Messa - Aye The Resolution was unanimously carried and duly ADOPTED. Respectfully submitted, Michele Moran Town Clerk 1/26/2026