Town of North Salem Town Board Meeting and Worksession - June 9, 2026

The Town Board of North Salem held a Regular Meeting and Worksession on June 9, 2026. The meeting covered routine approvals of minutes and reports, a significant debate on the town's Tyler ERP accounting system during the approval of bills, a worksession on highway department equipment and staffing needs, and the adoption of multiple personnel and financial resolutions.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes: Approved the minutes of the May 12, 2026 Regular Meeting and the May 26, 2026 Public Hearing and Regular Meeting.
• Reports: Accepted monthly reports from the Building Inspector, Facilities Manager, Highway Department, Planning Board, Police Department, Receiver of Taxes, Supervisor, and Town Clerk for May 2026. The Recreation Report was deferred.
• Resolutions passed unanimously included:
  • An hourly longevity bonus for a Highway Department motor equipment operator.
  • The appointment of Peter Zamboletti to the Planning Board, following the resignation of Emily Simonis.
  • Appointment of seasonal employees for the 2026 Summer Day Camp.
  • Renewal of the town's Logically Fortinet licensing agreement ($461.84).
  • Authorization to purchase a New York Freightliner 2027 base vehicle cab ($169,090.77).
  • Additional expenses for the Revolutionary North Salem 250 event ($900).
  • Purchase of a new water quality meter for the Peach Lake Sewer District from Hach Company ($2,607.30).
  • A contract with Mini-Golf to Go for the RNS 250 event ($2,500).
  • A tax refund to the Greene Family Irrevocable Trust ($1,512.94).

Discussion Items

Highway Department Worksession (Equipment & Staffing) The Board discussed replacing a failing heavy truck. The Highway Superintendent outlined a plan to purchase a new cab and retrofit it with an existing dump body, estimating significant savings over a fully built new truck. Two previously authorized F-600 trucks are on schedule for late 2026 delivery. The Superintendent argued the department is critically understaffed in maintenance, stating the sole mechanic is overwhelmed with a fleet of over 50 vehicles, leading to breakdowns and expensive outside repairs. The Board authorized the Superintendent to begin actively recruiting a second full-time mechanic.

Bills Review and Tyler ERP Accounting System Debate A major debate arose during the approval of the Town Bills abstract. A board member reported that a review of the abstract found a significant volume of invoices coded to budget lines that had insufficient funds or incorrect account codes within the town's new Tyler ERP system. This board member argued the Board could not properly audit the bills under these conditions and voted against the measure. The Supervisor countered that all the bills represented valid, necessary expenditures and the coding issues were largely due to a lack of training for department heads on the new system. He advocated for immediate payment. Key Outcome of the Discussion: The Town Bills ($357,717.34) were approved on a 4-1 vote, and the Highway Bills ($40,652.23) were approved unanimously. The Board mandated that the Finance Office immediately enable system controls in Tyler to prevent vouchers from being processed against lines with insufficient funds. It also directed that all department heads receive formal training on correct account codes to prevent future mismatches. A budget transfer of $30,000 from the contingency line to the special legal counsel line was approved to cover legal fees for the matter DeMayo v. Town of North Salem.

Key Outcomes

• Approved Town Bills ($357,717.34; 4-1) and Highway Bills ($40,652.23; unanimous).
• Directed the hiring process for a second Highway Department mechanic.
• Mandated corrective actions for the Tyler ERP accounting system, including enforcing budget limits and training department heads.
• Appointed a new member to the Planning Board.
• Approved the purchase of a new highway truck cab and a new water meter.
• Approved contract and expenses for the Revolutionary North Salem 250 event.
• The meeting entered executive session twice: first for a personnel matter and later for litigation, before adjourning.