Council approves minutes of the October 20 budget workshop, 4–0

Award softball field lighting contract to Stillstein Electric ($126,200)

5 yes, 0 no

Jake Crawford (yes), Peter G. Barber (yes), Gustavo Santos (yes), Kevin McDonald (yes), Amanda Beedle (yes)

Appoint Mackenzie Hempstead as telecommunicator

5 yes, 0 no

Jake Crawford (yes), Peter G. Barber (yes), Gustavo Santos (yes), Kevin McDonald (yes), Amanda Beedle (yes)

Approve minutes of the October 20 regular Town Board meeting

4 yes, 0 no

Kevin McDonald (yes), Jake Crawford (yes), Peter G. Barber (yes), Amanda Beedle (yes)

Waive building permit for fire damage at 8 Providence Street

5 yes, 0 no

Kevin McDonald (yes), Amanda Beedle (yes), Jake Crawford (yes), Peter G. Barber (yes), Gustavo Santos (yes)

Approve minutes of the October 22 budget workshop

4 yes, 0 no

Jake Crawford (yes), Peter G. Barber (yes), Kevin McDonald (yes), Amanda Beedle (yes)

Appoint Sean Cray as police officer

5 yes, 0 no

Jake Crawford (yes), Peter G. Barber (yes), Gustavo Santos (yes), Kevin McDonald (yes), Amanda Beedle (yes)

Authorize signing of water warrant ($1,338,673.97)

5 yes, 0 no

Gustavo Santos (yes), Kevin McDonald (yes), Jake Crawford (yes), Peter G. Barber (yes), Amanda Beedle (yes)

Resolution to administer Town of Knox Section 8 housing

5 yes, 0 no

Jake Crawford (yes), Peter G. Barber (yes), Amanda Beedle (yes), Gustavo Santos (yes), Kevin McDonald (yes)

Adopt child abuse and sexual misconduct prevention policy (Parks Department)

5 yes, 0 no

Kevin McDonald (yes), Gustavo Santos (yes), Amanda Beedle (yes), Jake Crawford (yes), Peter G. Barber (yes)

Close 2027 Budget Public Hearing

5 yes, 0 no

Kevin McDonald (yes), Gustavo Santos (yes), Amanda Beedle (yes), Jake Crawford (yes), Peter G. Barber (yes)

Approve December 31, 2024 financial audit

5 yes, 0 no

Jake Crawford (yes), Peter G. Barber (yes), Gustavo Santos (yes), Amanda Beedle (yes), Kevin McDonald (yes)

Adopt the 2027 Town Budget

5 yes, 0 no

Amanda Beedle (yes), Kevin McDonald (yes), Gustavo Santos (yes), Jake Crawford (yes), Peter G. Barber (yes)

Approve minutes of the October 20 budget workshop

4 yes, 0 no, 1 abstain

Jake Crawford (yes), Peter G. Barber (yes), Gustavo Santos (abstain), Kevin McDonald (yes), Amanda Beedle (yes)

Adopt concussion management and awareness policy (Parks Department)

5 yes, 0 no

Kevin McDonald (yes), Gustavo Santos (yes), Amanda Beedle (yes), Jake Crawford (yes), Peter G. Barber (yes)

Amend the 2026 budget (four amendments)

5 yes, 0 no

Kevin McDonald (yes), Gustavo Santos (yes), Amanda Beedle (yes), Jake Crawford (yes), Peter G. Barber (yes)

2027 Preliminary Budget and Tax Cap Compliance

The town adopted its 2027 budget while staying under the state's 2% property tax cap, even with inflation pushing up costs at Town Hall. This determines what residents pay in town taxes next year and what services the town can deliver.

What it means: Keeps the town tax increase within the 2% cap; amendments add roughly $200,000 in one-time spending funded by settlements, insurance, and reserves.

Raised 2 times this week

Police staffing and parks child-safety policies

The town hired Officer Sean Cray from the Albany County Sheriff's Office and adopted two child-safety policies for Parks Department programs, including concussion management and abuse prevention.

What it means: Families using town parks and recreation programs, and residents relying on police coverage.

Park Improvements and Keenholts Park Lighting

The board awarded a $126,200 contract to Stillstein Electric to light the girls' softball field, reimbursed through a grant — a quality-of-life upgrade for youth sports.

What it means: $126,200 contract, reimbursed through grant funds.

2026 Highway Paving and Infrastructure Improvements

The town used $125,000 received from Kiewit for damage to Old State Road to repave it — work already completed.

What it means: $125,000 from the Kiewit settlement covered the repaving at no additional taxpayer cost.

Town of Knox Section 8 housing administration

The town will administer roughly 14 Section 8 housing units for the Town of Knox, which couldn't manage the allocation itself.

What it means: Knox residents with Section 8 vouchers, who continue receiving housing assistance through Guilderland's administration.

Foundry Road Blighted Properties Assessment Proposal

A long-blighted set of five vacant parcels — now costing about $54,700 in annual taxes — remains unresolved. Demolition depends on a redesigned traffic plan awaiting final DOT approval, and assessment reductions require the property owner to file corrective forms.

What it means: The properties carry roughly $54,700 in annual taxes; assessment cuts could reduce town revenue while aiding cleanup.

Emergency Medical Services Agreement with Knox

Insurance money from a totaled ambulance plus auction proceeds will buy a replacement, and the town boosted its fire tower reserve match by $8,000. These keep emergency response funded and equipped.

What it means: $66,515 toward ambulance replacement plus an $8,000 increase in the fire reserve match.

E-bikes, ATVs, and dirt bikes on Route 20

A resident raised concerns that e-bikes are operating on roads with speed limits above 30 mph, alongside ATVs and dirt bikes — an enforcement question town police may need to address.

What it means: Addressing it would make roads safer for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians along Route 20.