The regular monthly meeting of the Town of Tompkins Town Board was called to order at 7:07 pm in the Town meeting room, Trout Creek, NY.
Present:
- William Layton-Supervisor
- Carl Stuendel-Councilperson
- Peggy Backus-Councilperson
- Howard Buttel-Councilperson
- Timothy LaTourette-Councilperson “ Arrived at 7:50PM”
Others:
- Ronald VanValkenburg-Hwy Superintendent
- Nancy Roberts – Bookkeeper to the Supervisor
- Michelle Phoenix- Town Clerk
- Gail Crane – Deputy Town Clerk
- Sandy Gardepe – Retired Clerk
- Jason Craig – Town Resident
- Judy Backus – Town of Sidney Resident
- Russ Thurston – Deputy Dog Control Officer
- Brenda Thurston – Dog Control Officer
- Perry Shelton – Retired Town Supervisor
Pledge to the flag was led by Carl Stuendel
Bill Layton thanked Sandy Gardepe and presented her a letter and a certificate of appreciation for years of service as Town Clerk, from 2000 to 2010.
Public Hearing Subdivision
Public hearing was opened at 7:14PM on the subdivision of Robert Grasso property. No one raised any issues. Motion to Close Public Hearing was at 7:15PM by Buttel, seconded by Stuendel.
Vote: All AYEs – Motion Carried.
Public Hearing on Dog Control and Licensing Law
Public Hearing was open at 7:16PM.
Justice Lloyd Backus raised questions regarding the enumeration status and process, it was explained to Mr. Backus that the enumeration process is not part of the dog licensing law and would be discussed during regular meeting when the dog control officer report is discussed.
Motion to Close Public Hearing at 7:20PM by Buttel, seconded by Stuendel.
Vote: All AYEs – Motion Carried.
On motion by Stuendel, seconded by Buttel, it was moved to approve the minutes of the Board meeting held on November, 9 2010.
Vote: All AYEs – Motion Carried.
On motion by Stuendel, seconded by Buttel, it was moved to approve the minutes of the 2 special board meetings held November, 16 2010 and November, 22 2010.
Vote: All AYEs – Motion Carried.
On motion by Stuendel, seconded by Buttel, it was moved to receive, approve and place on file the Town Clerk’s monthly report.
Vote: All AYEs – Motion carried.
The Town’s Financial Statements and Budget Report were reviewed with the Board by Nancy Roberts, Bookkeeper to the Supervisor. Nancy indicated that our final CHIPS reimbursement of $29,000 due this week. The General Fund checking account is a little low, due to having prepaid $33,000 in 2011 expenses for retirement ($23,000 for the Highway Fund) and Delaware County’s charge for planning board assistance. . A question was raised on the employee count on the drug testing, Ron is checking it out. Question raised on the variance of money spent on grit, Nancy and Ron will verify.
On motion by Stuendel, seconded by Buttel, it was moved to receive, approve and place on file the Supervisor’s financial report.
Vote: All AYEs – Motion carried.
The Adopted Budged that was signed at the November Board meeting had not reflected the Hancock Fire district numbers. The Bookkeeper presented to the board an updated budget that reflects the numbers for the Hancock Fire District for signing.
Guest Speakers:
Jason Craig – Floor was opened to Jason Craig.
Mr. Craig requested the Town Board to have the Highway Dept. take over the maintenance of Camelot Road. There are currently 10 residences on the road. Mr. Craig has an estimate for gravel for the road of $102,000. Board indicated the cost to the Town is estimated as approximately $65-70,000 per mile; 1 miles is the length of Camelot Road. The current road status does not meet the Town’s Sub-division or Road Specifications. Joe Reynolds indicated that he has signed letters from the homeowners indicating the road would not be taken over by the Town but would remain a Private Road.(Note: Joe indicated after the meeting that he was incorrect in this statement.) Tim LaTourette indicated the Town had previously met with homeowners explaining that they purchased the property with false impression by Mr. Markey regarding the road status. Mr. LaTourette also indicated the wires on the road are too low and could not be maintained by Town unless corrected. It was suggested by Mr. Stuendel for Mr. Craig to review with his attorney in light of the new history of meetings Mr. Craig presented. Mr. Layton stated he understood the position of the homeowners and Mr. Craig but that the road would have to be brought up to meet the current specifications
Reports – Planning Board
On motion by Stuendel, seconded by Layton, it was moved to receive, approve and place on file the Planning Board’s November, 2010 monthly report.
Vote: All AYEs – Motion Carried.
Reports – Assessor
On motion by Layton, seconded by Buttel, it was moved to receive, approve and place on file the Assessor’s monthly November, 2010 report. It was requested by Peggy Backus to have future Assessor Reports reflect more details on issues and their resolutions.
Vote: All AYEs – Motion Carried.
Reports-Highway Superintendent
- Used 3320 yards of gravel working roads in 2010.
- Roads are done being worked until next year.
- Headwalls fixed due to last heavy rain on Faulkner, Chamberlain Brook and Pine Swamp.
- Personnel list for County was filled out wrong so we got $.75 less for every hour we did for snow plowing in 2010
- Cold patch is done on all roads.
- Would like to be able to get concrete pad behind shop done in spring.
- Grit, city paid Town ½ of what the town has set aside for grit in 2011.
- Road stone on hand, Approx. 150 ton –ST; 60 Ton – 1B; 200 Ton 1A.
- Plowing equipment is ready and being used.
- Done hauling Grit.
- Brush cut on Windfall Rd.
- Need to get winter tires for trucks costing $391 a piece. Total Approx. $13,000. Tires are getting harder to get for the required sizes.
- Need to invoice Lamont engineering for 2 (8 hr) days work use of backhoe and one operator.
- Rock Rift Road – Seasonal section. In order to abandon, requires a Hearing with the land owners.
- Would like new boom mower, costing 82,524.00. Ron to make an equipment inventory list with status of condition of equipment and priority for replacement
- Chips money. Meeting at Danny’s Restaurant 12-14-10 where Wayne Reynolds will be discussing new regulations on how money can be spent. Ron will attend.
Reports- Dog Control Officer
Dog Enumeration project was discussed. Justice Lloyd Backus voiced his concerns in completion of the job in a timely, accurate method. The Dog Control report indicated 134 residents visited/reviewed; 87 with no dogs, 21 with licensed dogs and 23 with unlicensed dogs. Verbal warnings were issued with letters to be mailed from Town Clerk. Brenda indicated she was going to have to work with Private Communities to obtain enumeration counts.
On motion by Stuendel, seconded by Layton, it was moved to receive, approve and place on file the Dog Control Officer monthly report.
Reports- Supervisor
- Town Clerk Appointment to Michelle Phoenix. As newly appointed Town Clerk, Michelle has started her training with Gail Crane. Michelle is on a 60 day probation period.
- On motion LaTourette, seconded Stuendel. To Adopt Local Law #1- 2010 (The New licensing and Control of Dogs in the town of Tompkins)
Vote: All AYE’s – Motion Carried
Resolution 9-2010 for the adoption of Local Law 1-2010 was signed by the Board.
- Question raised regarding whether or not the letterhead should reflect the web address. Decision was made that letterhead should show the Town Of Tompkins web address.
- The status of the Town Shed entrance way – Bill has an estimate of $1350 with $675 down and balance on completion of Job, estimate includes labor and material by contractor Len Warner. On motion by Buttel, Seconded by LaTourette, it was moved to accept the estimate and to go ahead with job.
- Generator at Town Shed – This requires a building permit, installation of circuit breaker by licensed electrician and then inspection by a licensed electrical inspector. Joe will create the permit, Bill will sign it and contact the electrician, Hank Raymond.
Correspondence
Stream Corridor Management Grant program meeting will be held on December 16, 2010 at 11:00am. Carl stated that the County Planning Board will assist the town by filling out most of the grant application paperwork, once town representative, Ron V. and Howie B., have identified areas needing attention.
Other
Abstract of Claims
On motion by Buttel, seconded by LaTourette, it was moved to approve the Abstract of Claims for 2010 as follows: General Fund: $ 61,731.01, Highway Fund: $ 87,422.31
Vote: All AYEs – Motion carried.
Reading back of the minutes:
On motion by Backus and seconded by LaTourette, it was moved to forego reading back the minutes due to the hour and to let them be reviewed as an email attachment that the town clerk would send out to all board members.
Vote: All AYEs – Motion carried.
Motion by Stuendel, seconded by LaTourette to adjourn meeting at 9:55 pm.
Michelle Phoenix
Town Clerk
Next meeting will be on January 10, 2011 at the Town Meeting Room, Trout Creek, NY.
Town of Tompkins in New York's Delaware County 