Town of Tompkins in New York's Delaware County

The regular monthly meeting of the Town of Tompkins Town Board was called to order at 7:00 pm in the Town meeting room, Trout Creek, NY.

Present:

1. William Layton-Supervisor
2. Carl Stuendel-Councilperson
3. Peggy Backus-Councilperson
4. Howard Buttel-Councilperson
5. Timothy LaTourette-Councilperson

Others:

1. Ronald VanValkenburg-Hwy Superintendent
2. Nancy Roberts –  Bookkeeper to the Supervisor
3. Michelle Phoenix- Town Clerk
4. Shane Strong – Cobleskill Stone Products

Pledge to the flag was led by Carl Stuendel

Minutes Approval: On motion by Buttel, seconded by Stuendel, it was moved to approve the minutes of the Board meeting held on February 14, 2011.

Vote: All AYEs – Motion Carried.

Guest Speakers: 0

Monthly Financial Reports:

Town Clerks Report:

On motion by LaTourette, seconded by Stuendel, it was moved to receive, approve and place on file the Town Clerk’s February’s monthly report.

Vote: All AYEs – Motion carried.

Supervisor’s Report:

The Town’s financial Statements and Monthly Financial Audit were reviewed with the Board by Nancy Roberts, Bookkeeper to the Supervisor.

On motion by Backus seconded by Buttel it was moved to receive, approve and place on file the Supervisor’s Financial Report and the Annual Financial Audit.

Vote: All AYEs – Motion carried.

Bids – Stone and Pipe

• Bids reviewed for pipe from Jess F. Howe and Otsego Iron and Metal.
  On motion by Buttel seconded by LaTourette it was moved to accept both bids on pipe.
  Vote: All AYES – Motion Carried
• Bids Received from Carver, Cobleskill Stone
  On Motion by LaTourette seconded by Buttel it was moved to accept the low bid from Cobleskill stone.
  Vote: All AYEs – Motion Carried.

Other Reports:

Report – Planning Board

None

Report – Assessor

None

Report – Highway Superintendent

1. 2004 Chevy 1 ton all repaired and running ok, Apx $7,000 in repairs
2. With the rain we received last Thursday and Friday there was minimal damage.
3. Guys are working on equipment, all should be ready for spring
4. Plowed  77-79 times of City and County Roads
5. Questions on status of the Trout Creek signs that were talked about in the past – Bill will look into: who can make them, costs and how many we should get.
6. Discussed on Grit issue.
7. When weather breaks they will be hauling gravel from Afton to fix roads.
8. Discussed trading in 2004 & 2005 trucks.
9. Boom Mower – After much discussion board advised Ron to get price quotes and bring them to next board meeting.

Report – Dog Control Officer

1. 2/23/11 received a message on answering machine from town member that consisted of just her name and phone number tried to call them but got no response.
2. 2/25/11 Same towns member called stating she would like to know if they had access to any pit-bull rescues phone numbers, this was looked up on the computer and given to them, Upon further questioning it was discovered that a litter of 5 pit bull mix puppies had been dropped off at the turn around at the top of Southworth road and what was believed a large perhaps the mother of the pups. It was asked of this resident if she wanted the DCO to come get the puppies and take them to the shelter, at this time the resident stated they would try the rescue numbers and she didn’t want the town to pay costly fees for the shelter. It was further discussed that they DCO would take the puppies at this time to the shelter and the resident made it clear that she did not want us to do that, she would contact the rescues, and was not willing to relinquish them to the DCO.
3. 3/2/11 received a call from same town resident regarding the 5 pit bull mix puppies, stating she was not getting the response she had hoped for from the rescues, at this time the DCO stated he would be coming to pick up the puppies and take them to the Shelter. Upon picking up the pups it was strongly expressed that the resident is NOT responsible for the care and or the collection of any dog that has been dropped off at their place. They are to call the DCO immediately. The Resident at this time informed the DCO they were unable to locate the large dog that was originally seen with the pups.
4. 3/3/11 call received from a town member stating they would be getting their dog’s rabies vaccine and they were advised to get dogs licensed after this was completed at Town clerk’s office.
5. 3/5/11 recheck on resident dog complaint everything found to be satisfactory.
6. 3/5/11 Tried to contact resident regarding the letter they had received from Town Clerk’s office in December about harboring unlicensed dogs, this was the second attempt, still no contact.
7. Town Resident received license application and verbal warning to get dogs licensed as per letter that was mailed in December. DCO informed resident that he would be returning in 14 days to see if she was in compliance, will return after 3/19/11
8. Enumeration will start in April 2011 – Notice to go in paper

Report- Supervisor

1. No Post offices in Delaware County will be closed
2. Delaware County Rabies clinics to be put on Town website.
3. 125^th Delaware County Fair Parade is looking for Towns to put something in the parade. Bill will ask town residents if anyone has any ideas or interests and bring back to next meeting.
4. Put Lawn mowing bids in paper to be opened at next monthly meeting.
5. Town got granted the Grant for addition at this time we are not sure of amount.
6. Donation for American Legion. On Motion by LaTourette seconded by Stuendel it was moved to donate $400.
   Vote: All AYES Motion Carried.
7. Court Clerk – Received a letter from Lynn Carlstrom stating she would be moving out of area and would be leaving the position at that time. After much discussion it was decided by the board member that the Court Clerk position will be advertised in the paper, so that that the individual can be trained by Lynn before she leaves.
8. Dry Wall for addition, after much discussion it was agreed by board to have John Williams complete the Tape, spackle and primer paint for $2500
9. Heating for addition, after the person that had originally was to do the heating never showed up Terry Parsons was called to finish the Job.
10. Janitor – Our janitor would like to be put on the books after much discussion Bill will contact her back and give her some options to take into consideration.
11. Tim Cox, internal attorney for CWC advises that the CWC lawyer fees for the Town of Tompkins had now used it share of the remaining CWC legal defense fund paying legal fee’s related to NYC contested tax assessment.  Carl and Bill will pursue this matter with CWC.
12. Kevin Young attorney for Lamont Engineering has sent dates he would be available to speak to the board about the Wastewater management Program. The Board agreed to Tuesday March 22, 2011 at 6:00 pm
13. Discussion to allow or prohibit DEP land acquisition and conversation easements in the designated hamlet area. (Click HERE to see Resolution # 06 – 2011, which was passed by the board.)  [Resolution 2011-6 was superseded by Resolution 2011-7 (See Town Board Meeting – April 11, 2011) which was superseded by Resolution 2011-14 (See Town Board Meeting June 13, 2011) (posted Sept 1, 2011 cfs)]

Correspondence

0

Other

Abstract of Claims

On motion by Backus, seconded by LaTourette, it was moved to approve the Abstract of Claims for February 2011 as follows: General Fund: $ 5612.19, Highway Fund: $ 32,389.99

Vote: All AYEs – Motion carried.

Reading back of the minutes:

On motion by LaTourette and seconded by Layton, it was moved to accept the minutes as read back

Vote: All AYEs – Motion carried.

On motion by Backus, seconded by Layton, it was moved to adjourn meeting at 10:01 pm.

Vote: All AYEs – Motion carried.

Next meeting will be at 7pm on April 11, 2011 at the Town Meeting Room, Trout Creek, NY.

Michelle Phoenix

Town Clerk