The regular monthly meeting of the Town of Tompkins Town Board was called to order at 7:35 pm in the Town meeting room, Trout Creek, NY.
Present:
- William Layton – Supervisor
- Howard Buttel – Councilperson
- Tim LaTourette – Councilperson
- Peggy Backus – Councilperson
- Carl Stuendel – Councilperson
Others:
- Ronald VanValkenburg – Hwy Superintendent
- Michelle Phoenix – Town Clerk
- Nancy Roberts – Bookkeeper to the supervisor
- Bruce Cunningham – Town Resident
- Glenn Graves – Walton Reporter
- Vicky Hornbeck – Town Bldg. Janitor
Pledge to the flag was led by Peggy Backus
Minutes Approval:
On motion by Buttel, seconded by LaTourette, it was moved to approve the minutes of the Board meeting held on November 14, 2011.
Vote: All AYEs – Motion Carried.
Monthly Financial Reports:
Town Clerks Report:
On motion by LaTourette, seconded by Buttel, it was moved to receive, approve and place on file the Town Clerk’s monthly report for November.
Vote: All AYEs – Motion carried.
Supervisor’s Report:
The Town’s monthly financial report was reviewed with Nancy Roberts, bookkeeper to the Supervisor.
On motion by LaTourette seconded by Buttel it was moved to receive, approve and place on file the Supervisor’s Financial Report.
Vote: All AYEs – Motion carried.
Guest Speakers:
Vicky Hornbeck – Vicky approached the board asking for a raise. Vicky explained that due to her having to clean the new addition and the supervisor’s office it is taking her an extra hour to complete cleaning of the building. The Board stated they would discuss this and get back to Vicky with their decision.
Other Reports:
Report – Planning Board
None
Report – Assessor
None
Report – Highway Superintendent
- Ron questioned what the status is with the Trout Creek signs. Bill stated he is going to have to look into finding someone else to do them seeing how the person that was asked to do them they have not heard back from.
- Grit is all hauled in
- The phone line that was questioned in the Town Shed building was found to be for the alarm system.
- Employees have been cleaning, servicing trucks and equipment.
- Cold patching has been done.
- Employees have been trying out boom mower and have found some other small issues with it.
- Ron asked if the creamery can be used for cold storage. William Layton said he would speak to our insurance agent about insurance for this building and whether items stored there would be covered on our existing policy.
- Ron would like the board to look into purchasing a new 10 wheeler to replace the oldest one.
- Ron would like the board to look into start replacing the 1 tons
- A Resolution needs to be done for Seasonal maintained highways. See Resolution 21 -2011
- In the past the board discussed abandon a portion of Rock Rift Rd. Ron was wondering what the status was with that and if the board could pursue this. William Layton said he would talk to Wayne Reynolds about the procedure a town must follow to abandon a road.
- Ron submitted a letter from NRCS and they would like a response by December 23, 2011 stating that the town is interested in sponsoring this.
Report – Dog Control Officer
- Received a call about a lost dog
- Received a call about Dogs chasing Deer, Called Ag & Markets and they stated this is not a dog control issue. NYS DEC will handle this.
- Come home and found a dog tied to DCO’s trailer took dog to pound
- Had call about dog running around Sands Creek, Dry book area, retrieved dog and took to pound.
- Deb Toth from Ag and Markets stated that all dog’s that have not be licensed and all processes to get this completed have been done the next step is the Town Justice can put out a warrant for arrest on non compliant owners.
Report – Supervisor
- Jim Tompson, Insurance agent has come and shown prices for NYMIR, it was found that with same coverage as Town already has the town would save apx $8000 switching to NYMIR.
- All papers were signed last Thursday for the Higley property (creamery). Tanks were dug up and everything was alright. Property is now owned by the Town.
- Town went through a Union audit; Bill received a letter back stating everything with audit was satisfactory.
- The purchase of the Cannonsville Cemetery has been finalized.
- Francis Wood town attorney will be retiring and the Town will need to replace him.
- Received a letter from Jim Tompson asking pointing out that if people would buy American and shop locally it would create many more American Jobs.
- Ron submitted a purchase request for the board to review, with many supplies on it for the trucks in the amount of $ 2798.
Correspondence
Carl asked fellow board members whether they had read the email from Town of Tompkins’ resident Steve Dungan which included his comments on the rdSGEIS, a document which he found “woefully inadequate” and that the result of drilling would “profit gas companies and a few land owners at the expense everyone else.”. Steve called for the continuation of the moratorium on hydrofracking and wondered whether the board wished to endorse his comments. If the board chose to do so, the endorsement would have to be submitted to DEC by Jan 11, 2012.
[Click HERE for Mr. Dungan’s comments.]
Other
Members of the Board and Friends and Family of Lloyd Backus were in attendance this evening prior to the Board meeting to recognize Judge Lloyd Backus retirement. Lloyd was presented with a plaque, card and a certificate of acknowledgement for years of service.
On motion by Backus, seconded by Stuendel, it was moved to approve the Abstract of Claims for December 12, 2011 as follows: General Fund: $ 48764.41, Highway Fund: $ 31649.17
Capital Fund: $ 1538.82
Vote: All AYEs – Motion carried.
Reading back of the minutes:
On motion by LaTourette and seconded by Stuendel, it was moved to accept the minutes as read back
Vote: All AYEs – Motion carried.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:35
Next meeting will be at 6pm on January 9, 2012 at the Town Meeting Room, Trout Creek, NY.
Michelle Phoenix
Town of Tompkins
Town Clerk
Town of Tompkins in New York's Delaware County 