The regular monthly meeting of the Town of Tompkins Town Board was called to order at 8:00 pm in the Town meeting room, Trout Creek, NY.
Present:
1. William Layton-Supervisor
2. Howard Buttel-Councilperson
3. Tim LaTourette – Councilperson
4. Peggy Backus – Councilperson
5. Carl Stuendel – Councilperson
Others:
1. Ronald VanValkenburg-Hwy Superintendent
2. Michelle Phoenix- Town Clerk
3. Nancy Roberts – Bookkeeper to the supervisor
4. Brian Albanese – Vice Chair Delaware County Chamber of Commerce, Town Resident
Pledge to the flag was led by Carl Stuendel
Minutes Approval:
On motion by LaTourette, seconded by Buttel, it was moved to approve the minutes of the Board meeting held on December 12, 2011.
Vote: All AYEs – Motion Carried.
Monthly Financial Reports:
Town Clerks Report:
On motion by Buttel, seconded by Backus, it was moved to receive, approve and place on file the Town Clerk’s monthly report for December 2011.
Vote: All AYEs – Motion carried.
Supervisor’s Report:
There was no Town monthly financial report to review due to it being the beginning of the year and no report was available.
Guest Speakers:
Brian Albanese
Brian approached the board to see if they were interested in becoming a member of the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce. Brian Stated that this would help promote our area and local business. Yearly cost for joining would be $125.00. A motion was made by Buttel, Seconded by LaTourette to join the membership of the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce. Brian will provide the application in the future.
Vote: All AYE’s – Motion Carried
Other Reports:
Report – Planning Board
None
Report – Assessor
None
Report – Highway Superintendent
1. Ron reminded the board that the Gravel Bank permit runs out August 31, 2013
2. Ron questioned items that were printed in the Walton Reporter for December’s meeting. Ron asked why it was stated that money had been transferred from one account to another and who done this, Bill explained he is the one that does the transferring of any monies.
3. Chips money has been received of 89,495.83, $60,000 went into equipment fund leaving a balance of $29,495.83 to go into the Highway fund.
4. All machinery normally stored outside is inside the creamery except for the D6 dozer.
5. Brush has been cut on numerous roads.
6. Various cleaning has been done in shop.
7. Have received $23,132.48, $1566.86 and $1646.91 in funds from FEMA from storms in 2011
8. Received $1400.98 thus far for the snow season. Ron would like the board to note that they plowed 27 times by this time last year and so far this season only 11 times and that the board needs to realize they may not receive as much from city and county for this season and would like this noted when board does 2013 budget.
9. Ron would like the board to look into start replacing the one-ton trucks.
10. Received papers from the County for the Town to complete on the expenditure.
11. Ron questioned why the percent of his health insurance keeps going up without getting a raise to replace those costs, Ron stated it is costing him another $100 out of his pay check every month, Ron feels he shouldn’t have to pay 15% and it is double what it was in last year. Bill explained to Ron that he approached Ron a while back with the option to change to cheaper insurance and at that time Ron did not want to change to the other insurance and Bill stated to Ron that by not changing and keeping the current insurance that Ron will have to pay the increase in the insurance.
12. Ron approached the board with purchasing a new International dump truck and provided a quote from Ben Funk of $232,386.86 and stated that the Board has until February 28th to decide if they want to purchase this truck. After further discussion the board stated that more quotes needed to be obtained and agreed to meet to review these quotes at a special meeting on January 18th 2012 at 6pm.
Report – Dog Control Officer
1. Received a call about a beagle chasing deer. Upon further investigation by DCO dog was not found.
2. Picked up two dogs on Abe Boice road on 12/23/2011, took to shelter and they were claimed by owners.
3. Received a call about 4 dogs running on Mormon Hollow. Owner had retrieved them.
4. Received a call from a resident on Higley Road complaining about a dog barking.
5. Received a call about a missing dog.
Report- Supervisor
1. There was an accident with the crew cab costing about $1400.00. A Town employee was backing out of the building and hit another truck. Ron stated he has a report he had made up and is in his files.
2. Received a call from a member of the planning board stating they had accidently shredded a paycheck so another one was sent out to her, upon further investigation it was found that this person has cashed both checks. A letter will be sent out to this person stating they will not be paid for their next meeting due to being paid for one meeting two times.
3. There is a Delaware Co. Soil and Stream management meeting on January 12, 2012, Ron will try and attend; Howie is unable to.
4. Michelle Emailed Deb Flemming the sketches from Hanna Wagner for the Town of Tompkins signs. Deb will get back to us in the spring when there is better weather about this.
5. Wayne Reynolds advised Bill that it is almost impossible to get rid of roads that are actually long driveways unless owner agrees.
6. Bill found that the County will do whatever needs to be done to abandon a portion of Rock Rift road. Bill will contact the County to start this process.
7. A draft law needs to be completed by March 19, 2012 for the National Flood Insurance Program. Bill is going to take this to Kristin, our Delaware County Planning representative, to see what actually needs to be done.
8. Bill went to Masonville’s and looked at their new building and found that they got a lot of office furniture from Army surplus for free to minimal amounts. He was also advised they have purchased new tires from them for nearly nothing. Chuck from Masonville gave Bill information on how to apply to be able to purchase some stuff from the Army Surplus.
9. Pictures for walls of Town building. Peggy had called around to numerous people in the community and is waiting to hear back from them and will bring the information she has with her at the special meeting on the 18th.
10. The Planning Board had put 55.5 cents per mile on their vouchers. The Board did not agree to pay this amount and it was changed back to the agreed mileage rate of 50.5 cents per mile.
11. Bill had looked into finding a Lawyer to be retained for the town and had found that there is no need to put a lawyer on retainer and that the Town can pass a resolution to use any Lawyer as they are needed.
Correspondence
None
Other
None
Abstract of Claims
On motion by Backus, seconded by Layton, it was moved to approve the Abstract of Claims for January 9, 2012 as follows: General Fund: $ 4237.23, Highway Fund: $ 38,828.81
Vote: All AYEs – Motion carried.
Reading back of the minutes:
On motion by Backus and seconded by LaTourette, it was moved to accept the minutes as read back
Vote: All AYEs – Motion carried.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:03
Next meeting will be at 6pm on February 13, 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 