The regular monthly meeting of the Town of Tompkins Town Board was called to order at 7:02 pm in the Town meeting room, Trout Creek, NY.
Present:
- 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
- Joe Reynolds – Town Building Inspector
Pledge to the flag was led by Tim LaTourette
Minutes Approval:
On motion by LaTourette, seconded by Stuendel, it was moved to approve the minutes of the Board meeting held on January 9, 2012.
Vote: All AYEs – Motion Carried.
On motion by Stuendel, seconded by LaTourette, it was moved to approve the minutes of the Board special meeting held on January 18, 2012.
Vote: All AYEs – Motion Carried
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 monthly report for January 2012.
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 Stuendel seconded by LaTourette it was moved to receive, approve and place on file the Supervisor’s Financial Report.
Vote: All AYEs – Motion carried.
Guest Speakers:
Joe Reynolds
Joe approached the board to discuss a dispute that is currently going on with property owners on Apex Rd (NY 268). The neighbor to the property that is in debate had contacted Joe by letter requesting documents he would like to see related to the building process. At that time Joe agreed to provide what he had on file to the individual that requested the information but also stated there would be a fee of $100. Joe has provided the board with the letter and the check from the individual. After much discussion on the items requested in the letter the board felt that this is not the Town’s responsibility to find and provide this information and might constitute a possible breach of privacy. It was decided to return the check without documents.
Other Reports:
Report – Planning Board
October 2011, November 2011 and January 2012 minutes of the Planning Board were read by Michelle.
[For a single PDF containing the minutes for each of the three meetings click HERE.]
Report – Assessor
None
Report – Highway Superintendent
- Ron received a questionnaire from Delaware Co. Public Works for addition data collection and evaluation for Town roads with pipes having a span between 5 – 20 feet for future possible flood damage.
- Ron Received a letter from RAMPP stating they are working with FEMA and will be in our area to do flood studies
- Pipe and stone bids need to go in paper, Ron will meet with Michelle to get this done.
- From one of the past floods the Town had applied for grants for repairs on Pine Swamp and Chamberlin Brook, Ron stated that the one for Pine Swamp was on hold and the one for Chamberlin Brook had been put on the back burner because of the Irene and Lee floods in September 2011. Ron inquired if the Town Board had heard any new updates on these grants. No, they hadn’t.
- Ron inquired as to the Board’s thoughts on what accounts could money be drawn from for the sealing of the roads this year.
- Received a call from a resident on Roods Creek stating the Road was a mess from the heavy trucks and they were getting stuck. Ron investigated this and found that the trucks from Schaffer’s quarry were rutting up the road due to the warm weather we have been having. Ron met with Larry from Schaffer’s and Larry stated he would fix the road, Ron told Larry that if the repairs were not done he would have to put a weight limit on the road to spare the town in future road repair costs.
- Last week a large tree had come down on Carroll Hill due to the bank shifting and was taken care of.
- Ron inquired as to if the Board had heard anything from FEMA and if they would be sending a team for the flooding from Irene and Lee. Nancy said she would try to contact them.
- John’s 2006 International had has needed to have repairs done
- Kyle’s 2006 International needed to have a lower half of the fuel tank and that has been repaired.
- Cut Brush and Chipped on Finch Hollow
- A check from the Insurance Company has been received for the repairs to the tailgate of the Truck that was damaged last month.
- Chris from the Fire Department asked if it would be ok for the Fire Department to use the Towns radio Frequency during the hours the Town is not working. Ron stated that would be ok and that it is a great opportunity for the Town and Fire Dept to have radio communication.
- Ron would like the Board to take into consideration the rising fuel costs when it comes to 2013 budget and how this will affect the repair of roads in the future.
- Ron received Gravel Crushing bids. They are as follows.
Carver $2.90 per ton
Clark $ 2.85 per ton
Seward Sand and Gravel $ 2.75
Report – Dog Control Officer
- Have had Ag and Markets inspection and passed.
Report- Supervisor
- Bill called Gail Crane and she stated she would be Deputy Town Clerk.
- Boots will be purchased through Gifford’s
- Town Employees have to sign Labor Law forms and were passed out.
- A Fact Finder/Mediator was appointed and will be Zetla Elvi from Fish’s Eddy.
- Joe Reynolds has received drawings for sewer system buildings and has them in his office if anyone is interested.
- Letters have been sent out for the last 4 residents in the Sewer District that have not signed lateral easement agreements. The letters to two of the residents were a final request to sign, and the other two were the first step of the eminent domain process.
- Town has received a quote from NYSEG for the new efficient lighting. Carl is going to review this and bring back to March’s meeting.
- The Town Justice’s yearly financial report/books were received but a difference was found between what the Town has collected and what the Justice books’ state. A motion by LaTourette to review the books again at March’s meeting until the difference can be explained, seconded by Stuendel
Vote: All AYEs – Motion Carried
Correspondence
None
Other
Tim approached the board asking if in the future the Fire Department could use the Towns Radio Tower to install a repeater when the Fire Department gets a frequency. The Board had no problem with this.
Abstract of Claims
On motion by LaTourette, seconded by Stuendel, it was moved to approve the Abstract of Claims for January 13, 2012 as follows: General Fund: $135,675.82, Highway Fund: $ 21,349.41
Vote: All AYEs – Motion carried.
Reading back of the minutes:
On motion by Stuendel and seconded by Backus, it was moved to accept the minutes as read back
Vote: All AYEs – Motion carried.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:37
Next meeting will be at 6pm on March 12, 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 