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 7:02 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. Brian Albanese – Councilperson

Others:

1. Nancy Roberts – Bookkeeper
2. Michelle Phoenix – Town Clerk
3. Wendy Layton – Assessor
4. Sarah Layton – Walton Central School Student

Guest Speakers: None.
 

Minutes Approval:
On motion by LaTourette, seconded by Backus, it was moved to approve the minutes of the December 9, 2013 Board Meeting.
Vote: All AYEs – Motion Carried.
 

On motion by Buttel, seconded by LaTourette, it was moved to approve the minutes from the special Meeting held on December19, 2013, with the change of
(Wrong billing for Sewer district being sent out). Include : Lamont and Kevin Young will pay the district the difference of the wrong bills sent to business’s and two family homes.
Vote: All AYEs – Motion Carried.

Monthly Financial Reports:
Town Clerk / Tax Collector Report:
On motion by Backus, seconded by LaTourette, it was moved to receive, approve and place on file the Town Clerk/Tax Collector monthly report for December 2013. With up to this date figures for Tax Collection
Vote: All AYEs – Motion carried.

Supervisor’s Report: Reviewed with Nancy Roberts – Bookkeeper
On motion by LaTourette, seconded by Buttel, it was moved to accept the Annual Financial Audit as December 2013 Supervisors report.
Vote: All AYEs – Motion carried.
 

Other Reports:
Planning Board – None
 

Assessor – January’s Monthly report was provided for board to review.
 

Highway Superintendent

1. Received the agreement to spend highway funds from the County, Ron will fill it out and send it back.
2. Luther Higley stopped in and dropped off a copy of the sheet of fuel purchase by the Fire Department and stated that the Town had put the money received from the District for the purchase of the fuel in the general fund and it should of went in the highway fund. After further investigation it was found the money from the District was put in the Highway fund. The board thinks the confusion came from the Fire District and the form that had submitted with the check stated “Town of Tompkins General Fund”. This is something the Fire District had written and had nothing to do with the Town and it was assured that the reimbursement that came from the District went into the Highway fund.
3. Received a warranty extension from Milton cat. After much discussion the board feels they will not extend the warranty.
4. Ron was approached by Carver and they would like to propose crushing gravel for the same price that was paid in 2013. Ron will get estimate of cost of road repairs for 2014 and get back to board before a decision is made.
5. Hauled 3440 yards of grit costing $13,695. Had the help from Walton, Franklin, Hamden and Deposit to draw grit. Thus far we have used a bit of that grit and would like the pile to get built back up next year.
6. Have had a lot of small repairs on equipment.
7. Have plowed and sanded thus far this year 42 times.
8. The 2014 truck and all the extras to it has cost 48,062 after selling the other one we have approximately  33,000 invested in the truck.
9. Ron would like the board to look into replacing the 2005 while we can still get a good amount out of it if it were to be sold.

Report – Dog Control Officer –

1. Some tickets for non renewal dog license will be going out this week.
2. Questioned doing Enumeration in 2014. The board decided that it will not be done this year but possibly next.

Report- Supervisor

1. Received a Resignation from the Deputy Town Clerk Gail Crane.
2. Received a Resignation from James Fox for Planning Board. Paul Bartholomew stated that Tim Bennett would like to fill that position.
3. The under drain problem at Tomao’s has been fixed and a bill was received for about $469 for his furnace repair and sump pump. The new drain pipe is in and no further problem has happened. Mr. Tomao has also signed the release.
4. Discussed the Town of Tompkins Lateral agreement for the School House and the highway garage. The Board agreed they will pay the $250 fee even though the lateral letters were sent out incorrectly with the fee of $100.
5. The litigation with NYC. After the stipulation and template has been reviewed a decision has been made to come to an agreement.
   Be it Resolved, on motion by Layton seconded by Buttel, the Town of Tompkins Town Board hereby approves proposed settlement and be it further
   Resolved, that counsel is hereby authorized to sign the proposed settlement on behalf of the Town Board of the Town of Tompkins
   Vote: All AYEs – Motion Carried.

   See Resolution 5-2014 – With Stipulation

Correspondence: –
CWC Nominations – It was found that The Supervisor is to nominate. Layton will take care of it and send it in.

Other:
Received a request from Janet Aldrich from Cornell requesting the use of the Town Building on May 1, 2014 at 10:00am – 1:00pm
Board agreed to let them use the building on said day.
 

George Kehr approached Michelle to ask the board if they would pay to have the electric service to his barn that was taken down in 2006 by the Town during flood repair, Certified Electric Inspected.
In 2006 while repairing flood damage on the road by Mr. Kehrs home the electric was taken down and at that time the Town had paid to have it repaired. Recently NYSEG has sent Mr. Kehr a letter stating he needs to get said repairs a certified inspection.
It was decided that the electrician that repaired the service should have known this was going to have to be done and if the electrician failed to have it done in 2006 it is not the Towns responsibility now 7 years later.
 

Discussion took place on the Town of Tompkins Fire District getting their own fuel tanks. This was talked about last year and it is once again time to discuss this issue with the Commissioners to see if they have come up with any ideas on this matter.

A meeting will be set up some time in March or April to discuss again the situation with the Hancock Fire District and coverage. The Town has come up with much information on this matter and is gathering more.

Abstract of Claims
On motion by Buttel, seconded by Backus, it was moved to approve the Abstract of Claims for December 9, 2013 as follows:
General Fund: $27073.65
Highway Fund: $36843.22
Vote: All AYEs – Motion carried.

Meeting adjourned at 8:37 PM
 

Next Meeting to be held on February 10, 2014

____________________
Date: January 13, 2013
Michelle Phoenix
Town of Tompkins
Town Clerk

The Annual Audit of the Affairs (cash books, etc) for the Supervisor, Town Clerk and Town Justice was called to order at 6:12 PM at the Town Meeting Room, Trout Creek, NY

Present:

1. William Layton – Supervisor
2. Howard Buttel – Councilperson
3. Timothy LaTourette – Councilperson
4. Brian Albanese – Councilperson
5. Peggy Backus – Councilperson

Others:

1. Ron VanValkenburg – Highway Superintendent
2. Nancy Roberts – Bookkeeper
3. Michelle Phoenix – Town Clerk

On Motion by Backus seconded by Buttel it was moved to take notice of the fact that the cashbooks, etc of the above mentioned officials were received and found to be satisfactory to the best of their knowledge.
Vote: All AYE’s, Motion Carried.

 
Meeting Adjourned at 6:54 PM

 
Michelle Phoenix
Town Clerk, Town of Tompkins

The Annual Meeting of the Board of Health was called to order at 6:10 PM in the Town meeting room, Trout Creek, NY

Present:

1. William Layton – Supervisor
2. Howard Buttel – Councilperson
3. Timothy LaTourette – Councilperson
4. Brian Albanese – Councilperson
5. Peggy Backus – Councilperson

Others:

1. Ron VanValkenburg – Highway Superintendent
2. Nancy Roberts – Bookkeeper
3. Michelle Phoenix – Town Clerk

On Motion by Layton seconded by Buttel it was moved to appoint P. Backus and T. LaTourette as the 2014 Board of Health officers.
Vote: All AYE’s, Motion Carried.
 

Meeting adjourned at 6:12 PM

Michelle Phoenix
Town Clerk, Town of Tompkins

The Annual Reorganization meeting of the Town of Tompkins Town Board was called to order at 6:00 PM in the Town meeting room, Trout Creek, NY

Ron VanValkenburg led in the flag salute.

Present:

1. William Layton – Supervisor
2. Brian Albanese – 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

Designation of Banks: RESOLUTION # 1-2014
Resolved; on Motion by Backus seconded by Buttel it was moved to designate:
Supervisor Layton – The National Bank & Trust Co and Community Bank NA.
Justice Johnson – Town Clerk/Tax Collector Phoenix – The National Bank of Delaware County
Trout Creek Sewer District – Community Bank N.A
Vote: All AYEs, Motion Carried.

Official Newspaper: RESOLUTION #2-2014
Resolved; on Motion by Backus seconded by Buttel it was moved to designate the Walton Reporter as the official newspaper during the year 2014 for the purpose of legal matters.
Vote: All AYEs, Motion Carried.

Appointments: RESOLUTION #3 – 2014
RESOLVED;  On motion by LaTourette seconded by Buttel it was moved to appoint the following people to their respective positions as follows;

1. Building Inspector – Joseph Reynolds
2. Deputy Town Clerk and Deputy Registrar – Carol Zandt
3. Historian – Helen Zandt
4. Dog Control Officer – Russell Sprague Jr.
5. Health Officer – Dr. Eric Dohner
6. Deputy Supervisor – Howie Buttel
7. Court Clerk – Linda Scott
8. Bookkeeper to the Supervisor – Nancy Roberts
9. Payroll Clerk – Linda Ramsey
10. Assessor – Wendy Layton
11. FEMA Administrator’s – Ron VanValkenberg & Nancy Roberts
12. Trout Creek Sewer District Administrator – Michelle Phoenix
13. Registrar of Vital Statistics – Michelle Phoenix

Vote: ALL AYEs, Motion Carried.

Official Radio Station: RESOLUTION #4 – 2014
On motion by Buttel seconded by Backus it was moved to designate the Walton Radio Station as the official radio during the year 2014 for the purpose of local announcement to the Town Residents.
Vote: ALL AYEs, Motion Carried.

Salaries:
On motion by Buttel seconded by LaTourette it was moved that the Salaries of the Town officers for the year 2014 are fixed in the budget and that the Supervisor is authorized to pay the approved salaries.
Vote: All AYEs, Motion carried.

Highway Expenditures:
On motion by Buttel seconded by Backus it was moved that Highway Superintendent to be authorized gasoline, oil, fuel, tires, salt, calcium, batteries and such items to be obtained through state bid contract, also dust oil for use on Town roads with a limit of up to $1,000. Any purchase greater than $1,000 must be done through the Town’s purchase order system.
Vote: All AYEs, Motion carried.

Meeting Dates:
On Motion by LaTourette seconded by Backus it was moved to hold regular monthly meetings on the second Monday of every month at the Town Meeting Room Trout Creek, NY except for the November meeting which will be held the first Thursday following the General Election.
Vote: ALL AYES, Motion Carried.

Mileage rate:
On motion by Buttel seconded by LaTourette it was moved to set mileage rate at 50.5 cents per mile for use of private vehicle on Town Business.

 
Adjourn: At 6:09 PM
 

Michelle Phoenix
Town Clerk, Town of Tompkins