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