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 7:21 pm in the Town meeting room, Trout Creek, NY. With Tim LaTourette leading in the Flag salute.
 

Present:

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

Others:

1. Michelle Phoenix – Town Clerk
2. Nancy Roberts – Bookkeeper to the supervisor
3. Ronald VanValkenburg – Highway Superintendent
4. Wendy Layton – Town of Tompkins Assessor
5. Rick Roberts – Finger lakes Trails.

Guest Speakers:
Rick Roberts, The Finger Lakes Trail coordinator for our area, Mr. Roberts was here to discuss the hiking trail that is in our area named “The Rock Rift Rail Trail”. Rick explained that a new marked portion of the trail goes from St Rt. 10 to the Rock Rift Fire Tower and back to St Rt.  10. Mr. Roberts provided maps and pamphlets for anyone interested.

Minutes Approval:
On motion by LaTourette, seconded by Buttel, it was moved to approve the minutes of the regular board meeting held on July 14, 2014 and the special meeting held July 17, 2014
Vote: All AYEs – Motion Carried.

Monthly Financial Reports:
Town Clerk –
On motion by Buttel, seconded by Backus, it was moved to receive, approve and place on file the Town Clerk monthly report for August 2014.
Vote: All AYEs – Motion carried.
 

Supervisor’s Report –
On motion by LaTourette, seconded by Buttel, it was moved to approve and place on file the supervisor’s financial report, dated September 8, 2014.
Vote: All AYEs – Motion carried.
 

Other Reports:
Planning Board – None
 

Assessor – Provided.  Wendy was also here to explain the States equalization rates and how it will affect tax bills.
 

Highway Superintendent –

1. 3/10 of a mile on Chase Brook was torn up and approximately 80 loads of Gravel and Mag Chloride have been put down.
2. Helped the Towns of Deposit, Franklin and Walton.
3. Cut brush on Carrol Hill.
4. Finished stoning and oiling.
5. Received money for scrap.
6. We were turn down for the grant through the State & Municipal Facilities Capital Program. Next year we will try again and see if you can get money to purchase a storage building of some sort.

Dog Control Officer –

1. Received a call from NYSEG about one of the linemen getting bit by a dog on Lower Loomis. The dog has been identified and Russ has supplied NYSEG with the rabies paperwork on said dog.
2. Received a call from an investigator from Delaware County requesting any information the Town may have on the 2 Huskies that had been killed for the upcoming court case.
3. Talked to Linda the Court Clerk, her and DCO have come up with an agreement on the summons process for unlicensed dogs.

Supervisor –
Bill brought up the Towns website and if there was a desire to keep it. Nancy Roberts stated that Carl would continue to put the Town minutes on the site and charge the Town $50.00 a month. The Board made no decision on keeping the website or not.
 

Correspondence:
Received an anonymous letter from residence on Tower Mountain stating that there was a person that has Fresh eggs sales. The complainant stated when they had purchasing their property it stated that there is a stipulation restricting this type of endeavor and they would like the Town to put a stop to sales of fresh eggs.
 

Other:

1. A discussion took place about transactions taking place in the Town of Tompkins and that a receipt should be given for any and all transactions taking place with any official of the Town of Tompkins – See Resolution 10- 2014.
2. The Board reviewed and discussed figures on the Tentative budget for 2015.

Sewer District:

1. On motion by Buttel, Seconded by LaTourette it was moved to approve and for the supervisor to sign pay application #17 upon receiving official signed copies from Lamont.
   Vote – All Ayes
2. On motion by Backus, Seconded by LaTourette to approve the Abstract of Claims for August 19, 2014 for the sewer district in the amount of $817.94.
   Vote – All Ayes
3. The Court Room office will now be used by the Sewer District operators they were given a key to the Town building so they have access to their office.

Abstract of Claims:
On motion by Buttel, seconded by LaTourette, it was moved to approve the Abstract of Claims for September 8, 2014 as follows:
General Fund: $9311.65
Highway Fund: $150,469.51
Vote: All AYEs – Motion carried.

Meeting adjourned at 10:20PM

Next Meeting to be held on October 13, 2014
________________________________
Date: September 8, 2014
Michelle Phoenix
Town of Tompkins
Town Clerk