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 7:00 pm in the Town meeting room, Trout Creek, NY. With B. Layton leading in the Flag salute.

Present:          

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

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Others:

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

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Floor Time/Guests: None

RESOLUTION # 35 APPROVAL OF MINUTES – March 21, 2023 Regular Meetings
On motion by Backus, seconded by Buttel, approving the minutes of the Regular (rescheduled) meeting held on March 21, 2023.
Vote: All in favor – Motion carried

RESOLUTION # 36 ABSTRACT OF CLAIMS
On motion by Backus, seconded by LaTourette, it was moved to approve the Abstract of Claims for April 11, 2023 as follows: General Fund: $6,865.38
Highway Fund: $80,253.79.
Vote: All in favor – Motion carried.

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Monthly Financial Reports:

RESOLUTION # 37 TOWN CLERKS MONTHLY REPORT
On motion by LaTourette, seconded by Buttel it was moved to receive, and place on file the Town Clerks, monthly report for March 2023. Noted to add that the building inspector turned in February 2023 report for March 2023, that was approved on March 21, 2023.
Vote: All in favor – Motion Carried

RESOLUTION # 38 SUPERVISOR MONTHLY FINANCIAL REPORT
On motion by LaTourette, seconded by Buttel, it was moved to approve and place on file the supervisor’s monthly financial reports as of March 31, 2023 dated 4/11/2023. Noted to add: Due to Bookkeeper error it has been found that the Town has been charging the Sewer District the administrator retirement fees, when figures of how much has been charged in retirement fees for the administrator to the sewer District that amount will be paid back to the sewer district.
Vote: All in favor – Motion Carried

RESOLUTION # 39 SEWER DISTRICT ABSTRACT OF CLAIMS
On motion by LaTourette, seconded by Backus to approve the sewer districts Abstract of Claims for April 11, 2023 as follows $2,626.37
Vote: All in favor – Motion carried.

RESOLUTION # 40 SEWER DISTRICT FINANCIAL
On motion by Buttel seconded by LaTourette it was moved to approve and place on file the sewer districts monthly financial reports for March 31, 20233 dated 4/11/2023. 
Vote: All in favor – Motion carried.

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OLD BUSINESS:
Resolution # 41 2023 MOWING AND TRIMMING OF TOWN PROPERTIES AND SEWER DISTRICT PROPERTIES
On motion by Layton, seconded by Buttel it was moved to approve the quote received by Phillip Hanley of $70 per mow and trimming of Town properties and $140 for Sewer District Properties for 2023
Vote: In favor – Motion Carried

NEW BUSINESS: None

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REPORTS:

Sewer District workers report – provided

Assessor – None

Planning Board – None. 

Dog control Officer – None

Highway Superintendent –

1. Ron asked if the Highway can go to 4 – 10 hr days for summer of 2023, working Mondays – Thursdays 5am to 3pm.
   On motion by Layton seconded by LaTourette to allow this change unless a complication arises.  
   Vote: All in favor – Motion Carried
2. Ron asked if anything came about with the highway getting a credit card. It will be looked into.   
3. Ron reported the boom mower had been fixed then 3 days later after use it broke down again.
4. Ron reported boom mowing, chipping of brush, sweeping and cutting of trees had been done.
5. During the fire that had happened on 4/10/2023 a hole was created on Peggy switch and has been repaired.
6. Ron reported that a quarry worked by Sonny & Son has been started on 67. They will be producing crusher run. Kingswood road will be being repaired this year and Ron asked if he could get the crusher run from there costing about $15 per yard. Due to the location, it will be cheaper in fuel. Board Agreed.
7. Ron asked what summer help will be paid in 2023.
   Resolution # 43 – 2023 WAGES FOR HIGHWAY SUMMER HELP
   On motion by Buttel, seconded by LaTourette the 2023 wages for highway summer help will be $15.00 an hour.
   Vote: All in favor – Motion carried
8. Ron reported there are many road signs missing again. He spoke with the County and they are making new ones that may be harder to steal.
9. Ron Reported they had received prices for a new John Deere and mower. With the trade in of the one they have the cost will be $72,493.86. Layton will check with County and see if this has to go out to bid or it can go off another bid from others. Ron was asked not to go ahead with purchase until questions are answered.
   After questions are answered, on motion by LaTourette, seconded by Buttel to purchase John Deere and mower through Cazenovia equipment at price provided.
   Vote: All in favor – Motion Carried.
10. Ron reported that Suit-Kote said the prices of the oil went down.

Supervisor –

• Layton will check with the county on the amounts the town should carry to unemployment.
• The easement for access to the fire tower has been done and filed with the County 
• Layton spoke with Stacy from DEP and Steve Brown about what needs to be done with the fire Tower. Them and others would like to get together to go to the Fire Tower and take a look and to figure out next steps will be.

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Other:
RESOLUTION # 42 – 2023 CAMP SHANKITUNK CAMPERS
Received letters from Sierra Allen for attendance 2023
On motion by Layton, seconded by LaTourette to pay for the above fore-mentioned 2023 camp fees.
Vote: All in Favor, Motioned Carried.

Board discussed getting a Court clerk, Deputy clerk, Bookkeeper clerk. Layton will look into this.

Correspondence: None

Meeting adjourned at 8:10pm                         
Next meeting to be held on May 9, 2023 at 7PM
________________________________
Date: April 11, 2023
Michelle Phoenix
Town of Tompkins Town Clerk

The rescheduled monthly meeting of the Town of Tompkins Town Board was called to order at 7:00 pm in the Town meeting room, Trout Creek, NY. With T. LaTourette leading in the Flag salute.

Present:          

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

Others:

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

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Floor Time/Guests: Jason Waite CPA of Mosert, Manzanero & Scott was available via video conference to review the process of the internal audit they will be doing in the future and to communicate with any questions the board may have for the upcoming review.   

Opening of bids for Stone crushing and pipes. Receive one bid for stone crushing at the gravel bank from Northern crushing. Two bids for sluice pipe. Ferguson Waterworks and Chemung Supply.

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RESOLUTION # 27 – Award of stone crushing and sluice pipe for 2023
On motion by LaTourette, second by Albanese to approve bid for crushing submitted by Northern Crushing
Vote: All in favor – Motion Carried

On Motion by Albanese, seconded by Buttel to approve the bid for sluice pipe received by Chemung supply
Vote: All in favor – Motion Carried

RESOLUTION # 28 APPROVAL OF MINUTES – February 14, 2023 Regular Meetings

On motion was made by Albanese, seconded by Backus, approving the minutes of the Regular meeting held on February 14, 2023. Vote: All in favor – Motion carried

RESOLUTION # 29 ABSTRACT OF CLAIMS

On motion by Backus, seconded by Albanese, it was moved to approve the Abstract of Claims for March 21, 2023 as follows: General Fund: $19,120.43
Highway Fund: $765,705.31
Vote: All in favor – Motion carried.

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Monthly Financial Reports:

RESOLUTION # 30 TOWN CLERKS MONTHLY REPORT
On motion by Albanese, seconded by Backus it was moved to receive, and place on file the Town Clerks, monthly report for February 2023.
Vote: All in favor – Motion Carried

RESOLUTION # 31 SUPERVISOR MONTHLY FINANCIAL REPORT
On motion by Albanese, seconded by Buttel, it was moved to approve and place on file the supervisor’s monthly financial reports as of February 28, 2023 dated 3/14/2023.
Vote: All in favor – Motion Carried

RESOLUTION # 32 SEWER DISTRICT ABSTRACT OF CLAIMS
On motion by Albanese, seconded by Buttel to approve the sewer districts Abstract of Claims for March 14, 2023 as follows $3,487.80
Vote: All in favor – Motion carried.

RESOLUTION # 33 SEWER DISTRICT FINANCIAL
On motion by Albanese seconded by Backus it was moved to approve and place on file the sewer districts monthly financial reports for February 28, 2023 dated 3/14/2023.  
Vote: All in favor – Motion carried.

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OLD BUSINESS:
Light Duty – Albanese contacted Tony from the Teamsters Union to discuss the towns position on an employee that is injured outside of work and the requirements to return to work. Tony advised that the town has the right not to allow any employee to return to work until they can perform their normal work duties without restriction. However, if the town was to have a written formal return to work policy, it would need to be reviewed by the union to confirm it does not conflict with the collective bargaining agreement currently in place. 

Mowing of the Town Properties and SD, The Town clerk will check with the individual that performed the Town and Sewer District mowing in 2022 to inquire what Mowing fees would be in 2023, if the amounts are the same as 2022 the board would like them to continue to mow in 2023. 

Albanese met with an insured contractor to review the list of repairs needed on the building, he will provide a quote for the April meeting.

NEW BUSINESS: None

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REPORTS:
Sewer District workers report – provided

Assessor – None

Planning Board – None 

Dog control Officer – None

Highway Superintendent –

1. Ron questioned if the Highway could get a credit card for ordering. Research will need to be done to see if this can be done. 
2. Ron reported that all the stone has been hauled in and was priced at the 2022 prices
3. Ron reported he received the statement from Carver for $50,613.13 and would like to get it paid ASAP.
4. Reported plowing has been done 14 less than 2022 times
5. Reported Repairs, Brush cutting and boom mowing has been done.
6. Reported the boom mower has mechanical issues and is awaiting parts to be repaired.
7. Reported that they will be getting quotes for existing tractor and mower due to safety.

Supervisor –
Buttel provided the board with the steps that have been taken for the Fire Tower

Albanese question the amount of funds carried for the A231 NYS Unemployment. Albanese to discuss this issue with Layton when he returns, so he can verify with the County how much is required in the fund to be sufficient with changing Unemployment rules.

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Other:
RESOLUTION # 34 – 2023 CAMP SHANKITUNK CAMPERS
Received letters from Julianne and Prestron Roy, Lena Storrer and Taylor Gransbury
On motion by LaTourette, seconded by Backus to pay for the above fore-mentioned 2023 camp fees.
Vote: All in Favor – Motioned Carried.

Albanese provided the Board with the local law of Delaware county providing real property tax exemptions for volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers pursuant to section 466-a of real property law that will be reviewed by County lawyers and sent to the County Board for approval. 

Correspondence:

Meeting adjourned at 8:35pm                         
Next meeting to be held on April 11, 2023 at 7PM
________________________________ 
Date: March 21, 2023
Michelle Phoenix
Town of Tompkins Town Clerk