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 P. Backus leading in the Flag salute.
Present:
- William Layton- Supervisor
- Brian Albanese – Councilperson
- Howard Buttel – Councilperson
- Peggy Backus – Councilperson
- Tim LaTourette – Councilperson
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Others:
- Michelle Phoenix – Town Clerk
- Nancy Roberts – Bookkeeper to supervisor
- Ron VanValkenburg – Highway Superintendent
- Brett French – LVDV
- Wendy Layton – Assessor
- Nate Sramek – Building Inspector
- Lynne VanValkenburg – Community Committee
- Tammy Wagner – Community Committee
- Kathy Preston – Community Committee
- Mike Preston – Community Committee
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Floor Time/Guests: Tammy Wagner represented the Community Committee. Tammy asked the board what their thoughts were on the Walking Trail and where they thought it would go. She advised the board that they should view the one that was put in Deposit and all the different attributes it has and to take into consideration some of those aspects. Albanese stated that they should begin with a survey to see what interest there would be with putting in a walking trail. Kathy Preston advised the board they committee will be putting in annual flower gardens at the school house location. The board agreed that would look great.
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RESOLUTION # 44 APPROVAL OF MINUTES – April 11, 2023 Regular Meetings
On motion by Backus, seconded by Buttel, approving the minutes of the Regular meeting held on
April 11, 2023.
Vote: Layton, Buttel, LaTourette and Backus in Favor. Albanese – Abstain – Motion carried
RESOLUTION # 45 ABSTRACT OF CLAIMS
On motion by Backus, seconded by Albanese, it was moved to approve the Abstract of Claims for May 9, 2023 as follows:
General Fund: $5,548.60
Highway Fund: $19,375.92
Vote: All in favor – Motion carried.
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Monthly Financial Reports:
RESOLUTION # 46 TOWN CLERKS MONTHLY REPORT
On motion by Albanese, seconded by LaTourette it was moved to receive, and place on file the Town Clerks, monthly report for April 2023
Vote: All in favor – Motion Carried
RESOLUTION # 47 SUPERVISOR MONTHLY FINANCIAL REPORT
On motion by Buttel, seconded by LaTourette, it was moved to approve and place on file the supervisor’s monthly financial reports as of April 30, 2023 dated 5/9/2023.
Vote: All in favor – Motion Carried
On motion by Backus, seconded by Albanese that in August of 2022 the Board voted to use $53,295.81 of ARPA funds to pay for the new engine that had been purchased in March of 2022 for the Highway Department. In attempting to file the required annual report of ARPA money spent between March 2022 and March 2023 it was not clear if the use of the ARPA funds qualifies under the rules the Federal Govt has sent out. Consequently, the Town Supervisor, as CFO, has transferred the $53,295.81 from the Hwy Dept back to the ARPA account until clarification of its appropriateness is ascertained.
Vote: All in favor – Motion Carried
RESOLUTION # 48 SEWER DISTRICT ABSTRACT OF CLAIMS
On motion by Backus, seconded by Buttel to approve the sewer districts Abstract of Claims
for May 9, 2023 as follows:
$3,221.33
Vote: All in favor – Motion carried.
RESOLUTION #49 SEWER DISTRICT FINANCIAL
On motion by LaTourette seconded by Albanese it was moved to approve and place on file the sewer districts monthly financial reports for April 30, 2023 dated 5/9/2023.
Vote: All in favor, Motion carried.
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OLD BUSINESS –
Albanese explained after contact with the individual that was going to give him a quote of Maintenance of various items of the Town bldg. The individual stating, he was too busy and was unable to quote the job at this time. The board will again ask around for quotes.
Albanese asked why the Hwy crew was starting work at 5am with it being dark at that time. He also asked if summer help would be utilized this year and if they too would be starting at 5am. VanValkenburg stated the crew gets thing ready at the shop at that time and summer help would not be starting at 5am they would start at 6am.
Nate Sramek attended the meeting to discuss how the code enforcement position was going and provided an update on the progress of taking over the position. He has requested the board to look into any ordinances or regulations they may or may not want to implement on commercial solar farms, as he has been receiving calls in regards to them.
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NEW BUSINESS –
Backus advised the board that she questioned why the Town no longer has a rabies clinic and was told by the County that due to Covid it was never scheduled and the clerk being there doing licenses in the past is why it was never scheduled. It will be checked on for 2024
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REPORTS:
Sewer District workers report – Brett was available to respond to any question or concerns on the SD. He will look into what can be done for settlement around Lateral lines caps.
Brett stated staining of the bldg. and stands should be done soon.
Assessor – Nothing to report
Planning Board – Tim Bennett stated a replacement of Charles Kohler will need to be done.
Dog control Officer – None – Backus is going to speak to DCO again about the progress of the enumeration.
Highway Superintendent –
- Ron stated the renewal application and $300.00 need to be done again for bulk storage of petroleum. Layton will have the application and fee sent out.
- Ron reported he received a letter on how much the Town will receive in CHIPS. Ron stated he didn’t feel it was correct and has made contact with Broome Co and it will be looked into.
- Ron reported the current pressure washer if faulty and a new one is needed. He figures a new one will cost between $4,000 – $5,000.
- Ron reported that a lot of items need to be thrown out. Layton will call about dumpsters because the Town bldg. has tons also.
- Ron reported that a resident is putting brush and trees in ditch, this could cause issues in the future.
- Ron reported that boom mowing, brush cutting and repairs has been done.
- Ron reported that logos have been purchased and placed on trucks.
- Ron reported Boom mower has been fixed and is working at this time.
- Ron provided a paper stating the Hwy can go off piggy backing law for purchases.
- Ron questioned Albanese if he knew the cost of a lift, Albanese stated they are between $30,000 – $35,000, he also stated it may be cheaper to rent one due to the little use.
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Supervisor –
- Layton would like to have the following positions advertised; Planning Board Member, Deputy Clerk, Court Clerk and deputy Bookkeeper.
- Layton reported upon asking human resources for the County he found the pay $13,000 per employee, In the future the board will have to put additional expense for unemployment ins in the budget
- Layton and others went to the fire Tower and marked out where the road will go for the repairs. The rest of the board would like to view the area in the future.
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Other –
Layton will speak with the owner of Floor Fool to see if they can strip and wax the Town Bldg floors.
Received an application for 2023 4H Camp from an out of Township child. The application was denied because the child was not a resident of the Town of Tompkins
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Correspondence:
Received a thank you letter from Bo Schmidt thanking the Town for paying for his 2023 4H fees.
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Meeting adjourned at 9:27pm
Next meeting to be held on June 13, 2023 at 7PM
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Date: May 9, 2023
Michelle Phoenix
Town of Tompkins Town Clerk
Town of Tompkins in New York's Delaware County 