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 – Absent
- Tim LaTourette – Councilperson
*
Others:
- Nancy Roberts – Bookkeeper to supervisor
- Michelle Phoenix – Town Clerk
- Ron VanValkenburg – Highway Superintendent
- Kathy Preston – Resident
- Mike Preston – Resident
- Lynne VanValkenburt – Resident
- Tammy Wagner – Resident
*
Floor Time/Guests: Kathy, Mike, Lynne and Tammy attended the board meeting to express their interest and to answer question on installing a Walking Trial in Trout Creek. Wendy Layton spoke with Sean Leddy of Delaware County Planning Department.
Sean relayed the following
“After speaking with Wendy and [after] she delivered the grading plan from Lamont, she also described that a group of your community members has ideas for developing the property into more than just a trail. She described the desire to have parking areas, a playground area, possibly river access, the walking trail with a stream crossing, etc.
“I spoke with Shelly [Johnson-Bennett] and we are proposing the following (which is similar to how we have worked in other communities).
“The Town of Tompkins contract with the Planning Department to develop a Park Master Plan with input from a committee and the public. This plan would represent a conceptual design of the full program of park features and amenities. The cost of this contract would be $2,500 and could be budgeted in your next fiscal year. By executing the agreement, I can begin coordinating with your board and/or community group and begin the design process. The individual elements could be installed in phases as funds become available.
“After the planning stage is complete, the Planning Department will work with the Town (through the existing TPAS contract) to pursue grant funding for implementation of the project. Assuming that NYS allocates funds for park this would occur during the 2024 Consolidated Funding Application (July 2024).
“Planning Department will commit staff hours to assist with grant administration and project management as in-kind match (if necessary).”
The board discussed looking into using COVID funds the Town received to pay for the proposal sent by Delaware County Planning.
The Trout Creek committee will see what interest there may be with residents and future costs and bring it back to the board.
On motion by LaTourette, seconded by Layton to pay $2500.00 to Delaware County Planning Department to develop a Park Master Plan.
Vote: All in Favor – Motion Carried
*
RESOLUTION # 71 APPROVAL OF MINUTES
On motion by Buttel seconded by Layton, approving the minutes of the Regular meeting held on August 8, 2023.
Vote: Abstain – Albanese, LaTourette. Buttel, Layton, in favor – Motion carried
RESOLUTION # 72 ABSTRACT OF CLAIMS
On motion by LaTourette, seconded by Buttel, it was moved to approve the Abstract of Claims for September 12, 2023 as follows:
General Fund: $9863.75
Highway Fund: $283,607.14
Vote: All in favor – Motion carried.
*
Monthly Financial Reports:
RESOLUTION # 73 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 August 2023.
Vote: All in favor – Motion Carried
RESOLUTION # 74 SUPERVISOR MONTHLY FINANCIAL REPORT
On motion by Albanese, seconded by LaTourette, it was moved to approve and place on file the supervisor’s monthly financial reports as of August 31, 2023 dated 9/12/2023. Noted that the monies borrowed from the hwy equipment fund (A1593) was paid back form the Hwy Checking Fund.
Vote: All in favor – Motion Carried.
After review of the Town Monthly financial report on Motion by Layton, seconded by Albanese, highway monies will be taken out of NBT Bank and Transferred to Wayne Bank.
Vote: All in Favor – Motion Carried
RESOLUTION # 75 SEWER DISTRICT ABSTRACT OF CLAIMS
On motion by Albanese, seconded by Buttel to approve the sewer districts Abstract of Claims for September 12, 2023 as follows:
$5,370.60.
Vote: All in favor – Motion carried.
RESOLUTION #76 SEWER DISTRICT FINANCIAL
On motion by Albanese seconded by Buttel it was moved to approve and place on file the sewer districts monthly financial reports for August 31, 2023 dated 9/12/2023.
Vote: All in favor, Motion carried.
*
OLD BUSINESS –
RESOLUTION #77 RENEWAL OF HEART OF CATSKILL CONTRACT
On motion by Albanese seconded by LaTourette to renew the heart of Catskills contract.
Vote: All in favor – Motion Carried
*
NEW BUSINESS –
Michelle was contacted by a resident with their interest in putting in a family burial plot on their property. Upon investigation the regulations and rules the Town has never given any kind of permission. Upon further investigation with NYS and other sources it was found that burial is allowed as long as all laws pertaining to burial in NYS.
At this time the board does not have any issues with burial on Town of Tompkins land as long as all laws are followed. And the Town to directs the family cemetery plots approval to the County level for approval. Also that the Town of Tompkins will not be responsible for any maintenance or up keep of these cemeteries if abandoned in the future.
Tentative Budget – Nancy handed board members a budget worksheet with figures for the board to review for next meeting.
*REPORTS:
Sewer District workers report – Provided.
Assessor – None
Planning Board – None
Dog control Officer – None
Highway Superintendent –
- Ron asked if the Town has received an invoice for all the road signs that have been purchased. No invoice has been sent at this time.
- Ron reported the extended warranty for the 2018 loader. One year it will cost $4262 and two years it will cost $5300. Upon discussion of what it will cover it was decided not to purchase the extended warranty.
- Ron reported roads have been put down and some are awaiting shoulders and sealing needs to be done yet.
- Ron reported he has received more grindings.
- Ron reported they have received help from other Towns and they have helped other Towns
- Ron reported roads have been worked and mowing has been done.
- Ron reported the 2010 Drive shaft has broken and is now at Cook Bros being rebuilt.
- Ron reported he received a call from DEP about no trespassing signs on and around City property on Wagon Wheel Road. The Town spoke of this in the past and it is now time to get the police involved.
*
Supervisor –
- Layton called executive session at 8:34 PM. Executive session closed at 8:46
- Layton stated the 18th of September members of the Town and NYC will review where the fire tower road will be installed.
- The coffee maker was donated to the Town
- Layton spoke with a contractor that has insurance. He will advise him of all that needs to be done and find what the cost will be.
- Bill reported of an email that Michelle has received in reference to Wagon Wheel Road. He observed posters everywhere that did not want to trespass. Bill Stated he will contact him back stating this is nothing the Town or City has done and that road is a public road and any issues with being on City Property that is open should be take up with the City Police.
- Layton reported that Nancy should become the budget officer with income starting in 2023.
On motion by Albanese, seconded by Layton to appoint Nancy Roberts as the Budget officer as of September 12, 2023 at a fee of $2500.00 a year.
Vote: All in Favor, Motion Carried
Other – None
*
Correspondence: – None
Meeting adjourned at 8:51pm
Next meeting to be held on October 10, 2023 at 7PM
________________________________
Date: September 12, 2023
Michelle Phoenix
Town of Tompkins Town Clerk
Town of Tompkins in New York's Delaware County 