The regular monthly meeting of the Town of Tompkins Town Board was called to order at 7:03 pm in the Town meeting room, Trout Creek, NY. with Peggy Backus leading in the Flag salute.
Present:
- Howard Buttel – Councilperson
- Tim LaTourette – Councilperson
- Brain Albanese – Councilperson
- Peggy Backus – Councilperson
- William Layton – Supervisor
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Others:
- Nancy Roberts – Bookkeeper to Supervisor
- Linda Bourn – Deputy Town Clerk
- Ron VanValkenburg – Highway Superintendent
Guests:
Floor Time:
RESOLUTION # 77-2024 APPROVAL OF MINUTES
On motion by Tim LaTourette, seconded by Howie Buttel, it was moved to approve the Meeting Minutes for November 2024. Vote: All in favor – Motion carried. Abstained – Peggy Backus
RESOLUTION # 78-2024 ABSTRACT OF CLAIMS
On motion by Peggy Backus, seconded by Brian Albanese, it was moved to approve the Abstract of Claims for November 2024 as follows:
General Fund: $64,293.54
Highway Fund: $216,383.46
Vote: All in favor – Motion carried.
RESOLUTION # 79-2024 TOWN CLERKS MONTHLY REPORT
On motion by Tim LaTourette, seconded by Howie Buttel it was moved to receive, and place on file the Town Clerks, monthly report for November. Vote: All in favor – Motion Carried.
RESOLUTION # 80- 2024 SUPERVISOR MONTHLY FINANCIAL REPORT
On motion by Brian Albanese, seconded by Tim LaTourette, it was moved to approve and place on file the Supervisor’s monthly financial reports as of November 30, 2024, dated 11/30/24.
Vote: All in favor – Motion Carried.
RESOLUTION # 81- 2024 SEWER DISTRICT ABSTRACT & MONTHLY REPORT
On motion by Brian Albanese, seconded by Tim LaTourette, it was moved to approve and place on file the Abstract of Claims for November of the Sewer District in the amount of $11,108.34.
Vote: All in favor – Motion Carried.
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MOTIONS:
Albanese, seconded by Tim LaTourette, to complete the ARPA paperwork and use any remaining funds toward the trailer, all in favor, carried.
Motion to let Bill Layton renew CD’s by Peggy Backus, seconded by Howie Buttel, all in favor, carried.
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NEW BUSINESS:
Peggy asked what the status of the old store is because the grounds look terrible.
Bill spoke to George Heinz about getting the sign for the decker property on the walking trail. Bill asked the board if they wanted the sign to look like the sign on the schoolhouse and the board agrees that would be good.
Bill came down one day, and the furnace wasn’t working, turned out we were out of fuel, and we are on automatic delivery, we were not charged for the call.
Delaware County is talking about giving each town a percent of the sales tax that is collected. We could get as much as $100,000, more to come on this subject.
Linda suggested that we put a resolution in our organizational meeting to let Bill handle the CDs throughout the year as they come due.
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BUDGET DISCUSSION:
Nancy said there was one more change to the budget and that was just a formula in her file that was not picking up one of the figures. Delaware County called her about it so they are aware, Nancy said this does not change our bottom line at all.
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OLD BUSINESS:
Fire Tower – Nothing new.
UTV –
Walking Trail –
* We still need some quotes from anyone about the stone. Bill will check with Wagner.
* There were two change orders on the trail:
1. Under Rt 206 they had to put in 2 pipes for $1,000.
2. Behind the creamery the bank was higher than the other side, so they had to build that side up for an additional $1,000.
* Bill spoke to Scott Barnhart and told him there are a few things that need to be completed, remove the dirt behind the creamery, seed, mulch, remove to piles of trees and branches and fill in some low spots.
* The board wants to process the 3 checks for the project tonight. Pay them 75% now and the additional $2,000. After completion give them the remaining check of 25%.
ARPA Funds –
Ambulance –
Court Clerk – Bill to check to see if training has been completed.
HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT REPORT:
Ron says the Dozer sold for $6,800.
Trailer had no bids.
Ron wants to know if we can get rid of the Jetter machine, he said we have only used it once. Bill will find out what we can do with it.
Cutting Trees.
Plowing Roads.
Kyle will be meeting with Louie Banker on the FEMA paperwork.
Ron would like to buy a lift, they cost around $30,000-$40,000. The board feels that we could rent one when we need it as we don’t use them very often.
Ron wants to order another new truck due to the delivery time of 1 to 1 ½ years for delivery. The board would like him to reach out and see exactly what delivery time now as other things is are coming in faster than before and we would hate to order it and get ourselves into financial trouble with having to pay for it before we are ready. The other truck that we have on order will be here in late spring/early summer for $380,000.
Ron will decide what roads they will be doing in 2025.
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Supervisor –
Brian received a call from a resident that said the roads are too slippery and we don’t use enough salt or cinders. Ron said we are using the same we have always used.
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Linda received a letter from Mr. Gierla who owns property on Franskievicz Road that we don’t maintain, he is going to be building a house up there at some point and has some concerns about the maintenance of the road. Ron said we have never done anything with that piece of the road in the 28 years that Ron has been here. The board asked Ron to do some research on if we even own that section of the road and we will discuss at the next meeting.
Lynne asked if the town would sponsor any other groups like they do for the 4H, the board feels that they can not start doing this or it would become a problem to give to all the others that request it. We need to stay with the one group currently.
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Motion to adjourn by Howie Buttel, seconded by Tim LaTourette, all in favor, carried.
Meeting adjourned at 8:17 pm
Next meeting to be held on January 14, 2025, at 6 PM.
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Date: December 23, 2024
Linda Bourn
Town of Tompkins Deputy Town Clerk
Town of Tompkins in New York's Delaware County 