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 Ron VanValkenburg leading in the Flag salute.
Present:
- Tim LaTourette – Councilperson
- Peggy Backus – Councilperson
- Brian Albanese – Councilperson
- Howard Buttel – Councilperson
- William Layton – Supervisor
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Others:
- Ron VanValkenburg – Highway Superintendent
- Linda Bourn – Deputy Town Clerk
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Guests: Josh LaTourette, Wendy Layton.
Floor Time:
Wendy Layton presented to the board a map of Franskevicz Road that Mr. Gierla was inquiring about in the January meeting.
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RESOLUTION # 25-2025 APPROVAL OF MINUTES
On motion by Brian Albanese, seconded by Howie Buttel, it was moved to approve the Meeting Minutes for March 2025. Vote: All in favor – Motion carried.
RESOLUTION # 26-2025 ABSTRACT OF CLAIMS
On motion by Peggy Backus, seconded by Tim LaTourette, it was moved to approve the Abstract of Claims for March 2025 as follows: General Fund: $7,535.38 Highway Fund: $15,879.58.
Vote: All in favor – Motion carried.
RESOLUTION # 27-2025 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 March 2025. Vote: All in favor – Motion Carried.
RESOLUTION # 28- 2025 SUPERVISOR MONTHLY FINANCIAL REPORT
On motion by Brian Albanese, seconded by Howie Buttel, it was moved to approve and place on file the Supervisor’s monthly financial reports as of March 31, 2025, Dated, 3/31/2025.
Vote: All in favor – Motion Carried.
RESOLUTION # 29- 2025 SEWER DISTRICT ABSTRACT & MONTHLY REPORT
On motion by Brian Albanese, seconded by Howie Buttel, it was moved to approve and place on file the Abstract of Claims for March 2025 of the Sewer District in the amount of $3,437.94.
Vote: All in favor – Motion Carried.
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Entered Executive Session at 7:26 PM
Exited Executive Session at 7:48PM
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Enter back into regular monthly meeting at 7:48PM
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MOTIONS:
Motion by Bill Layton, seconded by Brian Albanese to enter in executive session to discuss a personnel matter. All in favor, motion carried.
Motion by Bill Layton, seconded by Tim LaTourette to raise the court clerk hourly rate of pay to $20.00 per hour, all in favor, motion carried.
Motion by Bill Layton to hire Reese Yeomens to mow the town cemeteries for 2025 season pending proof of insurance, seconded by Howie Buttel, all in favor, motion carried.
Motion by Brian Albanese, seconded by Bill Layton to purchase the Tenco Equipment that was presented at March meeting, all in favor, carried.
Motion by Bill Layton, seconded by Brian Albanese to put the Fire Alarm System replacement out for bid, all in favor, motion carried.
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NEW BUSINESS:
Brian read a letter from Lena Storrer about her desire to attend 4H camp this year.
Kyle had Fyr Fyter in and they looked at the fire alarm system and it will be $14,000 for a new alarm system. Brian says this has to go out for bid.
Ron said we got a pile of stone, and we bought it under the county bid price which was cheaper than the bid price we had received.
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OLD BUSINESS:
Fire Tower – The highway crew is going up next Monday, Tuesday Wednesday next week to work on the road.
Walking Trail – Completed, Lynn has applied for a $40,000 Grant for a pavilion.
Subdivisions – No updates.
Sewer Letters – Linda sent the letters and so far, has received 2 back and 3 back as undeliverable. She will gather them together and turn over to Brett.
Truck Contract – Kyle had some answers to the questions the board had about the purchase of the new truck that they want to order now. The warranty will not begin until we take possession of the truck after the box and equipment are all installed.
If we sign the contract now, we will pay for the fit up (Tenco Equipment) first $186,544 next year then we would pay for the chassis (20-24 months).
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HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT REPORT:
Trimming Trees
Picked things out of ditches
Sweeping – about 95% done, broom died a couple of days ago but is repaired now so we can finish.
The grindings that we used last year for the roads didn’t work out like we had planned and are breaking up, we should have mixed bigger stone in with them and it may be the oil that we mixed in, we will try again using them this year.
Changed a pipe in Chamberlain Brook Road.
Haven’t received any news from CHIPS yet.
Ron presented the roads that he would like to repair this year for the board to sign, but there are no prices on there, so they will wait until he gets the estimate.
Ron asked the board if they cared how he sold the truck that was wrecked. Either as a whole truck or part it out, the board doesn’t care which way as long as we don’t spend a lot of labor on it. Town of Plymouth came and looked at it, but Ron hasn’t heard back from them.
Ron has an article about the electric trucks, doesn’t see how this would ever work.
Ron is going to hire someone in May to replace Tim. The board would still like to modify the union agreement to be able to start the new person at less wages to start. Tim will have 46 years of service in when he retires, the board would like to do something for him.
Ron made up a list of all the equipment with values.
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SUPERVISOR:
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Motion by Bill Layton, seconded by Howie Buttel to adjourn meeting, all in favor, carried.
Meeting adjourned at 8:21 pm.
Next meeting to be held on May 13, 2025, at 7:00 PM.
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Date: April 18, 2025
Linda Bourn
Town of Tompkins Deputy Town Clerk
Town of Tompkins in New York's Delaware County 