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 Peggy Backus leading in the Flag salute.
Present:
Peggy Backus – Councilperson
Brian Albanese – Councilperson
Howard Buttel – Councilperson
Tim LaTourette – Councilperson
William Layton – Supervisor
Absent: Nancy Roberts – Bookkeeper
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Others:
Ron VanValkenburg – Highway Superintendent
Linda Bourn – Deputy Town Clerk
Guests: Tania & Sam Backus, & Roger Barnhart
Floor Time:
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RESOLUTION # 49-2025 APPROVAL OF MINUTES
On motion by Brian Albanese, seconded by Howie Buttel, it was moved to approve the Meeting Minutes for July 2025. Vote: All in favor – Motion carried.
RESOLUTION # 50-2025 ABSTRACT OF CLAIMS
On motion by Peggy Backus, seconded by Howie Buttel, it was moved to approve the Abstract of Claims for July 2025 as follows: General Fund: $5,558.00 Highway Fund: $109,298.37.
Vote: All in favor – Motion carried.
RESOLUTION # 51-2025 TOWN CLERKS MONTHLY REPORT
On motion by Brian Albanese, seconded by Howie Buttel it was moved to receive, and place on file the Town Clerks, monthly report for July 2025. Vote: All in favor – Motion Carried.
RESOLUTION # 52-2025 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 July 31, 2025, Dated, 8/19/2025.
Vote: All in favor – Motion Carried.
RESOLUTION # 53-2025 SEWER DISTRICT ABSTRACT & MONTHLY FINANCIAL REPORT
On motion by Brian Albanese, seconded by Howie Buttel, it was moved to approve and place on file the Abstract of Claims for July 2025 of the Sewer District in the amount of $3,480.39.
Vote: All in favor – Motion Carried.
RESOLUTION # 54-2025
Motion by Howie Buttell, seconded by Tim LaTourette to appoint Wendy Layton as the Town Assessor for the 6-year term beginning on 10/1/2025. All in favor, motion carried.
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NEW BUSINESS:
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OLD BUSINESS:
Fire Tower – Volunteers have gone up to work 6-7 times so far, there are only approximately 18 steps left to do. Bill Layton’s granddaughter has offered to wood burn the steps and then we could sell them to raise some money. All the volunteers will get a step and the Papes will also get one. Bill to talk to Sarah to see what she would charge us so we can figure out what to charge. The city wanted a second gate put up at the tower so that was completed, we need to add a no trespassing sign. Hank came over and talked to Bill and asked that no parking signs be placed at the bottom of the fire tower. The board decided that that the town cannot afford to do so at this time.
Walking Trail – The sign for the trail will be here next Wednesday, Bill will check with Lynn on where to place it.
Subdivisions – Ron thinks we really need to move on this. Bill will talk to the planning board at the county.
Sewer Caps –
Union Contract – Brian noticed some sections about PFL/FMLA that Nancy may be confused about, and she will need to check before we can sign it.
ATV – Brian had a draft made and had our insurance company look it over and they said as long as we had it reviewed by an attorney there would not be any change to our insurance premiums. Next step is do we want to take the next step and take it to a lawyer to get this written up legally, or do we wait until next year and budget for it? Bill said more and more towns are allowing these laws to put into place and possibly the state will get on board at some point. The board would like Brian to check with a lawyer and see what it would cost.
HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT REPORT:
*Helped Sidney, Deposit, Walton, Hamden, Sidney, and Franklin.
*Shoulders and ditch work.
*Fixed the bank on Pine Swamp.
*The summer girls are now done.
*Changed big pipe on Alger Road.
*Trimming.
*Ditch work, cutting shoulders down, getting ready to seal our roads.
*Had some mud slides. Heavy rain. We got called during the night, I told them we won’t be down until the morning, the State was there nearby. We went down first thing in the morning and cleaned up the mess.
*Did some cold patch on the dirt roads.
*The last new truck has been in Oneonta for the last 10 weeks now. When Ron calls, they have to call up and then they call and can’t seem to get the parts.
*Ron wants to put an ad in for a new pickup truck.
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SUPERVISOR:
Bill called the state about the sign that the Fire Department wants to put up on Route 206, to see what the specs are on the sign.
Bill received a letter from the bank that they did not send the interest due on a CD back last March, so they sent us a check for $900.
Bill would like to have Josh come down to the creamery and take off the old walk-through door and install an overhead door.
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Motion by Brian Albanese, seconded by Bill Layton to adjourn meeting, all in favor, carried.
Meeting adjourned at 8:03 pm.
Next meeting to be held on September 9, 2025, at 7:00 PM.
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Date: August 27, 2025
Linda Bourn
Town of Tompkins Deputy Town Clerk
Town of Tompkins in New York's Delaware County 