Motion by William Layton to enter into executive session at 7:00pm, seconded by Brian Albanese
TOWN OF TOMPKINS REORGANIZATIONAL MEETING – Jan 13, 2026
The reorganizational meeting of the Town of Tompkins Town Board was called to order at 7:12 pm in the Town meeting room, Town of Tompkins, NY
Present:
1. William Layton – Supervisor
2. Brian Albanese – Councilperson
3. Howard Buttel – Councilperson
4. Peggy Backus – Councilperson
5. Tim LaTourette – Councilperson
Others:
1. Linda Bourn – Deputy Town Clerk
2. Tania Backus – Town Clerk/Tax Collector
3. Ron VanValkenburg – Highway Superintendent
4. Nancy Roberts – Bookkeeper
RESOLUTION #1-2026 – DESIGNATION OF BANKS FOR 2026
On Motion by Brian Albanese seconded Howard Buttel, it was moved to designate:
Supervisor Layton – NBT & Wayne Bank
Justice Johnson – Community Bank NA
Town Clerk/Tax Collector – Community Bank NA
Trout Creek Sewer District – Community Bank NA
Vote: All AYES; Motion Carried.
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RESOLUTION #2-2026 – DISIGNATION OF THE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER
On Motion by Brian Albanese, seconded by Peggy Backus it was moved to designate The Hancock Harold and the Daily Star as the official newspaper during the year 2026 for the purpose of publishing legal matters.
Vote: All AYES; Motion Carried.
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RESOLUTION #3-2026 – APPOINTMENT OF TOWN OF TOMPKINS 2026 POSITIONS
On motion by Brian Albanese, seconded by Peggy Backus it was moved to appoint the following people to their respective positions for 2026 as follows.
- Building Inspector – Nathan Sramek
- Town Clerk/Tax Collector – Tania Backus
- Deputy Town Clerk – Linda Bourn
- Historian – Lynne VanValkenburg
- Dog Control Officer – Chris Bodo
- Health Officer – Dr. Eric Dohner
- Deputy Supervisor – Howie Buttel
- Court Clerk – Patti Wood
- Bookkeeper to the Supervisor / Budget Officer – Nancy Roberts
- Payroll Clerk – Linda Bourn
- FEMA Administrator’s – Ron VanValkenburg & Nancy Roberts
- Trout Creek Sewer District Administrator – Linda Bourn (For six months)
- Registrar of Vital Statistics – Tania Backus
- Health Officers – Tim LaTourette, Peggy Backus
- Planning Board: Chairman – Paul Bartholomew, Angela Porpora,
Timothy Bennett, Nancy LaTourette, David Bagley - Board of Assessment Review: Paul Bartholmew, Angela Porpora, Timothy Bennett
Vote: ALL AYES; Motion Carried.
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RESOLUTION #4-2026 – DESIGNATION OF OFFICAL RADIO STATION
On motion by Peggy Backus, seconded by Buttel it was moved to designate WDLA as the official radio station during the year 2026 for the purpose of local announcement to the Town Residents.
Vote: ALL AYES; Motion Carried.
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RESOLUTION#5-2026 – SALARIES OF THE 2026 TOWN OFFICERS
On motion by Howie Buttel seconded by Tim LaTourette it was moved that the Salaries of the Town officers for the year 2026 are fixed in the budget and that the Supervisor is authorized to pay the approved salaries.
Vote: All AYES; Motion carried
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RESOLUTION #6-2026 – HIGHWAY EXPENDITURES
On motion by Peggy Backus, seconded by Howie Buttel it was moved that Highway Superintendent to be authorized make purchases in 2026 as per the Town of Tompkins procurement policy.
Vote: All AYES; Motion carried.
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RESOLUTION #7-2026 – 2026 OFFICIAL MEETING DATES
On Motion by Howie Buttel seconded by Peggy Backus it was moved to hold regular monthly meetings for 2026 on the second Tuesday of every month at the Town Meeting Room, Trout Creek, NY at 7PM, as well as November’s meeting in 2026 and going forward.
Vote: ALL AYES; Motion Carried.
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RESOLUTION #8-2026 – 2026 MILEAGE RATE REIMBURSEMENT
On motion by Peggy Backus seconded by Tim LaTourette it was moved to set mileage rate at .725 cents per mile for use of private vehicle for Town Business.
Vote: ALL AYES; Motion Carried.
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RESOLUTION #9-2026 – 2026 BONDS & CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT
On motion by Peggy Backus seconded by Howie Buttel it was moved to give authority to Town Supervisor William Layton to renew all Bonds or Certificates of Deposit as they come due in the year 2026.
Vote: ALL AYES; Motion Carried.
2026 Reorganizational Meeting adjourned at 7:22 pm
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Date: January 13, 2026
Tania Backus
Town Clerk
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The regular monthly meeting of the Town of Tompkins Town Board was called to order at 7:22 pm in the Town meeting room, Trout Creek, NY. with Tim LaTourette leading in the Flag salute.
Present:
1. Howard Buttel – Councilperson
2. Tim LaTourette – Councilperson
3. Brian Albanese – Councilperson
4. Peggy Backus – Councilperson
5. William Layton – Supervisor
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Others:
1. Linda Bourn – Deputy Town Clerk
2. Tania Backus – Town Clerk/Tax Collector
3. Ron VanValkenburg – Highway Superintendent
4. Nancy Roberts – Bookkeeper
Guests: None
Motion by Brian Albanese to enter into regular meeting at 7:22pm, seconded by Peggy Backus
Floor Time: None
RESOLUTION # 10-2026 APPROVAL OF MINUTES
On motion by Peggy Backus, seconded by Tim LaTourette, it was moved to approve the Meeting Minutes for December. Vote: All in favor – Motion carried.
RESOLUTION # 11-2026 ABSTRACT OF CLAIMS
On motion by Brian Albanese, seconded by Tim LaTourette, it was moved to approve the Abstract of Claims for December as follows:
General Fund: $58,319.33
Highway Fund: $30,087.96.
Vote: All in favor – Motion carried.
RESOLUTION # 12-2026 TOWN CLERK’S MONTHLY REPORT
On motion by Tim LaTourette, seconded by Brian Albanese it was moved to receive, and place on file the Town Clerks, monthly report for December. Vote: All in favor – Motion Carried.
RESOLUTION # 13-2026 SUPERVISOR MONTHLY FINANCIAL REPORT
On motion by Peggy Backus, seconded by Howard Buttel, it was moved to approve and place on file the Supervisor’s monthly financial reports as of December 30, 2025.
Vote: All in favor – Motion Carried.
RESOLUTION # 14-2026 SEWER DISTRICT ABSTRACT & MONTHLY REPORT
On motion by Peggy Backus, seconded by Howie Buttell, it was moved to approve and place on file the Abstract of Claims for December of the Sewer District in the amount of $7,305.85. Vote: All in favor – Motion Carried.
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MOTIONS: Motion by Brian Albanese, seconded by Peggy Backus to pay Linda Bourn $30 per hour capped at $4000 for 2026 for clerk training and Deputy Registrar training for six months. Councilperson Brian Albanese requesting Linda Bourn to provide a summary of training and hours to be provided at each meeting to the board for review.
Vote: All in favor – Motion Carried.
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NEW BUSINESS:
Sewer district snow removal rate (no decision made)
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OLD BUSINESS:
Solar Law
UTV
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HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT REPORT:
Ron advised that the 2007 truck will be down for a couple weeks due to cracked head. Ron contacted the County Highway and they will plow County Highway 27, County Highway 47, and all the way to County Highway 10 when weather is bad.
Ron advised that 2010 trucks electric sander motor went bad. He wants to replace a truck and upgrade to a one-ton truck with a larger electric sander.
Ron said the creamery garage doors were installed. He provided a bill for $4500 to the Supervisor.
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SUPERVISOR:
William Layton will attend the next planning board meeting to see if they can explain the Solar Law. Board members and public are welcome to join.
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Motion to adjourn by Brian Albanese, seconded by Tim LaTourette, all in favor, carried.
Meeting adjourned at 9:20 pm.
Next meeting to be held on February 10, 2026, at 7:00 PM.
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Date: January 25, 2026
Tania Backus
Town of Tompkins Town Clerk
Town of Tompkins in New York's Delaware County 