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:
1. Howard Buttel – Councilperson
2. Tim LaTourette – Councilperson
3. Brian Albanese – Councilperson
4. Peggy Backus – Councilperson
5. William Layton – Supervisor
Others:
1. Tania Backus – Town Clerk/Tax Collector
2. Ron VanValkenburg – Highway Superintendent
3. Nancy Roberts – Bookkeeper
Guests: Ronda Williams
Motion by William Layton to enter into executive session at 7:01pm, seconded by Brian Albanese for a matter relating to a particular employee and financial. No action taken, back in regular session by motion Tim LaTourette, seconded by Howard Buttel at 7:27pm.
Floor Time: None Requested
RESOLUTION # 15-2026 APPROVAL OF MINUTES
On motion by Brian Albanese, seconded by William Layton, it was moved to approve the Meeting Minutes for January. Supervisor Layton requested that minutes will be sent out in the future as a draft and any changes or corrections will be brought to the next meeting. If no recommendations, minutes will stand as submitted. Vote: All in favor – Motion carried.
RESOLUTION # 16-2026 ABSTRACT OF CLAIMS
On motion by Peggy Backus, seconded by Brian Albanese, it was moved to approve the Abstract of Claims for January as follows:
General Fund: $51,254.50
Highway Fund: $12994.31.
Vote: All in favor – Motion carried.
RESOLUTION # 17-2026 TOWN CLERK’S MONTHLY REPORT
On motion by Howard Buttel, seconded by Brian Albanese it was moved to receive, and place on file the Town Clerks, monthly report for January. Vote: All in favor – Motion Carried.
I clarified with the bookkeeper that there were balances leftover in both the Clerk and tax collector accounts from previous years that I have since turned over to the town.
Supervisor Layton read a text message from Linda Bourn dated February 7, 2026 stating that she was resigning as Deputy Town Clerk and Sewer District Administrator effective immediately.
RESOLUTION# 18-2026 ACCEPT RESIGNATION OF LINDA BOURN AS DEPUTY TOWN CLERK AND SEWER DISTRICT ADMINISTRATOR EFFECTIVE FEBRUARY 7, 2026
A motion by Brian Albanese, seconded by Howard Buttel to accept the resignation of Linda Bourn as Deputy Town Clerk and Sewer District Administrator effective February 7, 2026. All in favor – Motion Carried.
RESOLUTION # 19-2026 APPOINT TANIA BACKUS AS TOWN OF TOMPKINS REGISTRAR & SEWER DISTRICT ADMINISTRATOR
On motion by Brian Albanese, seconded by Howard Buttel it was moved to receive, to appoint Tania Backus as Town of Tompkins Registrar & Sewer District Administrator effective 2/11/2026. Vote: All in favor – Motion Carried.
RESOLUTION # 20-2026 APPOINT RONDA WILLIAMS AS 1st DEPUTY CLERK
On motion by William Layton, seconded by Brian Albanese it was moved to appoint Ronda Williams as 1st Deputy clerk effective 2/11/26, Vote: All in favor – Motion Carried.
RESOLUTION # 21-2026 SUPERVISOR MONTHLY FINANCIAL REPORT
On motion by Brian Albanese, seconded by Peggy Backus, it was moved to approve and place on file the Supervisor’s monthly financial reports as of January. Noted that Rock Rift Fire Tower CD missing. Vote: All in favor – Motion Carried.
RESOLUTION # 22-2026 SEWER DISTRICT ABSTRACT & MONTHLY REPORT
On motion by Peggy Backus, seconded by Howie Buttel, it was moved to approve and place on file the Abstract of Claims for January of the Sewer District in the amount of $4388.95. December. Vote: All in favor – Motion Carried.
Councilperson Albanese requested moving forward that a total column be added to the report.
Councilperson Albanese clarified upon the resignation of Linda Bourn, Ronda Williams will receive the prorated balance for training hours at $30 per hour.
OLD BUSINESS:
* Solar Law- The board was invited to attend this meeting on Thursday, February 12, 2026 at 7:00 p.m.
* UTV
NEW BUSINESS:
* No Dog Control Officer – Councilperson Albanese read a resignation letter from the dog control officer.
RESOLUTION # 23-2026 A motion was made by Brian Albanese, seconded by Tim LaTourette to accept the resignation of Christopher Bodo as dog control officer effective December 31,2025.
Discussion took place over possible replacements; Councilperson Albanese will follow up with applications received and report back.
* Community Bank Issues – Supervisor Layton clarified the signing of the account cards.
* Registrar Record Cabinet in clerks office – was directed to purchase a new locking cabinet for the vital records.
REPORTS
SEWER DISTRICT: Monthly report provided. LDVD offered to do the 2025 reconciliation report.
ASSESSOR: No report
PLANNING BOARD: No report
DOG CONTROL OFFICER:
TOWN CLERK:
I have been charged with collecting $2,714,971.77 of my warrant. Of this amount, I am 72% collected and have turned over $1,338,237.41 to the Supervisor for the 2026 Town of Tompkins levy amounts.
I have discovered that two years of documents and vital records have not been properly filed, I am in the process of organizing these records and hope to be caught up soon. I’ve ordered the proper storage supplies to keep these records preserved.
HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT REPORT:
Ron advised the Board that they received the plow for the 2023 pickup. Working on the 2007 International and some of the other vehicles and believes everything will be ready for the Spring. Informed the Board that the current 2011 tractor that is at the dealer has a bad transmission. The 2022 tractor that is on loan and is currently available for purchase at a price of $180,000 and will include the attachments, they will give us a $16,000 trade.
If we do not purchase the 2022 tractor, we will owe the dealer $6,000 for the repairs.
Councilperson Albanese asked for a warranty. Superintendent will ask for a warranty and mentioned we can participate in a 5-year
payment plan and will question about the interest rate. It was mentioned to check state bid and the Board was in agreement to seek quotes for comparable. Superintendent will bring back more information as next month’s meeting.
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.
Williams Layton addressed needing someone to mow the town’s properties they will continue with the current mower Phil Hanley.
RESOLUTION #24-2026 TO HIRE PHILIP HANLEY TO MOW TOWN OF TOMPKINS PROPERTIES
Motion by Brian Albanese, seconded by Peggy Backus, to hire Philip Hanley to mow the sewer district, town
and cemetery properties. All in favor- motion carried.
.
Highway Crush Stone bids were read out load as follows.
…………………Heidelberg Material Northeast LLC………Cobleskill Stone
1ST……………$27.70……………………………………………….$28.20
1A…………….$33.20………………………………………………..$34.35
1B…………….$27.70………………………………………………..$28.20
MIXED……..$27.70………………………………………………..$28.20
RESOLUTION #25-2026 ACCEPT CRUSH STONE BIDS
A motion was made by Howard Buttel, seconded by Peggy Backus to accept both bids and to utilized both companies as needed. All in favor – motion carried.
Councilperson Albanese mentioned the Town should consider purchasing a sever and all files and passwords are protected and would like to budget for this next year.
Motion to adjourn by William Layton, seconded by Howard Buttel, all in favor, carried.
Meeting adjourned at 9:16 pm.
Next meeting to be held on March 10, 2026, at 7:00 PM.
Tania Backus……….Date: February10, 2026
Town of Tompkins Town Clerk
Town of Tompkins in New York's Delaware County 