Town of Tompkins in New York's Delaware County

The regular monthly meeting of the Town of Tompkins Town Board was called to order at 6:58 pm in the Town meeting room, Trout Creek, NY.

Present:

1. William Layton – Supervisor
2. Howard Buttel – Councilperson
3. Tim LaTourette – Councilperson
4. Peggy Backus – Councilperson
5. Carl Stuendel – Councilperson

Others:

1. Ronald VanValkenburg – Hwy Superintendent
2. Michelle Phoenix – Town Clerk
3. Nancy Roberts – Bookkeeper to the supervisor
4. Willy & Ann Wood – Town residents

Pledge to the flag was led by Howie Buttel.

Guest Speakers:
Willie & Ann Wood – attended meeting to observe.

2013 Tentative Budget
The tentative budget was reviewed by the board.
On Motion by Backus, seconded by Buttel, it was move to accept the 2013 Tentative Budget (as presented by the Bookkeeper to the Supervisor) as the Preliminary Budget.
Vote: All AYES – Motion Carried

 
A Public Hearing on the Preliminary Budget will be held on November 8, 2012 at 7pm.
[Click Here for PDF of the Preliminary Budget.]

Minutes Approval:
On motion by Stuendel, seconded by Buttel, it was moved to approve the minutes of the Board meeting held on September 10, 2012.
Vote: All AYEs – Motion Carried.

Monthly Financial Reports:
Town Clerk’s Report:
On motion by Layton, seconded by Buttel, it was moved to receive, approve and place on file the Town Clerk’s monthly report for September 2012.
Vote: All AYEs – Motion carried.

Supervisor’s Report:
The Town’s monthly financial report was presented by Nancy Roberts and reviewed by the board.
On motion by LaTourette, seconded by Buttel, it was moved to receive, approve and place on file the Supervisor’s October 9, 2012 Financial Report.
Vote: All AYEs – Motion carried.

Other Reports:
Report – Planning Board – Minutes for the August 9, 2012 planning board was presented to the board for review.
[Click Here for PDF of the Aug 9, 2012 Planning Board minutes.]

Report – Assessor – None
 

Report – Highway Superintendent

1. Cold patch has been done on Chase Brooke and the City section by the Rainbow, Ron hopes to have that area broke up and re graveled next year.
2. Gravel has been hauled from Afton and stocked piled at the Town property.
3. Roads have been worked and graveled including:
   Barbour Brook took 25 loads, Chamberlain Brook took 39 loads, Faulkner Rd took 24 loads also had changed pipe, Dufton Hollow took 4 loads and has      had limbs and ditch work done, Carroll Hill took 15 loads, Kerryville Rd took 12 loads and also had limbs trimmed.
   Franskevicz Road is being worked on now and thus far has taken 10 loads.
4. The new truck had to have a clutch fan repaired and was under warranty.
5. 2006 International had anti freeze in the oil and was found that the oil pump went, Dana Wagner has repaired it.
6. 2005 1 ton had the module kit and fuel pump go so that it was unable to draw off of both tanks.
7. Ron tallied that they have used 3836 yards of gravel for the roads this year.
8. Ron contacted Ben Funk and found that a good starting price for the 1988 truck would be $19,000.  Ron was unsure if that was bare or with Sander and Plow and he would look into it.

Report – Dog Control Officer

1. 63 Summons have been mailed for unlicensed dogs.
2. Discussed charging a $25 late fee.

Report- Supervisor

1. A letter was received from the Lawyer of a land owner that disputes the right of way for the Sewer district. Rob Panasci had replied and stated they feel things were correct and will proceed with the project, he also stated they had given the land owner plenty of time to dispute the survey in question and to have it surveyed on their own.
2. Chips Money has been received.
3. Received a contract from Lafever for the rental of the creamery and small trailer. On motion by Stuendel, seconded by Backus, to allow rental with the stipulations in the contract.
   Vote: All AYE’s – Motion Carried
4. Georgiana Merwin, Town of Tompkins Tax Collector, has submitted a resignation letter taking effect on December 31, 2012. Board discussed possible appointments for that position and due to classes that may need to be taken for the appointed person it may be better to ask for Georgiana to resign on November 1, 2012. There was also discussion on a retirement gathering for Georgiana.
5. There was only one application for the Assessor position submitted.  The board interviewed the applicant.
   On motion by LaTourette, seconded by Stuendel, it was moved to appoint Wendy Layton to the Assessor position.
   Vote: All AYE’s – Motion carried
6. Bill had spoken to Frank Morgan about a privacy fence for the Town Hall property, Frank suggested using evergreen trees due to the fact they would have less upkeep than a wooden fence.
7. Bill took the picture of the hotel that once stood on Jacob’s Block and had it scanned, enlarged, and mounted at the Frame Shop in Walton at a cost of $100.
8. Bill had received a late notice from the County for taxes on a property owned by the Town. Bill is going to contact the County to see what needs to be done to get this taken care of.

Correspondence:
Layton had received a letter from an individual that is requesting reimbursement for money owed back to them for their mother that was in Country Side Care Center, due to the fact they had closed down.
Layton stated that this letter was sent out to all supervisors.

Other:
Carl Stuendel provided the Town Board with the Planning Board’s revised Town of Tompkins Subdivision Regulations that corrected some minor issues and one major change of eliminating Simple Sub Divisions. The Board will review these changes and, if necessary, make any further modifications at the November meeting.  Before the Board adopts the changes, they will be submitted to the Delaware County Planning Board for review and a Public Hearing will be scheduled for community comment.

Abstract of Claims
On motion by LaTourette, seconded by Buttel, it was moved to approve the Abstract of Claims for October 9, 2012 as follows:
General Fund: $3018.57
Highway Fund: $248,993.20
Vote: All AYEs – Motion carried.

Reading back of the minutes:
On motion by LaTourette, seconded by Backus, it was moved to accept the minutes as read back.
Vote: All AYEs – Motion Carried

Date: October 9, 2012
Michelle Phoenix
Town of Tompkins
Town Clerk

The regular monthly meeting of the Town of Tompkins Town Board was called to order at 6:00 pm in the Town meeting room, Trout Creek, NY.

Present:

1. William Layton – Supervisor
2. Howard Buttel – Councilperson
3. Tim LaTourette – Councilperson
4. Peggy Backus – Councilperson
5. Carl Stuendel – Councilperson

Others:

1. Ronald VanValkenburg – Hwy Superintendent
2. Michelle Phoenix – Town Clerk
3. Nancy Roberts – Bookkeeper to the supervisor

Pledge to the flag was led by Tim LaTourette

Guest Speakers:
None

Minutes Approval:
On motion by Stuendel, seconded by Buttel, it was moved to approve the minutes of the Board meeting held on July 9, 2012.
Vote: All AYEs – Motion Carried.

Monthly Financial Reports:

Town Clerk’s Report:
On motion by Layton, seconded by Stuendel, it was moved to receive, approve and place on file the Town Clerk’s monthly report for July 2012.
Vote: All AYEs – Motion carried.

Supervisor’s Report:
The Town’s monthly financial report was presented by Nancy Roberts and reviewed by the board.
On motion by Backus, seconded by Stuendel, it was moved to receive, approve and place on file the Supervisor’s August 21, 2012 Financial Report.
Vote: All AYEs – Motion carried.

Other Reports:

Report – Planning Board
Minutes for the June 2012 and July 2012 planning board meetings were presented to the board.
[Click HERE for PDF of the June and July Planning Board Minutes.]

Report – Assessor
None

Report – Highway Superintendent

1. Ron asked if the board would consider putting up a privacy fence at the Town building between the Town property and adjacent property.  The board will look into this.
2. Road crew has been helping out other towns.
3. Rip rap area on Rock Rift road has been done.
4. Chips work complete and paperwork sent in.  This year additional paper work has needed to be sent compared to prior years.
5. Stone done on Dryden, Walton Mt and Ferris Dean Roads
6. A clutch kit and rear main seal has been done on Scott’s truck.  After the work was done it was noticed the seal is leaking and may need to be replaced again. Work was done by Dana Wagner and Marc Layton.
7. New Rotors and front brakes were put on the 2010 pickup.
8. The two 1 tons have had rotors and brakes replaced.
9. 2004 Chevy had brake lines replaced.
10. Excavator was skipping while idling so a new injector has been replaced, and also had a light and bracket replaced on the boom.
11. The DEC contacted Ron and asked if our highway crew could help repair Barbour Book Rd.  We hauled about 400 yards of gravel to help the DEC out with short section of that road.
12. Intersection of Grey Road and Finch hollow had ditch and pipe work done.
13. Mowing, cutting limbs, Boom mowing and ditch work done on Tower Mountain.
14. All Town roads have been mowed, some a second time.
15. Due to the dry weather roads have not been worked but they have been filling pot holes.
16. Placed an order with Chemung Supply for carbides costing apx $2,000, ordering this early has saved money.
17. Ron discussed his interest on getting the frames and boxes painted on the 4 Internationals, when he looked into this he found it had cost Masonville apx $4,200 per truck, Ron would like to see this added to the budget.
18. The new truck should have the box on Thursday and if all goes well they may have truck after Labor day, Ron wishes to take a truck and trailer and pick up the truck, wing and plow after his inspection instead of it being delivered.
19. Ron supplied the board with a list of all the roads that have been sealed from 1997 to now.
20. On Motion by LaTourette, seconded by Buttel, to give Ron permission to have the EWP projects’ bids put in the Walton Reporter after Soil and Water gets them drawn up.
    Vote: All AYEs – Motion carried.

Report – Dog Control Officer
DCO and Judge have met and tickets will start going out along with Harboring letters.

Report- Supervisor

1. Town Signs – On motion by LaTourette, Seconded by Backus, to purchase 2 4×5 single faced town welcome signs at $1,600 and have installed near the White Barn and across the road from Lloyd Backus residence on 206.
   Vote: Al AYE’s – Motion Carried.
2. While doing a tour with interested contractors of the sewer district, Bill was approached by a couple contractors with interest in renting the creamery and trailer.  Board showed interest.
3. A special meeting will be held on August 28, 2012 at 6:00pm with Lamont to present the winning bid for the sewer district.
4. Cornell Cooperate Extension contacted Michelle with interest in using the meeting/Board room on October 5, 2012. On Motion by Stuendel, seconded by Backus, to allow them the use the meeting room for that day.
   Vote: All AYES, Motion Carried.
5. The pictures painted by Mr. Swartz were framed and hung.

Correspondence
None

Other
None

Abstract of Claims

On motion by Stuendel, seconded by Buttel, it was moved to approve the Abstract of Claims for August 21, 2012 as follows:
General Fund:   $10,164.36
Highway Fund: $127,172.13
Vote: All AYEs – Motion carried.

Reading back of the minutes:
On motion by Stuendel, seconded by Backus, it was moved to accept the minutes as read back.
Vote: All AYEs – Motion Carried.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:02 pm.

Next Regular meeting will be September 10, 2012 at7:00 in the Town Meeting Room, Trout Creek, NY.

Michelle Phoenix                 Date August 21, 2012
Town of Tompkins
Town Clerk

The regular monthly meeting of the Town of Tompkins Town Board was called to order at 7:04 pm in the Town meeting room, Trout Creek, NY.

Present:

1. William Layton – Supervisor
2. Howard Buttel – Councilperson
3. Tim LaTourette – Councilperson
4. Peggy Backus – Councilperson
5. Carl Stuendel – Councilperson

Others:

1. Ronald VanValkenburg – Hwy Superintendent
2. Michelle Phoenix – Town Clerk
3. Nancy Roberts – Bookkeeper to the supervisor

Pledge to the flag was led by Peggy Backus

Guest Speakers:
None

Minutes Approval:
On motion by Stuendel, seconded by Buttel, it was moved to approve the minutes of the Board meeting held on June 11, 2012.
Vote: All AYEs – Motion Carried.

Monthly Financial Reports:
Town Clerk’s Report:
On motion by Buttel, seconded by LaTourette, it was moved to receive, approve and place on file the Town Clerk’s monthly report for June 2012.
Vote: All AYEs – Motion carried.

Supervisor’s Report:
The Town’s monthly financial report was presented by Nancy Roberts and reviewed by the board.
On motion by LaTourette, seconded by Buttel, it was moved to receive, approve and place on file the Supervisor’s July 9, 2012 Financial Report.
Vote: All AYEs – Motion carried.

Other Reports:
Report – Planning Board
Minutes for the May’s planning board meeting were read by Michelle.
[Click HERE for PDF of May 10, 2012 Planning Board meeting minutes.]

Report – Assessor
None

Report – Highway Superintendent

1. Liquid calcium was spread on 6/22/2012 on Chamberlin Brook, Hathaway Pond Rd., and ½ of Readburn Mountain Rd. More will possibly be spread on 7/10/2012.
2. For the EWP-funded roadwork to proceed, signatures from landowners will need to be received and notarized.
3. Roadwork has been done on Carcass Brook and Chase Brook; will be starting on Roods Creek.
4. 2in Top is done on Higley and East View Rd, also a spot on Dryden and Walton Mt. Roads.
5. The new truck has been at Wayne’s Welding for 3 weeks.
6. Mowing is going slow.
7. Ron approached the board with estimates for sealing Walton Mt., Ferris Dean, and Dryden. This will take apx. 521 ton of stone. Board advised Ron to get figures for the board to review at the next meeting or before.
8. Summer help has painted the Town Building inside walls.

Report – Dog Control Officer
DCO and Judge are attempting to meet to come up with a solution for the unlicensed dogs.

Report – Supervisor

1. Bill advised the board that the Planning Board has submitted two checks to the town clerk, one check was over a year old and the other was over 4 months old. The Check that was a year old was unable to be deposited but the other was. Bill will discuss this issue with the planning board.
2. Steve Brown had approached Bill with interest in setting up a walking trail to the Fire Tower on Rock Rift. He would like to open the fire tower for people to view. Steve will look into associations that may be able to make this possible and to keep any liability away from the town.
3. On motion by Stuendel, seconded by Buttel, it was moved to pass Resolution 22-2012, which states that the Town of Tompkins Town Board hereby approves and accepts the Emergency Response Plan. Vote: All AYEs – Motion carried.
4. Picture Frames – The paintings by Mr. Schwartz will be placed in frames from the frame store in Delhi.
5. Tentative meeting date change for August’s Town board meeting will be August 9^th at 6PM providing its ok with Lamont.    [Update:  Tuesday, August 21, 2012 at 6PM]
6. Received a notice from Excellus proposing a raise in rates to 14.7%.
7. Gravel Permits paperwork is being done; next step is to go to the gravel bank and map it out. Anyone interested in going are welcome.
8. Carl discussed the abandonment of the portion of Rock Rift and how the process should get started.

Correspondence:
Received a letter from Joe Tarantino in response to the dust issue on his road he stated that the calcium that was laid this year did not work and he would like the entire road paved or oil be laid.
Bill will contact Joe and let him know this year nothing can be done but the board will discuss possible options for next year.
Ron stated he will lay another load of calcium this year.

Other:
None

Abstract of Claims:
On motion by Backus, seconded by Buttel, it was moved to approve the Abstract of Claims for July 9, 2012 as follows:
General Fund: $4,195.13
Highway Fund: $85,301.25
Vote: All AYEs – Motion carried.

Reading back of the minutes:
On motion by Backus, seconded by LaTourette, it was moved to accept the minutes as read back.
Vote: All AYEs – Motion Carried

The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 pm

Next meeting will be tentatively @ 6:00 pm on August 9, 2012 at the Town Meeting Room, Trout Creek, NY.    [Update:  Tuesday, August 21, 2012 at 6PM]

Michelle Phoenix
Town of Tompkins
Town Clerk