December 5, 2023
The regular meeting of the Varick Town Board was called to order by Supervisor Robert Hayssen at 7:00 p.m. Present at this meeting were Councilmen Richard McCulloch and Eric Riegel, Town Clerk, Donna Karlsen, Bookkeeper, Angela Testa, Highway Superintendent, Ben Freier, Planning Board member, Cindy Lont, Zoning Board member, Susan Ottenweller, Attorney for the Town, Frank Fisher, and councilman-elect, James Velie.
Privilege of the Floor: Cindy Lont did a presentation of Varick’s new webpage and asked that the board approve for the site to go live.
A motion by Richard McCulloch, seconded by Eric Riegel and so carried unanimously to approve the Varick web site to go live.
Abstract: A motion by Richard McCulloch, seconded by Eric Riegel and so carried unanimously to approve Abstract No. 12, Voucher Numbers 737 to 787 in the amount of $152,839.43.
Highway: Highway Superintendent, Ben Freier, reported that all the town trucks are currently running. He presented a quote for a 2013 John Deere 5093E tractor that he is interested in purchasing in the amount of $39,900. He reviewed the specs with the board and noted it may need new tires in about a year. Mr. Freier also reported that another individual was looking at this and had the first option to purchase. Attorney Fisher discussed with the board whether this purchase would be subject to competitive bidding but made the claim that it is a unique case and would be difficult to duplicate by going to competitive bidding and he determined it would not be necessary to put out for bid. A detailed discussion was held regarding the highway department’s current fund balance and the 2024 budget equipment expense line. After budget review it was determined the funds for this purchase would be available and the following motion was made:
A motion by Eric Riegel, seconded by Richard McCulloch and so carried unanimously to purchase the 2013 John Deere 5093 E Tractor in the amount of $39,900.
Mr. Freier also reported that the clear panel on the west side of the barn is broken, and the entire roof needs to be replaced. He will get a price to replace the roof and inquire about the need for prevailing wage.
A discussion was held regarding the purchase of a 10-wheel dump truck in 2024. The estimated cost of this truck is $300,000 and it was noted that $200,000 of that cost was budgeted in 2024. The balance of the amount can be financed, or the town can allocate the County’s ARPA Flow-Through Funding of $100,000 be used for the balance due.
Supervisor’s Report: Supervisor Hayssen reported that the check for the ARPA Flow-Through money in the amount of $100,000 from Seneca County was received December 5th. He recommended that these funds be used toward the purchase of the ten-wheel dump truck for the highway department. The board reviewed the highway department funds and agreed to earmark the use of these funds for the purchase of this truck. Mr. Freier reported that once this truck is ordered it is estimated it will take three years before its delivery.
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A motion by Richard McCulloch, seconded by Eric Riegel and so carried unanimously to deposit the ARPA Flow-Through Funds in the amount of $100,000 in the General savings account and proposed to allocate the funds to pay the remaining balance of the purchase of a ten-wheel dump truck.
A motion by Richard McCulloch, seconded by Eric Reigel and so carried unanimously to approve the Supervisors written report of October 2023.
Judge: Nothing to report.
Water/Sewer Operator’s Report: November 2023
- Marked Out Dig Tickets as requested
- Called in Dig tickets for upcoming jobs
- Changed out meters
- Read each master meter and did calculations of daily usage
- Answered customers question in each sewer and water district
- Did final reads as needed
- Changed out grinder pumps as needed
- Took Bac T samples in each water district
- Filled out and submitted monthly report to health department
- Ordered parts for upcoming projects
- Exercised generator for sewer district #2
- Exercised guard valves in Seneca Lake Water District
- Did water shut offs as needed
- Went to Rochester to pick up more grinder pumps
- Tore down old grinder pumps and brought to scrap yard
- Did quarterly testing for THm and Haa5
- Cleaned shop on East Lake Road
- Inspected new water service in Varick 4
- Built a new meter box for Varick 1
- Rebuilt hydrant in Var 3 due to being hit by a backhoe (Fayette is charging customer)
- Looked into potential customer water leaks
Varick Sewer District No. 1: Mr. Hayssen reported that the town of Romulus is considering moving forward with infrastructure repairs as outlined in the I & I study completed by Hunt Engineering. Varick Sewer District No. 1 restoration cost as part of this study was estimated to be over $500,000. The board, at this time, is not prepared to move forward, but will keep it on the table for future consideration.
Varick Sewer District No. 2: Ordered 5 grinder pumps with the cost to be reimbursed by the town’s ARPA funding in the amount of $13,820.
Varick Water District No. 1: Nothing further to report.
Seneca Lake Water District: Nothing further to report.
Varick Water District No. 3: Supervisor Hayssen and Councilman Richard McCulloch will be meeting with Fayette Supervisor Jeff Trout and a Fayette Councilperson to discuss the connection of Fayette’s Water District No. 8, which is currently under construction, to Varick Water District 3 on Wednesday, December 6th.
Varick Water District No. 4: Nothing further to report.
Town Clerk: A motion by Eric Riegel, seconded by Richard McCulloch and so carried to approve November 2023 Town Clerk’s Report: Supervisor: $415, NYS Ag & Markets: $4, State Health Dept.: $45, Total Disbursements: $464.
Minutes: A motion by Eric Riegel, seconded by Richard McCulloch and so carried unanimously to approve the minutes of November 1, 2023.
Assessor: Anne Morgan proved the following written report:
- The file was delivered to county November 17 for Town and County bill printing.
- Deeds are current October.
- Bank Codes and address changes are current up to mid-October.
- Agricultural exemptions are prepared and ready to mail.
- Senior Citizens exemptions are prepared and ready to mail.
Zoning & Planning Boards: Cindy Lont reported the STR renewal letters are prepared and will be mailed on December 6, 2023 with any payments received processed in January 2024 for budgeting purposes. Ms. Lont and Ms. Ottenweller reported that they have contacted Carol Millis, the prior clerk for their boards and she has agreed to return to that position as an employee of the town and they are seeking permission from the town board to hire her.
A motion by Richard McCulloch, seconded by Eric Reigel and so carried unanimously to hire Carol Millis in the position of clerk to the Planning and Zoning Boards.
New Business, Old Business, Correspondence:
A motion by Eric Riegel, seconded by Richard McCulloch and so carried unanimously to hold the end-of-year meeting to pay bills and to address any business that may come before the board on December 27, 2023, at 10:00 a.m.
Supervisor Hayssen received a letter from Edith B. Ford Memorial Library notifying the town that the Board of Regents of NYS notified them that their application to change their charter was approved. The amendment included the expansion of their service area to include the Town of Varick and they now officially serve Varick even though they have been doing so informally for many years.
A motion by Eric Reigel, seconded by Richard McCulloch and so carried unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 8:10 p.m. Respectfully Submitted: Donna Karlsen, Town Clerk