February 4, 2025
The regular meeting of the Varick Town Board was called to order by Deputy Richard McCulloch at 7:00 p.m. Supervisor Hayssen arrived shortly thereafter and took over the meeting. Present at this meeting were councilmen Richard McCulloch, Jim Velie and Eric Riegel, Town Clerk, Donna Karlsen, Bookkeeper, Angela Testa, Planning Board member, Cindy Lont, and Attorney for the Town, Emil Bove. Also present was Miles Persing. Absent: Councilman Tom Fox.
A motion by Eric Riegel, seconded by Jim Velie and so carried unanimously to approve Abstract No. 15, Vouchers 443 to 453 in the amount of $31,160.02 and Abstract No. 1, Vouchers 13 to 33 in the amount of $31,657.69.
Highway: Nothing to report.
Judge: Nothing to report.
Supervisor’s Report: Mrs. Testa reported that there is no Supervisor’s Report for this month as she has yet to close the 2024 books and will provide December 2024 report once the 2024 books have been closed this month.
Code Officer: Nothing to report.
Water & Sewer Operator’s Report: January 2025
- Marked Out Dig Tickets as requested
- Called in Dig tickets for upcoming jobs
- Changed meters as needed
- Read each master meter and did calculations of daily usage
- Answered customers questions 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
- Installed new water service in Varick 3
- Dispatched and activated loggers to help locate any possible leak in water districts
- Looked into possible water leaks
- Fixed water main break in Varick 1
- Fixed water main break in Varick 1 in Romulus
- Did maintenance to work truck-oil change, topped off fluids
- Take apart old sewer pumps for scrap
- Shut water off as needed
- Rebuilt sewer pumps
- Cleaned tools up after water main breaks
- Located and changed frozen water meter on Seneca Lake
- Reread and looked into any metering issues
Nothing further to report on Seneca Lake Water District and Water Districts 1, 3 and 4 as well as Sewer Districts 1 and 2.
Capital Project: Sewer District No. 3 and 4: Supervisor Hayssen reported that a review of the Town’s WIQP application was completed with DEC, MRB and Mary Chappell. It was reported that the town scored 67 out of a possible 110, and they suggested items that could be used to increase the score if applied for next year. It was noted that the town can continue to apply for grant funds from other agencies.
Sales Tax from Seneca County: Supervisor Hayssen presented items for discussion with Seneca County as to why the town does not owe for water loss in Varick Water District No. 3. The board will continue their review of the items discussed and continue to look into the water loss figures in Varick Water District No. 1.
Town Clerk’s Report: Mrs. Karlsen reported that a substantial portion of the funds collected in the month of January were STR rental renewals.
A motion by Eric Riegel, seconded by Richard McCulloch and so carried unanimously to approve the January 2025 Town Clerk’s Report; Supervisor: $11,465.00, NYS Ag & Markets: $1, Total Disbursements: $11,466.00
Minutes: A motion by Richard McCulloch, seconded by Eric Riegel and so carried unanimously to approve the minutes of January 7, 2025.
Personnel: Mr. McCulloch reported that Ashley Chambers will continue to be the Summer Recreation Program director for 2025 and will begin planning the program for this summer.
Assessor: Anne Morgan was unable to attend the meeting due to illness, no report for this month.
Zoning Board: Nothing to report.
Planning Board: Cindy Lont reported that planning and zoning board members met with Jason Rearick and Joe Darling from Seneca County Planning Board to review procedures. She also provided the following written report on Short Term Rentals (STRs)
Town of Varick Short Term Rental End of Year report 2024 (UPDATED 2/4/25)
Limit on the number of Non Owner Supervised/Owner Occupied STR permits
Seneca Lake (19) Presently (27) Wait list (1)
Cayuga Lake (15) Presently (15) Wait list (3)
Center of Varick (30) Presently (0) Wait list (0)
Number of Owner Supervised/Owner Occupied
Seneca Lake (6)
Cayuga Lake (4)
Center of Varick (0)
TOTAL Number of Permits
Seneca Lake (33)
Cayuga Lake (19)
2025 change:
Seneca Lake: Three STRs: one sold; one only used for family; one in the process of selling (O/O).
Cayuga Side: One sold; one only used for family.
Permit process:
- Early December – Verify addresses.
- Mid December -Letters, applications and steps to complete renewal go out.
- Mid-January, emails are sent to those owners who have not responded.
- As a check arrives, the front page is copied and given to Donna with attached check.
- After January 31, 2025, permits are updated, printed, laminated and sent out.
- Following week, letters go out to those on the wait list.
Rough Numbers:
Income:
$250 x 52 permits = $13,000
Expenses:
(Admin, Postage, materials) $2,250
Profit: $10,750
New Business, Old Business, Correspondence:
Comprehensive Plan Update: MRB submitted a proposal in the amount of $65,000. It was noted that the purpose of a Comprehensive Plan is an indication as to where the town sees itself in 20 years and is the basis for establishing the town’s zoning codes. If the board decides to move forward with an update, further research into funding and looking at master students from Cornell to work with the committee on the update will be completed.
A motion by Eric Reigel, seconded by Richard McCulloch and so carried unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 8:15 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Donna Karlsen
Varick Town Clerk