March 4, 2025
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, Tom Fox and Jim Velie, Town Clerk, Donna Karlsen, Bookkeeper, Angela Testa, Highway Superintendent, Ben Freier, Water Operator, Ben Karlsen, Attorney for the Town, Emil Bove, Assessor for the Town, Anne Morgan and Planning Board Member, Cindy Lont. Also present was Miles Persing. Absent: Councilman Eric Riegel.
Abstract: A motion by Richard McCulloch, seconded by Jim Velie, and so carried unanimously to approve Abstract No. 3, Vouchers 34 to 67 in the amount of $302,365.26.
Highway: Superintendent, Ben Freier reported that the town finally received their road salt delivery which was held up due to the salt shortage.
Mr. Freier also reported that he has been attempting to contact the representative at Barton & Loguidice who he has been working with pertaining to the 1.1 million dollar project the town will be completing, with no success. He reported he had just recently found out this gentleman had passed away and was given the name of a new contact. He reminded the board that Seneca County has agreed to front the money for this project, but it was unclear what paperwork will need to be completed for them to do so. The county will be reimbursed by the state with the town having to budget 5% of the cost of the project to be paid by the town. Attorney Bove will look further into what paperwork needs to be completed between Seneca County and Town of Varick.
Judge: No report.
Supervisor’s Report: A motion by Richard McCulloch, seconded by Jim Velie and so carried unanimously to approve the December 2024 Monthly Report of the Supervisor.
Mrs. Testa reported that she has closed out the 2024 books and submitted a final resolution to amend the 2024 budget with budget transfers.
RESOLUTION NO 25-1
| AMENDMENT TO THE | ||||
| TOWN OF VARICK | ||||
| 2024 BUDGET TRANSFERS | ||||
| WHEREAS there are not sufficient budget appropriations in the District Fund Budget to meet obligations of the Fund for the year 2024, and | ||||
| WHEREAS, in conformity with Town Law and good bookkeeping practices, amounts should not be over appropriated, be it | ||||
| RESOLVED, the Financial Officer is hereby authorized and directed to make amendments to the 2024 budget to correct over budget line items as follows: | ||||
$ 405.43 from Fund Balance A00-599 to Supervisor A00-1220.400
$ 564.48 from Fund Balance A00-599 to Justic A00-1110.400
$ 177.02 from Fund Balance A00-599 to Town Clerk A00-1410.400
$ 691.63 from Fund Balance A00-599 to Attorney A00-1420.400
$ 2608.67 from Fund Balance A00-599 to Building cont. A00-1620.400
$ 50.00 from Fund Balance A00-599 to Registrar A00-4020.400
$ 291.30 from Fund Balance A00-599 to Street Lights A00-5010.100
$ 2611.52 from Fund Balance A00-599 to Capital Outlay A00-8686.200
$ 530.05 from Fund Balance SL1-599 to Street Lighting SL1-5182.400
$ 1187.87 from Fund Balance SL2-599 to Street Lighting SL2-5182.400
$ 8.52 from Fund Balance SS1-599 to Admin Badger SS1-8110.410
$ 2580.00 from Fund Balance SS1-599 to Treatment SS1-8130.400
$ 19.45 from Fund Balance SS1-599 to Sewer Transportation SS1-8140.400
$ 22.40 from Fund Balance SS2-599 to WL Badger SS2-8110.410
$ 579.86 from Fund Balance SS2-599 to Admin Utilities SS2-8110.430
$ 144.17 from Fund Balance SS2-599 to Sewer Transportation SS2-8140.400
$ 6.24 from Fund Balance SW1-599 to Badger SW1-8310.410
$ 43.97 from Fund Balance SW1-599 to Transportation SW1-8340.400
$ 43.04 from Fund Balance SW1-599 to Utilities SW1-8310.430
$ 39.15 from Fund Balance SW2-599 to Badger SW2-8310.410
$ 103,654.67 from Fund Balance SW2-599 to Pumping SW2-8320.400
$ 4.56 from Fund Balance SW3-599 to Badget SW3-8310.410
$ 11.73 from Fund Balance SW3-599 to Utilities SW3-8310.430
$ 7323.96 from Fund Balance SW3-599 to Pumping SW3-8320.400
$ 143.12 from Fund Balance SW3-599 to Repairs SW3-8320.430
$ 44.63 from Fund Balance SW3-599 to Transportation SW3-8340.400
$ 109.00 from Fund Balance SW3-599 to State Retirement SW3-9010.800
$ 13.93 from Fund Balance SW4-599 to Badger SW4-8310.410
$ 104.18 from Equipment SW4-599 to Transportation SW4-8340.400
Motion: Richard McCulloch
Second: James Velie
So Carried Unanimously
Code Enforcement Officer: No Report.
Water & Sewer Operator Report: February 2025 Sewer & Water Report
· Marked Out Dig Tickets as requested
· Called in Dig tickets for upcoming jobs
· Changed meters as needed
· Read each master meter and complete 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
· Rebuilt sewer pumps as needed
· Dispatched and activated loggers to help locate any possible leaks in districts
· Looked into possible water leaks
· Fixed water main break in Varick 1
· Turned water on as needed
· Had Sewer generator serviced
· Ordered more sewer pumps
· Ordered more parts for inventory
· Cleaned tools up after water main breaks
· Located and changed frozen water meter in Var 1
· Rebuilt Hydrants in Fayette 5
· Scrapped old brass to empire Seneca
Varick Sewer District No. 1: Supervisor Hayssen will discuss with Town of Romulus Supervisor, David Hayes, the purchase of the 2 generators for this district and their cost based on the percentage breakdown.
Varick Sewer District No. 2: Ben Karlsen reported that they have completed rebuilding all the pumps they had for repair, totaling approximately thirty or more pumps in 2024. The department has placed an order for 5 grinder pumps but are aware they are budgeted for a total of 10 for 2025.
Capital Project: Proposed Sewer District No. 3 & 4: Supervisor Hayssen reported that he has received from MRB their proposal for engineering services and will turn it over to Attorney Bove for his review and approval.
Varick Water 1: Water Operator, Ben Karlsen reported that there have been 3 major water main breaks this past month. It has been reported to him that the pressure reducing valve at the tank located at the prison is not working and the state is not doing anything to repair it. This may be causing the breaks this district is experiencing.
Seneca Lake Water: Routine maintenance has begun. When the weather breaks, they anticipate work will begin on replacing bolts in the system.
Varick Water District No. 3: The water department has been assisting the Town of Fayette in locating water leaks and repairing hydrants. They are scheduled to assist Fayette in repairing the hydrant at the Fayette Fire Department which will be the third repair completed to this hydrant in the past several months. Depending on what is discovered this time, Fayette Fire Department may need to be notified that they will be responsible for any future repairs due to mishandling of the hydrant.
Varick Water District No. 4: The water department anticipates new service connections once the weather breaks.
Water Operator, Ben Karlsen questioned Supervisor Hayssen how the newly formed Seneca County Water Authority will affect the town’s established water districts. Supervisor Hayssen explained that the authority will be overseeing Seneca County Water District Systems. He noted that a committee was formed and there is no representation from the southern part of the county. Supervisor Hayssen reported that he had hoped that Mr. Karlsen would be willing to sit on this committee. Mr. Karlsen noted that he was told he had to be a resident of the county to do so, which he is not.
Town Clerk’s Report: A motion by Richard McCulloch, seconded by Jim Velie and so carried unanimously to approve the Town Clerk’s February 2025 report: Supervisor: $1,780, NYS Ag & Markets: $7, Total Disbursements: $1,787.00.
Minutes: A motion by Tom Fox, seconded by Richard McCulloch and so carried unanimously to approve the minutes of February 4, 2025.
Personnel: Nothing to report.
Assessor: Anne Morgan reported that Taxable Status date has passed, and she found this year she had to chase down more than usual Ag and Senior exemption forms to have them submitted in time. She reported there is a computer conversation being done at the end of this year by the state for an upgrade in the system. She has caught up on her continuing education, will be reviewing the equalization rate and what the market brings for final assessments.
A discussion was held regarding the county’s position on collecting taxes on STR’s in addition to any occupancy tax.
Zoning Board/Planning Board: Cindy Lont reported that there are three property owners on the STR waiting list for Route 89, with potentially 2 openings.
The Planning Board is looking at the zoning on docks and boat hoists and have assigned Thomas Bjorkman, Seth Brandow and Jeff Vest, with input from Tim Dorn to investigate this matter. She referred to this group as a sub-advisory committee to the Planning Board. Mr. Hayssen pointed out that these members are all members of the planning board and questioned if a subcommittee would need to be formed. Attorney Bove will investigate this further and give his legal opinion at the next board meeting.
Tom Fox was not in support of placing any further zoning into our code pertaining to docks and hoists as the Core of Engineers oversees this. Jim Velie did question the enforcement by the Core of Engineers regarding this matter.
Cindy Lont also expressed the opinion that few people look at the legal notices in the newspaper and suggested the town make up a yard sign to be placed on the property that pertains to the action being taken and charge a refundable fee for the sign. Attorney Bove will research the legality of this and report back at the next board meeting.
New Business, Old Business, Correspondence:
Comprehensive Plan: Cindy Lont, after last month’s discussion on the demographics of the town currently, researched information from a site called “Been Verified” going back 40 plus years researching properties along Seneca Lake within the Town of Varick and presented her findings for the board’s review. She also contacted Professor Frantz at Cornell and spoke to him about assisting with the proposed update. He said they are currently booked but may be able to assist next year. Further consideration will be given on completing this update and how to finance it.
The town received an email from Cayuga Lake Watershed Intermunicipal Organization for 2025 dues. It was noted that in the past, Seneca County has paid these dues for the municipalities, so no action was taken at this time. Discussion was held regarding the water ways dumping into Cayuga Lake and maintaining the water quality of our lakes.
The board received a letter of resignation from Donna Brandow from her position as cleaner of the town hall facilities. The board regretfully accepted her resignation effective March 31st and will look at different options for her replacement.
A motion by Tom Fox, seconded by Richard McCulloch and so carried unanimously to enter executive session to address personnel at 8:50 p.m.
A motion by Richard McCulloch, seconded by Tom Fox and so carried unanimously to come out of executive session at 9:10 p.m.
A motion by Richard McCulloch, seconded by Tom Fox and so carried unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 9:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Donna Karlsen, Town Clerk