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 James Velie, Town Clerk, Donna Karlsen, Bookkeeper, Angela Testa, Highway Superintendent, Ben Freier, Water Operator, Ben Karlsen, Attorney for the Town, Emil Bove and Assessor, Anne Morgan. Also present were Megan Silverstein, John Sensenig, Stanley Sensenig, Miles Persing and Mike Crowe.
Privilege of the Floor: John Sensenig, the president of the Varick Fire Department reported the department purchased a new fire truck with a cost in excess of $500,000 and took delivery of the truck last week. They were just recently able to secure a loan for $250,000 for the balance due for payment on this truck. John Sensenig indicated the department was offered a lower interest rate and presented a resolution required by the bank for the town board approving issuance of tax-exempt note for the Varick Volunteer Fire Company, Inc. to consider. Emil Bove, town attorney, reviewed the resolution and noted that some of the wording was questionable and advised the board to table any action until the June meeting allowing him time to research the wording and if a public hearing is required to be held by the board on this resolution. John Sensenig reported that the Towns of Fayette and Romulus are also required to pass the resolution for them to move forward with this new loan and those boards have not met or reviewed the resolution they have presented as of this date.
A motion by Richard McCulloch, seconded by Jame Velie and so carried unanimously to table the resolution approving issuance of tax-exempt note for the Varick Volunteer Fire Company, Inc. until the June 3rd meeting to allow the town attorney to complete research pertaining to said resolution.
Abstract: A motion by Richard McCulloch, seconded by James Velie and so carried unanimously to approve Abstract No. 5, Vouchers 100 to 140 in the amount $203,942.86.
Highway: Ben Freier, Highway Superintendent, reported that he has provided Roy Gates at the Seneca County Highway, the paperwork for the pipe project to be presented to the Seneca County Committee and then to be put in front of the County Board for approval of financing this project until funding is received and the town’s expense portion is paid.
He also reported that the town received the mowing tractor he negotiated for no cost from the county. He reported that the cost of oil and stoning per mile of road this year will be $17,000. He will be completing work on Yale Farm Road and Willers Road and black topping a small portion of Hahnel Road.
He received approval from the board to work with Auction International to auction off surplus town equipment and named a few items to include the Ford Water Truck and the plow that fits that truck, a generator, a tire rack and mowing tractor.
Judge: No report.
Supervisor: A motion by Richard McCulloch, seconded by Jim Velie and so carried unanimously to approve March 2025 Monthly Report of the Supervisor.
Water & Sewer Operator Report: Water Operator, Ben Karlsen was called away from the meeting to respond to multiple calls for possible water leaks on East Lake Road and to monitor the sewer systems in Varick Sewer District No. 1 and 2 due to the torrential rainstorm that hit the area at the time of this meeting.
Varick Sewer District No. 1: Supervisor Hayssen will contact Town of Romulus Supervisor David Hayes to discuss the purchase of two generators for the sewer pump stations that service both the Towns of Romulus and Varick.
Varick Sewer District No. 2: Nothing to report.
Varick Water District No. 1: A brief discussion was held regarding the funds due to this district from Seneca County, but no action was taken at this time.
Seneca Lake Water District No. 2: The master meter at the pump station will be calibrated this week and Jim Bromka is to notify Mr. Karlsen as to when this will be completed so he can be in attendance.
The water department is using the leak detection system along the water main looking for any possible leaks and is moving it every couple days 700 feet (from hydrant to hydrant).
Mr. Hayssen briefly discussed the necessity of raising the water rates in this district due to the increase in the water rate from the Village of Waterloo. He also indicated that due to the increase in cost of supplies and materials to operate this district an operation and maintenance fee will need to be assessed and noted that all the other water districts in the town are already receiving this fee. He will present his recommendations at the June meeting for the board’s consideration.
Varick Water District No. 3: Nothing to report.
Varick Water District No. 4: Nothing to report.
Proposed Capital Project-Varick Sewer Districts No. 3 and 4: It was reported that the town attorney approved the presented agreement between MRB and the Town of Varick and the supervisor signed the contract and it was sent back to MRB for their signature and return.
Town Clerk’s Report: A motion by Richard McCulloch, seconded by James Velie and so carried unanimously to approve the April 2025 Town Clerk’s report: Supervisor: $110, Total Disbursements: $110.
Minutes: A motion by Richard McCulloch, seconded by James Velie and so carried unanimously to approve the minutes of April 1, 2025.
Personnel: Nothing to report.
Assessor: Ann Morgan reported that Grievance Day will be held May 28, 2025 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. She reported that the RPUS program will undergo a large conversion, and it is expected that this will cause some interruption in the system. She also noted that Seneca County has switched vendors from Imagemate to Beacon to access real property information.
It was noted that Mrs. Morgan’s appointment, which is a six year appointment, is due to expire on September 30, 2025 and she indicated she would accept another appointment.
A motion by Richard McCulloch, seconded by James Velie and so carried unanimously to appoint Anne Morgan as Assessor for the town for a term to expire September 30, 2031.
New Business, Old Business, Correspondence: The board received an email from Susan Ottenweller who expressed her willingness to develop a short survey asking questions that would apply to the town’s Comprehensive Plan to assist in analyzing the residents’ thoughts pertaining to the development and growth of the town and seeking their interest in becoming involved. She noted the major cost would be printing and mailing of the questionnaire. The board would take the lead on this project. Questionnaires would be received by the board and a discussion would be held at a regular meeting of the town board. Those who had volunteered to sit on the Comprehensive Plan review initially could be presented with the responses to the questionnaire for their input at this meeting.
A motion by Tom Fox, seconded by Richard McCulloch and so carried unanimously to approve Mrs. Ottenweller to develop a short survey questioning residents’ thoughts pertaining to the development and growth of the town which would apply to the development of a comprehensive plan update.
Tom Fox reported that he received a letter from Seneca County Health Department pertaining to the inspection of septic systems along the lakes. It was noted that those with municipal sewer did not need to respond to this letter. It was reported that this has been a project of the health department for a few years, and the town of Varick is now being assessed by the department. Mr. Fox noted that they provided a list of contractors that are certified to complete these inspections.
A motion by Jim Velie, seconded by Richard McCulloch and so carried unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 8:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted:
Donna Karlsen
Varick Town Clerk