June 4, 2024

The regular meeting of the Varick Town Board was called to order by Deputy Supervisor Richard McCulloch at 7:00 p.m.  Present at this meeting were Councilmen Tom Fox and Jim Velie, Town Clerk, Donna Karlsen, Bookkeeper, Angela Testa, Highway Superintendent, Ben Freier, Attorney for the Town, Emil Bove, Planning Board member, Cindy Lont and Seneca County Sheriff, Tim Thompson.  Absent:  Supervisor Robert Hayssen and Councilman Eric Riegel. 

Petitioners to Address the Board:  Sheriff Tim Thomspon introduced himself and reviewed the positions he held prior to his current position as Sheriff.  He spoke highly of the sheriff’s department’s employees and the knowledge and talent they bring to the department.  He reviewed some of his goals, implementation of programs to involve the public, and stated he is open to suggestions.

Abstract: A motion by Jim Velie, seconded by Tom Fox and so carried unanimously to approve Abstract 6, Vouchers 149 to 176 in the amount of $46,560.44.

Highway:  Highway Superintendent Ben Freier presented quotes for the purchase of a 10-wheel truck and plow equipment in a total amount of $308,000.  He suggested that the town purchase the 10-wheel truck this year as there was funding budgeted.  He recommended budgeting the balance of the cost in the 2025 budget for the plow equipment.  A vote for this purchase was tabled until the July meeting when a full board would be present.   He reported that household clean up is scheduled for June 20 to June 22.  Auction International auctioned off the surplus equipment and he reported that he approved all bid amounts that were submitted.  All equipment will be picked up by the end of June with the town receiving payment from Auction International within the next two weeks. 

Judge:  No report.

Supervisor’s Report:  A motion by Jim Velie, seconded by Tom Fox and so carried unanimously to approve the Supervisor’s Report for April 2024.

Code Enforcement Officer Report:  No report.

Water Operator Report:  May 2024

• 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
• Had Siewert equipment come to shop to help rebuild sewer pumps
• Took Bac T samples in each water district
• Filled out and submitted monthly report to health department
• Ordered parts for upcoming projects
• Did water turn On’s as needed
• Talked with contractors about upcoming water service installs
• Helped Romulus fix service line leak in our joint district Varick 1
• Weed whacked Hydrants in Var 4 and Seneca lake
• Fixed front lawn on rt 89 where water leak occurred
• Met with customer on rt 89 for new water service
• Drove up to Siewert equipment to pick up 5 more pumps and parts
• Replaced meter pit top that was hit by lawn mower
• Fixed sewer pit manhole covers in Sewer 2
• Finalized and sent in Annual Quality water report for 2023

Water Operator Ben Karlsen provided an estimate for work to be completed to the old water/sewer truck in the amount of $4,366.68.  It was reported that the truck will not pass inspection when due without this work being completed and it was questioned if the truck’s currant value exceeds the expense of the repair.  It was noted that this truck currently carries sewer repair supplies, keeping them separate from the water department supplies.   There is no funding budgeted this year to replace that truck, but funding could be budgeted for 2025 for the purchase of a used vehicle to replace it.  The board was in favor of repairing this truck but tabled making any decisions to allow Mr. Karlsen time to further review the department’s options and present at the July meeting. 

Varick Water District No. 1:  Nothing further to report.

Seneca Lake Water District:  Nothing further to report.

Varick Water District No. 3:  Mr. McCulloch reported that the town did receive a signed contract from the Town of Fayette for completing the reading of meters and billing for Fayette 5.  There are some items that will need to be clarified prior to the town taking over this billing and the bookkeeper and town clerk will work with the Town of Fayette to obtain further information regarding this matter.  It was noted that the contract may need to be revised as the Town of Fayette informed us after the agreement was submitted and signed that as of January 1, 2024, they were not having the Village do their billing and the conversion will be more complex then originally thought. 

Varick Water District No. 4:  Nothing further to report.

Varick Sewer District No. 1:  Nothing further to report.

Varick Sewer District No. 2:  Nothing further to report.

Town Clerk’ Report:  A motion by Jim Velie, seconded by Tom Fox and so carried unanimously to approve the Town Clerk’s report: Supervisor $495, NYS Ag & Markets: $13, Total Disbursements: $508. 

Minutes:  A motion by Tom Fox, seconded by Jim Velie and so carried unanimously to approve the minutes of May 7, 2024.

Personnel:  Mr. McCulloch reported that Ashley Chambers has supplied registration forms to the school for the summer recreation program.  The scheduling of events for this program is underway and has two returning councilors from last year and four new councilors.

Assessor:  No report. 

Zoning Board:  No report

Planning Board:  Mrs. Lont reported that Lauren Burling has resigned from the board as she is moving out of state, and they will be looking for a new member. 

She reminded the board that the Planning Board is working on developing a major subdivision application and asked that the board consider placing a six-month moratorium on major subdivisions.  This will allow them time to develop and adopt a major subdivision application.  They have requested quotes from MRB or Labella to aid in developing this major subdivision application.  Mrs. Lont hopes to have these quotes back to be presented to the board in July for their consideration. 

Attorney Bove will draft a local law for the board’s review at the July meeting regarding the six-month Moratorium and will discuss with the Planning Board Chairwoman, Linda Mastellar, how to address potential inquiries pertaining to major subdivisions. 

A motion by Tom Fox, seconded by Jim Velie and so carried unanimously to direct Attorney Bove to draw up a resolution introducing a local law pertaining to a six-month moratorium on major subdivision applications to the Planning Board. 

New Business, Old Business, Correspondence:  The board reviewed the final copy of the Town of Varick Code of Ethics, as amended.  Questions were raised and clarified by the town attorney and the following resolution was presented for approval: 

RESOLUTION NO. 24-005

TOWN OF VARICK

CODE OF ETHICS

AMENDED JUNE 4, 2024

WHEREAS, the Varick Town Board of the Town of Varick desires to specify a code of conduct for the Town of Varick employees and officials known as the Town of Varick Local Code of Ethics, and

WHEREAS, pursuant to the provisions of Section Eight Hundred Six of the General Municipal Law, the Varick Town Board of the Town of Varick recognized that there are rules of ethical conduct for public officers and employees which must be observed if a high degree of moral conduct is to be obtained and if public confidence is to be maintained in our unit of local government, and

WHEREAS, it is the purpose of a local Code of Ethics to promulgate these rules of ethical conduct for the officers and employees of the Town of Varick. These rules shall serve as a guide for official conduct of the officers and employees of the Town of Varick, and

WHEREAS, the Town of Varick adopted a Code of Ethics by resolution passed on March 5, 1992, and

WHEREAS, the Town Board wishes to adopt a revised Code of Ethics,

NOW THEREFORE, IT IS RESOLVED, that theVarick Town Board adopts the following revised Code of Ethics which shall replace the Code of Ethics adopted on March 5, 1991, and directs thatevery officer or employee of the Town of Varick shall be subject to and abide by the following standards of conduct:

1).        Gifts:     Town officers or employees may not directly or indirectly solicit, receive, or accept any gift in any form in any case. It shall be presumed that such a gift is intended to influence the Town officer or employee in the performance of his/her official duties.

2).        Confidential Information:    Town officers or employees shall not disclose confidential information acquired in the course of official duties or use such information to further his/her personal interest.

3).        Representation Before Any Agency For A Contingent Fee:     Town officers or employees shall not accept, nor shall they enter into any agreement, expressed or implied, for compensation for services to be given in relation to any matter before any agency or any municipality.

4).     Representation Before Any Agency For A Contingent Fee:     Town officers or employees shall not make any agreement for compensation for services to be rendered in relation to any matter before any agency or municipality, where the compensation is to be dependent upon any action by such agency or municipality.

5).     Disclose of Interest in Legislation:     To the extent that he/she knows thereof, a Town officer or employee shall publicly disclose on the official record the nature and extent of any direct or indirect financial or other private interest in legislation or town decisions.

6).     Investments in Conflict with Official Duties:     No investment may be held by a Town officer or employee which creates a conflict of interest with his/her official duties.

7).     Private Employment:     Town officers or employees shall not engage in private employment which creates a conflict of interest or impairs the proper discharge of his/her official duties.

8).     Distribution of Code of Ethics:     The Clerk of the Town of Varick shall cause a copy of this Code of Ethics to be distributed to every officer and employee of the Town of Varick within 60 days after the effective date of this Resolution. Each officer and employee elected or appointed thereafter shall be furnished a copy before entering upon the duties of his/her office or employment.

9).      Complaints of Violations: Complaints alleging violations of the provisions of this resolution shall be reported in writing to the Town Clerk, who shall maintain a confidential record of such complaints.

          The Town Clerk shall refer all Complaints of allegations of violations of the provisions of this resolution to the Town Attorney for review and recommendation for investigation and action, and it is further,

            RESOLVED that all provisions of the March 5, 1991 Resolution, including but not limited to the provision establishing a Town Board of Ethics are hereby repealed.

Motion:  Jim Velie

Seconded:  Tom Fox

So Carried Unanimously

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