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, Jim Velie, and Eric Riegel, Town Clerk, Donna Karlsen, Highway Superintendent, Ben Freier, Attorney for the Town, Emil Bove, and Planning Board member, Cindy Lont. Also present was Miles Persing
Absent: Councilman, Tom Fox and Bookkeeper, Angela Testa.
Abstract: A motion by Richard McCulloch, seconded by Jim Velie and so carried unanimously to approve Abstract No. 4, Vouchers 68 to 99 in the amount of $28,578.58.
Highway: Highway Superintendent Ben Freier reported that they will be repairing a cross over pipe on Secore Road and ditching. He reported that they will be black topping a short distance on Hahnel Road and oil and stoning some dirt roads in the town in front of residents’ homes to keep the dust down. He reported that the cost of oil & stone has increased substantially from last year’s cost and is approximately $10,000 a truck load this year.
Clean Up Days: The board approved the highway department to hold town clean up on Thursday, June 19th to Saturday, June 21st, 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Thursday and Friday and until Noon on Saturday. The board approved for him to hire two extra employees during this time at $22 per hour.
Judge: No report.
Supervisor: A motion by Richard McCulloch, seconded by Jim Velie and so carried unanimously to approve February 2025, Monthly Report of the Supervisor.
Code Officer: No report.
Water & Sewer Operator Report: March 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 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
- Did water turn on’s as needed
- Serviced and exercised hydrants in District 3
- Read water meters in all 4 districts
- Talked with contractors about upcoming water service installs
- Investigated leak in Varick 3/ Fayette 5
- Received quotes for upcoming water service installs
- Assisted town of Waterloo installing a hydrant
- Cleaned up yards in Romulus from main breaks
- Printed and hung new maps for each district
- Working on AQWR
Varick Sewer District No. 1: Nothing further to report
Varick Sewer District No. 2: Nothing further to report.
Capital Project: Varick Sewer District No. 3 & 4: A copy of MRB Group’s proposal for Professional Services for the Town of Varick Sewer Extension known as Sewer District No. 4 was given to the attorney to review and provide his recommendations. It was noted that MRB is seeking approval of this agreement as they have begun to submit grant applications on the town’s behalf.
A motion by Eric Riegel, seconded by Richard McCulloch and so carried unanimously to direct Supervisor Hayssen to sign MRB proposal for Professional Services for the Town of Varick Extension to be known as Sewer District No. 4 contingent on the attorney’s approval.
Varick Water District No. 1: Nothing further to report.
Seneca Lake Water District: Supervisor Hayssen reported that the town did receive a notice from the Village of Waterloo with a projected water rate increase for their Fiscal Year 2025-2026. However, this increase has not been adopted by the Village Board as of this date. Discussion will be held at the May meeting regarding a water increase by the town board once the Village of Waterloo adopts a water rate.
Varick Water District No. 3: Nothing further to report.
Varick Water District No. 4: Nothing further to report.
Town Clerk’s Report: A motion by Eric Riegel, seconded by Richard McCulloch and so carried unanimously to approve the March 2025 Town Clerk’s Report; Supervisor $700, NYS Ag & Markets; $20, Total Disbursements: $720.
Minutes: A motion by Richard McCulloch, seconded by Jim Velie and so carried unanimously to approve the minutes of March 4, 2025.
Varick/Romulus Summer Recreation Program: Mr. McCulloch reported that he spoke to Ashley Chambers, director of the program who confirmed that although Romulus Central School will not have gym space available for the program this summer, the school will provide space for the summer program within the school.
Assessor: No report.
Planning Board: Cindy Lont reported that they have an application for a lot line move and received a STR owner occupied application. She also reported that Planning Board will not be forming a subcommittee for docks and mooring research.
Comprehensive Plan: A discussion was held pertaining to moving forward with updating the current Comprehensive Plan. Supervisor Hayssen stated the proposals submitted to complete this work are cost prohibitive without funding. Richard McCulloch and Eric Riegel briefly reviewed the zones and land usage as referenced in the zoning code and felt that very little land use has changed within these zones to warrant a full update to the current Comprehensive Plan. Jim Velie felt the board could address each issue as it arises and sited the change to the zoning code that was addressed by passage of town law to address STR’s. The Town Clerk reported that she and bookkeeper had discussed the general fund balance and noted that it is decreasing due to the increasing expenses of operating the town and noted that the board will have to take this into consideration when completing the 2026 budget. Town Attorney Emil Bove was questioned if the Town Board had to by law complete an update and if so, how often must one be done. Mr. Bove researched this and found that unless stated in the current plan, a review of the plan can be done at the discretion of the town board. The board unanimously agreed not to move forward with an update at this time based on the points presented.
Old Business, New Business, Correspondence: Supervisor Hayssen reported that Seneca County paid the municipalities membership fee to Cayuga Lake Watershed Intermunicipal Organization.
Edith B Ford Memorial Library provided the board with a copy of their 2024 Annual Report to the Community for their review.
A motion by Eric Riegel, seconded by Jim Velie and so carried unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 7:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Donna Karlsen
Varick Town Clerk