February 3, 2026
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, Eric Riegel and James Velie, Town Clerk, Donna Karlsen, Bookkeeper, Angela Testa, Attorney for the Town, Emil Bove, Assessor, Anne Morgan, Zoning Board Chair, Susan Ottenweller, Water Operator, Nate Craig, and Highway Superintendent, Ben Freier. Also present were Jodi Brown and Miles Persing. Absent: Councilman Tom Fox.
Petitioners to Address the Board: Jodi Brown expressed her interest in being appointed to the Zoning Board of Appeals board and provided the town board with background information about herself.
Ms. Ottenweller informed the board that Andrew Herkovic will not be seeking reappointment and Fred Berry anticipates submitting his resignation from the board during this summer.
Abstract: A motion by Richard McCulloch, seconded by James Velie and so carried unanimously to approve Abstract No. 2 of 2026, Voucher 13 to Voucher 45 in the amount of $329,281.13 and Abstract No. 14 of 2025 Vouchers 426 to 437 in the amount of $337,013.76
Highway: Ben Freier reported that they have been busy plowing snow. He also reported that he checked with Tenco on the new truck, and he doesn’t expect the truck to be delivered until May of 2026.
Judge: The judge provided a copy of a contract with Language Line Services, Inc. They would provide a scope of work for phone interpreting to facilitate effective communication between customer’s service providers and individuals with limited English. Language Line Services provided the agreement in a word format and asked that the court make changes to the proposal to fit the court’s needs. Attorney Emil Bove reviewed the contract and recommended that section 1.3 Phone Interpreting Equipment (a), (b), (c) and (d) be removed from the contract as the court would not be using the equipment.
A motion by Eric Riegel, seconded by Richard McCulloch and so carried to approve the court entering into an agreement with Language Line Services, Inc once section 1.3 Phone Interpreting Equipment (a), (b), (c) and (d) be removed from the contract.
A motion by Eric Riegel, seconded by James Velie and so carried unanimously to direct Supervisor Hayssen sign the Intermunicipal Agreement for Court Security Services between the County of Seneca, acting by and through its Office of Sheriff and the Town of Varick.
A motion by Eric Riegel, seconded by Richard McCulloch, and so carried unanimously acknowledging that the 2025 records of the Varick Town Court have been duly examined and the fines therein collected have been turned over to the proper officials of the Town as required by law based on information provided by Court Clerk Courtney Andrews and Judge Jeffrey Hogue and the Appendix 10-Annual Checklist for Review of Justice Court Records was completed:
Roll Call:
Robert Hayssen Yes
Richard McCulloch Yes
James Velie Yes
Eric Riegel Yes
Tom Fox Absent
Yes: 4 No: 0 Absent-1
So Carried Unanimously
Supervisor’s Report: A motion by Richard McCulloch, seconded by James Velie and so carried unanimously to approve the Monthly Report of the Supervisor, December 2025.
Mrs. Testa provided the following Resolution for board approval.
RESOLUTION NO 26-003
| AMENDMENT TO THE | ||||
| TOWN OF VARICK | ||||
| 2025 BUDGET TRANSFERS | ||||
| WHEREAS there are not sufficient budget appropriations in the District Fund Budget to meet obligations of the Fund for the year 2025, and | ||||
| WHEREAS, in conformity with Town Law and good bookkeeping practices, amounts should not be over appropriated, be it | ||||
| RESOLVED, that the Financial Officer is hereby authorized and directed to make amendments to the 2025 budget to correct over budget line items as follows: | ||||
$ 175.00 from Deputy PersonnelA00-1410.101 to Contractual A00-1410.400
$ 300.00 from Supervisor Exp A00-1220.400 to Tax Collector A00-1330.400
$ 500.00 from Supervisor Exp A00-1220.400 to Town Clerk A00-1410.400
$ .02 from Zoning Secretary A00-8010.102 to Code Enfor. A00-8010.100
$ 735.00 from Refuse A00-8160.400 to Social Security A00-9030.800
$ 2580.00 from Equipment SS1-8120.200 to Treatment Seneca Co SS1-8130.400
$ 2.00 from Admin Cont SS2-8110.400 to Admin WL SS2-8110.410
$ 9540.0 from Repairs SS2-8120.400 to Treatment Seneca C SS2-8130.400
$ 90.00 from Repairs SS2-8120.400 to Transportation SS2-8140.400
$ 1.00 from Repairs SS2-8120.400 to Retirement SS2-9010.800
$ 40.00 from Fund Bal SW1-599 to Utilities SW1-8310.430
$ 1550.00from Fund Bal SW1-599 to Maint. Sal SW1-8320.100
$ 560.00 from Fund Bal SW1-599 to Equipment SW1-8320.440
$ 45.00 from Fund Bal SW1-599 to Transportation SW1-8340.400
$ 120.00 from Fund Bal SW1-599 to Social Security SW1-9030.800
$ 1501.37 from Equipment SW2-8320.200 to Maint. Sal SW2-8320.100
$ 85.00 from Equipment SW2-8320.200 to Transportation SW2-8340.400
$ 200.00 from Equipment SW2-8320.200 to Social Security SW2-9030.800
$ 155000.00 increase revenue SW2-2140 Pumping SW2-8320.400
$ 7.00 from Admin SW3-8310.400 to Admin WL SW3-8310.410
$ 130.00 from Fund Balance SW3-599 to Utilities SW3-8310.430
$ 780.00 from Fund Balance SW3-599 to Laborer SW3-8320.101
$ 4300.00 Increase Revenue SW3-2140 Pumping SW3-8320.400
$ 75.00 from Fund Balance SW3-599 to Transportation SW3-8340.400
$ 10.00 from Fund Balance SW3-599 to Fayette Exp SW3-8389.400
$ 120.00 from Fund Balance SW3-599 to Social Security SW3-9030.800
$ 95.00 from Fund Balance SW3-599 to Health Ins SW3-9060.800
$ 20.00 from Fund Balance SW4-599 to Admin WL SW4-8310.410
$ 320.00 from Fund Balance SW4-599 to Utilities SW4-8310.430
$ 6030.00from Fund Balance SW4-599 to Maint. Sal SW4-8320.100
$ 120.00 from Fund Balance SW4-599 to Transportation SW4-8340.400
$ 200.00 from Fund Balance SW4-599 to Social Security SW4-9030.800
| MOVED: Richard McCulloch SECONDED: Eric Riegel So Carried Unanimously | |||
Code Enforcement Officer: Tim Dorn provided a 2025 annual Zoning Code Enforcement Officer Report for the board’s review.
A motion by Eric Riegel, seconded by James Velie and so carried unanimously to approve the 2025 Zoning Code Enforcement Officer Report.
Water/Sewer Operator Report: January 2026
- Marked Out Dig Tickets as requested
- 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
- Did inventory for parts
- Built sewer adapters
- Rebuilt sewer pumps
- Water turn offs as needed
- Organized and cleaned shop and truck
- Cleaned shop out on East Lake Road
- Updated lead and copper inventory
- Folded and mailed water bills
- Checked hydrants after 2 fires in Water District No. 3
Varick Sewer District No. 1: Nothing further to report.
Varick Sewer District No. 2: The water operator will be placing an order for 5 grinder pumps.
Varick Capital Project-Sewer District No. 4: Supervisor Hayssen reported that the town did not get selected for WIQP funding. There will be a meeting with the funding agency and MRB on February 10th to review the application. MRB is currently working on a NBRC application for funding.
Varick Water District No. 1: Nothing further to report
Seneca Lake Water District: Nothing further to report.
Varick Water District No. 3: Nothing further to report.
Varick Water District No. 4: Mrs. Karlsen reported that the Town of Fayette is continuing to bill the incorrect dollar amount per gallon of water according to the contract. Mrs. Karlsen will provide a copy of the contract for Attorney Emil Bove to review and discuss with the Town of Fayette attorney.
Town Clerk’s Report: A motion by Richard McCulloch, seconded by Eric Riegel and so carried unanimously to approve the Town Clerk’s Report for January 2026; Supervisor: $12,470, NYS Ag & Markets: $12, Total Disbursements: $12,482.00
Minutes: A motion by Richard McCulloch, seconded by James Velie and so carried unanimously to approve the minutes of January 6, 2026.
Personnel: Mr. McCulloch reported that he may have two people interested in the Summer Recreation Director and will contact the Seneca County Youth Bureau for guidance.
Mrs. Karlsen reported that she received a letter of interest from Joanne Squires for the Short-Term Rental Clerk position. She will meet with her to review the job requirements and see if she is still interested in the position.
Mrs. Testa reported that the Water Operator position was posted with Seneca County Personnel office as a Water Maintainer open position. She stated that she was told by the County Personnel office there was no difference in the positions between a Water Operator and Water Maintainer.
Assessor: Mrs. Morgan reported that their office will be completing a conversion which could freeze her files for up to three weeks. She noted that although she has heard good things about the conversion, the timing is not good for her office.
Planning Board: Nothing to report.
Zoning Board of Appeals: A motion by Richard McCulloch, seconded by Eric Rigel and so carried unanimously to appoint Jodi Brown to the Zoning Board of Appeals board with a term to expire December 31, 2030.
She will be filling the vacancy of Andrew Herkovic.
New Business, Old Business, Correspondence:
Supervisor Hayssen reported that the county is working with an individual and Ag and Markets to set up a facility in part of once was the Army Depot to board dogs.
Survey of “Life in Varick” for the purpose of the Comprehensive Plan review. It was noted that the survey completed by Susan Ottenweller and Cindy Lont was very well done. The board will discuss further when this survey is sent out and how, and which council member will be responsible for receiving the survey.
Insurance: The board reviewed quotes provided by Eastern Shore for increasing the town’s liability insurance and putting Cyber insurance into place. It was noted that there was no money budgeted in the 2026 budget for optional coverage and the board will look at this when budgeting for 2027.
A motion by Eric Riegel, seconded by James Velie to not accept the optional coverage and quotes for Cyber Security and not to accept the optional coverage and quotes increase for excess liability.
A motion by Eric Riegel, seconded by Richard McCulloch and so carried to enter executive session to discuss personnel at 8:30 p.m.
A motion by Richard McCulloch, seconded by Eric Riegel and so carried unanimously to come out of Executive Session at 8:45 p.m.
A motion by Eric Reigel, seconded by Richard McCulloch and so carried unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 8:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted
Donna Karlsen, Varick Town Clerk