The regular meeting of the Varick Town Board was called to order by Deputy Supervisor Richard McCulloch at 7:00 p.m. Present were Councilmen Tom Fox, James Velie and Eric Riegel, Town Clerk, Donna Karlsen, Bookkeeper, Angela Testa, Highway Superintendent, Ben Freier, Attorney for the Town, Emil Bove, and Planning Board Chair, Linda Mastellar. Also present was Miles J. Persing, James Hagdorn, Paula Vega, Clifford Townley, and Larrilyn Bove. Absent: Supervisor Robert Hayssen.
Privilege of the Floor: Paula Vega of 800 Deal Road expressed her concern over the condition of Deal Road and the brush and logs in and along the side of the ditch. Highway Superintendent, Ben Freier reported that he has been obtaining recommendations for resurfacing Deal Road and is presenting a quote to the town board tonight to complete this road work. He also reported that Ironwood, the company hired by NYSEG, has been leaving the tree debris along the roadsides on both sides of ditches. He called NYSEG and Ironwood came and picked up the debris on the roadside of the ditches. They did not pick up the debris on the other side of the ditch lines. This debris, especially after the flooding that just took place, was washed into the ditches, resulting in backing up of culvert pipes. He noted this was the case on Deal Road, among many other roads in the town after the unusual amount of rain fall our area just experienced. He also reported that the boulders placed within the ditch are there to prevent the ditches from washing out and undermining the road. His department is continuing to work on cleaning up debris left on the roads from the flooding that just took place.
Abstract: A motion by Eric Riegel, seconded by James Velie and so carried unanimously to approve Abstract No 4, Voucher 75 to Voucher 113 in the amount of $62,584.77.
Highway: Ben Freier reported that he received quotes from Roselli to lay binder on Hahnel Road in front of the Amish property in the amount of $76,000 and to mill and widen Deal Road and put 3” binder down at a cost of $78,000. He will use CHIPS funds for these projects. He has had to shut down McDuffie Town Road due to flood damage and is planning on using $80,000 in CHIPS for this road.
Spring Clean Up: Ben Freier is planning on holding Spring Clean UP the 3rd week of June but is waiting for confirmation on the availability of dumpsters for that week.
He presented to the board a resolution for adoption of the State of New York Deferred Compensation Plan. This is a retirement plan that the state offers that those who work for the town would be eligible for. The town currently has a private plan through Nationwide which no one currently participates in. The state plan is used by most Seneca County municipalities.
Resolution 26-005
Adoption Of the State of New York Deferred Compensation Plan
WHEREAS, THE Town of Varick wishes to adopt the Deferred Compensation Plan for Employees of the State of New York and Other Participating Public Jurisdictions (the “Plan”) for voluntary participation of all eligible employees; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Varick is a local public employer eligible to adopt the Plan pursuant to Section 5 of the State Finance Law* and
WHEREAS, the Town of Varick has reviewed the Plan established in accordance with Section 457 of Town of the Internal Revenue Code and Section 5 of the State Finance Law of the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, the purpose of the Plan is to encourage employees to make and continue careers with the Town of Varick by providing eligible employees with a convenient and tax-favored method of saving on a regular and long-term basis and thereby provide for their retirement;
NOW, THEREFORE, it is hereby:
RESOLVED, that the Town of Varick hereby adopts the Plan for the voluntary participation of all eligible employees; and it is further
RESOLVED, that the appropriate officials of the Town of Varick are hereby authorized to take such actions and enter into such agreements as are required or necessary for the adoption, implementation, and maintenance of the Plan; and it is further
RESOLVED, that the Administrative Services Agency is hereby authorized to file copies of these resolutions and other required documents with the President of the State of New York Civil Service Commission.
Adopted the 7th day of April 2026 at a regular meeting of the Varick Town Board
Motion: Eric Riegel
Seconded: James Velie
So Carried Unanimously
I hereby certify that the Town of Varick is a local public employer within the meaning of Section 5 of the State Finance Law and that the adoption of the Plan has received all required approvals of any local governing body or officer and otherwise complies with local law.
Witnessed by: Donna Karlsen Town of Varick: Robert Hayssen, Supervisor
Consent of The Deferred
Compensation Board of the
State of New York to
Local Public Employer’s
Participation
By:
* A local public employer eligible to adopt the Plan pursuant to Section 5 of the State Finance Law includes: a county, city, town, village or other political subdivision as defined in Section 131 of the retirement and Social Security law or civil division of the State; a school district or other governmental entity operating a public school, college, or university; a public improvement or special district, a public authority, commission , or public benefit corporation; or any other public corporation, agency or instrumentality or unit of government which exercises governmental powers under the laws of the State.
Judge: Nothing to report.
Supervisor’s Report: A motion by Eric Riegel, seconded by Tom Fox and so carried unanimously to approve the Monthly Report of Supervisor, February 2026.
Varick Code Enforcement Officer: Nothing to report.
Water/Sewer Report: March 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
- Rebuilt sewer pumps
- Took Bac T samples in each water district
- Filled out and submitted monthly report to health department
- Did inventory for parts
- Built sewer adapters
- Organized and cleaned shop and truck
- Cleaned shop out on East Lake Road
- Updated lead and copper inventory
- Picked up generators for sewer 1
- Replaced broken meters due to freezing
- Read meters for quarter one billing
- Turning water on as needed
Varick Sewer District No. 1: Nothing further to report.
Varick Sewer District No. 2: Nothing further to report.
Proposed Capital Project: Sewer District No. 4: It was reported that the NBRC pre-application was accepted and MRB can proceed with finishing that application for submittal. The town also just received an email informing the town that this project was not chosen to receive funding from FY27 Community Project Funding for 2026.
It was recommended by Mary Chappel that the town move forward in forming Sewer District No. 4. Attorney Bove presented an agreement for legal services for this project. Approval of said agreement was tabled with a request by the board for them to provide further detailed information in the agreement at next month’s meeting for board review. Once an agreement for legal services has been agreed upon, Attorney Bove will prepare the legal paperwork for the formation of this district.
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: Nothing further to report.
Town Clerk’s Report: A motion by Eric Riegel, seconded by Jame Velie and so carried unanimously to approve the March 2026 Town Clerk’s Report, Supervisor: $390, NYS Ag & Markets; $7, Total Disbursements; $397.
Minutes: A motion by Eric Riegel, seconded by James Velie and so carried unanimously to approve the minutes of March 3, 2026.
Summer Recreation Program: Richard McCullcoh reported that Melody Collinsworth is willing to be the director of the program this year but noted there might be a conflict as she is councilwoman on the Romulus Town Board. He noted that Shyanne Bennett, who is a teacher’s aide at Romulus, would be interested in being director this year but doesn’t meet the qualifications currently. Once she works for the program this year as assistant director, she can take the director’s position next year. It was noted that this position needs to be filled as soon as possible for the 2026 program to be held. Attorney Bove will research whether Mrs. Collinsworth can perform this job and inform Mr. McCulloch as soon as possible. It was recommended that the board approve hiring Mrs. Collinsworth subject to attorney town opinion on conflict of interest, ethics and compatibility.
A motion by Eric Reigel, seconded by James Velie and so carried unanimously to hire Melody Collinsworth as director for the Romulus/Varick Summer Recreation Program subject to the attorney for the town’s opinion on conflict of interest, ethics and compatibility.
Assessor Reports: March and April reports:
March 2026 Report:
Field Work is Ongoing,
You will notice that things are ready to process, since February 9 our program has been what is termed “frozen” while the conversion takes place that means nothing can be done.
I have attended 3 days of training for the revised Real Property online program (computer program). From my view this is not a conversion from one to another but rather an entirely new program every bell and whistle has changed. Definitely many learning curves and being told more than 6 more days of training lie ahead, nothing I am concerned about handling but incredibly bad timing as I prepare to file our Tentative Assessment Roll. I will keep you informed. Please contact me with any concerns or questions.
April 2026 Report:
Field work continues.
The new “program” is causing some bumps in the road, many problems with the State program, and it is part of my day to spend time talking to our State liaison (Batavia Office) to file problem “tickets”.
I have been through 4 other program conversions but nothing like this, I will keep you in the loop.
Respectfully
Anne Morgan
Planning Board: Mrs. Mastellar reported that she met with the County Planning Board and they made recommendations for updates to the town’s Zoning Code. She reported that the Planning Board will review these suggested updates and edits to the code to be completed prior to presenting a draft for the town board’s consideration.
Mrs. Mastellar also reported that the Zoning Officer hasn’t been in attendance recently at the Planning meeting and the Planning Board is interested in receiving a report from him regarding permits issued, if he has encountered any issues that he may have concern over and his general feedback. The Zoning Officer, Tim Dorn will be notified of the Planning Board’s interest in having him attend the Planning Board meetings for his input and general feedback.
Comprehensive Plan: Mrs. Karlsen reported that a meeting was held regarding the survey about “Life In Varick” with Thomas Bjorkman, Cindy Lont, Susan Ottenwheller and herself in attendance. Councilman Eric Riegel was unable to attend this meeting. Mrs. Karlsen provided the town board with a copy of the letter and survey questions, reviewed information presented and discussions held by the committee at the meeting. The board had some further questions and recommended changes in response to the information provided, and review of the letter and survey. The group will address the board’s questions and changes in a future meeting, a date to be determined.
- Eric Riegel’s email will be entered into the letter in place of Susan Ottenweller, with no phone numbers listed.
- The board recommended that only tax payers whose name is on the tax bills be sent one survey, with only tax payers being allowed to respond. A request for further surveys can be mailed or picked up. They discussed renters, and expressed concern with their long-term investment in the town. They do not want to allow other people residing at the property who are not listed on the deed and responsible for paying taxes to be included in the survey.
- Discussion was held pertaining to the mailing of the survey…with 2027 Town and County Tax bills or Spring Clean Up flyer. It was felt the response would be better at tax time but was still open to sending with Spring Clean Up Flyer.
- The Highway Department was not in favor of collecting surveys while trying to deal with people dropping off materials for Spring Clean Up. A box can be left inside the town hall for people to drop surveys off at their convenience.
- The board questioned whether the surveys should be sent anonymously. Felt names should be included.
- They didn’t object to using Survey Monkey, but again expressed the concern of anonymity.
- Noted that if asked if level of serves be increased or decreased, the question should also ask with those questions whether taxpayers are willing to pay an increase in taxes to cover the increase in services.
- It was noted that the map needs to be defined more clearly.
- While the board was discussing the questions, the attorney used CHAT GPT and it listed other questions that may be of interest to the group to include and suggested they review those as well.
Mrs. Mastellar mentioned the use of Cornell’s program to update the Comprehensive Plan and indicated that the town board did not want to move forward with using them. Mr. Reigel informed her that the board was willing to pursue using them, but according to Cindy Lont, who was working with them, reported they were unable to help us at the time due to their scheduling and future projects. Mrs. Mastellar said she would follow up on this for the board.
A motion by Eric Rigel, seconded by James Velie and so carried unanimously to enter executive session to address personnel issues at 8:00 p.m.
Amotion by Eric Reigel, seconded by James Velie and so carried unanimously to come out of executive session at 8:30 p.m.
The board acknowledge Nate Criag’s professionalism and work performed as acting water operator and wanted to acknowledge his efforts with back pay and a pay increase as follows:
A motion by Eric Riegel, seconded by James Velie and so carried unanimously to approve to pay Nate Craig $30 per hour as acting water operator beginning with payroll dated April 10th until the new operator begins his position on April 20th. In addition, Nate Craig will be paid an additional $5.79 per hour for back pay for hours worked from the date Ben Karlsen left until the prior payroll of April 10th.
A motion by Eric Rigel, seconded by James Velie and so carried unanimously to increase Nate Craig’s hourly rate from $24.21 to $26 per hour beginning with the payroll dated April 9, 2026.
Mr. Riegel and Mr. McCulloch reported that the town received two applications from Seneca County Personnel office for the open water operator/maintainer position as of Tuesday, April 7th when interviews were held. Applications were received from Aaron Youngs and Nate Craig for the open position. Mr. Riegel and Mr. McCulloch reported that both candidates interviewed well. Mr. Riegel and Mr. McCulloch recommended Aaron Youngs for the open position based on his experience in running heavy equipment, years of experience in water systems, and the town board’s request for a CDL license. They recommended an annual salary pay of $63,000 with a buy back of 35% of the health insurance premium he would be entitled to. It was noted that if he were to do any work for the Highway department, that time would be billed to the Highway Department budget.
A motion by Eric Reigel, seconded by James Velie and so carried to hire Aaron Youngs to fill the vacant position of Varick Water Maintainer/Operator at a salary of $63,000 with a buy back of health insurance at 35% of his eligible plan with a start date of April 20, 2026.
Roll Call:
Richard McCulloch Yes
Tom Fox Abstain
James Velie Yes
Eric Rigel Yes
Absent: Supervisor Robert Hayssen
So Carried: 3 Yes, 0 No, 1 Abstain
A motion by Eric Riegel, seconded by Jim Velie and so carried unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 9:00 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted:
Donna Karlsen
Varick Town Clerk