June 2, 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, Tom Fox, James Velie, and Eric Riegel, Town Clerk, Donna Karlsen, Bookkeeper, Angela Testa, Highway Superintendent, Ben Freier, Town Attorney, Emil Bove, Planning Board, Linda Mastellar and Thomas Bjorkman, Zoning Code Officer, Tim Dorn, and Crane Analytics, Jay Dutcher. Also present was Miles Persing.
Petitioners to Address the Board: Jay Dutcher from Crane Analytics representing EGS Advanced Energy Solutions addressed the board regarding funds that can be recovered from overcharging on utility billing. He informed the board that EGS would perform a Forensic bill audit of telephone, gas, electric and cable bills. If errors are found, they will negotiate with the corresponding provider to have the errors eliminated and obtain a refund or credit for the period that the errors occurred. He reported that there would be no cost for the town to perform this audit. Their fee is 30% of the amount of the past overcharges credited and collected by the client. The town would receive 70% of the refund or credit. If there are no refunds or credits, there are no fees collected by EGS. Mr. Dutcher presented a Forensic Bill Auditing Agreement for Attorney Bove’s review, who asked that a line be added that the Town of Varick will provide payment to EGS after the town has received the town’s refund. Mr. Dutcher did handwrite this into the agreement and initialed the change. Mr. Dutcher also asked that the town provide a letter of authorization and exclusivity letter allowing EGS Advanced Energy Solutions to serve as the town’s exclusive agent to assist them in obtaining electricity and gas supply offers from retail energy suppliers.
A motion by Eric Riegel, seconded by Richard McCulloch and so carried unanimously directing Supervisor Robert Hayssen sign the Forensic Bill Auditing Agreement with the addition under number 5 of “after Town of Varick received refund” and the Letter of Authorization and Exclusivity.
Abstract: A motion by Richard McCulloch, seconded by James Velie and so carried unanimously to approve Abstract No. 6, Voucher No. 153 to Voucher No. 185 in the amount of $43,843.65.
Highway: Highway Superintendent, Ben Freier reported that Auction International closed the auction on the equipment submitted. Mr. Freier reported that he thought all items but the Sterling Truck with wing received appropriate bids but is not willing to let the Sterling truck and plow go for $9,700.
A motion by Eric Riegel, seconded by James Velie and so carried unanimously to approve Highway Superintendent Ben Freier to accept the final bids on the 1990 Ford Tractor, two Kohler Generators, Storage Tank, two 12’ Tenco Plows, Metal Cylinder Tank, Ken Tool Tire Inflation Cage, Galvanized Corrugated Culvert Plates, Lifting Boom, Land Rake and the 2011 Ford F350 Pickup Truck and plow and authorized him to not accept the bid for the 2000 Sterling KT9500 Dump Truck and plow in the amount of $9,700.
Mr. Freier reported that he has widened Deal Road to 20’with new shoulders and still has some driveways to fix. He hopes to resurface Deal next year. He will be completing the resurfacing of the top of Hahnel Road between the two Amish farms Wednesday, June 3rd. He hopes to stone and oil White Road and Yale Farm Road next year.
He reported that he budgeted in the 2026 budget for the purchase of a new pickup for the Highway Superintendent. He obtained a quote through state bid from Van Bortel Ford for a 2027 Ford F-350 Super Cab 4X4 with 8’ box without a plow in the amount of $50,695.91.
A motion by Tom Fox, seconded by Eric Riegel and so carried unanimously to authorize Ben Freier to purchase a 2027 Ford F-350 Super Cab 4X4 with 8’ box without a plow in the amount of $50,695.91.
Mr. Freier reported that he is all set with household clean-up. Mrs. Karlsen reported Wilson Press hopes to get the flyer out by June 5, 2026.
McDuffie Town Road Culvert Replacement: Attorney Bove reviewed the funding process. An agreement with Barton & Loguidice for engineering services was presented for approval.
A motion by Richard McCulloch, seconded by James Velie and so carried unanimously to enter a contract with Barton & Loguidice for engineering services for the McDuffie Town Road Culvert Replacement project.
Mr. Bove reported he is still working with Seneca County on obtaining an agreement for their responsibility for financial support for this project and presented bullet points that will be included in this MOU.
A motion by Eric Riegel, seconded by Richard McCulloch and so carried unanimously to direct Attorney Bove to draft an agreement using the bullet points presented for Seneca County Attorney approval.
Judge: Nothing to report.
Supervisor’s Report: A motion by Richard McCulloch, seconded by James Velie and so carried unanimously to approve the Monthly Report of the Supervisor, April 2026.
Mrs. Testa presented the following Resolution:
Resolution No. 2026-007
A Standard Work Day and Reporting Resolution for Elected and Appointed
Be It Resolved, that the Town of Varick,/30022 hereby established the following standard work day for these titles and will report the officials to the New York State and Local Retirement based on their record of activities:
| Name | SSN | NYSLERS ID | Title | Current Term | Standard | Record of | Pay | |
| Work Day | Activities | Frequency | ||||||
| Allen Bulkley | 6027 | R13583090 | Justice | 1/1//26-12/31/2029 | 6 | 1 | Monthly | |
Motion by: Richard McCulloch,
Seconded by: James Velie
So Carried Unanimously
CEO Report: Tim Dorn, Zoning Code Officer presented the following report:
Subject: Updates Proposed to Local Law No.1 2023
I received the latest code revision updates on 6/1/26 from Donna and submitted this report to provide input to the Town Board. The Planning Board has asked for my input and to attend their monthly meetings, but the Planning Board has not sent me any code updates since August of 2025, so this is my first time seeing the latest proposed updates.
After I repeatedly opposed hoist roofs being part of the 850 sq. ft. restriction the Planning Board last proposed, they took it out, but they have added a new restriction that roof should be a maximum 12’ x 24’ (288 Sq Ft). This would limit the overhead covering to a boat less than 20’ in length after adding in the boat motor. This is unreasonable. It will also be difficult to enforce because it is more restrictive than the Army Corp of Engineers which permit (900 Sq Ft). Restricting the size of boats in this way or leave them uncovered and exposed to the elements does not promote residence in the Lakeshore District of the Town of Varick.
I would like the board to consider adopting the Department of the Army Permit standards.
With respect to section 404.4 proposed to be added to the code I would like the board to consider not accepting this change. The current STR code is clear and enforceable on a yearly basis. Also, I object to a STR clerk administrator being added to the code. Enforcement is the duty of the CEO in NYS.
The last code change I am asking the board to consider changing the side setback back to 10’ like it was before the last change.
Water & Sewer District: There were no reports presented. Mr. Riegel will contact the new Water/Sewer operator and request that he provide a written report monthly and attend board meetings.
It was suggested a letter acknowledging receipt of applications to applicants who applied for the Water/Sewer Operators position be sent.
Proposed Capital Project: Sewer District No. 4: Attorney Bove has not prepared the district formation paperwork as of the date of this meeting. He will present formation paperwork at the July meeting.
Town Clerk’s Report: A motion by Eric Riegel, seconded by James Velie and so carried unanimously to approve May 2026 Town Clerk’s Report: Supervisor $525, NYS Ag & Markets, $12, Total Disbursements: $537
Mrs. Karlsen reported that Section 109 of the agriculture and markets law paragraph (c) regarding the dog application has been changed to include a space where an owner may elect to make a contribution in support of the pound or shelter managed by the municipality where the owner resides or any organization which is contracted by such municipality to provide animal shelter services. The space for contribution shall be clearly marked and distinct with bold lettering or on a separate page; to make clear it is a voluntary contribution and not a part of the license fee. The application shall list the organization in which the contribution will be sent and may list suggested reasonable contribution amounts with an option for any amount.
Mrs. Karlsen reported that April Moore, who is opening a dog shelter in Romulus requested that her shelter be considered for the optional donation listing on the town’s licenses. After some discussion, it was decided that Ms. Moore must submit a proposed contract to the town for approval prior to listing her on the dog application.
Minutes: A motion by Eric Rigel, seconded by Tom Fox and carried unanimously to approve the minutes of May 5, 2026.
Assessor: Anne Morgan provided the following written report:
Grievance Day for Town of Varick was held on May 27: the board of assessment review had one Petion.
Work the Final Assessment Roll is underway and will be completed (for my office) when I finish the last Grievance Day this evening for Town of Romulus. The Final Roll will be filed July 1, 2026, and then I can start on work for 2027.
I have a summer work schedule planned and will start in the next few days.
New legislation concerning some assessment exemptions was included in the state budget, A meeting is being planned by Real Property Tax Director Tina Lotz for all county Assessors to meet this summer and learn/discuss what it entails, more for the Board when I have it.
Respectfully,
Anne Morgan, Assessor
Planning Board: Linda Mastellar and Emil Bove reviewed the process to make changes to the Town of Varick Zoning Code and the responsibilities of the Planning Board and Town Board. Mrs. Mastellar reported that the recommended revisions by the Planning Board address changes that are anticipated to be coming to the town of Varick and are guided by the Comprehensive Plan and gave an example of solar farms. The board was presented with printed codes, with color coded proposed changes. Thomas Bjorkman did a presentation on Docks and Boat hoists pertaining to Section 306-2 and 306.4. Discussion regarding the Army Corp of Engineers permit standards was also held. Further discussion was held regarding the Short-Term Rental Permits Section 404.4 with the removal under Number 1 of “The clerk will determine the class of the permit.” Supervisor Hayssen also recommended that side setbacks be returned to 10 feet from the current 15 feet. It was noted that other suggested changes had to do with grammar errors and the title change of the Varick Code Enforcement Officer to Varick Zoning Code Enforcement Officer. The board tabled any action on this document until further review can be completed by the board. The zoning code revisions will be put on the July meeting for further discussion.
Summer Recreation Program: Mrs. Testa reported that she had been in contact with the Director of the Summer Recreation Program, Melody Collinsworth, who was having difficulty getting into Romulus Central Schools program to secure the facility and was unable to produce a copy of her First Aide certificate. She also needed a Certificate of Insurance for the school records, which Mrs. Karlsen will provide to her. Mrs. Karlsen can also give her access to the recreation program supplies which are stored in the closet in the conference room upon request. Mr. McCulloch will contact Mrs. Collinsworth for an update.
New Business, Old Business, Correspondence: Mr. Fox would like to see a flag pole installed. It was noted that the town had a flag pole, but it was taken down to place the new addition. Mr. Freier will be contacted to see if he can locate this pole and have it reinstalled.
It was noted that due to scheduled vacations, it was recommended that the July board meeting be moved to Wednesday, July 1, 2026 at 7:00 p.m.
A motion by Eric Riegel, seconded by Tom Fox and so carried unanimously to reschedule the July 2026 regular board meeting to July 1, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. at the Varick Town Hall.
A motion by Richard McCulloch, seconded by Eric Riegel and so carried unanimously to adjourn the regular meeting at 9:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Donna Karlsen
Varick Town Clerk