TOWN BOARD MEETING- FEBRUARY 11, 2025
The Town of Hastings Town Board held a regular meeting on Tuesday February 11th, 2025 at 7:30pm.
ATTENDANCE
Board members present: Supervisor Tony Bush, Councilman Alan Hanson, Councilman Mark Martino, Councilman Richard Waldron, and Councilman John DeBottis.
Also present: Mike Lewis, Highway Superintendent; Jason Burns, Director of community planning/code enforcement; and Erin Goodrich, Town Clerk.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Supervisor Bush called the town board meeting to order at 7:34pm, asked for the Pledge of Allegiance and pointed out the emergency exits.
DISCUSSION
Supervisor Bush opened the floor for public comments.
1.) George Zuk from the Fort Brewerton Historical Society came to discuss their sewer accounts. The Fort Brewerton Historical Society is a not-for-profit organization and therefore have very limited funds. They are asking the Town Board to consider lowering their sewer bills or if they can change the way they are billed as they have 5 different accounts with different rates on a few of them. Tony Bush would like to work with them to figure out a solution that will work for the Town and their organization. Alan Hanson suggested they look into merging the separate parcels that the organization owns into one to eliminate the extra accounts leaving just the one account with one charge. Tony Bush does not think they will be able to do that because of the state’s regulations on “Historical” properties. The take away from the discussion is that the Fort Brewerton Historical Society will look into what they could possibly do with regards to merging the properties and the Town Board will have to make a decision on whether or not to grant them consideration as to how they are billed, which will require a town board resolution.
2.) During the discussion of the sewers with the Fort Brewerton Historical Society Tony Bush brought to light some future hopes and plans for the sewer system as a whole. The County of Oswego is going to be building a pipeline that will connect into our sewer system and other town’s systems to create a main County controlled sewer system that will take the waste to the Fulton plant, which has more than enough capacity. The hope is that after the County assumes responsibility of the sewer systems that residence might see a reduction in costs.
3.) Heather Stevens, the towns historian, brought in an album “Sounds of 1972” from the Paul V. Moore high school. She spoke cheerfully about our town’s history and the other town residents in attendance joined in with their stories and memories. After some lighthearted town discussion Heather Stevens brought up her main topic. The Town will reach its bicentennial on April 20, 2025, town formed April 20, 1825, and she thinks the town should form a committee to think of some fun ways this milestone could be celebrated. Some suggestions she had were a photo contest, a medallion hunt/scavenger hunt, or some fun activities like art in the park, music, fireworks, a car show, or carnival and maybe a BBQ or ice cream social. Heather also spoke on ways to include different points of intereste, such as Traubs funeral home being the oldest family owned business or the oldest church or house in the town. Tony Bush was in support of the idea and asked Heather to help get a committee going.
RESOLUTIONS:
1.) Supervisor Bush introduced the following and moved its adoption:
RESOLVED, the Town of Hastings Town Board hereby approves the minutes from the January 7th, 2025 and January 14th, 2025, Town Board Meetings.
Councilman Martino seconded. Supervisor Bush asked if there was any discussion. Vote: Supervisor Bush, aye; Councilman Hanson, aye; Councilman Martino, aye; Councilman Waldron, aye; and Councilman DeBottis, aye. Motion carried. Resolution 25-38 adopted.
2.) Supervisor Bush introduced the following and moved its adoption:
RESOLVED, the Town of Hastings Town Board approves for the payment the claims certified on attached abstract #2 in the amounts indicated thereon.
Councilman Waldron seconded. Supervisor Bush asked if there was any discussion. Vote: Supervisor Bush, aye; Councilman Hanson, aye; Councilman Martino, aye; Councilman Waldron, aye; and Councilman DeBottis, aye. Motion carried. Resolution 25-39 adopted.
3.) Councilman Waldron introduced the following and moved its adoption:
RESOLVED, the Town of Hastings Town Board approves the letter of engagement with Bonadio & Co., LLP for the 2024 Audit. The fee will be $30,500, budget code A13204.01.
Councilman Martino seconded. Supervisor Bush asked if there was any discussion. Vote: Supervisor Bush, aye; Councilman Hanson, aye; Councilman Martino, aye; Councilman Waldron, aye; and Councilman DeBottis, aye. Motion carried. Resolution 25-40 adopted.
4.) Councilman Waldron introduced the following and moved its adoption:
RESOLVED, the resolution declaring the intent of the Town of Hastings Town Board to act as lead agency for the South-Central sanitary sewer district.
Councilman DeBottis seconded. Supervisor Bush asked if there was any discussion. Vote: Supervisor Bush, aye; Councilman Hanson, aye; Councilman Martino, aye; Councilman Waldron, aye; and Councilman DeBottis, aye. Motion carried. Resolution 25-41 adopted.
5.) Councilman DeBottis introduced the following and moved its adoption:
RESOLVED, the resolution authorizing Town code enforcement office Jason Burns to issue a request for qualifications for consultant services for the lighthouse park master plan implementation project in compliance with applicable funding program.
Councilman Waldron seconded. Supervisor Bush asked if there was any discussion. Vote: Supervisor Bush, aye; Councilman Hanson, aye; Councilman Martino, aye; Councilman Waldron, aye; and Councilman DeBottis, aye. Motion carried. Resolution 25-42 adopted.
6.) Councilman DeBottis introduced the following and moved its adoption:
RESOLVED, the Town of Hastings Town Board approves the following 2025 Budget Modifications.
Councilman Hanson seconded. Supervisor Bush asked if there was any discussion. Vote: Supervisor Bush, aye; Councilman Hanson, aye; Councilman Martino, aye; Councilman Waldron, aye; and Councilman DeBottis, aye. Motion carried. Resolution 25-43 adopted.
7.) Councilman DeBottis introduced the following and moved its adoption:
RESOLVED, the Town of Hastings Town Board approves the following 2025 Budget Amendments.
Councilman Waldron seconded. Supervisor Bush asked if there was any discussion. Vote: Supervisor Bush, aye; Councilman Hanson, aye; Councilman Martino, aye; Councilman Waldron, aye; and Councilman DeBottis, aye. Motion carried. Resolution 25-44 adopted.
ADJOURNMENT
As there was no further business, Supervisor Bush motioned to adjourn the meeting. Councilman Waldron seconded. All in favor. Motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 8:22pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Erin Goodrich, Town Clerk