TOWN BOARD MEETING- MARCH 11, 2025
The Town of Hastings Town Board held a regular meeting on Tuesday March 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 and Erin Goodrich, Town Clerk.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Supervisor Bush called the town board meeting to order at 7:30pm, asked for the Pledge of Allegiance and pointed out the emergency exits.
DISCUSSION
Supervisor Bush opened the floor for public comments.
1.) Sharon Bender brought to the Boards attention a situation that happened last year with the assessor and how it impacted her currently. Sharon explained that last year she got what she recalls as a postcard in the mail stating she didn’t need to pay her taxes because she did not earn enough. She says they brought it to the assessor’s attention and asked for clarification and was told that they “were all good”, without the actual postcard or any paperwork the Board was not sure how to take the situation. The assessor was not in attendance to discuss what was said either. The problem that Sharon now faces is that she took what the assessor said as meaning they did not need to pay their taxes and so they did not pay their 2024 taxes and received notice from the County about their unpaid and now late property taxes. Tony Bush, having worked with the County on other matters, knows the County Treasurer, so with Sharon called him to see if there was any way the county could help her with payment options. The County Treasurer will work with Sharon about this situation separately from the Town.
2.) Mary LaFlair spoke to the Highway’s hard work and dedication this winter as we have not had so much snow in several winters. Along the lines of the encouragement and support of our Highway department she brought to the Town’s and our residents in attendance attention the deplorable work conditions the employees are expected to put up with. To start the bathroom facilities only work sometimes, so the Town provided a blue bowl outside for the workers to use, in winter however not a great solution. Other areas of safety concern are the ice build up on the roof, the floor drains don’t work so their feet become soaked anytime they need to work in the building, and the roof leaks which also presents an electrical safety issue when the water leaks on certain electrical panels. Mary feels having so many safety issues is unacceptable and really shows a lack of respect for the employees being forced to work in those conditions. Mark Martino spoke first from the board about some of the issues. He mentioned the septic issue can’t be looked at or fixed until the spring and the ground thaws sufficiently. Mike Lewis mentioned he has put in a call and has a contractor possibly lined up to work on the septic issues and he’s put in calls already about getting the roof fixed. No one spoke about the possibility of fixing the floor drains. Overall, Mary’s opinion is that before any more Town money is spent on “Parks” the Town need to address and fix the known issues at the Highway garage.
RESOLUTIONS:
1.) Councilman Waldron introduced the following and moved its adoption:
RESOLVED, the Town of Hastings Town Board hereby approves the minutes from the February 11th, 2025, Town Board Meeting.
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 25-45 adopted.
2.) Councilman Waldron introduced the following and moved its adoption:
RESOLVED, the Town of Hastings Town Board approves for the payment the claims certified on attached abstract #3 in the amounts indicated thereon:
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 25-46 adopted.
3.) Councilman Waldron introduced the following and moved its adoption:
RESOLVED, the Town of Hastings Town Board approves the following 2025 Budget Amendment:
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 25-47 adopted.
4.) Councilman DeBottis introduced the following and moved its adoption:
RESOLVED, the Town of Hastings Town Board approves that Jason Burns, Code Enforcement Officer/Director of Community Planning or such person’s successor in office is the representative authorized to act on behalf of the Municipality’s governing body in all matters related to this project. The Municipality agrees that it will fund its portion of the program cost in the amount of $3,600 and that those funds will be made available to the Board upon receipt of invoice. That one certified copy of this Resolution will be prepared and sent to the Board upon adoption. That this Resolution will take effect immediately.
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 25-48 adopted.
5.) Councilman DeBottis introduced the following and moved its adoption:
RESOLVED, the Town of Hastings Town Board hereby authorizes Barton & Loguidice, D.P.C., to continue professional planning services and the attached agreement in support of the Lighthouse Park Project in the amount not-to-exceed $18,500.
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 25-49 adopted.
6.) Councilman DeBottis introduced the following and moved its adoption:
RESOLVED, the Town of Hastings Town Board accepts the 2025 Master Service Agreement with Barton & Loguidice, D.P.C. for professional services for the 2025 Town Designated Engineering (TDE) Term Services.
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 25-50 adopted.
7.) Councilman Hanson introduced the following and moved its adoption:
RESOLVED, the Town of Hastings Town Board authorizes the Town Supervisor to execute the memorandum of understanding by and between the County of Oswego and interested Towns and Villages within Oswego County regarding support for the proposed construction of the Southern Oswego County Regional Interceptro Sewer System (SOCRIS) Project.
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 25-51 adopted.
8.) Councilman Hanson introduced the following and moved its adoption:
RESOLVED, the Town of Hastings Town Board approves the Order calling for and Noticing of the Public Hearing, scheduled for April 8th, 2025, at 7pm, regarding the change in costs to the South-Central Sewer District.
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 25-52 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