Gary Rose

The board received updates regarding the ongoing Old Palmyra Landfill soil movement and the annual town audits. The Highway Superintendent provided a detailed report on winter operations, salt supply challenges, staff training, and equipment maintenance. The Town Clerk presented financial reports, discussed the high volume of tax collections, and shared information from a recent municipal training conference. Additionally, the board discussed the potential designation of town hall property as a public park and received reports from code enforcement. Key actions included the approval of various departmental reports, a standard workday resolution for the Code Enforcement Officer, the authorization for the Town Clerk to attend a conference, the acceptance of internal audits, the approval of a planning board member resignation, and the authorization for the purchase of a 40-ton trailer and a scissor lift for the Highway Department.

The board received updates from the EMS Advisory Board regarding ambulance service transitions and heard a presentation on the necessity of a sludge dryer for the water treatment plant to manage costs and regulations, leading to a vote to rescind a previous decision and subsequently approve the project. A new member was appointed to the Planning Board. Other business included discussing the potential designation of Town Hall property as a park, approving codification services, adopting a proclamation for a retiring employee, and authorizing a contract for multi-factor authentication. Budget adjustments for various funds were approved, as were financial reports and vouchers. The board also conducted an executive session to discuss a personnel matter.

The organizational meeting addressed numerous administrative actions for the upcoming year. Key items included the Supervisor's appointments for Deputy Supervisor and Clerk to the Supervisor, as well as the establishment of Town Board Liaison appointments for various departments and committees for 2026. The Board approved staff appointments retroactively to January 1st, 2026, and ratified salaries for all personnel. Further actions involved authorizing petty cash amounts, designating the official newspaper and official board meeting nights, and naming official town depositories. The Board also authorized pre-payment of specific recurring items and approved the Agreement to Spend Town Highway Funds totaling $722,101.00. Additionally, Resolutions adopting the Rules of Procedure, Purchasing Policy, and Investment Policy for 2026 were approved, alongside authorization for check signing. The Board set dates for the audit of the 2025 financial books and approved the current mileage reimbursement rate. A significant discussion and vote occurred regarding the proposed purchase of a sludge dryer for the WWTP; the motion ultimately failed due to concerns over debt service, equipment longevity, and potential rate increases for residents, despite potential long-term operational savings. The board also approved a budgeted laptop purchase for the Bookkeeper and an hourly rate increase for the Clerk to the Highway Superintendent.

The meeting commenced with a public hearing concerning the Preliminary Budget for the Calendar Year 2026, during which a question was raised regarding the budget increase. Key discussions during the regular session included updates on the Old Landfill site progress, where wood chips are being hauled away prior to clay delivery. The Highway Department reported on winter preparation, including servicing trucks and ordering salt, the completion of roadside mowing, and ongoing work on the Fuel Island Project which involved soil contamination remediation and planned conduit replacement. The board discussed the Hogback Hill Curve evaluation and ultimately decided against installing a guardrail after reviewing accident history. Financial reports for September were received for the Supervisor's and Town Clerk's offices. The Town Clerk reported on high activity in September related to tax collections and licensing, and noted plans for extended Saturday hours for DMP permits. The board addressed several resident concerns regarding property disrepair, though details were limited due to potential litigation. Action was taken to approve the disposal of surplus office equipment. Several Intermunicipal Agreements and a Memorandum of Agreement with the Village of Palmyra were approved, concerning the Highway System and Court Clerk services. Furthermore, Resolution #22-2025 was approved, which amends a prior resolution to reschedule the Town of Palmyra's reassessment update from 2026 to 2027. Approval was also given to sign a one-year contract with the Humane Society of Wayne County. Finally, town claims and expenditures for October, totaling $352,343.05 across various vouchers, were approved.

The meeting featured a significant discussion with a guest speaker regarding the proposed purchase of a sludge dryer for the wastewater treatment plant to manage solids disposal more economically, noting the cost implications per EDU and the required unanimous decision among associated towns. Committee reports covered the Supervisor's November financial status, an extension request to the DEC regarding old landfill topsoil approval until July 31, 2026, and the renewal of town insurance with a 6% increase. The Highway Superintendent reported on winter plowing/sanding activities, salt allotments, fleet maintenance following high wind events, and progress on the new fuel island project. The Town Clerk detailed year-end financial preparations, confirmation of property tax mailing dates, and noted public concern over no longer collecting water and sewer bills in person. The board prepared to adopt the Pro-Housing Community Pledge (Resolution #26-2025) to seek state grants. Several operational approvals included signing an agreement with GoNet Speed for cheaper internet service, approving the Davis-Ulmer Fire Protection System upgrade, approving Split Right Tree Service for tree removal, and accepting resignations for the Town Court Clerk and Deputy Code Enforcement Officer. The board authorized budgetary journal entries to close the 2025 Fiscal Year (Resolution #27-2025) and approved several fund transfers and budget adjustments across General Fund, Part Town Fund, DA Highway Fund, and DB Highway Fund.