Nick Rusin

The work session commenced with New Year greetings and welcomed the newly appointed Acting Assessor. Key discussions centered on 2025 year-end reflections and acknowledgements for department heads, including commendations for creating capital plans, developing budgets, implementing OpenGov, and achieving budget savings. The Board reviewed proposed Town goals, focusing on capital infrastructure, operational goals, and Smart Growth planning. Significant time was dedicated to operational goals, including the final stages of OpenGov implementation, workflow improvements across departments, procurement updates like establishing a vetted vendor list, and developing work order tracking in OpenGov. Financial discussions covered revenue overview, the three-part budget framework (Operating, Capital, Appropriated), and strategies to manage raises through efficiency rather than tax increases. The proactive management approach relies on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for quarterly review across ten core areas. The meeting clarified the definition of an 'operational budget gap' to mitigate public misunderstanding. Further dialogue focused on leveraging intermunicipal cost-sharing and pursuing significant grant opportunities, such as state funding for animal services. Workflow automation benefits for vendor management, court processes, and interdepartmental reviews were detailed, emphasizing enhanced transparency and reduced liability. Safety and security were addressed, including discussions on limiting public access to the Highway Department building due to safety concerns, addressing ongoing court heating issues, and improving Town Hall door access controls. The meeting concluded with coordination for executive session discussions focused on budget gap definitions and upcoming reviews of CARE data and OpenGov workflows.

The budget workshop focused on key financial matters for the upcoming fiscal year. Discussions included presenting updated figures for tax rate adjustments, which indicated a town-wide increase of 2.6% and an outside-village increase of 1.9%, keeping the total approximately $4,800 below the tax cap. The board subsequently adopted the tentative budget as the preliminary budget. Furthermore, a motion was passed to schedule the Public Hearing for the 2026 Preliminary Budget for November 6th at 6:00 PM. Appreciation was expressed for the diligence in preparing the budget to manage rising costs within the tax cap.

The Town Board meeting included new business items such as authorizing the Supervisor to submit a grant application for $4M through Senator Gittibrand's office for the Swan Lake Sewer Plant, designating the Town Board as Lead Agency for a SEQR review for the Water Sewer Infrastructure Upgrade serving Old Rt. 17 / Liberty Business Park, and motions related to construction phase services for the Loomis Wastewater Treatment Plant Clarifier Repair. Key financial and contract actions involved approving the use of Capital Reserve Funds and awarding the bid for the Swan Lake WWTP Recirculation Pump Repair Project to Koester Associates, Inc. for $61,484.82. The board also addressed retaining Delaware Engineering for various services related to the Swan Lake WWTP Recirculation Pump Repairs and the Loomis Clarifier Repairs, and authorizing the submission of the Swan Lake WWTP January 2026 NYSDEC Notice of Violation Interim Report. Discussion topics included one-way traffic on Main Street in Parksville, Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), HR Documents, follow-up with the Solar Farm / Commercial Industrial Zone, and Town Hall heat. Old business included illegal dumping of garbage, Walnut Mt. Pavilion, and Solar Moratorium in the Commercial Industrial Zone.

The Town Board meeting involved several approvals, including correspondence, monthly reports for October 2025, and various audit claims from October and September 2025. Payments were approved for a Park & Rec well pump invoice, leading to the enactment of a 30-day clause to end the contract with the vendor. The Board authorized bidding the 2002 Blaw Knox paver, hired Alana McGinness as a part-time Clerk for Water and Sewer pending testing, and approved a title change for Tammy Wilson to Department Head. An emergency expenditure of $9,475 was approved to replace the Town Hall boiler room tank. A bid opening for Pest Control Services was set for December 4, 2025. The Davis Vision contract renewal was approved without an increase. A resolution was adopted authorizing the purchase of a new 2026 Dodge Ram 3500 Utility Truck for the Water and Sewer Department using the Capital Reserve Fund. Bids for Highway surplus equipment, Janitorial Services, and Armed Security Services were accepted and awarded. During public participation, concerns were raised regarding the Indian Lake Sewer Plan's lack of final documentation and procedural adherence, and significant criticism was directed at the Liberty Planning Board's superficial SEQRA reviews for developments like the one on Devany Road. Board discussions included recognition of recent election winners and award recipients, updates on the "Wheel the World" accessibility initiative, and the Town's ongoing application for the $4.5 million New York Forward grant. Personnel matters were discussed in Executive Session, following which the Board approved allowing Assessor Clerk Donna Wainman to carry over six personal days.

The Town Board meeting focused primarily on official organizational decisions for the year 2026. Key actions included setting the location and schedule for Town Board, Planning Board, and Zoning Board meetings for the year. The Board designated the Sullivan County Democrat as the official newspaper. Custodial and depository banks for 2026 were designated. Several appointments were made, including the Budget Officer, Dog Control Officer, Zoning Board Chairman, Zoning Board members, Planning Board Chairman, and Planning Board members, along with alternate members for both boards. The mileage reimbursement rate was set for 2026. Finally, liaisons for various town departments were assigned.