[0:00] Well, that's what we thought. It sounds like he wants to stay around the office

[0:03] as long as I do, of course. He's quite a bit older than me. He's

[0:09] He is 30-40. >> Okay.

[0:12] » And I don't know if he's that old.

[0:14] » You think he's over 40 still? >> Okay.

[0:17] » 35. >> Yeah.

[0:19] » He's the same age as what Devin was. >> It was said.

[0:21] » Yeah. >> He's only 5 years older than John.

[0:25] » He loves farming. >> We're on Dean.

[0:28] » And I And I know all about Bob and all that.

[0:31] » And he has Bob talked about that. >> Yeah.

[0:35] » It's a better than what he was doing at zooming things.

[0:38] » He just works. >> Yeah.

[0:39] » Oh. >> Yeah.

[0:40] » You won't tell me what day. >> Well, and so if he was in the ministry

[0:45] » down I think he's a

[0:48] » Oh, yeah. >> With budgeting with budgeting and

[0:50] » Oh, he won't be really. I mean, he'll be telling you what he needs, but

[0:53] » We'll get that signed over. >> I'll sign it.

[0:56] » So, we can Make sure that sign's on.

[0:59] » Dean's birthday. >> A bunch of the state reports that I've

[1:02] been putting up on the Slack since I lost Devin and everything.

[1:06] » He'll really appreciate >> Like in my place back home.

[1:10] » I did it. >> I did it.

[1:11] » I think it's really good. >> And then kind of helps us with the

[1:14] succession planning for the guy that's been something.

[3:54] » Mhm.

[5:49] » Mhm.

[7:44] » Mhm.

[8:29] » Call the regular meeting of the Weego Town Board to order.

[8:33] Roll call, please. >> Council member McLendon? Here. Council

[8:36] member Morgan? >> Here.

[8:37] » Supervisor Helmers? >> Here.

[8:39] » Council member Youngs? Here. And council member Mills?

[8:42] » Here. >> John, can you lead us in the pledge,

[8:44] please?

[8:48] » I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the

[8:53] republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and

[9:00] justice for all. >> Thank you, John.

[9:07] Consideration of the meeting of the board.

[9:09] No. I have the minutes of August 4th, 2026.

[9:13] They're on file as presented.

[9:18] Consideration of business, we have none. Public hearing, none.

[9:23] Forcing department has Irene? >> I don't have anything.

[9:27] » Okay. Phil?

[9:30] » Uh, the concrete pad was done at Tamarack Boulevard. And looks great. We

[9:35] moved the picnic tables in. We just got to get uh the electric squared away and

[9:39] a little landscaping on our part and I think we're complete.

[9:42] » That looks fantastic. You guys did great. That's really

[9:45] » It's starting to look good down there. >> Huge compliments back from a lot of

[9:48] people. I got a lot of phone calls. >> Okay.

[9:50] » It's beautiful. Let's hope it stays that way.

[9:53] » Yeah. Perfect.

[9:58] » Bill has no report. Rick told me he has no report. He's not

[10:02] here this evening. Um

[10:05] Peter's not here this evening.

[10:09] Tyson? >> Um one of my samplers decided that it

[10:14] didn't want to work no more. So, I got a quote from the sole source

[10:20] provider of it and I need to declare an emergency to purchase it.

[10:26] » Okay. >> So, I make a motion to declare the

[10:30] purchase of uh um

[10:32] » Who needs the sampler? >> It's an emergency.

[10:35] » For the emergency. >> Yes, that's what I said.

[10:36] » I need a motion We have a motion on the floor to declare this an emergency.

[10:39] » I'll second. >> Got a second. Discussion?

[10:43] All in favor? >> Aye.

[10:44] » Aye. >> I have a motion to purchase

[10:48] uh the sampler for a price of $7,255 from

[10:55] the CPE. >> Yep.

[10:57] » CPE Service System Solutions. >> I have a motion on the floor.

[11:03] » I'll second that. >> Second.

[11:05] Discussion? Tyson, what is it? >> We have to sample weekly at the

[11:11] wastewater treatment plant. >> Yeah.

[11:13] » And the effluent plant, you have to sample

[11:18] for 24 hours straight. >> Yes. Yes.

[11:20] » So, rather than somebody taking a sample every hour,

[11:24] you set this machine up and it pulls your samples

[11:28] for you and then um

[11:31] you bottle them up into the bottles that need to go to the lab.

[11:35] » Okay. >> The day after and then uh

[11:39] the courier service comes and takes them up and takes them to the lab.

[11:42] » Bear with me. I just wanted to know what it was.

[11:44] » Yep. >> What are we sampling for? Is it like

[11:46] What are we sampling for? Is it like DEC stuff or like is the water good?

[11:50] » Yes. Mostly DEC stuff. Um sometimes some EPA stuff, but uh

[11:57] the weekly samples are DEC. >> Weekly, quarterly, monthly.

[12:03] » So, we have a motion on the floor in a second.

[12:05] Any more discussion? All in favor? >> Aye.

[12:08] » Aye. So, carried.

[12:11] » And I guess that's all I have.

[12:15] » Anything else? >> That is all I have, I think.

[12:17] » Perfect. Ann?

[12:18] » Yes, none. >> No other report.

[12:23] I have Mark's in front [clears throat] of me. I'll read it.

[12:28] First phase of paving at the Tioga Terrace is completed. The Academy Street

[12:32] will be started in 2 weeks. Weather dependent. Glenbrook Drive and Glenbrook

[12:37] Court in Kirkville will be closed at the same time frame.

[12:40] Uh we currently have three mowers still going throughout the town cutting up the

[12:45] grass back off the off where it needs to be cut back off the guardrails, etc.

[12:49] anywhere. Our paving crew has been paver patching

[12:52] numerous spots in the town. The most recent is the Cafferty Lane

[12:56] culvert replacement. The crew did a very professional job.

[13:00] Our [clears throat] catch basin crew, two of them have been working daily on

[13:03] repairs and will continue as the list continues to grow. Replacement has

[13:08] stopped for the season as budget constraints dictate.

[13:12] Pipe replacement and new installs are being done as needed.

[13:16] Uh the dump truck or tandem still not arrived.

[13:20] We have a number of pieces of equipment that are starting

[13:23] uh stated to go to auction this fall. He will be clearing them for surplus. I

[13:28] will meet with the committee and show them the pieces. Some of the pieces will

[13:31] not run, so they have to be trailered. He talked with DEC contact and the

[13:36] mining of the gravel out of the Owego Creek is moving forward as we speak. He

[13:40] called me last week and we got the okay from Casella. We're using on 434, we got

[13:47] their permission. I talked to Jared Taylor, we're using their the lot right

[13:51] there out in the open. It's very convenient for us to use it there.

[13:55] And we will be ordering a new front plow from Viking for truck 18 as it's out

[14:00] living its lifespan. The price is $8,911.

[14:04] You will be talking with the committee in the near future and this is a source

[14:08] well as covered and we will be checking the budget and insurance there.

[14:20] Now we have first privilege to the floor. Anyone

[14:23] would like to speak, come forward.

[14:31] Petition, communication, notice, and transfers, we have none.

[14:34] And everyone, you have your abstract in front of you. You get a chance to go

[14:37] through it. Hal? >> Thanks. Make a motion we approve the

[14:41] abstracts as submitted. >> I second.

[14:43] » Have a motion on the floor and a second to the abstract

[14:47] go through as printed. Any discussion? >> I got one.

[14:50] » Okay. >> H3

[14:52] um

[14:55] Do you mean we bought a staple gun for $17?

[14:58] » Yeah. Stapler is for the

[15:01] conference room. We didn't have one.

[15:05] » This is for Dean. >> Dean bought the staple gun.

[15:08] » Dean bought the >> It should have

[15:09] It should have gone to the supervisor's charge since it's his conference room.

[15:13] » I didn't bring it to the supervisor but for some reason

[15:16] » Supervisor probably already has a staple >> I can't even buy a t-shirt. But he

[15:19] yelled at me when I went in and borrowed it from his office. I didn't think you

[15:23] were going to bring it back. That's why you got

[15:24] » [laughter] >> I took it to the training in the council

[15:26] room. >> Well, we had to ask it. It's $16

[15:29] and it needed a new staple. >> Oh, that's a little budget.

[15:32] » I don't see where it's going. We'll have to wait and

[15:34] » Motion on the >> We label it so nobody runs away with it.

[15:37] » I'm going to put a little chain on it and a dead

[15:39] » Perfect.

[15:42] » Motion on the floor in a second. Roll call, please.

[15:46] » Council member Pindell. >> Yes.

[15:48] » Council member Morgan. >> Yes.

[15:50] » Council member Yocum. >> Yes.

[15:53] » Council member Marks. >> Yes.

[15:54] » Supervisor Helms. >> Yes.

[15:58] It must be a pretty fancy stapler. >> I think

[16:02] » I had nothing to do with the order or anything.

[16:04] » We had I heard someone had grease fittings on this thing.

[16:06] » It has caterpillar treads and it moves itself around the

[16:09] town hall by itself. >> [laughter]

[16:11] » It can tell when you need a staple. So, it comes right to you.

[16:15] » I'm just going to take the staples out of it every night.

[16:17] » [laughter] >> Yeah, how much were the staples?

[16:20] » Could be unloaded or sitting on the desk.

[16:23] » Staples came in. >> Oh.

[16:25] » See, that was a good staple. >> Was there a separate bill we had

[16:28] » Someone paid and put them in here, right?

[16:30] » It was a number of approving acts.

[16:40] » You can't have a little bit of fun with it. What good is it, right?

[16:43] » Yeah. >> So, we need to

[16:44] » Thank you very much. >> Did you take the safety training or

[16:46] anything? >> That's next week. There's no actually a

[16:49] week. >> Next week.

[16:50] » Is there a requirement on that? >> Go ahead.

[16:54] » Friday next week.

[16:58] » Okay. >> Perfect. Thank you very much. Unfinished

[17:02] business, we have none. Reports of our standing committees, Emily.

[17:05] » I have nothing. >> Dean.

[17:08] » I think we just had a committee report. >> [laughter]

[17:12] » You didn't talk about your birthday. Coming up.

[17:16] We'll talk about that later. >> Craig.

[17:19] » Yes, sir. Just one thing, fellow was here at the last meeting about Mead Road

[17:23] and I did go up to Mead Road and take a look at it and

[17:26] I had contacted Mark and he'd done some work up there and

[17:30] one of the local farmers had passed away and they had a memorial service. Nice

[17:35] nice service up there. Um So, anyway, if anybody knew Mel, he

[17:40] always had a saying, "Just keep working at it."

[17:44] Yep. >> Okay. I saw Wendy at the fair and she

[17:47] was very appreciative of what the town did.

[17:50] » Yeah. >> It looked really good. Craig told me

[17:52] about it. I took a ride. They did a really good job. They did excellent. It

[17:55] was It was good. So, it was very [clears throat] very appreciated.

[17:58] » Yeah, that family does a lot for >> keeping Laurel

[18:03] up there. >> That's right.

[18:04] » Work work work. >> Right.

[18:07] » Jonathan. >> Uh I just want to send out a thanks to

[18:12] Phil and the parks and also the town board. Uh there's an upcoming benefit

[18:18] for It's called Right Beside You. It's It's This person was my wife and her

[18:22] sister. Uh they are what they call end-of-life

[18:25] doulas. Uh they're unpaid people that help

[18:29] people in the final stages of their journeys. And there's a large benefit

[18:34] going on. Harvest participating with us as well.

[18:37] Um This Saturday from noon until 10:00. Uh

[18:41] four bands, food trucks, hot air balloon rides, car show, uh

[18:47] all sorts of kids activities. So, uh and I know they worked very

[18:52] uh closely with Phil to make sure that the park is

[18:55] ready to go and uh I I just hope everyone It's It's an invitation

[19:00] everyone It's a $10 donation. Like I said, the two women

[19:04] do this without pay. The money that they raise goes towards families that they

[19:09] try to provide for. They don't do medical care, they don't touch a

[19:15] patient, but they take care of the families, they take care of any

[19:17] outstanding needs, be it they paid some they paid some nice

[19:21] bills, they paid insurance bills, they they paid for uh

[19:27] some pest control uh groceries. So, it's a it's a very

[19:32] important thing, and it's a uh the girls work very hard at it, and

[19:36] as I mentioned, they had 53 clients last year they took care of. So, this is a

[19:41] this is a growing need, but again, I just want to thank the town, I want to

[19:44] thank Phil, and invite everyone to participate this

[19:47] Saturday. Yes. >> And I'd like to thank Pam in the clerk's

[19:49] office for the help with the vendors permits.

[19:52] » Yeah. >> Uh that's very helpful.

[19:54] » Thank you, Pam. >> Yeah.

[19:55] » Appreciate it. >> [clears throat]

[19:59] » Okay. Presentation resolutions, motions, new

[20:03] business. Um we have a resolution in front of us,

[20:07] whereas the approved 2026 budget for the Town of Wawarsing Utilities Department

[20:11] has budgeted for and includes merit and approved by the town board, and

[20:16] whereas Melissa Root has shown she is willing to perform

[20:20] above and beyond her job duties as Accounting Associate II for the Town of

[20:24] Wawarsing Utilities Department, and now therefore be it resolved that

[20:29] Melissa Root, Accounting Associate II at the Town of Wawarsing Utilities

[20:32] Department, will receive a merit raise of $1 per hour effective August 10,

[20:38] 2026. Do you have a motion?

[20:40] » So moved. >> Motion on the floor, do I have a second?

[20:43] » Second. >> Second.

[20:45] Discussion? All in favor?

[20:48] » Aye. >> Aye.

[20:51] » Thank you.

[20:57] » As a resolution for whereas [clears throat]

[21:01] approved 2026 budget for the Town of Wawarsing Parks Department has budgeted

[21:05] for and includes merit raises for employees and approval of the town board

[21:09] and whereas Glenn Ellis has shown he is willing to perform above and beyond his

[21:14] job duties as laborer for the town of Wiggle Parks Department and now

[21:18] therefore be it resolved that Glenn Ellis laborer at the town of Wiggle

[21:22] Parks Department will receive a merit raise of $1 per hour effective August

[21:27] 10th, 2026. Need a motion.

[21:30] » So moved. >> Motion on the floor, do I have a second?

[21:33] » Second. >> Second.

[21:35] Discussion. >> I just think Glenn is here every morning

[21:38] 6:00. >> And I see him every morning and I visit

[21:41] with him in the morning. He's He's here. That's why I felt putting him

[21:45] forward. >> All in favor?

[21:47] » Aye. >> Aye.

[21:53] I have a motion in front of me.

[21:58] » Where at? >> I'm sorry. I have a resolution.

[22:01] I'll resolution in front of me. >> Where at? Yes.

[22:03] » I need to copy motions and Whereas the approved 2026 budget for the town of

[22:07] Wiggle Utility Department as budgeted for includes a wastewater treatment

[22:12] plant operator and whereas Christopher Lykens

[22:16] wastewater treatment plant operator trainee in the utilities department

[22:19] having taking and passed the required tests

[22:22] and acquired necessary certification is willing, able and qualified to take this

[22:27] position retroactive to August 10th, 2026 at an hourly rate of $25.52 per

[22:34] hour. Now therefore be it resolved such position shall be filled by Christopher

[22:39] Lykens at the hourly rate of $25.52 per hour retroactive to August 10th,

[22:46] 2026 and a probationary period of 12 working weeks.

[22:52] » So moved. >> Motion on the floor, do I have a second?

[22:55] » I second. >> Second.

[22:57] Discussion. All in favor?

[23:00] » Aye. >> Aye.

[23:02] Passed.

[23:06] Before me I have an agreement to spend

[23:11] from highway department Donald Wiggle Board

[23:14] and Mark Clark. The following is an additional paving project to be

[23:17] completed in the year 2026 by broom and bitumen is out of BB 5110

[23:24] .5001 paving and resurfacing.

[23:28] Mill and pave Forest Hill Road approximately 70,153

[23:33] square footage. Uh work procedure is 126174.

[23:38] Paving crew and equipment is 9,720. The total estimated cost of this project

[23:43] is 135 894. The scope of the amount of distance will

[23:48] change depending on the inflation. I need a motion.

[23:52] » So moved. >> So moved.

[23:53] » Second. >> And I got a second. Do I have any

[23:56] discussion?

[23:59] All in favor?

[24:24] Thank you. Please.

[24:26] Thank you.

[24:34] » [snorts]

[24:45] » Thank you.

[24:48] I also have in front of me an agreement to spend

[24:52] from the highway department Mark Clark. The following is an additional paving

[24:56] project to be completed in the year 2026 by Broom Bituminous out of DB 5110.5001

[25:04] paving and resurfacing. Mill and pave Deborah Drive,

[25:08] approximately 34 245 work procedure 109 794 50

[25:15] paving crew and equipment 7,535 additional work driveway approaches and

[25:21] risers um 2,270 for a total cost of 119,599

[25:29] and 50 cents. Need a motion. >> So moved.

[25:33] » I have a motion on the floor. I'll second.

[25:35] » Second. >> Discussion?

[25:37] All in favor? >> Aye.

[25:41] » So carried.

[25:46] Please. >> Yes.

[26:23] » I do have one thing that was handed to me when I sat down. I know this is out

[26:26] of order, bear with me. Just realizing they're not sending this

[26:30] information along. This came from a The contractor will be closing I-86 exit

[26:35] 64 westbound on and off ramps the morning of 8/19/26,

[26:41] tomorrow morning. And we just got it. >> Okay.

[26:45] Which one? >> Calling West

[26:46] » 54 >> Oh, West Bound.

[26:48] » Exit Exit 64 westbound on and off ramps, both of them on and off. We just got

[26:53] this. Uh tomorrow morning, I apologize, but we just got it. The signed detours

[26:58] will be able to use exit 65. During this time, Lackawanna Avenue will be open so

[27:04] that the houses on east of the ramp openings are still accessible. We are

[27:08] hoping to get the ramps open by the close of business on 9 / 26 and should

[27:15] be the end of the ramp closures until the next construction season.

[27:19] I will give this to you to do that.

[27:24] And again, I just got it, so Now, we have second privilege of the

[27:27] floor?

[27:33] I just need an attorney-client for a couple minutes.

[27:35] » I make a motion we adjourn. >> We adjourn.

[27:39] » 19 minutes? >> 19 minutes. 15.

August 18, 2026 Town of Owego Town Board Meeting

Transcript