Village of Hobart
Monthly Board Meeting Minutes
September 8, 2025
The regular board meeting was called to order by Mayor Kaufman at 6:30pm. Those present were Deputy Mayor Amy Reinshagen, Trustee Jim Quarino, Trustee Randy Roe, Clerk Katherine Sparkes, Treasurer Michelle Sicari, Superintendent of DPW Lucas McMullen, Head of Wastewater Richi Horne (arrived @ 7:15), Hobart Business Alliance- Don Thomases & Kathy Duyer, Planning Board- John Whritner. Community members present were Federico of Book Village Inn, Daisy McMullen, Brooke Wood, Randy Kruegar, and Ina Sobel.
Mayor Kaufman proceeded with Department Head reports.
Lucas McMullen (Superintendent of DPW) presented his report first. He stated that Pine Street was crack sealed, oiled, and stone. He also stated that Pearl Street was oiled and stoned as well. Hydrants are being flushed, streets are being swept, and vehicles are getting undercoated to prepare for the winter months.
Richi Horne (Chief Wastewater Plant Operator) was not presented at this point in the meeting to give her report.
Kathy Duyer & Don Thomases (Economic Development/ Business Alliance) spoke next. Kathy began by thanking Lucas McMullen for getting the signs up for the book village. Don Thomases then asked Federico of Book Village Inn to speak. He introduced himself to the board and all present at the meeting and explained that he was the owner of Book Village Inn. He explained that there are limited hours some days but currently the Book Village Inn is open Thursday thru Sunday 4 pm-10pm. Next Don Thomases explained that the business alliance is changing due to the loss of a couple of businesses. Kathy Duyer had taken over as part of the steering committee but not on her own. The Hobart Business Alliance has now become the Hobart Community Alliance and they encourage people with or without a business to join. Don Thomases is coming back to do meetings. Don also commented that the community center looks 100% better.
Board Member Reports:
Trustee Jim Quarino (HAC) had nothing to report.
Trustee Randy Roe (Streets) had nothing to report.
Deputy Mayor Amy Reinshagen (Water & Sewer) had nothing to report at this time.
Trustee Kayla Mason (Hobart Fire/EMS) was absent from the meeting.
Trustee Jim Quarino (HAC Committee) presented the idea of turning the upstairs room above the gym into a lobby for parents to wait for their children during practice. He further went on to explain that he has kids who could help make this happen. He also mentioned the idea of running some fall specials for the gym. John Whritner asked about the possibility of having volleyball once a week at HAC in the gym. Trustee Quarino was going to look into the possibility of getting a volleyball net to make this happen.
Zoning Board- No Report
Planning Board- John Whritner reported that in October 2023 a comprehensive plan was created by himself and others concerning Main Street. The comprehensive plan included street lighting and sidewalks. This plan needs an update but there are currently no grants available to do this. Mr. Whritner spoke with Kent Manuel and he said it would cost the village $5,000.00 to do an updated plan. Mr. Whritner went on the explain that this plan would need to include community input. He asked the Board to think about it through the winter. Mr. Whritner also mentioned that revitalization grants have become available and our village hits six of the seven criteria for these grants. Mayor Kaufman will look into these revitalization grants.
Fire Department- No Report
Mayor Kaufman asked for acceptance of the secretary/ treasurer's report from the board. A motion was made by Deputy Mayor Reinshagen, Seconded by Trustee Roe. Motion was carried. AYES: Unanimous
Mayor Kaufman asked for approval of minutes from the last regular board meeting. A motion was made by Trustee Quarino, seconded by Deputy Mayor Reinshagen. Motion was carried. AYES: Unanimous
Old Business:
Water Plant Upgrade: Mayor Kaufman explained that Community Block Development Grant will not be filed till next year on the advice of the Laberge Group. The WIIIA grant has been submitted. The water plant continues to have major issues and Lucas is there all the time. Since the brown out occurred which knocked the system out Lucas spends 45 minutes per backwash three times a day monitoring it. Pipes continue to blow apart on the skid as well.
Generator Project: This project is 100 % being paid for by NYC. The contract has been returned to NYC, and we are awaiting the next step.
Fire Cleanup of Main St. Property: The DEP has been contacted concerning this property and was told contact the DEC. We are currently waiting for an answer from DEC. Brooke Wood shared her concern about the fire cleanup on Main Street as she lives right next door to it.
Back Taxes/ Foreclosures: This business was tabled for a conference call during executive session.
Sidewalk Repair- Main Street: This repair has been completed.
HAC Roof: A grant application was sent to the O’Connor Foundation. Mayor Kaufman received a call from the O’Connor Foundation stating that they were not giving grants for capital improvement projects at this time.
New Business:
Stormwater Drain Connection-NBT: Mayor Kaufman explained that this would divert water into the storm drain. He requested permission from the board for this. The board unanimously approved this request.
BOND Resolution: Mayor Kaufman explained that this was a secure bond through bond counsel not to exceed $2.5 Million for the improvements to the water plant. Mayor Kaufman asked for approval of this bond resolution. A motion was made by Deputy Mayor Reinshagen seconded by Trustee Quarino. Motion was carried. AYES: Unanimous
SEQR Resolution: Mayor Kaufman asked for a motion to adopt this resolution from the board. A motion was made by Trustee Roe, seconded by Trustee Quarino. Motion was carried. AYES: Unanimous
Designate Certifying Officer Resolution: Mayor Kaufman explained that for the grants the board needed to designate a certifying officer. The Board agreed that this should be Mayor Kaufman. Mayor Kaufman then asked for a motion to adopt this resolution from the board. A motion was made by Deputy Mayor Reinshagen, seconded by Trustee Quarino. Motion was carried. AYES: Unanimous
Floor Open for Community Participation: Ina Sobel brought to the attention of the board that her parking lot on Main Street is being used by others, causing her to need a new parking lot. Mayor Kaufman explained to her that her parking lot is private property and not a village issue. Deputy Mayor Reinshagen suggested posted her parking lot as not public parking. Another suggestion was to apply for a Main Street improvement grant through Western Catskills.
Mayor Kaufman asked for a motion to go into executive session at 7:40 P.M. A motion was made by Trustee Quarino, seconded by Deputy Mayor Reinshagen. Motion was carried. AYES: Unanimous
A motion to pay the bills was made by Trustee Roe, seconded by Deputy Mayor Reinshagen. Motion carried. AYES: Unanimous Bills were paid as written
General Fund Voucher No. 93-168 $ 75,256.03
Water Fund Voucher No. 40-62 $ 12,503.95
Sewer Fund Voucher No. 44-65 $ 37,677.76
NYC Fund Voucher No. 59-84 $ 42,765.58
A motion was made to adjourn the meeting by Trustee Roe, seconded by Deputy Mayor Reinshagen. Motion carried. AYES: Unanimous
The Meeting was adjourned at 8:30.
Respectfully Submitted
Michelle Sicari
Village of Hobart Treasurer
