Village of Hobart
Monthly Board Meeting Minutes
October 14, 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, Trustee Kayla Mason, Treasurer Michelle Sicari, Superintendent of DPW Lucas McMullen, Head of Wastewater Richi Horne. No community members were present.
Mayor Kaufman proceeded with Department Head reports.
Lucas McMullen (Superintendent of DPW) presented his report first. He stated that the filter pumps at the Water Plant need to be cleaned. The small trucks have been serviced and using the dump trailer a leaf blower box has been built.
Richi Horne (Chief Wastewater Plant Operator) began her report with a recap that in August Boyle’s Excavating installed a stainer for the Wastewater Plant. She went on to report that she attended a Catskill Watershed Corporation meeting and at the meeting it was discussed that many plants are 25 or more years old. They are looking into ways that they might be able to help these aging plants. The updated contract for the generator project was signed and sent back for a second time. A big line in the wastewater plant plugged but the problem was quickly resolved. The Wastewater plant received a surprise inspection from New York State Department of Environmental Conservation on October 1st. Richi Horne, Lucas McMullen, and Jake Palmatier attended training in Sidney on October 9, 2025.
Kathy Duyer & Don Thomases (Economic Development/ Business Alliance) were not present at the meeting, and no report was provided.
Board Member Reports:
Trustee Jim Quarino (HAC) reported that he has been approached with a request to add lighting in the parking lot at the Hobart Activity Center.
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) had nothing to report.
Trustee Jim Quarino (HAC Committee) presented the idea of adding a cellphone to be able to check the facial recognition system (also known as Rhombus). He also suggested due to “tag a longs” (people bringing others to the gym who are not members) by first providing them with a warning and if it happens again then shutting their membership off and requiring them to come in front of the board.
Zoning Board- No Report
Planning Board- No Report
Fire Department- No Report
Mayor Kaufman asked for acceptance of the secretary/ treasurer's report from the board. A motion was made by Trustee Ro, Seconded by Deputy Mayor Reinshagen. Motion was carried. AYES: Unanimous
Mayor Kaufman asked for approval of minutes from the last regular board meeting. A motion was made by Deputy Mayor Reinshagen, seconded by Trustee Roe. Motion was carried. AYES: Unanimous
Old Business:
Water Plant Upgrade: Mayor Kaufman explained that the Environmental Facilities Corporation is in the process of rewriting the contract for the Water Plant Upgrade.
Generator Project: This was discussed in the report given by Richi Horne (Chief Wastewater Plant Operator).
Fire Cleanup of Main St. Property: The code enforcement officer Richard Briscoe met with the Department of Conservation concerning this property and the Department of Conservation said that this can be buried on site. This brought on the discussion of who would pay for this work and how to proceed from this point on. It was suggested that this idea of the cleanup be presented to the homeowner.
Back Taxes/ Foreclosures: There were no new updates on this due to the absence of the Clerk.
New Business:
Water Plant Repairs/Upgrade: It will cost between $100,000 and $200,000 to replace the computer system that runs the water plant. The parts for the skid are $14,000.00 and the quote received from Boyle’s Excavating to repipe the skid is $178,206.00. It was suggested that the Village reach out to a company in Ohio to see what it would cost for them to repipe the skid.
Local Law for Sidewalk: It was strongly suggested at the NYCOM conference that a local law for sidewalks should be in place. The law would include who is responsible for snow removal and who is responsible for the repair of the sidewalk.
Grants for Record Retention: A presentation at the NYCOM conference revealed that there are grants available to help with the purchase of proper storage for records. This is something that will be further investigated.
Pre & Post Trips for Vehicles: Another presentation at the NYCOM conference discussed the importance that every vehicle owned by the municipality should have a daily pre & post trip inspection. Mayor Kaufman will share with DPW Superintendent Lucas McMullen a pre & post trip inspection sheet that will be used in all municipality vehicles.
Certification for Reasonable Cause Drug Testing: At the NYCOM conference Mayor Kaufman and DPW Supervisor Lucas McMullen attended a two-part class which certified them, should the need arise, to send employees for drug testing. This is only something that a supervisor can do.
Backup Communication for Fire/EMS: At the NYCOM conference it was strongly suggested that backup generator be in place for communication. Trustee Mason was going to check with Josh Mason on this.
Roof Checks: At the NYCOM conference it was suggested that all buildings the municipality owns have roof checks done before winter and again after winter.
Building Access Sheets: At the NYCOM conference it was suggested that all buildings have a sign-in sheet for liability purposes.
NYCOM Conference: Mayor Kaufman gave a recap of topics covered at the conference. They included Cybersecurity (which is something that all municipalities will need to have in place in 2026 for their water plants, wastewater plants, and clerks offices), how to be a supervisor, claims avoidance for public works, the cost of snow and ice control, can you read the signs, markings, and signals, and procurement. He went on to explain the keynote speaker, Eric Giguere shared his story about what happened when safety was ignored. Eric was buried with dirt while working in a trench that had no trench box. He suggested buying the DVD of his story. Mayor Kaufman also suggested purchasing a drone to do roof checks. Mayor Kaufman then shared that the DPW Supervisor Lucas McMullen received both water and wastewater credits for attending sessions at this conference.
Floor Open for Community Participation: None
There was no motion to go into executive session.
A motion to pay the bills was made by Trustee Quarino, seconded by Deputy Mayor Reinshagen. Motion carried. AYES: Unanimous Bills were paid as written
General Fund Voucher No. 169-197 $ 51,854.68
Water Fund Voucher No. 63-85 $ 23,338.46
Sewer Fund Voucher No. 66-84 $ 19,142.51
NYC Fund Voucher No. 85-104 $ 30,113.62
A motion was made to adjourn the meeting by Trustee Roe, seconded by Trustee Mason. Motion carried. AYES: Unanimous
The Meeting was adjourned at 7:37.
Respectfully Submitted
Michelle Sicari
Village of Hobart Treasurer
