Village of Hobart
Monthly Board Meeting
May 5, 2026, Minutes
The regular board meeting was called to order by Mayor Kaufman at 6:31 p.m. Those present were Deputy Mayor Amy Reinshagen, Trustee Kayla Mason, Trustee Jim Quarino, Trustee Randy Roe, Clerk Katherine Sparkes, Treasurer Michelle Sicari, Superintendent of DPW Lucas McMullen, Head of Wastewater Richi Horne, and Hobart Community Alliance- Don Thomases. Community members present were Ayhan Dargin, Brooke Wood, and Randy Kruger.
Mayor Kaufman proceeded with Department Head reports.
Lucas McMullen (Superintendent of DPW) began his report by explaining that things have been cleaned up and put away for the winter. One sander still needs to be removed from the truck. The other two sanders have been removed but need repairs for a road and log chain. Another season of mowing around the village has begun. The PTO shaft on the tractor is twisted and is currently at Eklunds being repaired.
Richi Horne (Chief Wastewater Plant Operator) presented her report. Regarding the generator project the electrical engineer has drawn up a contract. This contract will need to be signed by the bid winning contractor and then the engineer will send the contract to the Village for a signature. The microfilters have been cleaned. The PALL Corporation did a two-day onsite inspection, and all went well. Thursday morning Richi will be meeting with Soil and Water representatives. The DEP did an email report instead of an onsite inspection this quarter. The new furnace has been delivered to the sewer plant and Muthigs Plumbing & Heating will begin work tomorrow. Next month Richi, Lucas, and Jake will be attending training in Sidney,
Don Thomases (Hobart Community Alliance) spoke next. He explained there was money left over in the lights account, and two more lantern Christmas lights have been ordered for the Village. Last Sunday 26 people showed up to pick up litter in the Village. Mr. Thomases showed all present an article in the Mountain Eagle highlighting the litter clean up in the Village. Trustee Quarino thanked Don for doing this. The last thing Mr. Thomases shared was that the Stamford Library has raised two million dollars for the new library and are having a party on the site of the new library on May 30,2026 from 1:00-4:00. The architect who designed the library will be at the party.
Board Member Reports:
Trustee Jim Quarino (HAC) had nothing to report at this time.
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) shared a concern about the door being opened with an allene key on the dog groomers' side of the building. This issue will be addressed immediately.
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 Deputy Mayor Reinshagen, Seconded by Trustee Quarino. Motion was carried. AYES: Unanimous
Mayor Kaufman asked for approval of minutes from the last meeting. A motion was made by Trustee Quarino, seconded by Trustee Roe. Motion was carried. AYES: Unanimous
Mayor Kaufman asked for approval of the minutes from the public hearing. A motion was as made by Deputy Mayor Reinshagen, Seconded by Trustee Quarino. Motion was carried. AYES: Unanimous
Old Business:
Water Plant Upgrade: Mayor Kaufman explained that the Department of Health has determined that the Sheffield well may only be used in an emergency situation. A representative from LaBerge and an electrical engineer will be looking at the electrical in the water plant.
Generator Project: Richi Horne (Chief Wastewater Plant Operator) shared the update during her report.
Fire Cleanup of Main St. Property: As per the code enforcement officer who has not been able to serve the papers to the homeowner this matter has been turned over to the Delaware County Sherriff's Office. 30 days after the papers have been served, the homeowner can be fined for each day the cleanup is not done. Brooke Wood shared her concerns about the need to get things cleaned up now. Mayor Kaufman explained that everything is a process, and we cannot just step on private property. Trustee Quarino spoke with a contractor who shared a quote of $ 8,500.00 to bury the debris onsite.
Playground/Splashpad: Mayor Kaufman states that we will be notified by July 1st on whether funding will be provided for this project.
Expansion of Fitness Center: Trustee Quarino provided an update on this project. He explained he is waiting to hear back from John Dropp on continuing forward with this project.
HAC Roof Replacement: Mayor Kaufman states that we will be notified by July 1st on whether funding will be provided for this project.
Comprehensive Plan: Mayor Kaufman spoke with John Whritner who shared that the planning board met, and people at the meeting went through the comprehensive plan and highlighted what was still viable.
Back Taxes/ Foreclosures: Mayor Kaufman shared that this has been in the hands of the lawyers for months. Homeowners of one of the houses in foreclosure came in and put down $8,000.00. To date $65,838.07 is owed to the Village.
New Business:
Street Work for Summer: Mayor Kaufman asked for a motion to complete the street work this summer on Upper & Lower Cornell Avenue, Railroad Avenue, and the Community Center parking lot. A motion was made by Deputy Mayor Reinshagen and seconded by Trustee Quarino. AYES: Unanimous
Youth Work Program: Supervisor John Kosier has offered the Village the opportunity to higher up to two youth workers for the summer. Youth can work 40 hours per week. All of this is paid for by Delaware County.
Cyber Grant: Mayor Kaufman will be having a zoom meeting tomorrow in reference to the cyber grants being offered.
DOT Speed Signs: Mayor Kaufman spoke with a chief engineer in Schoharie County who strongly urged the village not to place DOT speed signs on private property. This process requires right aways and then what happens if/when a homeowner decides they no longer want the sign on their property.
Engineering Grant: Mayor Kaufman shared this is something Laberge is looking into. Richi Horne (Chief Wastewater Plant Operator) spoke with Lamont Engineering since they were the ones who designed the sewer plant and requested an agreement with them. Richi says the sewer plant is going to need infrastructure work in the near future. Discussion ensued between the board members, the mayor, and Richi Horne. Deputy Mayor Reinshagen reminded the board that they were extremely disappointed when working with Lamont Engineering in the past. Trustee Quarino said he would go with Richi’s recommendation. After further discussion, Richi was instructed to give LaBerge a shot and then go with Lamont Engineering if needed.
Flowers for the Village: Mayor Kaufman explained that our regular supplier for flowers is no longer in business. Mayor Kaufman shared that it takes an employee two hours a day to water all the flowers. A discussion ensued about the use of artificial flowers vs. real flowers. Three trustees were in favor of purchasing artificial flowers. One trustee preferred to continue with real flowers.
Drone Purchase: Mayor Kaufman shared that he and Lucas had attended a conference, and it was recommended that roof checks take place before winter and after winter on each building the municipality owns. The idea of purchasing a drone to complete this task was discussed. Trustee Roe will investigate the requirements and licenses to have a drone.
Paving State Route 10: Mayor Kaufman spoke with a chief engineer in Schohaire County and was informed that paving will not take place this year and there is no money in the budget for payving next year. The chief engineer shared a loophole that will be investigated to get State Route 10 running through the Village.
Mayor Kaufman also shared that a contract has been signed with the Catskill Watershed to relocate the public utilities that run through the Maple Avenue Culvert.
Floor Open for Community Participation:
Ayhan Dargin shared a concern about his water/ sewer bills which were estimated. DPW Supervisor Lucas McMullen will be looking at the homeowner's meters.
There was no motion to go into the executive session.
A motion to pay the bills was made by Trustee Mason, seconded by Trustee Roe. Motion carried. AYES: Unanimous Bills were paid as written
General Fund Voucher No. 471-507 $ 10,095.49
Water Fund Voucher No. 195-212 $ 7,010.69
Sewer Fund Voucher No. 238-265 $ 27,436.03
NYC Fund Voucher No. 266-296 $ 20,355.60
A motion was made to adjourn the meeting by Trustee Quarino, seconded by Deputy Mayor Reinshagen. Motion carried. AYES: Unanimous
The Meeting was adjourned at 8:05.
Respectfully Submitted
Michelle Sicari
Village of Hobart Treasurer