Village of Hobart

Monthly Board Meeting

July 13, 2026, Minutes

The regular board meeting was called to order by Mayor Kaufman at 6:35 p.m. Those present were Deputy Mayor Amy Reinshagen, Trustee Jim Quarino, Trustee Randy Roe, Treasurer Michelle Sicari, and Superintendent of DPW Lucas McMullen. Community members present were Judy Stewart Vidal and Ayhan Dargin.

Mayor Kaufman proceeded with Department Head reports.

Lucas McMullen (Superintendent of DPW) stated that he took the big truck to Suite-Kote to get a load of cold patch and has begun cold patching where necessary.  Eklunds finally got in the PTO shaft need to repair the sweeper, and Lucas has made the necessary repairs.  The DPW department is short help at this time.  

Richi Horne (Chief Wastewater Plant Operator) was not present at the meeting, but Mayor Kaufman read her report.  Mayor Kaufman noted that most of her report was day to day operational stuff and was not needed to be mentioned.  He did read off a few keynotes from her report that he felt was important for the Board to know. A module was leaking on Rack A. It was removed and capped.  PARR Health (formally known as Mallinckrodt) was contacted due to high flow at the wastewater plant and problems were discovered and resolved at Building 18.  Richi watched an online seminar concerning cybersecurity.  She expressed concern about a lift station with the cost and maintenance going forward.  The Mayor has changed the laptop password, and only the Chief Operator is to use it as part of the ongoing cybersecurity changes.  Richi is still working on getting Roberts Filter here for a sand filter evaluation.   The board unanimously approved a replacement valve and actuator for the valve pit based on the quote from W2O at the cost of $13,775.00 that provided by Richi for Board approval.

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) was not present at the meeting.

Trustee Jim Quarino (HAC Committee) shared that the committee has not met.  Trustee Quarino explained that he had met with Joyce Barber, and she would like to donate installing showers to the Fitness Center bathrooms.  This would require the expansion of the bathrooms.  Trustee Quarino will contact Jim Orbs who is an architect, and Mayor Kaufman will follow up with NYCOM concerning the necessary steps the Village will need to take to make this project happen.  The board unanimously agreed in favor of adding showers to the bathrooms.

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 Roe, seconded by Deputy Mayor Reinshagen. Motion was carried. AYES: Unanimous

Old Business:

Water Plant Upgrade: Mayor Kaufmas said things are progressing with the upgrade.  He has observed e-mails going back and forth between the Department of Health and LaBerge. Superintendent of DPW Lucas McMullen began by explaining that Laynes came out to redevelop Eklund Well # 2.  In the process, this agitated the water and made the transducer stop working.  Lucas fixed that transducer and then had to change the pump motor.  Currently the water tower is at 8 feet.  Lucas also wondered if some of the money from the EFC could be used to have Laynes come out and redevelop one of the test wells located ay the Eklund wells.

Generator Project: Mayor Kaufman shared that the contracts have been signed and notarized and returned to Tisdel Associates.   

 Fire Cleanup of Main St. Property:  This issue is on the docket for court in August.  Mayor Kaufman received a new quote to have the burnt house buried at $6,500.00

Playground/Splashpad: Mayor Kaufman recieved a letter from the O’Connor Foundation stating that we were denied a grant to fund a new playground.  Mayor Kaufman received another letter from the O’Connor Foundation stating that the Splashpad grant was approved.

Street Work: Mayor Kaufman will be contacting Suite-Kote again for a date as when to when the milling and blacktop will take place for Cornell and Railroad Avenue.

HAC Roof Replacement: Mayor Kaufman states that he received a letter from the O’Connor Foundation denying the grant for funding to replace the roof on the Hobart Activity Center.

Expansion of Fitness Center: Trustee Quarino provided an update earlier in the meeting and can be found under the HAC Committee section of the minutes.

Comprehensive Plan: Mayor Kaufman updated that this plan continues to be in the works with the Planning Board taking the lead.

Back Taxes/ Foreclosures: Mayor Kaufman shared that the final letter has been sent to homeowners according to the Village Attorney handling this matter.

Spped Limit: Mayor Kaufman shared that he received a letter that the request to reduce the speed limit in the Village has been received by New York State Traffic and Safety and that the state will do a study on this.

New Business:

Resolution to Designate Certifying Officer: Mayor Kaufman read the resolution to all present.  A motion was made by Trustee Roe and seconded by Deputy Mayor Reinshagen.  AYES: Unanimous

Resolution of Amendments to the Village’s Procurement Policy: The Amendment was read by Mayor Kaufman. A motion was made by Deputy Mayor Reinshagen and seconded by Trustee Quarino. AYES: Unanimous

Resolution Authorizing the Designation of a Fair Housing Officer & Adopting the Village of Hobart Fair Housing Plan: Mayor Kaufman read the resolution. A motion was made by Deputy Mayor Reinshagen and seconded by Trustee Roe. AYES: Unanimous

Discussion Time for Stephen & Jessica Wright concerning Maple Avenue Culvert Project: Mayor Kaufman explained that Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Wright were urged to attend this meeting via a response to a recent FOIL Request to discuss the Maple Avenue Culvert project.  They were not present for this Agenda item so the Board went into discussion of the project. It was discussed that the current culvert is a failing structure and creates a safety concern with regards to street traffic. It was also reiterated that water and sewer lines go over the culvert in question. If the culvert was to fail before being replaced the water supply to the Village would be cut off. With regards to the sewer line, the high probability of raw sewage entering into the stream would become an issue. Mayor Kaufman also pointed out that the Village has no control over the size of the culvert that will be installed.  This is something that is determined by NYS DEC. He also pointed out that this this project has become necessary by the Village with regards to the protection of infrastructure (road, water, and sewer). It was not for the purpose of Flood control reasons, however according to the lead agency of this project it will aid in the reduction of future flooding and would help out approximently 4 homeowners with regards to flood insurance. After about 15 minutes of discussion the Board all agreed that this project has nothing but positives. The Village Board agreed to continue as planned with the project as directed by our legal counsel, as it is the legal right and obligation of the Village to take any and all legal avenues necessary to protect Village infrastructure (road, water, and sewer).  As per our legal counsel, we have acknowledged receipt of letters to the Village Board regarding the cease and desist with regards to the Maple Avenue Culvert project and such letters will be kept on file in the Village Clerks office.

 Floor Open for Community Participation:

Judy Stewart Vidal shared that the Book Village Inn is offering a coffee bar from Thursday through Sunday from 9:00- 3:00.  She also reminded all present that the restaurant is open Thursday- Sunday from 4-9.  She went on to explain that a group of people have cleaned up around the signs and asked if there would be community input on the splashpad.  Mayor Kaufman explained that we have three years to use the money for this and that the grant was based on the splashpad that they had gotten the quote for. On behalf of the Hobart Historical Society, she thanked the board for approving the proclamation for Anna Caroll.  She went on to explain the society read the Declaration of Independence and 12 people attended. Lastly, she explained the historical society is trying to fix the cannon in the Memorial Park area.

Ayhan Dargin asked when the foreclosures are going to auction.  Mayor Kaufman explained that we do not have a date for that at this time.

There was no motion to go into the executive session.

A motion to pay the bills was made by Deputy Mayor Reinshagen, seconded by Trustee Roe. Motion carried. AYES: Unanimous Bills were paid as written.

General Fund               Voucher No. 1-41                     $ 19,562.74

Water Fund                   Voucher No. 1-21                     $ 9,409.83

Sewer Fund                   Voucher No. 1-17                     $ 7,272.75

NYC Fund                       Voucher No. 1-20                     $ 17,679.90

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 8:15.

Respectfully Submitted

Michelle Sicari

Village of Hobart Treasurer