Village of Hobart
Monthly Board Meeting
August 3, 2026, Minutes
The regular board meeting was called to order by Mayor Kaufman at 6:34 p.m. Those present were Deputy Mayor Amy Reinshagen, Trustee Jim Quarino, Trustee Randy Roe, Clerk Katherine Sparkes, Treasurer Michelle Sicari, and Superintendent of DPW Lucas McMullen. Trustee Kayla Mason was absent. Community members present was Don Thomases.
Mayor Kaufman proceeded with Department Head reports.
Lucas McMullen (Superintendent of DPW) stated that the filter pump stopped working and had to be replaced. The water tower was at 13.7 feet this morning. The DPW crew is working on cleaning out the catch basins which were filled with mud and other debris. In addition, the crew patched holes in the Community Center parking lot. Superintendent McMullen notified the board that the sanders will need some repair including a chain and the expected cost of this is between $ 1,500.00 and $2,000.00.
Richi Horne (Chief Wastewater Plant Operator) was not present at the meeting, but Mayor Kaufman read the highlighted items in her report. Joey Kaufman attended a review class for his upcoming state exam. The Board agreed to approve a quote from Roberts Filter for a visit agreement at the cost of $7,195.00 which was signed and returned. On Thursday, July 30th the DEP came for an inspection and the new inspectors recieved a tour of the plant.
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 he would be meeting with Joyce Barber and an architect tomorrow at the Fitness Center. Discussion then turned to the basketball court. It has been determined it would be in the best interest to move the picnic table due to someone using it to lower the hoops at the basketball court and causing damage to the nets. The basketball court needs to be painted, and so does the pickleball court. The pickleball court also needs to be fastened down.
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 Roe. 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 Trustee Quarino. Motion was carried. AYES: Unanimous
Old Business:
Water Plant Upgrade: Mayor Kaufmas explained that the resolution to approve advertising for public bidding on the Maple Avenue Test Well Evaluation if approved would be the next step for this process. If approved later in this meeting, the invitation to bid will be placed in the official newspaper this week with the opening of received bids to be held on September 2, 2026.
Generator Project: Mayor Kaufman shared that there were no current updates to this project, and we are currently waiting for New York City to work out issues that have developed between the Company awarded the bid and the company that manufactures the generators.
Fire Cleanup of Main St. Property: According to our Code Enforcement Officer, this issue is on the docket for local town court in August.
Playground/Splashpad: Mayor Kaufman signed a letter from the O’Connor Foundation and it was returned, which gives the Village three years to spend the money on a splashpad.
Street Work: Mayor Kaufman contacted Suite-Kote, and they will be here within the last two weeks of August to perform the milling and blacktop for Cornell and Railroad Avenue.
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 we are down to five properties in the foreclosure process.
Update on Maple Avenue Culvert Project: Mayor Kaufman shared with the Board that Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Wright appealed the FOIL request that was sent to the Village on July 22, 2026. Once again, he explained to the Village Board that the Village is not the lead agency on this project, so we don’t have certain things that Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Wright are looking for or think that the Village has in their possession that we are keeping from them. He explained that once again hours were spent going through years of paper work with regards to this project and one additional item was found that was not sent in the original FOIL request. Mayor Kaufman told the Village Board that the Village went above and beyond obtaining information for the FOIL request by contacting the lead agency. The Village obtained all of the documents which the lead agency had on file. They were downloaded to a flash drive and sent to Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Wright. The lead Agency also informed the village during this process that the same information was already sent to Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Wright through the means of a FOIL request that they received. The Village sent one contract as well as a flash drive to Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Wright. The Board members all agreed that the failing culvert remains a serious imminent threat for the Village because of the water and wastewater systems that run above it.
New Business:
Resolution Authorizing Undertaking in Connection with Permits Issued by NYS Department of Transportation: Mayor Kaufman read the resolution to all present. A motion was made by Deputy Mayor Reinshagen and seconded by Trustee R. AYES: Unanimous
Resolution Approving the Advertise for Public Bidding Maple Avenue Test Well Evaluation: The Amendment was read by Mayor Kaufman. A motion was made by Mayor Kaufman and seconded by Trustee Quarino. AYES: Unanimous
Tower Pump Repair: Mayor Kaufman read an e-mail from Richi Horne (Chief Wastewater Plant Operator) requesting approval from the board to repair the two mixing pumps at the cost of $10,500.00 and then reinstall them at a cost of $7,500.00A. A motion was made by Deputy Mayor Reinshagen and seconded by Trustee Roe. AYES: Unanimous
Update on Emergency Watershed Protection Project: Mayor Kaufman explained that he met with Soil & Water conservation and the company doing the work to sign the contracts. This project will begin at the end of next week. DPW Superintendent Lucas McMullen shared equipment was already being brought in to complete this project.
Complaints: Mayor Kaufman brought to the board's attention a concern about parking which led to the defacing of Village property by painting the curb orange. The homeowner wanted the Village to put up a handicapped parking sign but the Village cannot do that because it is a state route. Deputy Mayor Reinshagen will speak with the homeowner concerning this matter.
Mayor Kaufman proceeded with a complaint concerning parking on Cornell Avenue. Discussion ensued between members of the board about this. New No Parking signs have been ordered to help but, in addition, a suggestion was made to speak with the owner of The Book Village Inn and ask him to put up a parking sign as well utilizing the Village parking lot near the Community Center.
Floor Open for Community Participation:
Don Thomases asked what the Emergency Watershed Protection Project was. Mayor Kaufman explained that this has to do with where the water leaves the Wastewater Plant and goes back into the stream. He then asked if the Village had any information in relation to the bridge outside of the village which is being torn up at this time. The Village had received no notification and could only speculate what was being done.
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 Quarino. Motion carried. AYES: Unanimous Bills were paid as written.
General Fund Voucher No. 42-87 $ 44,785.68
Water Fund Voucher No. 22-38 $ 22,505.19
Sewer Fund Voucher No. 18-43 $ 47,226.18
NYC Fund Voucher No. 21-44 $ 41,572.66
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 7:50.
Respectfully Submitted
Michelle Sicari
Village of Hobart Treasurer
