DRAFT ONLY TB MEETING/PUBLIC HEARING (BUDGET) NOVEMBER 13, 2025

 

Public Hearing for 2026 Town of Cherry Valley Preliminary Budget is opened at 7:00PM by Supervisor Garretson.  This will be a comment period only and not a question and answer.  There will be a one-minute limit per comment.

 

COMMENTS:

 

-Cost to property owners reported in the Comptroller’s report for each property owner is $1,600 per 100,000 for the last 5 years including this coming year.  For a $200,000 property the additional tax in order to support the health center is approximately $3,200.  The clear majority of patients at the center is nonresidents and they bear no financial obligation toward meeting that perennial deficit belongs solely to the residents of Cherry Valley and that is wrong.

 

-Unallocated insurance line is there any way to shop around and find cheaper insurance?  This could save money.  On planning there is an increase.  Supervisor Garretson explained this is for the Solar moratorium and legal fees.

 

-I hope the Board and the Budget will reflect the recommendations of the audit with the segregating funds into the separating those out and also having a long-term plan for the health center.

 

-Nearly 50 years ago this Town decided this Town needed medical prime care. So, we set up a health center and we did it ourselves and we have been resilient.  This health center has been in effect for 47 years.  It’s been hard, it took a lot of work to set it up and if we lose it now, we will never be able to do this again.  We were smart enough to figure out how to set it up and we are smart enough to figure out how to keep it.  I think it is worth working on.

 

-I would applaud any efforts for the health center to be sustainable on its own, but as a Town entity the individual read an excerpt from the Comptrollers letter about the budget:  We expect the general fund which includes the health center to end 2025 with approximately $573,000 in total fund balance which includes $65,800 of donations received in 2025 specifically for health center operations.  Due to the insufficient revenue sources, if town officials transfer the $425,000 to the health center in 2026, they would nearly deplete the Towns general fund resources by year end.  Projections indicate a potential fund balance of approximately $40,000, he hopes the Town’s highway department will not have any truck issues that go over $40,000.  Supervisor Garretson responded that would come out of Highway Fund not General Fund.

 

-I am a proponent of keeping the health center going.  The letter from the comptroller’s office gives us a road map for what we need to do to succeed.  I think the efforts made this year to try to get us in a reasonable safe and responsible manner are not yet complete.  I think we need to turn our attention to that and give 2026 a chance to let us succeed.  I encourage you to keep the health center going, revise the budget, honor the comptroller’s advice about the line item and the 5-year plan.  Bring everyone in the community in so that voices can be heard so we can go forward and save one of the most important things about Cherry Valley.

 

-Supervisor Garretson stated the Comptroller’s report has been brought up, however this is a public hearing on the existing budget.  Supervisor Garretson will address the Comptroller’s report at the end of the meeting.

 

-How many cases does the municipal court try in a years’ time?

 

7:15PM Motion made to close the Public Hearing is made by Councilperson Cornwell and seconded by Councilperson Johnson

 

All in favor 5 Ayes 0 Nays

 

DRAFT ONLY TB MEETING NOVEMBER 13, 2025

 

The regular meeting of the Town Board of Cherry Valley was held on Thursday November 13, 2025 with meeting called to order at 7:15PM by Supervisor Garretson

 

Pledge to the Flag was said

 

Roll call of Officers was taken: (P=present)

Tom Garretson-Supervisor P

Jim Johnson-Councilperson P

Ed VanDerwerker-Councilperson P  

Mark Cornwell-Councilperson P

Holly Waterfield-P

Highway Superintendent Marty Field P

Mary Beth Flint-Town Clerk P

 

Reading of last month’s minutes will be dispensed of and minutes accepted as presented and or corrected.   

 

Presentation of invoices and payments:

HEALTH CENTER FUND

103 Quill Corporation $245.22pd

104 Leona Johnson $87.50pd

105 Spectrotel $456.95pd

106 RL Parsons Inc $75.00pd

107 Ricoh USA Inc $72.86pd

108 Public Goods Pool $3,310.00pd

109 Bassett Healthcare $82,468.60pd

110 Quill Corporation $151.29pd

111 Ricoh USA Inc $21.75pd

112 MVP Health Care Inc. $29.09pd

113 United Healthcare $89.75pd

114 Laurie Spencer $175.00pd

 

GENERAL FUND

194 State Comptroller

195 Hummels Office Plus $210.64pd

196 Hometown Hauling $43.25pd

197 Village Photography $1,464.42pd

198 Erin Flint $79.90pd

199 American Wholesalers $138.77pd

200 Otsego Computer Experts $50.00pd

201 Spectrotel $265.32pd

202 RL Parsons Inc $312.92pd

203 Charter Communications $374.95pd

204 Cintas Corporation #121 $493.81pd

205 Hummels Office Plus $59.18pd

206 Constellation Newenergy Inc $4.84pd

207 United Healthcare $9.54pd

 

Highway Vouchers:

Item 1 (371-373)

Item 3 (904-914)

Item 4 (0)

 

Councilperson VanDerwerker made a motion to accept the invoices and payments as presented; Councilperson Waterfield seconded the motion.  The invoices and payments have been presented and accepted.  All in favor-5 ayes 0 nays

 

Presentation of Invoices and Payments:

·      Budget reviewed as well as NBT Account balances

·      Otsego County sales tax for the month of SEP $12,180.05

·      NYS Taxation and Finance Income special tax refund $1,000.04

·      In January the Town Clerk and Tax Collector will be merged into one position.  Procedure will be a resolution at the annual organizational meeting.

·      Town Clerk met with CiviPlus representative and was pleased with the layout and design CivicPlus has to offer.  The annual subscription for the website is $4,664.00.  To view an up and running website designed by CivicPlus visit the Town of Eaton.  This would be the version the Town Clerk is currently considering if the Town Board agrees to move forward with CivicPlus.

 

Community Center Alden Field and Park:

·      Biddy Basketball practices have begun

·      Rentals are coming in as well.

 

Miscellaneous:

·      Councilperson Waterfield will meet with Angelica Palmer regarding the Mohawk Valley Development District in anticipation of working to submit a 2026 application to the NY Forward program.  Akin to the downtown revitalization program.  This will be a collaborative effort by the Town, Village and Facilities Corporation.

 

Health Center:

·      August Expense $91,183/Revenue $55,655

·      Kim Thompson reported work is ongoing and moving in a positive forward motion.  Not much to report back at this time.  Still waiting for the State to respond to the non-profit certificate of incorporation.

 

Village:

·      Town and Village Board Minutes and info- www.cherryvalleyny.us

 

Planning:

·      The Town Board will be holding a Public Hearing on the moratorium for future solar projects for Cherry Valley.

·      Frank McGrath stated Mr. Fisher that owns the property that the solar project was slated for received a notice that the project was terminated.  Frank is waiting for a copy of the termination document.  Mr. Fisher also stated the lease payments have stopped.

 

Highway Department

·      Contract for Snow and Ice with NYSDOT

·      New truck is in.  A few things need to be calibrated with the touch screen.

 

Councilperson Cornwell made the motion to approve Resolution 2025-8 of the Cherry Valley Town Board proposed action Snow and Ice contract supplemental 2^nd Councilperson VanDerwerker

 

Proposed Action: Snow and Ice Contract Supplemental Agreement No.2 - between

NYSDOT and the Town of Cherry Valley

Whereas the NYSDOT and the Town of Cherry Valley have entered into agreement #

D014845 entitled "Indexed Lump Sum Snow and Ice Agreement between the New York

State Department of Transportation and the Town of Cherry Valley, and

Whereas, the present term of the agreement requires a supplemental agreement amending estimated expenditure for the 2025 / 2026 season, an

Whereas, added funding is required to adjust the estimated expenditure to account for the

increases in labor, materials, equipment and / or overall costs

Now, therefore be it resolved: The aforementioned agreement between the NYSDOT and

the Town of Cherry Valley is hereby amended with Supplemental Agreement No. 2 to

Contract No D014845

 

Roll call vote:   Supervisor Garretson-yes, Councilperson Johnson-yes, Councilperson VanDerwerker-yes, Councilperson Cornwell-yes and Councilperson Waterfield-yes

 

All in favor 5 ayes 0 nays. Resolution 2025-8 is duly carried.

 

Councilperson Johnson made the motion to adopt Resolution 2025-9 of the Cherry Valley Town Board

To reappoint the Assessor of the Town of Cherry Valley 2^nd Councilperson Cornwell

 

Proposed Action: The Reappointment of the Assessor of the Town of Cherry Valley

Whereas, the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance requires municipalities to

reappoint the Town Assessor, and

Whereas, the present term for the appointed assessor will expire, and

Now, therefore be it resolved: Kassie Cade Laymon: the current Town of Cherry Valley

Assessor is hereby reappointed for a 6-year term expiring on September 30,2031

 

Roll call vote:   Supervisor Garretson-yes, Councilperson Johnson-yes, Councilperson VanDerwerker-yes, Councilperson Cornwell-yes and Councilperson Waterfield-yes

 

All in favor 5 ayes 0 nays. Resolution 2025-9 is duly carried.

 

Councilperson VanDerwerker made a motion to Resolution 2025-10 of the Cherry Valley Town Board payment process for the newly purchased 2025 Western Star Plow 2^nd Councilperson Johnson

 

Proposed Action: Payment process for the newly purchased 2025 Western Star Plow

Truck for the Town of Cherry Valley

Whereas, the Town of Cherry Valley has purchased and received delivery of a 2025

Western Star Plow Truck, and

Whereas, the Town will bond the financial obligation, and

Now, therefore be it resolved: The Town of Cherry Valley will bond $300,000 of the

total purchase obligation of $318,655.00

 

Roll call vote:   Supervisor Garretson-yes, Councilperson Johnson-yes, Councilperson VanDerwerker-yes, Councilperson Cornwell-yes and Councilperson Waterfield-yes

 

All in favor 5 ayes 0 nays. Resolution 2025-10 is duly carried.

 

Councilperson Cornwell made a motion to adopt Resolution 2025-11 of the Cherry Valley Town Board formation of a Cherry Valley Health Center Operational Oversight Board 2^nd Councilperson Waterfield

 

Proposed Action: Formation of a Cherry Valley Health Center Operational Oversight

Board to report to the Town of Cherry Valley Board

Whereas, the Town of Cherry Valley Board has requested additional assistance and

support for accountability, evaluation, risk management, financial oversight, and

operational performance concerning the Cherry Valley Health Center, and

Whereas, the Town of Cherry Valley will need, and has identified, a knowledgeable and

diverse group of individuals to provide this information, and

Now, therefore be it resolved: The Operational Oversight Board will supersede and

absorb the current health center advisory board and the new appointed members will

currently be Laura Kim Thompson, Lisa Hersey Heinrich, Cindy Campbell, Amy

Garretson, and Kathleen Taylor

 

Roll call vote:   Supervisor Garretson-yes, Councilperson Johnson-yes, Councilperson VanDerwerker-yes, Councilperson Cornwell-yes and Councilperson Waterfield-yes

 

All in favor 5 ayes 0 nays. Resolution 2025-11 is duly carried.

 

Motion to adopt the 2026 Preliminary Budget is made by Councilperson Johnson 2^nd by Councilperson Cornwell.  All in favor 5 Ayes 0 Nays. 

 

Supervisor Garretson addressed the Comptrollers report.  SG was on the phone multiple times to show his dissatisfaction with the report.  SG challenged a few things on the budget.  The report stated we did not establish a separate account which is untrue.  Everything was in the general fund before and we set up the health center checking account following their recommendation.  Which they basically either ignored or SG was not sure what their thought was.  As far as the revenue running out, they factored in the expense and did not factor in the anticipated revenue coming in for the health center.  SG does not agree with the report.

 

 

Question from the public:

 

A discussion was held of pros and cons regarding the health center situation.

-Is there any consideration by the board for a code enforcement officer?  SG stated the Comprehensive plan of the Town will be reviewed in 2026.

 

-Are there any Lisa Hershey updates?  Lisa work is still a work in progress.

 

Motion made by Councilperson Cornwell to adjourn the meeting 2^nd by Councilperson VanDerwerker

 

There being no further business meeting adjourned at 8:00PM.

 

Next Town Board meeting and will be Thursday, December 11, 2025, 7:00PM with Public Hearing before the meeting for the proposed moratorium on solar projects in the Town of Cherry Valley.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Beth Flint, Town Clerk

Town Board meeting was recorded

 

 

 

                                                                                                                       

 

 

 

 

 

 

DRAFT ONLY TB MEETING OCTOBER 09, 2025

 DRAFT ONLY TB MEETING OCTOBER 09, 2025

The regular meeting of the Town Board of Cherry Valley was held on Thursday October 09, 2025 with meeting called to order at 7.00PM by Supervisor Garretson

Pledge to the Flag was said

Roll call of Officers was taken: (P=present)
Tom Garretson-Supervisor P
Jim Johnson-Councilperson Excused
Ed VanDerwerker-Councilperson P    
Mark Cornwell-Councilperson P 
Holly Waterfield-P
Highway Superintendent Marty Field P
Mary Beth Flint-Town Clerk P

Reading of last month’s minutes will be dispensed of and minutes accepted as presented and or corrected.    

Presentation of invoices and payments:
HEALTH CENTER FUND
90 Laurie Spencer $325.00pd
91 Ricoh USA Inc $50.76pd
92 Ricoh USA Inc $72.86pd
93 Laurie Spencer $200.00pd
94 Quill Corporation $91.85pd
95 Spectrotel $436.56pd
96 Optimizer Systems Inc $325.00pd
97 Public Goods Pool $3,852.00pd
98 Bassett Healthcare $94,072.28pd
99 Leona Johnson $87.50pd
100 Ricoh USA Inc $21.75pd
101 Leona Johnson $87.50pd
102 Laurie Spencer $200.00pd

GENERAL FUND
181 Hometown Hauling $43.25pd
182 Spectrotel $266.04pd
183 Bruce Hall Corporation $206.66pd
184 Charter Communications $374.95pd
185 Tri-County Communications Inc $179.10pd
186 Cintas Corporation #121 $139.67pd
187 Excellus BC/BS $343.86pd
188 Constellation Newenergy Inc $5.06pd
189 State Comptroller $4,482.00pd
190 Jeff Stiles Contractor $2,108.77pd
191 State Comptroller $8,436.00pd
192 United Healthcare $5.72pd
193 NYS Association of Towns $100.00pd

Highway Vouchers:
Item 1 (370)
Item 3 (895-903)
Item 4 (0)

Councilperson Cornwell asked for clarification on a couple of the highway bills.

Councilperson Cornwell made a motion to accept the invoices and payments as presented; Councilperson Waterfield seconded the motion.  The invoices and payments have been presented and accepted.  All in favor-4 ayes 0 nays

Presentation of Invoices and Payments:
•    udget reviewed as well as NBT Account balances
•    Otsego County sales tax for the month of AUG $12,796.90
•    Otsego County Traffic Diversion Program $1,000.00
•    A new Town Website is being looked at for consideration in the near future.

Community Center Alden Field and Park:
•    Fall activities are starting so the Community Center activity will also increase.
•    Rentals are starting to come in for the fall and winter
•    All the hallways have been painted
•    Still waiting for the lights to be replaced in the gymnasium

Health Center: 
•    August Expense $103,823/Revenue $45,044
•    Kim Thompson gave an update on the health center work that is ongoing.  Current donation account is at $65,309.00.  Lots of positive momentum still happening.  The nonprofit has filed for the certificate of incorporation with NYS, awaiting status from the State.
•    Councilperson Waterfield inquired if anyone is working on the federal grant program that was announced in late September?  Kim will investigate this.

Village:
•    Town and Village Board Minutes and info- www.cherryvalleyny.us 

Planning:
•    Frank McGrath attended a New York Association of Towns conference today. There is a new requirement of Towns with a population of 1,500 or more are required to apply for a .gov domain.  Frank supplied a name for the Town Clerk for a person at the NYSAOT that can assist with the .gov domain that the Town Clerk has already set up but doesn’t know how to move forward with it at this point.  Planning board member McGrath supplied the Town board with a copy of the agenda from the conference.  He encourages the board members to attend one of the trainings as they provide excellent information.
•    PB member McGrath received an email today from an individual who purchased the parcel of land the solar project was going to be built on.  This individual mentioned the solar project was terminated.  The individual has plans for this parcel of land and he wants to be neighbor friendly and not he does not want to aggravate anyone.  He plans to have a 50’ buffer on the edge of the property.  Supervisor Garretson states the Town Board has not heard this terminology regarding the Solar Project being terminated.

Highway Department
•    CHIPS paperwork has been submitted to the State
•    Truck ordered in July 2022 should be here next week. 


Councilperson Cornwell states there will be a temporary Moratorium on Solar and Wind Systems.  There will be a one-year Moratorium on Solar and Wind development in Cherry Valley.  

Councilperson Cornwell introduced Resolution 2025-7 Introducing Local Law No. P1 of 2025 a Local Law establishing a temporary Moratorium for certain applications for approval of solar energy systems and wind energy conversion systems that are pending or may be subsequently filed with the Town of Cherry Valley.  Resolution date is Thursday October 09, 2025.  Skipping to Part 2 actions items


NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED based on all the foregoing:


Section A.
Section B.


Section C.    By this Resolution, and in compliance with the applicable provisions of the NYS Municipal Home Rule Law, upon our own motion we introduce for consideration by the Town Board and possible adoption, Proposed Local Law No. P I of 2025 entitled "A Local Law Establishing a Temporary Moratorium on Certain Applications for the Approval of Solar Energy Systems and Wind Energy
Conversion Systems That Are Pending or May Be Subsequently Filed with the Town of Cherry Valley." A copy of the proposed Local Law is attached as Appendix A.
We declare that this Local Law constitutes a Type Il Action under the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act [SEQRA] because the proposed action constitutes the adoption of a Moratorium on land development or construction as provided in Part   of the SEQRA Regulations. As such this "action" is not subject to environmental review under SEQRA 
The Town Board hereby directs that the proposed Local Law attached as
Appendix A be referred to the Otsego County Planning Department for its review and for an advisory opinion pursuant to New York State [NYS] General Municipal Law [GMLI S 239-m. The Town Board directs the Town Clerk to make the referral in conformity with the applicable provisions and requirements of NYS GML S 239-m.

Section D.
Section E.    Town Board hereby directs that the proposed Local Law attached as Appendix A be referred to the Town of Cherry Valley Planning Board for its review and for an advisory opinion. The Planning Board shall deliver its response to this referral to the Town Board within thirty (30) days of the date of this referral.
In accordance NYS Municipal Home Rule Law S 20(5), the Town Board hereby schedules a Public Hearing on said Proposed Local Law for Thursday, December 1 1, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. at the Cherry Valley Community Center, 2
Genesee Street, Cherry Valley, New York. The Town Board directs the Town Clerk to provide notice of the public hearing to the public and other government bodies or agencies in accordance with the requirements for same set forth in the NYS Municipal Home Rule Law (which provides that five [5] days must elapse between publication of notice of the public hearing and the date the hearing is held). The Town Board also directs the Town Clerk to post a copy of the proposed Local Law on the Town's web site.

Councilperson Cornwell made the motion to adopt Resolution 2025-7 that introduces Local Law No. P1 of 2025 Motion 2nd by Councilperson Waterfield.  All in favor 4 ayes 0 nays. Resolution 2025-7 is duly carried.

Supervisor Garretson presented the preliminary budget for 2026 for the Town of Cherry Valley.

Supervisor Garretson states he has been working with the State Comptroller for the last 2 months.  The phone number for the state comptroller is (518) 474-4015 State Comptroller-misinformation about the budget going up over 40% State Comptroller- tax levy went up 26.88% last year.  This year as per the State Comptroller taxes will go down 18.03%.

Anyone who would like a copy of the budget please email the Town Supervisor or Town Clerk to get an electronic version sent through email.

The State Comptroller did not want the Town to reduce the taxes as much as we did.  Supervisor Garretson feels comfortable making this reduction in taxes.

Health Center Expense line went from $800,000 to $495,000.  Health Center anticipated revenue went from $275,000 (2025 budget) to anticipated revenue $540,000 for 2026.  Any excess revenue stays in the general fund and will go to the health center as needed.

Question from the public:

A question from the public regarding the contractor we pay monthly, what are the repairs that are being done every month?  What is going on with the building that there needs to be building repairs?  Supervisor Garretson read the invoice submitted for this month to explain the repairs completed.  Supervisor Garretson stated he does not believe an invoice is submitted every month.  

Question was asked when will the Cherry Valley Health Center operational oversight board when will that be explained?  Supervisor Garretson by the end of the year.

Question asked will the Health Center be moving forward still?  Yes, the board feels that the Health Center should go forward.

Frank McGrath asked if the one of the Board members, since they are elected, will be participating with the health center grant process rather than leaving up to the volunteers?  Mr. McGrath feels the board is more hands off than hands on with this grant process.  Supervisor Garretson stated the volunteers have more knowledge with the grant process.

Motion made by Councilperson VanDerwerker to adjourn the meeting 2nd by Councilperson Cornwell

There being no further business meeting adjourned at 7:53PM.

Next Town Board meeting will be Thursday, November 13, 2025 7:00PM

Respectfully submitted,
Mary Beth Flint, Town Clerk
Town Board meeting was recorded



                                        

 

TB MEETING SEPTEMBER 11, 2025

TB MEETING SEPTEMBER 11, 2025

The regular meeting of the Town Board of Cherry Valley was held on Thursday September 11, 2025, with meeting called to order at 7.00PM by Supervisor Garretson

Pledge to the Flag was said

Roll call of Officers was taken: (P=present)
Tom Garretson-Supervisor P
Jim Johnson-Councilperson P
Ed VanDerwerker-Councilperson P    
Mark Cornwell-Councilperson P 
Holly Waterfield-P
Highway Superintendent Marty Field P
Mary Beth Flint-Town Clerk P

Guest speaker:  Tristan Sharratt

Reading of last month’s minutes will be dispensed of and minutes accepted as presented and or corrected.    

Presentation of invoices and payments:
HEALTH CENTER FUND
78 Leona Johnson $180.00pd
79 Ricoh USA Inc $72.86pd
80 Laurie Spencer $150.23pd
81 Miller’s Cleaning Service $734.40pd
82 Quill Corporation $192.19pd
83 Spectrotel $441.97pd
84 Quill Corporation $8.73pd
85 AETNA $144.95pd
86 Public Goods Pool $2,557.00pd
87 Laurie Spencer $325.00pd
88 Bassett Healthcare $70,160.68pd
89 Leona Johnson $100.00pd

GENERAL FUND
160 Clark’s Sports Center $400.00pd
161 Lyla Abdallah $320.00pd
162 Kimberly Leavitt $96.00pd
163 Bailey Thayer $416.00pd
164 Jillian Harris $496.00pd
165 Heath Barown $496.00pd
166 Landon Rockwell $512.00pd
167 Christina Schuttig $640.00pd
168 Deb Whiteman $1,250.00pd
169 Bruce Hall $109.58pd
170 Hometown Hauling $43.25pd
171 US Postal Service $88.00pd
172 Otsego Computer Experts $20.00pd
173 Spectrotel $263.45 pd
174 The Daily Star $41.33pd
175 Charter Communications $374.95pd
176 Cintas Corporation #121 $713.32pd
177 Constellation Newenergy Inc $6.12pd
178 Excellus BC/BS $343.86pd
179 Gates Cole Associates $200.00pd
180 Sue Miller $370.00pf

Highway Vouchers:
Item 1 (362-369)
Item 3 (889-894)
Item 4 (0)

Councilperson VanDerwerker made a motion to accept the invoices and payments as presented; Councilperson Johnson seconded the motion.  The invoices and payments have been presented and accepted.   All in favor 
5 ayes 0 nays

Presentation of Invoices and Payments:
•    udget reviewed as well as NBT Account balances
•    Otsego County sales tax for the month of JUL $12,229.89

Community Center Alden Field and Park:
•    Hallways have been painted.  Waiting on lights to be replaced due to scaffolding unavailable in August.
•    Fall sports are starting up and the Community Center will start becoming more active.

Health Center: 
•    August Expense $79,068/Revenue $48,683
•    Kim Thompson gave an update on the health center with everything moving in a positive direction.  Nothing new to report
•    Lisa Heinrich also gave an information update as well.  She is available after the meeting for questions.  So far $66,000 has been raised to close the gap.  Spoke about 4 funds that are available to help; two of the funds are relevant to our need; the vital access provider fund and the essential plan expansion fund.  The Mohawk Valley Economic development district helps with filling out the applications.  We could also legally do a membership fee to bring in income.  The gap is getting smaller.  Goal is to get the health center off the tax roster.

Guest Speaker Tristan Sharratt a native of Cherry Valley.  He is a nurse as well as a nurse practitioner.  He spent the last 3 years at the NYS health department working amongst the programs Lisa mentioned that help rural health care hospitals and health care centers.   He gave a presentation on why we should preserve the health center.  Preventative primary care is not profitable.  Therefore, the burden is on us to bare the financial constraints of this health center for future generations.  What happens if the health center closes?  This effects Bassett because there aren’t a lot of health care centers close by to get primary health care.  Sometimes the wait can be 8-9 months for a primary care appointment.  The access to health care in this community has real impacts in the short and long term.  New studies showing banks and real estate agencies are tying home property values to accessibility to health care services.  Especially to rural communities where the population is aging and shrinking.  His research now is how does this model work in other places.  Cherry Valley is unique in how this health center is financed.   Tristan is available by email for any questions.

Frank McGrath stated The Friends of the Cherry Valley Health Center is still seeking the tax-exempt status.  Also still looking for support for upcoming grants available in 2026.

Village:
•    Town and Village Board Minutes and info- www.cherryvalleyny.us 

Planning:
•    Councilperson Cornwell states we have been in contact with John Lyons, attorney for the solar law and will be moving forward with review of the solar law.

Highway Department
•    HS Field states they are finishing up with the summer work and are preparing equipment for the winter months.
•    Supervisor Garretson provided and update on the CHIPS account and where we are with that.

Federal/State/County
•    County representative Dave Bliss is present at tonight’s meeting.  He states it is budget time which poses a challenge for the board.  There is also a shortage in employees.

Question from the public:

Andy Minnig asked the board if the board have come to some conclusions about the health center for the upcoming preliminary budget?  Supervisor Garretson stated there is not a figure at this time.  Supervisor Garretson and the comptroller are working on the budget.

Alice Hurwitz updated the state departments environmental concerns regarding the Japanese knot weed problem.  The DEC would like to come to the Town Boards to educate people on how invasive this weed is.

Question from public: is the anticipated monthly IT Bassett charge to be $12,000 a month for the next year?  Supervisor Garretson stated it is.  The average Bassett bill will be between $75,000-$80,000.  Lisa Heinrich stated there are some other IT options the Board is not aware of yet.  SG states currently the way the contract is written this will be the figure until the end of the year.

Question from public for Councilperson Cornwell, is the solar project lawsuit settled?  Councilperson Cornwell stated the case is currently suspended and Carson Solar is currently not pursuing it.  To resurrect the case money will need to be deposited into the escrow account.  There is a time limit for how long this can be suspended.  Councilperson Cornwell will find out the answer to this question.

The Tepee is 75 years old and there will be a party on October 4th.

Question from the public:  Is Athena functioning yet?  SG stated Athena is in the testing stage to work out current issues with it.

Motion made by Councilperson Cornwell to adjourn the meeting 2nd by Councilperson Waterfield

There being no further business meeting adjourned at 7:43PM.

Next Town Board meeting will be Thursday, October 09, 2025, 7:00PM

Respectfully submitted,
Mary Beth Flint, Town Clerk
Town Board meeting was recorded