DRAFT ONLY TB MEETING FEBRUARY 12, 2026
The regular meeting of the Town Board of Cherry Valley was held on Thursday February 12, 2026 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 Excused
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
001 Laurie Spencer $472.74pd
002 Ricoh USA Inc $77.86pd
003 Public Goods Pool $830.00pd
004 Leona Johnson $125.00pd
005 Moser, Manzanero & Scott LLP $4,400.00pd
006 Spectrotel $456.45pd
007 US Postal Service $951.30pd
008 Clara Welch Thanksgiving Home $210.00pd
009 Quill Corporation $66.24pd
010 Public Goods Pool $4,386.00pd
011 Ricoh USA Inc $23.27pd
012 Hartford Retiree Product $30.00pd
013 Laurie Spencer $287.50pd
014 Bassett Healthcare $70,165.33pd
GENERAL FUND
001 Town Tax Collector $140.00pd
002 Elan Financial Services$24.83pd
003 RL Parsons Inc $4,358.59pd
004 Bruce Hall Corp $72.36pd
005 Hometown Hauling $43.25pd
006 CV Town Clerk $32.48pd
007 US Postal Service $198.00pd
008 JB Supply $96.39pd
009 Spectrotel $542.99pd
010 Charter Communications $374.95pd
011 Cintas Corporation #121 $539.67pd
012 Hummels Office Plus $638.99pd
013 Otsego Telephone Systems Inc $725.00pd
014 Amy Garretson $38.67pd
015 Excellus BC/BS $243.63pd
016 Constellation Newenergy Inc $11.18pd
017 US Postal Service $88.00pd
018 Williamson Law Book Company $1,045.00pd
019 United Healthcare $9.54pd
020 Chris Barown $162.36pd
021 American Wholesalers $86.75pd
022 NYS Retirement System $18,497.00pd
023 Hummels Office Plus $270.57pd
Voided check 16310
Highway Vouchers:
Item 1 (None)
Item 3 (936-946)
Item 4 (245-249)
Supervisor Garretson announced that the Town will be using Spectrum for our phone services moving forward. The Town was using Spectrotel, which is a third-party vendor and their prices keep rising with unreliable service when needed if the phone system fails.
Councilperson Johnson made a motion to accept the invoices and payments as presented; Councilperson VanDerwerker seconded the motion. The invoices and payments have been presented and accepted. All in favor-3 ayes 0 nays
Presentation of Invoices and Payments:
• udget reviewed as well as NBT Account balances
• Otsego County sales tax for the month of DEC $11,955.08
Community Center Alden Field and Park:
• Biddy basketball program is winding down. There will be a tournament on Saturday March 7.
• On March 1 Zach Young will be holding an informational meeting for anyone who would like to attend to learn about the Manure spreading process and what it entails. This will be from 2-5.
Miscellaneous:
• Mary Beth, Town Clerk has a zoom meeting with CivicPlus on February 26 for the Go Live website and to be trained how to use it as an administrator of the site.
• Supervisor Garretson handed out an information sheet regarding the even year election change for upcoming terms.
• Supervisor Garretson will take letters of interest for the Councilperson vacancy for the next month and appoint someone next meeting. Letters of interest can be sent directly to Supervisor Garretson’s email or the Town Clerk email. cvsupervisorgarretson@yahoo.com vtownofcherry@nycap.rr.com
Health Center:
• December Expense $86,822/Revenue $45,515
• Kim Thompson gave a brief update on the Health Center Oversight Board. The billing system Athena is still in testing. The testing is not going as smoothly as they would like and Kim and Lisa will be escalating this issue with the Athena company. A source of funding has been applied for through Senator Oberacker’s office. Pending notification if accepted. A lot of time was spent on working on bylaws for the Oversight Board. Agenda and meeting minutes will be on the Town website moving forward. Next meeting is March 10 at the Community Center board room. Kim Thompson will be the contact person for the Oversight Board.
• Supervisor Garretson added the Town budget budgeted $500,000 to assist the health center and $100,000 has been transferred over to the health center checking account.
Supervisor Garretson received a termination letter from Carson Power Solar Company.
Andy Minnig spoke on behalf of himself and his neighbors regarding a letter of formal complaint against Rescue Soldiers Rescue dogs alleged animal rescue service of East Hill. The letter uses the Land Use Law as its argument for the quality of life and property values in Cherry Valley. Each board member has received a copy of the formal complaint from Trainor Pezzulo & DeSanto. Supervisor Garretson will forward the formal complaint to Neil McManus code enforcement officer.
Village:
• Town and Village Board Minutes and info- www.cherryvalleyny.us
Planning:
• Frank McGrath is present at the Town Board meeting. There is nothing new to report.
Highway Department:
• Highway Superintendent Field asked if Supervisor Garretson heard anything from Bridge NY. Supervisor Garretson stated last February the Town had to take out a bond for the bridge for $387,000. Bridge NY said the Town will have revenue coming back in 95% of that money will help pay for the bond. Bridge NY spent $20,000 over the last 12 months. The Town had to pay the bond off. When we need the money, we can re-bond. It is going to be a long process.
• Highway Superintendent Field state so far everything is going well the guys are working hard. The guys have had to put a lot of overtime in this winter. Supervisor Garretson stated the State is going to implement overtime limits to Tier 5 and Tier 6. Emergency employees maybe exempt. The employee can be given the option to use OT as comp time or be paid for the OT.
Question from the public:
Michael Stalter announced he is running for the office of Sheriff for Otsego County. Michael gave a brief introduction about who he is, where he is from and he will always be available for open communication. He is on Facebook as Stalter for Sheriff
Alice Hurwitz inquired how does are judicial system work at the Town level? Town justice hears traffic violations, small claims and minor criminal cases.
There being no further business a motion to adjourn is made by Councilperson VanDerwerker 2nd by Councilperson Johnson
Meeting is adjourned at 7:43PM
Next Town Board meeting and will be Thursday, March 12, 2026, at 7:00PM
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Beth Flint, Town Clerk
Town Board meeting was recorded
Sunday, February 22, 2026
DRAFT ONLY TB MEETING FEBRUARY 12, 2026
Tuesday, January 20, 2026
DRAFT ONLY TB MEETING JANUARY 08, 2026
DRAFT ONLY TB MEETING JANUARY 08, 2026
The regular meeting of the Town Board of Cherry Valley was held on Thursday January 08, 2026 with meeting called to order at 7:04PM 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-Resignation received effective immediately
Motion made by Supervisor Garretson to accept resignation 2nd by Councilperson Cornwell
Highway Superintendent Marty Field-Excused
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
128 Novitas Solutions Inc $26,302pd
129 Laurie Spencer $220.70pd
130 Quill Corporation $95.03pd
131 RL Parsons Inc $1,024.21pd
132 Spectrotel $432.36pd
133 Leona Johnson $125.00pd
134 Ricoh USA Inc $77.86pd
135 Public Goods Pool $3,320.00pd
136 Ricoh USA Inc $23.27pd
137 National Association of Rural Health Clinics $500.00pd
138 Quill Corporation $345.48pd
139 Bassett Healthcare $74.358.02pd
GENERAL FUND
226 State Comptroller $603.00pd
227 Grant and Lyons LLP $1,080.00pd
228 Otsego Computer Experts $95.00pd
229 RL Parsons Inc $2,261.43pd
230 Hometown Hauling $43.25pd
231 The Daily Star $285.54pd
232 Spectrotel $268.59pd
233 Cintas Corporation #121 $417.58pd
234 Tri-County Communications Inc $179.10pd
235 Charter Communications $374.95pd
236 Fargo Overland Protective Service $240.00pd
237 CivicPlus $4,616.50
238 Highstreet Gates Cole $200.00pd
239 Constellation Newenergy Inc $7.26pd
240 Excellus BC/BS $437.90pd
241 Allen Tunnel Tax Service $1,200pd
242 Hummels Office Plus $154.26pd
243 United Healthcare $9.54pd
244 Philadelphia Insurance Company $759.00pd
245 Mary Beth Flint-Petty Cash Tax Collector $500.00
Highway Vouchers:
Item 1 (None)
Item 3 (927-935)
Item 4 (241-244)
Councilperson VanDerwerker made a motion to accept the invoices and payments as presented; Councilperson Cornwell seconded the motion. The invoices and payments have been presented and accepted. All in favor-4 ayes 0 nays
Presentation of Invoices and Payments:
· Budget reviewed as well as NBT Account balances
· Otsego County sales tax for the month of NOV $8,816.25
Community Center Alden Field and Park:
· Schedule is full with Rentals and Biddy Basketball practices and games
· There was a small leak on the gym floor from ice backup on the roof. Supervisor Garretson spoke to Ed Leslie who fixes the roof when events happen.
· Don Brigham is fixing the gutter along the ramp so we can keep the ramp open safely
· AED has been mounted on the wall
Health Center:
· December Expense $113,242/Revenue $60,375 Supervisor Garretson stated the reason for expenses being so high was $27,000 was Medicare payback, which we will be getting back when Medicare pays the health center back. Revenue versus expense for the year was $300,000 more than revenue this wasn’t bad since we put in $800,000 into the budget.
Village:
· Town and Village Board Minutes and info- www.cherryvalleyny.us
Planning:
· Neil McManus has agreed to help us as needed. Backup will be Henry Miller
· Councilperson Cornwell met with Nan and she is working up a scope of work price
Resolution 2026-1 Annual Organizational Meeting
Proposed Action: Presentation of the Annual Organizational Meeting of the Town of Cherry Valley
Whereas, by state law an annual organizational meeting should be held as soon as possible after the new year begins, or as part of the first monthly board meeting of the new year, and
Now, therefore be it resolved, The Annual Organizational Meeting of the Town of Cherry Valley has been conducted, and the information will be available to the public online and upon request of the town clerk.
Annual Organizational Meeting of the Cherry Valley Town Board
January 2026
The Cherry Valley Town Board Meetings will be held on the 2nd Thursday of the month and will be called to order at 7 pm.
If the Town Board is unable to meet on the 2nd Thursday of the month, they will meet on the 3rd Thursday of the month.
Town Board members will begin review of the invoices and payments no later then 6:30 pm on the night of the town board meeting.
96 hours prior notice will be allowed to the Supervisor for consideration of a topic or presentation to appear on the monthly Town Board meeting agenda.
The Rules of Procedure for the monthly Town Board meeting are as follows:
Call to Order
Pledge to the Flag – (all are requested to stand if able)
Roll Call of Officers
- Minutes of the last Monthly Meeting - on file with the Town Clerk
- Presentation of Monthly Invoices and Payments
- Monthly Budget Review and NBT Account Balance Review
- Misc. Information to the Town Clerk
- Community Center / Alden Fields and Park
- Misc. Information and Updates
- Health Center
- Town Facilities
- Community Facilities Corp / Old School
- Village
- Town Planning
- Highway Department
- Federal / State / County
Public Questions, Comments, and Concerns….….2-minute limit per request
Adjourn
Contact information for the Town Supervisor is as follows:
Tom Garretson - Supervisor - Town of Cherry Valley
356 Mill Road - Cherry Valley - NY - 13320
cvsupervisorgarretson@yahoo.com
Phone: 607-349-3518
The Town Supervisor will serve as the Town Budget / Financial Officer.
The Budget Officer is authorized to pay employees, insurance, utility, communication and any other due invoices prior to the review and approval of the town board.
The Budget Officer will provide all paid invoices with attached check stubs for monthly town board audit review and approval.
The Budget Officer will provide proof of any voided, damaged or destroyed check.
The Town Clerk will stamp all Resolutions, Local Laws, and Payment Acceptance Agreements with the Official Town of Cherry Valley Stamp.
One copy of each stamped document will be provided to the Town Supervisor.
Appointed and elected paid positions that are vacant will be advertised in the official town newspaper with a request of letters of interest sent to:
Thomas Garretson - Town Supervisor - 356 Mill Road - Cherry Valley – 13320
The following positions have been appointed, reappointed and /or reemployed for 2026
Town Health Officer Elletta Horth $200
Registrar of Vital Statistics Mary Beth Flint
Deputy Town Clerk Kevin Flint
Youth Program Coordinator Deb Whiteman $1,000
Deputy Supervisor Amy Garretson
Swim Program Director per hour $25.00
Town Attorney Will Green $6,500
Town Assessor Kassandra Cade - Laymon $10,000
Dog Control Officer Jarid Johnson $3,500
Town Historian Susan Miller $370
Community Center Director Mary Beth Flint $4,500
Community Center Custodian Kevin Flint $4,500
Court Clerk Nicole Vanderwerker $5,500
Full-time Town Employees per hour $26.50
Full-time Town Overtime per hour $39.75
Part Time Employees per hour $25.00
Swim Instructors per day $45.00
The following are elected paid positions for 2026
Town Supervisor / Budget Officer Tom Garretson $17,000
Town Clerk / Tax Collector Mary Beth Flint $17,600
Town Councilperson Jim Johnson $3,000
Town Councilperson Mark Cornwell $3,000
Town Councilperson Ed Vanderwerker $3,000
Town Councilperson $3,000
Town Superintendent of Highway Martin Field $60,000
Town Justice Chris Barown $15,000
The following institutions and organizations will receive monetary contributions in 2026
Cherry Valley American Legion – Post 1360 $560
Cherry Valley Library $0
Cherry Valley Museum $10,300
Cherry Valley Firemen’s Auxiliary $150
Cherry Valley Fish and Game Club $300
Cherry Valley Fire Department – Company No. 1 $300
Cherry Valley Facilities Corporation – Town Clerk Office Rent $3,600
Cherry Valley Artworks $2,050
Salt and Sand Shed / Recyclables Transfer Station land lease $3,000
The Official Town Newspaper will be The Daily Star.
The Official Town Bank will be the Cherry Valley branch of NBT
Town business travel reimbursement will be $0.75 per mile
A Petty Cash fund in the amount of $200 is granted to the Town Clerk.
A Petty Cash fund in the amount of $500 is granted to the Town Tax Collector
A Petty Cash fund in the amount of $200 is granted to the Superintendent of Highways
The Superintendent of Highways is authorized to purchase equipment and replacement parts prior to the review and approval of the town board, not to exceed $5,000
The Superintendent of Highways will provide the Supervisor with overtime hours per highway employee no later than 4pm on Wednesday of the payroll week.
The Town Supervisor will provide the Community Center Director with monthly updates of revenue and expense.
The Cherry Valley Community Center Director will be responsible for organizing and conducting an annual meeting with all parties involved with the use and maintenance of the Community Center and Alden Fields.
The Town Supervisor will serve as the Financial Officer of the Cherry Valley Health Center.
The Town Supervisor will provide the Cherry Valley Health Center Operational Oversight Board with monthly updates of revenue and expense.
The Board of Assessment Review will consist of the following paid individuals
Brian Haig $250
Edward Harvey $250
Kim Thompson $250
The Town Planning Board will consist of the following non paid individuals
Frank McGrath
Ellen LaSalle
Dave Cornelia
Alice Hurwotiz
The 2026 fringe benefit package for full time town employees is as follows
2 weeks vacation for 1 to 10 years of service
3 weeks vacation for 10 to 20 years of service
4 weeks vacation for 20 or more years of service
12 holidays - can be used on a floating basis – no carry over
120 hours of paid time off – these hours can be used for sickness, personal, and bereavement – carry over is limited to 1440 hours
Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance coverage is available to full time employees - full 100% town paid health insurance is no longer provided – the town will provide $1,000. per month to the expense of each full-time employee that choses to take the town provided medical, dental, and vision insurance.
Medical, dental and vision insurance is not available to employees that chose the op-out program. (details below)
An op-out insurance program is available to full time employees - proof of other health insurance coverage is required – the annual op-out payment is $12,000.
Cintas work clothes provided daily to the highway department employees
Sick days that have been carried over, will not be paid to the employee when the employee retires. However, the employee can contact NYS Retirement and may be able to use those accumulated sick days toward their retirement plan.
Motion made by Councilperson Johnson to accept Resolution 2026-1 2nd by Councilperson VanDerwerker.
Roll call vote is taken Supervisor Garretson-yes, Councilperson Johnson-yes, Councilperson VanDerwerker-yes and Councilperson Cornwell-yes
4-Aye 0-nay Resolution 2026-1 is duly carried.
Resolution 2026-2 of the Cherry Valley Town Board
Proposed Action: Combine the positions of Tax Collector and Town Clerk
Whereas, Town Law 7-3 states that the position of Tax Collector can be combined with the Town Clerk, and
Now, therefore be it resolved, the former position of Tax Collector is abolished, and the Town Clerk will be the collector of taxes
Motion made by Councilperson Cornwell to accept Resolution 2026-2 2nd by Councilperson Johnson
Roll call vote is taken Supervisor Garretson-yes, Councilperson Johnson-yes, Councilperson VanDerwerker-yes and Councilperson Cornwell-yes
4-Aye 0-nay Resolution 2026-2 duly carried
Resolution 2026-3 of the Cherry Valley Town Board
Proposed Action: Award the bid to NBT to finance the 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 awards the bid to NBT and they will bond $300,00 for 5 years at 3.95%
Motion to accept Resolution 2026-3 is made by Councilperson VanDerwerker 2nd by Councilperson Cornwell
Roll call vote is taken Supervisor Garretson-yes, Councilperson Johnson-yes, Councilperson VanDerwerker-yes and Councilperson Cornwell-yes
4-Aye 0-nay Resolution 2026-3 duly carried
Question from the public:
Andy Minnig asked if Mr. McManus will bear the title of Code Enforcement Officer? Supervisor Garretson answered Mr. McManus will not have a title he will be paid on a per hour basis as needed. Same for Mr. Miller
Question asked where the budget can be viewed. Currently the budget can be requested from the Town Clerk and there may be a few copies left at the bank.
Phil Durkin complimented Highway Superintendent Field with a job well done on the roads. Andy Minnig 2nd Phils recommendation. Supervisor Garretson stated HSF stated salt will be hard to come by due to the shortage.
There being no further business a motion to adjourn is made by Councilperson Cornwell 2nd by Councilperson VanDerwerker
Meeting is adjourned at 7:30PM
Next Town Board meeting and will be Thursday, February 12, 2026 at 7:00PM
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Beth Flint, Town Clerk
Town Board meeting was recorded