DRAFT ONLY TB MEETING FEBRUARY 12, 2026

 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