Summit Receives Clean Annual Audit

SUMMIT — February’s regular February town board meeting opened with the pledge to the flag, short prayer and Supervisor Gural mentioned the meeting was being recorded.

The January minutes were approved after a few minor edits were made.

Town Clerk Katie Mohr reported that monies were received for certified copies, dog licenses, building permits and searches, issued four handicap permits and land tax payments were received totaling $951,283.00. Summit information on the County website has been updated. Mohr asked if she and the deputy clerk are covered under bond insurance; Supervisor Gural will look into it. Also mentioned that the background check for the proposed deputy clerk has been received.

Highway Superintendent Jim Dibble reported that all the fire extinguishers were tested and a few new extinguishers were purchased. The Summit Fire Department reimbursed the town $600 for fuel they have used. The highway department sands and plows 22 ½ miles of county roads that go through Summit, for the county and will be receiving more monies than expected from the county due to the extra amount of sanding.

Supervisor Gural stated that the Annual Financial report is available at the town hall and on the Summit website.

Assessor Mike Yorke reported that exemption renewals were mailed out the first of the year, he will know the equalization rate for 2026 next month, NYS has changed a requirement for the Enhanced Star program and there is a Senior Citizen exemption offered for low income seniors; call Mike for information 518-231-8088.

Dog Control Officer Jilliam Smith's report listed five dog related phone calls that were handled.

Historian Karen Cuccinello reported that 190 of her books “More Summit Old Farms Etc.” were received (printing paid for by the town of Summit) and distributed around Summit and Charlotteville, and available at the town hall, responded to a query about Lutheranville Rd., working on 2027 book Civil War Veterans with Connections to Summit and had a call from Dave Ullman offering to take drone photos of Summit. If you have info. on a Civil War Veteran let Karen know at karenc@midtel.net.

Nothing new to report from the Planning Board or Board of Appeals.

Code Enforcement Officer Jesse Wilcox issued three new building permits, handled two researches and submitted his yearly report for 2025 to NYS.

Supervisor Gural stated the annual audit had no irregularities but would like to make the report easier to understand.

Supervisor Gural thinks that there might be a way to lower the town's Midtel bill; he will contact Midtel. Councilperson VanValkenburgh suggested looking into similar services from Spectrum. The Board will review both.

The Summit Seniors sent a letter thanking the town for the $1,800 that was budgeted to them and reviewed how they utilized the monies for the benefit of their 26 members.

National Grid sent a letter stating that following a review of the town hall/garage’s electricity usage they found it has gone over 2000 kilowatts. If usage continues over 2000 kilowatts the rates will go up. Discussion followed noting that nothing new has changed causing the electric usage to go up. The Board will review the past years bills and look for any major differences.

Bills were reviewed and approved to pay.

Floor open to the public.

Karen Cuccinello asked about the arrival of the new dump truck; no new word but should be coming real soon. Asked if an oath of office was needed for the historian; yes.

Kevin Olsen, who lives on a small farm on a rise along Rte. 10, asked if a sign could be placed where a “horse crossing” sign used to be to help slow traffic down. Supervisor Gural will call NYS DOT about it.

Councilperson Kearny thanked Wayne Stinson for volunteering to be a Summit FD commissioner.

Town business was concluded and the Board went into executive session on a personnel matter at 8pm.

Next town board meeting is March 19 at 7pm.