Summit Welcomes New Board - Board Backs Letter Against Constitution Pipeline

By Karen Cuccinello

A new year began with a few new board members, pledge to the flag and a short prayer by new Supervisor Roger Gural. New Councilpersons are Mark Hearon and David Knight; and Town Clerk Kattie Mahr.

The January 8th organizational meeting minutes were approved.

Clerk Mahr gave an update on the amount of tax monies collected so far.

Allison Wilson was appointed as a clerical worker and a new line item was created, not to exceed $500, for this position. Jason Andra was appointed deputy clerk.

Highway Superintendent Jim Dibble asked to be authorized to view the town hall's security cameras remotely; approved and stated that the sander was installed on the pick-up truck. Councilperson Kearney thanked Jim for working with the highway crew in light of being shorthanded.

Assessor Mike Yorke reported he is lining up his trainings and the senior and agricultural letters have gone out. His office hours are Tuesdays 8:30-11:30am and he is available Thursdays when out on the road. Contact 518-287-1100 for inquiries.

No DCO or Youth reports.

Historian Karen Cuccinello reported her 2026 More Summit Farms Etc. has been published but getting a sample copy first before ordering 200 books for the public with contractual town monies (FYI the books cost about $3.25 per book). Working on the 2027 book about Civil War Veterans with Connections to Summit. Sent in an article on the Mobley Camp, of Charlotteville, for the Maple Festival booklet and sent in the NYS Historians Report. Mentioned paying for drone photos of Summit and Charlotteville for the cover of the 2027 book.

Code Enforcement Officer Jesse Wilcox reported he is keeping up with open building permits and trainings, and recently received information about a Schoharie County program that offers replacement of mobile homes; he will look into this further.

Supervisor Gural mentioned that Carol Lavallee was in the audience as a representative of the Times Journal newspaper.

Supervisor Gural read a letter from Planning Board Chair John Meaney asking the Board to re-appoint Paul Turner to the planning board; approved.

Board of Appeals Chair, John Foote mentioned they are still in need of an alternate member. He and the other board members Wayne Stinson Jr. and Chuck Melszer have met their training requirements. Foote asked about putting in for mileage when they need to travel to a training. Supervisor Gural said just submit a voucher for the current mileage rate of 72.5 cents per mile.

Supervisor Gural mentioned receiving a letter from the Schoharie Health Department saying they approved of the repairs to the electrical issues.

Supervisor Gural reviewed information about a Hazard Mitigation Plan that is in cooperation with the Schoharie County Multi Mitigation plan. In order to be eligible for FEMA Grants, in the case of a disaster, the town should adopt this plan. Gural recused himself from voting due to his employment; the plan was adopted.

Before paying the bills Gural questioned a Crime Insurance bill since the last time it was paid was 2022. Councilperson VanValkenburgh believes that insurance is paid every three years; Gural will look into it.

The Summit Cemetery Association sent a thank you letter for the monies from the town.

Floor open to the public.

Wayne Stinson Sr. said that the Constitution Pipeline has submitted a petition to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to re-issue their 2014 Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity, hoping to lay a pipeline through Summit as they had looked into years ago. Stinson believes the pipeline is detrimental to Summit in assorted ways and mentioned pipelines have blown up in different parts of the country in the past. He asked if the board would send a letter of disapproval to FERC, noting that it has to be sent in by January 29th. Gural was approved to send a letter in opposition to the pipeline and will mention it at the Schoharie County board meeting too.

Jen Stinson, of Summit Neighbors, offered well wishes to the new board and mentioned that they brought cookies to share as a welcome gesture.

Revitalization Committee Chair Georgia VanValkenburgh read a review, composed by John Foote, of the committee's activities during 2025. They have been meeting monthly working on the Unsafe Building Law (that was adopted), Site Plan Review Regulations and reviewing the current Land Use Law including Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU’s). The next meeting is February 19 before the Town Board meeting.

Supervisor Gural asked the Board if they were able to audit/review the books yet. Councilperson Kearney asked for more time to review which is fine until the February 19th meeting.

Town clerk office hours: Monday and Wednesday 12-3pm, Thursday 12-3pm and 3rd Thursday 4:30-6:30pm and Saturdays through January 8-10am then 1st Saturday of the month February on 8-10am. For information or to make an appointment contact Clerk Mahr at 518-287-1430 or summitclerk@midtel.net.