Hornellsville Town Board approves routine financial plans, directs code enforcement probe of Gottschall property

The Hornellsville Town Board met March 10, 2026, at Hornellsville Town Hall and approved a series of routine financial and administrative measures while directing an investigation into an alleged junk and refuse violation at a property known as Gottschall’s.

Supervisor Dan Broughton opened the meeting at 6:00 p.m.; all five board members were present. The board unanimously approved the minutes from its Feb. 10 meeting and the audit of claims on Abstract 3, authorizing payment of vouchers 55–89 totaling $127,465.05 across multiple funds.

On a 5–0 vote, the board adopted Resolution 53-2026 directing the Code Enforcement Officer to investigate Gottschall’s on the Avenue of Oaks for potential violations of the town’s local laws on rubbish, refuse, and junk, to issue a Notice to Remedy if a violation is confirmed, and to pursue enforcement consistent with applicable law.

The board also approved the annual Highway Law §284 agreement for 2026 and a five-year intermunicipal agreement with Steuben County for hauling and transporting equipment (effective Feb. 2, 2026–Feb. 2, 2031). Both measures passed unanimously and authorize the Highway Superintendent to execute the respective agreements.

A license agreement permitting the placement of clean fill on property owned by Kevin Johnson and Fred C. Johnson & Son, Inc. was approved, with authorization for the Highway Superintendent to execute the agreement.

Financial oversight steps were a central focus: the Supervisor’s Report for February 2026 showed a beginning balance of $2,803,955.36, net changes that left an ending balance of $2,962,434.02. The board approved a finalized fund balance report and a surplus allocation plan outlining options such as reducing next year’s taxes, moving funds to reserves, or making one-time purchases. The board also adopted a baseline five-year financial and capital projection plan to guide future budgeting and review.

The board approved Audit No. 2025M102 from the New York State Office of the Comptroller and accepted its corrective action plan, instructing the Supervisor to proceed with implementation and submit the approved report to the State Comptroller.

Two administrative proposals were reviewed but not acted upon: a proposal to authorize payroll assistance services with BBS Accounting, LLC and a proposal to engage bond counsel with Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe were both tabled for further review.

The board rescinded the portion of a prior resolution reappointing Stacia Schieder to the Board of Assessment Review after determining she is not a Hornellsville resident and therefore ineligible under Real Property Tax Law §523; the compensation provision for BAR members remained in effect. Finally, the board authorized the Town Clerk to submit an application for the New York State Local Government Records Management Improvement Fund (LGRMIF) to support records-management improvements.

With no further business, the board adjourned at 7:17 p.m.