Vestal board approves $142,000 sewer repair transfer, accepts grants and confirms summer hires and appointments

The Vestal Town Board on Wednesday approved a package of resolutions that included a $142,000 budget transfer to cover an emergency sewer repair, multiple grant and sponsorship acceptances, summer-staff hires and appointments to town commissions.

The biggest single action was Resolution 16.1, which authorized a $142,000 transfer from the sewer fund balance (S8120-2060) to pay Vacry Construction Corporation for emergency repairs on Vestal Parkway tied to a declared state of emergency issued May 20, 2026. The motion was moved and carried by voice vote.

The board also approved several smaller finance and personnel items by voice vote: tuition reimbursement of $750 for Officer Taber for spring 2026 at American Military University (Resolution 9.1); acceptance of $11,500 from the Broome County District Attorney’s Office for increased officer presence (Resolution 9.2); acceptance of $675 in investigative funds from the Binghamton Police Department (Resolution 9.3); and a transfer of $14,586.43 in insurance proceeds to patrol vehicle repair accounts (Resolution 9.4).

Other actions included approving a $22,000 community improvement grant for a rail-trail safety initiative to boost officer presence (Resolution 9.5), and authorizing up to $1,500 to pay Johnson City Police Department officers for temporary security at Vestal Town Corps events (Resolution 9.6).

On recreation and community events, the board accepted a $5,000 retrospective title sponsorship from Key Bank for the Vestal Festival (Resolution 13.1), a $1,500 grant from US Eastern Incorporated for tennis lessons (Resolution 13.2), and approved use of the library lot for a summer reading block party on Aug. 14 (Resolution 13.3). The board also approved Friends of the Vestal Carousel bottle-drive use of 320 Vestal Parkway East (Resolution 136) and allowed the organization to host informational tables on multiple dates with museum director permission (Resolution 137, amended).

Personnel resolutions included authorization to hire numerous seasonal lifeguards, camp instructors and coaches with listed start dates and pay rates (Resolution 10.1). During the meeting the board amended the summer hires list to remove one coach and add Tadessa Dorenzo for co-ed basketball at a $300 stipend and acknowledged cheerleading instructor Addison Parks; the amendment was approved.

Appointments and commission business: the board appointed Nina Versace to the Historic Preservation Commission through Dec. 31, 2029 (Resolution 13.4) and approved an amended extension of Margaret Hadel’s appointment through Dec. 31, 2028 (Resolution 13.5).

Legal/administrative: the board authorized payment to town attorney Dan Reynolds for 34.3 billable hours (Oct. 23, 2025–June 22, 2026) at $200/hour totaling $6,860 for services related to New York Supreme Court case EFCA 2020 5003316 (Resolution 16.2).

The meeting concluded with public comments and a motion to enter executive session to discuss personnel matters; the board recessed for a short break before the executive session.

Votes at a glance (selected): - Minutes (June 10, 2026): approved (voice vote). - Resolution 8.1 (dogs in Stair and Fuller Hollow Parks pilot): approved (voice vote). - Resolution 9.1 (Officer Taber tuition reimbursement, $750): approved (voice vote). - Resolution 9.2 (accept $11,500 Broome County DA grant): approved (voice vote). - Resolution 9.3 (accept $675 Binghamton PD investigative funds): approved (voice vote). - Resolution 9.4 (transfer $14,586.43 for patrol vehicle repairs): approved (voice vote). - Resolution 9.5 (accept $22,000 rail-trail safety grant): approved (voice vote). - Resolution 9.6 (up to $1,500 for temporary security services): approved (voice vote). - Resolution 10.1 (hire summer staff): approved; subsequent amendment to hires approved. - Resolution 11.2 (advertise Local Law C public hearing): tabled until county review timing confirmed. - Resolution 16.1 (budget transfer $142,000 for emergency sewer repair): approved (voice vote). - Resolution 16.2 (pay attorney Dan Reynolds $6,860): approved (voice vote).

What to watch next: the planning-board calendar for any land-use applications referenced during public comment, and any follow-up from staff regarding the emergency sewer repair contract and project closeout.

At the end of the meeting the board recessed for a short break and moved into executive session to discuss personnel issues.