Davenport Gets New Attorney, Deputy Highway Gets Raise, Appointments Made

DAVENPORT - Davenport Town Council members met the newly appointed Town Attorney Jacob Sackett at the regular meeting on Monday, Jan. 15. Sackett will develop a contract for town officials to sign which will include rate of pay. The rate of pay was undecided during the meeting however, unofficial meeting minutes state it could be around $205 an hour. 

The Deputy Highway Superintendent Mark Utter's allocation was increased by $1,300 for a total of $2,500 annually. Funds were taken from the additional flagman budget line, which Highway Superintendent Fred Utter said is never used. The Memorandum of Understanding between the town and the highway department was amended due to the deputy's increase.

Sandy Whittaker's duties as town bookkeeper were increased. She is now permitted to move money in town accounts as designated by the town council. 

The town planning advisory service contract was renewed for $3,500 annually. The contract permits the county to send an attorney to the planning board meetings to assist the board with any concerns.

The town had previously sold a property to Habitat for Humanity which was gifted back to the town. Supervisor Timothy "Tim" Kelso said the roughly one-acre property is located on Davenport's main street without any dwelling on it currently. Habitat for Humanity had planned to build a home on the property but is no longer able to do so. Once the town attorney writes up the paperwork for the property, Kelso said it will be sold and put back on the tax rolls.

Other re-appointments made at the organizational meeting on January 2 include Town Historian Jayne Schwiekert, Code Enforcement Officer Tomi Tompkins, Chairperson to the Planning Board Joe Dianich, Dog, Control Officer Chad Winne, Health Officer James Cooros, Deputy, Highway Superintendent Mark Utter, Deputy Supervisor Jacklynn Losie. Official Depositories are NBT Bank and Delaware National Bank of Delhi. Official Publications are The Mountain Eagle and Daily Star. 

Meetings will take place on the third Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled Tuesday, Feb. 20.