TOWN OF FORESTPORT
PUBLIC HEARINGS/REGULAR
TOWN BOARD MEETING MINUTES
FORESTPORT TOWN HALL
10275 State Rte. 28, Forestport, N.Y. 13338
April 17, 2024 @6:10PM

PRESENT: Supervisor Entwistle
Councilman Addison
Councilwoman Abrial
Councilwoman Verschneider
ABSENT: Councilman Scouten

RECORDING SECRETARY: Tracy Terry, Town Clerk

CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 6:10PM by Supervisor Entwistle. The pledge was recited.

PUBLIC HEARINGS:
1. “Old Forestport Days”
Legal Notice: NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Town Board of the Town of Forestport will be holding a Public Hearing on April 17, 2024, at 6:10PM at the Forestport Town Hall, 10275 State Rt. 28, Forestport, NY. The Public Hearing is being held to review and accept public comments regarding the closure of River Street on August 24, 2024, from 9am-8pm, for “Old Forestport Days”.
Dated: March 21, 2024
Run: WEEK of April 3, 2024
Public Comments:
Closing of Public Hearing: A motion was made by Councilwoman Abrial and seconded by Councilwoman Verschneider to close the Public Hearing
4 ayes/ 0 nays/ 1 absent MOTION CARRIED

2. “Lightning at White Lake Inn Block Party”
Legal Notice: NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Town Board of the Town of Forestport will be holding a Public Hearing on April 17, 2024, at 6:20PM at the Forestport Town Hall, 10275 State Rt. 28, Forestport, NY. The Public Hearing is being held to review and accept public comments regarding the closure of Maple Road from Route 28 to the end of White Lake Inn property from 9AM June 1, 2024- 2AM June 2, 2024, for “Lightning at White Lake Block Party”.
Dated: March 21, 2024
Run: WEEK of April 3, 2024
Public Comments:
Closing of Public Hearing: A motion was made by Councilman Addison and seconded by Councilwoman Abrial to adjourn the meeting.
4 ayes/ 0 nays/ 1 absent MOTION CARRIED

ABSTRACTS:
GENERAL:
A motion was made by Councilwoman Verschneider and seconded by Councilwoman Abrial to pay Abstract #4, Vouchers #164- #231 in the amount of $38,964.21.
4 ayes/ 0 nays/ 1 absent MOTION CARRIED
HIGHWAY:
A motion was made by Councilman Addison and seconded by Councilwoman Abrial to pay Abstract #4, Vouchers #84- #113 in the amount of $11,328.19
4 ayes/ 0 nays/1 absent MOTION CARRIED
WATER DISTRICT #1:
A motion was made by Councilwoman Abrial and seconded by Councilwoman Verschneider to pay Abstract #4, Vouchers #43- #53 in the amount of $1,268.58.
4 ayes/ 0 nays/ 1 absent MOTION CARRIED
BUCKHORN WATER DISTRICT #2:
A motion was made by Councilman Addison and seconded by Councilwoman Abrial to pay Abstract #4, Vouchers #16- #18 in the amount of $497.53.
4 ayes/ 0 nays/ 1 absent MOTION CARRIED
SEWER DISTRICT #1:
A motion was made by Councilwoman Abrial and seconded by Councilman Addison to pay Abstract #4, Vouchers #25- #32 in the amount of $1,327.47.
4 ayes/ 0 nays/ 1 absent MOTION CARRIED

TOWN CLERK MINUTES:
A motion was made by Councilwoman Abrial and seconded by Councilwoman Verschneider to accept the minutes from the:
March 20, 2024 – Regular Town Board Meeting
4 ayes/ 0 nays/ 1 absent MOTION CARRIED

REPORTS
WATER DISTRICT #1
WATER DISTRICT #2
SEWER
TOWN CLERK REPORTS
JUSTICE REPORT
DOG REPORT
PLANNING REPORT
SUPERVISOR REPORT
PLANNING BOARD OF APPEALS
A motion was made by Councilman Addison and seconded by Councilwoman Abrial to accept the monthly reports.
4 ayes/ 0 nays/ 1 absent MOTION CARRIED
NOCCOG: Joe Rowlands, of NOCCOG went over the monthly announcements.
WATER:
• WWIP: Jen Hartsig, the Grant writer is in the process of touching base with the engineer to see if they can get started.
OLD BUSINESS BOARD:
• Pickleball Court: Supervisor Entwistle received a quote of $19,500 for a 30 x 60 paved pickleball court. There is $5,000 set aside for this. The board is going to wait until next Spring to budget for this, asking for the same price. Supervisor Entwistle stated this is a transition year and there are a lot of unexpected expenses this year.
• Phones: Councilman Addison stated this is ready to go. They are waiting for the infrastructure to be completed with Total Solutions, the IT Company. Supervisor Entwistle gave a shout out to Councilman Addison for all his help with this as a lot of time went into it.
• Fuelmaster System: An updated database was sent to Syntec. They have gone through all the users and removed the ones who are no longer active and activated all the new members. Supervisor Entwistle thanked the Fire Departments for supplying the town with an updated list of active members.
• Comprehensive Plan Update: The Open House was held last night with the Committee and representatives from LaBella and Associates. Supervisor Entwistle thought everyone did an excellent job. Supervisor Entwistle asked people to complete the survey. There is a pizza party for seniors Tuesday at 11am to discuss senior trips and to have hard copies of the Comprehensive Plan.
• Summer Recreation: There are 15 kids signed up. It is going to be held Tuesday-Thursday 9am-12pm. Councilwoman Verschneider suggested having the Summer Recreation program in the Old Library as it is a bigger room and there is a bathroom across the hall.
• Camp Nazareth: This is closed with 25 kids signed up.
• Dog Park: Supervisor Entwistle is getting quotes for a fence, and he measured Old Forge’s dog park. Councilwoman Verschneider suggested having it at Scouten Field.
• Woodhull Vacant Lot: The Pocket Park has picnic tables, a couple garbage bins, and the grass will be planted next year. MaryBeth Reising, from the Gallery suggested the board ask the garden club to plant there. Councilwoman Verschneider stated the Genealogy group planted garlic today and they offered to plant flowers in the front of the Town Hall. Supervisor Entwistle stated there are planters near the trail, anyone from the community is welcome to plant. Laurie Fessler, from the Gallery stated it would be nice to bring back the community garden and instruct the children. Supervisor Entwistle stated there was talk of giving it another shot along with eventually having a farmer’s market out front. Councilwoman Verschneider asked if the town would charge and it was answered yes.
• White Lake Inn
A motion was made by Councilman Addison and seconded by Councilwoman Abrial to approve the closure for the “Lightning at White Lake Inn block party”
4 ayes/ 0 nays/ 1 absent MOTION CARRIED
• Old Forestport Days
A motion was made by Councilwoman Abrial and seconded by Councilman Addison to approve the closure for “Old Forestport Days”
4 ayes/ 0 nays/ 1 absent MOTION CARRIED
• Server Quote: Supervisor Entwistle stated he was under the impression they could have a cloud-based server, but a lot of the department’s programs are not compatible with it. The cost for a new server is going to be $17,500 and there is money in the budget for it.
A motion was made by Councilwoman Verschneider and seconded by Councilman Addison to approve the server quote.
4 ayes/ 0 nays/ 1 absent MOTION CARRIED
NEW BUSINESS BOARD:
• Charles Howard: Charles has resigned from the Highway Barn.
A motion was made by Councilman Addison and seconded by
Councilwoman Verschneider to approve his separation from the town, so it can be sent to the civil service department.
4 ayes/ 0 nays/ 1 absent MOTION CARRIED
• Highway Department- HEO Vacancy: A CDL is required and the individual needs to be able to pass a drug test. Anyone from Oneida County is eligible to apply.
• Boat Wash Station: This has been possible because of the grant. This helps with transferring of invasive species. Councilman Addison will be doing the staffing and the hiring. This grant was accepted in March, and it will be starting by the third week of May. It is going to be in the side parking lot. Pete Webster will supply signage.
 Hot water Installation: This has been hooked up in the kitchen.
 Stewards: it is a pay rate of $20/hour. They will need some non-college aged kids from May- Columbus Day. Councilwoman Verschneider asked when it will be open. Supervisor Entwistle stated Friday-Sunday- it will be open. Councilman Addison is working on the budget right now and is hoping to have it open daily. It will be open in the rain as well. Laurie Fessler, from the Gallery asked if this was all paid for by a grant. Supervisor Entwistle answered stating the initial set up is funded through the grant of $48,600. The hot water installation was almost $10,000 and $2,000-$3,000 for the pressure washer. Supervisor Entwistle suggested asking organizations such as the League Club to help fund this. If the Town can have the decontamination station run properly, the DEC can take it over in a couple of years. Jen Hartsig is looking for some supplementary grants as well. Councilman Addison stated there are a couple of applications from college students, but he is looking for more.
• Local Law- Uniform Code Update: The last time the Uniform Code was updated a year ago. After reviewing it with the NYS Codes Enforcement department there’s a handful of minor things that were not included that need to be included. The review should be ready for the main meeting.
• Dump Day: July 20th 8am-2pm. You just need to bring proof of property ownership. The town is attempting to coordinate with the Forestport Fire Department with their steel drive.
NEW BUSINESS PUBLIC:
• MaryBeth Reising, from the gallery asked about a cleanup day for Earth Day and there is an organization that will give free bags to the community. Supervisor Entwistle stated if someone wants to organize one they can. He stated anyone that picks up garbage on a stretch of road, can use the dumpsters. Someone did one in Woodgate last year.
 She said someone mentioned to her about the town becoming a Purple Heart Veteran. She said the only cost to the town would be the signage which is made by the prisoners. Supervisor Entwistle said that is a great idea and asked her to bring the information on Wednesday.
• Laurie Fessler, from the gallery asked why the town was paying Joe Rowlands to go to training instead of Tony. Supervisor Entwistle stated he is not available for training at the moment and Joe needs to go to keep his license current. Joe stated it was offered through NYSERDA and they offer grants. NYSERDA will not accept training through NYS. Joe said he also went through Remsen and Holland Patent.
 When did the town get a Deputy Supervisor and who ok’d paying them? Supervisor Entwistle said there has always been a Deputy Supervisor and they have always been paid. The difference is they get a small stipend if he cannot attend a meeting or go to the bank. Steve runs multiple programs for over 20 hours a week and he serves at the pleasure of the Supervisor. The board did approve it. Councilman Addison said he is supposed to be working 8 hours and is working 20-25 hours.
• Tyler Terry, from the Gallery asked if the pickleball court was going to have a fence around it like a tennis court. It was answered no.
• Carl Thomas, from the Gallery asked if the town was still sweeping the roads. Supervisor Entwistle said they are making their rounds, and they usually go until the end of May.
• Roy Johnson, from the gallery asked if they were going to get new flags for the Highway barn as they look a little ratty. Supervisor Entwistle stated he will purchase them.
ADJOURNMENT:
A motion was made by Councilwoman Abrial and seconded by Councilwoman Verschneider to adjourn the meeting.
4 ayes/ 0 nays/ 1 absent MOTION CARRIED
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:16 pm by Supervisor Entwistle.
Respectfully submitted,

Tracy M. Terry

Forestport Town Clerk