TOWN OF FORESTPORT
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING MINUTES
WOODGATE FIRE HALL
12445 State Rte. 28, Forestport, N.Y. 13338
August 21, 2024 @6:30PM

PRESENT: Supervisor Entwistle
Councilman Addison
Councilwoman Abrial
Councilman Scouten
Councilwoman Verschneider
ABSENT: No members of the Town Board were absent.

RECORDING SECRETARY: Tracy Terry, Town Clerk

CALL TO ORDER:

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:

ABSTRACTS:
GENERAL:
A motion was made by Councilman Addison and seconded by Councilwoman Abrial to pay Abstract # 8, Vouchers #477- #549 in the amount of $74,633.91.
5 ayes/ 0 nays/0 absent MOTION CARRIED
HIGHWAY:
A motion was made by Councilman Scouten and seconded by Councilwoman Verschneider to pay Abstract #8, Vouchers #201- #234 in the amount of $90,086.19.
5 ayes/ 0 nays/0 absent MOTION CARRIED
WATER DISTRICT #1:
A motion was made by Councilwoman Verschneider and seconded by Councilwoman Abrial to pay Abstract #8, Vouchers #83- #86 in the amount of $422.54.
5 ayes/ 0 nays/0 absent MOTION CARRIED

SEWER DISTRICT #1:
A motion was made by Councilman Addison and seconded by Councilwoman Verschneider to pay Abstract #8, Vouchers #52- #55 in the amount of $4,218.57.
5 ayes/ 0 nays/0 absent MOTION CARRIED

TOWN CLERK MINUTES:
A motion was made by Councilwoman Abrial and seconded by Councilman Scouten to accept the minutes from the:
July 21, 2024: Regular Town Board Meeting
5 ayes/ 0 nays/0 absent MOTION CARRIED

REPORTS
WATER DISTRICT #1
WATER DISTRICT #2
SEWER
TOWN CLERK REPORTS
JUSTICE REPORT
DOG REPORT
PLANNING REPORT
PLANNING BOARD OF APPEALS
SUPERVISOR REPORT
DOG REPORT
A motion was made by Councilman Scouten and seconded by Councilwoman Abrial to accept the monthly reports.
5 ayes/ 0 nays/0 absent MOTION CARRIED
NOCCOG: John Healt, from NOCCOG went over the monthly announcements. Supervisor Entwistle thanked him for all their work with the new maps.

SEWER:
• Update on WWIP: One of the pumps needs work. Supervisor Entwistle reached out to Jack Dodson to see where they are with the project and is waiting on a response.
OLD BUSINESS BOARD:
• Town Road Map
 Presentation of the Official Map: There will be a copy at the Highway Barn, Supervisor’s office and the records room. There is a possibility for it to go on the website. John, from NOCCOG stated he may be able to get it smaller to be placed on the website per Ron Davies request.

 Letter from Bill Gardner: Supervisor Entwistle read the following letter aloud:

 Resolutions: Supervisor Entwistle read the following resolution aloud:

A motion was made by Councilman Scouten and seconded by Councilman Addison to accept the map presented as the official map for the town of Forestport.
5 ayes/ 0 nays/0 absent MOTION CARRIED
Councilwoman Verschneider asked if the Old White Lake Road was on the map, and she thought it should be on the map. She thought the snowmobile club should own the road. Supervisor Entwistle stated he would have to see what the history of it is through Duane or Andy and invited Councilwoman Verschneider to his office to discuss it further.
• Senior recreation Trips
 Raquette Lake: the bus leaves the Town Hall at 9:15 on September 21st.
 Tug Hill Winery: The bus leaves the Town Hall at 9:15 on September 15th.
• Boat wash Update: Kyle Weaver, the Supervisor for the boat wash gave a little update and the importance of the boat wash for the lakes. There have been 29 motorboats, 18 pontoon boats, 16 kayaks/canoes and 8 jet skis that have been to the boat wash station. The hours are M-Thursday 9:45-2:15, Friday 9:45-6:15 and Saturday and Sunday 8:45-5:15. After Labor Day it will be just the weekend. Kyle stated people that have stopped in are expecting the boat wash to be open Thursday-Sunday after Labor Day. Councilman Addisson stated they can look at extending it to Friday by proposing it to the DEC. Councilwoman Verschneider asked what happens after the grant, who is paying for it and it was answered after the three years the DEC could take it over. Ron Davies stated no one is off the water at 2pm. Discussion took place regarding the tablet.
NEW BUSINESS BOARD:
• Sale of Highway Truck: A 2011 Sierra HD with a plow is for sale. They bought the new one and are getting rid of this one. If interested in looking at it, contact Bill Gardner, the Highway Superintendent.
• Bear Creek Road: the spillway that services White Lake outlet is in poor condition. Duane Frymire will be looking at this to see who is responsible. It will continue to deteriorate and may need to be replaced. If it’s in the town’s right away, the town is responsible.
• Woodgate School Property: Decisions need to be made about the property. A public meeting should be held to see what the public would like to do with the property. The amount of money to rehabilitate the property would be substantial. It has not been condemned, not ADA compliant, has a new furnace and needs new siding. MaryAnn Rubyor asked about historical and it was answered it doesn’t fit in that criteria. The parcel is approximately an acre and a half and comes with the caveat that the well on the property is forever deeded to the Community Hall. The school closed in 1977.

• Special meeting to accept Tentative Budget:
A motion was made by Councilman Scouten and seconded by Councilwoman Verschneider to schedule a Special Meeting to accept the Tentative Budget on Tuesday, September 24th at 6:30PM at the Woodgate Community Hall. Following the special Meeting, there will be a Public Meeting for the Woodgate School property.
5 ayes/ 0 nays/0 absent MOTION CARRIED
• Workshops:
A motion was made by Councilman Abrial and seconded by Councilwoman Verschneider to schedule Workshop meetings for September 30th and October 1st at 6:30PM.
5 ayes/ 0 nays/0 absent MOTION CARRIED
• Update on Tax Levy, Tax Rates: Preliminary speaking the tax rate should go down 11 or 12 cents a thousand. The Supervisor will have the Tentative Budget to the Town Clerk by September 30th. The total taxes collected are $658,962.00.
• After-school Art Program:
Councilman Addison had a meeting with Ashley regarding the program and he gave an update to the gallery regarding the program. He stated last year the registration was $25 a child without a definitive start and end date. They are accepting 15 children Kindergarten and up with $100 fee per child. The closest after-school program to this is in Boonville and they charge $40/day per child. He proposed the fee to $100 per child with parents buying supplies and providing snack days during the program..
A motion was made by Councilwoman Abrial and seconded by Councilman Addison to accept Summer Recreation from September 3rd-May 22nd.
4 ayes/ 1 nays- Verschneider/0 absent MOTION CARRIED

• 2nd Annual Forestport EXPO: Supervisor Entwistle stated the Town Clerk did a great job getting all this together by calling different organizations and getting more to attend this year. There will be a Mammogram van this year. The EXPO is taking place on Wednesday, September 25th from 10am-2pm at the Forestport Town Hall.
NEW BUSINESS PUBLIC:
• Gary Staab, Old Forge Ambulance: Gary, the President of Old Forge Ambulance Service gave an update. Their costs have been increasing and are asking for an increase. 17% of their calls year to date are from the Town of Forestport. The breakdown year to date is 13 -Forestport, 13- Woodgate, 2-Otter Lake. Danielle, with Old Forge Ambulance read a letter by NYS. She stated ambulance services are not considered an essential service. A new ambulance with no equipment is upwards of $300,000. This is a global issue. They formed a west Central Adirondack committee and would like to meet with the boards during budget time to look at their expenses.

EXECUTIVE SESSION:
A motion was made by Councilman Addison and seconded by Councilwoman Abrial to adjourn the enter into Executive Session.
5 ayes/ 0 nays/0 absent MOTION CARRIED
The Board returned from Executive Session at 8:02 with no action taken.
ADJOURNMENT:
A motion was made by Councilwoman Abrial and seconded by Councilman Scouten to adjourn the meeting.
5 ayes/ 0 nays/0 absent MOTION CARRIED
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:03 pm by Supervisor Entwistle.
Respectfully submitted,

Tracy M. Terry

Forestport Town Clerk