TOWN OF FORESTPORT
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
Tentative Budget and Woodgate School Property
WOODGATE COMMUNITY HALL
1200 Bear Creek Road, Woodgate, NY 13494
September 24, 2024 @ 6:30PM
PRESENT: Supervisor Entwistle
Councilman Addison
Councilman Scouten
Councilwoman Abrial
Councilwoman Verschneider
ABSENT: No members of the Town Board were absent.
RECORDING SECRETARY: Tracy Terry, Town Clerk
CALL TO ORDER:
The meeting was called to order at 6:30PM pm by Supervisor Entwistle. Supervisor Entwistle read the legal notice aloud.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Town Board of the Town of Forestport will be holding a special Meeting to accept the Tentative Budget with a Public meeting following regarding the Woodgate school property on September 24th at 6:30PM at the Woodgate Community Hall, 1200 Bear Creek Road. The purpose of the public meeting is to get public input in regard to what the taxpayers would like to see done with the property.
BOARD COMMENTS:
The Supervisor stated the Tentative Budget has been given to the Town Clerk. The Workshop meetings are being held Monday, September 30th and Tuesday, October 1st at the Forestport Town Hall at 6:30P.M. The budget for 2025 has been started and if there are a couple public meetings, the board can get the publics input.
The Woodgate School belongs to the town. Seven years ago, it was used for Summer Recreation and since then, it hasn’t been utilized. One issue is there is no way to make the building ADA compliant. The playground equipment gets used and was installed in the mid 1990’s. Councilman Scouten suggested taking the building down and putting a pavilion in with grills. Councilwoman Abrial suggested trashcans. In the budget there is money for a pickleball court. If the budget passes with the money in there, could they put it in the Woodgate property that is more centralized. The other
option is to sell the property. Laurie Fessler, from the gallery stated this property is more centrally located for those who live in Otter Lake and White Lake. The Town Hall is in Forestport. The town does not have any property in Otter Lake. The board has passed a resolution deeding forever water rights to the Community Hall. The community Hall now has its own pump and electric. The Community Hall is handicapped accessible, and they are always looking for people to use it. Basic insulation, interior walls, siding, septic, drainage, plumbing and bathroom fixtures would be approximately half a million dollars. Since it is not ADA compliant, you can’t conduct a meeting or have the public use it. The Community Hall is owned by the library. The Presbyterian Church built the Community Hall for the Community. If they put a pickleball court or a pavilion next door, people could use the Community Hall. Supervisor Entwistle stated there could be a backup plan if the pavilion is rented and it rains. Is there enough room for a pickleball court and a pavilion? It was answered, yes. The septic is viable, you could have a public bathroom setup. Councilwoman Verschneider stated some of the women that play pickleball are construction workers and volunteered their services. Bob Whitehead, from the Gallery asked if there are community grants available. Supervisor Entwistle stated there are and he is having Jen, the Grant Writer look into them.
Supervisor Entwistle will be getting a quote for a demolition of the Woodgate School as well as someone to investigate the septic. He will also get an appraisal from Benn Realty. Kathy Whitehead, from the gallery suggested looking at a special needs/sensory playground. Supervisor Entwistle stated if they decide to sell there has been discussion that the Woodgate school cannot be sold. He has looked at the deed and the school board minutes and there is nothing stating that.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
ADJOURNMENT:
A motion was made by Councilman Scouten and seconded by Councilwoman Abrial to adjourn the meeting.
5 ayes/ 0 nays/0 absent MOTION CARRIED
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:55 PM by Supervisor Entwistle.
Respectfully submitted,
Tracy M. Terry
Forestport Town Clerk