Town Board Minutes- October 15, 2025

TOWN OF FORESTPORT
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING MINUTES
WOODGATE FIRE HALL
12445 State Route 28, Woodgate, N.Y.
October 15, 2025 @6:30 PM

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

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 # 10 Vouchers #592- #644 in the amount of $90,847.92
4 ayes/ 0 nays/1 absent MOTION CARRIED
HIGHWAY:
A motion was made by Councilwoman Abrial and seconded by Councilman Scouten to pay Abstract #10 Vouchers #251- #275 in the amount of $50,604.05.
4 ayes/ 0 nays/1 absent MOTION CARRIED
WATER DISTRICT #1:
A motion was made by Councilwoman Abrial and seconded by Councilman Addison to pay Abstract #10, Vouchers #101- #110 in the amount of $4,360.70.
4 ayes/ 0 nays/1 absent MOTION CARRIED
SEWER DISTRICT #1:
A motion was made by Councilman Scouten and seconded by Councilman Addison to pay Abstract #10, Vouchers #45- #49 in the amount of $3,411.12.
4 ayes/ 0 nays/1 absent MOTION CARRIED
BUCKHORN:
A motion was made by Councilwoman Abrial and seconded by Councilman Addison to pay Abstract #10, Vouchers #25-#31 in the amount of $2,459.35.
4 ayes/ 0 nays/1 absent MOTION CARRIED

TOWN CLERK MINUTES:
A motion was made by Councilman Scouten and seconded by Councilman Addison to accept the minutes from the:
 September 17, 2025: Regular Town Board Meeting and Public Hearings: Buckhorn Water rate Increase and NYS Tax Override
 September 22, 2025: Special Town Board Meeting: CMP, Buckhorn Water Rate Increases and overriding NYS Tax Cap Override
 October 1, 2025: Budget workshop Meeting

3 ayes/ 0 nays/1 abstain (Abrial)1 absent (Verschneider)MOTION CARRIED
REPORTS
TOWN CLERK REPORTS
JUSTICE REPORT
SUPERVISOR REPORT

A motion was made by Councilwoman Abrial and seconded by Councilman Addison to accept the monthly reports.
4 ayes/ 0 nays/1 absent MOTION CARRIED

NOCCOG: Lisa Bellinger went over the monthly announcements.

WATER:
• Phone Line Update: The town is moving forward with Pertech.
SEWER:
 WWIP Upgrade: The town was approved for the contract for 18 months. Construction should begin in the Spring of 2026. The town is going to be doing a Sewer income study, so residents are urged to look for a mailer that will be delivered and return it to the town. This income study may help get additional income for the sewer project to offset the costs.
BUCKHORN:
• Rate Increase: The increase was voted on at the September 22nd meeting. It is $11.75 a quarter. This will allow the Buckhorn District to build savings.
• Buckhorn upgrades: There are several planned upgrades to the Buckhorn District. Some include an overall meter in the Pumphouse. It will be able to let Lucas, the Plant Operator know if there is a leak based on the meter reading. The pumphouse will also be getting a new roof and the steps will also be replaced.
OLD BUSINESS BOARD:
• Expo Wrap: Supervisor Entwistle thanked Tracy Terry, the Forestport Town Clerk for organizing the 3rd annual Town of Forestport EXPO. He noted that National Grid may sponsor the event, but Tracy gets all the organizations and organizes where everyone goes. He said it couldn’t have run any smoother than it did this year.
• Budget: Supervisor Entwistle made mention of Oneida County raising their taxes a couple of dollars a thousand this year. This is the first time in a long time. The town has no influence over the county rate.
A motion was made by Councilman Addison and seconded by Councilwoman Abrial to accept the Tentative Budget as the Preliminary Budget.
4 ayes/ 0 nays/1 absent MOTION CARRIED

• Radar Signage: Supervisor Entwistle spoke to Doug, and the radar sign is on order.
• Small Box Store Moratorium: the Planning Board had a conversation about the Moratorium. Laurie Fessler, Planning Board of Appeals Chair stated she wants to protect the homeowners with potential barriers. Supervisor Entwistle mentioned they can pass a Local Law with specific items. He plans on attending the next Planning Board meeting to discuss this topic.
NEW BUSINESS BOARD:
• Cemeteries: The Woodgate Cemetery and Beechwood Cemetery have new leadership. They are working together to decrease costs. If anyone from the public has any suggestions, please reach out to Supervisor Entwistle. Ron Davies, from the gallery, asked who was in charge of the Woodgate Cemetery now. It was answered: Kristy Rubyor- President, Rob Scheehl- Vice President, Shelley Entwistle- Secretary/Treasurer, Steve Spring-Trustee, Don Graff-Trustee.
• Kitchen: Someone is coming to the Town Hall to give an estimate for outfitting the kitchen with equipment.
• Highway Hires: The Town Board welcomes Christopher Curry to the Highway department. He came from the Boonville DPW with experience.
• Hometown Heroes: Councilman Addison gave an update on the Hometown Heroes banners for next year. The design will be the same and he is meeting with O’Connor Printing next week to discuss the pricing. There is possibility there will be a nominal fee for putting up the banners next year. The town has to rent a bucket truck to hang them up and the cost would cover that.
• Craig Jenks: Craig is retiring from the Boonville DPW as of October 30th. The NYS retirement makes you retire from everything. He will have to retire from being a Dog Control Officer on October 31st and return on November 1st.

NEW BUSINESS PUBLIC:
• Kim Lambert, from the Gallery asked about the Comprehensive Master Plan. Supervisor Entwistle stated there will be regular updates and the Town Board will start at the first of the year.
• Ron Davies, from the Gallery, mentioned he was glad to see the kiosk being used. Pete Webster offered to use it for the purpose of “Vote here”.
• Supervisor Entwistle stated he and Councilman Addison compiled data and there were 265 watercrafts this year that used the boat wash compared to 89 last year.
• Laurie Fessler, from the gallery asked if the town has heard anything on the Cannabis Dispensary. It was answered no.
ADJOURNMENT:
A motion was made by Councilman Addison and seconded by Councilwoman Abrial to adjourn the meeting.
4 ayes/ 0 nays/1 absent MOTION CARRIED

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:00P.M. by Supervisor Entwistle.
Respectfully submitted,
Tracy M. Terry

Forestport Town Clerk