December 17, 2025

TOWN OF FORESTPORT
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING MINUTES
FORESTPORT TOWN HALL
10275 State Route 28, Forestport N.Y.
December 17, 2025 @6:30 PM

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

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 # 12 Vouchers #718- #783 in the amount of $73,722.31
4 ayes/ 0 nays/0 absent MOTION CARRIED
HIGHWAY:
A motion was made by Councilwoman Verschneider and seconded by Councilman Addison to pay Abstract #12 Vouchers #316- #342 in the amount of $63,643.41
4 ayes/ 0 nays/0 absent MOTION CARRIED
WATER DISTRICT #1:
A motion was made by Councilwoman Abrial and seconded by Councilwoman Verschneider to pay Abstract #12, Vouchers #124- #139 in the amount of $6,645.86
4 ayes/ 0 nays/0 absent MOTION CARRIED
SEWER DISTRICT #1:
A motion was made by Councilman Addison and seconded by Councilwoman Abrial to pay Abstract #12, Vouchers #58- #64 in the amount of $2,024.71
4 ayes/ 0 nays/0 absent MOTION CARRIED
BUCKHORN:
A motion was made by Councilwoman Abrial and seconded by Councilman Addison to pay Abstract #12, Vouchers #36-#42 in the amount of $1,314.36
4 ayes/ 0 nays/0 absent MOTION CARRIED

TOWN CLERK MINUTES:
A motion was made by Councilwoman Verschneider and seconded by Councilwoman Abrial to accept the minutes from the:
 November 19, 2025: Regular Town Board Meeting

4 ayes/ 0 nays/0 absent MOTION CARRIED

REPORTS
TOWN CLERK REPORTS
JUSTICE REPORT
SUPERVISOR REPORT
BUCKHORN WATER REPORT
WATER DISTRICT # 1 REPORT
PLANNING BOARD REPORT
DOG REPORT

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

NOCCOG: Lisa Bellinger went over the monthly announcements.

WATER:

SEWER:

BUCKHORN WATER

OLD BUSINESS BOARD:
• Organizational Meeting- January 5, 2025, at 6:30P.M.
• Year-End Meeting- December 29, 2025, at 9:00A.M.
• TextMyGov: Supervisor Entwistle encouraged those who didn’t sign up for TextmyGov to do so.
• Kitchen Upgrades: The cost will be approximately $45,000 after everything is purchased. Supervisor Entwistle asked the Board to think about what they would like to do as this would be a service to the community, not something the town is going to make money on.
• NorthStar Ambulance: The Board has investigated the possibility of having a staging ambulance at the Town Hall. Supervisor Entwistle is waiting on two quotes for heating the garage and insulating the garage doors. There is a room available for a staff lounge in the Town Hall. There is potential funding for the cost, so it wouldn’t come from the taxpayers.
• Senior Recreation Wrap-Up: Supervisor Entwistle thanked Councilwoman Vershneider for a great Christmas party. There were 80 seniors in attendance. Councilwoman Verschneider mentioned having a Defensive Driving Class on January 26th and she will be bringing it up at the Senior meeting in January.
• Defensive Driving Class: There is a Defensive Driving class scheduled for May 4th and May 5th from 12:30PM-4PM at the Forestport Town Hall. It is open to everyone.

NEW BUSINESS BOARD:
• Ski Program: The McCauley Learn to Ski is January 3rd, ages 7-17. The town pays for the rentals and the lift ticket. The deadline for signing up is December 22nd.
• Budget Amendments: Supervisor Entwistle and Jeff LeBuis, Bookkeeper to the Supervisor, are working on them for the Year-End meeting.
• Hometown Heroes: Councilman Addison is finishing up the applications and will be advertising soon. There will be a nominal fee for rehanging them this year, to offset the cost of the rental to hang them. They are looking for new participants in Otter Lake and Woodgate this year.
• Reappointment of Mona Lincoln:
A motion was made by Councilwoman Verschneider and seconded by Councilwoman Abrial to reappoint Mona Lincoln to the Board of Assessment Review.
4 ayes/ 0 nays/0 absent MOTION CARRIED

• Dog Contract: The town typically has contracted with Steven Swans Humane Society, but this year they stated they could not because the County cut their funding. The town has reached out to Tony Sege with Back-to-Basics Dog Obedience.

AGREEMENT
This Agreement made by and between the Town of Forestport, hereinafter referred to as “Town”, a municipal corporation with offices located at the Town Hall, Forestport, New York, 13338, and Anthony W. Sege Sr., hereinafter referred to as “Sege”, Doing Business As: Back to Basics Dog Obedience, 11954 State Route 28, Forestport, N.Y. 13338.
Witnesseth:
The parties to this agreement, in consideration of the sum of $2,500.00, mutually agree on the following:
1. The Term of this agreement shall be for a period of 12 months from 01/01/2026 to 12/31/2026. To be renewed annually for the sum of
$2,500.00 which shall be paid at the beginning of this agreement.
2. Sege will agree to have 1 dog kennel reserved for Article 7 (seizure dog(s} or stray dog(s} for 24 hours a day, 365 days from the beginning of the contract to midnight of the last day of the contract.
3. Sege will accommodate multiple dogs at one time for the Town. Sege will accommodate up to (2 dogs} if necessary, at the same time under this agreement. Not to exceed (2} dogs at the same time for any one 7-day period. In the rare instance where there are more than 2 dogs seized in any one instance during any consecutive 7-day period, the Town agrees to pay $30 per day, per dog, for each dog in excess of 2 dogs seized by the DCO or the police on behalf of the Town.
4. Sege will provide housing and maintenance for all dogs collected by the Town of Forestport under the following conditions:

1

1. Sege will provide a safe and clean environment along with proper sustenance for seized, Lost/stray dog(s) on behalf of the Town.
2. If the Town is unable to provide proof of vaccination of a seized dog the dog will be housed in isolation in accordance with the Agricultural and markets law. The Town will pay for a licensed veterinarian to evaluate and vaccinate said dog. The Town agrees to reimburse Sege for any fees incurred to get any such dog(s) evaluated and vaccinated in addition to the agreement.
3. Only police officers acting pursuant to their duties and animal control officers/ Dog Control Officers aka DCO, employed or contracted by the Town will be permitted to bring a seized dog to the kennel.
4. Phone notification to Sege or his designee prior to arriving at the kennel is requested at the following numbers. (315) 335-6832 or
(315) 240-5938.
5. Reasonable time shall be allotted for Sege to make appropriate accommodations for any seized dog(s).
6. Sege shall have the right to have a licensed veterinarian treat any obviously ill or seriously injured dog. The cost of said veterinarian treatment will be in addition to this agreement. Costs to be covered will include transportation cost of the dog if emergency care is required.
7. The Town Supervisor shall be contacted to approve of any EMERGENCY AND NON-EMERGENCY treatment in advance of any such treatment.
2

1. The Town agrees to pay Sege for any damage to the dog kennel or to Sege’s kennel property caused by a seizure dog from the Town. Damage that is above and beyond that of normal wear and tare shall be the responsibility of the Town in addition to the contractual price of this agreement.
2. The Town and Sege agree to the length of stay in accordance with Article 7, section 117, (6) of the agriculture and markets law (5-9 days).
3. The Town’s animal control officer shall be responsible for ensuring the return of lost/seized dog(s) to their owners after satisfactory proof of ownership is provided. If the owner does not redeem the dog during the redemption period agreed upon between the Town and Sege, then the title of the dog is forfeited according to the agricultural and markets law, and the dog is available for adoption or for euthanasia. The Town will be responsible to contract with a humane society or dog rescue group to make the dog(s) available for adoption. Sege will offer to the Town as part of this contract evaluation of the dog(s) and make recommendation for adoption. Adoption procedures will be in accordance with the Agriculture and Markets Law and the responsibility of the Town.
4. Should the dog(s) not be redeemed in the 5-9 day period as prescribed by Article 7 of the AG & Markets law. All necessary fees associated with qualifying the dog(s) for adoption or euthanasia shall be the responsibility of the Town.

3

1. Sege agrees to house/ board dog(s) that are not redeemed until a shelter or adoption agency can take custody of that dog. Such housing is not to exceed 14 days after the mandatory 5 – 9, day seizure period.
2. The Town agrees to give Sege 24 hours’ notice of any dog(s) seized as a DANGEROUS DOG under Article 7, section 123, for the purpose of quarantine or prosecution for a Dangerous Dog allegation. The Town agrees to notify Sege of the Court date and time of the Dangerous Dog Hearing (within 5 days of summons in accordance with Article 7 section 123) of such Dangerous Dog seizure.
3. Upon locating the owner of any Lost/Stray or seized dog(s), The Town agrees to collect from the owner of any lost/stray or seized dog(s) any and all impoundment fees imposed by the Town or the Agriculture and markets law.
4. The Town agrees to provide the owner with satisfactory proof of all fees paid to the Town to produce to Sege upon collection of said lost/stray or seized dog(s).
5. The Town agrees to collect any licensing fees of any and all unlicensed lost/stray or seized dog(s). Or penalties be it civil or criminal, from all dog owners prior to the dog(s) being collected from Sege.
6. The Town agrees to provide the owner with satisfactory proof thereof to produce to Sege upon collection of said lost/stray or seized dog(s) for Sege’s records.

4

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have hereunto set their hands and seal the day year first above written.

_______________ Date: 11/26/2025
Anthony W. Sege Sr.

____________________ Date_______________
Town of Forestport Town Supervisor

A motion was made by Councilman Addison and seconded by Councilwoman Verschneider to approve the Shelter Agreement contract with Back-to-Basics Dog Obedience.
4 ayes/ 0 nays/0 absent MOTION CARRIED

• Audit reports: The audits were done for the 2024 year for Town Clerk Tax Collector and Town Justice.
• Letter from Old Forge Ambulance: Old Forge Ambulance sent a letter to the Town Board thanking them for the increase for the 2026 contract and asked them to consider creating a Town-based Ambulance District. Supervisor Entwistle stated they would continue to investigate that.
• Employee-Related FOIL Policy: Supervisor Entwistle stated the policy is for requests made requesting disciplinary records for employees. He stated there are a lot of policies Tracy Terry, Town Clerk will be bringing at the Organizational Meeting.

TOWN OF FORESTPORT, NEW YORK

EMPLOYEE-RELATED FOIL POLICY Issued Date:
Issued bv: The Town Board Revision Date: NIA
PURPOSE

In accordance with NY Public Officers Law §87(6), the Town Board hereby adopts this policy, which shall govern in instances that a request is received by the Town for Employee disciplinary records. When necessary. this policy may be revisited to determine whether changes to it should be made. After such a determination, the Town Board may amend this policy for whatever reason.

DEFINITIONS

“Employee” shall mean an individual cu1Tently or previously appointed for employment by the Town Board, including Police Officers. This definition shall not include elected officials or Town Officers.

“Employee Disciplinary Records” for the purpose of this policy shall mean any ”record created
m

furtherance of a … disciplinary proceeding,” including, but not limited to, any of the following:

(a) the complaints, allegations, and charges against an employee:
(b) the name of the employee complained of or charged;
(c) the transcript of any disciplinary trial or hearing, including any exhibits introduced at such trial or hearing;
(d) the disposition of any disciplinary proceeding; and
(e) the final written opinion or memorandum supporting the disposition and discipline imposed including the agency’s complete factual findings and its analysis of the conduct and appropriate discipline of the covered employee.

“Freedom of Information Law” (“FOIL”) shall mean any request for information received pursuant to NY Public Officers Law 984. et seq.

“Response” shall mean the final submission made to the requestor of documents under FOIL. This shall include an initial response and the response to any potential appeal.

APPLICABILITY

In the event the Town receives a request for documents that pertains to an employee, this policy will govern the notification to be sent to said employee regarding the same. In the event that a negotiated procedure exists within a collective bargaining agreement, that procedure will control.

POLICY

Upon the receipt of a request for employee disciplinary records, the Town will notify the affected employee, in writing, of the request as soon as administratively feasible. In the event that request is made by the at-issue employee for their own records, notification will not be provided under this policy. As FOIL requires responses to be made within a certain time frame, a response may need to be issued before the employee is notified of the request. If a response has already been issued before the employee is notified of the request, they will be informed of that fact within the notification.

Any notification issued under this policy will be in writing and delivered to the employee either personally or by certified mail.1 In the event that the employee the request pertains to is no longer employed by the Town. reasonable efforts will be made to notify the former employee in the manner referenced above or through other reasonable means.

FOIL requires the Town to engage in a specific analysis of whether documents are to be released under the obligations contained within the statutory guidelines. Given the statutory mandates imposed on the Town, an employee will not be in a position to object to the release of documents. Although an employee will not be afforded an opportunity to object to the release of documents involving them, all responses to a request will be provided to the employee upon written request. Additionally, the Town will review all documents to determine whether release is required under FOIL, while also considering applicable exemptions to protect personal privacy.

Should there be any questions relating to this policy, please contact the Town Supervisor’s
Office.

‘ A notification template is attached hereto.

A motion was made by Councilman Addison and seconded by Councilwoman Abrial to accept the Employee-Related FOIL Policy as presented
4 ayes/ 0 nays/0 absent MOTION CARRIED
• NYSTCA Letter: Supervisor Entwistle read a letter aloud from the New York State Town Clerk’s Association congratulating Town Clerk, Tracy terry for recertifying her Registered Municipal Clerk registration. Supervisor Entwistle and the Town Board congratulated Tracy Terry.

NEW BUSINESS PUBLIC:

EXECUTIVE SESSION:
A motion was made by Councilman Addison and seconded by Councilwoman Abrial to enter into Executive Session to discuss a legal matter.
4 ayes/ 0 nays/0 absent MOTION CARRIED
The Board returned from Executive Session at 7:34P.M. with no action taken.

ADJOURNMENT:
A motion was made by Council man Addison and seconded by Councilwoman Abrial to adjourn the meeting.
4 ayes/ 0 nays/0 absent MOTION CARRIED

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:35 P.M. by Supervisor Entwistle.
Respectfully submitted,
Tracy M. Terry

Forestport Town Clerk