Town Board Minutes: February 18, 2026

TOWN OF FORESTPORT
PUBLIC HEARING: BATTERY ENERGY STORAGE LAW AND REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING MINUTES
FORESTPORT TOWN HALL
10275 State Route 28, Forestport N.Y.
February 18, 2026 @6:15 PM

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

RECORDING SECRETARY: Tracy Terry, Town Clerk

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
CALL TO ORDER:
The meeting was called to order by Supervisor Entwistle at 6:15 P.M.

MOMENT OF SILENCE: Supervisor Entwistle called for a moment of silence for Community members who have passed away recently that have made impacts on the community including Bonnie Bauder, Chad Burdick Sr., Jeff LeBuis’ mom, Roberta LeBuis and Alan Woodruff.

PUBLIC HEARING:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Town Board of the Town of Forestport will be holding a Public Hearing on February 18, 2026, at 6:15 PM at the Forestport Town Hall, 10275 State Rte.28, Forestport, NY, 13338. The Public Hearing is being held to review and hear public comments regarding proposed Local Law #1 of 2026, Battery Storage Law. The proposed Local Law is available for inspection in the Town Clerk’s office during regular business hours. BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD OF FORESTPORT.

Tracy M. Terry – Forestport Town Clerk

DATED: January 21, 2026
PUBLISH: WEEK OF: February 4, 2026

PUBLIC COMMENTS:
• Laurie Fessler, from the Gallery stated her biggest concern is fire and the environmental impact. She spoke of a fire that took six days to extinguish. Our Fire Fighters have other jobs. Supervisor Entwistle said the biggest problem with a Moratorium is the Planning Board must be on board with it and you only have a certain timeframe. He mentioned he will be reaching out to Attorney Jessica Young for an update on her end.
*The Public Hearing has been put into recess. *
ABSTRACTS:
GENERAL:
A motion was made by Councilman Addison and seconded by Councilwoman Abrial to pay Abstract # 2 Vouchers #67- #126 in the amount of $35,250.42.
4 ayes/ 0 nays/1 absent MOTION CARRIED
HIGHWAY:
A motion was made by Councilman Scouten and seconded by Councilwoman Abrial to pay Abstract #2 Vouchers #13- #43 in the amount of $66,779.25.
4 ayes/ 0 nays/1absent MOTION CARRIED
WATER DISTRICT #1:
A motion was made by Councilwoman Abrial and seconded by Councilman Addison to pay Abstract #2, Vouchers #13 – #25 in the amount of $12,906.40.
4 ayes/ 0 nays/1 absent MOTION CARRIED
SEWER DISTRICT #1:
A motion was made by Councilwoman Abrial and seconded by Councilman Scouten to pay Abstract #2, Vouchers #9- #14 in the amount of $10,846.14.
4 ayes/ 0 nays/1 absent MOTION CARRIED
BUCKHORN:
A motion was made by Councilman Addison and seconded by Councilman Scouten to pay Abstract #2, Vouchers #5- #7 in the amount of $276.01.
4 ayes/ 0 nays/1 absent MOTION CARRIED
Fire:
Forestport Fire: Abstract#2, Voucher #1 in the amount of $ 110,602.21
Otter Lake Fire: Abstract#2, Voucher #2 in the amount of $ $91,746.27
Woodgate Fire: Abstract#2, Voucher #3 in the amount of $ $93,501.28
A motion was made by Councilman Scouten and seconded by Councilwoman Abrial to approve the abstracts as a whole.
4 ayes/ 0 nays/1 absent MOTION CARRIED
Ambulance:
MAVES Ambulance: Abstract#2, Voucher #1 in the amount of $70,000.00
Old Forge Ambulance: Abstract#2, Voucher #2 in the amount of $41,350.00
A motion was made by Councilman Addison and seconded by Councilman Abrial to approve the abstracts as a whole.
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:
 January 21, 2026: regular Town Board Meeting

4 ayes/ 0 nays/1 absent MOTION CARRIED

REPORTS
TOWN CLERK REPORT
JUSTICE REPORT
SUPERVISOR REPORT
PLANNING BOARD 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: There were no monthly announcements.

WATER:
• Communication Line: The town is waiting for an installation from Pertec. The equipment is already at the Town Hall. Once installed, there will be savings of approximately $1,100 a month.
SEWER:
• WWIP Update: Bids were opened January 6th. Engineers were reviewing bids. One bid was within the scope of the cost, and one was outside the scope. The town has asked the engineers to amend the proposals to reflect what isn’t necessary.
• Income Study: An income study was sent to Sewer District Customers, to prove a financial hardship. The income study is confidential, and results are sent to the state for a grant application.

OLD BUSINESS BOARD:
• Civil Service Housekeeping
A motion was made by Council man Addison and seconded by Councilwoman Abrial to accept the separation of employment of Brandon Wilson as a Temporary Highway employee.
4 ayes/ 0 nays/1 absent MOTION CARRIED

• NorthStar ambulance- Town Hall Use: The town has received two bids for the heating of the garage. One was $6,550.00 and the other one was $9,875.00. Supervisor Entwistle is looking into whether the ambulance would be willing to contribute to the cost. A room in the Town Hall will be used for a staff lounge.
• Kitchen Update: The equipment has been ordered. Minor wiring will need to be completed.
• Ski Trip: A beginner day at McCauley is scheduled for this Friday. There are 16-18 kids who signed up currently. Gore Mountain is scheduled for February 28th. There is going to be a good turnout for that as well.
• Senior Recreation: Councilman Addison stated there have been a couple meetings and progress has been made. There is one more information session planned. Trips have been discussed and they are looking forward to new trips this year.
• Quarry Update: Councilman Addison stated there wasn’t much to report on. He has reached out to the original Engineering Firm for the requirements of the road so they can send out for a bid process. He stated he will not be answering any questions. Brenna Mason, Attorney representing Steven Turczyn read her public statement.

Councilman Addison stated he understands his position, but it is not up to the town to prove its ownership it’s up to him to prove he does. The survey was completed in 2022. No town funds will be used. It is up to Red Rock Quarry Associates to fund the bond and any monies funding that road. Councilman Addison stated as a Town representative it is his responsibility to make sure everyone is treated fairly.

NEW BUSINESS BOARD:
• Round Lake Road Update: The town has been on the hook for five years and construction starts in May. When the grant was awarded in 2020, the town was responsible for paying $63,000 of $1.2 million. Since the cost has increased, the town is now responsible for $200,000. Supervisor Entwistle has spoken with Bill and Nancy, and they are willing to use $120,000 from CHIPS to offset the cost. The town is still responsible for $75,000.
• Highway CD’s: the Town has three Highway CD’s worth $380,000. Supervisor Entwistle suggested not renewing the larger CD and using part of it for the Round Lake Road Project and the other part using it to reduce the amount of money to bond for a new truck. The new truck is $232,000 and the interest rate is 4.5%-5%.
• Battery Law: This was tabled.
• Camp Nazareth: The town’s price per kid is $450/week and Camp Nazareth’s rate is $525/week. Last year the price was $400 a child and the parents paid $100. The town has $6,000 in the budget for Camp Nazareth.
A motion was made by Councilman Scouten and seconded by Councilwoman Abrial to raise the parents’ contribution to sending their child to Camp Nazareth to $150.00.
4 ayes/ 0 nays/1 absent MOTION CARRIED
A motion was made by Councilman Scouten and seconded by Councilwoman Abrial to allow Town of Forestport kids to have first dibs at sign ups for Camp Nazareth and then other taxpayers.
3 ayes/ 1 nay(Addison)/ 1 absent MOTION CARRIED
• Woodgate/Beechwood Cemeteries: the Town has tried helping Beechwood Cemetery in the past. Woodgate Cemetery has a new board that started in July of 2025. When Cemeteries go bankrupt, it becomes the town’s responsibility to take the cemetery over. Supervisor Entwistle has been thinking of ideas of helping the cemeteries out. Some ideas include:
 Since the big expense is lawnmowing, at $500/mow 4-5 times a year; having the Part Time helper mow at his rate and the cemeteries reimburse the town his wages.
 The Town potentially digging the graves. The town has a Kubota, and the maintenance guy could do it.
The cemeteries mentioned they have the equipment for lawnmowing. An idea is to store it at the Town Hall and use that equipment for the cemeteries. Audrey, from the Woodgate Cemetery, mentioned she is a professor at Utica College. Her students are reaching out to businesses for donations, and they are going to be building a gazebo for picnics at Woodgate Cemetery and a rain collection system. Audrey donated a laptop to the Beechwood Cemetery. Also, someone donated a laptop to Beechwood Cemetery at the Post Office, but it was an anonymous donation.
Supervisor Entwistle asked Jeff LeBuis, Bookkeeper to the Supervisor to mail the $1,000 in the budget to the Cemeteries.
• Miriam Doud- Living ADK: Miriam mentioned she is a Community Resource Navigator. She helps get information out to individuals and helps those who need it.
• AARP Accessibility Grant: There is a possibility of an Accessibility Grant between $12,000-$15,000. Councilman Addison and Jen Hartsig are looking into this. The use of the grant would be to change out one of the doors to an access-controlled door. There are too many keys out in the public.
• Boat Wash: Councilman Addison stated he is waiting on the funding for the boat wash. Almost everyone that worked last year is coming back.
• Adk Smart Growth Grant: Supervisor Entwistle mentioned the town has received the funding to redo the Site Review Law. The town is unsure of how much at this point as they are awaiting the official press release.
NEW BUSINESS PUBLIC:
• Laurie Fessler, from the gallery asked if there was any progress with the moratorium on Small Box Stores. Supervisor Entwistle stated they may have to revisit how it is approached. Laurie asked if it could be done in the Site review Law. Supervisor Entwistle answered yes.
• Bob Whitehead, from the gallery, thanked the Town Highway and water specifically. They have been clearing the dry hydrants out. Supervisor Entwistle stated if they have dry hydrants to let Bill knows about them, so he can clear them. He asked Bob Whitehead about the Fire App and if Lucas could get the app, so he knows about the fires locally. He would be happy to assist with the water. Bob said he would let the other two fire departments know as well.
• Kim Lambert, from the Gallery, asked about the increase in taxes. Supervisor Entwistle mentioned last year town tax was $2.18/1,000 and this year it is $3.22/1,000. Ambulances are lumped into general tax.
ADJOURNMENT:
A motion was made by Council man 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 7:46 P.M. by Supervisor Entwistle.

Respectfully submitted,
Tracy M. Terry

Forestport Town Clerk