Town Board Meeting Minutes- March 18, 2026

TOWN OF FORESTPORT
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING MINUTES
FORESTPORT TOWN HALL
10275 State Route 28, Forestport N.Y.
March 18, 2026 @6:30 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 6:30 P.M.

MOMENT OF SILENCE: Supervisor Entwistle called for a moment of silence for Joan Barry who was a member of the community who passed away recently.

ABSTRACTS:
GENERAL:
A motion was made by Councilman Addison and seconded by Councilwoman Abrial to pay Abstract #3, Vouchers #127-#165 in the amount of $36,984.41.
4 ayes/ 0 nays/1 absent MOTION CARRIED
HIGHWAY:
A motion was made by Councilman Scouten and seconded by Councilwoman Abrial to pay Abstract #3, Vouchers #44- #55 in the amount of $6,094.79
4 ayes/ 0 nays/1absent MOTION CARRIED
WATER DISTRICT #1:
A motion was made by Councilman Addison and seconded by Councilman Scouten to pay Abstract#3, Vouchers #26-#29 in the amount of $1,264.26.
4 ayes/ 0 nays/1 absent MOTION CARRIED
SEWER DISTRICT #1:
A motion was made by Councilwoman Abrial and seconded by Councilman Addison to pay Abstract#3, Vouchers #15-#17 in the amount of $1,543.06
4 ayes/ 0 nays/1 absent MOTION CARRIED
BUCKHORN:
A motion was made by Councilman Scouten and seconded by Councilwoman Abrial to pay Abstract#3, Vouchers #8- #9 in the amount of $1,094.54.
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:
 February 18, 2026: regular Town Board Meeting

4 ayes/ 0 nays/1 absent MOTION CARRIED

REPORTS
TOWN CLERK
JUSTICE
SUPERVISOR
WATER DISTRICT #1
BUCKHORN WATER
SEWER

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

NOCCOG: There were no monthly announcements.

WATER:
• Pertech: The town is waiting for the electrician to do the installation. The communication tool will save the town approximately $1,000.00 a month.
SEWER:
• Bids for WWIP: The town opened bids and accepted the bids below.

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

• Income Study: Customers in the Sewer District that are long-term renters or Full-Time residents are asked to submit the Income study survey. It is anonymous and goes to an outside party. The town is hoping to prove financial hardship. There are 61 homes and it is a $1.5 million dollar project. If the town does not get 37 surveys in, the monthly bill will likely increase $12.80 a month.
BUCKHORN:

OLD BUSINESS BOARD:
• Camp Nazareth: There are 22 kids signed up for Camp Nazareth. Maggie Peterson sponsored a child for Camp Nazareth.
• Battery Storage Law: The Public Hearing on Batter Energy storage law is still open.
A motion was made by Councilman Scouten and seconded by Councilman Addison to close the Public Hearing
4 ayes/ 0 nays/1 absent MOTION CARRIED.

The following Local Law was read aloud by Supervisor Entwistle:

Supervisor Entwistle thanked Laurie Fessler and Town Attorney, Jessica Young for their help in implementing this Local law

A motion was made by Councilman Addison and seconded by Councilwoman Abrial to approve Local Law #1 of 2026 banning Battery Energy Storage Laws.
4 ayes/ 0 nays/1 absent MOTION CARRIED

• Kitchen: The town is waiting for an installation date. Deputy Supervisor Addison and Grant Writer, Jen Hartsig are waiting to see if we are approved for a $15,000 grant towards the appliances.
• NorthStar Ambulance: The Town of Forestport is hosting the NorthStar Ambulance on the first of May. In the beginning they will have staff 9am-9pm but are hoping to be 24/7 by the spring of 2027.
• SRL Grant: The town received a grant for $100,000 to redo the Site Review Law and land use regulations starting this summer.
• Cemeteries: Supervisor Entwistle stated he met with Kim and Audrey from Beechwood and Woodgate Cemeteries. Discussion took place regarding the town doing burials. They are going to investigate this. Lucas Kafka, Building Maintenance Supervisor, is going to have a Full-Time and a Part-Time helper. There is a possibility of the helpers mowing the cemeteries and the cemeteries paying the maintenance workers their wage. Currently the Cemeteries pay $2500-$3500 a year for mowing. Councilman Addison asked if they have discussed merging. It was answered they would like to keep their identity, but they have combined everything, but the paperwork. Tyler Terry, from the Gallery asked if the Cemeteries kept the duties of the grave, could the town absorb the cost of mowing. Supervisor Entwistle stated he will look into burials next month. Councilman Addison asked if there was liability for the town to do burials. Kim, from Beechwood Cemetery stated the town is already listed as an additional rider. Lucas Kafka, Building Maintenance Supervisor mentioned he cannot dig at Woodgate because he will not be able to get the tractor there. There is a possibility of purchasing a mini excavator for the Water and Sewer Department. The Cemetries are having a Community Clean up Day. Woodgate is May 16th and Beechwood is May 9th. The Woodgate Cemetery has a riding lawnmower they do not want. There is the possibility of the town purchasing it for $500.
• Hometown Heroes: This is the second season of Hometown heroes and it is coming to a close on March 31st. A final call will be put out next week.

NEW BOARD BUSINESS:
• Summer Recreation: Ashley Galligan and Eric Freeman are doing another season of Summer Recreation. It is going to remain the same days and times. There will be an ad in the paper and on the website.
• Road Closures- Lightning on White Lake and Old Forestport Days
A motion was made by Council man Addison and seconded by Councilwoman Abrial to schedule a Public Hearing on April 15, 2026 at 6:20P.M. for the closure of Maple Road from Route 28 to the end of White Lake Inn property on June 6, 2026, from 10:00A.M.- 11:00P.M. for Lightning at White Lake Block Party, August 28, 2026, from 3:00PM-8:00P.M. for the closure of School Street for Old Forestport Days 5k Road Race and for the closure of River Street on August 29, 2026, from 10A.M.-6P.M.
4 ayes/ 0 nays/1 absent MOTION CARRIED
• Round Lake Road Bridge:
Bidders in rank order:

Rank Bidder Name Bid Amount
I Slate Hill Constructors, Inc. $1,021,433.96
BP Excavation, LLC $1,225,295.09
3 Jablonski Excavating, Inc. $1,311,000.00
4 Birdsall Excavation and Construction, LLC $1,459,430.00

The following irregularities were found:
1. BP Excavation LLC: The sum for the total bid was incorrect and was presented as $48,710 lower than the correct value.
2. Jablonski Excavating. Inc.: The total bid was incorrect and was presented as $167 higher than the correct value.
3. Birdsall Excavation and Construction, LLC: Math errors were made in the total bid for items 418.7603, 558.02 & 610.1605. As a result, the sum for the total bid was presented as $49,608 higher than the correct value
4. All math errors have been corrected in the bid analysis and do not affect Slate Hill’s status as low bidder.

The Lowest Responsible Bidder: Slate Hill Constructors, Inc. Low Bid: $1,021,433.96

Total Bid
Federal Share is $654,720.00 (2754.66.321)
State Share is $122,760.00 (2754.66.321)
Local Share is $40,920.00 (2754.66.321), $203,033.96 (2754.66.NPS)

A motion was made by Councilman Scouten and seconded by Councilwoman Abrial to approve Slate Hill Constructors for the Round Lake Road Bridge.
4 ayes/ 0 nays/1 absent MOTION CARRIED
• Thank you: Supervisor Entwistle thanked Deputy Supervisor Addison and Jen Hartsig, the Town Grant Writer, for all their help with the grants. Jen has secured the town with over $5 million dollars in grant funding and has been in this position for over twenty years. She just applied for a $3,000 grant for the Community Garden, and the town hears back by April 10th.
• Building Use: Supervisor Entwistle stated they are in the initial stages of revamping how the building is used. The last five years the town has been lucky because of how well people use the buildings. Recently, some people had birthday parties and left messes, not cleaning up, filling the dumpster. Lucas Kafka, the Building Maintenance Supervisor has been here on the weekends tending to the building. There are security and liability issue as there are a lot of keys out. There is a company that is going to be putting a keypad on the doors to eliminate the key access as this is a government building. Kim from the Gallery stated they should charge a cleaning deposit with a list of items that need to be done to get your deposit back. Emily, from the Gallery mentioned, she enjoys the use of the building. Lucas mentioned keeping Dutch Hill open for the Summer and eliminating the gym for now.
 Bob Whitehead, from the Gallery stated he is all for the keypad but has concerns about people sharing their pin with others. Councilwoman Abrial stated they can monitor when the pin is being used if it is being used when it should be, they will know.
 James Huss, from the Gallery, asked about a phone proximity app. Deputy Supervisor Addison stated they are expensive.
 Andrea, from the Gallery, asked if the restrictions were for Pickleball also. It was answered there will be modifications to the Pickleball usage as well. She suggested having two openings for the month instead of four. Lucas stated there are random basketball players and one pickleball player was here at 9:45P.M. when he went by the Town Hall. Kim from the Gallery suggested locking the dumpster or they take their own garbage home. Supervisor Entwistle stated it is not just people who use the gym that are leaving stuff in the dumpster. There were toilets, luggage with the nametags on it. He stated the gym floor takes a beating from all the use. He suggested a small fee from the Pickleball players.
A motion was made by Councilwoman Addison and seconded by Councilman Addison to purchase the keypad for all three of the front doors for $7,400.00.
4 ayes/ 0 nays/1 absent MOTION CARRIED
• Fuel System: The fuel System is getting switched to Propane boilers. Money is already in the budget for the switch.

A motion was made by Council man Addison and seconded by Councilman Scouten to accept the proposal in the amount of $98,750 for the new boiler system.
4 ayes/ 0 nays/1 absent MOTION CARRIED
• Community Garden: There is going to be an upgrade to a 8’ galvanized garden beds. They are going to be moved to the side of the Town hall, hoping to attract people to stop in and help. The fencing will be reused unless the town gets the grant. The town purchased a full-size greenhouse, weed fabric, compost, manure and blueberries. The blueberries are being purchased by a community member who donated money to purchase things for the garden. The perennials Supervisor Entwistle’s leaving the details to the Garden Club to purchase and decide what they want. There will ne new seating with picnic tables and a timer on the sprinkler.
• 12188 Woodhull Road: This property may be sold at auction. It is the old church property the town had demolished. James Huss and Anna Hennessey, from the Gallery stated the property has back taxes close to $6,000 and they are in communication with the homeowner to potentially purchase it. They are wondering if the town would consider letting them pay the $29,000 in installments to the town for the demotion of the building. Councilman Addison stated the Town Board needs time to discuss it. James asked if everything had been removed. It was answered, everything was taken out and the foundation was dug up. There is a curb stop for the water there. He asked if there were restrictions to rebuilding. Supervisor Entwistle stated since it was built prior to 1986, it doesn’t need to meet the acreage requirements, only the setbacks.
NEW BUSINESS PUBLIC:

ADJOURNMENT:
A motion was made by Councilwoman Abrial and seconded by Councilman Scouten to adjourn the meeting.
4 ayes/ 0 nays/1 absent MOTION CARRIED

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:40 P.M. by Supervisor Entwistle.

Respectfully submitted,
Tracy M. Terry

Forestport Town Clerk