TOWN OF FORESTPORT
PUBLIC HEARING AND REGULAR TOWN BOARD
MEETING MINUTES
FORESTPORT TOWN HALL
10275 State Route 28, Forestport, N.Y.
April 16, 2025 @6:10PM

PRESENT: Supervisor Entwistle
Councilman Addison
Councilman Scouten
Councilwoman Verschneider

ABSENT: Councilwoman Abrial

RECORDING SECRETARY: Tracy Terry, Town Clerk

CALL TO ORDER:

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:

PUBLIC HEARING:

1. Proposed Local Law#1 of 2025- Moratorium on Small Box Stores

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Town Board of the Town of Forestport will be holding a Public Hearing on April 16, 2025, at 6:10 P.M. at Forestport Town Hall, 10275 State Route 28, Forestport, NY. The Public Hearing is being held to review and accept public comments regarding proposed Local Law #1 of 2025, “Moratorium on Small Box Stores”.
Tracy M. Terry – Forestport Town Clerk
DATED: March 20, 2025
PUB DATE: WEEK OF April 7, 2025

Roy, from the Gallery, asked if this included gas stations and it was answered that gas stations were excluded.

A motion was made by Councilman Addison and seconded by Councilwoman Verschneider to close the Public Hearing.
4 ayes/ 0 nays/1 absent MOTION CARRIED

2. Road Closures- Old Forestport Days and Lightning at White Lake Inn Block Party

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Town Board of the Town of Forestport will be holding a Public Hearing on April 16, 2025, at 6:20 P.M. at Forestport Town Hall, 10275 State Route 28, Forestport, NY. The Public Hearing is being held to review and accept public comments regarding the closure of Maple Road from Route 28 to the end of White Lake Inn property on June 7, 2025, from 10:00A.M.- 11:00P.M. for Lightning at White Lake Block Party and for the closure of River Street on August 23, 2025, from 10A.M.-6P.M. for Old Forestport Days.
Tracy M. Terry – Forestport Town Clerk

DATED: March 20, 2025
PUB DATE: WEEK OF April 7, 2025
There were no comments from the public.

A motion was made by Councilman Scouten and seconded by Councilwoman Verschneider to close the Public Hearing.
4 ayes/ 0 nays/1 absent MOTION CARRIED

ABSTRACTS:
GENERAL:
A motion was made by Councilman Scouten and seconded by Councilman Addison to pay Abstract # 4, Vouchers #172- #232 in the amount of $96,208.55.
4 ayes/ 0 nays/1 absent MOTION CARRIED
HIGHWAY:
A motion was made by Councilwoman Verschneider and seconded by Councilman Addison to pay Abstract #3, Vouchers #81- #101 in the amount of $15,279.60.
4 ayes/ 0 nays/1 absent MOTION CARRIED

WATER DISTRICT #1:
A motion was made by Councilman Scouten and seconded by Councilwoman Verschneider to pay Abstract #4, Vouchers #33- #43 in the amount of $3,336.23.
4 ayes/ 0 nays/1 absent MOTION CARRIED
SEWER DISTRICT #1:
A motion was made by Councilman Addison and seconded by Councilman Scouten to pay Abstract #4, Vouchers #18- #22 in the amount of $1,273.54.
4 ayes/ 0 nays/1 absent MOTION CARRIED
BUCKHORN:
A motion was made by Councilman Addison and seconded by Councilwoman Verschneider to pay Abstract #4, Vouchers #9- #12 in the amount of $941.98.
4 ayes/ 0 nays/1 absent MOTION CARRIED

TOWN CLERK MINUTES:
A motion was made by Councilman Addison and seconded by Councilwoman Verschneider to accept the minutes from the:
March 19, 2025: Public Hearing: Statutory Bond and Regular Town Board Meeting
4 ayes/ 0 nays/1 absent MOTION CARRIED

REPORTS
WATER DISTRICT #1 AND INSPECTION REPORT
BUCKHORN WATER DISTRICT AND INSPECTION REPORT
SEWER
TOWN CLERK REPORT
JUSTICE REPORT
PLANNING REPORT
SUPERVISOR REPORT

A motion was made by Councilman Addison and seconded by Councilwoman Verschneider to accept the monthly reports.
4 ayes/ 0 nays/1 absent MOTION CARRIED
Supervisor Entwistle mentioned the Annual drinking reports for Water District #1 and Buckhorn are available online.

NOCCOG: Joe Rowlands went over the monthly announcements.

OLD BUSINESS BOARD:
• PBA Vacancy: An ad has been placed in the newspaper and on the town website. There have been a couple applicants thus far.
• Community Website: The group that is putting the community website together has scheduled a meeting and Supervisor Entwistle plans on being in attendance.
• Radar Signage: Bill Garnder, Highway Superintendent is willing to give the radar signage a try. They will start with Dustin Road.
• Camp Nazareth: There are 27 children signed up for Camp Nazareth. There were four organizations and an individual that donated. Supervisor Entwistle mentioned this is a popular program and it first comes first serve. The parent/grandparent pays $100, and the town pays $300.
• Summer Recreation: This will be held July 9, 2025-August 8, 2025, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9am-12pm. The max number of children is 25. Ash Galligan and Eric Freeman will be leading the program again.
• Round Lake Road Resolution:
A motion was made by Councilman Scouten and seconded by Councilman Addison to accept the following resolution
4 ayes/ 0 nays/1 absent MOTION CARRIED

BRIDGE NY RESOLUTION BY TOWN OF FORESTPORT
(Bridge Project)
RESOLUTION NUMBER 2 of 2025

Authorizing the implementation and funding of the costs of 100% of the costs of a transportation project, which may be eligible for federal-aid and/or state-aid, or reimbursement from Bridge NY funds.

WHEREAS, a project for the Bridge NY 2021: Round Lake Rd. over Long Lake Outlet (Bin 2205740), Town of Forestport,
Oneida County P.I.N. 2754.66 (the Project”) is eligible for funding under Title 23 U.S. Code, as amended, that calls for the apportionment of the costs such program to be borne at the ratio of 95% Federal funds and 5% non-federal
funds; and

WHEREAS, the Town of Forestport will design, let and construct the Project: and

WHEREAS, the Town of Forestport desires to advance the Project by making a commitment of 100% of the costs of the work for the Project or portions thereof.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Forestport Town Board, duly convened does hereby
RESOLVE, that the Forestport Town Board hereby approves the above-subject Project; and it is hereby further
RESOLVED, that the Forestport Town Board hereby authorizes the Town of Forestport to pay 100% of the cost of all phases of work for the Project or portions thereof, with the understanding that qualified costs may be eligible for federal-aid, state-aid, or reimbursement from Bridge NY funds; and it is further

RESOLVED, that the sum of two hundred sixty-two thousand dollars (262,000.00) is hereby appropriated from the Forestport Highway Fund and made available to cover the cost of participation in the above phase(s) of the Project; and it is further

RESOLVED, that the Forestport Town BOARD hereby agrees that the Town of Forestport shall be responsible for all costs of the Project which exceed the amount of federal-aid, state-aid, or NY Bridge funding awarded to the Town of Forestport; and it is further

RESOLVED, that in the event the Project costs not covered by federal-aid, state-aid, or NY Bridge funding exceed the amount appropriated above, the Forestport Town Board shall convene as soon as possible to appropriate said excess amount immediately upon the notification by the Town of Forestport thereof; and it is further

RESOLVED, that Town of Forestport hereby agrees that construction of the Project shall begin no later than twenty-four (24) months after award and the construction phase of the Project shall be completed within thirty (30) months; and it is further

RESOLVED, that the Supervisor of the Town of Forestport be and is hereby authorized to execute on behalf of the Town of Forestport all necessary agreements, certifications or reimbursement requests for federal-aid and/or state-aid with the New York State Department of Transportation in connection with the advancement or approval of the Project and providing for the administration of the Project and the of Town of Forestport’s funding of Project costs and permanent funding of the local share of federal-aid and state-aid eligible Project costs and all Project costs within appropriations therefore that are not so eligible; and it is further

RESOLVED, that a certified copy of this resolution be filed with the New York State Commissioner of Transportation by attaching it to any necessary Agreement in connection with the Project; and it is further

RESOLVED, this Resolution shall take effect immediately.

• Truck Bond Resolution:
A motion was made by Councilman Scouten and seconded by Councilwoman Verschneider to accept the following bond resolution
4 ayes/ 0 nays/1 absent MOTION CARRIED

RESOLUTION OF FORESTPORT TOWN BOARD #3
ISSUANCE OF 2025 STATUTORY INSTALLMENT BOND

At a regular Meeting of the Forestport Town Board held on the 16th day of April, 2025, the following Resolution was made by Councilman Scouten and seconded by Councilwoman Verschneider.
WHEREAS, the Town on April 16, 2025 adopted a resolution to purchase off state contract a 2025 International Dump Truck with accessory equipment for the sum of not more than $240,000 and
WHEREAS, it is hereby determined that the period of probably usefulness of said 2025 International Dump Truck is five (5) years pursuant to subdivision 20(c) of paragraph section 11 of the Local Finance Law, and
WHEREAS, it is hereby determined that the plan for financing of said purchase shall be by issuance of a Statutory Installment Bond in the amount of $240,000 payable over a five (5) year period, and
WHEREAS, a proposal to purchase and hold said bond has been received from Adirondack Bank, it is
RESOLVED:
1. The Town shall finance the purchase of the 2025 International Dump Truck by issuance of a Statutory Installment Bond in the principal amount of $240,000 under Section 62.10 of the Local Finance Law to Adirondack Bank, which bond shall be payable over a period of five years at an annual interest rate of Four and 75/100 percent (4.75%)
2. Subject to the provisions of the Local Finance Law, the power to issue and sell said Statutory Installment Bond to Adirondack Bank is hereby delegated to the Town Supervisor as the Chief Fiscal Officer of the Town, the terms, form content and sale of said Bond to be consistent with this resolution and the Local Finance Law.
3. Such Bond shall be in fully registered form and shall be signed by the Supervisor of the Town of Forestport by the manual signature of the Supervisor and shall be attested by the manual signature of the Town Clerk.
4. The faith and credit of the Town of Forestport are hereby irrevocably pledged for the payment of the principal and interest on such bond as the same respectively becomes due and payable.
5. An annual appropriation shall be made in each year sufficient to pay the principal of and interest on such installment becoming due and payable in such year and here shall be annually levied on all the taxable real property of said Town a tax sufficient to pay the principle of and interest on each and every installment thereof as the same become due and payable.

The above Resolution was duly adopted by the Town of Forestport on April 16, 2025 by the following Roll Call votes:
In Favor Opposed Absent
Harold Entwistle, III [ x ] [ ] [ ]

Danielle Abrial [ ] [ ] [ x]

Ronald Scouten [ x ] [ ] [ ]

Steven Addison [ x ] [ ] [ ]

Glenyce Verschneider [ x ] [ ] [ ]

Dated April 16, 2025 __________________________
Tracy M. Terry, Town Clerk

• Closure of Roads for Lightning on White Lake/Old Forestport Days:
A motion was made by Councilman and seconded by Councilwoman to accept the Closure of the roads for “Lightning on White Lake” and “Old Forestport Days”
4 ayes/ 0 nays/1 absent MOTION CARRIED
• Small Box Stores Moratorium:
The Moratorium is specifically for the Town Board to look into creating a Local law if they choose to do so. This may be something that is placed in the Comprehensive Master Plan as well.

A motion was made by Councilman and seconded by Councilwoman to pass Local Law #1 of 2025 as entered below.
4 ayes/ 0 nays/1 absent MOTION CARRIED

Local Law# 1 of 2025
TO IMPOSE A MORATORIUM ON THE ACCEPTANCE AND PROCESSING OF APPLICATIONS FOR THE ISSUANCE OF ANY ZONING PERMITS, BUILDING PERMITS, CERTIFICATES OF USE OR APPLICATIONS FOR DEVELOPMENT OF SMALL BOX DISCOUNT STORES IN THE TOWN OF FORESTPORT, NEW YORK
Whereas, Small Box Discount Store means a retail store that has a floor area of not more than 15,000 square feet and that offers for sale ( 1) a combination and variety of convenience shopping goods and consumer shopping goods and (2) the majority of the items in the inventory at a price not to exceed ten dollars. Small Box Discount Store does not include (1) a grocery store; (2) a store that contains a pharmacy where prescription drugs are compounded, dispensed, or distributed; (3) a store that offers for sale gasoline or diesel fuel for vehicles; (4) a retail store where the majority of the products sold are personal hygiene products or cosmetics; (5) a store that primarily engages in the resale of used consumer goods; and
Whereas, in Forestport and surrounding areas, there has been a proliferation of Small Box Discount Stores which are not currently defined in the Zoning Code of the Town of Forestport Codified Ordinances;
Whereas, the Town of Forestport desires to avoid a high concentration of Small Box Discount Stores within the same geographical area(s); and
Whereas, to create a high quality of life, the Trustees of the Town of Forestport desires to have economic diversification and well maintained properties that promote public health, safety and welfare; and
Whereas, while recognizing the need for future economic growth the Board also recognizes the need to assure that certain land uses are properly zoned and to mitigate the potential harmful impact uses can have on residential and commercial areas; and
Whereas, the Board of the Town of Forestport believes that a moratorium on the acceptance and processing of applications for zoning, occupancy and/or building permits for Small Box Discount Stores will not deny property owners economically stable use of their property and will afford Town officials and the Town of Forestport Board the time necessary to put in place reasonable zoning and business regulations to protect the public health, safety and welfare of the citizens of the Town; now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF THE TOWN OF FORESTPORT, NEW YORK, THAT:
SECTION I. Board of the Town of Forestport hereby declares a moratorium for a period of twelve (12) months, until 4/16/2025, on the issuance of any zoning permits, building permits, certificates of use or applications for development of Small Box Discount Stores in the Town of Forestport, New York.

SECTION II. This moratorium is necessary to allow the Town time to study the current
Planning and
Zoning Code in order to determine the appropriate location(s) and regulation(s) for
Small Box Discount Stores within the Town.

SECTION III. This Resolution shall take effect and be in full force from and after the date of its
passage.

• Comprehensive Plan Update: The Kickoff meeting is scheduled for May 21, 2025, from 5PM-7PM at the Forestport Town hall. The regularly scheduled Town Board meeting will begin immediately after.

NEW BUSINESS BOARD:
• Live Traps: Craig Jenks, the Dog Control Officer used a live trap on Bellingertown Road and the dog destroyed it. Craig purchased a new one and is billing the town. The board agreed to do that.
• Woodgate School Property: Supervisor Entwistle has a contract with a Landscape Firm, MJ Associates out of Albany and they will be working with Jen Hartsig, the Grant Writer and are proposing a planning and conceptualization project, for $5,225. This will include several meetings with Supervisor Entwistle and Jen Hartsig. The turnaround for that will be a couple weeks.
• Front Door Keypad: Supervisor Entwistle is waiting on a quote. Each Organization will have their own code and if they decide they aren’t utilizing the building anymore, the code becomes invalid.
• Demolition of Unsafe Building- 12188 Woodhull Road
A motion was made by Councilwoman Verschneider and seconded by Councilman Scouten to pass Resolution #4 of 2025.
4 ayes/ 0 nays/1 absent MOTION CARRIED
Resolution No. 4 of 2025
Demolition of Unsafe Building-12188 Woodhull Road, Forestport, NY 13338
WHEREAS, the Town of Forestport is committed to providing a sanitary and hazard free
environment for its’ citizens, in pursuit of their health, safety, and welfare, and;
WHEREAS, the Town of Forestport enacted Local Law #2 of 2016, entitled “Unsafe
Buildings Law” in furtherance of a sanitary and hazard free environment, and;
WHEREAS, the registered owners of Tax Parcel ID# 50.003-1-47, more commonly known as 12188 Woodhull Road, Forestport, NY have been effectively deemed in violation of Section Q of the Unsafe Buildings Law by the Forestport Town Board as follows,
Where it reasonably appears that there is present a clear and imminent danger to the life, safety, or health of any person or property, unless an unsafe building is immediately
repaired and secured or demolished, the Town Board may by resolution authorize the
Building Inspector to immediately cause the repair or demolition of such unsafe building. The expense of such repair or demolition shall be a charge against the land on which it is
located and shall be assessed, levied and collected as provided in this law.
WHEREAS, the Town of Forestport Codes Department has made multiple attempts to
affect the registered owners of 12188 Woodhull Road to demolish the unsafe building over the past 60 days, to no avail;
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Forestport does hereby authorize the Codes Officer/Building Inspector to contract with the necessary parties to demolish the unsafe building at 12188 Woodhull Road as of April 28, 2025.
Supervisor Entwistle has received three quotes for the demolition at 12188 Woodhull Road:
1. Willie Van- $20,000
2. Chad Burdick- $45,000-$48,000
3. Ron’s Construction- $22,500
• Hometown Heroes: Supervisor Entwistle stated Councilman Addison has been diligent in getting the Hometown Heroes together. Once it is completed and ready to go, the town will have an unveiling for all those who purchased a banner.

NEW BUSINESS PUBLIC:
• Ron Davies, President of Trackside Blazers stated they had a successful year of easter egg hunting for the kids. Discussion took place regarding the Records Management grant Tracy Terry, the Town Clerk received. It was said the grant is 100% funded and it is for the Planning and Codes records to be digitized.
• Laurie Fessler mentioned having signs at the boat launches about the boat launch. She also mentioned revamping the Solar law. Supervisor Entwistle stated she should contact Sandy Pascucci, the Planning Board Secretary to be put on the agenda.

A motion was made by Councilwoman and seconded by Councilman to adjourn the meeting.
4 ayes/ 0 nays/1 absent MOTION CARRIED
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:41 pm by Supervisor Entwistle.

Respectfully submitted,

Tracy M. Terry

Forestport Town Clerk