TOWN OF FORESTPORT
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING MINUTES
FORESTPORT TOWN HALL
10275 State Route 28, Forestport, N.Y.
January 15, 2025 @6:30PM

PRESENT: Supervisor Entwistle
Councilwoman Abrial
Councilwoman Verschneider
Councilman Addison

ABSENT: Councilman Scouten

RECORDING SECRETARY: Tracy Terry, Town Clerk

CALL TO ORDER:

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:

PUBLIC HEARING:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Town Board of the Town of Forestport will be holding a Public Hearing on January 15, 2025, at 6:15 PM at the Forestport Town Hall, 10275 State Rt. 28, Forestport, NY. The Public Hearing is being held to review and accept public comments regarding the closure of Dustin Road Bridge on August 2, 2025, from 8PM-10PM for the “Kayuta Lake Improvement Association Fireworks”.
Tracy M. Terry – Forestport Town Clerk

DATED: December 19, 2024
PUB DATE: WEEK OF January 6, 2025

Supervisor Entwistle stated the Bridge will be shut down and the Remsen and Forestport Fire Departments will be assisting with traffic, The certificate of insurance is already done through Majestic.
There were comments from the gallery.
A motion was made by Councilman Addison and seconded by Councilwoman Abrial to close the public hearing.
4 ayes/ 0 nays/1 absent MOTION CARRIED

ABSTRACTS:
GENERAL:
A motion was made by Councilwoman Verschneider and seconded by Councilwoman Abrial to pay Abstract # 1, Vouchers #1- #34 in the amount of $14,288.89.
4 ayes/ 0 nays/1 absent MOTION CARRIED

HIGHWAY:
A motion was made by Councilman Addison and seconded by Councilwoman Verschneider to pay Abstract #1, Vouchers #1- #13 in the amount of $10,848.30.
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 #1, Vouchers #1- #5 in the amount of $1,437.45.
4 ayes/ 0 nays/1 absent MOTION CARRIED
SEWER DISTRICT #1:
A motion was made by Councilwoman Verschneider and seconded by Councilwoman Abrial to pay Abstract #1, Vouchers #1- #3 in the amount of $810.00.
4 ayes/ 0 nays/1 absent MOTION CARRIED

TOWN CLERK MINUTES:
A motion was made by Councilwoman Abrial and seconded by Councilman Addison to accept the minutes from the:
December 18, 2024: Regular Town Board Meeting
December 30, 2024: Year-End Meeting
January 6, 2025: Organizational Meeting
4 ayes/ 0 nays/1 absent MOTION CARRIED

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

A motion was made by Councilwoman Verschneider and seconded by Councilwoman Abrial to accept the monthly reports.
4 ayes/ 0 nays/1 absent MOTION CARRIED
NOCCOG: Joe Rowlands went over the monthly announcements.

WATER:
• USDA Rural Loan Compliance Review: Supervisor Entwistle and Town Clerk, Tracy Terry have a meeting with a USDA representative to review the water loan compliance.
• Billing software: The implementation is underway with BAS. There are going to be a lot of options for the water and sewer customers with the ability to make automatic payments, credit card payments and those with multiple properties will have one bill.
OLD BUSINESS BOARD:
• Door Locks: Mike from New Hartford Safe and Lock is getting the manufacturer specifications for the door.
• Ski Program: There are 13 children signed up for beginner ski day for February 15th. 20 adults and children are signed up for the Gore Intermediate day, pending bus approval. On the Gore trip, everyone needs their own ski equipment and needs to be a solid skier.
• Statutory Bond-Highway Truck: Supervisor Entwistle is in the process of reaching out for interest in the Highway Truck. The town isn’t supposed to take delivery of the Highway truck until October, but last time, the truck was delivered early, and payment was expected at that time as well.
• Radar Signs: Kim Lambert, from the Gallery put Supervisor Entwistle in touch with the company for the radar signs. There are permanent mobile ones. The mobile ones are more cost effective and can be moved. Supervisor Entwistle will email the board members the quote and they will review it at the next Town Board meeting.
NEW BUSINESS BOARD:
• Lunch program: Supervisor Entwistle got an idea from The Town of Webb in conjunction with the Old Forger Library in regard to a lunch for seniors, aimed at shut ins. Old Forge delivers meals to their seniors, but he would like to have lunch at the Town Hall once a week aimed at seniors aged 65 and above like they had at the Old Town Hall as it provided nutrition and socialization. Supervisor Entwistle was thinking of a sandwich, drink and fruit, but possibly something other than a sandwich but something easy. He will be in contact with the local businesses to see if they would be interested. Laurie Fessler, from the Gallery stated the Old forge senior meal program is funded by Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield and the Herkimer wellness award through Living Adk.
 Laurie Fessler asked if there was a kitchen at the Town Hall. It was answered yes, but there isn’t a stove/oven or refrigerator. When the school sold it they took all the equipment. They are currently trying to get equipment for this kind of program, but also if someone wants to rent the Town hall for a Spaghetti dinner or something like that.
 Kim Lambert asked if people couldn’t get out, would someone be able to deliver the meals? Supervisor Entwistle stated he didn’t have a problem with having someone deliver it. He wants to aim this at the fixed income, elderly people. Someone from the Gallery asked about the mail delivery person bringing the meals.
 Kim Lambert from the Gallery mentioned she can speak with her friend who owns a Kitchen supply company. Supervisor Entwistle stated he would like to get the contact information.
• Planning Board Vacancy: They are short of Planning Board members. The intent is to see if someone from the Planning Board of Appeals is interested in moving to the Planning Board. If someone is interested, they would advertise for PBA. If there is no interest, they will advertise for the Planning Board. Councilman Addisson will be reaching out in a day o two.
• KLIA Road Closure: Kim Lambert would like people to not park in their parking lot and asked for some barriers. Supervisor Entwistle stated if Highway Superintendent, Bill Gardner does not have signs he will see if he can get some from someone else.
A motion was made by Councilman Addison and seconded by Councilwoman Abrial to approve the closure of Dustin Road Bridge on August 2, 2025, from 8Pm-10PM.
4 ayes/ 0 nays/1 absent MOTION CARRIED
• The town authorized an emergency payment to StaR ambulance to facilitate them making it another month. Supervisor Entwistle met with the Supervisors from the Towns of Trenton, Remsen, Steuben, and Russia. StaR ambulances are saying, despite the extra money, they will most likely be out of money in August of this year. The majority of transport is Medicare, and they pay about 1/3 of what a ride is, and they do not get paid anything if they are not transported. Bob Whitehead, President of StaR ambulance is from Marcellus and Marcellus Ambulance was in the same situation awhile ago. They changed their business model. The last 5 years, they bumped their ambulances from 2 to 5. Three are guaranteed for phone calls and the other two are for interfacility transfers. They are tied into interfacility transfers from one hospital to another and it is guaranteed money. They are interested in allowing STaR to transfer their certificate of need to them. They will place one of their rigs in Stars ambulance. Provide services to communities and take STaR’s financial issues and turn that around. There will be plenty of public input. This transfer should take early some time or March-July/August.

NEW BUSINESS PUBLIC:
• Carl, from the gallery, asked about short-term rentals.
• Laurie Fessler, from the gallery, asked if there was more information on the moratorium. Supervisor Entwistle stated he has sent the information to the town Attorney and is waiting to hear back from her. He stated there should be land-use regulations mapped out in the Comprehensive Plan.

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 7:23 pm by Supervisor Entwistle.
Respectfully submitted,

Tracy M. Terry

Forestport Town Clerk