TOWN OF FORESTPORT
PUBLIC HEARING AND REGULAR TOWN BOARD
MEETING MINUTES
FORESTPORT TOWN HALL
10275 State Route 28, Forestport, N.Y.
March 19, 2025 @6:15PM

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

ABSENT: No members of the Town Board were absent.

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 March 19, 2025, at 6:15 PM at the Forestport Town Hall, 10275 State Route 28, Forestport, NY. The Public Hearing is being held to review and accept public comments on a Statutory Installment Bond Anticipation Note for a 2025 Highway Truck, in the amount of $240,000.00.
Tracy M. Terry – Forestport Town Clerk

DATED: February 20, 2025
PUBLISH WEEK OF: March 11, 2025

Ron Davies, from the Gallery, asked if it was a plow. Supervisor Entwistle answered it has a plow with sanderbox and all the extras. Ron Davies asked why the town doesn’t budget for an extra truck without the sanderbox. Supervisor Entwistle stated they have talked about it but they are still really expensive. This current truck they sold, it had a lot of problems, but it may be discussed later on.

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

ABSTRACTS:
GENERAL:
A motion was made by Councilwoman Verschneider and seconded by Councilwoman Abrial to pay Abstract # 3, Vouchers #124- #171 in the amount of $38,415.97.
5 ayes/ 0 nays/0 absent MOTION CARRIED

HIGHWAY:
A motion was made by Councilman Scouten and seconded by Councilman Addison to pay Abstract #3, Vouchers #52- #80 in the amount of $26,130.03.
5 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 #3, Vouchers #21- #32 in the amount of $3,236.74.
5 ayes/ 0 nays/0 absent MOTION CARRIED
SEWER DISTRICT #1:
A motion was made by Councilman Addison and seconded by Councilman Scouten to pay Abstract #3, Vouchers #13- #17 in the amount of $10,501.67.
5 ayes/ 0 nays/0 absent MOTION CARRIED
BUCKHORN:
A motion was made by Councilwoman Verschneider and seconded by Councilwoman Abrial to pay Abstract #3, Vouchers #3- #8 in the amount of $1,946.92.
5 ayes/ 0 nays/0 absent MOTION CARRIED

TOWN CLERK MINUTES:
A motion was made by Councilman Scouten and seconded by Councilwoman Verschneider to accept the minutes from the:
February 19, 2025: Regular Town Board Meeting and KLIA Public Hearing
5 ayes/ 0 nays/0 absent MOTION CARRIED

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

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

WATER:
• Health Inspection Completed: Everything went well with the inspection.
SEWER:
• Lift Station Pump: There was an issue that has been resolved. Supervisor Entwistle mentioned Lucas staying a 12 hour and 8-hour day fixing the problem without complaining.
• WWIA Update : Supervisor Entwistle has confirmation the Environmental Facilities will be renewed this week and construction should start this Summer into Fall.
OLD BUSINESS BOARD:
• Radar Signage: Supervisor Entwistle has received one quote for one radar sign.
• Amendments to SRL:
 Solar Law: there are just small amendments.
 Three Story Homes: Some Fire Departments have raised concerns with three story homes.
The Planning Board is still in discussion regarding them.
• Small Box Stores Moratorium: This was discussed last month.
A motion was made by Councilman and seconded by Councilman to Schedule a Public hearing regarding a moratorium on box stores, April 16th at 6:10PM
5 ayes/ 0 nays/0 absent MOTION CARRIED

• PBA Vacancy: There is an ad going on next week advertising for this. Councilman Addison stated the Boat Wash will be advertising next week as well. The DEC is going to be paying for this again and it will be one person a week instead of two. They will be asking for recommendations this year.
• Senior Lunch Program: Supervisor Entwistle is hoping to kick this off in the Spring. The Oneida County Office for the Aging is interested in giving some assistance. He also asked Councilwoman Verschneider if initially they can pair this up with the monthly senior meetings. Councilwoman Verschneider asked if this is going to be like the previous program. He stated initially it will be a bagged-up lunch but hopefully turn into a hot lunch program.
• Community Website: Supervisor Entwistle turned it over to Kim Lambert, from the Gallery. She stated she would like the Community website to have community pride. Supervisor Entwistle stated he agreed with their questions. He stated one question was how we reach those who do not have internet or do not choose to. The town website has links to government, schools, and history. Those things can be repeated on the community website but don’t need to be. A community website could be domained by the town but should be a separate website. Supervisor Entwistle doesn’t mind paying the hosting fee. He stated the Town Clerk; Tracy does a great job with the Town website but having someone else do it alleviates her from deciding what can or cannot be placed on the community website. The website has been updated to be ADA compliant, the Post Office, Town Clerk sign board, and looking into an LED signboard and the newspaper. You cannot force people to be involved. Ron Davies, from the Gallery, stated before wasting money on an LED light, people should start showing up. The board agreed the Community Website would be a good resource for those who are visiting.
• Ski Program Wrap UP: There was a smaller group this year and everyone did well. Supervisor Entwistle thanked Councilwoman Abrial and her family for all their help as well as Laura Wawrzyniak. The Gore Trip for intermediate skiers was cancelled due to the weather after already being postponed.
• 2025 Highway Truck Bond:
A motion was made by Councilman Scouten and seconded by Councilwoman Abrial to pay pass the Statutory Bond Resolution for the 2025 Highway Truck.
5 ayes/ 0 nays/0 absent MOTION CARRIED

NEW BUSINESS BOARD:
• Camp Nazareth: The town is sponsoring 20 children this year. Parent/grandparents are responsible for paying $100 per camper to keep the youth budget reasonable. Camp Nazareth has raised the rate for the town to $400. The applications will be available in the foyer, or they can print them on Camp Nazareth’s website, but applications will not be able to be dropped off to the Town Clerk until Wednesday, April 2nd.
• Summer Recreation: The town is willing to do Summer Recreation again. Supervisor Entwistle and Councilman Addison will be speaking with Ashley Galligan and Eric Freeman again. Looking at the budget from the Art Club now and restarting in the Fall, the ski club and the current setup for Summer Recreation will reach the budget. Supervisor Entwistle recommended leaving the Summer Recreation program three days a week for three hours a day. Councilwoman Verschneider asked what the pay was, and it was answered $20/hour. Councilman Addison suggested having more of a contribution form the parents. Kim Lambert, from the Gallery, asked about people donating. It was answered that residents donate, and the town is happy to work that out. They try to see if there is a need first before taking the money. Last years Summer Recreation had 15 children and not everyone comes every day.
• Road Closures- White Lake Inn and Old Forestport Days:
A motion was made by Councilman Addison and seconded by Councilwoman Verschneider to approve 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.
5 ayes/ 0 nays/0 absent MOTION CARRIED

• LED sign for Town Hall: Town Clerk, Tracy terry has been getting quotes for a LED sign at the Town Hall, similar to Kratzy’s or Otter Lake Fire Department. Supervisor Entwistle has spoken to Kratzy’s and Otter Lake Fire Department. There were concerns from the Gallery regarding LED signs and distracted driving and seizures. Discussion took place.
• Small Business Administration: There is an information sheet that is already on the website.

• Resolution:
A motion was made by Councilwoman Verschneider and seconded by Councilwoman Abrial to pay pass Resolution #1 of 2025 below.
5 ayes/ 0 nays/0 absent MOTION CARRIED

• Woodgate School Property: Discussion took place at a previous Public Hearing regarding the property. There was general consensus on making a Pickleball Court, a couple pavilions, bathhouse and a sensory playground. Supervisor Entwistle has received one quote and is waiting for two more. The current quote was $20,000 to demolish the building and take it out. There is a current funding application for Municipal parks and recreation. The Grant writer is looking into getting that ARPA money and grant money from the Wadas Foundation. They are looking for a landscape architect of what the property could look like. Jeanne Wolcott asked about the church on Woodhull Road. Supervisor Entwistle stated Tony and Ryan have been in contact with them and if there is not a contract in place by April 15th to be on the schedule to have it torn down by the 15rh of May, the town will take it down and put it on the taxes.
• Maintenance: Jim Pelno is looking to come back this Summer to help with maintenance as Dominic will not be coming back.
NEW BUSINESS PUBLIC:
• Ron Davies, of Trackside Blazers gave a report to the Town Board and Town Clerk. They had a total of 202,094 total sleds pass through the counters. Trails opened April 3rd and railroad tracks April 23rd. He had petitions with him to remove the tracks and replace with multi-use corridors. Ron thanked the Highway Crew for a great job grooming. The Easter Egg Hunt will be April 12th at 12PM and they are asking for a donation of a canned good to be donated to the Food Pantry.

A motion was made by Councilwoman Abrial and seconded by Councilman Scouten to adjourn the meeting.
5 ayes/ 0 nays/0 absent MOTION CARRIED
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:52 pm by Supervisor Entwistle.
Respectfully submitted,

Tracy M. Terry

Forestport Town Clerk