Town Board Meeting Minutes- May 21, 2025

TOWN OF FORESTPORT
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING MINUTES
FORESTPORT TOWN HALL
10275 State Route 28, Forestport, N.Y.
May 21, 2025 @7:00PM

PRESENT: Supervisor Entwistle
Councilman Addison
Councilman Scouten
Councilwoman Verschneider
Councilwoman Abrial
ABSENT: No members of the Town Board were absent.

RECORDING SECRETARY: Tracy Terry, Town Clerk

CALL TO ORDER:

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
ABSTRACTS:
GENERAL:
A motion was made by Councilman Addison and seconded by Councilwoman Verschneider to pay Abstract # 5 Vouchers #233- #298 in the amount of $62,307.81.
5 ayes/ 0 nays/0 absent MOTION CARRIED
HIGHWAY:
A motion was made by Councilwoman Abrial and seconded by Councilman Scouten to pay Abstract #5 Vouchers #100- # 149 in the amount of $44,876.68.
5 ayes/ 0 nays/0 absent MOTION CARRIED
WATER DISTRICT #1:
A motion was made by Councilwoman Verschneider and seconded by Councilwoman Abrial to pay Abstract #5, Vouchers #44- #60 in the amount of $8,640.31.
5 ayes/ 0 nays/0 absent MOTION CARRIED
SEWER DISTRICT #1:
A motion was made by Councilman Addison and seconded by Councilwoman Verschneider to pay Abstract #5, Vouchers #23- #37 in the amount of $1,454.55.
5 ayes/ 0 nays/0 absent MOTION CARRIED
BUCKHORN:
A motion was made by Councilwoman Abrial and seconded by Councilman Addison to pay Abstract #5, Vouchers #13- #17 in the amount of $345.35.
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:
April 16, 2025: Public Hearings and regular Town Board Meeting
5 ayes/ 0 nays/0 absent MOTION CARRIED

REPORTS
TOWN CLERK REPORTS
JUSTICE REPORT
PLANNING REPORT
DOG REPORT
SUPERVISOR REPORT

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

NOCCOG: John Healt went over the monthly announcements.

WATER:
• Leaks in Irish Settlement: There are several leaks in Irish Settlement. People know they are leaking and are continuing to let it leak. This is adding to their water bill and wasting water and chlorination. There are 3 bills that have an estimated $1800 water bill. If you have low water pressure, or a leak let someone know about it. The town cannot fix leaks between the meter and house but can put you in touch with someone who can.
SEWER:
• WWIP: It has been 5 years since it first started. They heard from the Engineer the other day. Construction will begin Late Fall with a break over the winter and resume in the Spring. There have been a lot of resolutions for the Sewer Project.
 Supervisor Entwistle read the following resolution aloud:
Town of Forestport Resolution No 5 for 2025
A RESOLUTION TO AMEND RESOLUTION NO 3 FOR 2021
A RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING THE TOWN OF FORESTPORT AS LEAD AGENCY FOR THE $1,400,00.00 WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT (WWTP) UPGRADE AND SEWAGE EFFLUENT DISINFECTION IMPROVEMNET PROJECT AND CALLNG FOR A COORDINATED REVIEW WITH ALL INVOLVED AGENCIES.
WHEREAS The Town of Forestport passed a resolution in 2021 regarding lead agency designation and now amend that Resolution to read as follows:
WHEREAS the Town of Forestport proposes the following action:
An upgrade to the wastewater treatment plan that consists of installation of chlorination, dichlorination precast concrete tanks; chemical metering pump, day and tank piping rehabilitate two (2) sand filter beds including: underdrain; liner; and media material; convert two (2) existing gravity sand filter beds to pressure dosing beds including underdrain; liner, piping and media; and modify the dosing chamber discharge piping, new generator; electrical service upgrade; miscellaneous work and site restoration.
WHEREAS, the Town of Forestport has made a preliminary determination the above action is a Type l Action pursuant to the regulations of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation promulgated pursuant to the State Environmental Quality Review Act;
WHEREAS, the Town of Foresport has completed Part l of the full Environmental Assessment Form (EAF); including a list of all involved agencies that the town could identify;
WHEREAS, the Town of Forestport will transmit Part 1 of the full EAF to all involved agencies and notify them that a lead agency must be agreed upon within 30 calendar days of the date the EAF was transmitted to them;
WHEREAS, the Town of Forestport must determine the significance of the action within 20 calendar days of its establishment as lead agency, or within 20 calendar days of its receipt of all information it may reasonably need to make the determination of significance;
WHEREAS, the Town of Forestport has determined Scoping is not required; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Forestport will prepare, file and publish its determination of significance pursuant to the regulations of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation promulgated pursuant to the State Environmental Quality Review Act; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the Town of Forestport assumes lead agency for the $1,400,00.00 Wastewater Treatment Plan (WWTP) upgrade and sewage effluent disinfection improvement project and
calling for a coordinated review with all involved agencies.

The foregoing resolution was presented by Councilwoman Verschneider and seconded by Councilman Addison and the resolution was put to a roll call, which resulted as follows:
¬¬Councilwoman Verschneider- aye
Councilman Addison- aye
Supervisor Entwistle- aye
Councilwoman Abrial-aye
Councilman Scouten- aye
The resolution was there upon declared and adopted on May 21, 2025.

 Supervisor Entwistle read the following aloud:
Town of Forestport Resolution No 6 for 2025
A RESOLUTION TO AMEND RESOLUTION NO 6 FOR 2021
A RESOLUTION DECLARING THE TOWN OF FORESTPORT WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT UPGRADE AND SEWAGE EFFLUENT DISINFECTION IMPROVEMENT PROJECT FOR THE FORESPORT SEWER DISTRICT WILL NOT HAVE SIGNIFICANT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT AND FILING OF A NEGATIVE DECLARATION—NOTICE OF NON-SIGNIFICANCE DETERMINATION.
WHEREAS The Town of Forestport passed a resolution in 2021 regarding a negative declaration, and now amends that Resolution to read as follows:
WHEREAS the Town of Forestport as Lead Agency, has completed Parts 2 and 3 of the full Environmental Assessment Form (EAF);
WHEREAS, the Town of Forestport has consulted with all involved agencies identified including: Federal, State County and Local agencies;
WHEREAS, the Town of Foresport, hereby determines and declares that the Project will not have significant environmental impact and has filed a Negative Declaration-Notice of Non-Significance Determination;
WHEREAS, the Town of Forestport, maintains copies of all correspondence on file to support the aforementioned declaration; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Forestport will prepare, file and publish its determination of significance in the Environmental Notice Bulletin and the Boonville Herald; now, therefore be it,
RESOLVED, that the Town of Forestport issues a SEQRA Negative Declaration for the proposed project, concluding that it will not have significant environmental impact;
RESOLVED that the Town of Forestport adopts and incorporates herein by reference the attached Negative Decleration for the proposed project; and
RESOLVED, that the Town of Forestport will prepare, file and publish its determination of significance in the Environmental Notice Bulletin and the Boonville Herald.

The adoption of the foregoing resolution was presented by Councilwoman Verschneider and seconded by Councilman Addison and the resolution was put to a roll call, which resulted as follows:
¬¬Councilwoman Verschneider- aye
Councilman Addison- aye
Supervisor Entwistle- aye
Councilwoman Abrial- aye
Councilman Scouten- aye
The resolution was there upon declared and adopted on May 21, 2025.
OLD BUSINESS BOARD:
• PBA Vacancy:
A motion was made by Councilwoman Abrial and seconded by Councilman Scouten to appoint Kim Lambert as the new Planning Board of Appeals Member of a period of one year.
5 ayes/ 0 nays/0 absent MOTION CARRIED

• Radar Signage: Supervisor Entwistle has been playing email tag with the company. Ron Davies, from the Gallery asked if they would want to use the metric count. Supervisor Entwistle stated this is a long-term investment instead of borrowing one from Tughill. These are battery operated and transmit the data.
• Front Door Keypad: Supervisor Entwistle still hasn’t had any luck. Councilman Addison will look into this, and Councilwoman Verschneider is going to try calling Mike.
• Woodgate School Property: The Board has discussed tearing the Woodgate building down. There have been a couple bids around $20,000 to tear the building down. Jen Piper has been looking for grants. The Landscaping Firm out of Albany has a preliminary drawing of what it can look like. This is a multi-year project. There will be three separate parts of the grant. The town is seeking $350,000 and would take care of all three phases. There’s a 10% match for the town that includes in-kind services. It will have a sensory park, bathrooms, pavilions with grills, walking trail around the perimeter and a pickleball court. Councilwoman Verschneider asked if it would interfere with a pickleball court at the Town Hall. Supervisor Entwistle stated it will probably be at the Woodgate School lot. According to the pickleball players, they would like it at the Woodgate location. The $5,000 grant will go towards the pickleball court.
• Hometown Hero Banners: They are on the poles on Route 28 and in the hamlet. He thanked Councilman Addison for putting this together and all the work he did. He also thanked Dicky Winters, Tim McGurk and Strider for putting all the banners on the poles. They look great.
• Summer Recreation: This is open to 25 school aged children. Ashley has themed weeks: Mad Science Lab, Inventor’s Workshop, Space Explorers, Eco Heroes and the science of Sound & Music. Councilwoman Verschneider asked if Ashley was taking the kids to the Wild Center because she was planning on taking the seniors there but thought it was too far.
• 12188 Woodhull Road Demolition: The church near the Post Office is coming down in the next couple weeks. The town has a right to demolish it but it is an expense. There’s a lot of paperwork that has to be filed. The town needs an asbestos certified company. Bronze Construction is the only company that Supervisor Entwistle knows of that is asbestos certified. The Code Enforcement Officer has reached out to the other individuals who had buildings collapse. The town is looking to see progress on cleaning them up. When the church is finished they will be move onto the next high priority ones.
• Comprehensive Plan: The next meeting will be July 16, 2025, in Otter Lake. At that time, John from Labella and Associates will be going over the final plan. Jane, from the Gallery asked what took place as she wasn’t able to make the meeting. Supervisor Entwistle explained and asked where people see the town in the next 5-10 years and demographics, infrastructure. People were able to leave comments on the boards of a level of importance. A copy will go on the website once it is available. The survey data may also be able to be put online. Two things were split 50/50- ATV trail system and more regulations/less regulations.

NEW BUSINESS BOARD:
• Compliance Policies: Town Clerk, Tracy Terry has compiled Policies the Town needs. She is still working on them and once completed, they will be brought up at a future meeting.
• PBA Reappointment:
A motion was made by Councilman Addison and seconded by Councilwoman Abrial to reappoint Laurie Fessler to the Planning Board of Appeals
5 ayes/ 0 nays/0 absent MOTION CARRIED
• Dump Day: Dump Day is being held July 19, 2025, from 8am to 2pm at the Highway Barn. Tracy Terry, the Forestport Town Clerk will post the list of acceptable items on the website. There is no shredding this year as it has been poorly attended in the past. There is a possibility of doing one in the Fall if needed.
• Dave Younkrans: Supervisor Entwistle thanked him for donating a considerable amount of money to the Youth Recreation and Community Garden.
• June meeting: It is June 18, 2025, in Otter Lake.
• Consolidated Funding Application: This application has been opened from NYS today. Jen recommends applying for the Environmental Protection Fund grant in pursuit of the Woodgate project. The application time is not too bad, and the town would only be competing with others from the Mohawk Valley region. Jen suggests applying for $100,000-$150,000 in state funds. She is looking at another one that would help check off a Comprehensive Plan to update the town’s Subdivision and Site review Law. The minimum request is $75,000. Lobella is willing to give an estimate to update the land use plan. Jen is willing to set Trackside up with Grants Gateway.

NEW BUSINESS PUBLIC:
• Ron Davies, from the Gallery, asked if the Boat wash kiosk was completed. The kiosk was paid for by the grant, which is close to $70,000. Forestport did not ask for it, but they needed to do it because of the boat wash. The trail maps and interactive materials are included. The grant should last until next year and the town is applying for another grant.

A motion was made by Councilman Addison 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