Town Board Meeting Minutes- September 17, 2025

TOWN OF FORESTPORT
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING MINUTES
WOODGATE FIRE HALL
12445 State Route 28, Woodgate, N.Y.
September 17, 2025 @6:10 PM

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

RECORDING SECRETARY: Tracy Terry, Town Clerk

CALL TO ORDER:

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
PUBLIC HEARINGS:

1. Notice is hereby given that the Town Board of the Town of Forestport will be holding a Public Hearing for Buckhorn Water District #2 at 6:10 P.M. on September 17, 2025, at the Woodgate Fire Hall, 12445 Route 28, Forestport, NY 13338. The Public Hearing is being held regarding a possible increase from $103.75 to $115.00 per quarter in regard to the Buckhorn Water District.

DATED: August 21, 2025
PUBLISH: WEEK OF September 9, 2025
 The goal of the increase is to build a bank account for the expenses in case of a major issue as well as fixing the current Buckhorn water plant. Lucas Kafka, Water Plant Operator has plans to fix the water leaks in the building, fix steps, install meters because as of now, they do not know when there is a leak unless Lucas is physically there and can hear the water pump running. A couple curb valves were dug up and the system is all plastic, and that’s not ideal. The curb valve leaks when water is turned on from shutting off for the winter.
 It was questioned when the increases would start. The increases would begin in the first quarter of 2026.
 It costs the homeowners in Buckhorn $1.14/day per household for their water.
 Concerns from the gallery were is this going to be a yearly increase. It was answered that the board is comfortable with this amount. Eventually they would like to put money in CD’s, so the money can grow. The Buckhorn Water District currently has $27,000 in savings.
 It was asked if there are grant opportunities. It was answered, yes. Jen, the Grant Writer is always looking for grant opportunities.
 The Town Board will be voting on this at the Monday Special meeting because there are only three voting members and they would like everyone to be there. The notice will be placed on the website and the radio.
A motion was made by Councilman Addison and seconded by Councilwoman Verschneider to close the Public Hearing .
3 ayes/ 0 nays/2 absent MOTION CARRIED

2. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Town Board of the Town of Forestport will be holding a Public Hearing on September 17, 2025, at 6:20 PM at the Woodgate Fire Hall, 12445 State Route 28, Woodgate, NY. The Public Hearing is being held to review and accept public comments regarding the proposal to override the NYS Tax Cap for the 2026 Budget.
Tracy M. Terry – Forestport Town Clerk

DATED: August 21, 2025
PUBLISH WEEK OF : September 9, 2025

 The current rate staying under the tax cap is $2.22/1,000. The proposed increase would be $3.22/1,000. A $100,000 dollar assessed house taxes would increase $100.00. The tax cap was broken in 2018, to raise money for the Fire and Ambulances. The town doesn’t have major revenue producer: garbage pickup, dump, airbnb fees. The town gets approximately $1.4-$1.6 million from sales tax from the County but take in $675,000 in property taxes. There are interesting revenue streams.
 Anna, from the Gallery stated there are other revenue streams.
 If the town stays under tax cap, the town will bring in $675,000 from taxes and if it is raised to $3.22 it will bring in $978,000.
 Laurie, from the Gallery, asked when the last revaluation was. It was answered 2008. Discussion took place regarding the last revaluation the town had. When you have a reval, it shouldn’t be feared.

A motion was made by Councilman Addison and seconded by Councilwoman Verschneider to close the Public Hearing .
3 ayes/ 0 nays/2 absent MOTION CARRIED
ABSTRACTS:
GENERAL:
A motion was made by Councilman Addison and seconded by Councilwoman Verschneider to pay Abstract # 9 Vouchers #534- #591 in the amount of $40,044.85.
3 ayes/ 0 nays/2 absent MOTION CARRIED
HIGHWAY:
A motion was made by Councilwoman Verschneider and seconded by Councilman Addison to pay Abstract #9 Vouchers #230- #250 in the amount of $84,391.22.
3 ayes/ 0 nays/2 absent MOTION CARRIED
WATER DISTRICT #1:
A motion was made by Councilman Addison and seconded by Councilwoman Verschneider to pay Abstract #9, Vouchers #89- # in the amount of $2,019.04.
3 ayes/ 0 nays/2 absent MOTION CARRIED
SEWER DISTRICT #1:
A motion was made by Councilwoman Verschneider and seconded by Councilman Addison to pay Abstract #9, Vouchers #43- #44 in the amount of $260.90.
3 ayes/ 0 nays/2 absent MOTION CARRIED
BUCKHORN:
A motion was made by Councilman Addison and seconded by Councilwoman Verschneider to pay Abstract #9, Vouchers #22-#24 in the amount of $260.10.
3 ayes/ 0 nays/2 absent MOTION CARRIED

TOWN CLERK MINUTES:
A motion was made by Councilman Addison and seconded by Councilwoman Verschneider to accept the minutes from the:
August 20, 2025: Regular Town Board Meeting and Comprehensive Master Plan Public Hearing
3 ayes/ 0 nays/2 absent MOTION CARRIED
REPORTS
TOWN CLERK REPORTS
JUSTICE REPORT
PLANNING REPORT
PLANNING BOARD OF APPEALS
DOG REPORT
SUPERVISOR REPORT

A motion was made by Councilman Addison and seconded by Councilwoman Verschneider to accept the monthly reports.
3 ayes/ 0 nays/2 absent MOTION CARRIED

NOCCOG: Lisa Bellinger went over the monthly announcements.

WATER:
• WWIP Grant application: Jen Hartsig, the Grant Writer is applying for the Wastewater Improvement grant again. She is in the process of getting started on the income study for May.
• Phone line changes for the water plants: The new phone lines are in the works. It will save the town money within a year by switching. The current phone bill through Frontier is $1,000 a month.
BUCKHORN:
• Rate Increase: This is being tabled until the Special Meeting, Monday, September 22, 2025, at 6:30PM.
• Buckhorn upgrades: There are a few minor projects scheduled. A meter is going to be installed for the entire water district.
OLD BUSINESS BOARD:
• Community EXPO: The Community EXPO is September 24, 2025, from 10AM-2PM. Tracy spearheads this with around 50 organizations.
• Highway Contract Negotiations: the negotiations have been completed with no issues. Supervisor Entwistle currently does not have the final contract back yet.
• Special Meeting: The Special Meeting is being held because the town has received some last-minute comments regarding the Comprehensive Master Plan and the Town Board wanted to review the comments.
• Comprehensive Master Plan:
A motion was made by Councilman Addison and seconded by Councilwoman Vershneider to close the hearing for the Comprehensive Master Plan.
3 ayes/ 0 nays/2 absent MOTION CARRIED

NEW BUSINESS BOARD:
• Tax Cap: This is tabled until Monday night.
• Highway: The Highway Department is currently down two workers.

A motion was made by Councilman Addison and seconded by Councilwoman Verschneider to accept Anthony Tooke and Adam Wilson’s resignation effective September 24, 2025. The Town Board wishes them the best of luck.
3 ayes/ 0 nays/2 absent MOTION CARRIED

NEW BUSINESS PUBLIC:
• Lucas Kafka, Water and Sewer Operator asked if the town has received an update from Jack Dodson, the Engineer. It was answered no. Lucas suggested the Town Board request a monthly update from Jack Dodson. Jack has stated the project will be going out to bid in December.
• Anna Hennessey, from the Gallery, asked what the plans were for the old Town Hall. It was answered that the town no longer owns it as it was sold when the town purchased the new building. The town only has a lease agreement for half of the garage as the water supplies are stored there.
• Laurie Fessler, from the Gallery asked if there was any progress on the Moratorium on small box stores. Supervisor Entwistle will be reaching Sandy to put it on the agenda for the Planning Board to decide what to do.
• Carl Thomas, from the Gallery asked if there was an update on Trestle Road. Supervisor Entwistle has reached out to the County and is waiting on a response.
• Ron Davies, from the Gallery asked how many guys were at the Highway Barn. There are four guys, and they are down two. The Part- Time wingers from last year will be asked if they want to come back for this year. An ad will be advertised in the paper and on the website for the two positions. Ron also asked about leasing highway trucks. When you lease a truck, it costs a lot more and you still have to do the maintenance. The new truck they ordered should be brought soon. They ordered another one for 2028 because they were told they needed to do it soon and it locks in the price. Ron asked if Mirabito’s gave the state price to the Town. It was answered yes. The Town Hall is filled with fuel for the year.
• Laurie Fessler, from the Gallery asked why the meetings in the middle of winter aren’t in Woodgate since it is centrally located. The thought process is the summer people are here more in the Summer, so that’s why they go to Woodgate and Otter Lake then.
ADJOURNMENT:
A motion was made by Councilman Scouten and seconded by Councilwoman Verschneider to adjourn the meeting.
3 ayes/ 0 nays/2 absent MOTION CARRIED

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:11P.M. by Supervisor Entwistle.
Respectfully submitted,
Tracy M. Terry

Forestport Town Clerk