Town Board Minutes- July 30, 2026

TOWN OF FORESTPORT
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING MINUTES
OTTER LAKE FIRE HALL
13853 State Route 28, Forestport N.Y.
July 15, 2026 @6:15 PM

PRESENT: Supervisor Entwistle
Councilman Addison
Councilman Scouten
Councilwoman Verschneider

ABSENT: Councilwoman Abrial

RECORDING SECRETARY: Tyler Terry

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
CALL TO ORDER:
The meeting was called to order by Supervisor Entwistle at 6:37 P.M.
PUBLIC INFORMATIONAL MEETING:
There will be a public informational meeting at 6:15pm on July 15th at the Otter Lake Fire House to gauge public opinion regarding Artificial Intelligence Centers and Data Farms within the Town of Forestport. The Forestport Town Board is currently considering a moratorium/ban on these types of projects, and public opinion will be critical in deciding how we proceed. There is information regarding these types of projects available in the Town Clerk’s office during business hours, and we also encourage the public to research the pros and cons online prior to the public meeting. If you have any questions, please feel free to email the Supervisor at supervisor@townofforestport.gov

Supervisor Entwistle started by saying there are currently no applications that have come before the Board. These projects are not felt that they conform to our Master Plan or fit in with the character of the community.

There were approximately 66 stakeholders in the gallery.
Comments from the Gallery included:

Sky at Kayuta Lake Campground- Projects need to be considered individually. Close looped water systems and negotiate the community benefits.

Tara from the Town of Ohio wants the Adirondacks to be kept Forever Wild.

John Cushman from Echo Lake and Alder Creek- Dislikes Data centers

Kim Lambert- Voiced she is against Data Centers

Delainey and other residents stated they were against Development.

Kevin was glad they all signed a petition to have documentation that our community is not for development.

Jane White- She would like the Attorney to attend. She wondered about how wetlands can protect us from development. She is nervous about big corporations shoving through a project even if there is a ban.

Gary Reddick: Wants a coalition of Towns put together to fight these projects. Unify with other towns. A sub-committee of town folks to be proactive so residents don’t have to rely only on Town Board members to get informed.

Tug Hill Commission- Suggested people watch their webinar on their website. Supervisor Entwistle stated he will have the Town Clerk add it to the website.

Ron Davies- asked for a show of hands who was in opposition- 100% opposition from the crowd.

Gerry Ritter- Asked if Comprehensive plan be amended to include opposition to these projects. Supervisor Entwistle is in favor of exploring adding the changes to it but on the other hand doesn’t want to limit growth as a whole.

Nicole is a resident and a mother- She is against technological growth such as this. She is concerned about her children’s and societies’ futures.

Thomas, a landowner- Concerned owners of large parcels of land could sign up to participate in these programs and could circumvent the protocols we are trying to put into place.

Beth Roberts- Solar Companies are leaving landowners to hold the bag on cleanup pf panels and contamination. She is against development.

Statements from those who didn’t address their name:

– Would like to make as strong of an objection as possible to prevent development, including with neighboring communities.
– Concerned about water contamination and pollution.
– How do we stop landowners from doing what they want to do with their own property?

There was a moment of silence said for MaryBeth Reising.

ABSTRACTS:
GENERAL:
A motion was made by Councilwoman Verschneider and seconded by Councilman Scouten to pay Abstract #7, Vouchers #426-#486 in the amount of $71,084.54
4 ayes/ 0 nays/1 absent MOTION CARRIED

HIGHWAY:
A motion was made by Councilwoman Verschneider and seconded by Councilman Scouten to pay Abstract #7, Vouchers #154- #172 in the amount of $137,052.72.
4 ayes/ 0 nays/1 absent MOTION CARRIED

WATER DISTRICT #1:
A motion was made by Councilman Addison and seconded by Councilwoman Verschneider to pay Abstract#7, Vouchers #75- #82in the amount of $35,624.96.
4 ayes/ 0 nays/1 absent MOTION CARRIED
SEWER DISTRICT #1:
A motion was made by Councilwoman Verschneider and seconded by Councilman Addison to pay Abstract#7, Voucher #40 in the amount of $94.00.

4 ayes/ 0 nays/1absent MOTION CARRIED

BUCKHORN:
A motion was made by Councilwoman Verschneider and seconded by Councilman Scouten to pay Abstract#7, Vouchers #22-#23 in the amount of $381.46.
4 ayes/ 0 nays/1 absent MOTION CARRIED

PLANNING:
A motion was made by Councilwoman Verschneider and seconded by Councilman Addison to pay Abstract#7, Voucher #2 in the amount of $200.00
4 ayes/ 0 nays/1 absent MOTION CARRIED

TOWN CLERK MINUTES:
A motion was made by Councilman Scouten and seconded by Councilman Addison to accept the minutes from the:
June 17, 2026: Regular Town Board Meeting
4 ayes/ 0 nays/1 absent MOTION CARRIED
REPORTS
TOWN CLERK
JUSTICE
SUPERVISOR
PLANNING BOARD OF APPEALS

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

WATER:
SEWER:
• WWIP Update: The town is moving forward with the project beginning in August. There will be no parking by the ballfield at the catholic Church.
• Amendment to Owner-Engineer Agreement(attached):
A motion was made by Councilman Scouten and seconded by Councilman Addison to approve the amendment to Owner-Engineer Agreement.
4 ayes/ 0 nays/1 absent MOTION CARRIED
BUCKHORN:
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
• Grant Applications: The town is applying for a grant for the Town Barn. Councilwoman Verschneider asked about the Woodgate Building Grant. It was answered the first two rounds the town didn’t get.
• Round Lake: This project will begin the week of July 27th. The bridge will be closed until mid-November.
• Highway Truck: The new Highway truck will be delivered by October.
• 5k Run/Walk: There are 59 people registered as of tonight. 35 for the 5k. T-shirts are still available for $25.
• Mower: The mower was delivered and is being used. The old mower was retained.
• Boilers: The new boilers have arrived at the Town Hall.
• EXPO: The date is set for Wednesday, September 30th from 10am-2pm.
• Building Use Form:
A motion was made by Councilman Scouten and seconded by Councilman Addison to approve the new building use form.
5 ayes/ 0 nays/1 absent MOTION CARRIED
• Building Use:
A motion was made by Councilman Scouten and seconded by Councilwoman Verschneider to approve the building use for Chad Burdick’s Celebration of Life.
4 ayes/ 0 nays/1 absent MOTION CARRIED
NEW BOARD BUSINESS:
• Old Truck: The old highway truck and the old boilers will be put on Auctions International.
• AI Data Centers: Further discussion on AI Data centers will be brought up at next month’s meeting. A possible proposal of Local Law after discussion with the Town Attorney.
• Thank you: Supervisor Entwistle thanked Sandy Pascucci for her time as the Town Historian. Joanne Ballard is to be the new Town Historian. Joanne obtained new historical signs for the Forestport Breaks last year.

• Resolution #4 of 2026:

A motion was made by Councilman Scouten and seconded by Councilman Addison to Resolution #4 of 2026.
4 ayes/ 0 nays/1 absent MOTION CARRIED

NEW BUSINESS PUBLIC:
• Ron Davies stated old pictures of the school were digitized. He also asked why the roof of the kiosk was removed. It was answered that the kiosk would be returned.
• Laurie Fessler asked if the DEC was going to be taking the boat wash station over and Councilman Addison stated they are waiting for a date for the decision to be made. She also asked if there was an update on the Cannabis application. It was answered that nothing has been received from New York State.
• The Senior Picnic is scheduled for July 22nd and there isn’t a signup for it. Just show up.
ADJOURNMENT:
A motion was made by Supervisor Entwistle and seconded by Councilman Addison to adjourn the meeting.
4 ayes/ 0 nays/1 absent MOTION CARRIED
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:49 P.M. by Supervisor Entwistle.

Respectfully submitted,
Tracy M. Terry

Forestport Town Clerk