TOWN OF FORESTPORT
PUBLIC HEARING MEETING MINUTES
RE: IMPROVEMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION OF WASTEWATER IMPROVEMENT PLAN
FORESTPORT TOWN HALL
10275 State Route 28, Forestport, NY 13338
May 23, 2024 @ 6:00PM

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

RECORDING SECRETARY: Tracy Terry, Town Clerk

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIENCE:

CALL TO ORDER:

LEGAL NOTICE:
Supervisor Entwistle read the following notice aloud:
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Town Board of the Town of Forestport, Oneida County, New York, will meet in the Town Hall, 10275 State Route 28, in Forestport, New York, in said Town, on May 23, 2024, at 6:00 o’clock P.M., Prevailing Time, for the purpose of conducting a public hearing upon a certain map, plan and report, including an estimate of cost, in relation to the proposed increase and improvement of the facilities of the Forestport Sewer District, in said Town, being the construction of improvements to and reconstruction of the wastewater treatment plant, in Forestport, New York, including original furnishings, equipment, machinery, apparatus, appurtenances, and incidental improvements and expenses in connection therewith as applicable, at a maximum estimated cost of $1,750,000.
Said capital project has been determined to be a Type I Action pursuant to the regulations of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation promulgated pursuant to the State Environmental Quality Review Act (“SEQRA”), the implementation of which as proposed, it has been determined will not result in any significant environmental impact. SEQRA compliance materials are available for public inspection at the office of the Town Clerk where it may be inspected during regular office hours by appointment.
At said public hearing said Town Board will hear all persons interested in the subject matter thereof.
Dated: Forestport, New York
May 1, 2024.
BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF
FORESTPORT, ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK
/s/Tracy Terry
Town Clerk
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
• MaryBeth Reising, from the Gallery asked if the town could apply for more grants. It was answered, yes. The purpose of this is to show the town is willing to bond for the remainder of the money to apply for more grants. A lot is under the Consolidated funding application. They pick projects they are willing to fund, such as wastewater and water. Optimistically, there could be $300,000. To keep it as reasonable as possible, the sewer district has borrowed money, interest free from the General fund for the engineering fees. The town can’t get reimbursed until the state signs off on it. The Grant writer possibly expects the end of July, they will get approval for the project. They are working on an income study just for the sewer district because they are saying the median income of Forestport is $70,000, but the board feels it is much lower than that. If they can prove that, it will help to get the grant money as well as the amount they could get.
• The plans have been done for over a year, except for the electrical drawings. Every section of the plan has to be approved by the state, but the electrical hasn’t been reviewed yet.
• MaryBeth asked if the residents should reach out to their representatives to put pressure on them. Supervisor Entwistle stated they could, but it is a blanket problem. He stated it wouldn’t hurt to let them know they are a sewer district resident in the Town of Forestport and the town is trying, but it is a giant cost, asking them to increase the grant funding.
• The town has an amicable relationship with the DEC that reviews the applications. They reached out to the town six months ago and asked them to apply for an extension. The town was approved.
• Joan Ingersoll, from the Gallery stated when she was on board, they did an income study by walking to all the homes in the sewer district. She asked if it was possible for the Assessor to run just the sewer district. Supervisor Entwistle stated they tried, but the only information Tonya has is the STAR or the exemptions. The percentage isn’t enough for the clear picture. There are people on the Comprehensive Plan Committees staff that will help do the income study. The board can’t go around to the sewer district customers and do an income study. She asked about the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), and it was answered it is no longer available. There were many places that took advantage of that. There is another program the board is looking into, for mobile home replacement.
• Supervisor Entwistle stated for the record, it is 100% the boards’ goal to not raise the rates for the sewer customers. They are going to try to get $300, 0000 off this and he would like to continue to borrow from the General fund to get this down.
• MaryBeth asked if they would ever see the increase go back down. Supervisor Entwistle stated the debt could be eliminated. It most likely wouldn’t be eliminated completely.
• Work should begin this September or October, but the worst-case scenario is the Spring. There is going to be a chlorination system that chlorinates after going through the chlorination beds, two sewer beds will be replaced to an osmosis system. The maximum treatment will take place and get chlorinated before it ends up in the river, a generator is going in, both lift station pumps will be replaced. All these improvements are dictated by the DEC.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
ADJOURNMENT:

A motion was made by Councilwoman Verschneider and seconded by Councilman Addison to close the hearing.
4 ayes/ 0 nays/ 1 absent MOTION CARRIED
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:27 pm by Supervisor Entwistle.
Respectfully submitted,

Tracy M. Terry

Forestport Town Clerk