TOWN OF FORESTPORT
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING MINUTES
FORESTPORT TOWN HALL
10275 State Rte. 28, Forestport, N.Y. 13338
February 15, 2023 @6:30

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

ABSENT: No members of the Town Board were absent.

RECORDING SECRETARY: Tracy Terry, Town Clerk

CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 6:30 PM by Supervisor Entwistle. He started off by saying tomorrow morning, Terry Larkin will be honored with the Liberty Medal, the highest civilian honor in New York State at the Forestport Diner.
Supervisor Entwistle also noted the passing of Larry Ritter who was a longtime Town Board and Planning Board member. He was integral in the current Subdivision Law and an all around good guy.
ABSTRACTS:
WATER DISTRICT #1:
A motion was made by Councilman Scouten and seconded by Councilwoman Verschneider to pay Abstract #2, Vouchers #16- #33 in the amount of $3,627.25.
5 ayes/ 0 nays/ 0 absent MOTION CARRIED
BUCKHORN WATER:
A motion was made by Councilwoman Verschneider and seconded by Councilman Scouten to pay Abstract #2, Vouchers #3- #6 in the amount of $108.88.
5 ayes/ 0 nays/ 0 absent MOTION CARRIED
SEWER DISTRICT #1:
A motion was made by Councilwoman Abrial and seconded by Councilwoman Verschneider to pay Abstract #2, Vouchers #11- #22 in the amount of $24,106.77.
5 ayes/ 0 nays/ 0 absent MOTION CARRIED
$22,000 was for the Engineer fees for the upcoming project.
GENERAL:
A motion was made by Councilwoman Kardash and seconded by Councilwoman Abrial to pay Abstract #2, Vouchers #55- #115 in the amount of $32,817.43.
5 ayes/ 0 nays/ 0 absent MOTION CARRIED

HIGHWAY:
A motion was made by Councilman Scouten and seconded by Councilwoman Verschneider to pay Abstract #2, Vouchers #30- #57 in the amount of $60,822.06.
5 ayes/ 0 nays/0 absent MOTION CARRIED

TOWN BOARD EXCROW:
A motion was made by Councilwoman Abrial and seconded by Councilwoman Kardash to pay Abstract #2, Vouchers #3- #4 in the amount of $100.00
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:
Water District #1- January 18, 2023
Sewer District #1 – January 18, 2023
Buckhorn Water District- January 18, 2023
Town Board Regular Meeting- January 18, 2022
Area Variance Hearing: Kraeger: January 18, 2023
5 ayes/ 0 nays//0 absent MOTION CARRIED

REPORTS
WATER
SEWER
TOWN CLERK REPORT
JUSTICE REPORT
PLANNING REPORT
DOG REPORT
SUPERVISOR REPORT
A motion was made by Councilwoman Abrial and seconded by Councilwoman Verschneider to approve the reports as a whole.
5 ayes/ 0 nays/0 absent MOTION CARRIED
NOCCOG:
Lisa Bellinger, of NOCCOG went over the monthly announcements.
OLD BUSINESS BOARD:
• Engineering Update-Sewer: Jack Dodson outlined the parameters; all four sewer gravity dosing beds will be replaced with two gravity dosing beds and two pressure dosing beds for the wintertime. There will be a new basket manhole generator and run a new line so they can take samples from inside the building. There will be two new manholes going in. The effluent will get passed through a row of chlorine tablets after it goes through the beds before it goes into the river. It is a low dose of chlorine. Once the plans are back, it will be put out to bid and construction should begin in the late Fall and finish before the Summer of 2024. Joan Ingersoll, from the gallery asked how many people were on the sewer line. Supervisor Entwistle answered 61 actual customers and 89 properties. The town qualified late last year for $400,000 and the grant writer is still trying to get more money. Joan asked if the Town has reached out to Griffo. Supervisor Entwistle said he has spoken with Griffo’s Assistant and reaches out every 2-4 weeks.
• Beechwood Cemetery: The Town Board approved a slate of officers at the Beechwood Cemetery Association Meeting at 6pm prior to the Town Board meeting. They are as follows:
Kim Scouten- President
Art Gleasman- Vice President
Joan Ingersoll-Treasurer
Kaitlyn Hebert-Secretary
John Jones- Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds.
Someone from the gallery asked who to contact if there is a death for a burial. Supervisor Entwistle said they can call anyone on the Board but will most likely get John Jones. Generally, the undertaker takes care of these things and will reach out to them directly.
• Master Plan Update: The Master Plan Committee met last week. They are currently in the beginning stages and are familiarizing themselves with the steps. There are three consultant companies that were recommended and once a company is hired, fliers will be mailed out to every resident, landowners and visitors. Hard copy surveys will be available at the Town Hall and local businesses, post offices and the Highway Barn. The company sees what the vision is and goals. The Town is ineligible for a lot of grants because they do not have an updated Comprehensive Plan. A lot of the Master Plan is tied to the Smart Growth principles.
• Planning Board Appointment: There was a vacancy on the Planning Board. The Planning Board reviewed the applicants and recommended Allison DeTraglia. She has an extensive background and is from the area. There was a total of 8 applicants. Some applicants were not eligible because they were not residents of Forestport.
A motion was made by Councilwoman Abrial and seconded by Councilman Scouten to appoint Allison DeTraglia on the vacant seat of the Planning Board.
5 ayes/ 0 nays/0 absent MOTION CARRIED

• James Allison Variance:
This is being tabled until the March meeting. Supervisor Entwistle has reached out to other Association of Town’s Attorney’s to see what they have to say regarding the variance because he wants to make sure it is a viable variance.

NEW BUSINESS BOARD:
• Resolution #1 of 2023: DOT Local Road Inventory: Supervisor Entwistle stated they have a list of local roads with mileage and where it starts and ends. Stone Quarry Road has always been on the list, but for some reason has not been on the list the last couple years.
A motion was made by Councilwoman Verschneider and seconded by Councilwoman Abrial to pass Resolution #1 of 2023.
5 ayes/ 0 nays/0 absent MOTION CARRIED

• Local Law #2 of 2023: Aged Exemption: Supervisor Entwistle went over the highlights of the proposed Law and stated if people have questions, they can reach out to Tonya Brown, the Assessor. She is in the office Monday and Tuesday 9am-2pm.

A motion was made by Councilwoman Kardash and seconded by Councilwoman Abrial to schedule a Public Hearing for Aged Exemption, March 15, 2023, at 6:00PM
5 ayes/ 0 nays/0 absent MOTION CARRIED
• Local Law #3 of 2023: Supervisor Entwistle stated when he was on the Planning Board, they petitioned the Town Board to create a Zoning Board of Appeals. The Local Law would create a three-member Planning Board of Appeals regarding use and area variances, meeting when necessary. Supervisor Entwistle spoke to those in attendance that applied for the Planning Board position, to consider a spot on the Board of Appeals and to call him with any questions.
A motion was made by Councilwoman Kardash and seconded by Councilwoman Verschneider to schedule a Public Hearing on April 19, 2023, at 6:15 for Local Law #3 of 2023.
5 ayes/ 0 nays/0 absent MOTION CARRIED

EXECUTIVE SESSION:
A motion was made by Councilwoman Kardash and seconded by Councilwoman Abrial to enter into executive session regarding a Personnel Matter.
5 ayes/ 0 nays/0 absent MOTION CARRIED
The Board returned from Executive session at 7:32PM with action taken.
A motion was made by Councilwoman Kardash and seconded by Councilwoman Verschneider to appoint Lucas Kafka as the new Water and Sewer Operator.
5 ayes/ 0 nays/0 absent MOTION CARRIED
Supervisor Entwistle let Lucas Kafka, in the gallery know he will leave it to him to get his classes. He will also need to fill out an application with Dawn Campbell.

NEW BUSINESS PUBLIC:

ADJOURNMENT:
A motion was made by Councilman Scouten and seconded by Councilwoman Abrial to adjourn the meeting.
5 ayes/ 0 nays/0 absent MOTION CARRIED
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:36 pm by Supervisor Entwistle.
Respectfully submitted,

Tracy M. Terry

Forestport Town Clerk