Village Notes 2025-11-10
Auditing & Pay Vouchers
The Board did not approve this month’s vouchers after Trustee White flagged missing supporting documents for several construction-related expenses. The Board expects the required materials to be provided before approval.
Board Actions
Bill 163-2025: Park Use with Alcohol Hometown Hop & Shop (Passed 3–2, Mayor Williams, Trustees Ryan and Scollin in favor, Trustees Brunette and White opposed)
The Village Manager confirmed the event would fall under Village insurance. Trustees Brunette and White voted no, reflecting larger concerns about municipal risk.
Bill 164-2025: Re-levy of Unpaid Water, Sewer & Taxes (Passed 5–0)
Routine annual action forwarding unpaid water, sewer, and tax bills to county tax rolls.
Bill 165-2025: Public Hearing: Volunteer Rescue Tax Exemption (Passed 5–0)
This sets a public hearing to receive comment on a proposal to provide a property-tax exemption for volunteer rescue workers.
Bill 166-2025: CHIPS Budget Adjustment (Passed 5–0)
Adjusts the 2026 budget to align with actual CHIPS revenues and expenses.
Bill 167-2025: Budget Transfer for Sidewalk Materials (Passed 5–0)
Approved transferring funds to pay for actual material costs from sidewalk projects completed over the summer.
Bill 168-2025: Riverside Park Use (Passed 5–0)
Approved a 2026 use of Riverside Park.
Bill 169-2025: FEMA Contract Amendment (Passed 5–0)
Amends contract with SDA engineering consultants for environmental testing related to the wastewater project.
Bill 170-2025: Hiring a Water/Wastewater Operator Trainee (Passed 5–0)
Authorizes hiring a full-time water/wastewater operator trainee.
Bill 149-2025: Temporary Rail Trail Signage (Failed 4-1, Mayor Williams, Trustees Brunette, Scollin, Ryan opposed; Trustee White in favor)
No temporary amenity signage is currently approved, and nothing may be placed within the 100-foot Rail Trail corridor without DEC authorization.
Bill 150-2025: Cannabis Sales Taxation Grant Program (Tabled)
Trustees agreed to hold a work session during their next regular meeting on Nov. 24 to review the design of a grant program that would use cannabis revenues for projects that support youth, seniors, and recreation.
Old Business
Emergency Services Complex Tax Impact Analysis
Trustee Brunette put this item on the agenda and requested an update on consultant selection and timeline. An analysis of tax impacts, completed by Fiscal Advisors, was provided to the board at the meeting. The Board agreed to hold a dedicated tax impact work session during their next regular meeting on Nov. 24.
Capital Improvement Plan
Trustee Brunette put this item on the agenda and provided an update. This plan has been a year and a half in the making, following the March 11, 2024 resolution that created the CIP Task Force to develop a long-range, data-driven plan. Trustee Brunette said the CIP is how we protect taxpayers, plan responsibly, and invest in what matters most — our core infrastructure. The CIP adoption will be on the next Village Board agenda.
Downtown Streetscape Design Guidelines
Trustee Brunette put this item on the agenda and provided an update. The draft Streetscape Design Guidelines — developed with FCEDC, Village staff, and the consultant Planning4Places — are designed to create a cohesive downtown identity. The plan brings all materials, specifications, standards, and design details into one unified document to improve accessibility, safety, and grant competitiveness. The consultant will present the full draft at an upcoming meeting for Board and public review.
New Business
Church Street - Pine Street Corridor
Trustee White put this item on the agenda and initiated discussion about future planning needs in this high-traffic residential and commercial corridor. The board discussed the need to complete a survey so that different alternatives can be accurately explored. Survey work will proceed.
Public Comment
Residents asked questions and raised concerns on various agenda topics. A resident reiterated operational concerns for the Emergency Services Complex. Operations and maintenance must be part of the tax impact.
Executive Session
The Board entered executive session to discuss:
The lease or sale of property
Collective bargaining negotiations under Civil Service Law Article 14.
No formal action was taken afterward.
