Lincoln Ellis

The meeting included the approval of prior minutes from January 14th, 2025. Discussions covered the opening of bids for the Brier View Road Drainage improvement project, with bids received from Boland Excavating, Vakri Construction Corporation, and Herd Development. A public hearing was held regarding the establishment of Consolidated Sewer District number one, extension number 193, for property at 1637 Glenwood Road, which was subsequently closed and approved via resolution. Supervisor updates encouraged residents to sign up for the quarterly online newsletter and provided details on the nonprofit carousel committee being formed to raise funds for carousel restoration, noting secured state grants and private donations. Landlords were reminded of the past-due requirement to register rental properties. Town personnel were recognized for their efforts during a recent snowstorm. Several budget amendments for the Water Department (transfers between expense lines to cover year-end overages) and the Sewer Department (transfers between lines) were approved. Further financial resolutions included approval for membership dues to the Broom County Association of Towns and payments for outside council fees to Cofflin and Gear LLP and Hancock Esbrook LLP (the latter tabled pending further investigation). Finally, appointments to the Town Planning Board and the Town Zoning Board of Appeals were approved.

The Town Board meeting covered a long agenda, beginning with the pledge of allegiance. Key discussion items included updates on tax collection methods (online, Dropbox, mail, in-person) and the status of the carousel project, which is funded by state grants and private donations, with groundbreaking expected in the spring. The Board addressed several budget amendments across Public Works (snow and ice agreement renewal with Broome County, with one member abstaining due to employment), Finance (waiving notice period for a liquor license application, contract renewal for the Vestal Senior Center lease), Engineering (transfer for education reimbursement), Sewer (transfer for main repair), Water (transfer for hydrant purchase), and Police (tuition reimbursement for an officer). Resolutions were passed authorizing payments for 2026 membership dues for the New York State Association of Towns and the Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce, as well as authorizing bonding and contingency costs for water capital projects and the purchase of construction/maintenance equipment. The Board also adopted an order calling for a public hearing regarding the consolidated water district number one improvements. Planning and Zoning items included setting publication dates for public hearings related to consolidated sewer district extension number 1, special use permits for a vehicle service station and aquifer zoning for Williams Auto Group, and a vehicle service station special use permit for Isaac Kovaleovv. Public Safety involved funding necessary IT improvements for dust court use and approving tuition reimbursement for an officer. Finally, the Board accepted a $500 donation for the Vestal Museum.

The meeting centered on three related public hearings concerning an aquifer zoning special use permit request by Williams Auto Group for premises at 3401 Vestal Road, involving a change from a recreational rink to a vehicle service station. Public commentary focused heavily on environmental safety regarding groundwater contamination from petroleum products, the potential for creating a permanent traffic hazard on Vestal Road due to the turning radius of car haulers, and issues related to neighboring property owner consent affidavits. Opponents emphasized the community value and importance of the existing skating rink, Skate Estate, to local entertainment and youth employment, arguing the benefits of the proposed auto service station do not outweigh the risks. Board members noted that town engineers rigorously review aquifer-related projects and acknowledged the long-standing traffic congestion issues on Vestal Road, though they stated the current project was not deemed to negatively impact traffic flow based on initial studies. Board members also expressed acknowledgment of the community sentiment regarding the existing business but affirmed their duty to only consider the legality of the proposed application before them.

The meeting commenced with the swearing in of three elected officials: Mike Sherwood as Judge, Matt Padbury as Town Councilman, and Susia Msina reelected as Town Council Person. Key agenda items for the organizational meeting included establishing town board committees for 2026 across Public Works, Finance, Personnel, Planning and Zoning, Public Safety, and Administration, with leads and seconds assigned for each. Appointments were approved for Town Attorney Daniel D. Reynolds, Town Controller Rajat Saha, and Town Engineer Thomas Sullivan, all for two-year terms beginning January 1, 2026. The town board meeting schedule for 2026 and town holidays were reviewed. The appointment of Susia Msina as Deputy Town Supervisor was approved (term expiring December 31, 2027). The board established salary and wage rates for town employees based on the 2026 salary schedule, approved the form, manner, and sufficiency of the employee surety bond, approved a $300 clothing and boot allowance for specific officers/superintendents, delegated training authorization limits to department heads, adopted the procurement policy and list of authorized purchasers, established federal guidelines for mileage and meal reimbursement for town business, delegated town fund depositories, designated the official town newspapers, and appointed the Records Management Officer, Deputy Records Manager, Records Access Officer, Deputy Access Officer, Registrar of Vital Statistics, and Deputy Registrar. The approval of the Town of Vestal emergency plan and the appointment of the Town of Vestal emergency management team (Director, Deputy Director, and Public Information Officer) were also approved. Finally, the appointment of Christopher S. Napole as Fire Marshal was confirmed. The meeting concluded with a motion to enter into executive session to discuss personnel matters related to the historic commission, IT, assessor, clerk, contract negotiations, employment investigations, and litigation involving code enforcement.

The meeting commenced with supervisor updates, detailing the finalization of the town budget for 2026, which was kept under the cap while maintaining full services, and emphasized its full transparency. Key resolutions included approving the final general budget for 2026, the 2026 capital improvement projects for highway, parks, and IT, and the 2026 special districts budget. Further resolutions addressed water and sewer rate changes effective January 1, 2026, payments for outside council fees, and personnel matters, including authorizing the hiring of a full-time patrol officer and approvals for various employees to carry over vacation time. The board also approved resolutions regarding rate increases for building and code, dog control, and recreation departments, and authorized the conveyance of properties for Vestal Fire Station number one and number two to the Vestal Fire District. Additionally, a resolution was passed to advertise for a public hearing concerning a 12-month moratorium on battery energy storage systems and recycling facilities, and approval was granted for real property acquisition related to the OGO road over Tracy Creek Bridge replacement project. Finally, approval was given for the annual 5K road race, "Running of the Bears," scheduled for April 25, 2026.