Town of Elmira

The meeting began with an Annual Audit session, followed by the main Town Board meeting. Key discussions included reviewing the Draft Supervisor's Financial Report and bank balances, as well as addressing communications received from the Sheriff's Office, Animal Control, the Pickleball Association, and the Chemung County Planning Department regarding an Agricultural District review. Resolutions addressed setting dates for the February workshop and regular meeting, appointing Matthew Sabatini as a Full Time Traffic Officer, approving an agreement for Highway Moneys expenditure and an ARC Agreement for 2026, and amending resolutions concerning compensation for personal cars used for Town Business and the 2026 Fee Schedule. The board also planned to approve the Standard Workday, advertise a bid for the Concession stand, and approve an Agreement with Teamster Local Union No. 118.

The meeting focused primarily on the application for the 386 Watercure Hill Rd Subdivision, including a Preliminary Site Plan and Special Use Permit Request for a solar facility project. The representatives explained their experience operating solar facilities in New York State. Discussion addressed emergency vehicle access, with the applicant agreeing to increase the access drive width to 20 feet and install a hammerhead turnaround. The Fire Department Chief confirmed that the proposed and existing roads would provide adequate access for heavy trucks. The Board subsequently voted to refer both the Minor Subdivision request and the site plan/special use permit requests to the Chemung County Planning Board. Public hearings for both the subdivision and the site plan requests were scheduled for January 5, 2026.

The meeting involved the Site Plan Review for a proposed Chiropractic Office at 2020 Lake Road. The Board voted to waive the public hearing requirement and proceed with Part Two of the SEQR, ultimately making a Negative Declaration and approving the final site plan for the office. Additionally, the Board discussed an inquiry from a Solar Developer regarding plans to build two solar farms (one on East Hill and one on West Hill), focusing on the Battery Energy Systems Storage Law and potential implications regarding the State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR) process. The Chairman decided to forward relevant information to Fire/Emergency Services for awareness.

The meeting included the audit and approval of bills totaling $272,851.05, separated into early and regular audits across various funds including General, Highway, Traffic, and Light Districts. The Board accepted the Supervisor's financial report for November 2025, noting a good financial position. Department reports covered the completion of leaf pickup, an investigation into illegal dumping, community center building improvements scheduled for January, and updates on police activities and personnel changes, including the resignation of Officer Kyle Storms. Discussion items involved attorney recommendations to abandon a section of town-unmaintained land off Guinnip/Bowman, tabling the Host agreement for potential changes after consulting developers, and discussing the decommissioning bond amount for the Solar project. Resolutions were passed setting dates for the January Organizational and Regular meetings in 2026, accepting Kyle Storms' resignation effective January 3, 2026, and approving an agreement with Elmira City Animal Control for enforcement services.

The workshop agenda primarily involved discussions regarding financial matters. Key topics included a review of budget projections for the remainder of the year provided by the Budget Officer. Additionally, the Town Board discussed the fee schedule and proposed increases that are slated for approval at the subsequent Organizational meeting. The session included a period of executive session dedicated to discussing contract negotiations.