Montour approves all-terrain restrictions

    MONTOUR FALLS—The Montour Falls village board approved new regulations, limiting the use of all-terrain and other off-road vehicles within the village, Thursday, Sept. 20.
    A public hearing was held during the meeting.  The rules state that the vehicles would be allowed on properties one acre or larger and ban them from village sidewalks and right-of-ways.  The new restrictions stem from residents complaining to the board about the use of the vehicles in the village.
    In other business:
    • Mayor John King said the three latest bids for the Gateway Project work all came in over $500,000, which surpasses the agreed amount.  The village will now look at cutting back the project.  King said the New York State Department of Transportation told Montour Falls it had already trimmed the project back as far as it can and still retain the purpose of the grant.  King said he disagreed and that there are some parts of the downtown improvement that could be cut.  He added they are over by about $100,000.  The village will look for funding assistance from state representatives.
    • Fire Chief Jeff Confer said the fire department is starting up a new bunker program with Corning Community College.  He explained the fire department lost the program a year ago when CCC cut it before a new program was put in place.  Confer said Montour Falls will now be listed as a partner in the new fire education program.
• Confer also said the fire department’s new generator needs to be fixed at $10,000.  He explained once working, it will be tested to see if it needs another $10,000 worth of repairs.  The board approved the first stage of work.
    • The board approved publicizing the fact the village has funds available for sidewalk repairs.  Board member Ellen Mathers presented proposed wording for the announcement.  King said the village will remove and replace any sidewalks that have been uprooted by village trees or sewer lines.  However, he explained priority will be given to those residents who want to replace all of their sidewalk.  King added this is available until the funds are gone.
    • King reported Quinlan’s Pharmacy would be holding a ribbon cutting, Sept. 27, at 5 p.m.