Fire department plans to incorporate

PENN YAN—A motion to approve the Penn Yan Volunteer Fire Companies to incorporate was approved at the village meeting Tuesday, Nov. 16. Incorporation of the fire companies will allow the fire departments to keep donations made to the organizations.
Also at the meeting, a public hearing for a local law amending the code of ethics chapter of village code was passed. A public hearing on the revised code of ethics will be at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 21.
In other business: A motion to approve a Memorandum of Understanding between the Penn Yan Police Department and the village continued to be on hold. Paperwork for the document is not ready yet.
• The board declared several vehicles as surplus. Included are two cars, a pickup truck, a 1991 dump truck cab and chassis, a truck for the water department and a backhoe.
• Approved the purchase of a Kubota excavator from Admar Supply for $73,225. It will replace the backhoe.
• The board approved a bid from PIM Corporation in the amount $74,925 for the Filter Rehabilitation Painting Project at the water treatment plant. Public Works Director Richard Osgood said it is a difficult job. It must be done during time of low flow into the plant. Care must be taken that no volatile organic compounds enter the system during the project.
• The Employee Handbook was approved. Trustee Richard Stewart said work on the document has been going on for many months. Stewart called it a “Work in progress.” Changes can be made as needed.
• Church praised the Penn Yan Fire Department for work at a fire on Lake Street Saturday, Nov. 13. Church said, “Our firemen did a tremendous job. They took people off porch roofs. Private citizens helped also. It could have been a real tragedy.” Assistant Fire Chief Rick Simpson said the department was on the scene five minutes after the call was received. Simpson said the fire was knocked down in 14 minutes.
• Trustee Michael Christensen said the alarm system in the firehouse failed. It is over 40 years old and total replacement is needed. He emphasized the system that failed is not the Gamewell system.
• The village has received a request for a crosswalk at Powell Lane and North Avenue. Yates ARC is renting office space at 240 North Ave. across from their facility on Sheppard Street. A crosswalk would make walking between the two buildings safer.
• Recreation director Dan Doyle spoke to the board about the insurance risk assessment for recreation. He said he met with a certified playground inspector who visited all the village parks. Doyle said there is now a 10 to 12 year plan for replacing and repairing equipment.
•  A public hearing to hear comments on an amendment to the Waterfront Development and Conservation District. It will be at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 21. The matter will also be referred to Yates County Planning Board,
The next meeting of the Penn Yan Village Board will be at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 21 in the village office on Elm Street.