Waterfront plan needs more work

PENN YAN—A public hearing on the proposed Waterfront Development and Conservation plan was held during the meeting of the Penn Yan village board Tuesday, Dec. 21.

Village trustees heard a number of comments from village resident Anne Gunn regarding one aspect of the plan: public access along the Keuka Lake Outlet.

Gunn said she feels it is morally wrong to put a pedestrian easement through residents’ property. Rich Pierle, who leads the subcommittee developing the plan responded, commented, “This pertains to future development. It will not impact your property at all.”

Mayor Bob Church said, “I don’t think the intent of this was ever to take private land.” Pierle said the group was addressing the south side of the outlet. Gunn, who lives on the north side of the outlet, said the document does not say that. Gunn said she is concerned that after 10 to 15 years pass, no one would know what the village board intended. 

Public works director Richard Osgood said the committee wanted to have something in place to give guidance to developers on the south side. The goal is to maintain pedestrian access to the outlet on the south side of the water from the trail to Red Jacket Park. Pierle said the committee will be meeting the first week in January and will address Gunn’s concerns.

• The board passed a bond resolution authorizing the construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation improvements and upgrading of the wastewater treatment facility in the amount $4 million. Church emphasized passage of the resolution does not mean the village will spend the funds. Application will be made for a grant through New York State Clean Water Fund. 

• A public hearing on a local law naming the new street between Elm Street and Maiden Lane Firehouse Avenue. Setting a speed limit and authorization of stop signs on either side of the street will also be considered. The hearing is scheduled at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 18. 

• The board passed a resolution approving a property tax cap. Relief from state mandates was requested if the property tax cap is approved.

• Church thanked JJ Covell and staff for cutting, transporting and setting the village Holiday tree. Church also thanked the village building and maintenance crew and members of the electric crew for hanging the lights. Church thanked trustees for the new lights for Main Street. Church said trustees agreed to take money from the Sunshine Fund for the lights. Money in the Sunshine Fund is deducted from trustees salaries.

• Church appointed Shirley Owens to the Historic Committee for a three year term.

• Vice Mayor Willie Allison reported on activity of the Community Revitalization Committee. He said there are two completed projects and a third is underway. The housing component of the project will begin in the spring.

• Trustees approved purchase of a self propelled dump trailer from New Heights, LLC at a cost of $21,900. The equipment will replace an older truck that was used mainly in the cemetery. The trailer can be towed behind a pickup truck. 

• A committee will be formed to determine a replacement of the fire department E-3. The purchase fits the department replacement plan.

• Approved a request from Yates County Historical Society for permission to have a parade Saturday, May 14. The parade will begin at noon at the Yates County Courthouse and proceed south on Main Street ending at the firehouse on Elm Street.

• Removed a motion to approve the Memorandum of Understanding between Penn Yan Police Department PBA and the village.

The next meeting of the Penn Yan Village Board will be at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 18 in the village office building on Elm Street.