The Village Board of Penn Yan will convene Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Village Hall to address a broad range of community matters, including proposed changes to the village’s water and sewer systems and approvals for upcoming local events.
At the forefront of the meeting are two public hearings on proposed amendments to the Village Code. The first hearing, set for 6 p.m., will focus on Local Law I of 2024, which seeks to amend the Water Chapter of the code to clarify regulations for water-only meters. This change is expected to streamline water usage monitoring for residents and businesses that do not require full-service sewer connections.
Following that, a second hearing will be held at 6:05 p.m. to discuss Local Law J of 2024. This proposal aims to modify the Sewer Chapter of the Village Code, allowing certain properties to be exempt from mandatory sewer connection if they meet septic system standards. Both laws will be subject to roll-call votes after public input.
Community events and public participation
In addition to infrastructure updates, the board will consider motions supporting popular community events. The Penn Yan Diner has requested permission to park its food truck in the Wagner parking lot from mid-October to November, with final approval dependent on electrical service arrangements and deposit payments. The truck will occupy seven parking spots and will operate until the first major snowfall, as determined by the Department of Public Works.
The board will also review two event requests from the Yates County Chamber of Commerce. The first is for the annual “Lights on Wheels” parade, scheduled for Friday, Dec. 6, from 6 to 7 p.m. The second request pertains to the Chamber’s Starshine celebration, planned for Dec. 7, with street closures on Main Street between Lake and Chapel streets. The board is expected to approve both events, contingent upon application fee payments, safety plans, and vendor permits.
Infrastructure updates and financial matters
A significant portion of the meeting will focus on updates to the village’s water and sewer infrastructure. The board will vote on a $264,695.65 change order to C.O. Falter Construction for upgrades to the wastewater treatment plant’s disinfection bypass system. This project aims to enhance the efficiency of the plant’s operations. Additionally, the village will consider declaring a surplus of old equipment from the water treatment plant, including a 1200 AMP breaker.
Penn Yan’s commitment to improving utilities is further demonstrated by motions to approve sewer forgiveness for two properties where water leaks did not enter the sewer system. The board will also discuss the approval of payment agreements totaling $13,230.23 and updates to the waste hauler application process, which will include a deposit for new applicants.
Other financial matters on the agenda include approving a drawdown of $87,379.47 for the wastewater treatment plant’s headworks project, funded through a Community Development Block Grant. The board will also evaluate the appointment of a permanent part-time senior line worker and begin recruitment for two key utility positions—water and sewer maintenance worker and senior line worker.
Looking ahead
The board will close the meeting by addressing administrative matters and preparing for upcoming events. The village’s Trick-or-Treat night will take place on Thursday, Oct. 31, from 6 to 8 p.m., and preparations for the village’s fall cleanup, including brush and leaf pickup, are also underway.
In a final note, the board will hold a joint public hearing with the Town of Milo on Oct. 23 to discuss a petition for annexation tied to a mixed housing project proposed by the Finger Lakes Economic Development Center (FLEDC). The outcome of that hearing could have long-term implications for housing development in the village.
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