The Walworth Town Board approved a new 15-year cable franchise agreement with Spectrum last week, debated the future of former wastewater treatment plant buildings, and acknowledged growing interest in several development proposals set to return before the planning board Monday night.
The May 7 meeting touched on everything from infrastructure planning and staffing changes to pending housing development proposals, including the still-unresolved Windward Lake Homes project. Tonight’s planning board agenda includes three public hearings tied to subdivision and site plan applications across the town, while the Windward proposal remains tabled at the developer’s request.
The most extended discussion during last week’s town board meeting centered on a proposed structural assessment of former wastewater treatment plant buildings at 3451 Ontario Center Road. Board members ultimately voted down a proposal that would have authorized MRB Group to conduct a condition assessment of multiple structures on the property at a cost not to exceed $11,000.
The debate revealed differing opinions among board members about what role the buildings could play in the town’s future and whether a formal engineering review should happen before the town settles on a long-term use for the site.
Councilwoman Melissa Linson argued the town should focus only on evaluating the larger storage-style building and not the older pump station building, which several officials described as impractical for reuse because of its sewer-related infrastructure and condition. During discussion, MRB representatives explained the assessment would focus on visible structural conditions rather than a full engineering redesign or load analysis.
Questions also emerged about whether the building could someday support expanded uses, including additional storage or even a second floor. MRB representatives cautioned that substantial modifications would require more extensive structural analysis beyond the scope of the proposed review.
The board ultimately rejected the proposal unanimously, with officials signaling a revised and more limited request could return at a future meeting.
Earlier in the meeting, the board approved a new cable television franchise renewal agreement with Spectrum Northeast LLC following a brief public hearing. One resident raised concerns about the 15-year term and questioned whether the town should audit franchise fee payments more closely, arguing taxpayers had already heavily subsidized local fiber infrastructure expansion.
The board also approved the hiring of Brett Farmen as a full-time motor equipment operator effective May 26 at a rate of $24 per hour. Highway Superintendent Kevin Switzer praised the hire during the meeting, while board members noted Farmen’s initiative in personally delivering his application early in the morning.
Town officials additionally announced the retirement of longtime building department senior clerk Barbara Goulette, who was praised by multiple board members for her years of service and institutional knowledge.
Supervisor Laura Elsbree also provided a brief update on the Windward Lake Homes project, saying the town is still waiting on an updated application while the project remains under review by the Department of Environmental Conservation for wetland delineation.
That same proposal appears on tonight’s planning board agenda, though no action is expected. According to the published agenda, the Windward Lake Homes subdivision and site plan application at 1 Country Club Drive has been tabled at the applicant’s request.
Planning board members are instead expected to focus on three public hearings Monday night.
The first involves Glenn and Ann Mattison, who are seeking site plan approval for property at 5215 Tummonds Road in a rural residential district. A second hearing involves Kyle Navratil’s subdivision application at 5335 Swadling Road.
The third and likely most substantial item involves Double R Custom Homes, which is seeking subdivision and site plan approval for a vacant parcel on Mildahn Road zoned for residential development.
The Walworth Planning Board meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Monday at Walworth Town Hall.
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