Penn Yan officials spent much of May focused on major infrastructure investments, municipal operations and preparations for the busy summer season, while also making a key decision on the village’s insurance coverage.
During meetings on May 19 and May 28, the Village Board advanced plans for water treatment plant improvements, approved several summer events, adopted local laws, made personnel appointments and selected a new municipal insurance provider.
One of the most significant actions involved the village’s ongoing water treatment plant improvement project. The board held a public hearing and approved a resolution authorizing an application for a $2 million Community Development Block Grant to help fund upgrades at the facility. Officials said the village is also pursuing additional state and federal funding sources to support the project. The board later tabled consideration of an amended bond resolution that would increase the estimated project cost from $5.61 million to $7.33 million until the full board could review it.
Trustees also approved numerous Municipal Utilities Board recommendations, including bids for water and wastewater treatment chemicals, engineering services for the Outlet Trail Interceptor Sewer Replacement Project, wastewater treatment plant equipment purchases and emergency electrical system repairs. The board authorized nearly $50,000 in engineering services related to the interceptor sewer project and approved multiple contracts tied to utility operations.
The board approved several local laws and public hearings, including a proposal to reserve a Main Street pull-off area for school buses during school hours and another that would allow games of chance to be conducted on Sundays within the village. Trustees also formally adopted an updated version of the village code after a multi-year revision effort and moved to repeal the village’s tax cap override after the 2026-27 budget came in below the state tax cap.
Several community events received approval, including the Operation Graduation motorcade scheduled for June 26 and the Peasantman Steel Distance Triathlon scheduled for Aug. 16. Trustees also approved sidewalk dining permits for several downtown businesses and authorized transportation support for the village’s summer recreation program.
Personnel actions included accepting the retirement of Line Crew Chief Charlie Bush after more than two decades of service, appointing Johanna Hullings as deputy clerk-treasurer, naming Carrie Wood acting justice and hiring seasonal recreation staff. The board also adopted a gender-based violence and workplace policy and approved updated salary schedules.
At a special meeting on May 28, trustees selected New York Municipal Insurance Reciprocal as the village’s insurance provider for the coming year. Board members cited the organization’s municipal-specific services, training resources, additional coverage options and strong reviews from other local governments as reasons for choosing the provider over competing proposals, despite a higher premium than the lowest bid. The board unanimously approved both the insurance contract and subscriber agreement.
The board also authorized moving forward with a settlement agreement related to pending litigation involving the status of a village street following a closed-session discussion with legal counsel.
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