Penn Yan village trustees created a temporary police chief position, added another full-time officer and approved more than $1 million in utility and infrastructure work during an Aug. 18 meeting that also touched on parking concerns, annexation, downtown projects and the future of a tourism building at Red Jacket Park.
The police actions came after trustees spent more than 40 minutes in executive session to discuss the work history of an employee. The minutes don’t explain what prompted creation of the temporary chief position or how it relates to Police Chief Thomas Dunham, who attended the meeting and left shortly after the board’s personnel actions.
Trustees voted unanimously to create one temporary chief of police position and begin recruitment. They also appointed Kacey Berggren as a full-time police officer at $34.30 per hour, effective Sept. 8, with a 90-day residency requirement and one-year probationary period. Earlier in the meeting, the board separately authorized creation of another full-time police officer position and recruitment for that job.
Trustee Kevin McLoud was absent. Mayor Patricia Christensen and Trustees Teresa Hoban, Brenda Travis, Ronald Dailey, Robert Craig and Dan Henries attended, with the major actions recorded as 6-0 votes.
North Main Street water project awarded
The board awarded a $701,500 contract to Nardozzi Paving & Construction LLC for North Main Street water main improvements. The company submitted the lowest bid, and Director of Public Works Melissa Gerhardt told trustees work must begin in early September.
The village also approved a five-year, $299,642 contract with Northline Utilities for electric substation maintenance and a $173,680 amendment with GHD Consulting Services covering design and bidding work for improvements identified in the minutes as “CT Improvements.”
Other utility actions included a $200,784.32 reduction to a Casinella Excavating LLC change order, sewer credits of $156.11 and $197.73 for two properties where leaked water didn’t enter the sanitary sewer system, and acceptance of payment agreements totaling $10,946.62.
Gerhardt also reported that a leak at Liberty and Main streets had been repaired. Notices had been sent to homeowners ahead of paving on Commercial and North avenues, with additional notices planned for North Main Street water main work.
Separately, trustees awarded Commercial Avenue grading and paving to Seneca Stone for $98,432. The company was the lowest bidder. Public Works plans to begin its paving season in September, with the Town of Jerusalem assisting with patching and a skim coat on Clinton Street. North Avenue is expected to be the largest paving project, with preparations beginning in September and more work planned for October.
Temporary committee will study tourism building
Trustees created an ad hoc committee to examine the Finger Lakes Tourism Building and determine its future use and the scope of upgrades that may be needed.
The committee includes Gerhardt and Deputy Director of Public Works Brian Sutton, Code Enforcement Officer James Marshall, Recreation Supervisor Stacey Gerhardt, Chris Kerrick of Parks and Facilities and Dailey. Trustees said the committee is intended to operate only until the building’s use and needed improvements are determined, and it will report to the Public Works Committee.
Later in the meeting, Gerhardt said discussions about the tourism building at Red Jacket Park remained underway and village officials believed the building would be a worthwhile gift to Penn Yan. The New York Municipal Insurance Reciprocal was scheduled to inspect the building Aug. 19.
The board also created an ad hoc Human Resource-Personnel Committee chaired by Christensen and including Hoban and Craig. Trustees specifically changed the proposed designation from a standing committee to an ad hoc committee while its mission and responsibilities are further developed. It will report through the village’s Administration Committee.
Benham Street parking raises safety concern
A resident’s letter prompted a discussion about parking on Benham Street, where officials said parked vehicles could be making it difficult for larger vehicles to pass.
Christensen received the complaint, and Dunham recommended an investigation because the situation may present a safety concern. According to the minutes, school buses and fire trucks can have difficulty getting down the street. The board didn’t approve a parking change during the meeting.
The Police Department averaged 659 calls during July, Dunham reported. Trustees also approved the purchase of a 2025 Dodge Durango police vehicle from Main Motorcar for $39,745.94, declared a 2021 Dodge Charger surplus and authorized its sale through Auctions International.
Annexation moves toward zoning decision
Trustees also took another step involving the IDA/McFetridge Farm annexation.
Village Attorney Ed Brockman reported that progress was being made toward finalizing the annexation. Once settlement terms are satisfied, Penn Yan will have to establish a zoning classification for the newly annexed property.
The board unanimously authorized Brockman to ask the Village Planning Board for a recommended zoning classification for the Route 14A parcel. The Village Board will ultimately make the zoning decision.
Trustees also discussed, but took no action on, the Town of Barrington’s proposed moratorium on data centers and artificial intelligence computing facilities. The minutes say officials discussed potential benefits and drawbacks, with strain on land and natural resources identified as the primary concern.
Spectrum agreement renewed, abandoned vehicle rules discussed
Following a public hearing, trustees unanimously approved a renewed franchise agreement with Spectrum.
Brockman told the board the agreement contains several requirements, including at least 30 days’ notice to Spectrum when certain development is planned and 10 days’ notice when Spectrum is placed on a Village Board agenda. He also said Spectrum could reduce its franchise rate if the village later entered another franchise agreement carrying a rate below the 5% currently owed to Penn Yan.
A second public hearing focused on proposed abandoned vehicle regulations and how they would apply to repair shops.
Officials said the intent is to allow repair businesses to keep vehicles needed in the normal course of their work without effectively creating junkyards. Brockman and Marshall said violations could be handled through the village’s normal enforcement process, including a violation notice and order to remedy. The minutes don’t record final adoption of the local law during the meeting.
Marshall also updated trustees on a property at 245 East Main St., where the owner was convicted July 27 of violating village code and received a conditional discharge. The property must be cleaned up to Marshall’s satisfaction by Oct. 31 or the owner could face a fine or incarceration, according to the minutes.
The board scheduled special meetings for Aug. 28 at 8:30 a.m. and Sept. 11 at 8 a.m. and moved its next regular meeting from Sept. 15 to Sept. 22 at 6 p.m.
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