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Penn Yan Public Safety Committee to review fire contracts, code issues and village event requests

Penn Yan Public Safety Committee to review fire contracts, code issues and village event requests

Penn Yan officials will take up a mix of fire department contracts, property code issues, planning matters and community event requests when the village’s Public Safety Committee meets Tuesday afternoon.

The committee is scheduled to meet at 3 p.m. Sept. 8 at the Village of Penn Yan offices, 111 Elm St. The agenda includes updates from police, fire, code enforcement, public works and planning officials, along with several requests that could require committee action.

Finger Lakes Partners (Billboard)

One of the more significant discussions will involve 2027 fire contracts. The agenda does not specify proposed contract amounts or terms, but the issue is listed for discussion under the Fire Department portion of the meeting.

The committee will also consider removing Christian Reinard from the fire department’s active roll.

Fire officials are expected to provide their August activity report and discuss a Sept. 11 Memorial Ride being organized by Sheldon Hose Co. The event will be covered under village insurance, and organizers are requesting that Elm Street be closed by 1 p.m. that day.

Code enforcement updates include several properties

Code Enforcement Officer James Marshall is expected to provide updates on several properties around the village.

The agenda lists 103 Benham St., 245 East Main St. and 131 East Elm St., the location of the Penn Yan Diner.

Officials will also discuss a foundation drain at 227 East Main St. that is discharging at the curb within the village right-of-way.

The agenda does not detail the status of those cases or indicate whether formal enforcement action will be considered Tuesday.

Turkey Trot, food truck among event requests

The committee is also expected to consider several community event and permit requests.

St. Michael School is seeking approval for its 15th annual Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning, Nov. 26.

Registration would begin at 7 a.m., with the 5K starting at 8:30 a.m. and a quarter-mile Kids’ Fun Run scheduled for 9:30 a.m. along Keuka Street. Organizers expect the event to conclude by 10 a.m.

The proposed motion would waive the village’s $150 application fee and $500 supplies deposit. Final approval would remain contingent on organizers providing liability insurance naming the village as an additional insured and coordinating police presence.

H.K. Griffin & Sons is also seeking approval for a grand reopening open house on a date that has not yet been determined. Plans include a 5-foot-square pen containing two or three goat kids, along with free hot dogs, chips and drinks for the public.

The committee will additionally consider a peddler’s permit for Geoff Paddock’s Sugar Shack food truck to sell prepared food at public and private locations within the village.

Sidewalk poetry project nearing completion

Officials will receive an update on a collaborative public art project involving the Yates County Arts Council, Penn Yan Public Library and Bluff and Vine.

The groups received grant funding to purchase invisible paint and create stencils featuring 10 poems or stanzas by local artists previously published in Bluff and Vine.

The poems are designed to become visible when sidewalks get wet.

The project requires completely dry pavement during installation, and the paint is expected to last about six months. The agenda indicates the Arts Council planned to finish the work during summer 2026.

Champlin Avenue settlement returns for update

Village Attorney Ed Brockman is expected to provide an update on the Champlin Avenue settlement.

The agenda references a signed easement, signed order and settlement, and approval of the discontinuance of the street.

No additional details about the settlement or its financial impact are included in the agenda.

Public works to discuss land lease, mini park

The Public Works portion of the meeting includes discussion of a land lease involving Mike Lilyea.

Officials are also expected to discuss a mini park proposal involving green space and a concrete pad for Christmas trees.

The agenda does not specify a location or estimated cost for the proposed park improvements.

Annexation and parking work continue

Planning and development updates will include the ongoing Elmwood Avenue annexation process and a memo sent to the Village Planning Board regarding a zoning recommendation connected to an Industrial Development Agency annexation.

The village’s Parking Sub-Committee will also provide an update.

The committee is expected to consider authorizing Mary Pat Cottengim to attend Planning and Zoning School in Fairport on Oct. 22 at a cost of $125.

The Planning Board’s next meeting is scheduled for Oct. 5, when members are expected to continue reviewing the site plan for 134-138 Elm St.

The Zoning Board of Appeals is scheduled to meet Sept. 28 and is expected to receive two area variance applications: one involving signage at 134-138 Elm St. and another involving installation of a dwelling on a vacant Youngs Street lot.

The Historic Preservation Commission will also meet Tuesday and is expected to consider renewing its Landmark Society membership.

The Public Safety Committee agenda also notes that the state Department of Transportation is developing an Active Transportation Strategic Plan focused on walking, bicycling, micromobility and wheelchair access throughout New York.

An executive or closed session may be held at the end of Tuesday’s meeting for employee-related discussions or consultation with legal counsel.