A proposed disc golf course at Fishers Park drew sustained opposition from nearby residents and regular park users Monday, with speakers questioning whether the project would change the character of the property, damage vegetation and wildlife habitat, or create conflicts with people walking its existing trails.
The concerns dominated public comment during the Sept. 14 Victor Town Board meeting, while the board also authorized the town to seek bids for an emergency sewer project on County Road 9, moved forward with a state review of the speed limit on Arbordale Lane and scheduled an October hearing on changes to the Parks and Recreation Citizens Advisory Committee.
Residents question disc golf proposal at Fishers Park
Five speakers addressed the board about the proposed disc golf course, focusing largely on whether an activity requiring players to move between baskets and retrieve errant discs fits a park they described as primarily passive recreation space.
Carol Fisher, who lives on County Road 42, argued the course could lead to soil compaction and damage to vegetation as players move beyond established trails. She contrasted Fishers Park with more active recreational facilities elsewhere in Victor and questioned whether there is demonstrated public demand for disc golf.
Fisher also cited the town’s 2019 Parks and Recreation Master Plan, saying its resident survey identified other recreational priorities but did not list disc golf. She urged the town to gather updated information about residents’ interests if officials believe those findings are now outdated.
Amy Albert, a frequent park user, asked how many trees might need to be removed, whether walkers could safely continue using trails during active play and whether portions of the park would become less accessible.
Albert also asked what effect the project could have on wildlife, streams and wooded sections of the property.
Another nearby resident, Chante Young, described a longstanding personal connection to the land and said members of her family had previously owned part of the property. Young said she initially had few concerns about disc golf before seeing the proposed layout, but now believes the scope would be inappropriate for the park.
She called for additional environmental review and suggested the town hold a public hearing so neighboring residents and other users could learn more about the proposal and comment on it.
Carol Zimmerman, who said she walks in the park daily, questioned how disc golf would coexist with existing trail users and raised concerns about additional activity and traffic in the Fishers area.
Mimi Lodge, who lives near the park, focused on its ecological value. She said she has observed dozens of bird species there and raised concerns about potential effects on birds, trees, insects, amphibians, vernal pools and other habitat.
Lodge said she did not support the disc golf course at the scale currently proposed.
The Town Board did not take formal action on the disc golf proposal during the meeting, and the issue was not listed among the board’s action items for the night.
County Road 9 sewer breaks prompt immediate action
The board added an unlisted resolution at the beginning of the meeting following what the town supervisor described as numerous sewer line breaks along County Road 9 during the previous 48 hours.
The board unanimously authorized the town to seek bids for the County Road 9 Force Main Replacement Project.
No project cost, bid schedule or construction timeline was discussed during the meeting.
The action came in addition to the board’s regularly scheduled business and was presented as a walk-in resolution because of the recent sewer problems.
Town asks state to examine Arbordale Lane speed limit
The board also authorized the town clerk to petition the state Department of Transportation to evaluate the speed limit on Arbordale Lane in the Willis Hill subdivision area.
The agenda specifically called for a state evaluation rather than establishing a new speed limit directly.
Later in the meeting, a Fowler Street resident asked whether a similar review could be pursued for County Road 42, also known as Wangum Road, saying increased traffic associated with development has led to vehicles traveling at high speeds through the area.
Town officials said staff would determine when the road was last reviewed because requests may be subject to a waiting period. If enough time has passed, officials indicated the matter could potentially return on a future Town Board agenda.
Parks advisory committee change heads to public hearing
The board set an Oct. 12 public hearing on a proposed amendment to Chapter 36 of the town code involving membership on the Parks and Recreation Citizens Advisory Committee.
Town officials said the current rules reserve two committee positions for village representation. The proposed change would reduce that requirement to one village position, allowing another seat to be filled by either a town or village resident.
Officials said the town has advertised multiple times in an effort to find another village resident to serve without success. The village currently has one member and a liaison involved with the committee, according to the discussion.
A town resident has expressed interest in filling the available position if the eligibility requirements are changed.
Fire protection, snowplowing and development releases approved
Among its other actions, the Town Board authorized an agreement with the Victor Fire District for fire protection services covering the town’s fire protection districts.
The board also approved snowplow liability agreements covering Sunray Crest, Riverstone Way, Brookhill Drive and Crestbrook Lane in the Woodstone Custom Homes development.
Several development-related financial guarantees were also released, including a Bluestone Trail letter of credit, a Lite Coms letter of credit and a Willis Hill Estates Phase 2 letter of credit and maintenance bond associated with roads, gutters and storm sewers.
The board approved a transfer of operating funds and accepted the retirement of Senior Finance Clerk Debora Trillaud.
A scheduled appointment of a full-time deputy town clerk was pulled from the agenda and is expected to return at the Sept. 28 meeting. The board separately accepted the resignation of Deputy Town Clerk Brittney Pender, effective Sept. 4.
Town approves $1.35 million bill manifest
The board approved Manifest No. 17 totaling $1,347,221.68 across several town funds.
Officials highlighted larger payments involving road asphalt, highway fuel, health and dental coverage, road milling, vehicle and equipment expenses, utility costs, construction work and other municipal operations.
The manifest also included a $47,500 payment connected to the Modock Springs value protection program.
The town supervisor said the property owner receiving that payment remained in the program for 10 years before becoming eligible for the payout. Remaining money in the fund is expected to be distributed between the town and a company involved in the claim process.
The meeting concluded with the board voting to enter executive session to discuss the employment and financial history of a particular person and matters that could lead to dismissal, removal, promotion, appointment or suspension. No subsequent action was included in the provided meeting record.
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