Trending
BROCTON -- The Village of Brocton approved a fire protection contract for the year 2027 with the Portland Fire Department for District 1, beginning on Jan. 1 through Dec. 31. The total amount of $65,000 is due March 1, 2027. The contract is the same as the current agreement for 2026.
The Village Board also authorized an old fire truck to be put out to bid. The tanker truck will be placed on Auctions International, with proceeds of the sale going to the truck equipment fund.
The Brocton Volunteer Fire Department responded to 35 calls in September, including 25 emergency medical service calls, five fires and three motor vehicle accidents. The department provided mutual aid 15 times.
A new fire hydrant was recently installed on Highland Avenue after months of discussion at previous Board meetings. A special meeting was held in early October to approve the work, which has since been completed by village and town employees.
Railroad Avenue was recently paved, along with the installation of drainage. Highway Superintendent Ken Becker said he believes the work will be "the end of our drama down there."
The Brocton-Portland Water District submitted a request for qualifications seeking engineers for a potential water project in the coming years. The Board is considering waterline replacements to Highland Avenue, Pullman Street, and West Main Street. Matt Zarbo, of Square Engineering, recently met with Village of Brocton officials to discuss potential waterline improvements and funding options. Municipal Solutions is assisting with evaluating the feasibility of a waterline replacement project at a rate of $170 per hour. A potential project would likely begin in 2-3 years, if it is deemed feasible.
The Town of Portland presented its budget on Oct. 2. The town-wide assessed taxable value is $121,889,577, which includes the village-wide assessed value of $26,664,592.
The Town of Portland tentative budget allocates $493,037 for the General Fund, $65,434 for the Highway Department, and $81,734 in Library taxes. Supervisor Rich Lewis stated the budget is under the tax cap.
The Town Board was presented with a breakdown of the town's water loan repayment, as well as prices per unit of each water district along with the budget.
The Town of Portland will host its public hearing on the budget at its next regular meeting, scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 11 at 6 p.m. at the Portland Town Hall.