ARKWRIGHT — The Town of Arkwright has scheduled a public hearing regarding the 2026 Town Budget at its next regular meeting, Monday, Nov. 10, at the Town Hall. The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m., and will recess to the public hearing at 6:45 p.m.

The 2026 Town Budget is proposed with no tax increase. Instead, the rate will stay the same, but the highway budget will decrease in order to focus the Town’s assets toward the new Town Hall project. The Town will also utilize reserve funds toward the cost of the project.

Following the public hearing on the budget, the Town Board will hold another public hearing at 7:15 p.m. later in the meeting to discuss the Fire Protection Contract with the Forestville Fire Department. The proposed contract includes the same coverage area and services as the Town is currently receiving at an increased cost equal to the 2% New York State tax cap, plus the Town’s growth factor. Those are the same terms as the current contract. The Town of Hanover rejected the same request, instead opting to approve a contract at no increase.

While the next meeting of the Town Board will be busy, the latest meeting touched on several topics, as well.

Betsy White spoke on behalf of the food pantry hosted by the Fredonia Presbyterian Church, which serves individuals residing in the 14063 Zip code area, including a portion of Arkwright. White stated that Oct. 12-25 has been designated as Fill the Fred Basket weeks. The Town Board issued a proclamation in support of the food pantry’s efforts. The Town Hall will serve as a drop-off point for non-perishable foods during normal Town Clerk office hours.

Ruth Nichols, Town of Arkwright Historian, is preparing an essay on Arkwright to enter into the New York Association of Towns essay contest. The contest is held in recognition of America’s 250th birthday. The focus of the essay is on how towns have shaped America.

The Town also issued a resolution in support of County Executive PJ Wendel’s proposal to establish a government efficiency fund designed to encourage shared services, mergers, consolidations and dissolutions. Similar resolutions have been passed in Hanover, Silver Creek, and Portland in recent weeks.

Town Supervisor Brian McAvoy stated his belief that while improved efficiency is a beneficial concept, the Town of Arkwright should not inconvenience its residents in the delivery of government services. McAvoy believes the new Town Hall can be a place from which to deliver services to the wider area under a reimagined administrative structure. He stated, “The Town’s residents deserve a local place to meet, carry out government business and, if needed, find shelter.”

With sharing services in mind, the Town Board approved a shared services arrangement with the Town of Pomfret Assessor’s Office and approved the appointment of Jeanne Ebersole. Erica Munson elected not to seek reappointment as Town Assessor.

The Town Board approved hiring Warren Kelly as Code Enforcement Officer at a salary of $8,000 per year. IPS code enforcement software was also purchased by the Town. Kelly will work to implement improvements recently recommended by New York State Code Enforcement, which include creating an inventory of commercial buildings and establishing an inspection schedule. These changes will apply to all short-term rental properties in the Town.

McAvoy stated since the Town enacted a short-term rental law, only one proprietor has reached out to the Town. McAvoy is aware of several short-term rental properties in the Town, and he commented that the owners “all seem to have very nice, well maintained properties and the inspections should simply confirm that.”

The Town will also proceed with adding a driveway to Cowdens Cemetery, which would provide access to the new expansion and ensure capacity for generations. The Town has taken the steps to reclaim some existing lots and will need to remove a large spruce tree in order to fit the driveway. The tree has been offered to the City of Dunkirk Department of Public Works to be used as a Christmas tree.

The Town is targeting December for a public hearing on a nuisance dog law, which is currently under review by the Town Attorney. The Town can adopt a law on the matter following a public hearing on the proposed law once the final draft is presented.