Arkwright Supervisor Brian McAvoy

ARKWRIGHT — Supervisor Brian McAvoy has recently been in discussion with Hanover Supervisor Lou Pelletter and Mark Woolley, speaking on behalf of the Forestville Fire Department, regarding the topic of fire district expansion.

Currently, the town of Arkwright contracts with the Forestville Fire Department for fire protection. As the town of Hanover has merged fire departments to create the Bay Creek Fire District, Forestville has sat out of the merger because it wants to expand its own district, while also serving Arkwright and Villenova.

McAvoy spoke with both Pelletter and Woolley to express his desire for the town of Arkwright to continue being served by Forestville. “We love the Forestville Fire Department. We love the support they give us,” McAvoy said.

McAvoy said he told Pelletter, “If you guys merge, I want to know that Arkwright will be looked after.” Pelletter eased his concerns by assuring him that Arkwright would still be covered.

“For right now, I think the best thing we can do is let them work their stuff out and trust that we’ll be taken care of,” McAvoy said. “If, heaven forbid, something happens where it doesn’t work out, we’ll go someplace else. It’s not like we wouldn’t have other options.”

So far this year in terms of tax collection, the town of Arkwright has received its share of taxes, as well as the amount to be distributed for fire protection. All that remains is the County portion, of which a total of $450,000 has already been sent. In total, the town of Arkwright has already collected over $900,000 of the total approximate amount of $1.2 million.

In the month of January, the Town Clerk’s office issued 13 dog licenses, two building permits, and two death certificates for a total of $129 collected. Of that amount, $114 went to the town’s general fund and $15 went to New York State. The Town Justice Court turned over $320 to the town in January, including $170 in fines and $150 in surcharges.

The Town’s first local law of 2026, the Late Night Noise Law, was officially approved and filed with New York State, so it can now take effect.

The Town Board also approved a budget modification to remedy an accounting error that allocated $7,500 to the Highway Department general repairs, rather than $75,000, as intended.

The Town of Arkwright reappointed Andrus Houck, Julie Hebner, and Molly Merrill to the Board of Assessment Review for a term ending in 2030. A public hearing regarding a local law to change the grievance date to meet with the Board of Assessment Review will be held during the next regular meeting of the Town Board.

The next meeting of the Arkwright Town Board is scheduled for Monday, March 9 at 6:30 p.m. at the Arkwright Town Hall.