Ellicottville Town Board Addresses Assessments, Noise Complaints, Police Tools, and New Planning Board Appointments
Ellicottville Town Board Addresses Assessments, Noise Complaints, Police Tools, and New Planning Board Appointments
From assessments and noise concerns to police resources and Planning Board appointments, the Ellicottville Town Board covered a wide range of community issues at its November meeting.
The Ellicottville Town Board covered a wide range of topics at its November meeting, including property assessments, truck noise concerns, police department tools and staffing, highway updates, short-term rentals, and new appointments to the Planning Board. Highlights from the meeting are as follows:
Town Assessor Harry Weissman reported that the Town of Ellicottville is currently the only town in Cattaraugus County “trending at 0.” After analyzing recent sales, his office found that properties are selling for approximately their assessed values. This means the Town’s equalization rate is expected to increase, a sign that assessments are closely aligned with market conditions. Weissman also noted that real estate sales appear to be leveling off after several years of strong activity.
A local resident addressed the Board with concerns about noise from large trucks using engine retarders, commonly known as “jake brakes,” as they enter the village on Route 219/Jefferson Street. Officer-in-Charge (OIC) Jim Bouchard of the Ellicottville Police Department said a similar complaint has been received from a resident on Maples Road. Town officials agreed to look into adding more signage to discourage truckers from using engine retarders in populated areas. However, they noted that an outright restriction is not currently enforceable under existing regulations. Town Attorney Kathleen Pullen will research whether a local law banning their use could be adopted, and whether such a measure would conflict with federal authority governing commercial trucking.
OIC Bouchard informed the Board that a Hilbert College criminal justice student has requested to intern with the Ellicottville Police Department in order to gain field experience. He expressed support for the opportunity, and the Board approved allowing the student to intern with the department.
Bouchard also presented a proposal from Thomson Reuters CLEAR, a service that provides law enforcement with access to extensive public records and investigative tools. He explained that the department has benefited from limited assistance from Thomson Reuters in the past, helping officers quickly locate suspects. He recommended subscribing to the service, noting that the annual fee of $3,564 is already included in the police budget. The Board approved the proposal and authorized OIC Bouchard to accept the contract.
Bouchard revisited a standing concern from a Maples Road resident regarding vehicle speeds on County Route 13. The Town formally requested a reduced speed limit on Maples Road in 2023, but in February 2024 the New York State Department of Transportation denied the request after reviewing traffic and safety data. The Board agreed to consider resubmitting the request to NYSDOT in light of continued resident concerns.
Highway Superintendent Scott Brumagin said several driveway culverts have recently been replaced. Also discussed was a 3-acre parcel of land on Sugartown Road that is owned by the Town, which could be leased if graded properly in the future.
Code Enforcement Officer/Building Inspector Kelly Fredrickson reported that nearly 200 short-term rental permits have now been issued in the town, with no major problems identified to date. Applications continue to come in steadily. The Town’s vendor, Granicus, continues to help the Building Department track properties advertising rentals within the town, ensuring compliance with local regulations.
Fredrickson said overall building permit activity remains steady. He also noted that the State has delayed the implementation of new energy regulation restrictions, giving municipalities and builders more time to prepare for upcoming changes.
Town Planner Greg Keyser announced that the Planning Board recently interviewed six candidates for open seats on the Town Planning Board. He praised the applicant pool, noting that all were qualified and passionate about serving the community. After deliberation, the Planning Board recommended appointing two candidates. The Town Board voted to appoint Jonathan Skar to the Town Planning Board to replace Sheri Barrera, who resigned. Skar’s term will run through December 31, 2028. The Board also appointed Niki Klein to replace Caitlin Croft, who also resigned. Klein’s term will run through December 31, 2025. Keyser further reported that the Planning Board has appointed Dan Kruszynski as its Vice Chair.
The Ellicottville Town Board will hold its next regular meeting on Wednesday, December 17, 2025 at 6:00pm at the Ellicottville Town Hall. The public is encouraged to attend. Additional information can be obtained on the Town’s website at townofellicottvilleny.gov.
