Vestal Election - Two Town Board Seats and a Proposition
Maria Sexton
October 24, 2025
The Vestal Town Board would like to encourage all our residents to vote in this election. There are two seats on the Town Board up for election and there is a Vestal referendum on the ballot.
The Vestal Town Board is comprised of five members, two of those seats are up for election. There are four candidates running for those two seats. The four candidates are (in alphabetical order): Andy Gowe, Sue Messina, Matt Padbury, and Bill Stewart. More information about the candidates can be found on their campaign websites and/or Facebook pages. The Press and Sun Bulletin and Pipe Dream both have articles/sections that include interviews and statements from the candidates.
The following are the news articles:
Press and Sun Bulletin:
https://www.pressconnects.com/story/news/local/2025/10/21/vestal-town-board-2025-candidates/86675375007/
Pipe Dream:
https://www.bupipedream.com/election-issue-2025/2025-election-candidates/171108/
Additionally, Vestal has a proposition regarding the appointment of the position of Vestal Tax Collector on the ballot. This proposition would correct errors in the procedures of the 2021 referendum. If passed, the position of Tax Collector will be appointed by the Town Board annually. There will not be any changes to tax collection for our residents. Taxes will still be collected locally, and residents will still have the same four options for payment that they have now (in person at Town Hall, electronically, by mail, or via a 24/7 secure drop box in the Police Department lobby). CLICK HERE for the full article on the proposition.
Town of Vestal Ballot Proposition
The Vestal Town Board would like all our residents to be aware that there is a proposition on the ballot pertaining to Vestal this election. This proposition has been put forth by the Town Board to correct a procedural error that occurred in 2021 under the prior Town Board.
In 2021 the Vestal Town Board passed Local Law 2, which changed the position of Tax Collector from an elected to an appointed position. A public referendum was passed, as required. It was recently discovered that the description of the law that the public saw when they voted in 2021 was incorrect. It did not accurately summarize Local Law 2 of 2021, as required. The descriptions for propositions that are on a ballot must be accurate, therefore it must be corrected. Residents must know what they are voting on.
The proposition on the ballot this year is a correction of the original procedure in 2021. The current Town Board passed a new local law this year, and has put forth the proposition to our residents. The description of the local law on this ballot is accurate. If the proposition passes, the Town Board will appoint a Tax Collector annually.
The members of the Town Board would like to assure our residents that tax collection in Vestal will not change. We will continue to collect taxes locally. Residents will continue to be able to pay online, in person at Town Hall, by mail, or via the 24/7 secure drop box in the lobby of the Police Department.
The Vestal Town Board members hope that our residents vote yes to the proposition so that that the error that occurred in 2021 can be corrected.
Please CLICK HERE to read the 2025 Local Law:
All Owners of Rental Properties in Vestal Must Register
In Vestal all owners of residential and rural rental properties must register with the Town of Vestal Police Department by December 8th, 2025. The registration establishes a contact person that will be responsible for the care and maintenance of the rental property. There is no fee for registration but there are escalating fines for non-compliance by the deadline. This registration will assist the Vestal Code Department obtain compliance in instances where rental properties are neglected, and out of compliance with town codes.
Rental properties are defined and the procedures are explained in the Local Law. CLICK HERE to visit the NEWS section on the Town website for more information.
The Vestal Assessor's Office will be closed on Friday, October 17, 2025, then will be open from 10 am - 2 pm Monday - Friday for the remainder of the year.
Public Hearing on the 2026 Fire District Budget
A PUBLIC HEARING will be held at 6:00 p.m. at the Vestal Fire Department, Station #3, 2164 Owego Road, Vestal, New York 13850, in the Town of Vestal, State of New York on the 21st day of October 2025.
CLICK HERE to view the Notice of Public Hearing
CLICK HERE to view the 2026 Proposed Vestal Fire District Budget
The Vestal Fire Department Expo will be held on Saturday, October 4, from 10 a.m. To 2 p.m. In the Barnes and Noble parking lot at Town Square Mall. Come view equipment, watch fire safety demonstrations, and gather information regarding fire safety!
Burn Ban in Effect
New York State has issued a burn ban for the next two weeks because of a lingering drought that has lead to a high wildfire risk in many parts of the state. The statewide ban is in place from October 2 through October 15.
The ban includes burning brush and debris; having uncontained fires, including campfires; and using open fires used for cooking.
Still allowed: small, contained cooking fires, backyard fire pits, contained campfires less than 3 feet high and 4 feet long.
Burning garbage or leaves is prohibited all year.
Vestal Residents - New Ways to Pay Your School Taxes
By Maria Sexton
This past year, in response to resident requests for convenience and accessibility, the Vestal Town Board worked with the Town Clerk to expand tax payment options for our residents. Vestal residents now have two new, additional, ways to pay their local and County taxes. Thanks to the cooperation of Vestal School Superintendent Cliff Kasson, these options are now available for the payment of Vestal School District taxes.
Vestal residents may now pay their taxes online at Taxlookup.net or make their payment in a secure drop box at Town Hall. Residents may still pay their taxes through the mail or in person at the Town Clerk’s Office (during normal business hours). Details follow.
Four ways Vestal residents can pay Vestal taxes:
Online:
Payments can be made through Taxlookup.net by e-check or credit card. (Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.)
Secure Drop Box:
Payments by check may be dropped off in a secure drop box in the Police Department lobby at Vestal Town Hall (605 Vestal Pkwy W. Vestal). (Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.)
By Mail:
Payments by check can be mailed to the Vestal Town Clerk (605 Vestal Pkwy W. Vestal).
In-Person:
Payments by cash or check can be made in person at the Vestal Town Clerk’s Office (605 Vestal Pkwy W. Vestal) Monday through Friday 8:30 – 4:30.
Addressing Resident Complaints – The Retreat at Bunn Hill
Construction began on the Retreat at Bunn Hill in the Fall of last year and is expected to continue through the Fall of 2026. The Vestal Town Board began receiving complaints from the nearby residents soon after construction began. The members of the Town Board would like all our residents to know that our Town Engineers, Code Officers, an independent engineering firm, and the DEC are working constantly, and cooperatively, to ensure compliance with all appropriate regulations in order to minimize the impact on nearby residents.
The Town Board, Town Engineers, and Code Officers will continue to act to ensure the safety of the project and minimize the impact on nearby residents, for the duration of the project.
For more information CLICK HERE
Update: Tilly has been found and is home safe!
Missing Dog - Powderhouse Rd near Rt 26S
Tilly is a 3yr old, black & white female dog that went missing from her home on August 19, 2025 at 5:30pm. Tilly was not wearing her collar at the time, but she is microchipped. Tilly is a very friendly, sweet girl. If you see Tilly, please call Vestal Dog Control at (607)427-9291.
A special election will be held for the Vestal Fire District on Tuesday, August 19, 2025 at the Vestal Fire Department Station No. 3 (2164 Owego Rd, Vestal), from 6 pm – 9 pm. The ballot proposition would authorize the Vestal Fire District to issue $650,000 in serial bonds to purchase a Rescue Truck.
The members of the Vestal Town Board would like to thank all the volunteers in the Vestal Fire Department that keep our residents safe, giving so much of their time and energy to answer calls, attend meetings, and participate in training.
The Vestal Fire Department is a volunteer fire department with 148 volunteers, answering about 925 calls a year.
To read the full public notice, please click here.
FREE medical, dental, and optometry services will be available Monday, August 11 - Friday, Wednesday 20, 2025 at the .SUNY Broome Community College Ice Rink.
Services will be provided at NO COST for those in need, regardless of income, insurance, or residency.
Volunteers are needed to help with the event as well.
Please go to the banner or the News section on the main website for more information.
Piper is a small (15 lb) female Sheltie that went missing from her home on Friday July 11, 2025.
Please keep an eye out for her and report any sightings to Vestal Dog Control at (607)427-9291 or her owner at (607)434-0460.
