Rich Wenslow

Key discussions included the need for community involvement in raising plots for the Community Garden project and plans to implement a higher interest rate account for town funds. The Board approved a resolution confirming the examination of 2025 Court records and confirming all fines were collected and remitted. A motion was passed to transfer $50,000.00 to the Highway Equipment Reserve, pending board approval as required by the state. The Board also approved an Agreement of Shared Kennel Services with the Town of Amity, approved the Emergency Operations Plan for 2026, and approved the insurance renewal with NYMIR Gallagher Insurance. A significant resolution was passed urging the Governor and State Legislature to modify the SFY 2026-27 Executive Budget to allocate $100 million to SWAP for water/sewer infrastructure, make Temporary Municipal Assistance permanent and indexed to inflation, and increase state transportation aid. Public Works reported on a recent water main break, noting that a new tank would have mitigated the impact, and advised on the extensive documentation required for the phase I water project bid.

The organizational meeting involved several key administrative appointments and designations for the year 2026. These included appointments for Deputy Supervisor, Bookkeeper, Records Management Officer (RMO), Town Attorney, Building Inspector/Code Enforcement Officer, Town Historian, Assessor, and Court Clerk. Salary structures for various elected officials and personnel, including the Supervisor, Town Clerk/Tax Collector, Councilpersons, and other staff, were reviewed and approved. Resolutions were passed designating the Supervisor with administrative powers for general Town funds and designating all Town Board Members as the Board of Police Commissioners. Motions also addressed official newspaper designation, official depository designation, setting the regular meeting schedule, mileage reimbursement rates, annual membership in the Association of Towns, and approval of the MTS/BLS ambulance service bill. Furthermore, the Board addressed water and sewer fund administrative powers, appointed collectors for those districts, and authorized petty cash funds for various town offices.

Key discussions included the implementation of mandatory direct deposit for all town employees effective immediately, and planning for a Rabies Clinic scheduled for April 25th. The board confirmed that 29 Water St., GAR Community Hall, will remain the primary meeting venue. A motion was approved to donate surplus ambulance equipment to various county ambulance agencies. An amendment to the MTS contract was approved to require MTS to pay for all utilities associated with the ambulance bay. The board plans to review shredding options for outdated departmental paperwork based on the NYS Records Retention Schedule. The town is currently seeking a temporary crossing guard. A significant discussion focused on the shared Fuel Farm, noting registration inaccuracies, potential pump replacement costs of $17,000.00, and exploring a shift to using County employee fuel cards. Legal matters included denying a credit request from a resident and appointing Attorney DiMatteo Roach & Kelly as alternate Town Attorneys. Wage increases of $2.00/hr for Union Employees, effective February 5th, 2026, were approved, along with creating a full-time Friendship Court Clerk position due to workload. Two resolutions were passed approving Mutual Aid Agreements for town personnel to assist other Allegany County municipalities during abnormal snow or work conditions. Public works concerns detailed ongoing grant applications, waiting for FEMA and Army Corps of Engineers reviews for generators, and addressing water permit issues. The sole bid received for fuel for 2026 was accepted from Rinker Oil.

The agenda for the meeting included a bid opening scheduled for 6:55 p.m. Key discussion points included the Fuel Farm Discussion and action regarding the MTS contract agreement, specifying that MTS will cover utility costs for the ambulance bay. Motions were presented to appoint Attorney DiMatteo Roach & Kelly as alternate Town Attorneys and to approve a wage increase of $2.00 per hour for Union Employees starting February 5th, 2026. Further items included approving the LGSS Accounting firm to audit Justice Szucs Court Records for 2025 and approving a full-time position for Kristina Karney as Friendship Court Clerk. Two resolutions were scheduled for approval concerning Mutual Aid Agreements within Allegany County, New York, with George Ritter and Oakley Sortore respectively serving as designees for highway assistance. Reports received included the Town Clerk Annual Report for 2025, and reports from the Highway Department, Water, Dog Control, and Police.

The Special Meeting focused on the presentation and resolution regarding Introductory Local Law No. 1 of 2022, which seeks to override the Real Property Tax Cap Levy established by General Municipal Law Section 3-c. This local law is intended to enable the Town Board to adopt a 2023 budget with a tax levy increase exceeding 2.00% of the 2022 tax levy. The Board adopted a resolution to move forward with this local law and scheduled a subsequent public hearing for October 19th, 2022. Additionally, motions were made regarding setting the Budget Hearing time, hiring Attorney Joel Kurtzhalts for Article 7 litigation, and adjourning the meeting.