Town Board Agendas & Minutes

Webster Town Board September 4, 2025 A regular meeting of the Webster Town Board was called to order by Supervisor Flaherty at 7:30 p.m. at the Webster Town Board Meeting Room, 1002 Ridge Road, Webster, New York, with the following officials present: Supervisor ................................................................................ Thomas J. Flaherty Councilwoman ........................................................................... Patricia T. Cataldi Councilman....................................................................................... John J. Cahill Councilwoman ............................................................................ Ginny L. Nguyen Councilwoman ...........................................................................Jennifer S. Wright Attorney for the Town .........................................................................Kyle Taylor Town Clerk .................................................................................. Danene M. Marr Department Heads Present: Finance Director ..................................................................................Paul Adams *** Supervisor Flaherty led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. *** The meeting was open to the floor for public comment and the following Webster residents appeared before the Town Board. Christopher Nacca, Webster resident, came before the Board to reflected on recent developments in Town, particularly the rise of fast-food restaurants along Hard Road over the past five years, which have filled a late-night dining gap but mainly employ low-wage workers who often don’t live locally. Mr. Nacca contrasted this with a new $20 million financial project that brings a sense of progress beyond just more fast food chains. He expressed frustration that these businesses benefit large chains corporations rather than the community, comparing to the hiring patterns to importing outside labor without investing in the Town itself. Mr. Nacca argued that while some worry about the long-term cost of projects, it’s more important to focus on the lasting value for the community, questioning who truly profits from the fast-food boom and urging more meaningful development. Bruce Winters, Webster Village resident, came before the Board and praised the improvements made at Sandbar Park, calling them beautiful, a positive change, and a lasting legacy from the Board and Supervisor for the community. *** Resolution No. 252: MOTION by Councilwoman Cataldi, seconded by Councilman Cahill, to approve the August 21, 2025 Town Board Workshop Minutes as submitted by the Town Clerk. Vote on motion: Supervisor Flaherty ............ Abstain Councilwoman Cataldi...... Aye Councilman Cahill .............. Aye Councilwoman Nguyen .... Aye Councilwoman Wright ....... Aye Motion carried .................. 4-0-1 *** Resolution No. 253: MOTION by Councilwoman Wright, seconded by Councilwoman Nguyen, to approve the August 21, 2025 Town Board Minutes as submitted by the Town Clerk. 1 09-04-2025  Webster Town Board Vote on motion: Supervisor Flaherty ............ Abstain Councilwoman Cataldi...... Aye Councilman Cahill .............. Aye Councilwoman Nguyen .... Aye Councilwoman Wright ....... Aye Motion carried .................. 4-0-1 *** Resolution No. 254: MOTION by Councilwoman Cataldi, seconded by Councilwoman Wright, to approve the bills as submitted in Warrant #0925 by the Director of Finance. Fund Inside Outside Card/ACH Total General (A,B) CL #2955-3110 140,730.75 255,856.45 4,200.61 400,787.81 Highway (C,D) 29,914.51 76,948.13 4,306.06 111,168.70 Sewer (G) 14,852.66 31,587.57 13,382.66 59,822.89 Library (L) 6,798.99 14,476.25 0.00 21,275.24 Drainage Districts (M) 8,536.51 1,836.94 0.00 10,373.45 Park Districts (P) 3,333.96 0.00 0.00 3,333.96 Trust & Agency (T/A,N/SF,T/T, WEMS) 0.00 236,468.45 0.00 236,468.45 Capital Projects (H) #133-134 H232 Highway Garage Building 5,558.43 0.00 0.00 5,558.43 H239 Shipbuilders Creek Rehab 2,380.00 0.00 0.00 2,380.00 TOTAL 212,105.81 617,173.79 21,889.33 851,168.93 Vote on motion: Supervisor Flaherty ............ Aye Councilwoman Cataldi ..... Aye Councilman Cahill .............. Aye Councilwoman Nguyen .... Aye Councilwoman Wright ....... Aye Motion carried .................. 5-0 *** Resolution No. 255: MOTION by Supervisor Flaherty, seconded by Councilwoman Cataldi, to approve the prepaid vouchers included in Warrant #0925 by the Director of Finance in the amount of $617,173.79. [Included in the summary of vouchers approved in Resolution #254] Vote on motion: Supervisor Flaherty ............ Aye Councilwoman Cataldi ..... Aye Councilman Cahill .............. Aye Councilwoman Nguyen .... Aye Councilwoman Wright ....... Aye Motion carried .................. 5-0 *** Resolution No. 256: MOTION by Supervisor Flaherty, seconded by Councilman Cahill, to approve purchase orders as submitted by the Director of Finance. Vote on motion: Supervisor Flaherty ............ Aye Councilwoman Cataldi ..... Aye Councilman Cahill .............. Aye Councilwoman Nguyen .... Aye Councilwoman Wright ....... Aye Motion carried .................. 5-0 *** Paul Adams, Director of Finance, presented the following Resolution. He discussed the preliminary 2026 budget, noting that the average household tax rate and sewer rents would increase by about 2.4 percent, mainly due to rising employee compensation, benefits, and debt 2 09-04-2025  Webster Town Board service costs. Despite these increases, revenues have also grown, particularly in the sewer fund, which has taken on significant debt over the past three years but remains ahead due to business- driven revenue. The budget relies on a portion of the Town’s fund balance to stabilize tax rates, with total appropriations drawn from reserves that currently total around $30 million, including both reserved and unappropriated funds. Board members emphasized that using these funds responsibly allows them to keep tax increases relatively low while managing long-term financial obligations. Board members highlighted the Town’s fund balance policy, which aims to maintain reserves between 15% and 50% of annual expenditures, noting that the unrestricted fund balance has doubled from $16.8 million in 2020 to $33.7 million in 2024. While this reserve growth provides a buffer for unexpected expenses and supports fiscal stability, there was agreement on the importance of gradually bringing excess funds back within policy limits. Mr. Adams’ main point was focused on balancing responsible financial management, maintaining low tax impacts for residents, and ensuring reserves are used effectively without holding excessive taxpayer money unnecessarily. Resolution No. 257: MOTION by Supervisor Flaherty, seconded by Councilman Cahill, to approve the Town of Webster 2026 tentative budget. WHEREAS, the Town Board was presented with the Town of Webster 2026 Tentative Budget; and WHERES, the proposed Tentative Budget real property tax levy does not exceed the Town of Webster’s tax levy limit; and WHEREAS, once the Tentative Budget is approved it becomes the Preliminary Budget and must be filed with the Town Clerk; and WHEREAS, no changes should be made to the Preliminary Budget until the Town Board conducts a Public Hearing; and WHEREAS, the Notice of Public Hearing on the Preliminary Budget must be published in the Town’s official newspaper, posted on the Town Clerk’s Bulletin Board and the Town’s website, if practicable; and WHEREAS, after the Public Hearing closes, the Town Board may make modifications to the Preliminary Budget that are consistent with law; and WHEREAS, the following is a summary of the Town of Webster 2026 Tentative Budget as submitted by the Director of Finance: 3 09-04-2025  Webster Town Board TOWN OF WEBSTER Summary of 2026 Tentative Budget OPERATING FUNDS 2026 LESS AMOUNT APPROP LESS UNEXPECTED TO BE FUND (ESTIMATED ESTIMATED BAL & RAISED BY CODE FUND EXPENSES) REVENUES REVSERVE TAXES A GENERAL-TOWN WIDE $25,265,399 $7,582,836 $1,150,000 $16,532,563 B GENERAL-PART TOWN $1,949,150 $1,115,650 $833,500 $0 DA HIGHWAY-TOWN WIDE $2,355,889 $1,052,250 $0 $1,303,639 DB HIGHWAY-PART TOWN $7,045,986 $4,445,986 $2,600,000 $0 TOTAL OPERATING FUNDS $36,616,424 $14,196,722 $4,583,500 $17,836,202 Increase 2025 to 2026 $2,846,336 8.43% $599,105 3.48% Town-wide funds cover all 16,894 Parcels in the Town & Part Town Funds cover the 15,397 Parcels Outside the Village of Webster TOWN SEWER (Outside the Village with Access to Sanitary Sewers; Capital Units = 15,809 / O & M Units =15,429) G SEWER FUND CAPITAL $6,142,032 $4,655,483 $0 $1,486,549 O&M $5,131,012 $2,594,568 $0 $2,536,444 TOTAL $11,273,044 $7,250,051 $0 $4,022,993 SPECIAL DISTRICTS & OTHER FUNDS SD DRAINAGE DISTRICTS $791,306 $31,500 $50,000 $709,806 SL LIGHTING DISTRICTS $83,900 $5,700 $0 $78,200 SP PARK DISTRICTS $113,865 $0 $0 $113,865 SS SEWER DISTRICTS $48,801 $8,300 $0 $40,501 SW WATER DISTRICTS $53,576 $0 $0 $53,576 E PARKLAND TRUST FUND $81,000 $81,000 $0 $0 L LIBRARY** $2,835,740 $2,835,740 $0 $0 V DEBT SERVICE FUND $1,374,658 $0 $1,374,658 $0 TOTAL SPEC. DIST. &OTHER $5,382,846 $2,962,240 $1,424,658 $995,948 OPERATING, SPECIAL DIST. & OTHER $53,272,314 $24,409,013 $6,008,158 $22,855,143 Increase 2025 to 2026 $5,546,880 11.62% $645,202 2.91% *The estimated expenses and revenues include interfund transfers in the amount of $4,910,994. **The Library Fund is incorporated into the General Fund Town-Wide to be raised by taxes. TAX RATE ESTIMATES 2026 2025 $INCREASE % INCREASE VILLAGE PROPERTY $5.52 $5.39 $0.1289 2.39% TOWN OUTSIDE VILLAGE $5.52 $5.39 $0.1289 2.39% SEWER RENT (Cap. & O & M) $258.43 $252.73 $5.70 2.25% Sewer O & M $164.40 $209.45 Operation of Collection System & Treatment Plant Sewer Capital $94.03 $43.28 Capital Plant Improvements, Equipment & Debt Total $258.43 $252.73 Drainage District - Levy Per Unit $709,806 20,253 Units $35.05 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: That the Town Board approves the Town of Webster 2026 Tentative Budget as presented. 4 09-04-2025  Webster Town Board Vote on motion: Supervisor Flaherty ............ Aye Councilwoman Cataldi ..... Aye Councilman Cahill .............. Aye Councilwoman Nguyen .... Aye Councilwoman Wright ....... Aye Motion carried .................. 5-0 *** Resolution No. 258: MOTION by Councilwoman Cataldi, seconded by Councilman Cahill, to approve and authorize the Town Supervisor to sign an extended one year contract from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026 with J. O’Connell & Associates, Inc., 10646 Main Street, Clarence, New York for the professional service of Grants Consulting and Proposal Writing in the amount of Three Thousand Nine Hundred Dollars ($3,900.00) per month and the Town of Webster may terminate said Agreement with or without cause at any time upon ten (10) days written notice. [Agreement to be filed in the Office of the Town Clerk.] Vote on motion: Supervisor Flaherty ............ Aye Councilwoman Cataldi ..... Aye Councilman Cahill .............. Aye Councilwoman Nguyen .... Aye Councilwoman Wright ....... Aye Motion carried .................. 5-0 *** Resolution No. 259: MOTION by Councilwoman Wright, seconded by Councilman Cahill, to authorize the Town Supervisor to sign a one-year Agreement ending December 31, 2026 with Pilato Entertainment, Marketing & Media LLC for publication of the Town magazine, Webster Today, for an amount not to exceed $48,000.00, inclusive of postage. [Copy of the Agreement to be filed in the Office of the Town Clerk] Vote on motion: Supervisor Flaherty ............ Aye Councilwoman Cataldi ..... Aye Councilman Cahill .............. Aye Councilwoman Nguyen .... Aye Councilwoman Wright ....... Aye Motion carried ................... 5-0 *** Attorney for the Town, Kyle Taylor, presented the following Resolution. The Resolution on the agenda concerns a petition from Xerox regarding two parcels on their campus that are split by the Town and Village boundaries of Webster, making redevelopment cumbersome. The petition requests a boundary adjustment—or “land swap”—so that each parcel lies entirely within either the Village or the Town. The Board is being asked to consent to the Village moving its boundary to transfer a portion of land into the Town, after which the Village Board will review it and Xerox will petition to transfer part of the Town’s land to the Village, completing the swap. The goal is to simplify the parcels for redevelopment and make the campus more attractive for development. Resolution No. 260: MOTION by Supervisor Flaherty, seconded by Councilwoman Wright to consent to the diminution of Village boundaries pursuant to Village Law 18-1804. 5 09-04-2025  Webster Town Board WHEREAS, the Town Board was presented with a proposed petition for the diminution of the boundary of the Village of Webster that will be filed with the Village Board of the Village Webster pursuant to Village Law 18-1804; and WHEREAS, pursuant to Village Law 18-1804 a petition for the diminution of Village boundaries requires the consent in writing of the board of the town in which the territory sought to be excluded is located: NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That the Town Board hereby consents to the diminution of the boundaries of the Village of Webster as set forth in the petition. Vote on motion: Supervisor Flaherty ............ Aye Councilwoman Cataldi ..... Aye Councilman Cahill .............. Aye Councilwoman Nguyen .... Aye Councilwoman Wright ....... Aye Motion carried ................... 5-0 *** Resolution No. 261: MOTION by Supervisor Flaherty, seconded by Councilwoman Nguyen, to waive the New York State Liquor Authority On-Premises Alcohol Beverage License 30-day notification period requirement for Himalayan Kitchen Indian & Nepali Flavors LLC located at 1075 Ridge Road, Webster, New York. WHEREAS, on September 2, 2025, the Town of Webster received a New York State Liquor Authority (NYSLA) Standardized Notice Form for Providing 30-Day Advance Notice for an On- Premises Alcoholic Beverage License from Himalayan Kitchen Indian & Nepali Flavors LLC located at 1075 Ridge Road, Webster, New York; and WHEREAS, the applicant is requesting the Town of Webster waive the 30-day notification period; and WHEREAS, the applicant will not be in violation of any Town of Webster Zoning Ordinances: NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: That the Webster Town Board agrees to waive the New York State Liquor Authority On- Premises Alcoholic Beverage License 30-day notification period requirement for Himalayan Kitchen Indian & Nepali LLC located at 1075 Ridge Road, Webster, New York. Vote on motion: Supervisor Flaherty ............ Aye Councilwoman Cataldi ..... Aye Councilman Cahill .............. Aye Councilwoman Nguyen .... Aye Councilwoman Wright ....... Aye Motion carried ................... 5-0 *** 6 09-04-2025  Webster Town Board There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 8:03 p.m. ____________________________________ Danene M. Marr, Town Clerk 7 09-04-2025