Town Board - Regular Meeting

Okay. Okay. Like to call regular meeting number four of 2026 of the town board to order and ask the clerk to read the role. Councilman Datti here. Councilman Kilmer here. Councilman Garcia here. Councilwoman Deal here. Supervisor Marston

here. Um, tonight's invitation will be read by Cross River Ministry Mike Canilia and the pledge will be read by Councilman Garcia. Please rise. Heavenly Father, we come to you tonight in the name of Jesus Christ, our precious Lord and Savior. Lord, we ask that you hear our prayers as we pray for our local and national governments, Lord, that they make the right decisions to protect us and um bless us. And we ask for our local leadership to be blessed in the decisions they make regarding our community. I also ask Lord um that each of us in our hearts look at others as Jesus would see them. Not as we would see them, not with prejudice and anger and malice, but as as the Lord would see them, Lord. So we just pray tonight that you hear our prayers and ask your blessings on our community and our families in Jesus name.

Algiance to the flag United States of America and to the standy and Okay. Uh, next up is the public comment section of this meeting. This is public comments on agenda items only. So, if it is on the agenda and you'd like to speak on it, please come to the mic, give us your name, and you'll have a couple minutes. Uh, otherwise, we'll move on to the agenda. cherish bills. Um, in regards to agenda item 113, um, I just wanted to let you all know, give you an update. It's been a while since you've seen me. Um, we were able to rent 60 nights through, um, our bed and breakfast last year, um, to many people from all over the world. And a lot of our guests, just as an FYI, have been folks who either lived on the island or are coming here to visit, family on the island, and they love the option of being able to have a place for their families to stay that is here on the island since those choices are limited, especially um the families that travel with children. So, we're really grateful that, you know, we have that opportunity to provide that. We refer guests to Say Cheese, Brick Oven, Dick and Jenny's all the time, um Island Ship Center, etc. So, we hope, you know, we're generating the local economy's um business and we've paid thousands of dollars in taxes as well. So, we're grateful for the opportunity to be able to provide accommodations to people to stay here on Grand Island to contribute to the local economy and we're just grateful for that opportunity and look forward to continuing to do so. Thanks.

Thank you.

Okay, hearing nothing else, we'll move on to the rest of the agenda. Uh, next I'd like the minutes section. I'd like to approve the minutes of workshop meeting number three, February 2nd, 2026. Approve the minutes of regular meeting number three, February 2nd, 2026. Approve the minutes of workshop meeting number four, February 13, 2026. So move. Motion second. Any discussion? Roll call. Garcia, I. Kilmer, I Jagatti. Hi. Deal. Hi. Marston,

I. Next is the consent consent agenda. Uh meeting minutes, zoning board of appeals, January 8th, 2026. Uh building permits issued January 2026. Meeting minutes, board of architecture review, January 20th, 2026. Meeting minutes, parks and recreation advisory board, January 26th, 2026. Motion to approve as submitted. So move. Second. Motion second. Any discussion? Roll call. Garcia. I. Kilmer. Hi. Dugatti. Hi. Deal. Hi. Mar. Hi.

Uh, next is up from my office. Uh, number one, a resignation from Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. Uh, I make a motion to accept with regret the resignation of David Pratt from Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. We thank him for his input and leadership and recommend awarding a certificate of appreciation. Second motion a second. Any discussion? Uh Jose um Dave is a very Dave is still very active in other um boards uh for the town. He has a new uh new grandchild and we wish him the best. Looking for a little bit of free time. Uh roll call. Datti.

Hi. Garcia. Hi. Kilmer. I deal I Marston.

Hi. Next power upgrade town Commons. Um, this is something that's been going back and forth a while. We received a bid from our electrical contractor for approximately $29,000 to install a dedicated electrical service to the commons area. We have spoken with National Grid regarding bringing the main line across Grand Island Boulevard or Grand Island. Yeah, Grand Boulevard. The cost of that was unclear as they were unsure if it would be considered a new service or an upgrade. They have stipulated that the higher cost would not exceed $10,000. Um, lead times for these projects are often are longer than one year plus. Therefore, I would like to make a motion that the town board authorize an amount not to exceed $40,000 to upgrade the electrical service to the commons area. The parks trust and agency funds will be used to fund this project unless other outside funding becomes available.

So move second. Motion second. any discussion? Yeah, I just don't want to say that this is uh what this is for. People don't actually understand sometimes this is to actually make the area next to the town more usable for functions that we all have a future desire to use it for. Concerts, events. So, uh this upgrade is to to prepare for the future. It is phase one of that. You got to start with power and then we can go from there. Um, you know, I guess uh hopefully some some other funding streams will come up, but if not, the board needs to at least commit to them. Um, roll call. Garcia. Hi. Dugatti. Hi. Kilmer. Hi. Deal. Hi. Marston.

Hi. Um, next. Dazzy Sam Grant. Sandy Woods Trail Project project number 2965.

Town board, please attach the DNY Sam Grant due diligence paperwork for Sandy Woods Trail Project Grant. This specific portion of the project involves a path pathway improvements to upgrade to existing wood chip trail on site and to a crush granite trail and completing concrete work constructing constructing a connection from curb cut at the roadway to the property line to provide ADA accessible access to the trail as well as ensuring proper grading for drainage and safe pedestrian use. The estimated project cost for this portion is $118,750. Dazzy has awarded $80,000 through a SAM grant. The balance of the project will cost will be paid for by the town of Grand Island. We hereby request the town board authorize the supervisor to execute the due diligence paperwork attached.

Second. Motion second. Any discussion? Roll call. Datti. Hi. Deal. Hi. Kilmer Garcia. Hi. Marston. Hi. Uh, next uh this also comes from my office but from Ela O'Neal our grants coordinator. Um, honorable town board. After reviewing the responses to our RFQ for on call grant writing services and interviewing each respondent, I recommend that the proposal submitted by CNS Engineers Incorporated be accepted by the town board pending legal review of the contract. Move. Second.

Motion second. Some discussion. Yes. Yeah. A little bit. Uh Ron and I were part of these interviews. Uh we interviewed five people. These I think that we're heading in a great direction for grant writing and turning a new page. I agree. They they each offer something a little different, but the the um recommended consultant fit most of our areas if not all. So, I'm very excited about what's coming for us. Okay. Any other discussion? Roll call. Kilmer. Hi. Deal. Hi, Datti. Hi, Garcia. Hi,

Marston. Hi. Uh, next up, uh, Jose, you want to read your own or you want me to read it? I'll read it. Okay. So, this one's two parts. Uh, it's from the Conservation Advisory Board. Um, I would make a motion that we accept the resignation of member Diane Evans, um, who has resigned from the board. Um, we also had, uh, Suzanne Tomkins whose term expired and she chose not to reup. And I'd like to thank both of them for their service and give them a certificate of appreciation. Is that a motion? I made the motion. Second. Motion second. Any discussion?

It's going to be a huge loss for both these these ladies. They've been very active in the conservation board for a long time. Diane has worked on several other committees and I've been able to work with her over the past six years and her dedication to our community and to our residents has been tremendous. She'll be missed. Yeah, for sure. Roll call. Garcia. Hi. Kilmer. Hi. Jagatti. Hi. Deal. Hi. Marston. Hi.

Second part is I make a motion to appoint James Dagler to a term expiring 1231 of 2030. uh Susanna to a term expiring um December 31st, 2029 and Zach Piper will be a new member serving as an alternate with a term expiring 12:31 of 26. So move motion second. Any discussion?

Roll call. Garcia. Hi, Kilmer. Hi, Datt. Hi, Deal. Hi, Marston. Hi. All right. Second, traffic safety board appointments. Uh, first I make a motion that we accept the resignation of Daniel Buchini. Thank him for his service as secretary to the traffic safety. Second.

Motion second. that happened. Okay. Discussion. Currently, he resigned in 24. Okay. Gone a while, but uh I guess he served as secretary. Okay. Roll call. Garcia. Hi. Kilmer. Hi. Datti. Hi. Deal. Hi. Marston. Hi. Uh second part here is I'd like to make a motion to appoint Kurt Herman as uh the chairperson and to a term that expires 12:31 of 2028 and Kurt Fielder as an alternate term expiring 1231 of 2026.

Motion council be second. Yes. Yes. Okay. motion and second discussion. I just want to thank Kurt uh he was new last year uh for stepping up and taking that position and building a a new board with some new people and he's got a lot of ideas so I think it'll be good. Sounds like fun. Roll call. Garcia I deal I Tatti. Hi. Kilmer. Hi. Marston. Hi. Uh third uh this historic preservation advisory board recommendation. Um, I make a motion we table it till our next meeting. Second.

Motion second. Any discussion? Roll call. Ursio. Hi. Digatti. Hi. Kilmer. Hi. Deal. Hi. Marston. Hi. Uh, next council woman Ronda Deal. This is actually a a board that Dan serves leaison on, but um just helping out clean some records. It's for the agricultural advisory board. Please accept with regret in the certificate of appreciation the resignation of Philip Moano from the agricultural advisory board. Though it was an alternate member since March of 2024, we appreciate his service to our community through work on this advisory board.

Second motion second. Any discussion? Roll call. Deal. I. Kilmer. Hi. Digatti. Hi. Garcia. Hi.

Marston. Hi. Next from the Department of Engineering and Water Resources, uh, authorizes supervisor to execute amended grant agreement EV charging stations ZEV infrastructure grant amended agreement execution- job number M-69-2021. Honorable town board um attached please find the amended agreement for the zero emissions vehicle infrastructure grant um number DEC01- ZVIN-2022-00134 to be executed in the New York statewide financial system portal. The amended agreement allows for an additional year to complete the installation of two dualport EV charging stations at town hall for public use. The new contract end date is uh 9:30 2026. We hereby request the town board authoriz authorize the supervisor to execute the amended grant agreement in the NYSF portal. So move second. Motion and second. Any discussion? Roll call.

Garcia. I. Datti. Hi. Kilmer. Hi. Deal. Hi. Marston. Hi. Uh. Next. Hire principal engineering assistant. Uh, honorable town board. I hereby am requesting the town board to hire Kevin Cook Jr. as a provisional principal engineering assistant at CSCA grade 8 starting at a salary of $34.95 per hour effective March 2026 with a start date subject to the completion of pre-employment paperwork.

Second motion second. Um any discussion? This is basically a This is a replacement for a recently uh um employ an employee that recently resigned. Roll call. Digatti. Hi. Garcia. Hi. Kilmer. Hi. Deal. Hi. Marston.

Hi. Uh next amended fee schedule water meter fees. Uh town board due to the recent adoption of the townwide meter replacement project and the new meter selected for the project. I hereby request amending the current adopted fee schedule for the prices of the water meters to be the following. Um, and it's all listed on different sizes here in different setups. This is basically to accommodate the new style water meters that are different than the old ones. So, I will make a motion to adopt as written. Second. Motion and second. Any discussion? Roll call. Marston. I hi I

Garcia I next from the code enforcement office special use permit renewal Jodi Ryder 1559 Easter road for a bed and breakfast um it looks like the site has been inspected fees have been paid and um there is no change huh so move Second. Motion second. Any discussion? Roll call. Milmer. I. Jagatti. Hi. Garcia. I. Deal. Hi. Marston.

Hi. Uh, next a special use permit renewal New York Solar 06 LLC 2595 White Haven Road Solar Energy Farm. Um, I'm looking for There's that one. Uh looks like the site has been uh under it's under construction. Uh spoke with contract. Expect completion at the end of April 2026. Looks like the fees have been paid. Everything is in compliance. Motion second. Any discussion? Roll call. Kilmer. Hi. Datti. Hi. Garcia.

Hi. Deal. I Marston. Hi. Uh, next is special use permit renewal. Uh, Matthew and Cherish Beals, 121 Amberwood Drive for bed and breakfast. Uh, it also appears that um, this has been inspected. The uses are unchanged. Um, I believe the the fees have been paid by the looks of this. Uh, motion to reapprove is second. Motion second. Any discussion? All set. Roll call. Kilmer. Hi. Deal. Hi. Daddy. Hi.

Garcia. Hi. Marston. Hi. Uh, next special use permit. Uh, 2332 Stony Point keeping of up to one agricultural animal and eight chickens. Um,

yeah, I didn't see it in the back. It was out of order. It was the first one. Yeah, was out of order. Okay, got it. Okay. Don't know what uh looks like, uh, currently no agricultural animals are there. Eight chickens are present. Uh, the fees have been paid. So, motion to reapprove. Second. Motion second. Any discussion? Roll call. Gilmer. Hi. Deal. Hi. Daddy. Hi. Garcia. Co. Hi. Mar. Hi. I apologize. Sorry.

Uh, next request authorization to advertise for bids 2026 property maintenance bid contract. Uh motion to um authorize this to go out to RFP as written. So moved by the attorneys. Second. Motion second. Um any discussion? Roll call. Garcia. I. Deal. Hi. Digatti. Kilmer. Hi. Mar.

Hi. Um next from uh town Karen Fr. It looks like some it's that time of year where we are moving money around to uh um get the budget everything lined up the way it should be. So I'm going to just say a motion to approve the um budget transfers and amendments as written. So move. Second. Motion second. Any more discussion? Roll call. Er, I Deal. Hi, Datti. Hi, Kilmer. Hi, Marston. Hi.

Uh, okay. Next, uh, report from the audit committee. I make a motion to pay the bills from the following funds. From the general fund, $190,386.71. From the highway fund, $142374,23712. From the sewer fund, $27,1142. From the water fund, $20,417.34. From the capital fund, $25,249.78. And from the refu and garbage fund, $184,620.17 for a total of $552,25.14. Second.

Okay. Motion second. Any discussion? Roll call. Garcia. Hi. Deal. Hi. Jagatti. Hi. Kilmer. Hi. Marston. Hi.

Uh, next is public comments. This is a uh a point where anybody can come up. Uh, state your name and you have a couple minutes to talk about whatever your uh concerns are on the town of Grand Island. So, um, if anybody has anything to say, please come up. Yep. Bill Daniels, I'm here to ask for your support. Uh, my granddaughter was killed on September 11th, 2024 near Keabayan School on a state expressway. I have been having trouble getting the state to do anything, any support. Uh I found out that the expressway is owned by the New York State Department of Parks, Recreation, Historic Preservation. Uh Mr. Mstrada is the director there and he has not been responding to my letters. Thank Pete I sent you a copies that I sent him. So, I'm asking the board here and Pete to advocate for a highway design study, a study by go by Jim Jones, professional engineer, recommended a roundabout at that location. Um, Erie County traffic safety engineer Gina Wakowski thought wanted to work as well. They've been known to reduce fatalities by 78%. There was fatality there 50 years ago as well by 11-year-old girl. My granddaughter was 13 when she was killed. So since that time there's now ice rinks available or for in more traffic. So I'm asking please the board to contact the state Mr. Mark Estrada

and request him to put in his budget a funds for a highway uh design study and funds for a possible roundabout, mini roundabout or for a four-way stop before somebody else gets killed. Thank you. Thank you, sir. Anybody else like to speak at this time?

Yes, sir. Everybody, hello. My name's Chris Bushka. I live at 2728 Love Road. Sir, God bless you. I'm really sorry to hear about it. I will say this about that intersection because my stepdaughter lives in that area a little farther south. It's a pain in the ass driving around there, especially with the ice rinks. Anyways, my comment today is simple and it just deals with taxation and everything keep keeps going up in the vampire state now relying on Thomas Jefferson back in the day and us celebrating 250 years. Everything starts with local government. So, thank you for the opportunity for me to be heard. If the rate of inflation is approximately 2.4 2.47% 47% and our taxes go up 5% after we do a reassessment. I just can't see no end to a ballooning type taxation on our properties. So, I just ask that everybody please keep in mind every time we put in $1, just keep in mind where it's coming from and please stick to the 2.4% 2.47% 47% or the rate of inflation because otherwise I really can't see expending more and more and more. I am not a fan of the vampire state even though I'm a resident, but I do appreciate you guys letting me speak. Thank you.

Thank you. Thanks for letting me be an American.

Anybody else like to speak? Okay. From the board, we'll start on the other side this time. Councilwoman Deal.

So, we weren't here um for two meetings last month, and it's because several of us, Dan included, went to the New York State Association of Towns annual training school. And I mentioned this just so that you know that we are working um for new innovations and to do the best job we can for our residents. And um I attended several classes. One of them was on um battery storage which we are working on a law now. I found that helpful um collective bargaining and some tips and things to know about the coming AI um where it involves municipalities. So I appreciated the opportunity to do that and just wanted you to know where we were since we weren't here. Councilman Dali,

another mess march we will be here soon to enjoy.

Got it. Councilman Garcia um Mr. Daniels once again uh I know we spoke last year but u terrible what happened and really sorry. I believe you are going to be attending our traffic safety board meeting next week. Yes, it's next Tuesday. So, if you can, please do so. But we have your letter and we're going to discuss it. And with the nice weather, everybody wants to get out and go outside and walk and ride their bikes as it comes. So, please everyone pay attention. People are going to be out there. We're all excited to be outside when it's sunny out.

Councilman Kilmer, I'm going to piggy back what Rhonda said and what the uh gentleman said. We go to these association of towns to try to save money. The problem is we can find ways to save money and it seems like we find a way to save that two and a half percent but then we get hit with other costs. Trust me, we're we're looking for ways to curb the cost of government. We're we're not just adding to you every year. At least I am. I'm looking for ways you are. I look for getting back. I'm looking for ways to save. Uh Rhonda and I both attended many classes. Hopefully some of this stuff comes to fruition and it's just a slow grind to find savings. It really is. I won't be. We keep looking.

Okay. Um guess my turn. Uh kids, how many of you watch the Olympics? Anyone? Any of you watch them? Pretty good stuff, huh? US did really good. So, men's and women's hockey, figure skating, uh, freestyle skiing, speed skating, women's bobsled. Um, pretty good stuff. So, I I always enjoy when the Olympics is going on because that's usually when everybody puts their differences aside, uh, and we root as a as a country. So, um, you I think you might have saw some history. It's a good thing you watched some of them. So beyond that, um I want to mention because this has been a conversation to a couple people um about uh veterans exe exemptions on taxes. Um so this is something that's been kind of kicking around for a while. Um where it is a 100% ex exemption for service connected disabilities with veterans. Um, many towns jumped the gun and kind of um uh adopted things, but they didn't really know what they're adopting. The bottom line is is the state adopted it. So, now it is it is mandatory for us to keep it. So, everybody who adopted now almost has to repeal it and file file the state. So, I'm kind of glad we didn't jump the gun, but just in case anybody was following this, um, it's important for people to know that it's been adopted. So that's all I will have tonight. Um a motion is in order to adjourn tonight's meeting at 8:33. Motion second. Uh by Kilmer. Um all those in favor say I. Opposed. All right. Um please rise for a moment of silence.

Tonight we'll observe a moment of silence in memory of Anthony Quilantello Jr. Charles Mahoney, Lori Lavello, Mark Zimmerman, Richard Sander, Judith Pebblo, and John Damagala. We're journ