Webster Town Board
March 5, 2026
A workshop meeting of the Webster Town Board was called to order by Supervisor Scialdone at
6:30 p.m. at the Webster Town Board Meeting Room, 1002 Ridge Road, Webster, New York,
with the following officials present:
Supervisor ......................................................................... Alexander B. Scialdone
Councilman....................................................................................... John J. Cahill
Councilwoman...........................................................................Jennifer S. Wright
Councilman.............................................................................. Nicholas E. Hunter
Councilman................................................................................ Garrett J. Wagner
Attorney for the Town .........................................................................Kyle Taylor
Town Clerk .................................................................................. Danene M. Marr
Department Heads Present:
Community Development Director ................................................. Joshua Artuso
Finance Director ..................................................................................Paul Adams
Also in attendance was Anthony Casciani, Planning Board Chairman.
***
Joshua Artuso, Community Development Director, appeared before the Town Board to discuss
FEMA Flood Mapping changes along Empire Boulevard.
The Town of Webster administers the Federal Floodplain Regulations established by the Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) at the local level. In 2024, the Town updated its
Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance after FEMA revised flood mapping within the Town.
Following that update, a property owner challenged the floodplain designation affecting their
property and conducted an extensive technical review with consultants and flood engineers. The
owner applied to FEMA for a Letter of Map Revision (LOMR) to correct the floodplain
elevation shown on the Federal maps. After approximately a year and a half of analysis, FEMA
and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation accepted the technical data
and determined that the original floodplain elevation mapping was incorrect.
As a result, the approved map revision lowers the floodplain elevation in the affected area by
approximately five feet and impacts several properties near Empire Boulevard, including areas
around the bowling alley, movie theater, and the former Creek’s Edge Farm Market near Country
Max, extending partly into the Town of Penfield. Because the Federal map has been revised, the
Town of Webster must amend its local code to reflect the change. The Town Board must hold a
Public Hearing and adopt the update by May 2026, in order to maintain compliance with the
National Flood Insurance Program, ensuring that residents living in floodplain areas remain
eligible to obtain federal flood insurance.
Councilwoman Wright asked if it could be shown on the map, specifically the change that is
taking place. Mr. Artuso articulated that updated engineering and survey work showed that the
previously mapped FEMA floodway in the Empire Boulevard area was too narrow, which
caused inaccurate floodplain elevations. Engineers collected new field data, analyzed
stormwater flows from the Town of Penfield, and evaluated the culvert beneath Empire
Boulevard, which had been replaced or enlarged in the past and affected downstream flooding
conditions.
1
03-05-2026
Webster Town Board
Based on this updated analysis, FEMA revised the floodplain elevation for the area from
approximately 425 feet above sea level to about 419–420 feet, a reduction of roughly five feet.
As a result, several properties that were previously within the 100-year floodplain, including the
movie theater property and nearby parcels have now been removed from the designated
floodplain, although floodplain areas still remain to the south.
Councilman Wagner asked how many homeowners are impacted by this change, and Mr. Artuso
responded there are no single-family residences impacted, they are all commercial properties
within the Town of Webster.
***
Anthony Casciani, Chairman of the Planning Board, appeared before the Town Board to discuss
the steps taken by the Planning Board regarding the proposed solar project.
Katie Soscia, Director of Project Development for Montante Solar, presented the proposed 6.6megawatt solar project on Xerox’s campus in the Town of Webster, seeking an Industrial Use
Permit. The project team, including representatives from Phillips Lytle (Kim Nason), Xerox
(Marcus Lathrop), and Haley & Aldrich (Janice Szucs), emphasized that the project meets all
criteria for approval.
The project timeline spans over three years, including environmental reviews with multiple
agencies and a formal review process with the New York State Department of Environmental
Conservation (DEC) starting in July 2025. The Town Board referred the project to the Planning
Board for a full site plan review, followed by sketch plan and preliminary site plan meetings.
Community concerns were addressed through meetings with the Meadows HOA, feedback
implementation, public outreach, and the creation of a project webpage. Final site plan approval
was pursued in early January, and the DEC review was completed by late February, with all
materials shared with the Town Board. The team has emphasized transparency and public
engagement throughout the process.
Marcus Lathrop, Manager of Assessments and Environmental Operations at Xerox, explained
that the project area is a small portion of the larger Xerox campus in Webster, near the CND and
industrial waste landfills, with some nearby property now owned by Tessy Plastics. The
proposed solar area was carefully mapped to show distances to property lines and residential
areas.
Xerox operates under a New York State DEC Permit, which governs remediation, monitoring,
inspection, and notification requirements across the campus, including the landfills. All landfills
are closed and maintained under DEC-approved corrective actions and institutional controls. A
groundwater recovery trench collects water from the site, with monthly testing and reporting
provided to the Town of Webster and DEC. Marcus emphasized that all remediation and
environmental operations will continue without disruption from the solar project, ensuring
human health and environmental protections remain intact. All data and monitoring activities
have been ongoing for over 30 years, with DEC reviewing and approving all operations.
2
03-05-2026
Webster Town Board
Janice Szucs, from Haley & Aldrich, explained the technical environmental remediation
measures at the proposed solar project site on Xerox’s campus. The site includes two capped
landfills: an asphalt-capped hazardous waste landfill and a soil-capped C&D landfill with nonhazardous vegetative waste. Protective engineering measures include a bedrock trench (like a
French drain) to capture potential contamination, spanning the full width of the landfill, and a
network of monitoring wells to track groundwater conditions. Wells further from the landfill
have shown no contamination for over 10 years, while expected detections occur near the trench.
Groundwater is collected and treated at the Town of Webster’s Public Works Facility, with
contingency plans in place if alternative handling is needed.
The solar project was designed following New York State Department of Environmental
Conservation (DEC) guidance for landfill redevelopment, ensuring that all necessary studies and
protections are in place. This approach also aligns with state incentives for reusing landfill sites
for solar energy, supporting safe and sustainable land redevelopment.
Katie Soscia, from Montante Solar, detailed the environmental planning, regulatory compliance,
and construction approach for the proposed 6.6 MW Solar Project on Xerox’s Webster campus.
She explained that the project underwent an extensive review by the New York State DEC
beginning in July 2025. This review included civil designs, geoballast foundation plans,
stormwater management, landfill closure plans, geotechnical reports, and operations and
maintenance plans. DEC confirmed that the project complies with DMM4 guidance for solar
installations on closed landfills and does not interfere with ongoing remediation activities. She
emphasized that construction will avoid penetrating landfill soils, using geoballast gabion
baskets to secure the panels, with disturbances limited to access roads, utility poles, and a
concrete pad. Soil sampling will be conducted in accordance with DEC and Xerox remediation
plans.
The project also underwent due diligence with other agencies, including the US Army Corps of
Engineers, NY State Historic Preservation Office, US Fish and Wildlife, and the DEC Wetlands
Division. Wetland impacts are minimal, totaling less than 0.1 acres, and the Town Planning
Board issued a Type II action while the Town Engineer completed a Storm Water Pollution
Prevention Plan (SWPPP) review. The project consists of nearly 11,000 solar panels and 18
inverters, positioned strategically to maintain significant distances from nearby residences and
HOA trails, minimizing visual and operational impact.
To address community concerns about sightlines, the project team developed a landscape
screening plan. This plan adds approximately 200 feet of double-row Norway spruce and red
cedar trees along the northeast and northwest edges of the site, providing year-round coverage.
These plantings will be implemented by Xerox prior to major construction, ensuring visual
mitigation from surrounding areas. Overall, the project combines careful environmental
safeguards, regulatory compliance, responsible construction methods, and proactive community
engagement.
3
03-05-2026
Webster Town Board
The proposed solar project includes a host community agreement as a condition of site plan
approval, ensuring that the project pays the equivalent of full property taxes, with 50% of that
value paid in the first three years. A decommissioning plan and bond are incorporated to
guarantee the system’s removal at the end of its useful life or if it becomes non-operational for
over 12 months. This ensures that the Town of Webster is not financially responsible, and the
bond must maintain an A or higher rating.
The project also provides significant community benefits. It is an inclusive community solar
project, reserving 40% of its energy—approximately 2.66 MW—for low- to moderate-income
households, offering a guaranteed 10% discount on electricity through NAERTA and DPS
monitoring. Indirectly, the project helps reduce overall power costs by offsetting reliance on
high-pollution, inefficient fossil-fuel peaker plants that operate during peak energy demand.
Additionally, the project incorporates about 4,000 square feet of dedicated monarch butterfly
plantings, primarily milkweed, to support local pollinator habitats throughout the life of the
project.
Marcus Lathrop, Manager of Assessments and Environmental Operations at Xerox,
emphasized its long-standing commitment to the Webster community to counter perceptions that
it is not community focused. He highlighted its extensive community outreach and volunteer
efforts, including support for United Way, the Rochester Museum & Science Center, school
programs with engineers teaching students, food drives like Operation Food Basket, and monthly
bag lunch initiatives.
Additionally, Xerox makes its campus available for community benefits, such as hosting e-waste
collection events, supporting the Wilmot Cancer Center’s Warrior Weekend, and providing
space for the Tour to Cure. The company stressed that these efforts, along with the safety
measures incorporated in the solar project, demonstrate their dedication to the community and
ensure the project will benefit residents without creating hazards.
Janice Szucs, from Haley & Aldrich, emphasized that health and safety have been the highest
priorities throughout the project’s design, construction, and operation phases. Compliance with
all safety and environmental regulations will continue, including routine inspections, monitoring,
and emergency response plans. The landfill cap has been designed with multiple layers to
protect against exposure, and solar panels are mounted on a ballasted racking system that allows
for maintenance or removal if needed. Groundwater monitoring systems, recovery wells, and
other critical infrastructure will remain fully accessible, and the project will not interfere with
them. Community engagement, including Town Board and HOA meetings, has been ongoing to
address questions and concerns.
Environmental and operational impacts have been carefully considered. Noise from inverters is
within Town code limits, and real-world factors like vegetation further reduce sound levels.
Environmental reviews show the project will offset CO2 emissions within three years and
provide long-term benefits. The project has been vetted by environmental agencies with no
negative feedback received. A dedicated project website and DEC contact information ensure
community transparency and access to further information.
4
03-05-2026
Webster Town Board
Kim Nason, from Phillips Lytle, concluded the presentation by emphasizing the request before
the Board: approval of the Industrial Use Permit and host community agreement for the solar
project. She highlighted that the project has undergone an extensive review process, including
Planning Board approvals, DEC oversight, and multiple rounds of public input. The Planning
Board recommended approval of the Industrial Use Permit, which is required under the Town’s
Solar Code for industrial district sites. Ms. Nason noted that the project meets all Industrial Use
it is well screened and buffered, fully monitored for landfill impacts, does not
create additional demand on Town resources, and avoids typical off-site impacts such as dust,
noise, or emissions. She concluded that the project represents a productive reuse of an otherwise
undevelopable industrial parcel and would generate revenue for the Town.
Councilman Cahill asked Anthony Casciani, Chairman of the Planning Board, if he has a copy of
the weight impact study, and it was answered that there is a copy and it will be provided.
Councilman Cahill asked if the existing cracks on the asphalt cap will be addressed prior to the
ballasts being added. Marcus Lathrop from Xerox, responded that the cracks are reviewed and
addressed as part of the annual maintenance. Then an additional inch and a half of asphalt will
be placed on top of the existing asphalt.
Councilman Cahill asked how the asphalt will continue to be maintained once the ballast and
solar structures are in place. Jancie Szucs, from Haley and Aldrich, responded that the structures
can be moved if required for maintenance of the asphalt. Katie Soscia also answered the team
has been considering adding an extra asphalt pad under the ballasted panels—about 1.5 inches
plus an additional 1.5 inches beneath the ballast. They indicated that this modification would
require DEC approval, but they are willing to pursue it if it addresses the Board’s concerns.
Councilman Cahill asked if Montante Solar has built other solar farms on asphalt capped
landfills. Katie Soscia answered that DEC covered landfills without an asphalt cap.
Councilwoman Wright asked if Montante’s previous solar projects were on industrial waste or
construction and debris landfills. Katie Soscia responded that she would provide a list of
different landfills that they are currently working on.
Councilman Wagner asked if there are thresholds in place and what the process would look like
if the asphalt cap cracks, is it a formal or informal plan. Janice Szucs responded that it is a
formally written plan that the cap is inspected on an annual basis, which is all part of the
submittals that went to the DEC.
Councilman Wagner asked if there is a timeframe with the DEC, if a crack is identified that
needs to be fixed, how long does Xerox or Montante have to fix said crack. Janice Szucs
responded that it has not been established with the DEC.
5
03-05-2026
Webster Town Board
Councilman Hunter indicated that current safety protocols have been in place for decades but are
there any additional precautions with the construction of the project to add in additional testing
through the wells throughout the property just to make sure for the sake of residents in the area
that there isn’t any contamination. Marcus Lathrop answered that the team conducts monthly
sampling of groundwater from the trenches to monitor VOC concentrations and detect trends.
The landfill cap consists of multiple impermeable layers, not just asphalt, providing several
engineering controls to prevent contaminant migration. Regular testing of wells, including those
discharging to the POTW, ensures compliance with permits and protection of human health.
Councilwoman Wright reiterated that there isn’t a concern that there are no controls, but the
questions are more aligned to complications of maintaining the monthly controls with all of the
solar panel structures on top of the existing site. Marcus Lathrop answered that the project has
been designed that it is not going to impact those monthly controls.
Councilwoman Wright asked, once this request comes back to the Town Board, she would like
to see, where the panels are going to be laid out, where the access points will be, and what will
be done to replace trees that have to be taken out to accommodate the project. How will these
panels look on this uneven parcel of land. Katie Soscia indicated that she will provide the design
specifications on how they are handling the area with the topography.
Councilman Cahill asked how they will be handling the cutting of the trees. Katie Soscia
responded that they are clear cutting about 15 acres of trees, which will be removed. There will
be no soil disturbance so the smaller trees will be handled with a bush hog, and the larger trees
will have to be hand felled and the roots cannot be taken out.
Councilman Wagner asked for clarification, during a Planning Board final approval meeting,
there was a discussion about adding the 1.5 inches of asphalt on the cap, and at the time, the
response was the engineering team from Montante could look into it and that the response was
that it wasn’t needed. So, was the engineering redone to incorporate that 1.5 inch additional
layer? Katie Soscia responded that the DEC said the 1.5 inch spread over 2.5 acres was minimal,
that the DEC didn’t require Montante to redo the geotechnical testing.
Councilman Wagner asked how the solar array drip lines impact the asphalt cap. Janice Szucs
responded that based on the evaluation that was done with the geotechnical testing there were
safety factors that were involved, and settlement that was observed was within acceptable
tolerances.
Councilman Wagner asked how this project implementation would impact property values.
Marcus Lathrop responded that there was an article that residents were pointing to that had
property values across different situations, and that article actually showed that for Brownfields
where development happens, property values go up. Kim Nason noted that analyses, including
public feedback and standard application reviews, show the project will not negatively affect
property values. Screening, significant setbacks, and low noise levels ensure there are no
aesthetic or noise impacts typically associated with more intensive industrial uses.
Councilwoman Wright requested that when the team comes back to provide information about
property values or sales around those arrays to demonstrate that there is in fact no impact of
property values around those sites of other projects.
6
03-05-2026
Webster Town Board
Councilman Wagner asked that if the solar project does decrease the values of the properties, is
there any mechanism to adjust for that with the residents? Kim Nason stated that the solar
project is not expected to decrease property values, noting the large parcel, significant setbacks,
and industrial zoning. They emphasized that, while not a large-scale industrial development, the
project will generate revenue for the town through the host community agreement on a site that
would otherwise be undevelopable. Katie Soscia added that they would be happy to prepare a
response about property values the next time they present to the Board.
Councilman Wagner asked what happens to the solar farm if Xerox is no longer the owner of the
property, who would be responsible if it is not Xerox. Janice Szucs responded that as part of
Xerox’ Record Permit for the facility, they’re required to establish a financial reserve mechanism
(called financial assurance) for 30 years continued operation if Xerox is no longer in existence.
Kim Mason also added that the environmental easement that lays out the obligations for the site
for operation, maintenance, and monitoring requirements that runs with the land. So, if someone
else were to come in and acquire it, those obligations apply to them.
Supervisor Scialdone asked if they have an agreement with RG&R on hookup. Katie Soscia
responded that they do have an interconnection agreement executed with RG&E, but they will
not have a time of when it is going to be interconnected until Montante provides them a
construction start date. They are estimating a possible interconnection start date before
October 2027.
Supervisor Scialdone asked if they have environmental incidental insurance. Katie Soscia
responded that she will get back to the Board with more information on that topic.
Councilman Wagner asked what additional information still needs to be provided with the DEC
by Montante if this project moves forward. Katie Soscia answered, the project’s solar panels
have not yet been secured due to their high cost, and final approvals are needed first.
Preliminary panel specifications, including snow and wind load calculations, have been
submitted, and DEC has confirmed that minor differences in panel sizes will not significantly
affect the geotechnical report. Final drawings will be completed after approvals to ensure
accuracy.
Councilman Cahill asked how many time the DEC has been out to view the site for this project.
Marcus Lathrop answered that they were out to view the site last year in 2025.
***
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at
7:48 p.m.
____________________________________
Danene M. Marr, Town Clerk
7
03-05-2026