Webster Town Board
November 20, 2025
A workshop meeting of the Webster Town Board was called to order by Supervisor Flaherty at
6:00 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:
Community Development Director ..................................................... Josh Artuso
Finance Director ..................................................................................Paul Adams
Also in attendance was Rick Kenealy, Wastewater Treatment Plant Chief Operator.
***
Josh Artuso, Community Development Director, appeared before the Town Board to clarify a
previous error regarding the cost of professional surveying and design services from Costich
Engineering for a Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant-funded sidewalk project in
West Webster. The recommended firm, Costich Engineering’s total cost is $51,000, not the
$36,000 previously reported, making it still the lowest bid by about $20,000. It was
recommended that the Board rescind the prior Resolution and approve a new Resolution with the
correct amount.
The TAP grant portal has now opened, with $97.4 million available and awards ranging from
$500,000 to $7 million. Key deadlines include a pre-review on January 15, 2026, preliminary
comments in early February 2025, and the final submission by March 12, 2026. The consulting
firm, Costich Engineering, confirmed that they can meet this schedule.
The Board expressed appreciation for the transparency and noting that preliminary project cost
estimates are around $5 million, with 80% potentially covered by the grant.
***
Josh Artuso, Community Development Director, appeared before the Town Board to discuss
New York State’s energy policies in the context of the Climate Leadership and Community
Protection Act (CLCPA), which sets ambitious carbon-reduction goals; 40% by 2030 and 85%
by 2050. To achieve these targets, the 2023 All-Electric Building Act was passed, requiring all
new residential buildings and some small commercial buildings to use electricity only,
effectively banning new natural gas connections starting January 1, 2026. A Federal lawsuit
challenging this mandate was initially ruled in favor of the State, but implementation is currently
paused pending appeals.
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The Energy Choice Act, introduced by Congressman Nick Langworth, is a bipartisan bill that
would prevent states or local governments from restricting energy connections based on the type
of energy source. The Act has gained support from communities across New York as a way to
protect consumer energy choice. Proponents argue that the all-electric mandate could strain the
electric grid, increase housing costs by $7,000-$10,000 per unit, and reduce the reliability of
heating and cooking options during power outages or extreme weather events.
Mr. Artuso requests that the Town Board support a Resolution in favor of the Energy Choice
Act. While the State has temporarily paused the all-electric mandate, this reprieve lasts only 120
days after any appeals court decision. Supporting the national bill would ensure long-term
protection of energy choice, affordability, and reliability for residents, while allowing local
builders and homeowners more flexibility in selecting energy sources for their homes.
Following the presentation a general discussion took place.
***
Paul Adams, Finance Director, appeared before the Town Board to outline the financial benefits
of adding a Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) component to the Town’s ongoing Wastewater
Treatment Plant Project. An expert identified approximately $17 million of the current project
eligible for the Federal RNG Investment Tax Credit (ITC), with an additional $9 million for the
RNG addition, creating an eligible basis of $26.7-$33.4 million. The 30% credit, adjusted for
municipal bond financing, results in net credits of $6.8-$8.5 million, with certainty that the credit
will remain available for at least ten years.
Including the RNG component, this slightly increases the project’s net cost, from $67 million to
$67.5-$69.2 million, after accounting for the WEDA Grant and tax credits. However, the RNG
Project generates pipeline-quality natural gas that can be sold, producing net annual revenue of
approximately $456,000. When combined with debt service savings from the ITC, the Town
could see annual financial benefits of $353,00-$428,000, effectively reducing borrowing needs
by $5.9-$7.1 million.
Mr. Adams’ presentation emphasizes the need to move forward quickly because the RNG
portion must be part of the continuous project and construction on the main project is scheduled
to end in July 2026. While preliminary construction estimates for the RNG addition are around
$9 million, full engineering is required for more accurate figures, which would take
approximately four months. The Board suggests delaying a final decision until January to allow
the new Board members to review updated numbers.
Following the presentation a general discussion took place.
***
Bob Wimmer, representative from Navitas, came before the Town Board to outline a project to
convert digester gas from the Town’s existing anaerobic digesters into renewable natural gas
(RNG), which can be sold as pipeline-quality natural gas. Currently, about 47% of the digester
gas is used to heat the digesters, with excess gas flared, providing no financial benefit.
Converting it into RNG creates a value-added product and potential revenue stream while
continuing to supply heat internally.
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The project involves a four-month engineering and design process costing $348,000. Key tasks
include evaluating technology options (membrane vs. pressure swing absorption), detailed design
of process piping, equipment, site layout, and interconnection to the RG&E gas main. It also
requires modifications to existing permits, coordination of an interconnection agreement with
RG&E, and modeling the gas value for sales.
The sales of RNG will be managed in partnership with Rev LNG, a firm with extensive
experience in upgrading digester gas to RNG and negotiating offtake agreements. The project
will include a revenue guarantee consistent with the overall facility, helping to offset operational
costs. Once completed, it is expected to provide both financial benefits through gas sales and
operational savings, integrating seamlessly into the ongoing facility operations.
Councilwoman Cataldi asked what happens if New York State’s energy policies in the context of
the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act move forward, eliminating the
opportunity for new gas connections in residences and small businesses? Mr. Wimmer explains
that the RNG from the facility is sold in a “virtual market”. Buyers purchase the gas not to
consume it directly, but for its environmental attributes, since its production offsets conventional
gas that would otherwise enter the system. This allows the gas to be sold virtually anywhere in
the country, from the local pipeline to as far as California.
Because of this virtual market and the environmental value, the RNG commands a price
significantly higher than typical commercial natural gas, about two to three times the usual
pipeline rates.
Councilwoman Nguyen asked if a buyer of the RNG is guaranteed? Mr. Wimmer responded that
once the design is complete, Navitas will present the construction price and the terms for an
offtake purchase agreement for renewable natural gas. These agreements are typically
negotiable and can range from two to twenty years, depending on Webster’s preference. Before
committing funds to install the equipment, the Town would have a buyer secured and agreedupon contract terms, including the timeline for putting the system into service and the fixed rate
at which the gas would be purchased for the agreed term.
Councilman Cahill expressed concern with how they came up with the $9 million price tag and
voiced his concerns if the price could go higher than the estimated amount. He did not want to
make any decisions on this until the new Board members are in place in January of 2026. He
asked if this Renewable Energy Project gets approved, how much longer would this push out the
estimated timeline of completion? Mr. Wimmer answered that from agreement to
implementation it would be about twelve months, estimating around March of 2027.
Supervisor Flaherty emphasizes that the $85 million Wastewater and RNG Project is ultimately
more cost-effective for taxpayers than a traditional $30 million assets renewal project because
the expanded scope, energy performance measures, and associated revenue streams (like fairlife
and grants) offset much of the cost. He highlights that past and current Boards have been
diligent in exploring innovative financing and project structures, which have repeatedly passed
unanimously because they make financial sense.
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There are concerns about delaying decisions for the new Board members, as doing so could
jeopardize the project’s timeline and viability. Supervisor Flaherty stresses that approving the
$348,000 for engineering and design now is crucial to maintaining the project schedule, ensuring
that the subsequent Board can make informed decisions without losing critical opportunities.
The design work is time sensitive, and delays could effectively end the project.
Finally, while acknowledging differing opinions and the importance of involving future Board
members in large financial decisions, Supervisor Flaherty suggests that without immediate
approval for the engineering phase, the project risks being stalled. He implies that the Board’s
proactive choices in prior projects, like adopting energy performance contracts, demonstrate the
value of forward-thinking decisions for long-term community benefit.
***
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at
7:28 p.m.
____________________________________
Danene M. Marr, Town Clerk
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