Webster Town Board
November 6, 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
Highway Superintendent ................................................................... Pat Stephens
Parks and Recreation Director .............................................................Chris Bilow
Also in attendance was Rick Kenealy, Wastewater Treatment Plant Chief Operator.
***
Josh Artuso, Community Development Director, appeared before the Town Board to present the
Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) Grant application for sidewalks in West Webster
Hamlet. The presentation began with a recap of revitalization efforts in the West Webster area,
highlighting key milestones over the past five years. The Webster Economic Development
Alliance (WEDA) secured a $90,000 grant in 2021 to conduct a community-led planning study,
which was finalized in June 2023. Priority recommendations focused on improving the
intersection of Old Ridge and Gravel Roads, addressing blighted properties, and adding
streetscape enhancements, including sidewalks, lighting, and signage. Community input
emphasized pedestrian safety and the removal of blighting influences, which led to the
demolition of the former Webster Furniture Stripper building in August 2025, generating
renewed interest and investment in the area.
The Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) Grant was introduced as a funding source to
improve pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, support safe routes to schools, and encourage nonmotorized travel. Eligible projects include planning, design, and construction of sidewalks and
bicycle facilities, with a maximum federal reimbursement of 80% and a 20% local match. The
Town had previously used TAP funding to construct sidewalks on Ridge Road and applied
unsuccessfully in 2023 for West Webster improvements. Feedback from the 2023 debrief
suggested including survey and preliminary design work to strengthen future applications.
To prepare for a competitive TAP application, the Town solicited proposals from three
engineering firms for survey and preliminary design services. Two levels of service were
considered: a basic survey of the right-of-way and a more comprehensive preliminary design that
would identify sidewalk alignments, obstructions, drainage issues, and easement requirements, as
well as include public and internal meetings. Costs for these services ranged from $15,000 for
survey-only work to $36,000–$80,000 for preliminary design. Town staff recommended Costich
Engineering’s preliminary design proposal at $36,000, which includes survey work.
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The Board discussed timing, scope, and funding. The survey and preliminary design would
position the Town to submit a strong TAP Grant Application in 2026, potentially covering 80%
of project costs. While the TAP portal has not officially opened, the intent is to have the work
completed before the application deadline. Even if the grant is not awarded, the survey work
would provide the Town with valuable information about utilities and infrastructure along Old
Ridge. The project would be funded from the General Part-Town B Fund surplus, not the 2026
budget.
Board members raised questions about project length, reimbursement timelines, and coordination
with the ongoing comprehensive plan. Mr. Artuso confirmed that the West Webster Hamlet
sidewalk project spans approximately 1.1 miles, with potential expansions not included in the
current proposal. The preliminary design would strengthen the grant application, especially with
recent income survey data that demonstrates low-to-moderate income levels in the area. The
consensus emphasized moving forward with survey and design services now to maintain
momentum in revitalizing the West Webster Hamlet and to ensure competitive positioning for
future grant funding.
***
Pat Stephens, Highway Superintendent, appeared before the Town Board to present the Salt
Barn/Wash Station process, timeline, and updated estimated costs including demolition of the old
garage. The project maintains the original scope, with no changes, and involves constructing a
new salt barn with increased capacity, demolishing the current highway garage, and adding a
standalone truck washout building to meet Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
recommendations and improve water quality. The plans are now 100% complete, though cost
estimates initially based on 60% design plans have risen due to project complexities.
Key costs include $1.9 million for the salt barn, $1.6 million for the truck washout building,
$950,000 for demolition, and $1.4 million for paving and utilities. Additional budget
considerations cover incidental expenses, design, insurance, legal fees, and a $350,000
construction contingency. Potential cost savings of roughly $2 million could bring the total
estimated project cost to $4.7 million.
Several cost-saving strategies were outlined. These include a $600,000 State Grant related to
water quality, $300,000 from existing state CHIP funding, an alternative to use timber frame
push walls instead of concrete in the salt barn, and self-performance of certain paving and utility
tasks by the Highway Department, potentially saving $825,000. Competitive bidding could
further reduce costs.
Comparing the current estimates to those presented in February, the earlier numbers were based
on generic per-square-foot pricing and proved conservative. The finalized design revealed
additional complexities, particularly regarding exterior utilities, increasing costs. However,
transitioning from 60% to 100% plans is not expected to significantly change the estimates.
The project remains under the current approved bond allocation of $21 million for the highway
building and related additions, with the salt barn portion projected to leave roughly $1.88 million
under the approved budget. Replacing the existing salt building is urgent due to structural
deterioration and insufficient storage capacity, which could jeopardize winter road safety and
limit salt availability during high-demand periods.
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The truck washout building is integral to the grant application, which may influence phasing
decisions to minimize upfront costs. Next steps involve preparing bid documents, analyzing
bids, and potentially awarding construction contracts. Splitting the project into multiple RFPs
could require additional effort and minor costs but may allow more targeted bidding and
scheduling flexibility.
Questions from Board members addressed the feasibility of self-performing certain tasks, the
structural integrity of the current salt barn, and potential use of the General Fund to offset project
costs. The presentation confirmed the building has a limited remaining lifespan and highlighted
the urgency of replacement while acknowledging grant outcomes expected in December could
impact timing.
Finally, Board members discussed procedural considerations, including bid timelines and the
ability to reject bids that exceed budget estimates. Splitting the project into separate RFPs would
alter the timeline and potentially increase consultant costs slightly, but overall, the plan remains
feasible within the current bond and funding structure, ensuring safe and reliable highway
operations.
***
Chris Bilow, Parks and Recreation Director, appeared before the Town Board to present on
Sandbar Park storage container and bid process. The presentation focused on exploring the
concept of modular storage container facilities at Sandbar Park, intended to operate seasonally as
food and beverage services. The goal is to move forward with a bid process to gather concrete
cost data for the Town Board, allowing them to make an informed decision about whether to
proceed with the project. The plan involves two containers: a 40-foot unit for a restaurant and a
20-foot unit for a bar, both equipped with basic infrastructure like stove vent hoods, fire
suppression systems, grease traps, and utility connections. Operators would be responsible for
outfitting these containers with their own equipment.
The bid process is expected to produce results by mid-December, with the Town Board
reviewing the costs and deciding whether to continue pursuing the project. If bids are favorable,
the Town would solicit proposals from potential operators, including traditional restaurant
owners and seasonal food truck vendors, aiming to secure an operator for the 2026 season. The
acceptance of the low bid and selection of an operator would likely occur in early 2026, giving
sufficient time to ensure the project’s feasibility and operational readiness.
Concerns from previous discussions about downsizing a brick-and-mortar restaurant were
addressed, highlighting that smaller buildings are not viable for profitability or bond repayment.
A modular container approach, potentially funded through the parkland trust fund instead of
bonds, would create a more financially sustainable model for operators and simplify negotiations
with the town. The infrastructure of the containers would be standardized to meet county health
and safety requirements while allowing flexibility for operators to outfit them to their needs.
Conceptual designs were developed to illustrate the layout of the containers, with the 40-foot
restaurant positioned on the north side of the park and the 20-foot bar on the east. The designs
also include features like a small stage, outdoor seating, fire pits, patio heaters, and recreational
opportunities, allowing operators to enhance the visitor experience. These conceptual visuals
help provide context for evaluating costs, feasibility, and operational logistics before making
final decisions.
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The discussion emphasized the importance of relying on actual bid data rather than theoretical
projections to guide decision-making. Board members noted that gathering cost information is
crucial for determining whether the project is financially viable. Additionally, the process
involves ongoing consultation with potential operators to understand their needs, ensuring that
the containers provide the necessary infrastructure while leaving the final outfitting to the
operators themselves.
Finally, the timeline and decision-making process were outlined. A Resolution to put the project
out to bid would occur first, with bids reviewed in mid-December. If costs are reasonable, a
Request for Proposal (RFP) would be issued to potential operators, and by late January or
February, the Town Board would decide whether to accept a bid and move forward with a
selected operator. This phase approach mitigates financial risk while gathering the essential data
needed to evaluate the project’s feasibility for the 2026 season.
***
Lynn Mucenski-Keck, representative from Withum, appeared before the Town Board to present
the results of the Withum report on Dewer Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) Project. Ms.
Mucenski-Keck opened by introducing herself and her role at the National Tech Service Group,
where she focuses on clean energy and legislative matters. She explained that her team works
with both for-profit and non-profit organizations to maximize investments in clean energy
projects, particularly under the Inflation Reduction Act. She noted her firm’s recent expansion
into upstate New York, including Buffalo, Rochester, and Batavia, which led to their
engagement with the Town of Webster.
The main topic of her presentation was the biogas property connected to Webster’s waste
recovery system. She clarified that she is not an engineer but explained the process: methane
from waste can be processed through a biogas system to produce natural gas. Webster’s system
already uses a portion of the gas, and she discussed opportunities to use the remaining gas for
sale, instead of flaring it, which benefits both the environment and the Town financially.
A key point of her presentation was the importance of starting construction on the biogas project
before December 31, 2024. This timing ensures eligibility for federal tax credits under the
Inflation Reduction Act, which now allows not-for-profits and governmental organizations to
receive refundable credits—a significant shift from prior law. She explained that the credit could
cover 30% of eligible project costs, though recapture rules apply if the project is discontinued
within five years.
Ms. Mucenski-Keck outlined the 5% safe harbor rule, which requires a minimum of 5% of
project costs to be spent before the end of 2024 to qualify for the tax credit. For Webster’s
project, $3.5 million was already spent, exceeding the safe harbor threshold. She also discussed
the continuity requirement, ensuring the project is completed within four years of starting, with
Webster’s project contracted with Navitas and expected to be in service by December 31, 2027.
The potential Investment Tax Credit (ITC) range was presented conservatively, with an initial
estimate of $33.4 million in eligible costs, resulting in an ITC refund of $8–10 million. After
accounting for municipal bond limitations and grants, the realistic net credit was projected at $7–
8.5 million. She emphasized the conservative approach to avoid IRS scrutiny and highlighted
that the final memo contains a detailed 14-page analysis.
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Finally, Ms. Mucenski-Keck addressed questions from the Town Board, confirming the stability
of incentives under current legislation and the potential for additional revenue from renewable
natural gas. She reiterated that the presentation was informational only, with no Resolutions
being voted on that evening. The next steps include presentations on financial and engineering
costs at upcoming workshops.
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at
7:30 p.m.
____________________________________
Danene M. Marr, Town Clerk
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