Webster Town Board
August 7, 2025
A workshop meeting of the Webster Town Board was called to order by Supervisor Flaherty at
4:30 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
Information Technology Director........................................................ Steve Peace
Deputy Commissioner of Public Works-Sewer .................................. Art Petrone
Library Director ..................................................................................Adam Traub
Community Development Director ..................................................... Josh Artuso
Town Engineer .............................................................................. Keith Mortimer
Highway Superintendent ................................................................... Pat Stephens
***
Immediately following the Department Head Budget Workshop Presentation, a presentation took
place by Josh Artuso, Director of Community Development and Planning. Mr. Artuso came
before the Town Board to discuss the renewal of the Intermunicipal Agreement (IMA) involving
the Town of Webster, neighboring municipalities—Irondequoit and Penfield—and Monroe
County. This agreement supports the work of the Irondequoit Bay Coordinating Committee
(IBCC), originally established in 1985 to oversee collaborative planning and management of the
bay. The committee’s purpose is to facilitate communication and coordination between different
levels of government and stakeholders to ensure responsible use and development around the
bay, particularly in ways that affect public and private interests.
As a subcommittee, the Irondequoit Bay Technical Staff, supports the IBCC’s work. It
comprises planning representatives from the participating towns, Monroe County Planning and
Development, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, and the Monroe
County Soil and Water Conservation District. This team meets monthly to review proposed
development activities around the bay—such as break wall construction, docks, moorings,
boathouses, and shoreline alterations—that could potentially impact neighboring communities.
They also address matters related to excavation, dredging, and boating activity, working with
local marina owners to understand current demands and water conditions.
The committee’s duties also include overseeing environmental concerns, like protecting
woodlots and steep slopes along the bay, and updating the Irondequoit Bay Harbor Management
Plan with new policies. A draft of the latest update has been submitted to New York State for
review. Meetings occur monthly at Penfield Town Hall and include a virtual attendance option,
ensuring broader participation. These ongoing efforts help maintain a cohesive approach to
managing the bay's resources and development pressures.
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The immediate matter at hand is the formal renewal of the IMA, which originally had a 10-year
term. However, Monroe County’s Law Department has advised that a 10-year term may not be
legally valid. As a result, the new agreement includes a five-year term with an automatic
renewal option for another five years, contingent upon the Supervisor’s approval. This update
simplifies future renewals and avoids repeating the full approval process. The Board's
Resolution, along with those from Irondequoit and Penfield, will be submitted for consideration
at the Monroe County Legislature’s September meeting.
***
Keith Mortimer, Town Engineer, came before the Town Board to discuss a proposed 500-foot
sidewalk on Lake Road from Bay Road to Sandbar Park. This sidewalk project is linked to an
Intermunicipal Agreement (IMA) with the Monroe County Department of Transportation (DOT)
and aligns with broader Town plans for improving pedestrian access to Sandbar Park. The
sidewalk was originally envisioned during earlier Sandbar Park planning stages. To support its
development, the Town has applied for a grant that includes funding for design and permitting,
which would also cover the sidewalk’s design costs.
This project will involve constructing a 10-foot-wide concrete sidewalk, wider than the typical 5
(five) feet, in order to match existing sidewalk sections and support potential multi-use needs. It
also ties into the County’s planned "road diet" for Bay Road, which includes reducing traffic
lanes and widening shoulders to enhance pedestrian accommodation. Construction will require a
retaining wall due to steep slopes, potential relocation of guide rails, and updates to stormwater
infrastructure. Fortunately, no easement acquisition is needed, as the Town already owns
sufficient right-of-way in the area.
The estimated total project cost is approximately $291,000.00. This figure includes $229,000.00
for construction, a 20% contingency, and about $61,300.00 in design and soft costs (including
permitting and SEQR compliance). Through Monroe County's Municipal Sidewalk Funding
Program, the Town can receive a 50% reimbursement on construction costs—but not on design
or soft costs. If the Town secures the grant, it would reduce the Town's share to about
$114,000.00. Without the grant, the cost could rise to around $175,900.00.
The sidewalk is a strategic project within broader mobility plans for the Sandbar Park area.
County legislators encouraged the Town to pursue this funding, noting that Lake Road is an ideal
candidate for the County’s sidewalk funding due to its location and traffic use. The new
sidewalk would significantly improve non-vehicular access to Sandbar Park, promoting more
walkable and safer community spaces. It also aligns with ongoing improvements in the area,
such as wider shoulders and road realignment efforts.
A few questions were raised during the presentation regarding the sidewalk’s width, cost and
design alternatives. Councilman Cahill asked whether the sidewalk could be reduced to the
standard 5 (five) feet in width to lower costs, then tapered into the existing 10-foot section near
the park. Mr. Mortimer acknowledged that such an option could be explored to potentially
reduce expenses, particularly since costs are calculated by square footage. However, he
emphasized the design's goal to support multi-use access and match current infrastructure.
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The design work for the sidewalk is being handled by the MRB Group, a separate engineering
firm from the one that designed Sandbar Park. There were questions about design fee estimates,
whether the numbers presented were finalized, and whether contingencies were included. Mr.
Mortimer clarified that the design figures are preliminary but reflect the best understanding of
costs at this time. The presentation concluded with agreement that the Board will need to weigh
cost-saving options while ensuring accessibility and functional integration with the larger park
development plan.
***
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at
7:02 p.m.
____________________________________
Danene M. Marr, Town Clerk
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