Webster Town Board
July 3, 2025
A workshop meeting of the Webster Town Board was called to order by Supervisor Flaherty at
6:30 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 .................................................................... John DeMarco
Town Clerk .................................................................................. Danene M. Marr
Department Heads Present:
Town Engineer .............................................................................. Keith Mortimer
Police Chief ...............................................................................Dennis Kohlmeier
Parks and Recreation Director ............................................................ Chris Bilow
Finance Director ..................................................................................Paul Adams
Also in attendance was Maria Dewar, Administrative Assistant for the Director of Community
Planning and Development and the Town Engineer.
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Keith Mortimer, Town Engineer, appeared before the Town Board to present the future animal
control and dog kennel/holding area options.
The Town is exploring options for a new or improved animal control and dog kennel holding
area due to changing state mandated requirements and loss of a sheltering partner. Mr. Mortimer
presents kenneling history from 2022 through June 2025, showing a small uptick in kenneling
needs. Mr. Mortimer highlights that typically the Town shelters one or two dogs at any given
time, though they’ve exceeded this capacity about four times during the reported period. He
notes the Town averages about six days of sheltering per dog.
Mr. Mortimer explains that about three and a half years ago, the Town’s partner, Pittsford
Animal Hospital, changed their business model and stopped providing sheltering operations.
The following timeline took place:
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December 2023 - the Town applied for a $100,000.00 New York State Agriculture and
Markets Grant to build an estimated 1,000 square foot kennel/holding area.
January 2024 - the State Agriculture and Markets policies for the grant create an
estimated cost of the 1,100 square foot facility to be nearly $1 million.
February 2024 - the own applies for a $500,000.00 State Agriculture and Markets Grant.
Town’s estimated match is an estimated $600,000.00.
February 2025 - the Town receives State Agriculture and Markets award contract.
April 2024-June 2025 - the Town and design team assess alternatives to a $1 million
standalone kennel to achieve compliance with New York State Agriculture and Markets
while being less capital-intensive.
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He notes that while they received satisfactory compliance marks from New York State
Agriculture and Markets in both 2023 and 2024, the Town likely will not maintain compliance in
2025 due to ever changing requirements if the Town continues to maintain status quo.
Mr. Mortimer presented several upfront capital investment options with estimated construction
costs between $700,000.00 to $1.2 Million with four general population and one isolation area
for the dogs (Option A). Option one is a 1,100 square foot stand alone building at the
courthouse, with an estimated cost of $1 million ($400,000.00 grant, $600,000.00 Town match)
which could impact Park Land and/or wetlands. Option two is a 1,100 square foot stand-alone
building at Town Hall, with an estimated cost of $1 million ($400,000.00 grant, $600,000.00
Town match) which would impact Police Department parking. Option three is a 900 square foot
stand-alone building at Town Hall, with an estimated cost of $700,000.00 ($400,000.00 grant,
$300,000.00 Town match) this option would have no bathrooms, no offices, no storage and
would also impact the Police Department parking. Option four is a 1,300 square foot retrofit of
the old highway garage administration offices, with an estimated construction cost upwards to
$1.2 million ($400,000.00 in grant, $600,000.00-$800,000.00 Town match) this option would
require an amendment to the grant work plan, provides for expansion, dedicated exercise area,
and an opportunity for future intermunicipal revenue.
Mr. Mortimer then outlines non-capital options (Option B) that wouldn’t require the same
upfront investments. These include entering into an Intermunicipal Agreement (IMA) with
another Town, with early conversations showing interest from both Irondequoit and Penfield.
He notes this would require working out details for kenneling operations and would change the
process for residents reclaiming animals. Another option is contracting with a local kenneling
facilities like dog daycare businesses, though Mr. Mortimer notes limitations; these facilities
wouldn’t take dogs during the five-day holding period or accept dangerous dogs.
Dennis Kohlmeier, Webster Police Chief, provides historical context, noting that in 2021 the
animal control came back under police department purview, coinciding with the loss of their
sheltering contract. He commends the animal control officers for maintaining compliance
despite challenging conditions. From an operational perspective, the Chief explains that having
a local shelter under their control would be more efficient, allowing them to guarantee space and
make long-term housing arrangements. With an Intermunicipal Agreement, they would be at the
mercy of other organizations for space. The Chief notes their ideal goal is to have the kennel
centrally located at Town Hall for efficient reclamation processes but acknowledges that going
outside Town would have a heavier operational impact, potentially involving cost
reimbursements or additional staff. From a community perspective, the Town wants to provide
for a safe local holding area that facilitates an expeditious safe return of lost pets.
Councilwoman Cataldi asked about the number of dogs or the percentage of dogs that are housed
that people come to reclaim or if many of them are abandoned. Chief Kohlmeier responded
about 50 percent.
Councilman Cahill asked for clarification regarding the location of the kennel in the grant
application process. Chief Kohlmeier responded that the grant application indicated its location
to be at Town Hall.
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Councilwoman Wright reiterated that during the presentation it was stated that with the
Intermunicipal Agreements that space may not be guaranteed and asked if there are any other
municipalities that have these agreements and if there is a way to negotiate making sure that
there is at least a spot for two dogs for Webster at all times. Chief Kohlmeier responded that all
current facilities are reaching capacity and there is already a shuffle game and moving dogs to
another location. It is very much a first come first serve and has no guarantee of space.
Councilman Cahill added that they recently toured the Town of Irondequoit’s facility, and they
currently have five spaces with the capacity to add five more and they are willing to work with
us with respect to taking Webster dogs. From his perspective there are items that would need to
be worked out in an IMA and would not be as efficient as housing them here on the Town Hall
campus, but from a capital expenditure, we would save the taxpayers hundreds of thousands of
dollars and believe it would be worth looking into these IMA options further. Chief Kohlmeier
responded that a cost analysis of the life of the building has not been done to know whether the
personnel costs of an IMA would outweigh the capital expenses.
Supervisor Flaherty appreciated all of the great points the councilmembers brought up and wants
to make sure it is understood that Resolutions will need to be voted on at the July 17, 2025 Town
Board Meeting. The Town either needs to pursue an IMA or pursue a capital investment project,
because right now where we stand is untenable. The Police Department has been holding dogs
down in their area for two years now and the staff has tried to operate under what is less than
ideal circumstances.
Based on all extenuating circumstances of potentially going either the way of an Intermunicipal
Agreement or a Capital Investment Project, based on potential outcomes, we could be right back
in front of this Board with the problems that the team has run in to and that is just the reality of
this. Supervisor Flaherty states we need forward motion on this, and it cannot continue to be a
holding pattern.
Maria Dewar, Administrative Assistant, also added that it is imperative that we should make a
decision soon because the grant funding that the Town received has been in a holding pattern.
The Town has not signed the contract for five months and does not know if the State is going to
keep waiting while the Town makes a decision.
Following the presentation a general discussion took place.
***
Maria Dewar, Administrative Assistant for the Director of Community Planning and
Development and the Town Engineer, appeared before the Town Board to provide an insightful
presentation on tentative New York State Consolidated Funding Application (NYS CFA) for
grant strategy options. Several projects are aimed at improving Town infrastructure and
community services.
Ms. Dewar explains that NYS CFA allows participants, including municipalities like the Town
of Webster, to be considered for multiple sources of grant funding for a project by filling out just
one application.
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The first project outlined is for the Sandbar Park Phase 2 and 3 Design and Permitting. The
Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP) is a New York State Program that provides
financial assistance to eligible municipalities to prepare and implement strategies for community
and waterfront revitalization. The maximum award amount is $2,000,000.00 with the Town
match still being estimated. This grant requires a twenty-five percent match. The grant team
would include Town staff, and the grant writer would be Jean O’Connell and Associates.
The next project outlined is for the Geographical Information Systems (GIS) mapping and
Database Expansion. The non-Agricultural Nonpoint Source Planning and Municipal Separate
Storm Sewer System (MS4) Mapping Grant (NPG) is a comprehensive, reimbursement grant
program that funds planning reports for nonpoint source water quality improvement projects and
mapping of MS4 systems. The purpose of the grant would be to offset consultant fees for GIS
mapping and database expansion. The maximum award amount is $75,000.00 with the Town
requesting $75,000.00. This grant requires a ten percent match. The grant team and grant writer
would include Town staff closest to the project efforts.
The next project outlined is for the Town Recreation Center Improvements which is in part of
Village of Webster Reimagine Webster Project. The Brownfield Opportunity Area (BOA)
program is open to municipalities, targeting municipalities, community-based not-for-profit
organizations, and New York City Community Boards. The procurement focuses on four
distinct grant activities: Pre-Planning (area wide site identification and preliminary analysis),
Planning (developing or updating BOA Plans), Predevelopment Activities, and Phase II
Environmental Site Assessments for Brownfield sites. The purpose of the grant would be for
preliminary design for improvements to the Town Recreation Complex, including an
amphitheater, realigned driveway, new parking lot and shelter structure with restrooms. The
maximum award amount is $400,000.00 with the Town requesting $84,000.00. This grant
requires a ten percent match. The grant team would be Chris Bilow, Director of Parks and
Recreation and the grant writer is Webster Economic Development Alliance (WEDA).
The next project outlined is for the Highway Department Salt Barn Rebuild. The Water Quality
Improvement Project (WQIP) Program is a competitive, statewide reimbursement grant program
that funds projects that directly improve water quality or habitat, promote flood risk reduction,
restoration, and enhanced flood and climate resiliency, or protect a drinking water source.
During the review of available grant opportunities for the Highway Department Salt Barn, the
CFA WQIP grant seemed the best fit. There are two reasons for this: The grant period for this
award is May 19, 2025 to May 18, 2030. Expenses during this time period can be applied to the
grant. This allows the timeline of the Salt Barn to stay intact. Our grant consultant, Jean
O’Connell and Associates wrote the winning grant that was awarded to Orchard Park. The
maximum award amount is $600,000.00 with the Town requesting $600,000.00. This grant
requires a twenty-five percent match. The grant team would include Town staff closest to the
project efforts and the grant writer would be Jean O’Connell and Associates.
The next project outlined is for the Vosburg Pump Station. The Water Quality Improvement
Project (WQIP) program is a competitive, statewide reimbursement grant program that funds
projects that directly improve water quality or habitat, promote flood risk reduction, restoration,
and enhanced flood and climate resiliency, or protect a drinking water source. The Vosburg
Pump Station equipment is well past its life span and this station receives a large amount of flow.
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The purpose of the grant is to rehabilitate the Vosburg Pump Station, including modernization
and upgrades. The maximum award amount is seventy-five percent of construction with the
Town requesting an estimate of $2,671,875 (estimate is based on $5.7 million bonded in 2024).
This grant requires a twenty-five percent match. The grant team would include Town staff
closest to the project efforts and the grant writer would be MRG Group.
The last project outlined is for the Shipbuilders Creek Restoration Project. The Water Quality
Improvement Project (WQIP) Program is a competitive, statewide reimbursement grant program
that funds projects that directly improve water quality or habitat, promote flood risk reduction,
restoration, and enhanced flood and climate resiliency, or protect a drinking water source.
Shipbuilders Creek is an identified impaired water source and sewer infrastructure needs to be
replaced due to erosion of the creek bank. Additionally, there has been a previous failure, and
the Sewer Department is currently in the process of an intermediate remedy for the highest
priority infrastructure. The purpose of this grant is to Restore the east branch of Shipbuilders
Creek. The maximum award amount is $15,000,000.00 with the Town requesting $872,000.00.
This project requires a twenty-five percent match. The grant team would include Town staff
closest to the project efforts and the grant writer would be Barton & Loguidice.
Ms. Dewar emphasized the need for the Town Board to vote on the proposed Resolutions to
move forward with the grant applications. Without Board approval, the Town cannot proceed
with the applications, which are crucial for securing funding for these projects.
Following the presentation a general discussion took place.
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There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at
7:19 p.m.
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Danene M. Marr, Town Clerk
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