Webster Town Board
May 15, 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 .........................................................................Kyle Taylor
Deputy Town Clerk .......................................................... Ann Marie Champagne
Department Heads Present:
Community Development Director ..................................................... Josh Artuso
Parks and Recreation Director .............................................................Chris Bilow
Also in attendance was Maria Dewar, Administrative Assistant for the Director of Community
Planning and Development and the Town Engineer.
***
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
progress update, offering a close look at the processes and improvements within the grant
landscape between 2010 through 2025. Ms. Dewar highlights the significant increase in grant
funding secured in recent years, contrasting the $4.95 million received between 2010 and 2019
with the $25.85 million awarded from 2020 to 2025. The substantial increase is attributed to a
more proactive approach involving a dedicated grant liaison (Maria Dewar), Jene O'Connell and
Associates, WEDA, and engineering firms. Each entity plays a crucial role in identifying,
applying for, and managing grant applications.
Ms. Dewar addresses common misconceptions about grant acquisition. She debunks the idea
that grant applications are quickly assembled, emphasizing the extensive research, planning, and
writing involved. She explains that grants are highly competitive, with applications scored by
review committees. Webster's higher median household income (MHI) puts them at a
disadvantage in specific types of grant applications. Furthermore, she clarifies that grant funds
are not freely usable, but come with specific guidelines and restrictions, including a common
30% requirement for spending with Minority and Women-Owned Businesses (MWBE). Finally,
she stresses that rejection is a normal part of the process, encouraging persistence and
improvement based on feedback. Grant funding, she explains, isn't solely derived from taxpayer
money; other revenue streams contribute.
Following the presentation a general discussion took place.
***
Chris Bilow, Parks and Recreation Director, appeared before the Town Board to provide an
update on Sandbar Park, summer of 2025 food truck program.
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Mr. Bilow described the process of selecting and scheduling food trucks, highlighting the
challenges of balancing vendor availability with consistent scheduling. The initial plan involves
a two-week rolling schedule from June 1st to September 15th, featuring six local food trucks.
The town is not charging vendors for space, only requiring permits and adherence to Department
of Health standards. Mr. Bilow also discusses future possibilities, including the potential use of
seasonal storage containers as a more semi-permanent, cost-effective food and beverage option
at the park. This alternative is presented as a way to address the community's disappointment
over the loss of the Bayside Restaurant while offering a more flexible and potentially less
expensive solution. The board members express enthusiasm for the food truck initiative and the
potential future development of the park.
Following the presentation a general discussion took place.
***
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at
7:12 p.m.
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Ann Marie Champagne, Deputy Town Clerk
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