Webster Town Board
May 1, 2025
A workshop meeting of the Webster Town Board was called to order by Supervisor Flaherty at
7:00 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
Councilwoman ............................................................................ Ginny L. Nguyen
Councilwoman ...........................................................................Jennifer S. Wright
Attorney for the Town .........................................................................Kyle Taylor
Town Clerk .................................................................................. Danene M. Marr
Absent:
Councilman....................................................................................... John J. Cahill
Department Heads Present:
Community Development Director ..................................................... Josh Artuso
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Josh Artuso, Community Development Director, appeared before the Town Board to present an
update on the Webster Revitalization Hamlet effort, which includes the former Webster
Furniture Stripper Building (600 Ridge Road), the privately owned former Jade Palace
Restaurant (602 Ridge Road), and a privately owned property (598 Ridge Road). Prior
solicitations (October 2024 and February 2025) for potential developers to rehabilitate 600 Ridge
Road, initially garnered interest but ultimately resulted in no viable projects. The Town has
found the response from the development community to be underwhelming, no viable
redevelopment proposals were submitted and the condition of the building and size of the site,
makes for a difficult investment proposition.
Mr. Artuso reflects on prior efforts, including submitting a Restore New York Grant Application
aimed at revitalization, which included requests for funding for demolition and rehabilitation. At
this time, grant award announcements have not yet occurred. Concurrently, the Town is
pursuing a Federal EPA Grant under the Targeted Brownfield Assessment Program to continue
environmental testing initiated in 2022, which aims to resolve issues with properties that may
have contamination. The removal of a garage from the 600 Ridge Road site, has enabled further
testing to be conducted via grant funding, which was originally stopped due to confined areas.
Additional concerns were raised about a neighboring property, 598 Ridge Road, which was
found unsafe due to several health and safety violations. The Town has attempted to contact the
deceased owner’s estate for resolution, but progress has been slow, prompting continued efforts
to address the situation.
Mr. Artuso discussed the next steps regarding the property redevelopment efforts for the West
Webster Hamlet. This includes soliciting bids for demolition of 600 Ridge Road, to identify
potential funding sources, schedule and execute demolition along with complete environmental
testing via Targeted Brownfield Assistance grant funding.
For 602 Ridge Road, which is privately owned, this is currently listed for sale. We are still
awaiting the results of Restore NY Grant Awards. Any interested buyers for 602 Ridge Road
have expressed hesitation to invest until fate of 600 Ridge Road is known.
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For 598 Ridge Road, the Town will continue Code Enforcement efforts to resolve health and
safety violations. There is some potential for the Town to pursue emergency abatement of
dangerous conditions if the owner does not take prompt action.
Following the presentation a general discussion took place.
***
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at
7:27 p.m.
___________________________
Danene M. Marr, Town Clerk
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