Webster Town Board
January 22, 2026
A workshop meeting of the Webster Town Board was called to order by Supervisor Scialdone at
6:45 p.m. at the Webster Town Board Meeting Room, 1002 Ridge Road, Webster, New York,
with the following officials present:
Supervisor ......................................................................... Alexander B. Scialdone
Councilman....................................................................................... John J. Cahill
Councilwoman...........................................................................Jennifer S. Wright
Councilman.............................................................................. Nicholas E. Hunter
Councilman................................................................................ Garrett J. Wagner
Attorney for the Town .........................................................................Kyle Taylor
Town Clerk .................................................................................. Danene M. Marr
Department Heads Present:
Highway Superintendent ................................................................... Pat Stephens
***
Pat Stephens, Highway Superintendent, appeared before the Town Board to present the Salt
Barn/Wash Station process, timeline, estimated costs and bid results.
Bids for construction were issued in late November of 2025 and received on December 10, 2025.
Mr. Stephens discussed how those bids compared to earlier cost estimates, along with the reasons
the project needs to move forward now. A structural engineering review concluded that further
repairs to the existing salt barn would be cost-prohibitive and that its continued operation beyond
the current winter season is uncertain.
The existing salt barn, built more than 40 years ago when the Town was significantly smaller,
can only store about half of the Town’s annual salt usage. As Webster has grown, salt needs
have increased, forcing reliance on wintertime deliveries. This dependence is risky given
recurring regional salt shortages. Mr. Stephens noted recent reports from Monroe County
Highway Superintendents of delayed deliveries, signaling that shortages are again becoming a
reality. Limited on-site storage combined with supply disruptions poses a serious risk to road
safety if the Town cannot adequately treat roads during storms.
Delaying or downsizing the project would introduce additional engineering costs, reduce
operational efficiency, and increase overall expenses. Waiting until a major structural failure
occurs would also create safety risks for staff and residents and require emergency construction,
which typically results in significantly higher costs due to premium contractor pricing and
limited availability. Photographs from the previous winter illustrated how low salt inventories
became, at times leaving insufficient material for a full Townwide salting run, narrowly avoiding
service disruptions.
The presentation outlined several cost-saving measures evaluated after bids were received.
Some value-engineering items were recommended, such as credits related to rock excavation
allowances, scheduling work to avoid winter construction conditions, changes to fascia materials,
eliminating specialty railing paint, and self-performing portions of paving and earthwork using
Town crews. Other potential savings—such as eliminating bonding or insurance, switching from
1
01-22-2026
Webster Town Board
a metal roof to shingles or replacing concrete push walls with wood—were not recommended
due to concerns about long-term durability, safety, and risk. The decision to retain concrete push
walls was supported by examples of deterioration and repairs already required on existing
wooden structures.
Significant funding offsets were identified. The Town plans to self-perform site work, saving an
estimated $530,000. State CHIPS funding can be applied to the project, and the Town has
sufficient surplus to help offset costs. Most notably, the Town was awarded a $600,000 Water
Quality Improvement Grant tied to covered salt storage and the proposed truck washout, which
helps bring the facility into compliance with EPA and MS4 standards. This grant is relatively
rare for replacement facilities and reflects the Town’s demonstrated commitment to
environmental compliance. Mr. Stephens emphasized that failing to use awarded grant funds
could negatively affect future grant applications.
Updated budget figures showed that construction bids came in roughly $350,000 under the prior
estimate, and adjustments to contingencies further reduced projected costs. While some
anticipated savings were lower than initially expected, the overall project cost remained slightly
below the most recent estimate discussed with the Board. When combined with earlier phases of
highway facility improvements, allocated funds, identified savings, and grant funding, the total
projected cost for all facility upgrades is just under $26 million—approximately $2.3 million
below the $28.25 million bond authorization.
The presentation concluded with photos illustrating current winter operations, including trucks
preloaded with salt and stored indoors for rapid deployment, as well as treated versus untreated
salt stockpiles. Mr. Stephens outlined next steps like awarding the bids and proceeding with
construction while remaining under budget.
After some general discussion with the Board, Mr. Stephens clarified project oversight and
scheduling for the salt storage facility replacement. Limited construction management will be
funded through the incidental budget and used mainly for administrative tasks such as
documentation, while day-to-day management will be handled internally. A consultant familiar
with the project and the bidding process will likely be used. Although the start date has shifted
slightly after bidding, the project is still expected to be completed before the next winter season,
with a target of finishing by November.
Board members questioned the relatively low contingency percentage. Mr. Stephens explained
that the project involves fewer unknowns because it will be built on the footprint of an existing
structure, reducing risk. In addition, the Town’s plan to self-perform portions of the site work
provides financial flexibility. If needed, some paving or related work could be phased or delayed
without affecting the core construction, effectively serving as an additional safeguard against
budget issues.
A major focus of the discussion was the comparison between concrete and wood push walls.
While using wood would save approximately $170,000, Mr. Stephens emphasized that concrete
offers significantly greater durability, particularly against impacts from loaders and daily
operational wear. Although it is difficult to assign exact life expectancies without a full wood
design, existing wooden walls—installed in the 1980s—are now fragile and require ongoing
repairs, whereas concrete is expected to better withstand long-term use.
2
01-22-2026
Webster Town Board
Maintenance and material concerns were also addressed. Recent maintenance on the existing
wooden structure has averaged about $2,500 per year, with a major roof replacement costing
over $50,000 about a decade ago. Concrete walls would require minimal upkeep, mainly
periodic sealing at a relatively low cost. Mr. Stephens assured the Board that if a wood
alternative were considered, material specifications would be reviewed and approved by the
design team to prevent the use of inferior materials.
Insurance, structural risk, and long-term financial considerations reinforced the conclusion that
the project is a necessity rather than a discretionary upgrade. A structural assessment has
identified major deficiencies in the existing building, making it effectively uninsurable for failure
due to deterioration, with any potential coverage far below replacement costs. The Board also
discussed whether enhanced fireproofing could allow for longer-term bonding and insurance
savings, and Mr. Stephens agreed to explore those options further before moving ahead.
***
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at
7:17 p.m.
____________________________________
Danene M. Marr, Town Clerk
3
01-22-2026