Webster Town Board
December 5, 2024
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
Town Attorney ...............................................................................Charles Genese
Town Clerk .................................................................................. Danene M. Marr
Department Heads Present:
Finance Director.................................................................................. Paul Adams
Communications Director .............................................................. Bridget Harvey
***
Paul Adams, Director of Finance, and Bridget Harvey, Communications Director, appeared
before the Town Board to provide a five-year history of the Webster Today quarterly
publication. Ms. Harvey stated that we are looking at another year of contracting with Pilato
Entertainment for the production of the Webster Today, quarterly publication. Over the last year
an emphasis has been placed on a more consistent feel for Town related articles, and a threemonth calendar spread of important reminders and events occurring throughout the Town.
Going forward we are looking for continued progress on a consistent feel and welcoming any
opportunities to receive feedback from the Webster community to make continued progress. In
some way, we would like to take the temperature of who’s reading the Webster Today
publication, what they are taking from it, and what they are looking for us to build upon it in the
future. One of the goals is a reduction of ad volume without a significant change in cost, less of
a barrage of ads and more information on what Webster community members can look to about
what the Town is working on.
Paul Adams, Director of Finance, stated over the last four years we have seen an increase in the
gross cost of the quarterly publications. The advertising revenue is an important factor to this
publication as it continues to drive the net costs down for the Town. The net cost per quarter in
2021 was $9,600, and in 2024 was $11,000. The Town has continued to see a steady net cost
year over year for the past three years.
2021 Totals
2021 Averages
Gross Cost ($)*
51,242
17,080
2022 Totals
2022 Averages
78,011
19,502
(33,775)
(8,443)
44,235
11,058
2023 Totals
2023 Averages
89,168
22,292
(44,802)
(11,200)
44,366
11,091
1
Advertising Revenue ($) Net Cost to Town ($)
(22,440)
28,801
(7,480)
9,600
12-05-2024
Webster Town Board
2024 Totals
2024 Averages
Gross Cost ($)*
92,784
23,196
Grand Total
Overall Average
311,206
20,747
Advertising Revenue ($) Net Cost to Town ($)
(48,598)
44,185
(12,149)
11,046
(149,617)
(9,974)
161,588
10,772
3,666
(2,494)
35.8%
62.4%
*Gross cost accounts for publication, production, and postage costs.
1,172
15.1%
Average Dollar Change 2021-2024
Percent Variance 2021-2024
Following the presentation, a general discussion took place.
***
Russ Ziskind, CEO of North Onondaga Volunteer Ambulance, appeared before the Board to
provide and update on two Request for Proposals (RFP). Mr. Ziskind commented that formal
Request For Proposals (RFP) sent to several agencies, noting that only two responses were
received by the November deadline, from Penfield Volunteer Ambulance and Monroe
Ambulance. Mr. Ziskind reviewed the fourteen key points considered for evaluation criteria
used to assess the proposals, revealing that Penfield was the preferred choice due to a
significantly lower subsidy request and for ambulance staging. The recommendation is
presented to negotiate a contract with Penfield Volunteer Ambulance.
Following the presentation, a general discussion took place.
***
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at
6:57 p.m.
___________________________
Danene M. Marr, Town Clerk
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12-05-2024