Webster Town Board
September 19, 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
Councilman .......................................................................................John J. Cahill
Councilwoman ........................................................................... Ginny L. Nguyen
Town Attorney ........................................................................... Charles J. Genese
Town Clerk .................................................................................. Danene M. Marr
Absent:
Councilwoman .......................................................................... Patricia T. Cataldi
Councilwoman .......................................................................... Jennifer S. Wright
Department Heads Present:
Town Engineer .............................................................................. Keith Mortimer
Highway Superintendent .................................................................... Pat Stephens
***
Patrick Stephens, Superintendent of Highways, appeared before the Town Board to present a
Stormwater Management Plan. Mr. Stephens stated Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems
(MS4s) must develop, implement, and enforce a Stormwater Management Program (SWMP).
The Town is responsible for operating its own municipal separate storm sewer system. Mr.
Stephens mentions that there have been new requirements adopted earlier this year, making the
update process a heavy lift. He expresses gratitude for having Mark Stein and Keith Mortimer on
staff to help with the transition. The program includes permits and coverage, special conditions,
Stormwater Management Program (SWMP) requirements, record keeping, reporting, evaluation
and six minimum control methods. The Town authorizes permits for various developments and
activities in compliance with the general permit.
The program aims to control storm water runoff created through development in a responsible
manner to prevent waterway degradation and additional flooding. The Town operates under the
traditional land use control and follows the outline in Part One of the general permit. They are
exempt from Part Seven of the permit due to the absence of impaired waterways at present.
However, there are impaired waterways, such as Irondequoit Bay and the Rochester E-bayment,
which require special review and additional best management practices. The storm water
program includes implementation and staffing plans, and the Town has made progress in
ensuring compliance. The program requirements include minimum control measures, mapping
components, and legal authority for enforcement. The Town keeps records of inspections,
reports, and evaluations for five years, which are available to the public. The storm water
facilities, including publicly owned ponds, are inspected annually and maintained accordingly.
The Town continues to improve the program by documenting deficiencies and implementing
adjustments to make it as effective as possible.
Mr. Stephens discusses the six minimum control measures for managing storm water in the
Town. The first two measures, education and outreach, involve public involvement and
participation through various methods such as public forums, online presentations, and
collaboration with the Monroe County Storm Water Coalition. The third measure, elicit
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discharge detection and elimination, allows the public to report discharges and ensures a 24-hour
answering service for concerns. Mr. Stephens also mentions ongoing efforts to address high
water levels and construction site storm water runoff control. The remaining measures include
post-construction storm water management, pollution prevention, and good housekeeping for
Town facilities. Public outreach initiatives include storm drain markers, a H2O hero campaign,
leaf pickup programs, pharmaceutical collection, and household hazardous waste drop-offs.
Mr. Stephens discusses the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) program and its
associated costs. The MS4 program involves maintaining inventories, pollutant prevention,
housekeeping, and reacting to spills, among other tasks. The Town has hired an engineer to help
manage the program, but they are working to decrease outsourcing and manage the program
internally. The cost of managing the MS4 program is not specifically tracked but is covered in
the Town's operational budget. Mr. Stephens noted that many of the regulations governing MS4
programs are unfunded mandates from the state and federal governments, requiring towns to
figure out how to execute these regulations at their own cost. Webster, being a "wet Town," has
experienced heavy rainfall and flooding, which puts additional pressure on the Town to manage
its stormwater systems effectively.
Following the presentation, a general discussion took place.
***
Patrick Stephens, Superintendent of Highways, appeared before the Town Board to discuss the
impact of New York State's Advanced Clean Trucks Act on the Town of Webster. The
legislation, which mandates a certain percentage of truck manufacturer sales be zero-emission
vehicles, affects Webster as they have a large fleet of trucks for snow plowing. The first year of
implementation in 2025 requires 11% of sales to be zero-emission vehicles, and the requirement
increases to 75% by 2035. However, there is a tech gap as there is no viable zero-emission
vehicle for snow and ice operations due to the long hours of operation and the need for hydraulic
PTO equipment. Additionally, the infrastructure upgrade for charging stations is a significant
financial burden.
Mr. Stephens discussed the impact of new legislation on the Town's ability to order new trucks
for their fleet. The legislation, which restricts the registration of certain trucks in New York and
California, has left the Town unable to order trucks for the 2025 model year. The aging fleet is
becoming increasingly costly to repair, with some trucks being over 20 years old. Mr. Stephens
has been in communication with other municipalities and truck dealers to find creative solutions
in the short term, but no concrete plans have been made yet. The Town is also working with
automotive and trucking organizations to lobby for change and may consider passing resolutions
to strengthen the call for legislation adjustments. In the meantime, the Town is looking for in
stock items that can be purchased and registered without restriction, such as a large piece of
equipment they have found for their highway department.
Mr. Stephens proposes the purchase of a six-wheel dump truck using funds from the remaining
budget and the Special Drainage District. The truck, costing around $502,000, is intended for
immediate delivery. The Town aims to utilize $314,464 from the existing budget and $187,114
from the Special Drainage Fund to cover the cost. Mr. Stephens expressed concern about the
implementation of legislation in New York, which was originally developed in California,
despite the lack of necessary technology for snow removal. Mr. Stephens emphasized the
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importance of contacting legislators to address this issue and reverses the rule, as the current
situation affects all municipalities in New York State.
Following the presentation, a general discussion took place.
***
Patrick Stephens, Superintendent of Highways, appeared before the Town Board to provide an
update on the construction progress of a new building project. The main building construction is
approximately 75% complete, with a projected substantial completion date in January 2025,
which is about three to four months ahead of schedule. The Cliff Jones upgrades, which include
utilities and sprinklers, are nearly complete. Mr. Stephens explains that the original budget had
the new building and Cliff Jones improvements as separate contracts, but they are now combined
under one contract. The project incidentals, which include costs not related to the construction of
the building such as engineering fees, furniture purchases, and legal fees, are currently projected
to be $3.8 million, slightly higher than originally projected. The contingency, which is typically a
percentage of the project held for unforeseen costs, is now significantly lower than the originally
projected $1.2 million due to the project's progress.
Mr. Stephens explains that they will not be borrowing the previously anticipated $28 million for
the project, as they have been able to save money by not spending the full allowable amount and
self-performing certain tasks. The Town wants to revisit the original scope of the project, which
included the replacement of the existing salt barn. The barn, built in the 1980s, is approaching
the end of its useful life and would be replaced with a new one made of more corrosion-resistant
materials, slightly larger in size, and with updated utilities. Additionally, a smaller building for
washing out truck debris and hoses would be considered for added efficiency and compliance
with MS4 regulations. The new salt barn would be built in the footprint of the existing one,
which is scheduled for demolition, and the truck wash out building would be located in line with
the entrance for the new building.
Mr. Stephens discussed potential improvements to the Highway Department facility, specifically
the truck wash out building and the salt barn. The truck wash out building is proposed to enhance
safety, improve winter operations, and reduce maintenance in the plumbing inside the building.
The estimated cost for this project is $750,000, but a full estimate has not been obtained yet. The
salt barn, which was initially estimated at $1.7 million, was previously eliminated to help stay
under budget. The Town is considering reincorporating this project along with the truck wash out
building, which could total approximately $2.7 million. The benefits of contracting now include
cost savings due to the increasing cost of labor and materials over time, and construction
management efficiency as the Town is currently ahead of schedule. The design for the salt barn
is 95% complete, while the truck wash out building has not yet been designed.
Town officials discussed the potential cost savings and efficiencies for upcoming projects,
specifically mentioning the salt barn and truck wash out. The clean site layout and known factors
contribute to competitive bidding, as seen in the budget update. The proposed total expense for
the salt barn and truck wash out is estimated to be around $24.35 million, which is under the
Bond approval. The next steps include entering a Professional Services contract for finalizing the
design, developing bid documents, and awarding and constructing the projects.
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Following the presentation, a general discussion took place.
***
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at
7:29 p.m.
___________________________
Danene M. Marr, Town Clerk
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