Webster Town Board
January 8, 2026
A workshop meeting of the Webster Town Board was called to order by Supervisor Scialdone at
6:30 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:
Finance Director ..................................................................................Paul Adams
Community Development Director ................................................. Joshua Artuso
Also in attendance was Maria Dewar, Administrative Assistant for the Director of Community
Planning and Development and the Town Engineer, and Rick Kenealy, Wastewater Treatment
Plant Operator.
***
JP Schepp, P.E., Senior Project Manager from MRB Group, appeared before the Town Board to
discuss engineering/design results on Vosburg Pump Station estimated cost versus the current
$5.7 million bonding from June 2024.
The station, located at 601 Vosburg Road, was built in 1979–1980 and serves about 8,645 people
in the northwest part of Town, with additional flows from Penfield and Monroe County Pure
Waters. After 46 years of continuous operation in a harsh sewer environment, much of the
station’s equipment is outdated, corroded, or failing, including pumps, piping, valves,
ventilation, controls, security systems, and a diesel generator.
MRB conducted a comprehensive evaluation in 2021–2022, which this evaluation was used for
preparation of a Water Infrastructure Improvement Act (WIIA) Grant. A WIIA Grant
Application was submitted in 2024, in which the Town was not awarded grant funding. The
Town adopted a $5.7 million Bond Resolution and completed SEQR in June 2024. A Water
Quality Improvement Program (WQIP) Grant Application for approximately $4 million was
submitted in July 2025 and is still pending. The design contract was signed around
April 30, 2025.
The rehabilitation will require bypassing the station to allow work in the wet well and will
include replacing all pumps, piping, valves, instrumentation, electrical and control systems, the
generator, ventilation, security, communications, and other building components. Improvements
will also be made to the undersized bypass system, deteriorated force main air release valves,
and discharge manholes.
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The updated project cost estimate is approximately $6.1 million, reflecting escalation since
earlier estimates and including a 25% contingency (over $1 million) due to the age of the
infrastructure and expected unforeseen conditions. While the contingency is considered high, it
is viewed as appropriate given the risks. Receipt of the WQIP Grant would significantly
improve project financing but would also introduce additional requirements, such as minority and women-owned business participation.
A Councilmember asked if the Town does not get awarded the grant, and if the new estimate is
over $6.1 million, would the Town have to increase the bond. Paul Adams, the Director of
Finance, stated that the Bond Resolution should be increased to be safe and to cover the soft
costs involved in the project.
A Councilmember asked if the project gets up and running if residents would notice any impact.
MRB representative, Mr. Schepp, indicated that little to no impact would be felt, possibly some
noises of bypass pumps running, but the pumps would be sitting down in a valley where there are
not a lot of residences.
A Councilmember asked what would happen if the Town Board decided not to move forward
with this project and what risks would be an impact to the Town. Mr. Schepp responded that a
catastrophic failure at the pump station would cause the wet well to overflow, releasing sewage
into a nearby creek and park, leading to significant environmental damage, heavy DEC fines, and
costly cleanup, all while still requiring emergency repairs. Addressing the project proactively
allows for planned, controlled work while the station is still functioning, rather than reacting to
failures. The station is critical and vulnerable to multiple potential failure modes, including
electrical, generator, and mechanical failures.
A Councilmember asked about the total project timeframe. MRB representative indicated that it
would be about a year and a half. Much of the pump station equipment is highly specialized and
not off-the-shelf, including large 3,000-gallon-per-minute pumps. These pumps, manufactured
by a reputable company in Sweden, can have lead times of up to a year from contract award to
delivery. As a result, the Town will need to continue operating the existing equipment while
awaiting replacements. The overall project is expected to take about 18 months, with roughly
four months involving bypass operations, which is when residents may experience the greatest
disruption.
Supervisor Scialdone asked the Director of Finance if the Town is required to hold a Public
Hearing to increase the Bond Resolution. Paul Adams replied that Bond Council indicated that a
Public Hearing is not required and that a Resolution to increase the amount is all that is required.
***
Maria Dewar, Administrative Assistant for the Director of Community Planning and
Development and the Town Engineer, provided an update on five CFA Grant applications
submitted on July 31, 2025. The Town has received award decisions for two of the five grants so
far.
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Sandbar Park (LWRP) Project: The Town applied for funding for design and permitting for
phases two and three, based on prior grant committee feedback. The Town requested Two
Hundred Sixty-two Thousand Eight Hundred Forty-four Dollars ($262,844) and was awarded
Two Hundred Eighty-one Thousand Five Hundred Ninety-five Dollars ($281,595). The project will
move forward while the Town awaits the formal contract.
GIS Mapping and Data Expansion (NPG/MS4, DEC): The Town applied for the maximum
Seventy-Five Thousand Dollars ($75,000) to offset consultant costs for expanding GIS mapping.
No award decision has been announced yet.
Reimagine Webster / Recreation Complex (BOA Grant): In partnership with the Village of
Webster, the Town applied for preliminary design funding for improvements to the Town
Recreation Center Complex. The Town’s request was Eighty-four Thousand Dollars ($84,000)
for amenities including an amphitheater, parking, and shelters. The overall BOA grant was
awarded Three Hundred Forty-three Thousand Eight Hundred Dollars ($343,800), with the
Village receiving the majority. Town Parks and Recreation staff will participate in the grant
team.
Salt Barn Replacement (DEC): The Town applied for the maximum Six Hundred Thousand
Dollars ($600,000) to replace and rebuild the Highway Department salt barn. No decision has
been announced.
Vosburg Pump Station (WQIP, DEC): The Town applied for Two Million Six Hundred
Seventy-one Thousand Eight Hundred Seventy-five Dollars ($2,671,875) toward the Pump
Station Project, based on the previously approved $5.7 million bond. No award decision has
been announced.
Ms. Dewar noted that DEC-administered grants have not yet been announced, with no timeline
provided, and award results are released publicly rather than to individual municipalities in
advance. A proposed Shippers Creek rant was not submitted this cycle but may be considered in
the future.
Following the presentation a general discussion took place.
***
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at
6:59 p.m.
____________________________________
Danene M. Marr, Town Clerk
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