Webster Town Board
June 4, 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:
Town Assessor................................................................................. Donna Komor
Finance Director ..................................................................................Paul Adams
Also in attendance was Rick Kenealy, Wastewater Treatment Plant Chief Operator.
***
Robert Koszarik, from KLW Municipal, appeared before the Town Board to provide a detailed
update on the 2027 Townwide revaluation effort, being conducted in partnership with the
Assessor’s Office. He reported that data-verification mailers for all Webster property owners
will be sent out beginning next week. These mailers include a summary of the property
characteristics currently recorded in the Assessor’s database, such as building style, square
footage, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, central air, site size, and exterior improvements
(porches, decks, patios, garages, etc.).
Property owners are asked to review the information and report any discrepancies. Corrections
may be submitted in several ways:
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Returning the marked-up form by mail or in person to the Assessor’s Office
Using the QR code on the letter to access the Webster Beacon site and submit feedback
electronically
Emailing scanned changes
Calling the project hotline
Property owners are asked to submit updates by mid-August. KLW noted that only a small
percentage of residents typically respond, and if no response is received, the existing data on file
will be used.
The mailer also contains information about upcoming public information sessions regarding the
reassessment process:
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Saturday, June 13, 11:00 AM–1:00 PM, Library Community Room
Tuesday, June 16, 1:00–3:00 PM, Webster Justice Court Building
Tuesday, June 16, 6:00–8:00 PM, Recreation Center
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Webster Town Board
All sessions will feature the same presentation, and meeting information is also posted online, in
Town Hall, and linked in Assessment staff email signatures. Residents may also sign up for
project-specific email updates.
Mr. Koszarek explained that field review will take place throughout the summer and early fall.
KLW staff will drive through all neighborhoods to visually verify property characteristics from
the public right-of-way only. No routine interior inspections will occur, although specific
requests for corrections may require follow-up conversations or limited interior verification.
Aerial photography is also being used to update and digitize property record sketches, which
KLW and the Assessor’s Office have been working on since last summer.
Once data is updated and field review completed, KLW will begin developing preliminary values
through late 2026. Updated assessed values are scheduled to be mailed to property owners in
March 2027, along with instructions for next steps and opportunities for review.
Board members thanked the Assessor’s Office and KLW for extensive public outreach, noting
that the project began with community education more than a year ago.
Councilwoman Wright emphasized that although assessed values may rise significantly based on
current market conditions, this does not mean taxes will rise at the same rate, as the Town’s
budget will not double. Ongoing communication is planned to help residents understand the
process.
***
Bob Wimmer, representative from Navitas, came before the Town Board to provide an update
on the evaluation of converting digester gas produced at the Webster Wastewater Treatment
Plant into renewable natural gas (RNG). The plant currently generates digester gas from
wastewater solids and high-strength organic wastes, including material from food production
facilities. The gas is approximately 60–70% methane, with the remainder being water vapor and
carbon dioxide.
At present, about half of the gas produced is used onsite to heat facility buildings and maintain
proper temperatures in the anaerobic digesters, reducing natural gas purchases. The remaining
gas is flared for safety and regulatory compliance.
Consultants outlined a process to upgrade the gas to pipeline-quality RNG through moisture
removal, contaminant removal, and CO₂ separation. Once refined, the gas could meet RG&E
natural gas specifications. Potential production is estimated at approximately 29,000 MMBTU
annually, equivalent to the natural gas use of roughly 300 households.
The environmental attributes of RNG production, including reduction of methane release and
offsetting fossil fuel use, provide additional market value. Based on current carbon-offset
markets, potential gross revenue was estimated between $290,000 and $493,000 per year.
Recent updates from RG&E, however, increased projected capital and operating costs for
pipeline interconnection, reducing net revenues to approximately $200,000 annually.
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Three gas-delivery options were reviewed:
• RG&E Pipeline Injection: Recently updated cost estimates from RG&E significantly
increased both capital and ongoing maintenance expenses from $15,000 to $100,000.
• Tube Truck Transport: Gas would be compressed and transported off-site by tanker trucks,
avoiding reliance on RG&E. Preliminary review indicates adequate space for on-site staging and
turning movements; cost and revenue modeling will be completed within two weeks.
• Third-Party Ownership: Not currently viable due to system size and conflicts with eligibility
for Federal tax credits.
A detailed review of project financing concluded that recent Federal clean-energy tax credits
could provide $6.8–$8 million in grant funding to offset project capital costs, provided the Town
maintains project continuity. Equipment lead times are approximately 56 weeks, requiring
timely decisions.
During discussion, several Board members expressed opposition to proceeding with the RG&E
contract due to rising costs, liability concerns, and the lengthy contract terms. Mr. Wimmer
confirmed that work on the project has been paused pending further direction and that analysis of
alternatives—including tube truck transport—can be completed within two weeks without
additional cost to the Town.
Board members emphasized the need for timely communication among the Board and with
consultants. The goal is to reach a final decision at the next Board meeting once updated
information is received.
***
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at
7:25 p.m.
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Danene M. Marr, Town Clerk
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