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>> Oh, I'm here. >> Councilman Kaiman? >> I'm here. >> Councilwoman Wright? >> Here. >> Councilman Hunter? >> Here. >> Councilman Wagner? >> Here. >> Attorney for the town, Taylor? >> Here. >> All right. Now, I know there are a lot of people here, so I am um going to take some executive privilege. We're actually going to conduct the regular town business before the open to the floor section. Um the wind is pretty strong right now. There's been a lot of power outages, so getting this done will make it so that we can accommodate the town businesses. That's vital Um and get some people out of here who are here for license agreements and then we will hear from you at the end.

Um So, up first, I have reviewed the minutes of the June 4th workshop. >> Councilman Hunter. >> I. >> Councilman Cahill. >> I. >> Councilwoman Wright. >> I. >> Councilman Wagner. >> I. >> I have also reviewed the minutes from the June 4th meeting and I would make a motion to accept minutes as well. >> Second. >> Supervisor Sheldon. >> I. >> Councilman Hunter. >> I. >> Councilman Cahill. >> I. >> Councilwoman Wright. >> I. >> Councilman Wagner. >> I. >> All right. Councilman Wagner, you have the honor of the bills. >> I did. I did. I went in this Wednesday. I reviewed all the bills as prepared by the finance team.

They were all in order. So, I'd like to make a motion to cons- >> Councilwoman Wright. I. Supervisor Sheldon. >> I. >> Councilman Cahill. >> I. >> Councilman Hunter. >> I. >> All right. I would like to make a motion to approve the prepaid warrant as submitted by the director of finance. >> Second. >> Supervisor Sheldon. >> I. >> Councilman Hunter. >> I. >> Councilman Cahill. >> I. >> Councilwoman Wright. >> I. >> Councilman Wagner. >> I. >> All right. I would also like to make a motion to approve the purchase orders as submitted by the director of finance. >> Second. >> Supervisor Sheldon. >> I.

>> Councilwoman Wright. >> I. >> Councilman Cahill. >> I. >> Councilman Hunter. >> I. >> Councilman Wagner. >> I. >> All right. Up next, we have an offer for some extra cybersecurity by Councilman Wagner. Since you are the IT liaison, I'll let you introduce our department head for this one to answer questions. >> Steve, do you want to do a little preamble on this or do you want me to take it off >> I'll let >> you run with it. >> Uh, you know, so essentially there's a global cybersecurity company called CrowdStrike. They've got a arrangement with New York State to provide cybersecurity for the state, and that flows down to all the municipalities and the villages.

This allows the state to say, "You know what? The state will be better protected cuz we ensure that all those little nodes, the littlest towns and villages now have high-quality cyber security protection through um the company, and the state has put this in the budget for the next 3 years. So, for us, it doesn't cost us anything. Our tax tax dollars already spend it. Um you know, the biggest unknown really is in 3 years if the state changes their mind, we'll have to change course. But until then, it's going to make the town more protected. The state's paying for it. There's little downside to us.

You know, we've we've reviewed the agreements, the terms, um and I've talked about Steve and the IT team, and they don't have any concerns. So, Steve, if you got anything else to >> Yeah, and um it it's a great shared service with the state. Um right now, we have three shifts that have all watched for security problems. By partnering with the state, we'll have the entire New York State Cybersecurity Center helping us monitor for threats now as well, so. >> I just have one quick question that just came to me. Um if by any chance we do decide to unwind it, how difficult is it to implement, install, and how difficult is it to unwind?

>> It'll take a little effort to remove it, but it's no different than basically installing a program, and that's about it. >> Okay. >> But I think we could handle >> Excellent. >> No, I just want to say I appreciate all the information and the questions and the emails back and forth um that you guys provided, so. Thank you. >> Any other questions? >> No, it seems like a good program. >> Then I'll make a resolution to authorize the supervisor to sign the intergovernmental agreement for the provisioning of endpoint protection and response services with the New York State Office of Information Technology and the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services.

>> Second. Councilman Wagner. >> I. >> Councilwoman Wright. >> I. >> Supervisor Sheldone. >> I. >> Councilman Cahill. >> I. >> Councilman Hunter. >> I. >> All right. Up next, we're looking at an inter-municipal inter-municipal agreement between the town of Webster and the village of Webster for shared equipment and services. I know my predecessor was afraid of uh didn't like how broad it was, but after speaking with Pat Stevens in the highway, who this is the one who directly affects, he recommends it being broad, so I would like Pat to speak a little bit about what benefits that this has and then answer any of the questions from the board on this.

Although, John, you are very familiar with this one as you signed it previously. >> Uh yeah, thank you. So, um this is an agreement that I think it'd been long-standing historically between the town and the village. What it allows for is um if there where our individual fleets of trucks and equipment or vehicles um are supplemented or don't quite fulfill what we need for any given project or job, uh we can call on one another for a little bit of help without having to hire it out at a premium to other taxpayer to the taxpayers and uh things of that nature. So, um we we historically have helped them out by adding different trucks here and there and vice versa.

If we get, you know, events like today where there's wind and things like that, and we need an extra loader um to go out and move trees out of the road where we also can contact them and work with them on that to best serve uh the residents [snorts] within both the village and the town. >> I think it's a great agreement, especially, you know, given the town and the proximity to the village to work in conjunction with one another and that now, we're we're a big team and we should share. And it's a it's a a thing that we move forward with this In my opinion. >> What did we do before? With the cuz I saw we had one of these agreements several years ago.

So, what has been done like the last six or whatever six or seven years? >> Um we we coordinated on a few individual projects here or there, but no large-scale crossover. Um it's sort of done on an emergency basis. It had to get to the level of an emergency versus planned work to kind of do that coordination, which is still out in some cases, but it's better to have this agreement in place. I believe that's gets into attorneys and things like that. >> for more flexibility in working together. >> Mhm. >> Great. >> Any any issues that have come up with it? >> Uh none that I've seen. No. Um I've been uh very successful working with Jake Swingley who's my counterpart in the village.

Uh he's he's always been very reasonable. We've partnered on a few different things over the years. Uh he he utilizes uh grants every year to report replace portions of sidewalks and there's a really strange line down Phillips Road where it goes town village town village. Uh so, we coordinated on that and it came [snorts] out very very reasonable for the town to get uh their portions of that sidewalk replaced the same time as the village. So, I haven't had any issues to date um with with the agreement. >> And then Alex, anything from the town or the the village mayor or the village attorney on this?

>> No, Don uh Don and I cannot not call him Mr. Byerts. Um but Mr. Byerts and I and Don White all discussed it with me. They asked me when we came in if we could do this because um so, I looked into it. I talked to Don. I talked to Pat. I talked to Pat and I thought that you know, the village wants this. We want this and as John said, this shows that we're a team. >> Yes. >> And that animosity shouldn't exist between us. So, >> What >> as much as my communication with them has been, it's been all positive. >> And it was fully reviewed by them. The correspondence I had back in 2024. Uh at the time it was Charlie Genese for us.

Uh but Don White fully reviewed and actually made a few edits and fixed some grammar grammatical things and different stuff. So, it has been through their full review and its current state. So. >> Okay. And then overall, like you said, it's it's it's not super detailed where we're going to get into arguments on. Nuances. Like it's it's vague enough to be useful, but not too restrictive to be problematic. >> Yeah, so, you know, that [clears throat] there was some concern about, you know, how vague it was at a certain point, but at the end of the day, we're not required to do anything. >> Correct.

>> Right? So, if there's something that I don't feel is appropriate or I discuss it with staff and different things, which I usually do, I don't want to make sure people are aware when we are coordinating on it and we don't feel it's appropriate or we feel that it's out of line, we still aren't obligated to do it. So, it is an agreement that requires both parties to coordinate back and forth. So, with the vague portion, basically, if there's something we're not comfortable with, we're not forced to do it. >> Which is a nice point you said. You're not forced to do anything. >> yeah. >> Correct.

You still have to talk about it and reach an agreement or don't reach an agreement. >> Right. >> You're not contractually bound to do something you don't want to do. >> No, but it allows us to do it legally. >> Okay. Perfect. I got no other questions. All right. >> Me? >> Yeah. You're the one. >> I was thinking you cuz you were the mayor before, but I'm happy to do it. >> [laughter] >> How long is that last? >> As your liaison, I I move to authorize the supervisor to sign an intermunicipal agreement between the town of Webster and the village of Webster for shared services, shared equipment and services.

>> Second. >> Councilwoman Wright? >> I. >> Councilman Hunter? >> I. >> Supervisor Sheldon? >> I. >> Councilman Cahill? >> I. >> Councilman Wagner? >> I. >> All right. Up next, we have a license agreement for allowing a split rail fence within a town storm water drainage easement located at 1072 Shoemaker Road is the property owner here. >> I don't believe so. They they indicated that they had a conflict tonight. Um, but if anyone has any questions, have at >> you They are aware though that in this easement with the license agreement that if we need to get in there that that fence is coming down and we are not responsible to replace it?

>> That is correct. >> Okay. Does any I have no further questions other than that. Does any of the board have anything? >> No. >> All right, then I will make a motion to approve the license agreement to allow the split rail fence within a town storm water drainage easement at 1072 Shoemaker Road, tax ID number 64.08-2-43. >> Second. >> Supervisor Sheldon. >> Aye. >> Councilwoman Wright. >> Aye. >> Councilman Cahill. >> Aye. >> Councilman Hunter. >> Aye. >> Councilman Wagner. >> Aye. >> All right, up next, um, our chief wastewater treatment plant operator is retiring, um, after a long search, um, with HR and the outgoing su- uh, the Rick, the outgoing chief operator, Rick.

Uh, we selected, uh, Dwayne uh, Hilfiger as these replacement, but, um, John, you were the sewer liaison, would you like to >> I'm very happy to make this, uh, resolution to appoint Dwayne Hilfiger to the position of chief wastewater treatment plant operator for the town of Webster effective July 4th, concurrent with the current chief uh, chief wastewater treatment plant operator, Rick Canale, for the purposes of cross training and, um, now is the transfer. Where is Dwayne? >> I I'm going to second that. Yeah. >> It's It's going through. >> Oh, yeah, but I just wanted to say a couple things. >> Oh, you're welcome to, but Rick also wanted to say a couple things and Kelsey Feeney, our HR director, is here.

>> Is Rick here? >> Uh, no, Rick is on vacation. >> Again? >> Again, he's always on vacation. He should just retire. >> [laughter] >> Um, but is Kelsey here? >> Yeah, let's approve it first. >> Okay, yeah, okay, let's do the vote. John, you wanted to say your piece though first or do you want to do it after? >> I'll do it after. >> All right. >> Councilman Cahill? >> Hi. >> Supervisor Sheldon? >> Hi. >> Councilwoman Wright? >> Hi. >> Councilman Hunter? >> Hi. >> Councilman Wagner? >> Hi. >> Councilman Cahill, would you like to speak first? >> I just want to say congratulations. I've had an opportunity to spend a lot of time at the Suez Treatment Plant working with Dwayne and Rick and and and the passion and knowledge that we that they have put forth especially during this massive project with with Navitas.

You you don't really have an appreciation for the size of this project and the complexities of it unless you start attending some of these meetings and, you know, with these monitors going off on the weekends, the commitment that you, Rick, your entire staff have um, to the Town of Webster is unparalleled. And and I'm very proud of tonight for you and your family. So, thank you. >> Yeah, I would like to add that um, Dwayne, I've I know I've only worked with you for 6 months now, but the the cheers and that I've seen you come up in the growth and everything, you you blew us away in the interview and you are you're going to do an outstanding job here for Webster and I'm happy to have you coming on board.

Um, before Kelsey comes up, would any of the rest of the board like to say anything to him? >> Yeah, congratulations and it's great to have an internal promotion. I think that's wonderful when we are able to develop town staff into leadership roles. That's a really, um, great thing to see and and congratulations on that accomplishment. >> Thank you very much. >> Yeah, I mean, same thing, Dwayne, congratulations. And yeah, Jennifer, we heard that last town board meeting from a resident kind of mentioned that what he saw as a strength for towns is promoting internally for the department heads. And he he he talked about that and I agree with you.

Like, this is a great thing to see that hometown department head or person move up to department head. So, congrats. >> Councilman Hunter, anything? >> Uh Dwayne, thank you so much. We're really excited to to work with you. You've been awesome and so welcoming. Um The sewer department's how we make money in this town. It's kind of weird, but [snorts] that's our revenue stream and it's it's crazy how this project has become really such a centerpiece to Webster. So, thank you for what you're doing. >> Thank you. >> All right. Miss Feeney? The floor is yours. >> Can everybody hear me? Okay. Um so, Rick Neely is unable to be here tonight, but he asked me to read a brief statement that he wrote uh for Dwayne for tonight.

I apologize that I cannot be here tonight for the town board approval of Dwayne Hilfi- Dwayne Hilfiger becoming the next chief operator. I'm truly disappointed. The timing was not on my side, but tonight it's not about me. It's about Dwayne Hilfiger. I couldn't be more sure that Dwayne is the right man for the job and I will elaborate a little more on my confidence in that fact. Running a facility like the one in Webster takes more than just a title. It takes an individual that not only has the institutional knowledge to operate it to its utmost efficiency, but also an an individual with Oh, excuse me.

An individual with integrity that has passion for the job and truly cares about its employees and town residents. Dwayne has the passion and knowledge which he has shown in his rise up through the ranks from the maintenance side to the operation side, quickly obtaining his 3A and 4A license in a very short time period. And then he quickly earned his spot as the assistant chief operator with the ambition and drive to become the next chief operator. That is who you want leading the new state-of-the-art water resource recovery recovery facility for the foreseeable future. I would like to close by telling you a little fact about Dwayne and his ties to Webster, specifically to the facility that he will soon oversee.

Dwayne has relatives that reside all around the property where the treatment plant sits on. Dwayne used to play on the property as a young kid all the time. Dwayne's great grandfather actually owned the property where the current treatment plant sits prior to the town of Webster owning it. So, to say Dwayne wasn't meant to oversee the facility built on his great grandfather's land would be an understatement. Congratulations, Dwayne. Very well deserved. I look forward to passing the torch. CONGRATULATIONS, DWAYNE. >> [applause] >> DWAYNE, WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY ANYTHING? YOU DO NOT HAVE TO. Please do not feel obligated.

>> [laughter] >> I'm truly honored. >> We'll hear plenty from you as you're giving workshop presentations in the future. So, congratulations, sir. All right. Um up next, um more highway stuff. >> Highway or parks? Both? >> This is a road dedication. >> dedication. I'm sorry. We'll We'll get to the parks one later. >> Yeah. Uh Uh sure. So, through a process different checks and balances as they get built. Once they get built out and there's residents living there, uh there's a process which is called dedication uh to take over the road. Um we We start doing some level of maintenance on it through a temporary dedication uh earlier in the process uh as soon as there's residents there.

Uh we plow the roads and things like that, but there's a certain level of construction that has to get completed to our standards before we take full dedication. Uh this section of road has now reached that level where it is complete uh to our standard. Um I believe it's still in maintenance bond. We We have a period of a bond where we make sure that the uh workmanship is there in the road. Um but we we do take it over. Um and this section is fully built out full residence. And, uh, this is the process to take formal dedication legally of the road permanently. >> Okay. >> I have no questions, but if the board would like any further clarifications, speak now or forever hold your peace.

>> Nope. >> No, I'm moved to accept permanent road dedication of Alyssa Way in Westwood Estates Section 3.32 miles 1,692 feet from Allison Lane to Schlegel Road. >> Second. >> Councilwoman Wright? I. Councilman Wagner? >> I. >> Supervisor Sheldon? >> I. >> Councilman Cahill? >> I. >> Councilman Hunter? >> I. >> All right, up next, I we're have a little bit of a change to our zoning board. Uh, for those of you who don't know, citizen boards are appointed, um, and there is a mandate you cannot miss more than three meetings, um, per our town code. Um, we have an individual who was been unable to make three, and after, uh, Josh and I met with him, he indicated that he would most likely be missing more, so he has, uh, since resigned.

Um, we have to accept that and appoint the next person, which we believe is senior, but, uh, Councilman Cahill, since you are the liaison to planning and zoning, >> So, I'll move to accept the resignation of Adam Prescott, a member of the Zoning Board of Appeals, uh, effective June 8th, 2026. >> I'll second. >> Councilman Cahill? >> I. >> Supervisor Sheldon? >> I. >> Councilwoman Wright? >> I. >> Councilman Hunter? >> I. >> Councilman Wagner? >> I. >> So, I'll move to appoint John Orcazo to the Zoning Board of Appeals to fulfill the unexpired term of Adam Prescott ending December 31st, 2028. >> I'll second.

>> Councilman Cahill? >> I. >> Supervisor Sheldon? >> I. >> Councilwoman Wright. >> Hi. >> Councilman Hunter. >> Hi. >> Councilman Wagner. >> Hi. >> All right. Up next is another license agreement, but we do have Laura Smith from Nixon Peabody representing Fairlife in this one. They are looking to put a permanent It's in an easement, so it may not be permanent, but a 6-ft tall monument sign to be located within a town sanitary sewer and snow truck snow plow truck turnaround easement. Um Ms. Smith, are you here? Clients aware that should we need to that monument sign will not be permanent? >> Yes, sir.

>> Okay. Does the board have any further questions? It's pretty straightforward. >> Nope. >> All right. Um >> I do have one question. When does the big cow go on the front of the building? I'm sorry. There's a big cow, like a sign, on the front of the building. When does the cow go up? >> I'm not sure, but I can check for you. >> Oh, I want to know that, too. >> Since we're talking about monument signs, I figured the monument sign, the cow, >> Same thing. >> question. I'll I'll get that information and get back to you. >> All right. I'll move to approve the license agreement to allow a permanent 6-ft tall monument sign to be located within a town sanitary sewer and snow plow truck turnaround easements at 1886 Tibor Road, tax ID number 66.03-1-28.001.

>> Second. >> Supervisor Sheldon. >> Hi. >> Councilman Hunter. >> Hi. >> Councilman Cahill. >> Hi. >> [clears throat] >> Councilwoman Wright. >> Hi. >> Councilman Wagner. >> Hi. >> Thank you. >> to move toward the polymer solution bid for the wastewater treatment plant and authorize the town supervisor to execute the agreement with uh Polydyne Incorporated. >> Is there a not to exceed on this? Or an amount to approve? >> No. Is there a normal dollar amount or is that just the way we structure it because of the nature of this? There's not a tenatic cedar dollar amount. Sorry, Jennifer started this.

>> Yeah, I know. Kyle's looking it up right now. >> I know, yeah. See, I cracked them this time. Yeah. >> Well, they were the only bidder. >> Okay. >> That whole thing and you only had one. >> Mhm. >> That's what it's saying [laughter] here. >> Yep. >> Dollar 77 a pound. >> Yeah, the contract notes that the the price is 177 a pound. >> Okay. >> All right, that's my motion. >> Second. >> Councilman Cahill. >> I. >> Councilwoman Wright. >> I. >> Supervisor Sheldon. >> I. >> Councilman Hunter. >> I. >> Councilman Wagner. >> I. >> All right, up next we're looking to there is a couple of proposed cell towers in the area and we have within our right to have Verizon pay for a third-party engineer that answers to the town to determine the validity of the claims that these cell towers are actually needed.

We did a search, but Josh, do you want to talk a little bit about how we came to this so that people know we are actually looking for an independent and not somebody for Verizon. >> Sure. Yeah, so with RF engineering being a relatively specialized field, there aren't a lot of folks in the area that do this kind of work. So, we did reach out to I believe a total of 10 companies that were actually all over the country. Um unfortunately, we only received one response back, which is the one that's before you tonight. And actually, they're located in Batavia. So, they are relatively close to us. Um they have a breadth of experience.

I think uh we've provided you with a copy of what their submittal was. And um we're pretty confident based on their experience that they will do everything we're asking them to do to help uh evaluate Verizon's proposals. >> And does the board have any questions? >> No, I think this was a great suggestion. Comment. Great suggestion. >> [laughter] >> I I think it was Tony who came up with this. I don't know if it was somebody else, but Tony Caschera, the planning board chair, came up with this as a a way to balance the information coming out of these applications. The cell towers are highly charged um applications before the town on a regular basis and I and >> [clears throat] >> Verizon has the right to put the the towers wherever they say there's a need, but I it's important to have that secondary measurement to have um an an an unbiased view on the actual need and I'm very excited to be moving forward in this direction.

>> Yeah. And uh Kyle, just for clarification, through the escrow agreement, so Verizon will be putting the bill for this? >> That is correct. Uh as part of the engineer's contract, um Verizon will put uh money into escrow to cover both sites um and keep it at a certain dollar amount. Um and uh there's a process for which we'll submit the bills. Uh it'll come to the town and then be routed through Verizon for payment. >> So, with these tests like this, how how do we decide as a town when to do a test like this and when not? I know there's a lot of options where we can have the project need pay for these kind of tests to verify their claims.

What metric do we use to decide like why we did it here versus didn't do it elsewhere? >> I think one of the one of the things that with cell towers, a lot of information is evolving. And especially the potential issues, negative issues um in residential areas. Um so I think the bar as far as what determines when we do this, I would I would say at least in for right now, we should do this in residential areas and and stay on top of the studies that are currently being done. The word which have been mandated or ordered, I should say, from our RFK because a lot of the information is not up to date.

So. >> And I think this one was very contentious because it is a super dense residential area. >> This is actually for both proposal towers. >> but even even Lake Road, I guess it's less dense, but it's still um >> It still could have impacts. So yeah, I get it. >> It still can have those same impacts and it can you can still have a question of need cuz there's a couple other ones not that far from that one. So in in my opinion, I thought it was um a good choice to do it for for both of these. >> And then Josh, I see you your original proposal, they came back and kind of elaborated on what they can and can't test based on the data.

Were you able to work with him to better kind of narrow that scope? Cuz like you said, this is new technology to us and like we don't expect you to have the same knowledge on this. So was he able to help kind of point you in the right direction so ultimately what you do is productive given what we can do? >> Yeah. Um him and I had a lengthy conversation um prior to him formally submitting his proposal. Uh he did have several questions of what >> [clears throat] >> was issued from my office and with this being the first time, you know, doing this in my tenure. I gave it my best shot kind of summarizing what I thought we needed and then he kind of asked some questions.

We drilled down a little bit. He explained some of his limitations and what he can and cannot do and then we ultimately settled on what's contained in tonight's agreement. >> Can you expand on that? So that would be good for us to know and the public to know what those limitations are because there it sounds like there's only so much we can do to verify the claims of Verizon. >> Yeah, so for for one thing that was requested by the the planning board specifically was trying to determine or verify that the need in these particular areas wasn't based upon both cellular service and their internet that they provide.

So that was something that we asked people to evaluate and look into. In my conversation with William, he explained that that is very proprietary information that Verizon would never reveal to a third party. So he explained that you know, that was not something that he was going to be able to do. Likewise, he also indicated with the option of doing this potentially but doing line drives where they actually go physically with in within certain points of the search area with some type of device that measures frequencies of some kind. So that that is not something that he has included in his proposal but it is optional.

He would outsource that component to a third party. So those were the two major things that we had originally asked for that he indicated he would not be able to do. >> Yeah, I think it was interesting to read like one of his points of like he can only review the data in the report. He can't drill down past that to the underlying data to look for like discrepancies. He really is just checking, it sounds like. >> Yes, verifying the data that was provided. Um I had thought he could produce um their own own version of propagation maps. Again, that's not something that that they typically do. >> Which is a great reasonable question, right?

Until like he's like he and he did a good job explaining why. >> Yes, he was very thorough. >> Yes, very thorough. Last question, you know, what does this look like if what's the successful review of this look like for the town and residents? >> I I guess it would depend on your perspective on the project, but um I would just say um getting a professional opinion from someone who's well-versed in in this area. Um just either verifying, yes, this appears to be valid information set forth by Verizon, or no, I think there might be some other alternatives that could be considered. So, I guess the verdict is out until he completes that analysis.

>> Right. Thank you. >> Hey Josh. When it comes to those additional services, do those fall into a category of something that Verizon would pay for under their agreement, or would that be additional for the town to take >> over. It It would be under the It would be Verizon's expense. >> Okay. >> Cuz there is a provision, I believe in the contract that would allow him to execute um he he has a work partner in Virginia, I believe. >> I'm just wondering if maybe there's worth some consideration for that, just to allow for some extra data collection. >> That is certainly something if if the town board wishes to go in that direction.

I think >> on that? With the other members? >> I mean once again we get to the goal, you know, what's the goal of this you know we're doing this, you know, how much we want to verify if Verizon's going to pay for it and we feel that's a reasonable step for the residents to feel assured and once again we're not going to pay for it. >> That's kind of my point is why not collect the data and if we don't have the proprietary information then maybe we can glean some of that information by collecting that ourselves through measuring within the area. >> Kyle, I see you grabbed your mic. >> I'm so sorry.

>> We're ready for the lawyer. >> We're changing the contract, I think. >> Yeah, the only thing I would recommend that if the town board does wish to go that direction that I would suggest them tabling this so that we can revisit the conversation. Verizon has agreed to pay but that agreement was based off of a a certain contract, certain scope of work and a certain budget. So certainly perfectly reasonable but that's all that I would suggest. >> Are we under a time crunch? I know this was going to be on the agenda two weeks ago. >> Yeah. >> And it it came off late so are we Do we need to get this just move forward and consider adding a layer?

>> Josh? >> So with one of them given the date that the original application was submitted, I believe it was for the Lake Road one, we are pushing up against that shot clock. I will note that once the town board authorizes us to move forward, there's still is a 4-6 week delay based on his backlog of work. But Verizon has agreed to formally extend the shot clock per the town's request. >> Based on the current contract, though. And that may change assessment if we add an additional layer. From Verizon's standpoint? >> Um potentially. >> Okay. >> We Well, I don't want to put Laura on the spot, but we do have counsel [snorts] here Um um for Verizon.

>> I'm so [laughter] sorry, Laura. Yes, we we actually still Laura Smith from Nixon Peabody is still here. >> And I voted here today. I'm just doing all my business. >> [laughter] >> I'm sorry, I didn't hear the question. >> So, what I was wondering in terms of the additional aspects that are offered through the RF engineer, um which involves doing some data collection on site. So, those are pieces not included in the current contra- contractual agreement, but there is an agreement to extend our timeline given that the Lake Road cell tower project is pushing up at that time period. >> So, the um I I apologize.

>> So, my my ultimate question is is the consideration right now is in a world where maybe we want to add those additional uh services with the RF engineer, you know, is that something that is going to impact Verizon's opinion on their expanding of that date for us to work to answer for you. If that makes sense. >> I think it does. I will try to answer and if I if I'm not in the neighborhood, I'm I I'll I'll happy to to hear it back again. We extended the date until August based on the um assumption and hope that the contract would be approved today. As Josh noted, it it there is a bit of a delay for him to get to the the Webster projects.

It also takes him some time to go through the data. So, uh it is our hope that we would enter in that the town would consider entering into an authorizing the contract today. Should additional services be needed, like all town contracts and all uh you know, all telecommunications are subject to a reasonableness. So, to the extent the town can demonstrate that the additional services are reasonable, that is well covered under the escrow. There is, you know, some limit. I I don't know what that limit is now off the top of my head, but the additional services within reason would be covered under the escrow agreement.

>> So, Laura, are you in a position to um state whether or not Verizon would find these additional services reasonable? >> I did not hear what they were. >> Okay. Josh, can you >> We got some air conditioning >> enumerate those are? >> Yeah, I think it was pertaining to um actual field work where they have some type of device where they're measuring frequencies in certain parts of the search area. I can't recall the technical >> Josh, do you think that's listed in this document? >> I I I'd have to scroll through it. It might be referenced. >> I'll try and look quick while you Sorry. >> Yeah, it was uh >> I do agree that that would be an important additional service >> Oh, anything we can get.

I'll do this right by our residents. >> Josh, what was it called? Do you remember? >> I don't recall. A drive test evaluation, does that that that sounds familiar? >> Yes. Include monitoring of RF drive test performance used to justify tower height requirements and presentation of technical testimony at public hearing. >> Is there a price for it? >> I'm looking. >> So, if I recall, it's it's more of a time and hourly rate. Um so, there is no set cost per se. >> Correct, but he provided a budget based off of the proposed scope. And so, the reason why I said that perhaps we would want to table this unless Laura is in a position to say they would be agreeable to Verizon is that if the budget is uh you know, proposed to be approximately $12,000 per site, but these site visits, the time to conduct them, you know, doubles the budget.

I don't want to be caught in a position down the road where we're trying to >> So, Josh, can you go to the bottom of page six, other information? Cuz I believe he's he says in there, although it has never been an issue in the numerous cases in which we have been involved, we do not have access to the same propagation software and proprietary systems information used by the service providers, their equipment vendors, or their contractors. We are also not able to perform RF drive testing. We do not directly offer to provide these services. All right. He was going to have to ask for the third party.

>> Yeah. The vendor >> be why, Kyle, there's no quote in there. >> Right. So, if it's a going to be a third party, I imagine it'd be subject to an additional agreement. >> Is Is it possible we can authorize the contract as it sits today and look into getting a price for those additional services and amend the contract and amend the resolution so we can keep moving this forward? >> Yes. >> You could do that, but you're you're making a decision or to move forward when there's a potential that you would desire to have something else that that hasn't been discussed or really, you know, agreed upon.

So, I again, the >> I think he's saying they could change their mind in the future. >> Right. >> And we have more leverage now than in the future, possibly. >> Laura, in in your other sites you've worked with Verizon on, have you seen this type of work performed by a third party RF engineer? >> Not um when being reviewed by an independent RF engineer. It But I I could see a future that he comes back with an analysis that's inconclusive, and perhaps at that time you move forward with drive test data. Um our our goal would be hopefully to get this contract approved today understanding the the amount of time it will take to commence the the study and then move through move through the data.

So, to the extent it can be approved today, we're we're hopeful on a timing perspective. I think more so than than necessarily a Obviously, we want to be reasonable. We want to be conscious of the budget, but but timing is of of the essence here. >> [clears throat] >> I mean, Josh, do you remember from talking to him the subject of value that he thought the RF drive test he may provide cuz his his proposal here is you know He says, "In the unlikely event that more modeling is ever deemed necessary, we can assist you." So, you know, his report doesn't really provide much color context on the value of that.

>> Yeah. Um I don't really recall all of the specifics from our conversation. It was several weeks ago. Um but I do recall him saying that if if [clears throat] the you know, if additional data was needed or there was you know, some issue with coming to a conclusion that that would then shed more light on the situation. But he did indicate that he doesn't do that. He works with a third party that's located in Virginia. And I would imagine that the cost if it involves travel would substantially increase if we were to um pursue that, but that's you know >> Laura, uh or maybe Josh is more appropriate for you.

What date was the shot clock extended to? >> As Laura mentioned, I think it was sometime in mid to late August. >> Mid >> August the the second August town board meeting. >> Yes. >> And would would Verizon object to a September 3rd target date? >> I'm sorry. >> Sorry. Would Verizon object to a September 3rd target date? >> My only hesitation is the the August 20th lines up with the planning board and the ZBA has already voted. Um I if it's September 3rd, but we're still looking at the August planning board and ZBA, then you know, it's certainly only a few days. If it's then pushing out the ZBA and the planning board to the September meeting, you know, I I we won't say no to that, but we are hopeful to to bring this to the conclusion.

>> Understood. >> First September >> So, is that So, Josh, the planning board meets September 1st. That's the first Tuesday. >> Mhm. >> Yes. >> And what's this on for in front of the planning board? >> It would be for preliminary, I believe. Yeah. >> So, then it isn't likely that the planning board could maintain that meeting with this information outstanding. >> I In my opinion, I don't think they would Okay. make move forward without it. >> Now, the resolution is to authorize Beast, so I am not able to make any of this, so. >> So, then I guess my If the town wants to explore adding these additional services, and it involves a consultant that is in Virginia, is that accurate, Josh?

>> From my recollection, yes. >> I think that it's has the potential to change the the proposed budget drastically. And I I just don't know that I would recommend moving forward with a contract if you're going to be changing such a material element of that contract. >> Well, Josh, any inclination that we can't get this sorted out in the next 2 weeks from your conversations with the gentleman? >> I would imagine that we could get some additional clarity around this issue within 2 weeks. >> Any thoughts from the board then on extending this 2 weeks to >> I have no problem with that if it's going to >> Do you want to make that clear like Kyle says, avoid the ambiguity?

>> Yeah. I think it's the right thing to do and Laura, I apologize. I know that pushes the the timeline back, um but I do think exploring and making sure we dot our eyes and cross our t's across the board is um is good for everybody. >> The only other thing I would add to that is Now, we've we've had this information for a while and if it was a concern, it should have been brought up before this meeting in my opinion. And so, we can treat this as a bit of a teaching lesson. If we have concerns, these are in the emails, they have questions, there's a time to do it. That's just my opinion. >> Okay.

Now, Kyle, does it matter if we make a vote to table or reschedule? >> I I would make a vote to reschedule for the >> July 2nd. >> July 2nd meeting. >> I make a vote to reschedule for the July 2nd board meeting, uh resolution to authorize the supervisor to sign agreement with our engineering consultant. >> I'll second that. >> Councilman Wagner. >> Aye. >> Councilman Cahill. >> Aye. >> Supervisor Sheldone. >> Aye. >> Councilwoman Wright. >> Aye. >> Councilman Hunter. >> Aye. >> All right. We have a lot of recycling, we have a lot of stuff, and we have everybody. Every one of these has a liaison, so Councilman >> So, I'll move to approve the many items that are listed.

>> The agenda's up first, I think. >> Oh, I'm sorry. My apology. >> Yes, I'll make a motion to approve the many items. This is a new one, many items. On the list from the highway department for surplus or recycling. So, there were many things on the item. >> That they're still there. >> Yes, there's two pages of things. Some were auctioned, some were um recycled. Some were surplus. >> Yeah. Yeah, um the reason for the spike in items on this one is uh the former highway building is officially demolished at this point. There was a lot of assets within there that were either recycled during that process or uh demolished and disposed of as we're moving along.

So, uh Allison, our office manager, did a great job of reconciling the equipment list and the asset list to make sure that it's all up to date and we're not carrying on uh insurances and things like that for items we don't have anymore. So, >> All right. >> surge here. >> What's motion? >> Second. >> Councilwoman Wright? >> I. >> Councilman Wagner? >> I. >> Supervisor Sheldon? >> I. >> Councilman Cahill? >> I. >> Councilman Hunter? >> I. >> All right, Councilman Cahill, you're up. >> So, make a motion to approve the following items from the sewer department for recycling and trade-in. Uh file cabinet, tag number 02229 to be recycled.

Uh 2021 Ford F-150, tag number 05756 uh for trade-in. That's my motion. >> Second. >> Councilman Cahill? >> I. >> Supervisor Sheldon? >> I. >> Councilwoman Wright? >> I. >> Councilman Hunter? >> I. >> Councilman Wagner? >> I. >> Councilwoman? >> I make a motion to approve the other many item list on on the many items on the the from parks and Recreation for recycling, auction, or being trashed. That's because the senior lounge was remodeled, so I think they're getting rid of a lot of furniture and and updating. You like it, Sven? Does it look nice in there? >> I'll second. >> Councilwoman Wright?

Aye. Supervisor Sheldon? >> Aye. >> Councilman Cahill? >> Aye. >> Councilman Hunter? >> Aye. >> Councilman Wagner? >> Aye. >> Councilman Hunter? >> Sure. >> I make a resolution to approve the following items as a trade-in from the police department, patrol rifle optic 15 tag number 890158. >> Second. >> Councilman Hunter? >> Aye. >> Councilwoman Wright? >> Aye. >> Supervisor Sheldon? >> Aye. >> Councilman Cahill? >> Aye. >> Councilman Wagner? >> Aye. >> All right, and I make a resolution to approve the following items for recycling from the police department, two computers tag number 06 486, tag number 05791.

>> Second. >> Councilman Hunter? >> Aye. >> Councilwoman Wright? >> Aye. >> Supervisor Sheldon? >> Aye. >> Councilman Cahill? >> Aye. >> Councilman Wagner? >> Aye. >> All right, that concludes our regular town business. So, we made it. We did it without the power going out. So, um we are going to move on to the open to the public section going on now. Um there are a lot of people, so we will be limiting to 3 minutes as we did last time. Um a few rules here. You are speaking before the board. Please speak to the board and not the audience. Uh the public comments are limited to 3 minutes. You'll see me waving my hand like a crazy person at 2 minutes, um or I'll tell you that it's two if I don't make eye contact with you.

Um we will not be answering questions. If you want your questions answered, please provide your email address to the town clerk. Uh Uh, and please respect the speaker. Um I know we all have a lot of opinions and we don't agree with each other. So, we but everyone has a right to say them. Um, and please refrain from any disruptive behavior or comments, and threatening statements will not be tolerated and we will be involved you as being removed from the meeting. >> I quick question, please. >> Yeah, what you got? >> Would the staff that's not germane to the media aspect of this meeting, is it okay for them to leave?

>> Yeah. Yeah, no. I know some of them have to head out. >> Um, >> So, yeah. Anyone who's not required for this can uh head on out. Uh-oh. You okay? >> Careful. >> Did we lose power? >> Lose power or lose power? >> Lose internet. Just internet. Just internet cable. Luckily, >> Just the internet and the screen. >> If those at home can no longer see us, they will let us know. >> All right. Um, with that, uh, we will start with Lori Reed. >> Yep, Lori. Lori Reed, you're not >> First? >> Yep. >> I town of Webster a formal apology for the situation you created with the pride flag. You asked for feedback unofficially from board members and others in the town.

They told you not to move forward. You knew a formal vote was coming. You knew there would be backlash and yet you chose to act alone anyways. Because of that decision, you didn't just put the town board in difficult position. You misled the pride supporters who trusted you. You raised their expectations only to have the flag removed days later because of your unilateral actions. That is not leadership and it is not how someone entrusted with public responsibility should conduct themselves. Your choice has affected the entire town of Webster. We became a headline, a punchline, and a national story for the wrong reasons.

If this is how you handle sensitive issues, you should not be representing this town. Now, I want to address the broader [clears throat] situation. I want to be absolutely clear because my words were twisted after the last meeting. What I said was simple. Either every group gets to raise its flag, or we raise only the United States flag, which represents all citizens. I did not single out pride. I did not mention LGBTQ+ group. I spoke about fairness and consistency, nothing else. Yet, since that meeting, I have received death threats, hostile emails, phone calls, and attempts to damage my business and character by the pride community and their allies, all because people chose to hear something I did not say.

Many of the individuals attacking me never listened to my actual words. They reached to a reacted to a narrative created online, not to what I stated in this room. For anyone who believes the behavior we've seen the past 2 weeks reflects love and acceptance, understand the reality. The hostility, the threats, the harassment, the personal attacks did not come from people seeking unity. It came from individuals who chose aggression over dialogue and intimidation over understanding. Here is an email from Kelvin Brennan. All homophobes should kill themselves slowly and painfully. When you die and go to hell, you will have to justify to your God how you wasted your pitiful existence.

So, people are aware this is not a community filled with love and peace. There is a great deal of hostility being projected, and the people who should be afraid are not the ones waving a flag, but the people they target when they disagree. If you truly want to be part of this community, then live among us, not against us. Stop pushing division. Stop attacking anyone who raises a question or expresses a different perspective. Blending into a community means working with your neighbors, not fighting them. Webster is a strong town. We welcome anyone who wants to live here in good faith, but respect is a two-way street.

If you want to be part of this community, then act like it. I want to thank those who reached out and supported me. >> Thank you very much. Uh will please not doing the applause. Um Up next is Kevin Lockhart. >> Are you going out of order on the list? >> Yeah, we're going bottom to top. >> You guys are going on bottom to top today? >> Hi folks, Kevin Lockhart here from 100-2 Kettleberger Park. I do want to tell you all that I don't care about any of your personal politics. It's not particularly relevant to me. I really appreciate you all and the town board for coming out tonight for sharing your opinions.

And um I'm looking forward I want you to know I intently listen to your concerns and your opinions on matter on matters. I don't particularly find uh the opinions to be particularly relevant to the business that's taking place, but I trust that you're counseling me on matters that are relevant to the town board and the business. Many people disagree with the town board members. I happen to disagree with virtually all of them. Um I don't really care whose side anybody's is on on this whole debacle. Um I furthermore, I feel obligated to apologize to the pride activists in attendance today for the controversy surrounding this issue.

The problem is the town board in my opinion, and I feel quite earnestly that this scandal is my fault. Um I advocated for a neutral flag policy during a month when activists want to be recognized and and their the flagpole to be dedicated to their cause. This was excessively naive of me. I did not exercise the foresight to anticipate that the town board might go and act inappropriately. Um I understand why people are upset, why you feel targeted, and I sincerely regret that we're in this situation as a town. That being said, um we need to move beyond this whole ordeal and get back to what actually matters in the town, which is quality of life and resident satisfaction.

I have numerous problems with how this town is operating. Uh the administrators are not taking my concerns seriously. I'll give you a couple of examples. Um I was here for the reassessment reevaluation meeting earlier this week. A elderly woman uh came in and she tripped over a rug that was unfurled. I just about lost my mind because my priorities are as follows: seniors, public safety, and those two just collided with one another. And was that 2 minutes? And these folks did not take this matter seriously with the exception of a couple people. I also met with town hall with the directors and some administrators at town hall who brought up that uh town hall safety is obviously a very big priority for the for the They should feel safe working at town hall.

I went and spoke to the town board about reducing the call time from town hall to the WPD. It can be longer than a minute in some cases just to get dispatch on the phone and get the call sent over. The town board did not take this issue seriously at all. And I was confounded by it, but still upset about still upset as you can probably see about all of these things. In terms of the agenda, there's a few things that I'd like to see that I that I support. One thing that I want to see is uh air quality index metrics for the town of Webster for a program and not one that's costly. I want to see the blue collar union contract sorted out.

I have answers about that. >> minutes, so please finish your sentence. >> And uh system for cybersecurity, that's necessary. Um and uh so when you guys do a good job, I encourage you. Let's restore confidence in this town board. Please avoid doing anything hilariously stupid. We got to restore the reputation of the town of Webster. Thank you. >> Desiree, would you please approach? >> Hello. Hello. Uh thank you for the chance to speak. Um obviously, this has been a really visible moment for Webster. But, [sighs] I know that we can handle this in a way that reflects the best of Webster. I looked around these last 2 weeks and saw so many passionate people who care about this town.

Uh we should all be able to show up and attend the meeting, hold a sign, and speak our mind without feeling intimidated or like like our community is against us um because that doesn't reflect the Webster that we know. Strong communities don't break under pressure. They get more clear about their values and move forward together. Um and that's the opportunity I think we have right now. I don't think there's anything wrong with recognizing um that LGBTQ people live, contribute, raise families, and deserve to feel seen here in Webster. But, this moment is about more than the flag at this point. How we all show up for each other in this community with fairness and consistency.

Some see the flag itself as the issue. Other symbolic flags have been flown without this level of concern. Uh the larger issue is how do we move forward and decide what gets recognized and how consistently that's applied. Um neutrality doesn't have to mean doing nothing. I've heard these concerns about fairness, precedent, and where the line gets drawn. Uh these concerns are real. Residents care about these things. This decision was made without a real pause. public conversation or a chance to work toward common ground. I believe the town board should really lean in, listen, and reconsider. We can move toward a thoughtful, consistent approach that sets expectations, applies fairly, and reflects the whole community.

We're not the only community to try to solve this. So, my ask is um show Webster that we can disagree without becoming cruel and that everyone who calls Webster home belongs in the conversation. >> Thank you very much. If not, sorry. No, I we do want to keep it down. No applause unfortunately. Um, but up next is going to be Kate Avery. >> Good evening. Thank you. I appreciate the time everybody is taking to be here this evening. Um, so I think we've all learned in the last month that everyone on social media is an expert. Um, so hopefully we've all done some learning. I appreciate the last speaker's comments about um, being reflective and coming together.

A few things uh, that I've noted that uh, while people think they know about flag code, it is permissible to fly a pride flag. Um, uh, with uh, an American flag provided it's smaller and lower than the American flag. Also accurate and keeping with past precedent for a town supervisor in this community to make the decision to acknowledge a group uh, of people in this fashion without the need for board action. When this last happened, there was no such resolution from the board. Much less one that failed to be added to the agenda in an above board deliberative and collaborative manner. We now have a resolution that excludes even more people than before.

Also those who have had to fight for their basic rights in this country. This resolution was short-sighted and inflamed things more than any flag ever could. Other neighboring towns have heralded pride month without issue and frankly, it's embarrassing to be called out even obliquely by Penfield. I and many others want to live in a place where we openly support those who need advocacy and who have been marginalized. It takes away nothing from me or anyone else to acknowledge someone different from me. That said, for the board to propose a policy around municipal flag use is not scandalous and I think most people could find that uh, proposal reasonable.

The way in which it was done however, and its timing uh, concerns me uh, and makes me wonder about why this happened. So, perhaps its introduction was meant to cause political turmoil for your own purposes, perhaps to give the appearance of chaos on the board, for which I would say shame on you. While Webster may have elected people twice now who are not able to commit to the values of their original party, voters will not make that mistake a third time. >> Please, please keep it down. >> You were perhaps afraid of a public comment period you thought might present contentious views. If so, shame on you.

You cut out the opportunity for public comment and thoughtful debate. Your convenience at the expense of free speech, the appropriate kind, not the rabble-rousing of clickbait agitator or Facebook arguments that prevents us from being a community. And lastly, I would just say bigotry will never land on the right side of history. So, I would just request that moving forward we have these conversations with the opportunity for the community to present their views, whether they be similar or different, with the opportunity for us to share those opinions, to hear other people's opinions, and for the board to act accordingly and thoughtfully.

And I appreciate the time to be able to speak. Thank you. >> Thank you. Up next is going to be please. We are doing real good about keeping it quiet here, but we're going to move on to Jenna Dow. >> Greetings board. My name is Jenna Dow. I live at 217 Basket Road, and I was part of Webster Thomas's class of 2024. If you knew me in high school, you would know that I was involved in as many clubs as I possibly could be, but my favorite one was the Sexuality and Gender Alliance, or the SAGE Club. Often times in SAGE Club, we talked about the things that were pressing to our community, whether that be access to gender neutral bathrooms, or just how we're treated in the hallways at school.

But often we would sit and talk around the table about how we were treated as members of the queer community in our school. Some would talk about how they were called slurs in the hallway. Some would talk about how they weren't accepted by their families for who they love. But we also sat and talked about the ways that we felt accepted in our community, and who and what made us feel that way. If I was sitting back in that classroom 2 years ago, I would have felt so accepted by the fact that there was a pride flag hanging flying in the flagpole outside of Webster Town Hall. However, 2 weeks later, I do not feel as accepted in this community as I did.

And I have a couple of concerns about the way that the pride flag was removed, and the way in which we brought forth the resolution to um create a new flag policy. Number one, this was not put on any agenda. Nobody knew this was going to happen, which is not in accordance with the New York Open Meetings Law section 103E. And additionally, concerns about um this resolution that it could possibly be a law, depending on how it was worded, was not properly talked about by the board. There was an opportunity for the board to postpone this resolution to today, and they did not take it, which I think would have allowed for more discussion and public input on the matter.

So, I hope that the board will reconsider this decision and look >> Up next, we have Morgan Sheller. >> I usually leave these meetings for the adults. Um, so whether you consider an 18-year-old an adult or not, um, everyone needs to speak up. You may believe being gay is a sin, or you may just feel completely uncomfortable with the pride flag. Realistically, that flag may never go back up. For me, I don't always understand why someone lives or feels the way they do. But at the end of the day, they're human like me, and I will treat them with respect and with love. And right now, I genuinely don't understand how treating people with like people become something we have to debate.

My main issue tonight is about the process. The vast majority of our neighbors who took the time to speak up and speak wanted that flag to stay. Yet, councilors Cahill, Wright, and Wagner, you chose to tune out that feedback. You are in those seats to listen to and serve the whole Webster community. It is disappointing, and in my opinion, embarrassing that this decision was made so fast with zero notice. And take it or leave it, but I think that it should be required that policy resolutions be introduced at one meeting and voted on at the next to give the community a fair chance to respond. Webster isn't a monolith.

We are a community of 45,000 people, unique ones at that. And trying to force absolute uniformity on town property is a disservice to the people living here. Putting aside how anybody felt about the pride flag, the people of Webster deserved more of a say in this. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. And now, no applause. Yes, wave. Um, Lisa Scheller is up next. Am I saying that right, Scheller? >> Sure. >> [snorts] >> I I a moment. I can't compete with that. But I am here to express my disappointment in how this was handled. The decision about what is or is not allowed on our flagpole should have been a public discussion.

There was precedent. Other flags have been flown. This did not have to be a knee-jerk reaction to your discomfort. I would like to ask the board to consider what public spaces can be used to display flags that support members of our community as a whole. >> Thank you. Up next, we have Laura Sharp. >> [clears throat] >> Good evening. My name is Laura Sharp Macucci and I'm a Webster resident and member of both the Webster Democratic Committee and the Monroe County Democratic Committee's LGBTQ+ Caucus. My wife and I have lived here in Webster for about 4 and 1/2 years and when we were first looking for house in the area, we were admittedly hesitant about Webster since it's had a a reputation for being a conservative town.

We weren't sure that we would feel welcome here in this community and while we have been very blessed with some really wonderful neighbors, we still haven't felt fully welcome in this town that we've come to call home. So when Supervisor Sheldone acted to raise the pride flag on June 1st, we felt a swell of relief and joy in witnessing a tangible step forward in making Webster feel like a more inclusive place for all residents. That's why it in part it felt so disappointing to watch this board vote to take it down just days later after listening to overwhelming support offered during the public comment period and a last minute rushed motion after most of the public had already gone home.

I've heard several arguments in defense of the flag's removal including issues with the process by which it was raised, concern about other groups wanting to raise other flags, and fear about potential division that the flag could cause in the community. And I'd argue that the board caused more division by how it went about taking the flag down. And not for nothing, but when process is used as an argument and invoked as a reason, it's hard not to notice how selectively it's applied. Your actions have been noticed not just by the people in this room tonight, but by Webster residents of all ages and backgrounds.

I ask you to consider the message that you've sent to those who are still wrestling with whether they feel safe enough and welcome enough to be themselves here. If your concerns are truly about process and not about who the flag represents, then I call upon this board to find another way to show the LGBTQ residents of Webster that they belong here. And finally, I also call upon the board to be better in leading by example as stewards of this town. I've sat through several of these meetings now recently, and some of the grandstanding and underhanded behavior that I've personally witnessed are pretty good examples of exactly why people hate politics.

So, please find a way to work together on behalf of a better and more inclusive Webster. >> Thank you very much. >> very much. Love it. Up next, Chris Nacca. He's been missing in action for a while, but we're very happy to have him back. Chris Nacca, 1065 Schoeck Craft Uh thank you. I'm also happy to be back as well. Um it's great seeing so many people here. Um as I've stood at this podium and said many times, it's usually quite dead in here. So, anything that gets people up and out and into the world of their community is great. I hope that uh after home homophobia is defeated, you all continue to come and that would be great.

Um as someone who's probably been one of the queerest person in the room for as long as I can remember, the pride flag offends me. It offends me. Um there's already a gay pride flag that hangs dang near 365 days a year. There's already a black pride flag. There's already a white pride flag. There's already a Hispanic pride flag. It's called the American flag. And the more we allow the few people that want to hold on to hate in their heart get us to drop that flag and find our own flag that suits us, the harder it will be to have these conversations because we'll be at odds with each other. If you If you look at history, I mean, it's kind of a uh important symbol of warring sections of people is having a different flag and not, you know, kind of all making it work under the same flag.

And more so, it's having your culture sold back to you as times change that is probably the most offensive thing to me. Like, I wonder if the MAGA hats and the pride shirt flags, hats, beanies, bracelets. I wonder if they're made by the same child slaves or if it's like child slave group over here, child slave group over here. Um I already feel guilty enough having to wear regular clothing made by child slaves on a daily basis to want to virtue signal on top of that. It's a It's It It kind of like lets you know how far everyone's head is buried in the sand. And um I just want to say to the people here that don't feel accepted in Webster, you are accepted.

I can speak for myself only. I don't have hate in my heart for any one of you. I'm so happy that you're here. I love all of you. And thank you for letting me speak. >> Thank you, Chris. Up next, I've got a name I'm not going to be able to pronounce. Rosa Eisenmann. And I do apologize if I butchered your last name. >> Hi, my name is Rosa Eisenmann and I live at the Monarch Senior Living, which is behind there and um when I I've only lived here 3 and 1/2 years, so I'm a I was um living in the city in Rochester, where it's pretty liberal. So, when I moved here and my friend said, "Why are you moving to Webster?

It's like pretty conservative and Republican." And I said, "Oh, there's got to be some people." And I knew some, you know, gay people um LGBT that went to the same um it's called the Rainbow Senior uh Senior Organization in the city um behind Village Gate I'm a part of. Unfortunately, right now my car is dead so I'm stuck here but um I do like Webster. I moved here cuz my sister lives one street away on Holt Road and she encouraged me to move but you know, there's a few things that bother me like the people where I live are much older so I have to deal with that and when I put out when this happened I put a little pride flag in the community room and I went the next day it was gone.

Somebody took it and you know, that's the kind of behavior that they have there. They're sort of prejudiced and um I I was excited when I found out they had the pride flag went up and I'm like, oh great. And then when it went down I was like, what's going on? And I was at that little rally and then you know, I you know, I go to Irondequoit a lot and they had this big pride farmers market and everybody celebrated. It was fun. In fact, today tonight they would have had the um Juneteenth but it got canceled cuz of the winds. So my only thing to say is that I'm not, you know, I'm very dis- disappointed that the flags are taken down and then when I saw on the news that they padlocked the flagpole I was like, where are we in Nazi Germany?

Cuz it's you know, it's devastating to me. Since I was born in Poland, you know, I I witnessed a lot of strange anti-Semitic and tough you know, just tough I was 9 years old when I came and it brings back bad memories of what the world was like. Okay. >> Well, you You a whole minute left if you want to take it. >> [laughter] >> Thank you. >> Okay. >> [laughter] >> Yeah, sorry. No, I just I try to warn everybody at 2 minutes, but um up next is Richard J. Barone. >> Good evening. Um I'd like to make a suggestion that another point of view be taken on this whole issue. Uh I'm a former councilman for the town of Irondequoit many years ago.

I spent 25 years 28 years in government. I've gone to court seven times, won every time. I'm not an attorney. But some years ago, I took a case just like this to court. And let me read to you from the state constitution, which I gave each of you a copy of the article that I'm speaking on. You also have my credentials. Gift or loan of property of the government. No county, city, town, village, or school district shall give or loan any money or property to any individual any individual any private corporation or association or private undertaking. Now, that's a key word. I was in a court of appeals, the highest court.

When I sat there and I saw the judges apply this law against the local school districts that were violating this law. And it has to do with using government property. I believe that you cannot put any flag that's a private purpose and the issue that we took had to do with an election. And the judges ruled that how you vote in an election is a private purpose, not a public purpose. There's only three flags I know that are legal in this state. The US, the state, and the town. Perhaps a military flag might also be there. That's the only ones I know of. So, I'm suggesting that you take a look at this from a legal point of view.

When I was a councilman and I was a school board member, I took an oath of office to uphold the Constitution, not people's opinions here tonight. Everybody has opinions. You, too. Your responsibility is to comply with the oath of office you took. Not to listen to an opinion necessarily. And when I was an elected official, that's the first thing I looked at. I didn't listen to anybody until I saw what the law said. Please, look at the law. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. Up next is going to be David Ruiz. >> Good evening. I'm here in favor of to keep the flag down. Uh primarily, that was a good reason we just heard in the Constitution, Article 8, Section 1.

You have it in front of you. Uh and that's maybe why most towns, in fact, none of the towns put up a pride flag until after this debacle. Uh but second, mostly, uh I find the flag to be divisive, as someone else has said here. It's not neutral. I don't believe progressives will fly a Christian flag, you know, if allowed to do so. Uh their record speaks for itself of suing. They sued to kick prayer out of our schools. They sued to kick the Ten Commandments out of the schools. They sued to kick biblical creation out of schools. They pushed and fought for two genders, now go going to 28 plus. They fought for uh uh uh to allow males and females sports and locker rooms.

Uh so uh I don't I I think the uh their their attack on religion in the public square uh it is is evident enough. And it's working. Uh first time in history half of Americans do not go to church. It's never been that low as it is today. To me, the pride flag represents uh this disestablishment of religion from the public square. It's not about validation. They have that like never before in my lifetime with all the hard-fought protected civil rights that that these that these groups have. Again, that's validation. They're asking for affirmation. That's a totally different thing. Validation is law.

Affirmation is a moral choice, and it should not be forced on anyone. I empathize with the community uh in not wanting to be marginalized in the public square. As a Christian, I've lived seeing my faith marginalized bit by bit as I >> 2 minutes. >> It was uh deemed cons- So, all those things I mentioned were deemed constitutional for seven couple hundred years. And all of a sudden now they're not. So, bit by bit I've been marginalized by suing and hard fighting of progressives. Um however, I would do the same thing. I'm fighting hard to put my views into action just as progressives. So, I I get that.

Um I hear that fearing uh that some people fear mental distress from not having the flag. I get that, too. Uh I was not born a Christian. I had to die to myself, die to my pleasures of sex, drugs, and rock and roll, die to what I thought was right, worried about losing friends, and the ostracism that Jesus freaks at that time received, often at my doing before I became a Christian. It was a scary leap of faith to start trusting in Jesus Christ for me to shut up and finally listen to his version of right and wrong, of what love is and how to enjoy life's pleasures in a holy spiritual >> Please wrap up then.

>> guilt-free way. So, yes, I died to myself and that's available to me, to everyone in here. There is hope and it's the year 2026, the year of our Lord. That man certainly did something to change culture. Thank you. >> Up next will be Stephen Farrington. >> Well, thank you very much. Uh my name is Steve. I live here in Webster with my husband. Before I begin, I wanted to just say I think I want to thank especially uh Councilwoman Jen Wright. She was very kind uh in engaging with me a lot over the last couple weeks and I really appreciate her. Uh and I want to say good people can disagree on this issue.

Uh I want to say my my husband grew up in a dictatorship um coming in hot here. Uh he was from Brazil. Uh most of his childhood he had to hide not only who he was, but also what he believed in order to be safe. So, when we were deciding on where to live, we wanted to live in a town that offered a good quality of life, but also we wanted a sense of tolerance and kindness, a place with of good neighbors. Um I want to be clear. I still believe that Webster is, to use our motto, a place where life is worth living. But here, um here are some other things I believe. Although I wasn't expecting it, um I was really delighted when the pride flag went up.

Uh and I really want to thank uh uh Alex for that. Um I also believe it's a fair point that perhaps he should have consulted the board before raising the flag. However, I also believe that as an executive it was his prerogative to do so. Um I and I believe that when it was brought down, I believe it was a slap in the face to the LGBT community. LGBTQ community. I believe it's hard not to It's hard not to interpret the actions of the members to change the rule as anything but homophobic. Um, I believe that at best they were simply trying to diffuse what they saw as a divisive issue, but at worst they were caving to a a minority of of intolerant people.

I believe that Webster is better than this. I believe we can join places like Brighton, Henrietta, and Irondequoit, countless other towns across America who fly who fly both the pride flag and the stars and stripes above. Because we the people includes people like me and my immigrant spouse. Lastly, I believe that Webster residents should vote for people who will stand up to ignore bigots, not cave into them. Um, also a lot of people today have talked about neutrality. I want to end with a quote by Desmond Tutu. If you are If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.

So, neutrality is not good enough. Thank you so much. >> Thank you. Up next is Monica G. It is 3 minutes, Monica. I do have to remind you. >> I know you don't have to remind Don't look at the clock yet, okay? I know. Due to time constraints, I have deleted a considerable amount of my statement and will submit my full statement to be put on record after I speak. Go ahead. You three on the board that I call the gang of three, John, Jennifer, and Dino Garrett, had to have known that you would open a can of worms when you voted to take down the rainbow flag at the very last minute of the last town board meeting as Alex was just about to close the meeting and after the majority of the residents and speakers thanked Alex for raising the flag.

John, as you've done in the past, you've interrupted Alex and said, "Wait, I have something more to say." If you were confident in your motion to remove the flag and put a flag policy forward, why not wait until tonight's meeting and have it on the agenda for residents to be able to respond? In my opinion, I think it was because you knew the outcome would be a failure as has been since the flag has been taken down. The blowback against the removal has been remarkable. I researched how to amend and amend or eliminate a policy that has been adopted. I will pass a copy to each of you to review. I am hoping that Jennifer will reconsider her previous vote and do right by her constituents even though their lifestyle or views may not match hers.

In the past, I have found you to be fair and thoughtful. I'm hoping you will be again. Perhaps there is a way to display the flag to make everyone feel inclusive and heard. Regarding John and Garrett, well, you both have your own self-serving agendas and voters won't forget. You both have displayed disrespect towards Alex time and time again and created discord within the board leading it down a path of division rather than cohesiveness. There seems to be a misconception of regarding the rainbow flag and what it means. I've read statements on the ND app and some other um app apps stating that it is a sex flag and or describes sex in the bedroom.

All I can say is wow and WTF. The ignorance behind The ignorance behind that thought pattern boggles my mind. It has nothing to do with sex in the bedroom or any other room or >> You're at 2 minutes, Monica. >> No, I'm almost done. It stand It amazes me how much straight people think about gay sex more than the gays. >> [laughter] >> Please. >> Um >> Please. >> If that is all you think about, then you all need to get a life and do something productive other than attacking individuals that choose to love whomever they wish. believe you are better than them. So, stick to the fact and if you don't know them, speak to someone that can explain it to you or Google it.

I don't see things as black and white and prefer to live my life with colors that bring brightness and joy to one's life. When I see a rainbow in the sky, I think of a pot of gold at the end of it, and when I see a rainbow flag flying, I see a home that supports a community that is inclusive. My husband and I fly a coexist flag along with the Chevron rainbow flag, which represents inclusiveness of all religions, races, lifestyles of all, and so much more. Time to put your closed-minded views aside and get with the program. We the people stands for everyone. Straight, gay, transgender, binary. Make anti-fascism great again.

>> And that is at 2 minutes 59 seconds {point} 52. That is our closest one yet. I would love to see applause for that, but we have our last person in Mark Storch. Good evening, town board members. I want to thank you all for allowing me the opportunity to speak to everyone this evening. My name is Mark Storch. I'm a combat veteran, and I have proudly been a resident of town of Webster for the past 10 years. I understand that the topic that I'm going to speak about is one that evokes strong opinions and emotions from many members of our community. Regardless of where you may stand on the issue, I believe it is important that all residents of the town of Webster have the opportunity to respectfully express their views.

Tonight, I'm here to share my perspective as both a veteran and a town of Webster resident. Throughout my military service, I had the privilege of serving alongside Americans from every conceivable background. We come from different states, different cultures, different faiths, and different life experiences. Some were religious, some were not. Some were held Some even held beliefs very different from that of my own. But yet, despite those differences, we were able to unite and be by a common purpose and a shared commitment to our country. One of those most powerful symbols that of that unity was, still is, and always will be the American flag.

The American flag represents the more far more than a piece of cloth. It embodies the principles and ideals upon which our great nation was founded. Each of its colors carries significance. The color blue represents vigilance, perseverance, and justice. When I see that blue field behind those 50 stars, I am reminded of the resilience and determination that was demonstrated by generations of Americans who have worked together through times of hardship and uncertainty. The color white represents purity and innocence. It serves as a reminder of all I of the ideals we strive to uphold and the responsibility we all have to pass those values to the future American generations.

The color red represents courage, sacrifice, and valor. I remind It reminds us of the countless men and women who have served our great nation and of those who have unfortunately made the ultimate sacrifice in the defense of freedoms that we all enjoy today. While each person may see something different when they look at that American flag, it remains a symbol that belongs to all of us. It transcends race, religion, political affiliation, gender, and personal beliefs. It represents every citizen of this great nation equally. As a veteran, I believe that the American flag is unique because it serves as our common symbol.

It is displayed above government buildings, honored at public ceremonies, and draped over the caskets of fallen service members because it represents the entirety of the American people. For that reason, I believe that the government spaces should remain focused on symbols that unite all residents rather than those that may be viewed as representing specific political, social, ideological, or special interest causes. While individuals or private organizations are free to express their views and display symbols that are meaningful to them, I believe that our local government should remain centered on symbols that represent every member of our community equally.

My comments this evening are not intended to diminish anyone's beliefs, identity, or right to expression. Rather, they reflect my belief that the role of the government should be to bring people together around the values and principles we all share as Americans and as a residents of the town of Webster. Thank you for your time, your service to our community, and for your and for the opportunity to speak this evening. God bless you, God bless the town of Webster, and God bless the America. Thank you very [cheering] much. >> [applause] >> You were 0.01 seconds off of Monica, unfortunately, at 2 minutes 59 seconds and 0.51.

So, second closest to 3 minutes, but thank you for your service and thank you for your words. Um that would conclude all of our public speaking. I would make a motion to adjourn our meeting. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Aye. >> All opposed?