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Town of Aurora | Town Board Meeting | March 23, 2026 That tax burden does not disappear, it is shifted to other taxpayers, while schools and local governments still need the same funding for roads, schools, police, and other services. As a real estate broker in this area for 30 years, he feels it’s important to note that the sale between the Wendt Foundation and Douglas Jemal was a private transaction between familiar parties. It was not publicly listed or exposed to the open market, and no other buyers had the chance to compete. In his opinion, it did not reflect true market value and likely would have brought a significantly higher price if publicly marketed. It is also important to note that while some parts of the campus, including the chapel, were previously tax exempt, other properties, Mr. Thompson said, including the Roycroft Inn, were fully taxable and had long carried similar publicly known assessments before Mr. Jemal purchased them. Those assessments were challenged only after the sale. The changes are dramatic. The 461 Main Street lot, once assessed like the neighboring law office lot, is now valued more like a small unbuildable parcel. The 7,200 square foot building at 26 S. Grove is now assessed more like a 950 square foot home. The 40,000 square foot Roycroft Inn, once assessed alongside major commercial properties like the Olean Street Medical Center and the large Garmin estate on Mill Road, is now valued more like a small business, with Rosie’s Ice Cream paying 92% of the taxes the Inn pays. The 6,000 square foot chapel is now assessed below more than 5,000 properties in the Town of Aurora. Mr Thompson respects the historic importance of the Roycroft campus and the challenges of maintaining it. But this settlement raises broader concerns. It gives a substantial tax reduction to a single private, for-profit owner without a transparent public process or legislative review. If preservation relief was the goal, that discussion should have happened openly with input from the town, village, school district, county, and the public. It also sets a concerning precedent by raising the possibility that other below-market private sales could lead to similar challenges and further shift the tax burden onto other property owners. He urged residents and board members to ask questions and seek clarity about how and why this decision occurred. Transparency and public engagement are essential when decisions of this size affect the entire community. Afterward, Supervisor Snyder said a return phone call was owed and offered a meeting with Assessor Steve Pigeon, Town Attorney Brigid Maloney, and himself. Mr. Thompson accepted, while noting he would have preferred the chance to raise these concerns beforehand. Evan Roden, Town resident, on the note of the Roycroft assessment case, indicated surprise that the Roycroft is worth that little and felt that it has been poorly run and the owners aren’t focusing on ensuring the Roycroft is an accessible community resource. Some of the practices around funding mechanisms as an event venue benefit the back office, not the wait staff, Mr. Roden said. He believes the new non-optional 20% gratuity fee on all purchases is illegal under New York State law and has brought this to the attention of the state. He proposed the Town purchase the property for $200,000 and use it as a recurring revenue source for the public good, mentioning other towns have some similar things with historic sites. STAFF REPORTS: Police Chief Welch reported: 1. New police officer Alex Pierce, originally from East Aurora, started March 16 2. Three recently hired part-time dispatchers undergoing training and doing well 3. Officers attended trainings for mental health and drug related overdoses in February 4. Public Reminder: burn brush ban until May 14 5. Visited two local cannabis shops to check operations and security; appear up to snuff 6. Public Reminder: Annual Bunny Hop 10 AM-12 PM on April 4; Beech and portions of Mill Rd to Sweet Rd closed 7. FYI to Board: Town resident petitioned the village board for a 4-way stop sign at Center and South Streets; village board passed resolution to do a traffic study Planning Board Chairman Crow addressed voting quorum related to the referral of 1196 Big Tree Road back to the Planning Board. In discussions with Code Enforcement Officer Cassidy, he’s working to have full attendance of the seven board members to make formal recommendations about the Special Use Permit and Site Plan applications for the Town Board and will only add it to the agenda once all seven confirm; May Planning Board meeting anticipated. Councilmember Armbrust moved to adjourn at 7:38 PM and it was Action #115 Meeting seconded by Councilmember McCann. Upon a vote being taken: ayes – adjourned four, noes – none. Motion carried. Jeanne H. Viger Town Clerk 11