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Village of Blasdell MEETING MINUTES April 6, 2026 The Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees was called to order at 4:39PM by Mayor Hefner. PRESENT: Mayor Hefner, Trustee Fox, Trustee Murphy, Trustee Drzal and Trustee Castiglia. Resolved by Trustee Fox, seconded by Trustee Drzal to approve the Minutes from the March 18, 2026 Budget Adoption and the March 18, 2026 Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees. Carried 5-0 FINANCE Resolved by Trustee Drzal, seconded by Trustee Murphy to pay the bills as audited. Carried 5-0 DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS Village Clerk – Summer Lunch Program, Brush Collection, CDBG MAYORS REPORT Mayor Hefner hopes everyone had a good Easter. Mayor Hefner then stated how all the bands for the 2026 Blasdell Summer Concert Series have been booked. He then wanted to thank the Blasdell Police Department for stepping up their patrol in Blasdell. TRUSTEES REPORTS Trustee Murphy Trustee Murphy said he is looking forward to working with Big Tree. Trustee Castiglia Trustee Castiglia stated that Spring is here, and he wants everyone to beware of kids on bikes and children playing. Trustee Castiglia then announced that the Hometown Hero application for a banner is at Village Hall, Thomas Tehan Post and AMVETS post 897. He also added that banners are $175.00 and once banners are made, they will continue to be put up every year. Trustee Drzal Trustee Drzal stressed to watch for kids on bikes and to watch for motorcycles. He then thanked all the departments in the Village of Blasdell for all that they do. Trustee Fox Trustee Fox reported he is also looking forward to working with Big Tree. NEW BUSINESS Resolved by Trustee Murphy, seconded by Trustee Fox to approve a $75.00 monthly cellphone stipend for the Officer in Charge of the Blasdell Police Department, the Interim Village Clerk and Village Treasurer for the 2026-2027 Fiscal Year Carried 5-0 Resolved by Trustee Fox, seconded by Trustee Drzal authorizing a stipend of $7.50 per hour for Molly Hogan for Interim Clerk duties. Carried 5-0 Resolved by Trustee Murphy, seconded by Trustee Drzal authorizing a stipend of $5.00 per hour for Karen Pirowski for additional duties in the office. Carried 5-0 Resolved by Trustee Fox, seconded by Trustee Drzal to approve the Village purchasing policy for the 2026 – 2027 Fiscal Year. Carried 5-0 Resolved by Trustee Drzal, seconded by Trustee Murphy to accept the resignation of Thomas Zak from the position of part-time police officer effective March 20, 2026. Carried 5-0 Resolved by Trustee Fox, seconded by Trustee Drzal to accept the resignation of Chris Climenhaga from the position of part-time police officer effective April 1, 2026. Carried 5-0 Resolved by Trustee Murphy, seconded by Trustee Drzal to hire Nicholas Farley as a summer laborer effective April 20, 2026. Carried 5-0 Resolved by Trustee Fox, seconded by Trustee Drzal to appoint David Wojtasik to the position of part-time police officer effective April 7, 2026. Carried 5-0 Resolved by Trustee Drzal, seconded by Trustee Fox to appoint Tyler Baker to the position of part-time police officer effective April 6, 2026. Carried 5-0 Resolved by Trustee Fox, seconded by Trustee Murphy to authorize the Mayor to execute an agreement by and between the Village of Blasdell and Wendel WD Architecture, Engineering, Surveying & Landscape Architecture, P.C. for Survey, Design, Bid and Construction Administration for the Labelle Avenue Infrastructure and Road Projects at a cost not to exceed $39,890.00. Carried 5-0 Resolved by Trustee Drzal, seconded by Trustee Murphy to adopt the following resolution: BE IT RESOLVED, that the Village of Blasdell Board of Trustees hereby establishes the following standard work days for these titles and report the officials to the New York State and Local Retirement based on their record of activities: Mayor - 8 hours standard work day, Village Attorney – 8-hour standard work day, Village Prosecutor – 8-hour standard work day, Village Trustees – 8-hour standard workday. Carried 5 – 0 Resolved by Trustee Drzal, seconded by Trustee Fox to adopt the following resolution: WHEREAS, the Village of Blasdell entered into a three-year contract with the Big Tree Volunteer Fire Company on April 1, 2023: and WHEREAS, that three-year contract is due to expire on April 30, 2026; and WHEREAS, the Village of Blasdell desires to enter into a one-year contract term with the Big Tree Volunteer Fire Company, Inc., to enable the Fire Company to provide fire protection services for the residents of the Village of Blasdell for a one-year term ending on April 30, 2027; and WHEREAS, the Village of Blasdell and the Big Tree Volunteer Fire Company, Inc., have prepared a contract for the one-year term outlining the reciprocal duties and rights of the parties to that agreement; WHEREAS, that agreement is deemed by the Mayor and the Village Board of Trustees of the Village of Blasdell to be in the best interests of the people of the Blasdell to secure for their benefit comprehensive fire protection and emergency services incident thereto for the contract term above mentioned; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Blasdell having reviewed the contract, and having determined that it is fair and reasonable in all of its provisions, authorize the Mayor to enter into the one-year contract term on behalf of the Village of Blasdell with the Big Tree Volunteer Fire Company and upon the approval of the Town Board of the Town of Hamburg; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of the contract draft approved by the Village Board shall be appended to this resolution, as a reference, but not incorporated therein. Roll Call Vote: Trustee Murphy- yes, Trustee Fox- yes, Trustee Drzal- yes, Trustee Castiglia-yes and Mayor Hefner- yes. Carried 5-0 Resolved by Trustee Drzal, seconded by Trustee Fox to adopt the following resolution: WHEREAS, the Village Board of Trustees of the Village of Blasdell have conducted a public hearing with respect to the issue of whether the Village of Blasdell shall be permitted to merge its Volunteer Fire Department into the adjacent Fire Protection District maintained by the Big Tree Volunteer Fire Company, Inc.; and WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees has considered input from the public and has duly considered ramifications of a contemplated merger, as above-referenced; and WHEREAS, the Village of Blasdell acknowledges that the declining enrollment of active volunteer firefighters renders it impossible for the Village to maintain its own independent volunteer fire department and meet basic fire protection needs throughout the Village pertaining to Village residential, commercial and industrial properties, along with protection for the life, safety and general wellbeing of its citizens; and RESOLVED, the Village Board of Trustees of the Village of Blasdell respectfully requests that State Senator Gallivan of the New York State Senate and Assemblyman Rivera of the New York State Assembly Co-Sponsor Enabling Legislation, which upon its adoption shall be forwarded to the Governor for her review and consideration; and be it further BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Village Board of Trustees humbly requests that if such Enabling Legislation is duly adopted that the Governor of the State of New York shall expediently sign said Legislation to enable the merger and to continue the outstanding fire protection and emergency services that the Village of Blasdell has received in the last three years and throughout its history. Roll Call Vote: Trustee Murphy- yes, Trustee Fox- yes, Trustee Drzal- yes, Trustee Castiglia- yes and Mayor Hefner- yes Carried 5-0 Resolved by Trustee Murphy, seconded by Trustee Fox to declare the following items as surplus equipment and hereby authorizes the Board of Trustees to dispose of properly: 30 sets of turn out gear from the Blasdell Volunteer Fire Department. Carried 5-0 Resolved by Trustee Fox, seconded by Trustee Drzal to declare the 1993 American Lafrance Pumper Truck Vin ending in 17734 as surplus and advertise for sale. Carried 5-0 Resolved by Trustee Drzal, seconded by Trustee Castiglia to declare the 2002 Elgin Whirlwind Street Sweeper Serial ID MV-0263-S as surplus and advertise for sale. Carried 5-0 Regularly moved, seconded and carried to adjourn at 4:58pm Submitted by: _____________________________________________ Molly Hogan, Village Clerk