Southtowns Record

Planning Board minutes — January 15, 2026

Government
Town of Marilla
Board
Planning Board
Meeting
Jan 15, 2026
Kind
Minutes
Topics
Zoning and land use, Public safety

Publisher's summary

Added by hand from the Town of Marilla's public DocuWare minutes search.

Original document

Text · page 3 of 4

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by vote of the Planning Board on 5/21/2026) the Board discovered the organization was PATH
  (People Against Trafficking Humans) and that Julie Palmer was the Executive Director and
  Founder of the PATH Enrichment Center. This in fact was the organization seeking to reside at
  the 11411 Stolle Road property. Chad Rush, a board member of the organization, addressed the
  Board stating why there was cautiousness around the name of the organization given the
  confidential nature of the organization. Mr. Rush confirmed the organization was PATH. Mr.
  Romanowski stated that PATH has a facility located at Broadway in Depew. Board members
  questioned why the name of the organization was not disclosed from the start. Wendy
  Schoenwetter and Debbie Zimmerman discussed the increase in traffic in the area and Mr.
  Romanowski stated he would report back to the Board on that. Max Strasser asked what services
  would be provided to the women in the house and Mr. Romanowski stated he would report those
  details back to the Board at a future date. Chairman Schoenwetter stated it was difficult to make
  any recommendations without knowing what services would be provided to the women onsite
  and offsite, including partner organizations. Shawn Slammon stated through his research and as
  a matter of public record, the Hein Foundation has been denied entry into other communities.
  Max Strasser asked Mr. Romanowski whether PATH or the Hein Foundation had approached
  West Seneca regarding property there. Mr. Romanowski was not sure if that had been done and
  stated he would report back to the Board regarding that question. Shawn Slammon asked if the
  foundation would carry liability insurance to cover anything that may or may not happen to the
  residents and/or their property near the house. Mr. Romanowski stated he would have to
  investigate whether there was insurance of that nature and report back to the Board. Mr.
  Romanowski stated the residents of the house will be from the Western New York area. Cari
  Jaroslawsky asked Mr. Romanowski approximately how many houses PATH has across the
  country. Mr. Rush responded this would be the first residential home in the Western New York
  area for this organization. Mr. Rush stated they would provide information regarding other
  facilities that do the same things at different scales. They have resources, connections and
  relationships with them and they are all over the East Coast. He stated this was not the first type
  of investment for the Hein Foundation. Deb Mamon asked if they would have supervision 24/7.
  Mr. Romanowski stated there would be some sort of supervision, specifically the four staff
  members there during the day. There would be one guard at night. Shawn Slammon confirmed
  at night the facility would be relying on local law enforcement and emergency services. Mr.
  Romanowski stated potentially this would be the case although earlier in the meeting, he had
  stated the group is more than adequately funded to support themselves. Max Strasser asked if
  the property would ever be considered tax exempt. Mr. Romanowski stated the property would
  not be considered tax exempt as per agreement with the Zoning Board of Appeals.

  Mr. Romanowski stated he would prepare something in writing, answering all the questions
  presented by the Board.

  Supervisor Gingerich stated the senior group in Marilla are outraged at the idea of this house. He
  stated it was brought to his attention in December that the organization in question was PATH.

IV.  New Business

  None.

V.  Old Business

  None.

VI.  CEO Report