Town Board minutes — January 14, 2026 (full text)

January 14, 2026 MINUTES REGULAR MEETING – EDEN TOWN BOARD 2795 E Church St. Eden, NY 14057 January 14, 2026 at 6:00 P.M. – Executive Session 6:30 P.M. – Regular Meeting This meeting was held in­person and virtually through GoToMeeting.com. The meeting link was made available to the public prior to the meeting. TOWN BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: RICHARD VENTRY ­ SUPERVISOR SUSAN WILHELM ­ COUNCILMEMBER VINCENT VACCO ­ COUNCILMEMBER TIMOTHY WALKER ­ COUNCILMEMBER MICHAEL BYRNES ­ COUNCILMEMBER OTHERS PRESENT: Emily Hawkins ­ Town Clerk Marlene Grunder ­ Administrative Assistant to the Supervisor Lisa Winter ­ Bookkeeper Ron Maggs ­ Highway Superintendent Bill Trask ­ Town Counsel Pledge of Allegiance The meeting was opened at 6:00 PM #1­2026: MOTION was made by Supervisor Ventry to enter Executive Session for a discussion regarding the bulding department; seconded by Councilmember Byrnes; Ayes: All; Opposed: None; Abstain: None; Motion carried. #2­2026: MOTION was made by Supervisor Ventry to close Executive Session and enter the Regular Meeting; seconded by Councilmember Wilhelm; Ayes: All; Opposed: None; Abstain: None; Motion carried. The meeting was opened at 6:31 PM. Approval of Minutes: #3­2026: MOTION was made by Councilmember Vacco to accept the minutes of December 12, 2025 and December 29, 2025, as written; seconded by Councilmember Walker; Ayes: All; Opposed: None; Abstain: None; Motion carried. Budget Transfers: From To Account Account Reason for Amendment Amount A6989.4 A1910.4 Budget Adjustment $9,267.55 Other Economic Assistance Unallocated Insurance D2770 D5130.4 Budget Amendment $2,418.00 Unclassified Revenue Machinery Contractual Revenue Recovery Funds A1640 A899.1 in excess of what budgeted $33,916.84 Ambulance Charges Restricted EMS to Revenue recovery Reserve A2610 A3120.1 Budget Amendment $7,700.00 Fines & Forfeited Bail Police Personal A3620.1 A1355.1 Budget Amendment $7,600.00 Safety Inspection Personal Assessor Personal A1220.1 A1410.1 Budget Amendment $1,172.00 Supervisor Personal Town Clerk Personal A1990.4 A1680.4 Upgrades $2,100.00 Contingent Fund Central Data Processing A7140.1 A7310.4 Upgrades $2,000.00 1

January 14, 2026 Playground & Rec Personal Youth Contractual Assign from A6772.4 to Assigned non Rec $355.00 2025 Senior Driver Thank You A915.6 Assigned Non Rec to A1620.4 UPS Back Up Batteries and Installation $6155.00 A899.1 Revenue Recovery to A4540.4 Ambulance $10,000.00 #4­2026: MOTION was made by Councilmember Walker to approve the Budget Transfers as listed; seconded by Councilmember Vacco; Ayes: All; Opposed: None; Abstain: None; Motion carried. for January 14, 2026 A7110.1 A1620.1 Building Maintenance Stipend $1,040.00 Parks & Grounds ­ Personal Town Hall Personal SW2140 SW8320.401 Establish Wepax Water $2,900.00 Maintenance ­ Wepax Wepax Water Revenue Water Budget Lines SW2140 SW8320.402 Establish Wepax Water $2,300.00 Wepax Water Revenue Wepax Water ­Farnham Budget Lines SM5031 SM917 Partial Transfer of Rev. Recovery Funds $100,000.00 Transfer In ­ Ambulance District Unassigned Fund Balance to Ambulance District A899.1 Restricted EMS to Transfer Out A9950.9 Partial Transfer of Funds to New Ambulance District $100,000.00 #5­2026: MOTION was made by Councilmember Byrnes to approve the Budget Transfers as listed; seconded by Councilmember Vacco; Ayes: All; Opposed: None; Abstain: None; Motion carried. Audit of Bills: 2025 Payables FUND DESCRIPTION VOUCHER NUMBERS AMOUNT General 898­927 $67,976.63 Fire 329­341 $3,386.20 Recreation 166­167 $375.45 Street Lights 47­49 $2,380.67 Highway 351­358 $22,461.57 January 2026 FUND DESCRIPTION VOUCHER NUMBERS AMOUNT General 1­23 $35,132.13 Fire 1­7 $24,173.68 Recreation 1­2 $399.90 Water NA Street Lights NA Refuse NA Highway 1­12 $24,619.87 Ambulance 1­6 $7,900.53 #6­2026: MOTION was made by Councilmember Byrnes to approve the Audit of Bills as listed; seconded by Councilmember Vacco; Ayes: All; Opposed: None; Abstain: None; Motion carried. Departmental Reports: Department reports for the month of December were submitted by Rick Kirst, East Eden Fire Chief; Malcolm VanKoughnett, Eden Fire Chief; Robert Lazarczyk, Eden Police Chief; Nicholas Blasz, Dog Control Officer; Glenn Christner, Code Enforcement Officer; Drew Reidel; Recreation Director, and Emily Hawkins, Town Clerk. All Department Reports are available to the public and on file in the Town Clerk’s office. Committee Reports: Public Comment on Agenda Items Only: None New and Unfinished Business: 1. Designate Delegate and Alternate for AOT Meeting: 2

January 14, 2026 #7­2026: MOTION was made by Councilmember Walker to designate Richard Ventry as delegate and Susan Wilhelm as alternate for the 2026 Business Session of the Association of Towns of the State of New York; seconded by Councilmember Byrnes; Ayes: All; Opposed: None; Abstain: None; Motion carried. 2. Agreement to Spend Highway Funds: #8­2026: MOTION was made by Councilmember Wilhelm to approve the agreement to spend as presented; seconded by Councilmember Byrnes; Ayes: All; Opposed: None; Abstain: None; Motion carried. 3. Revise Scot Christiansen’s Retirement Date: #9­2026: MOTION was made by Supervisor Ventry to amend the retirement date of Scot Christiansen to 3/30/2026; seconded by Councilmember Wilhelm; Ayes: All; Opposed: None; Abstain: None; Motion carried. 4. Resignation of Part­Time Police Officer: The Town Board recognized the resignation of Daniel Welch effective October 22, 2025, with gratitude for his service. 5. Resignation of Part­Time Police Officer: The Town Board recognized the resignation of Carl Lograsso effective October 17, 2025, with gratitude for his service. 6. Resignation of Part­Time Code Enforcement Office, Dave Rice: The Town Board recognized the resignation of Dave Rice effective January 1, 2026, with gratitude for his service. 7. Intermunicipal Agreement with Town of Evans for Mutual Aid Services for Code Enforcement Officer: #10­2026: MOTION was made by Supervisor Ventry to approve the Intermunicipal Agreement between the Town of Eden and the Town of Evans for Mutual Aid Services for Code Enforcement Officer effective 1/1/2026 through 12/31/2026; seconded by Councilmember Wilhelm; Ayes: All; Opposed: None; Abstain: None; Motion carried. 8. Consultant for the Farmland Protection Plan Grant: #11­2026: MOTION was made by Councilmember Walker to approve CPL to provide professional services to oversee and coordinate an update to the Town’s 2008 Agricultural and Farmland Protection Plan in an amount not to exceed $28,600; seconded by Councilmember Wilhelm; Ayes: All; Opposed: None; Abstain: None; Motion carried. 9. HELPS Resolution: HELPS PROGRAM RESOLUTION Whereas, The Town of Eden board has the authority to manage the Town of Eden Personnel efficiently and effectively in accordance with applicable laws, rules, regulations, and collective bargaining agreements, including New York State Civil Service Laws and the Erie County Rules for the Classified Service; and Whereas, New York State Civil Service Commission has developed and the Erie County Personnel Department has adopted the NYS HELPS (Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide) program, which allows for the inclusion of titles where qualified individuals may be appointed to a non­competitive version of a competitive title in order to gain permanent status without competitive examination and upon completion of a necessary probationary term be 3

January 14, 2026 placed in the competitive class without further exam; and Whereas, Erie County has recommended that the below resolve clause regarding the appointment process be approved to allow the Town of Eden to appropriately utilize the NYS Helps program in its most efficient form so as not to delay the ability of employees hired through the program to gain permanent status. Now therefore be it resolved, that any individual appointed by this honorable body prior to or going forward which is afforded the opportunity to utilize the NYS Helps program, as approved and administered by The County of Erie, shall be, without further approval of this body, appropriately placed where possible into said program and upon completion of the minimum probationary term of the position and the requirements as outlined/approved by Erie County Civil Service, be afforded the rights of that of a competitive class appointment without further exam or approval by this body. #12­2026: MOTION was made by Supervisor Ventry to approve the resolution as presented; seconded by Councilmember Wilhelm; Ayes: All; Opposed: None; Abstain: None; Motion carried. 10. EMS Billing Rates: Level of Service Current Rates Recommended rates Basic Life Support­ E/NE $1,400 $1,600 Advanced Life Support­ $1,900 $2,100 E/NE Advanced Life Support­2 $2,400 $2,600 P/I $1,050 $1,100 Mileage $40/mile $45/mile Treat and Release $500 $550 #12­2026: MOTION was made by Supervisor Ventry to approve the rate changes for EMS Services as presented; seconded by Councilmember Wilhelm; Ayes: All; Opposed: None; Abstain: None; Motion carried. 11. Ambulance Contract: #13­226: MOTION was made by Supervisor Ventry to approve the agreement between the Town of Eden and the Eden Emergency Squad, Inc. for Emergency Ambulance Service in the Town of Eden effective 1/1/2026 through 12/31/2026.; seconded by Councilmember Wilhelm; Ayes: All; Opposed: None; Abstain: None; Motion carried. 12. Set Public Hearing: #14­2026: MOTION was made by Supervisor Ventry to set the public hearing for proposed Local Law 1­2026 Establishing a new date for meetings of the Board of Assessment Review pursuant to Real Property Tax Law Section 512.1­a for February 11, 2026 at 6:30PM.; seconded by Councilmember Byrnes; Ayes: All; Opposed: None; Abstain: None; Motion carried. #15­2026: MOTION was made by Supervisor Ventry to enter the Hearing for the Order to Remove or Repair the Unsafe Building at 2520 Hemlock Road.; seconded by Councilmember Byrnes; Ayes: All; Opposed: None; Abstain: None; Motion carried. 4

January 14, 2026 The Hearing was opened at 7:00 P.M. Attorney Trask ask if there was anyone present that represents 2620 Hemlock Road that would like to come forward and address the Town Board. There was no one present. Glenn Christner, Code Enforcement Officer, confirmed that proper notice was served and those records would be maintained. #16­2026: MOTION was made by Councilmember Wilhelm to close the Hearing and open the Regular Meeting.; seconded by Councilmember Walker; Ayes: All; Opposed: None; Abstain: None; Motion carried. 13. East Eden Fire – Permission to Take Fire Apparatus Out of Town: #17­2026: MOTION was made by Supervisor Ventry to approve East Eden Fire Department to take their apparatus out of the town, within 100 miles, for mutual aid calls, training, funerals, parades, etc. for the year 2026 at the discretion of the chief or officer in charge; Seconded by Councilmember Walker; Ayes: All; Opposed: None; Abstain: None; Motion carried. 14. Eden Fire – Approval of 2026 Officers: #18­2026: MOTION was made by Councilmember Wilhelm to approve the 2026­line officers for Eden Fire; seconded by Councilmember Byrnes; Ayes: All; Opposed: None; Abstain: None; Motion carried. 15. Eden Fire – Permission to Take Fire Apparatus out of Town: #19­2026: MOTION was made by Supervisor Ventry to approve Eden Fire Departments to take their apparatus out of the town, within 100 miles, for mutual aid calls, training, funerals, parades, etc. for the year 2026 at the discretion of the chief or officer in charge; Seconded by Councilmember Wilhelm; Ayes: All; Opposed: None; Abstain: None; Motion carried. 16. Eden Fire – Remove 3 Fireman from Roster: Christopher Greeley, Matthew Szal, and Jason Henry to be removed from the active roster with gratitude for their service. 17. Set Public Hearing for Proposed Local Law Imposing a Moratorium on New Applications for Commercial Solar Uses: #20­2026: MOTION was made by Supervisor Ventry to set the Public Hearing for proposed Local Law 2­2026 imposing a moratorium on issuing or processing new applications for siting and developing commercial solar uses in the Town of Eden for February 11, 2026 at 6:45 PM; Seconded by Councilmember Walker; Ayes: Ventry, Walker, Byrnes, Wilhelm; Opposed: None; Abstain: Vacco; Motion carried. 18. Declare a Dell Monitor Surplus: #21­2026: MOTION was made by Supervisor Ventry to declare a Dell Monitor S/N CN­0F779N­74261­06M­ 114H surplus and dispose of as deemed necessary; Seconded by Councilmember Walker; Ayes: All; Opposed: None; Abstain: None; Motion carried. 19. Agreement with LaBella: #22­2026: MOTION was made by Supervisor Ventry to approve the agreement with LaBella for Engineering and Planning Consulting Services from 1/1/2026 through 12/31/2026; Seconded by Councilmember Wilhelm; Ayes: All; Opposed: None; Abstain: None; Motion carried. 20. Set Bid Opening: #23­2026: MOTION was made by Supervisor Ventry to set bid opening date for the Replacement of Larkin Road 5

January 14, 2026 Culvert over Franklin Gulf for February 12, 2026 at 2:30pm in the Town Clerk’s office. This will be advertised in the Hamburg Sun and NYS Contract Reporter; Seconded by Councilmember Wilhelm; Ayes: All; Opposed: None; Abstain: None; Motion carried. 21. Special Use Permit for Telecommunication Tower at 8635 East Eden Road: #24­2026: MOTION was made by Supervisor Ventry to approve the Special Use Permit for Crown Castle/ Donald Mammoser for a telecommunication tower at 8635 East Eden Road, subject to existing conditions, for one year expiring on December 31, 2026; Seconded by Councilmember Wilhelm; Ayes: All; Opposed: None; Abstain: None; Motion carried. Supervisor’s Report Hearing of Visitors #25­2026: MOTION was made by Supervisor Ventry to adjourn the meeting and enter Executive Session for Police Personal; seconded by Councilmember Wilhelm; Ayes: All; Opposed: None; Abstain: None; Motion carried. Adjournment: 7:15 PM Respectfully submitted by, Emily Hawkins, Town Clerk 6