Village Board minutes — January 20, 2026 (full text)

JANUARY 20, 2026 The Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Hamburg was called to order by Deputy Mayor Paul Gaughan at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 20. 2026 at the Village Hall, 100 Main Street, Hamburg, New York. PRESENT: Paul Gaughan Deputy Mayor Laura Hackathorn Trustee Holly Park Trustee Jeff Davis Trustee Edward J. Murphy, III Village Attorney Jason Cozza Administrator/Clerk-Treasurer Mary McKee Deputy Clerk Marc Shuttleworth Supt. of Public Works Joshua Haeick Recreation Supervisor Richard Schara Police Chief Excused: Thomas P. Tallman Mayor ** PUBLIC HEARING RE: SPECIAL USE PERMIT FOR A BAR/RESTAURANT AT 351 UNION STREET ** Deputy Mayor Gaughan opened the public hearing at 7:01 p.m. Mr. Gaughan asked three times if anyone wanted to speak in favor of the proposed special permit. Joe and Christie Noonan, 2 Scott Street, said they were not necessarily there to speak for or against the proposal, but were looking for more information. Trustee Jeff Davis explained that Hounds and Hops is a combination dog grooming and bar/restaurant business, located in the addition at Clyde’s Feed and Animal Center. Dog grooming is scheduled between 11:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., though it could go as late as 8:00 p.m., with the bar portion open until 10:00 p.m. They will serve beer and wine and light fare cooked on a grill. Mr. Noonan asked if they will be able to change it and start staying open until 2:00 a.m. He also asked if this permit is specifically for the business in that space and if the business was sold would the permit carry over to the new business. Village Attorney Ed Murphy said what they are proposing, with the business to be open until 10:00 p.m., is what they would get approved for. Mr. Murphy said that the permit follows the building so the permit would be valid for the next business owner, but it would be restricted to that square footage and that specific business. If a different type of business came in, they would have to reapply. Also, if the premises is vacated for a year or longer, any new business would also have to reapply. Mrs. Noonan asked about the notification and approval/denial process. She said some of her neighbors did not receive a notice. Mr. Murphy explained that the Town of Hamburg provides a list of properties within 300’ of the applicant property using the GIS system, but it only includes village parcels. The properties on Wright Place she mentioned are all in the town. Mr. Murphy also explained that generally the board holds the public hearing and then votes on it at the next meeting. In this case, Erie County review is required and they have 30 days to respond. If the Village does not get a response before the next meeting (February 2) they may wait on making the decision. Mrs. Noonan said they previously lived next door to the West End and felt there were issues with people coming out of the establishment late at night. She had concerns that that would be the case with this business. She noted that she could see that the bar was put in when the addition was built. Mr. Murphy said it was not included in the initial plans submitted to the Village, and as soon as they were made aware of it, Code Enforcement started the permit process. Mr. Murphy also noted that the permit is good for one 76

JANUARY 20, 2026 year and is revocable. He suggested the Noonans, or anyone else, put their concerns in writing. Mr. Noonan said they were not here to be a “no,” they were just looking for information. Deputy Mayor Gaughan asked if anyone else wanted to speak for or against the proposed special permit. Hearing nothing further, the hearing was closed at 7:18 p.m. 1. MOTION by Trustee Hackathorn, seconded by Trustee Davis, to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees held on Monday, January 5, 2026. AYES: Four NAYS: None CARRIED PUBLIC EXPRESSION: None this evening. CORRESPONDENCE: None this evening. TRUSTEE MOTIONS: 2. MOTION by Trustee Hackathorn, seconded by Trustee Davis, to hold a Public Hearing on Monday, February 2, 2026 at 7:00 P.M. at Village Hall, 100 Main Street, Hamburg, NY 14075 regarding Local Law #1 of 2026 to override the tax levy limit established in General Municipal Law 3-c. Copies of the proposed law will be available in the Clerk-Treasurer’s office at Village Hall beginning January 23, 2026. AYES: Four NAYS: None CARRIED 3. MOTION by Trustee Park, seconded by Trustee Hackathorn, that Troy Zamrok, 14 Butler Drive, Lancaster, NY 14086, shall serve as a student intern in the Clerk Treasurer’s Office and shall hereby be appointed to the position of Clerk-Typist PT Seasonal at a rate of $16.00 per hour effective January 21, 2026, contingent upon a satisfactory background check. AYES: Four NAYS: None CARRIED 4. MOTION by Trustee Park, seconded by Trustee Hackathorn, to authorize the appointment of Sally Leyda, 25 Buffalo Street, Hamburg from the position of Substitute School Crossing Guard PT, to School Crossing Guard PT, retroactive to January 5, 2026, with a daily rate of $ 30.30 and a probationary period of six months from the date of this appointment. AYES: Four NAYS: None CARRIED 5. MOTION by Trustee Davis, seconded by Trustee Park, to declare the following fixed assets as surplus and authorize the disposal of said fixed assets: Police Dept.: Asset #64 – 2004 Ford Expedition Asset #92 – 2007 Ford Expedition Asset #115 – 2016 Ford Explorer 77

JANUARY 20, 2026 Clerk-Treasurer Dept: Asset #737 – Work Surface Desk Asset #741 – 24 x 48” Desk Asset #1173 – 24” Filing Cabinet Asset #735 – 24” Filing Cabinet Asset #2177 – Desktop Printer Asset #1788 – Digital Calculator AYES: Four NAYS: None CARRIED 6. MOTION by Trustee Hackathorn, seconded by Trustee Davis, to authorize the payment of the Village of Hamburg Accounts for the period ending January 20, 2026. GENERAL FUND…………………………………..............................$ 82,950.89 CAPITAL FUND ………………………………………………………..22,312.00 TRUST & AGENCY FUND……………………………..…..…….......297,962.58 TOTAL ALL FUNDS ………………………………..…………...$403,225.47 AYES: Four NAYS: None CARRIED 7. MOTION by Trustee Davis, seconded by Trustee Park, WHEREAS, the Village of Hamburg Board of Trustees received a report from Code Enforcement Officer Dave Rice dated January 8, 2026, that the building located at 50 Lake Street, owned by Mark Wierzbicki, is a danger to the life, health, property or safety of the public and inhabitants of the building; and WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees has reviewed said report and discussed it with the Code Enforcement Officer and have determined that the report cites conditions that are dangerous and unsafe to the occupants and the public; and NOW, THERFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees orders the Code Enforcement Officer to serve notice to Mark Wierzbicki that the building at 50 Lake Street is dangerous and in need of repair, and further orders that the building shall be demolished if it is not repaired, subject to the conditions set forth in the notice. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Mark Wierzbicki shall appear before the Board of Trustees for a hearing at Village Hall, 100 Main Street, Hamburg, New York on Monday, February 2, 2026 at 7:30 p.m. AYES: Four NAYS: None CARRIED STAFF REPORTS: Police Dept.: Nothing to report this evening. 78

JANUARY 20, 2026 Department of Public Works: DPW Superintendent Marc Shuttleworth said he and his crew are working on clearing sidewalks. Recreation Dept.: Recreation Supervisor Josh Haeick wanted to thank his staff, the volunteers and of course the public for another successful MLK Day Food Drive. They collected more than 9600 pounds of food this year. FURTHER PUBLIC EXPRESSION: Trustee Park also wanted to thank Josh and his staff and all of the volunteers for another amazing effort on the food drive. The next Work Session of the Board of Trustees will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, February 2, 2026. The next Regular Meeting of the Board will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, February 2, 2026. These meetings are open to the press and public The meeting was adjourned at 7:24 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Mary McKee Mary McKee Deputy Clerk 79