Village Board minutes — March 2, 2026 (full text)

MARCH 2, 2026 The Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Hamburg was called to order by Mayor Thomas P. Tallman at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, March 2, 2026 at the Village Hall, 100 Main Street, Hamburg, New York. PRESENT: Thomas P. Tallman Mayor Paul Gaughan Deputy Mayor Laura Hackathorn Trustee Jeff Davis Trustee Holly Park Trustee Edward J. Murphy, III Village Attorney Jason Cozza Administrator/Clerk-Treasurer Mary McKee Deputy Clerk Marc Shuttleworth Supt. of Public Works Richard Schara Police Chief Excused: Joshua Haeick Recreation Supervisor PUBLIC HEARING RE: 2026-2027 TENTATIVE BUDGET The public hearing was called to order by Mayor Tallman at 7:01 p.m. Village Administrator and Budget Director Jason Cozza presented a summary of the 2026-2027 Tentative Budget. The budget consists of the General Fund, Sewer Fund and Capital Fund. The General Fund is the largest, with appropriations of $13,512,032 and funds all Village personnel, operations and debt-related expenditures. This year’s tentative budget includes a proposed tax rate of $24.78/$1000 of valuation, a 3.98% increase over the current tax rate. Mr. Cozza cited the size and scope of the current Water System Consolidation Project and the debt obligations of this long-term capital improvement to the Village’s water system, as the source of the greatest percentage of increase in this year’s budget. After the water tower is completed this fall, the Village will turn the water system over to the County and no longer have the liability or financial responsibility for maintenance and capital improvements. Rylee Noonan, 68 Henderson Place expressed concern with some of the costs in the budget. She also noted that while the amenities like a new concession stand at Legion Field is nice, she does not have children and does not utilize that facility. Christie Noonan, 2 Scott Street, is a real estate trying to bring people into the Village. She said she runs into difficulty at times when she has to disclose the tax increases. She asked about the budget process. Sue McEwen, 285 Lake Street also had questions about the budget and the budget process. Paul Carlo, 148 N. Street, asked if there was any talk of consolidating police departments with the Town. Mayor Tallman said that subject was discussed and voted on in a public referendum a number of years ago and the people voted to keep the Village Police Department. The Mayor asked 3 times if anyone else had any other questions or comments regarding the budget. Hearing nothing further, the public hearing was closed at 7:52 p.m. TRUSTEE MOTIONS: 1. MOTION by Trustee Hackathorn, seconded by Trustee Davis, to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees held on Tuesday, February 17, 2026. 89

MARCH 2, 2026 AYES: Five NAYS: None CARRIED 2. MOTION by Trustee Hackathorn, seconded by Trustee Davis, RESOLUTION SUPPORTING INCREASED AID TO MUNICIPALITIES AND STRENGTHENING NEW YORK’S STATE-LOCAL PARTNERSHIP WHEREAS, Governor Kathy Hochul released her 30-day amendments to the Executive Budget, which include an additional $100 million in Temporary Municipal Assistance (TMA) to be allocated in the same manner as in the past two years; and WHEREAS, these additional investments reflect a recognition that New York’s strength begins in its cities, villages, and towns, and that a strong state-local partnership is essential to delivering the services, infrastructure, public safety, and quality of life that residents expect and deserve; and WHEREAS, local governments across New York continue to face mounting fiscal pressures driven by inflation, increased service demands, infrastructure needs, and rising operational costs, while striving to provide relief to taxpayers amid a rising cost of living; and WHEREAS, NYCOM Executive Director Barbara Van Epps, along with mayors from across the State, testified at the Local Government Joint Budget Hearing in Albany, advocating for increased unrestricted aid and a strengthened state-local partnership; and WHEREAS, the additional $100 million in TMA will offer meaningful assistance to many municipalities statewide, helping to address fiscal challenges and maintain essential services for residents; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Village of Hamburg applauds Governor Hochul for recognizing the importance of investing in local governments and for reaffirming her commitment to strengthening New York’s cities and villages; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Village of Hamburg urges the New York State Legislature to include, at a minimum, this additional $100 million in Temporary Municipal Assistance in the adopted state budget; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Village of Hamburg calls upon the Governor and the State Legislature to develop a more permanent and predictable solution for unrestricted municipal aid to ensure long-term fiscal stability for New York’s local governments; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Governor, the Temporary President of the Senate, the Speaker of the Assembly, and the members of the State Legislature representing the Village of Hamburg. AYES: Five NAYS: None CARRIED 3. MOTION by Deputy Mayor Gaughan, seconded by Trustee Park, to approve the use of Memorial Park for the 22nd Annual Hamburg Garden Walk from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 11 and Sunday, July 12, 2026. 90

MARCH 2, 2026 AYES: Five NAYS: None CARRIED 4. MOTION by Deputy Mayor Gaughan, seconded by Trustee Park, to approve the request by Imagine: Hamburg to hold the annual Movie in the Park in Memorial Park from 7:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 23, 2026, with a rain date of Thursday, July 30, 2026. AYES: Five NAYS: None CARRIED 5. MOTION by Trustee Park, seconded by Deputy Mayor Gaughan, to authorize Mayor Thomas P. Tallman to sign the 2025 Sponsor Authorization Form prepared by the Service Award Program Committee for the eligibility of members of the Hamburg Volunteer Fire Department for the Service Award Program. AYES: Five NAYS: None CARRIED 6. MOTION by Trustee Davis, seconded by Trustee Hackathorn, to authorize Mayor Thomas P. Tallman to sign the Indemnification and Hold Harmless Agreement by and between The Village of Hamburg and the Inspire Foundation, permitting the use of Parcel 196.09-1-27.1 commonly referred to as 30 Buffalo Street, for a community festival called Burgerfest. AYES: Five NAYS: None CARRIED 7. MOTION by Trustee Hackathorn, seconded by Trustee Davis, to authorize the payment of the Village of Hamburg Accounts for the period ending March 2, 2026. GENERAL FUND…………………………………............................$260,336.64 CAPITAL FUND………………………………………………………..20,051.50 TRUST & AGENCY FUND……………………………..…..……......189,999.26 TOTAL ALL FUNDS………………………….…............$470,387.40 AYES: Five NAYS: None CARRIED 8. MOTION by Trustee Hackathorn, seconded by Trustee Davis, to authorize Mayor Thomas P. Tallman to sign the Agreement by and between the Village of Hamburg and Richard A. Schara with respect to the employment of Mr. Schara as Police Chief of the Village of Hamburg for the period beginning June 1, 2026. AYES: Five NAYS: None CARRIED 91

MARCH 2, 2026 9. MOTION by Trustee Hackathorn seconded by Trustee Davis, to authorize Mayor Thomas P. Tallman to sign the Agreement by and between the Village of Hamburg and Matthew Cullen with respect to the employment of Mr. Cullen as Police Captain of the Village of Hamburg, for the period beginning June 1, 2026. AYES: Five NAYS: None CARRIED FURTHER PUBLIC EXPRESSION: Carly Martha, 4498 Main Street, Buffalo, wanted to let the board know that Mark Wierzbicki’s father died, which is why he could not be in attendance tonight. She also informed the board that she has agreed to purchase the building at 50 Lake Street and will be hiring a structural engineer and working with the building department to bring the property into compliance. CORRESPONDENCE: A) Marg Rust re: Request to use Memorial Park for the annual Hamburg Garden Walk on Saturday and Sunday, July 11 and 12, 2026 B) Imagine Hamburg re: Request to hold the annual Movie in the Park in Memorial Park on Thursday, July 23, 2026 C) Sheryl Weppner, American Legion Auxiliary Unit 527 re: Request to hold Poppy Distribution Days in the Village of Hamburg during the month of May STAFF REPORTS: Department of Public Works: DPW Superintendent Marc Shuttleworth said they are filling potholes and encouraged residents to contact the DPW to report any they come across. Police Dept.: Nothing to report this evening. FURTHER PUBLIC EXPRESSION: None this evening. MAYOR’S REPORT: Mayor Tallman welcomed the Frontier students in attendance, wishing them well in their senior year and beyond. He encouraged them to be involved in their communities wherever they go. The Mayor also thanked everyone who came out for tonight’s public hearing. The Board appreciates their input/comments with regard to the tentative budget presented and urged them to contact any board member or Budget Director Jason Cozza if they have further questions or comments. The next Work Session of the Board will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, March 16, 2026. The next Regular Meeting of the Board will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, March 16, 2026. The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Mary McKee Mary McKee Deputy Clerk 92