Southtowns Record

August 11, 2026 Minutes

Government
Town of Wales
Board
Town Board
Meeting
Aug 11, 2026
Kind
Minutes
Topics
Budget and taxes, Energy and data center siting, Short-term rentals

Original document

Same meeting

Text · page 1 of 2

Town Board Minutes of August 11th, 2026
The meeting of the Wales Town Board was held on the 11th day of August, 2026 at the Wales Community Center,
12345 Big Tree Road, Wales Center, New York.
  The meeting was called to order by Supervisor Howard at 7:00 pm EST.
ROLL CALL:  Supervisor Howard
  Councilman Gallo
  Councilman Newman
  Councilman Butcher Absent
  Councilwoman O’Connor
Present: (3) Residents whose names are on file.
INVOCATION: led by Councilman Butcher
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: led by Councilman Gallo
ADOPTION OF AGENDA: MOTION # __By Councilwoman O’Connor, second by Councilman Newman,
approving the agenda, with the addition for Executive Session. Carried ayes-5 noes-0
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES: MOTION # __ By Councilman Newman, second by Councilwoman
O’Connor, approving the Town Clerk’s minutes of July 11th. Carried. ayes-5 noes-0
INVITATION FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS: None
OLD BUSINESS:
1. Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)
  Supervisor Howard said everyone got a copy of the final draft of the law. Colden hasn't passed their law yet, but It's
  been updated. I suggest the board reviews it before the next meeting, unless anybody wants to comment now? We
  should make a motion to table until the next meeting.
  MOTION#__By Councilman Gallo, second by Councilman Newman, to table item until next month.
  Carried ayes-5 noes-0
2. Dog Control
  Supervisor Howard said July 31st, we received a call about a lost dog from a resident at 5335 Reiter Road. The
  resident held the dog overnight, Dan Whitehaed was out of town, so William Garland helped with the complaint.
  He was appointed along with the other constable as back up for dog control at the organizational meeting in
  January 2026. We have the dog being held for $50 a day since then. Dan Whitehead had the dog get a health check
  and shots on August 4th , in’s was a large St. Bernard dog. Dan is planning for the dog to be sent to a foster home
  tomorrow. A dog rescue group that will adopt the dog out. No owner has claimed the dog. Dan is still negotiating,
  trying to get us something more permanent for kenneling dogs.
3. Draft Law Intro. 4-2026 Short Term Rental
  Supervisor Howard said there are rumors of the new state law and short-term rentals and tiny homes. The research
  at this point suggests nothing at all would cause us to change our draft. Councilman Newman said he sees nothing
  like, opt-in, opt-out state law. Basically, what happened or what they did and what the state did in 2020 is included
  in building codes tiny homes. So, our town code or the town master plan doesn't support that. We could if we
  wanted to, but that's having to go through and update Chapter 200. So, at this point we need to table till our
  workshop, its not ready to be sent to the planning board yet.
  MOTION#__By Councilwoman O’Connor, second by Councilman Gallo, table the draft law intro. 4-2026 Short
  Term Rental till the next meeting. Carried ayes-5 noes-0
4. Expenses from the 250th Anniversary Celebration
  Supervisor Howard said We have a bill with no breakdown. Wales was 17% of what was originally budgeted. With
  no breakdown, we don't have any assurances, without seeing the full breakdown. The time that made it pretty clear,
  they stated that absent any monies raised that it would have reduced that amount. So, we just need something from
  Marilla saying that our total costs. Table till we receive the full breakdown of the cost .
NEW BUSINESS
1. Renewal of annual Microsoft Office 365 licensing
  MOTION#__By Councilwoman O’Connor, second by Councilman Gallo, approving the renewal of Microsoft
  office 365 licensing. Carried yes-5 noes-0
2. Approval for payment of 2027 Western Star Truck for $196,980.00
  MOTION# By Councilwoman O’Connor, second by Councilman Butcher for the payment of the truck and
  chasis for $196,980. Carried Ayes 5 noes 0

3. Highway Superintendent request to order plow, salter and box for 2027 Western Star Truck
  MOTION# By Councilman Gall second by Councilman Butcher to sign the agreement to start working on the
  box,plow and salter for the 2027 Western Star. The amount $155,000 will be coming from the 2027 Budget.
  Carried Ayes 5 noes 0