Southtowns Record

June 9, 2026 Minutes

Government
Town of Wales
Board
Town Board
Meeting
Jun 9, 2026
Kind
Minutes
Topics
Energy and data center siting, Short-term rentals

Original document

Same meeting

Text · page 1 of 2

Town Board Minutes of June 9th, 2026
  The meeting of the Wales Town Board was held on the 9th of June 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 absent
  Councilman Newman
  Councilman Butcher absent
  Councilwoman O’Connor
  Present: Attorney Phyllis Todoro (5) Residents whose names are on file.
  INVOCATION: led by Supervisor Howard
  PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: led by Councilman Newman
  ADOPTION OF AGENDA: MOTION # __By Councilwoman O’Connor, second by Councilman Newman, approving
  the agenda. Carried ayes-3 noes-0 Absent 2
  ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES: MOTION # __ By Councilman Newman, second by Councilwoman
  O’Connor, approving the Town Clerk’s minutes of May 12th. Carried. ayes-3 noes-0 absent 2
  INVITATION FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS
Dori Carlone Hunters Creek - What is the battery storage system issue? Are we voting for it? I looked into it a little bit with my
insurance company and they told me that they don't insure the battery storage system and that it's not covered by homeowners. It is
not covered by our umbrella policy. And if it is determined that it malfunctions and burns the house down, it's too bad. Thank you.

Andy Jacobs from ITTC To Thank the Board for the $500 donation this year. We just want to thank you for the bottom of our hearts.
Thanks again, everybody.

  OLD BUSINESS:
1. Battery Storage Systems
Councilman Newman explained since our last meeting, I've continued to research and review the battery energy storage system, or
BESS for short. The town of Colden is in their process, I'm following their law, why reinvent the wheel ? Similar township. This
draft is based on one that was developed by the state, a skeleton or a model code that the state has done. After Colden finishes with
their final code, I'll bring it back to the board.

2. Update - Dog Control
Supervisor Howard spoke with Dan Whitehead today he stated that he’s continuing to explore options for kennel services from
someplace outside of the town. He has no firm options at this time. The Grand Island Dog Control Officer indicated they have
kennel availability and that he is waiting for a return call. Table till next month

3. Draft of short-term rental applications and fees
  Supervisor Howard stated we are simply going to table until the next meeting. Dan has been reviewing
  other towns short-term rental applications and fees. He plans on using the best parts from each application.

  NEW BUSINESS
1. Resolution for Donald Gallo’s NYS Retirement System Calendar
  MOTION# __by Councilwoman O’Connor, second by Councilman Newman approving the Resolution for NYS
  Retirement system. Carried ayes -3 noes 0
2. Donation of $450.00 to Kiwanis for Nite-in- the-Park June 24th
  MOTION# __by Councilwoman O’Connor, second by Councilman Newman approving annual donation to
  Kiwanis for $450 for the Nite-In-the-park. Carried ayes-3 nose-0 absent
3. Wales Final State Equalization rate of 24.00%
  Supervisor Howard stated our Eq Rate goes down when our sales/values go up. That is definitely the case again this year,
  from 26% to 24% is not a huge leap, but ideally it would be nice to stay the same or go down just 1% but our sales in Wales
  are still high in my opinion. Stated by Tim Howard By
4. Renewal of I Drive – backup for computer network at $1200.00 yearly
  MOTION# __by Councilwoman O’Connor, second by Councilman Newman approving the renewal for
  the I Drive backup for the network severe. Carried ayes-3 nose-0 absent-2
Matt Maican - Sheriff's Office
He did say there was a federal agency responding to the solar farm in Marilla, he ended up showing up on that call myself.
Customers and Border Patrol were doing a target operation on some of the individuals employed by whatever company is doing the
construction. They had an outstanding warrant for one of them, so they were going for that individual specifically. I believe others
started running. They picked up about a dozen individuals. On to Wales May report - 120 calls for service, 12 traffic stops, five
accidents, one with injuries, and there were four arrests, DUI, suspended license, also an outstanding warrant.
  COMMUNICATIONS
  -Primary voting starts this Saturday June13-21 Weekends 9-5 Weekdays 12-9
  -250 Celebration We're still in doubt about the pancake breakfast, on July 5th, prior to the community non-denominational
  prayer service.
  -The Town Clerk/ Refuse Clerk has great news - The recycling grant from 2023 is finally at the top of the list. We should
  be eligible for a $37,682.53 grant. They have additional items they are requesting. Hoping we will have a check by the end of the
  year.
  -Sales Tax revenue is 7% higher than this time last year.