Southtowns Record

Town Board minutes — February 17, 2026

Government
Town of Aurora
Board
Town Board
Meeting
Feb 17, 2026
Kind
Minutes
Topics
Zoning and land use, Parks and recreation

Original document

Same meeting

Text · page 1 of 2

Town of Aurora | Working Session | February 17, 2026

  The following members of the Aurora Town Board met on Wednesday, February
17, 2026 at 6:30 PM for the purpose of holding a work session. The Board met in-person
at the Aurora Municipal Center, 575 Oakwood Avenue, East Aurora, New York.

  Present:  Luke Wochensky  Councilmember via phone
  Jessica Armbrust  Councilmember
  Raymond M. Wrazen  Councilmember
  Joseph McCann  Councilmember
  Charles D. Snyder  Supervisor

  Absent/Excused:  Brigid Maloney  Town Attorney
  Others Present:  Tim Stroth  Planning Board Member
  Steve Pigeon  Town Assessor
  Dan Dytchkowskyj  Disaster/Hazardous Materials
  Coordinator

  Supervisor Snyder opened the session at 6:30 PM with the recitation of the Pledge
of Allegiance to the Flag.

1) Dan Dytchkowskyj – Disaster/HAZMAT Coordinator Introduction:
  Mr. Dytchhowskyj introduced himself to the board and reviewed his supporting
credentials that include working for the Office of Emergency Management Services, a
division of Emergency Management and Homeland Services within the Department of
Homeland Security. He also shared his plans as the newly appointed Disaster/Hazardous
Materials Assistant Coordinator. As delegated, he will focus his energies on updating the
Town’s Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan with participation from the
board to meet his year-end completion goal. Part of this process will look at the roles
and responsibilities between town and the village and establish a Memorandum of
Understanding. While he is gathering data now, direct work will begin after the mayoral
race. The Town’s Continuance of Operation Plan, which is activated if town
government cannot function for any reason from any of its current locations, also
requires review and updating; Mr. Dytchhowskyj will begin that work departmentally
prior to the end of 2026.

2) Town Assessor Steve Pigeon Regarding Article 7 Petitions:

  Mr. Pigeon brought the current list of 21 in-progress Article 7 Petition cases and
offered to review the them with the board. It was agreed that cases that are not ready
for public review remain tabled. Councilmember Wochensky brought up a clarifying
point about who has the authority to sign a settlement agreement on behalf of the
town especially for cases that involve a legal proceeding in court or that impact a
qualifying expenditure. Consultation with the Town Attorney and/or New York
Association of Towns was suggested. The board agreed to get confirmation of the
process and Supervisor Snyder will follow up with the town attorney.

3) Zoning Board Appointment:

  Supervisor Snyder stated that he, Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) Chairman Ernst
and Councilmember McCann conducted interviews of ZBA member applicants Peter
Zittel and David Murray to fill the vacant seat. While both candidates bring good
qualifications to the table, David Murray was selected to fill the seat. There was some
consideration to look at the alternate members for this vacancy however the process
to switch between alternate and full time term appointees was a detracting factor.
Supervisor Snyder will add this to the February 23, 2026 Town Board Meeting agenda for
the board to formally approve the appointment.

4) Social Media Amendments:

  After review of several changes that are itemized below, the board agreed to
add the newly revised Social Media Policy to the March 9, 2026 town board meeting
agenda for board approval.
  Updates:
  1. 4.0 Social Media Page Administration
  a. 4.1 – change from “shall appoint two or three social media
  administrators” to “shall appoint two or more…”

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