[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6662559,"mediaKeyId","2649291-25e0bb548866ba8a37a69aa9cd831921","parentId",2649291,"title","Cheektowaga holds public hearing on 2025–2029 HUD consolidated plan as federal funding pause raises uncertainty","audioSeconds",1264,"startMs",854000,"endMs",2118000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2649291-25e0bb548866ba8a37a69aa9cd831921&start=854&end=2118","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2649291-25e0bb548866ba8a37a69aa9cd831921/thumbnail_854000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6662559/Cheektowaga/Erie-County/New-York/Cheektowaga-holds-public-hearing-on-20252029-HUD-consolidated-plan-as-federal-funding-pause-raises-uncertainty","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6662559-797edc013edb26c30c4ee3d3151b2762/orig.mp4?Expires=1771213798&Signature=N6cIKBB2oezS5E8RmzxhNb0nhLnwytneyMlyCdDKJEFyvvK3LGE4K30fldOZtexILZjzP2cczVcNybRcAetSogty6tBKtjkDwDgdXO0SmrPnCRbYelsFY1VFlnA06z6ao74WfDfLsO6hPPlWhchbV1lnMs5ky157Jn6SpqZdzwvCuih21Cdr5C3WCI~5oDpaJtxijrBT5hpQnHEiG6I5zrAB7lmvN~NZ4M-VKYfK~XMl7CKof~KxB7F2y0-evcj6ihxh1SiIVVU4rMwcrMXaIPQT7EU5tQprgGsfjfUoitgWTvGFKXUIo-xM1mcorL~~MwKBP6eVVmObcaV4ju05iQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Cheektowaga, NY","date","2025-02-13T17:07:17.567Z","article","The Town Board of Cheektowaga opened a public hearing Jan. 29 on the town\u000027s draft 2025\u00002D2029 Consolidated Plan and the 2025 Annual Action Plan for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships funds.

The hearing, led by Rachel Straker of the town\u000027s community development staff, explained the five-year planning period (April 1, 2025\u00002DFebruary 2029) and the town\u000027s outreach and needs assessment process. Straker told the board the draft anticipated about $972,451 in CDBG funds and $499,000 in HOME funds for the 2025 program year, plus program income from loan repayments.

The plan, prepared to comply with U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development regulations and the Community Development Act of 1974, sets six goals: improve housing stock; neighborhood revitalization through infrastructure and public facilities; reduce homelessness and provide supportive services; affirmatively further fair housing; support community service needs such as youth and senior programs; and foster economic development. Straker said public service allocations cannot exceed HUD\u000027s 15 percent cap and administration cannot exceed 20 percent of CDBG funds; HOME administration is limited to 10 percent and 15 percent of HOME funds are designated for community housing development organizations.

Why it matters: the plan directs how federal HUD dollars and program income will be spent in towns and the incorporated villages of Sloan and Depew, and so affects housing repairs for low- and moderate-income residents, infrastructure work and local small-business assistance.

During the hearing Doug Terry, a Meadowbrook Parkway resident, urged the town to coordinate road repaving plans with Erie County Water after repeated water-main breaks on his street. \"There's no sense in repaving the street if there's gonna be a continuing problem,\" Terry said, asking the town to contact the highway superintendent and town engineer.

Council members and staff also discussed the potential impact of an executive order and a subsequent temporary federal pause on spending. When asked about the effect of the federal pause, Straker said, \"The pause affects all of the funding that we receive ... except for Section 8.\" She told the board a judge had issued a temporary stay until the following Monday, which gave local officials time to await further guidance. Town staff said HUD had not issued detailed guidance at the time of the hearing and that the pause could require adjustments to planned public-service and administration activities if final awards change.

The board noted the draft plan had been published for public review on Dec. 20, 2024, and that no written comments had been received by the clerk\u000027s office during the 30-day public comment period. Straker said the draft and materials had been placed in branch libraries, the town clerk's office and the community development office, and on the town website.

The hearing was opened for public comment and then closed with no formal vote recorded on the plan during the meeting; the record shows the town accepted oral comments and will accept written comments via the community development office.

What comes next: town staff said final allocations from HUD could change the plan\u000027s funding mix and that adjustments would be made on a prorated basis if necessary; any substantial change would trigger another public comment period.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Town Board Meeting 1.28.25","oneSentenceSummary","The Town Board of Cheektowaga opened a public hearing Jan. 29 on the town\u000027s draft 2025\u00002D2029 Consolidated Plan and the 2025 Annual Action Plan for CDBG and HOME funds.","taxTitle","Cheektowaga, Erie County, New York","taxId",56246,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6662551,"Cheektowaga board adopts new meeting schedule and moves public comment to start of meetings",1437,4777000,6214000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2649291-25e0bb548866ba8a37a69aa9cd831921&start=4777&end=6214","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2649291-25e0bb548866ba8a37a69aa9cd831921/thumbnail_4777000.jpg","/articles/6662551/Cheektowaga/Erie-County/New-York/Cheektowaga-board-adopts-new-meeting-schedule-and-moves-public-comment-to-start-of-meetings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6662551-2c20a5c34c638edeaac8eb70b94055a7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771213798&Signature=ZrBTP7YDC5TgYi1mHZwYtirwuFqJoXK8yDHDEMKWvVLGPNxP18O7d7rLAWANO0no~9l7uZh5wloADJw6ccSSyB6iQoakqa-CJUGacMA2aScBnddQDDZtr4vfUbu1HDUEa7M-WWRDhlzCAyKZeelh3D-wMQdzVblrvnH9Ld6CQN1o4wAdG4Bfmf7k4Cw859h1Jt5eemaipmXwQLa2rlNIApOBGWnTdJgsrHT3nZdM-CKFSpj8dcGdIeHQAdzdHl1yri3nP~eePhItYEfwExEEHXzY-8A-5dHAnWpveX-VCLJ~9N2CiSGYV5oOJwcSnQrUTK9YZMq~whePUE83JvNt-g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Cheektowaga Town Board voted to change its regular meeting schedule and to move public comment to the start of meetings, a procedural shift the board said is intended to give residents an earlier opportunity to be heard and to create more structured time for deliberation.

Under the adopted schedule (Resolution 20 25-64, as amended), work sessions will be held on the second Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. and regular town board meetings on the fourth Tuesday at 6 p.m. The board also approved an amendment to the resolution to ensure that, at the start of work sessions, the agenda includes tabled items and resolutions so the board can address time-sensitive matters such as warrants and hirings early in the meeting.

Supporters said the change will create a regular, predictable window for discussion and allow the board to do more in-depth work between meetings. \"I think this will give enough time for us to put forth some really hard good thought process,\" Council Member Vernon Thompson said during debate. Supervisor Brian Nowak and other members said they were willing to try the revised schedule and revisit it after testing it in practice.

Officials and the town clerk raised operational questions before adoption, chiefly about how late-filed resolutions and public-notice timelines would be handled and whether essential town business such as the warrant (bill payment) would be reliably processed. The town clerk said current deadlines are designed to ensure staff time to prepare and post agendas, and noted that late filings can force items onto suspension-of-rules lists; the clerk asked the board to consider those administrative impacts when setting filing deadlines.

Why it matters: the procedural change affects when residents may speak, when the board deliberates and how municipal business such as hiring or approval of warrants will be scheduled. Board members said they expect to refine procedures and remain open to future adjustments.

The amended schedule passed on a voice vote after the amendment to list tabled items and resolutions after the call to order was added and approved.","The Cheektowaga Town Board voted Jan. 29 to set work sessions for the second Tuesday of each month and regular meetings for the fourth Tuesday, moving public comment to the start of meetings.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6662546,"Votes at a glance: Cheektowaga Town Board actions on Jan. 29, 2025",883,3797000,4680000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2649291-25e0bb548866ba8a37a69aa9cd831921&start=3797&end=4680","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2649291-25e0bb548866ba8a37a69aa9cd831921/thumbnail_3797000.jpg","/articles/6662546/Cheektowaga/Erie-County/New-York/Votes-at-a-glance-Cheektowaga-Town-Board-actions-on-Jan-29-2025","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6662546-dd5c4ce07dbb8eb60cfe863cd6ac0ce3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771213798&Signature=A-jLpvPFFAwYczV4K~GPgRChYMl4JeYYNmuePdwKvQuTTsdUCp1-Ug3PesrZcWH7S0AMubEmlghj5aSE7GWfHOWergFZ-c1R9PbbbU4gzDTUQDdxo1qwfZxACT4rKIG5Qlw8tQU6R6SDufitT8d-JTmRgu~jdq2VJfqkUNR2casjLEWVaiOgOC~80y9Oe1KAmORqepzyv4RoJy82ws0k4garWgv0oMnpqQmPpg74m7ITx0LuSuK43VJhtafFn-G9C3zufNCrffS77lsCRBRNO4d3npJoucZcbOmvghFup1okYNkNGrZCVt91dHo6glYUGkgggeW1HdY1sQ-zbVweIg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Cheektowaga Town Board took a series of formal actions Jan. 29, 2025. Below are the primary items the board voted on, with sponsors, outcomes and key details recorded from the meeting transcript.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution 2025-84 (Police promotion): Police Sergeant Brian Bibiak of Cheektowaga was promoted to Police Lieutenant effective Jan. 29, 2025. Sponsored by Council Member Vernon Thompson and seconded by Supervisor Brian Nowak. Vote: unanimous (voice). Evidence: clerk read the resolution and the board voted to carry the motion.

- Resolution 2025-85 (Police promotion): Police Officer Charles Shaborski of Depew was promoted to Police Sergeant effective Jan. 29, 2025. Sponsored by Council Member Thompson and Supervisor Nowak. Vote: unanimous (voice). The officer was reported to have prior service at NFTA and assignments to behavioral health and training teams.

- Resolution 2025-553 (Contract award; grass cutting and landscape services): The contract for furnishing equipment and operators for grass cutting and related services at vacant/unmaintained private properties was awarded to Mancuso Landscaping of Holland, N.Y., as the lowest bidder. Sponsor: Council Member Filipski. Vote: carried (voice). The board discussed legal and operational issues about using town staff for private-property work and recovered costs via the tax roll.

- Resolution 2025-556 (Contract award; tree removal): Contract to John Anderson Construction of Pittsford, N.Y., for removal of trees at privately owned vacant/unmaintained properties was awarded as lowest bidder. Sponsor: Council Member Filipski. Vote: carried (voice).

- Resolution 2025-13 (Investment policy readoption): The board readopted the town\u000027s investment policy (periodic readoption). Sponsor: Council Member Jasinski. Vote: carried (voice).

- Resolution 2025-14 (Salaries for non-bargaining employees; amended): The board considered and amended salary figures for several town positions (amendments read into the record) and approved the resolution as amended. Vote on the amendment: 6-0; final vote on the resolution as amended: 5-1 (Supervisor Nowak voted no). Sponsor: Supervisor Nowak.

- Resolution 2025-15 (Salaries for other non-bargaining employees): Approved as presented. Sponsor: Supervisor Nowak and Council Member Filipski. Vote: carried (voice).

- Resolution 2025-20 (Town-village policing cost credit to Village of Depew): The board authorized the supervisor to execute the agreement crediting $500,000 to the Village of Depew for their share of town police costs in the 2025 budget; board approved carrying current credit and to address future increases in 2026. Vote: carried (voice).

- Resolution 2025-46 (Zoning Board reappointments): The board reappointed Ralph Miranda to the Zoning Board of Appeals through 12/31/2029 and made other ZBA appointments; votes carried (voice or roll call where recorded).

- Resolution 2025-578 (Deputy Town Attorney appointment under suspension of rules): Nicholas Romano was appointed Deputy Town Attorney with prosecutorial duties; carried under suspension of rules.

- A series of hiring and appointment resolutions were passed under suspension of rules, including appointments to the parks/facilities department and sewer maintenance and a central-garage automotive mechanic chief (Joseph McCarville). Several of the working crew chief and general crew chief appointments were recorded and carried; most were unanimous on voice vote or by roll call where specified.

- Resolution 2025-62 (Procurement policy): After earlier tabling, the board reconsidered and adopted an amended procurement policy (see separate article). Vote: 4 yes, 2 no.

Notes on procedure and close calls

Several items were pulled from the consent agenda or tabled earlier and later brought back to the floor. The procurement policy item (2025-62) was tabled and then brought back for a roll-call vote; the motion to bring it off the table passed and the final adoption vote was 4-2. Another item (an automotive mechanic crew chief appointment earlier in the meeting) was pulled and later acted on by the board.

For complete text and sponsor lists, consult the official meeting minutes. This roundup lists the primary final outcomes recorded on the transcript; smaller administrative motions and staff appointments that were passed under the consent agenda or suspension-of-rules umbrella are recorded in the minutes and in the transcript sections cited below.","A summary of the Town Board\u000027s formal actions on Jan. 29, 2025, including promotions, contract awards, policy readoptions and multiple personnel appointments.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":92,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6662553,"Cheektowaga board re-adopts amended procurement policy after debate, 4-2",2054,2626000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2649291-25e0bb548866ba8a37a69aa9cd831921&start=2626&end=4680","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2649291-25e0bb548866ba8a37a69aa9cd831921/thumbnail_2626000.jpg","/articles/6662553/Cheektowaga/Erie-County/New-York/Cheektowaga-board-re-adopts-amended-procurement-policy-after-debate-4-2","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6662553-f980f15851a004819722e54915d5f21c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771213798&Signature=PyXOLm~K8TXWsfIefVUfk-xjYsQmZucI-j6T6ydQ9FI72Hib-t945dwcEtyHGGb6hWZNpLiw1Sbvukr6KQljxbh0hlwdlhvHONXw-yv-zcLLBsIQC~9r3QZMoKb1rIQ5LhKmUt2EFqH~dJPLvZwTpi1fz2kw17qT5KIsI7Ek4V8zXS3CY1jngEft7pJIydhHAF8qEhJJjzR0eoXi2L-8rfmitfNBS35eBUAnX4wX1EsXGCpZpE~8SCF0z1MOwTpG-AKGShYdGAMqaBQaCcB~0gUp0SB~AWq6VcfC3hz7doN3vChm8FBv2O7BDK8GekyTb7V7P8oqqozCYN4mXkLjfw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Town Board of Cheektowaga voted to adopt an amended procurement policy that reestablishes the town\u000027s internal procedures for purchases not subject to state competitive bidding rules. The measure, presented as Resolution 20 25-62, was the focus of extended debate and was tabled earlier in the meeting before being brought back and approved 4\u00002D2.

The procurement item had been discussed in multiple places on the agenda after town staff asked the board to re-adopt and amend a 2010 procurement resolution (Resolution 20 10-497). Supporters said updated rules were needed to manage purchases and ensure consistent purchasing practices. The amendment that passed added the director of emergency services to the list of officials with certain procurement responsibilities.

Concerns raised by board members and speakers included who should be authorized to approve smaller non-bid purchases, whether committee chairs or any two board members should provide required signoffs, and whether the town should perform some maintenance work in-house instead of contracting. Town Attorney Fowler cautioned about legal limits when public funds are used on private property and explained why the town typically awards private-property maintenance contracts so the cost can be placed on the tax roll. \"It's actually illegal for us to send our parks people over to cut ... private properties,\" Fowler said during the discussion, urging the board to be mindful of statutory constraints.

Council Member Michael Jasinski urged caution and additional time to refine the policy. \"If we're gonna pass this tonight, I think we're rushing into this,\" Jasinski said, calling for further conversation and potential amendments between meetings. The board majority declined to delay; after procedural steps to recall the tabling motion, members voted to approve the amended procurement policy 4\u00002Dto\u00002D2.

Why it matters: the procurement policy sets internal thresholds and approval pathways for purchases that do not require formal competitive bidding under state law. It affects which officials can authorize purchases, how the town engages contractors and how the town allocates costs for services such as cutting lawns on vacant private properties.

What comes next: board members said they expect additional edits and possible future amendments to address concerns about approval signatures and operational details; staff and the town attorney will advise on specific legal constraints for any future in-house work on private properties.","After debate over approval thresholds and whether departmental staff should perform some property maintenance work, the Town Board adopted an amended procurement policy (resolution 2025-62) that reinstates updated internal procurement procedures; the vote after reconsideration was 4-2.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Cheektowaga holds public hearing on 2025–2029 HUD consolidated plan as federal funding pause raises uncertainty

Cheektowaga board adopts new meeting schedule and moves public comment to start of meetings

Votes at a glance: Cheektowaga Town Board actions on Jan. 29, 2025

Cheektowaga board re-adopts amended procurement policy after debate, 4-2