Supervisor Peter Marston called the Town Board of Grand Island to order and led the board through its annual reorganization and related routine business, approving a series of appointments, administrative policies and scheduling items for 2025.

The board adopted a grouped reorganization package that included reappointing the law firm Hodgson Russ LLP with Peter C. Godfrey, Esq., of counsel, as attorney for the town; adopting methods of assessment for consolidated water, sewer and lighting districts; and designating Marston as the town budget officer and liaison to the Grand Island Police Department.

Why it matters: The reorganization establishes the town’s legal, financial and administrative framework for the year, including who is authorized to sign documents, receive official notices and serve as departmental liaisons.

Key actions approved in grouped votes included:
- Reappointments and liaisons: Hodgson Russ LLP (town attorney); Gregory Butcher (emergency services coordinator) and John Podlucky (assistant emergency services coordinator); a slate of board and advisory-board reappointments (architectural review, library trustees, conservation advisory board, planning board, zoning board of appeals, and others listed in the board packet).
- Administrative designations and policies: Peter Marston designated as supervisor/budget officer and police liaison; the Tribune Sentinel designated as the town’s official newspaper; Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company, M&T Bank, and JPMorgan Chase designated as town depositories; adoption of the town fee schedule and investment and procurement policies; and adoption of continuing disclosure and post-issuance tax compliance procedures for tax‑exempt bonds and notes.
- Financial and operational settings: payroll set to every other Thursday beginning Jan. 9, 2025; town hall regular hours set to 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday–Friday; IRS standard mileage rate adopted (70¢ per mile) for town business; sewer rents set at $6.30 per 1,000 gallons and water rents set at $3.55 per 1,000 gallons for 2025.
- Personnel and appointments: town clerk Patricia Anderson Frenzel announced deputy clerk appointments (Karen Cooty, Betty Lance, Dina Richard, Wendy Valiant, Don Frasier); multiple advisory-board and committee reappointments and appointments were approved as listed in the packet.

Board members conducted the votes in grouped blocks rather than item-by-item. Several grouped motions were moved and seconded, then carried by roll call with all voting members recorded as voting “Aye” on the grouped items; one conflict/recusal was recorded during a depository designation vote by Councilman Christian Belida (he recused himself, stating the institution was his employer). The board also approved minutes from prior meetings and accepted a consent agenda of routine meeting minutes and building permit reports.

Other routine items: the board authorized the supervisor to set payroll dates, approved petty cash levels for 2025 as listed in the packet, authorized payment of monthly utility and insurance statements upon receipt, and authorized membership renewals and attendance funding for the Association of Towns conference with Christian Belida as delegate.

Ending: The reorganization portion of the meeting concluded after the board approved the grouped reappointments, policy adoptions and administrative settings that define Grand Island’s town operations for 2025. Additional non-reorganization business followed later in the meeting.