Depew trustees approve seasonal hires, summer events and SEQR negative declaration for Walden Avenue project

The Village of Depew Board of Trustees voted unanimously Monday night to appoint seasonal public‑works and recreation staff, authorize summer movie nights and concerts, issue a SEQR negative declaration for a project on Walden Avenue and approve a DPW grass‑cutting enforcement list.

The actions were part of a routine business meeting in which Mayor Kevin Peterson led roll‑call votes on resolutions that also accepted a DPW retirement and a resignation, approved claims and accepted department‑head reports.

The board’s approval of a State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR) negative declaration covers a site‑plan action described in the meeting record as building additions at “29 11 and 29 51 Walden Avenue.” The planning board had recommended that the proposed 40,808‑square‑foot addition be treated as an unlisted action and that it would not have a significant adverse environmental impact; the village board, acting as lead agency, issued the negative declaration under the cited regulation 6 NYCRR 617.4(b).

Votes at a glance - Resolution 1 — Appoint seasonal Department of Public Works (DPW) laborers (Carson Alberti, Aidan Mandel, Aidan Mecha, Carter Tzu): Approved by roll call (Morawski, Zimba, Kraft, Deputy Mayor Adolph, Mayor Peterson — all Yes). Outcome: approved. - Resolution 2 — Appoint part‑time Village Hall cleaner (Samantha Gary), effective 06/10/2025 at budgeted salary: Approved by roll call (5–0). Outcome: approved. - Resolution 3 — Issue SEQR negative declaration for project at 29 11 & 29 51 Walden Avenue (planning board recommended): Approved by roll call (5–0). Outcome: negative declaration issued. - Resolution 4 — Authorize DPW to mow specified vacant/foreclosed properties (52 Dorset Drive, 243 Evane Drive, 24 George Street); mowing costs to be billed to property tax roll: Approved by roll call (5–0). Outcome: approved. - Resolution 5 — Grant permissions to Depew Volunteer Fire Department and Depew Hook & Ladder Company No. 1 for pavilion use and annual chicken barbecue fundraiser (dates/times listed in agenda): Approved (voice). Outcome: approved. - Resolution 6 — Accept retirement of Ken Pick, DPW superintendent, effective 06/20/2025: Approved by roll call (5–0). Outcome: accepted. - Resolution (resignation) — Accept resignation of Anthony Santos Larsa, full‑time DPW laborer, effective 05/27/2025: Approved by roll call (5–0). Outcome: accepted. - Seasonal recreation hires (lifeguards, cashiers, park attendants) and related appointments: Approved by roll call (5–0). Outcome: approved. - Movie nights and concert series (dates and permissions for use of Veterans Park, Fireman’s Park; vendors and electrical/restroom access authorized): Approved by roll call/voice (5–0). Outcome: approved. - Resolution (July 3 special event) — Authorize Village of Depew special summer concert and fireworks at Fireman’s Park on 07/03/2025 (activities, vendors, pavilion and courts use): Approved by roll call (5–0). Outcome: approved. - Claims and accounts — Approve audited payments: General fund $496,349.62; Sewer fund $41,287.89; Capital projects $5,758.00; total $543,395.51: Approved (voice). Outcome: approved.

Why it matters The approvals set staffing and program resources for summer operations — including pool opening and lifeguards — and clear the way for scheduled community events that attract residents to village parks. The SEQR negative declaration allows the Walden Avenue site‑plan to proceed in the local review process without a full environmental impact statement. The DPW mowing authorization provides the village a mechanism to abate nuisance high‑grass properties and recover costs through property tax bills.

Supporting details Mayor Kevin Peterson introduced the seasonal DPW and recreation appointments, noting the village uses a 13‑week seasonal labor program for DPW hires and that lifeguard recruitment has been difficult in past years. “These are generally college‑age kids that do a bang‑up job,” Peterson said when presenting the DPW appointments.

The board authorized movie nights in Fireman’s Park on July 9, 16, 23 and 30 with August 6 as a rain date; Green Acres Ice Cream is listed as on‑site vendor. Permissions were also granted for an eight‑week concert series in Veterans Park (dates through Aug. 14) and for a larger July 3 family concert with a fireworks display staged by Skylighters; the meeting record notes Erie County legislator Frank Todaro assisted in arranging county support for the fireworks.

On the SEQR item, the planning board record and the village presentation—referencing 6 NYCRR 617.4(b)—identified the action as an unlisted SEQR action and reported the planning board’s recommendation that no significant adverse environmental impact is expected for the proposed additions totaling 40,808 square feet. The village board issued the negative declaration and authorized the mayor to sign related documents.

DPW and personnel changes The board accepted the retirement of DPW superintendent Ken Pick, effective June 20, 2025; trustees and department heads offered praise for Pick’s more than 34 years of service. The trustees also accepted the resignation of a full‑time DPW laborer, effective May 27, 2025, and approved a part‑time hire for Village Hall cleaner and a large roster of summer recreation hires (lifeguards, cashiers and park attendants) so the village pool and parks can operate on schedule.

Budget and capital notes During department reports, Fire Chief Brian Musilak said a recently completed apparatus (described as a replacement/utility vehicle for an older engine) will be delivered soon. Musilak said the roughly $300,000 purchase was funded from village invested funds set aside since Sept. 22, 2022 (committee set‑aside amount cited in the meeting record as $2,000,000), and that the village avoided bonding for the truck. “It exceeded my expectations,” Musilak said of the apparatus.

Claims and accounts presented by the finance committee totaled $543,395.51 and were approved by the board.

What’s next Staff said pool filling and final preparations are underway for a June 29 opening target, and the village administrator and department heads will post schedules and event information on the village Facebook page and other channels.

Ending The board adjourned after accepting department reports and approving claims and accounts. Several trustees, staff and residents spoke in recognition of Ken Pick’s retirement during the meeting’s department‑report and public‑comment segments.