Depew trustees approve fire-training use of apparatus, authorize DPW mowing of vacant properties and appoint van driver; claims approved

The Village of Depew Board of Trustees on July 14 approved several routine actions including permission for the Depew Volunteer Fire Department to conduct live-fire training, authorization for the Department of Public Works to mow listed vacant or foreclosed properties with the cost added to property tax bills, and the appointment of a part-time senior citizens van driver, Mayor Kevin Peterson said.

The approvals were taken as separate motions and carried by voice or roll-call votes. The board also approved audited claims and accounts submitted by the finance committee and later entered — and then left — an executive session to discuss a legal matter; the board said no decisions were made in executive session.

Why it matters: the motions let the fire department use apparatus for training, allow the village to clear nuisance vegetation on properties that did not comply with orders to remedy and recover costs through property tax billing, and fill a budgeted part-time transportation post serving seniors.

The live-fire training permission covers two scheduled training events: use of “squad 2” and “engine 3” at 2060 William Street in Cheektowaga, N.Y., on July 15, 2025, from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.; and use of engine 1, engine 3, ladder 5 and engine 6 at Twin District Fire Company, 4999 William Street, Lancaster, N.Y., on July 22, 2025, from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. The board recorded the motion and later called the question; the clerk announced the motion carried.

On the nuisance grass resolution, the board authorized DPW to mow properties where owners failed to meet orders to remedy. The resolution named the following addresses: 68 Brewster Street; 18 Main Street; 62 Suffield Avenue; 48 Muskingum Street; 74 Main Street; 52 Main Street; 3230 Walden Avenue; 3106 Walden Avenue; and 3253 Walden Avenue. The motion notes the cost of said mowings will be attached to the village tax bill for each property.

The board unanimously appointed John Safai to the position of part-time senior citizens van driver, effective July 14, 2025, and cited Section 4-400 of Village Law during the appointment motion. The appointment was approved by roll call.

Claims and accounts: the finance committee reported audited claims for payment by fund, including $382,941.35 from the general fund and $104,246.85 from the community development fund; the board approved payment as presented.

Executive session: the board entered executive session at 7:50 p.m. to discuss a legal matter and returned at 8:21 p.m.; a motion at the end of the meeting stated “no decisions were made” in executive session. The meeting adjourned following the final motions.

Votes at a glance - Resolution 9 — Permission for Depew Volunteer Fire Department live-fire trainings (use of listed apparatus at two sites; July 15 and July 22, 2025): outcome — carried (voice vote recorded as carried). Motion text: permission granted as read. (Provenance: motion and vote recorded in meeting transcript.) - Resolution 10 — Authorize Department of Public Works to cut/mow specified vacant or foreclosed properties and charge costs to property tax bills: outcome — carried (roll-call: Trustee Murawski — Yes; Trustee Finba — Yes; Trustee Craft — Yes; Mayor Kevin Peterson — Yes). Motion text and property list as read in meeting. - Resolution 11 — Appointment of part-time senior citizens van driver (John Safai), effective 07/14/2025, pursuant to Section 4-400 of Village Law: outcome — carried (roll-call: Trustee Murawski — Yes; Trustee Zimba — Yes; Trustee Kraft — Yes; Mayor Kevin Peterson — Yes). - Claims and accounts — audited by the finance committee and approved for payment (general fund and community development fund amounts announced): outcome — carried (voice vote recorded as carried).

No other formal ordinances or resolutions were adopted at the meeting.