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Grand Island board adopts 2026 reorganization items, sets rates and approves routine hires
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Summary
The board approved multiple reorganization items and appointments for 2026, set water and sewer rates, hired a part‑time clerk for safety, accepted advisory‑board resignations, and voted to refer two local laws on solar and batteries back to the planning board for more work.
The Grand Island Town Board moved through a multi‑item reorganization package for 2026 and approved several routine administrative actions during its first regular meeting of the year.
Supervisor Pete Marston presented reorganization items that the board adopted, including reappointing Hodgson Russ LLP (Peter C. Godfrey, of counsel) as town attorneys; designating the supervisor as budget officer and liaison to the police department; reappointing emergency services coordinators; adopting the town fee schedule; and designating official newspapers (Tribune Sentinel, Buffalo News, Business First) and depository banks (M&T, MBIA class, JPMorgan Chase). The board also adopted procurement and investment policies and set the IRS standard mileage reimbursement rate (72.5 cents per mile) for 2026.
The board set sewer rents at $6.70 per thousand gallons and water rents at $3.55 per thousand gallons, and set the water meter fee at $17 per quarter for the year. The board approved the non‑union, elected official and part‑time seasonal salary schedules as presented.
Personnel actions included approval to hire Richard Crawford as a part‑time clerk (safety), grade 5 step E, $25.34 per hour, effective Jan. 1, 2026, contingent on pre‑employment paperwork. The board accepted resignations from advisory and traffic safety members and authorized certificates of appreciation for departing volunteers. The appointment of John Carnos as deputy highway superintendent was presented for informational purposes and did not require action.
The audit committee moved to pay bills totaling $590,081.30 from multiple funds (Sewer, Water, Trust & Agency, Capital, Refuse & Garbage) and the motion carried on a roll call vote. The board also renewed a special use permit for T W McGuire (3062 Whitehaven Road bed and breakfast) after inspection and fee payment; the board accepted Jen Fusatier’s resignation from the agricultural board with regret and authorized a certificate of appreciation.
On unfinished business, board members agreed Local Law 4 and Local Law 5 of 2025 (relating to solar and battery provisions) require more work and voted to refer both back to the planning board for additional review. A proposed contract with Arc Strategic Inc. remained tabled pending further information.
All recorded roll call motions at this meeting passed with board members recorded as "Aye." The meeting adjourned at 8:36 p.m.
