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Grand Island board approves contracts, appointments and payments; hires wastewater trainee
Summary
At its March meeting the Grand Island Town Board approved a GHD professional-services agreement for Station 5 ($192,400 cap), renewed membership in the Western New York Stormwater Coalition, appointed two assessment-board members, authorized updated property-search services subject to attorney approval and approved payroll and vendor payments totaling $786,518.15. The board also appointed Matthew Wellent as wastewater operator trainee at $27.31/hr (effective 02/23/2026).
The Grand Island Town Board approved multiple routine and procurement items at its March meeting, including contract authorizations, appointments and the town's audit committee payment recommendations.
Contracts and procurement: The board authorized the supervisor to sign a professional-services agreement with GHD for bidding, construction administration and inspection services on the Station 5 upgrade (job MDash232) at a cost not to exceed $192,400. The board also authorized the supervisor to sign a memorandum of agreement renewing membership in the Western New York Stormwater Coalition (MOA shown in the packet as effective 01/01/2026 through 12/31/2030) and approved an updated online property-search services agreement after ImageMate was acquired by Schneider Geo; that last authorization was made "subject to attorney approval."
Personnel and appointments: The assessor recommended and the board approved appointments to the board assessment review: Jim Sikalis for a five-year term expiring 09/30/2030 and George House to fill a vacated seat expiring 09/30/2026. The board appointed Matthew Wellent as a wastewater treatment plant operator trainee at a starting rate of $27.31 per hour, effective 02/23/2026, subject to pre-employment screening and paperwork. Code enforcement reported that electrical and plumbing boards completed biannual elections (George Newman and Dave Ruwe to the electrical board; Eric Ackerman, Frank Grandetti and Daniel Draxilias reelected to the plumbing board) as informational items.
Fiscal actions: The audit committee moved to pay bills across funds as presented: General $183,008.35; Highway $119,023.69; Sewer $29,563.10; Water $54,662.30; Trust & Agency $63.92; Capital $229,696.66; Refuse & Garbage $170,470.13; total $786,518.15. The motion passed on a roll-call vote.
Other business: The town assessor requested changing the grievance day under RPTL §525 from the fourth Tuesday in May to a Wednesday in May because of shared-service scheduling; the board approved the date change. The board also moved to refer a contract with ARC Strategic Incorporated back to the board for further consideration rather than approving it at this meeting.
Votes at a glance (selected): - Approve minutes 01/20/2026: carried (roll call) - Consent agenda (various board minutes & facility usage): carried (roll call) - Authorize GHD agreement (Station 5): carried (roll call) — cap $192,400 - Authorize Stormwater Coalition MOA (01/01/2026–12/31/2030): carried (roll call) - Change grievance day (RPTL §525): carried (roll call) - Appoint Jim Sikalis (board assessment review) and George House: carried (roll call) - Authorize updated property-search agreement (Schneider Geo), subject to attorney approval: carried (roll call) - Appoint Matthew Wellent, wastewater trainee, $27.31/hr effective 02/23/2026: carried (roll call) - Pay bills as presented: carried (roll call) — total $786,518.15 - Refer ARC Strategic contract back to board: carried (roll call)
What's next: Many items were approved as motions without substantive debate; the battery storage/SEQR procedural item (covered in a separate article) remains under active review and will return with a revised draft. The board adjourned at 8:47 p.m.
