Depew trustees set Feb. 23 public hearing on battery storage law, approve CGI banner deal and LOSAP certifications

The Village of Depew Board of Trustees on Feb. 9 authorized advertisement of a public hearing on Local Law No. 1 of 2026, a proposed law to regulate large battery energy storage systems, and set the hearing for Feb. 23 at 7 p.m. at Depew Village Hall.

The board also approved a three‑year agreement with CGI to manage the village banner program, certified volunteer firefighter LOSAP service‑point tallies for 2025, adopted a SEQR Type II finding for the Warner Road culvert replacement, approved budget modifications to the 2025–2026 budget, appointed a part‑time senior‑center van driver and issued a negative declaration for the joint 2026 Lancaster–Depew comprehensive plan.

Why it matters: The battery energy storage public hearing begins formal local consideration of siting, environmental precautions and disposal/abandonment safeguards for large battery installations. Approving the CGI contract continues a no‑cost sponsorship program the village says has financed banners at Veterans Park and Firemen's Park. The LOSAP certification allows the village to post the volunteer qualifications required for service credit under New York State law.

Board actions and votes at a glance

- Local Law No. 1 (Battery Energy Storage) — motion to advertise a public hearing approved; hearing scheduled for Feb. 23, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. in Depew Village Hall (motion moved and seconded; approved by voice vote). (Introduced in meeting discussion and motion: SEG 085–128; formal motion and vote: SEG 276–290.)

- CGI banner agreement (three‑year) — board authorized Mayor Kevin Peterson to sign a three‑year agreement with CGI for banner program services; trustees noted the program secures sponsorships and costs taxpayers $0. Roll‑call recorded in favor by all voting trustees present (Murawski yes; Zimba yes; Kraft yes; Deputy Mayor recorded in roll call as yes; Mayor Kevin Peterson yes) and the resolution carried. (Discussion: SEG 129–156; motion and roll call: SEG 292–310.)

- LOSAP (Length of Service Award Program) certification — board reviewed the certified list of volunteer firefighters who earned at least 50 points in 2025 under the village LOSAP point system and approved returning the list to the fire department for the required 30‑day posting. Trustee Morawski and Mayor Kevin Peterson abstained from the roll call, noting they are volunteer firefighters; the remaining trustees voted yes and the resolution carried. (Explanation and detail by Fire Chief Ryan Musilak: SEG 157–196; resolution and roll call: SEG 311–369.)

- Warner Road culvert (SEQR Type II determination) — board found the Warner Road culvert replacement to be a Type II action under 6 NYCRR Part 617 (maintenance/replacement of existing stormwater infrastructure) and determined no further SEQR review was required; the motion passed by roll call. (Project description: SEG 199–220; motion and vote: SEG 378–418.)

- Budget modifications (2025–2026) — board approved administrator‑proposed line‑item adjustments, including grant receipts for the fire department; vote by roll call was recorded as approved. (Preview: SEG 221–230; motion and roll call: SEG 421–437.)

- Appointment: senior‑center van driver (Megan Roper) — Mayor Kevin Peterson appointed Megan Roper to the part‑time position, effective Feb. 11, 2026; appointment approved by roll call. (Intro: SEG 231–259; appointment and vote: SEG 438–466.)

- Comprehensive plan (Lancaster–Depew) — the board reviewed the joint 2026 comprehensive plan environmental assessment form (EAF) and issued a negative declaration under SEQR; the mayor was authorized to sign required forms and notices. (Discussion: SEG 260–277; motion and roll call: SEG 472–537.)

- Claims and accounts — the board approved audited claims: General Fund $155,500.54; Community Development $0.00; Sewer Fund $959.00; Capital Projects $93,589.54; total $250,049.08. (SEG 1126–1137.)

What trustees and officials said

Fire Chief Ryan Musilak summarized the LOSAP rules, saying the program dates to 1995, awards points for calls, training and community events, and pays $20 per credited year up to 50 years with benefits starting at age 62. (SEG 166–186.)

Police Chief James McNamara reported department activity for the month: he cited 35 arrests, 94 tickets (largely overnight parking), 328 traffic summonses and noted new officers finishing field training. (SEG 595–606.)

Erie County Legislator Frank Todaro, who attended the meeting, said he continues to advocate for Depew and cited county support for local projects. (SEG 1002–1063.)

Claims and outstanding details

- The board described environmental disposal and abandonment risk associated with large battery storage installations during the battery‑law discussion; no regulatory text was adopted at the meeting—issues will be debated at the Feb. 23 public hearing. (SEG 101–121; SEG 276–285.)

- Several transcript lines include inconsistent spellings of village and creek names (e.g., “DePuy,” “The Pew,” “Skajakwita/Skajakweta/Saciquita/Skajakota Creek”); the board materials reference an engineering report prepared by Dee Donato engineering consulting firm and a consultant named La Bella and Associates. The village name used in official resolutions and vote rolls is Depew. (Multiple segments.)

Next steps

The next public step on the battery law is the Feb. 23 public hearing; other approved items proceed to implementation steps named in each resolution (signing the CGI agreement, posting certified LOSAP lists for 30 days, procurement/execution of culvert work as required by engineering and procurement rules). The board adjourned at about 7:47 p.m. following a moment of silence.