Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Local Government Finance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Cheektowaga board repeals 2025 solar opt‑out, approves sewer code changes and village repaving aid
Summary
The Cheektowaga Town Board voted May 12 to repeal a 2025 local law that exempted certain energy systems from property taxation, approved amendments to sewer connection inspection rules and authorized highway assistance to the Village of Sloan for repaving work.
The Cheektowaga Town Board on May 12 voted to repeal a 2025 local law that had created an opt‑out exemption for some energy systems, approved amendments to the town's sewer code and agreed to assist the Village of Sloan with street repaving.
The repeal of the local law (resolution 20‑26‑2‑96) passed on a roll‑call vote with five members in favor and two opposed. Supervisor Brian Nowak said the repeal follows months of public discussion and earlier hearings. The board's action removes Article 10 (the opt‑out exemption for certain energy systems) and returns the town to the standard tax treatment in the municipal code.
The board also adopted a local law amending Chapter 198 (sewers) to update connection‑inspection requirements (resolution 20‑26‑2‑65). That item was carried by the board (the record notes it 'carried with 4 yeses'). Council members said the amendment is intended to clarify inspection timing and public‑use provisions for the town’s publicly owned treatment works.
Separately, the board authorized municipal cooperation with the Village of Sloan to allow the town highway department to assist with repaving requested by the village (resolution 20‑26‑2‑73). The town attorney said final indemnification language and other boilerplate will be finalized with the village attorney before signatures are completed.
Public speakers at the meeting raised related operational concerns. Resident Sandy Pruslak urged the board to continue the long‑standing assistance arrangements with Sloan, arguing village residents pay town and village taxes and expect reciprocal services. Another resident, Christine Walsh, pressed staff to clarify whether Maryvale Drive is a county or town road after describing severe potholes and exposed rebar.
What happens next: the repeal and sewer amendments take effect as local law upon filing with the Secretary of State; the Sloan agreement will be executed following final review by the town law department and the village attorney.
