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Town Board approves sidewalk funding, TAP grant, ambulance fee update and other routine measures
Summary
At its Jan. 22 work session the board approved a capital budget amendment to show $186,120 in bonding for a Colonial Avenue sidewalk, authorized execution of a NYSDOT TAP grant for Colonial Avenue, approved the 2025 ambulance fee schedule tied to Medicare rates, renewed the rink concession with Strada Food LLC for $33,972 annually, accepted multi-year NYSDOT snow-and-ice agreements through 2029, approved a tax-assessment settlement with JPMorgan Chase, and appointed Rima Azar to the Board of Architectural Review.
The Town Board took a package of routine but substantive actions Jan. 22, approving funding and agreements to move local infrastructure and services forward.
Capital budget and Colonial Avenue sidewalk: Town staff presented a capital budget amendment to demonstrate availability of $186,120 in bonding for a Colonial Avenue sidewalk agreement with NYSDOT. A motion to authorize the comptroller to make the necessary budget amendments was moved and seconded and passed on roll call.
NYSDOT TAP grant for Colonial Avenue: Meredith, speaking for town staff, said the TAP (Transportation Alternatives Program) grant documents allow the town to sign state agreements and proceed with the pedestrian-improvement project. "This is the actual agreement with the State to move forward on the Colonial Avenue grant agreement and so we'll now have the money in place ... and so this allows me to go ahead and, sign the grant agreement and all of the related documents to move forward," Meredith said. The board authorized the town administrator to execute the master federal-aid local project agreement, the state-local agreement and adopted the NYSDOT resolution provided.
Ambulance district fees: The board approved the 2025 ambulance district fee schedule. Meredith said the schedule updates fees annually to match permitted Medicare rates and "allows us to increase the fees for the ambulance services provided up to the new Medicare rates." Board members framed the change as routine and necessary for the ambulance district's financial health.
Concession license renewal: The board approved an extension of the rink concession license with Strada Food LLC for Feb. 2, 2025 through Feb. 1, 2026 for an annual fee including utilities of $33,972, with an option to renew for one additional year. The vendor has operated at the rink for multiple years and board members said they have been satisfied with service.
NYSDOT snow-and-ice agreements: Town staff presented supplemental reimbursements and a multi-year extension to reimburse the town for snow-and-ice removal on state roadways. The board approved amendments for prior years and an extension agreement through June 30, 2029, and authorized the town administrator to execute related documents.
JPMorgan Chase assessment settlement: Counsel outlined a settlement resolving Chase Bank's assessment challenges for 2021–2024 by reducing the assessed value from $2,220,000 to $2,000,000 for those years. The transcript stated estimated refunds of approximately $3,700 to the bank and about $8,730 to the school district. The board approved the settlement by motion and roll call.
Appointment to Board of Architectural Review: Robin, the liaison, recommended Rima Azar for the Board of Architectural Review; the board approved the appointment effective upon completion of required paperwork, with a term expiring Dec. 31, 2026.
Votes at a glance: motions on the capital budget amendment, TAP grant authorizations, ambulance fee schedule, concession license renewal, NYSDOT snow-and-ice agreements, the Chase assessment settlement and the appointment all passed on motions and roll-call votes recorded during the session. No measures were rejected or tabled at this meeting.
Next steps: Several approvals — notably the TAP grant and bonding demonstration for the sidewalk project — obligate staff to complete execution of state and grant documents, and to return with any required follow-up actions or funding authorizations; the board scheduled a work session to continue internal planning.
