Town of Union board approves parks fee changes, equipment purchases and CDBG reallocations

The Town Board of the Town of Union voted Nov. 5 to adopt several budget transfers, new parks program fees, and capital purchases while calling a public comment period on proposed Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) amendments.

Supervisor Robert Mack presided over the meeting in the Town Board Room in Endwell. The board opened two public hearings — one on proposed amendments to Chapter 178 (Streets and Sidewalks) and one on the 2026 Preliminary Budget (including water, sewer and fire contracts and a proposed tax‑cap override) — and closed both after no members of the public wished to speak.

Parks and recreation actions were the most discussed items. The board adopted a Parks & Recreation resolution, moved by Councilman David Kudgus and seconded by Councilman Frank J. Bertoni, setting new monthly rates for the town's pickleball and volleyball programs at $15 per month for residents and $30 per month for non‑residents. The resolution also establishes a discounted six‑month season pass priced at $60 for residents and $120 for non‑residents. The Parks committee presented per‑resident and per‑day cost breakdowns prepared for the board: $15 x 6 months = $90 total (about $1.73 per day for 3 hours of play); non‑resident pricing was shown as $30 x 6 months = $180 total.

Several residents raised concerns during public comment. Carol Laskowski of Johnson City said streetlights in Westover, on George F. Highway and near the Route 201 bridge “are not very bright.” Supervisor Mack said the higher poles near the circle are maintained by the town and need new bulbs, while other lights are controlled by the New York State Department of Transportation and residents should contact NYSDOT (Andy Stiles). Jennifer Westerman and Dennis Chavez questioned the effect of new fees on participation; Supervisor Mack said monthly fees remain the same and offered to meet residents with hardships to explore options.

The board approved park infrastructure and equipment purchases. It authorized hiring T & B Electric to install parking‑lot lighting at Glendale Park (lowest quoted price $9,000) and approved the purchase of a Ventrac 4520 tractor with two attachments from Grasslands Equipment & Irrigation Corp. for $51,846.15, both carried by voice vote. The Parks & Recreation resolutions were presented by Councilman David Kudgus and adopted unanimously.

On capital projects and public works, the board approved an amendment to the Blanding Electric contract for the Fairview Pump Station rehabilitation to bring the station up to code; the change order totals $28,988. The board also authorized employee training related to new equipment (a sweeper) and approved attendance for three staff members at the Niagara Frontier Building Officials Association 2026 conference to satisfy mandated annual code training hours.

Finance committee actions included multiple intra‑fund budget transfers across capital, equipment and maintenance lines and the adoption of a resolution to purchase a Kyocera TASKalfa MZ2501ci copier for $5,268 to replace an older Ricoh MPC2051. Those transfers and the copier purchase were moved by Finance Chair Thomas R. Augostini and approved unanimously.

On planning and economic development, the board filed a Planning Board resolution accepting a change of ownership/management for LSE Titan LLC and LSE Titan II LLC. The membership interest purchase agreement finalizes an affiliate of GS Power Partners (GSPP) as the new manager/owner, replacing Lodestar Energy; the Town Board adopted the prepared resolution.

The board also approved amendments to the FFY 2025–26 CDBG Annual Action Plan and called a final 30‑day public comment period and a Dec. 17, 2025 public hearing. The proposed CDBG reallocations move $60,000 to the Western Broome Senior Center (from Home Improvement, Demolition/Slum‑Blight and Administration lines) and $50,000 to the Johnson City Senior Center ADA project (from Administration, Town of Union Street Reconstruction and First‑Time Home Buyers lines). The board adopted the resolutions and set the public hearing for Dec. 17.

Other routine resolutions carried on unanimous votes, including authorizations for staff training and the filing of department reports (Zoning Board of Appeals decision, Local Development Corporation minutes, and the October permits report). The meeting adjourned at 7:57 p.m.

Votes at a glance: all recorded resolutions in these minutes carried on unanimous voice votes unless noted. Key adopted items include the Kyocera copier purchase ($5,268), a Blanding Electric change order for Fairview Pump Station ($28,988), Glendale Park lighting (T & B Electric, $9,000 quote accepted), Ventrac 4520 tractor purchase ($51,846.15), Parks & Recreation fee schedule and six‑month season pass (residents $60; non‑residents $120), and CDBG budget transfers totaling $110,000 redirected to senior‑center projects. The board set a public hearing on the CDBG amendment for Dec. 17, 2025.

Next steps and follow‑ups noted during the meeting included referral of a resident sewer‑backup reimbursement request to the town insurance carrier and town attorney and an instruction to property owner inquiries to pursue planning board review for development or access issues.