Westfield board raises harbor fees, approves appointments and authorizes East Route 5 payment

The Town Board of the Town of Westfield met May 6, 2026, in Eason Hall and unanimously approved a package of routine personnel, budget and project actions, including an increase in harbor fees and authorization of a payment application for the East Route 5 Water Benefit District No. 2 project.

The board voted to raise 2026 pier fees, increasing day passes from $5 to $10 and season passes from $50 to $75; overnight slips were set at $20 for 24 hours. Councilmember David Brown moved the harbor fee resolution, which Councilmember James Herbert seconded; Supervisor Martha R. Bills and both councilmembers voted aye.

Board members also approved several personnel and committee items. Christine Green was appointed Deputy Town Clerk effective April 13, 2026, at $17 per hour (up to 20 hours weekly). The board authorized summer employment for pier attendants Timothy Smith, Donald Thomas, Betty Carvella and Lawrence Smith at $16 per hour, and appointed Raisa Thayer to the Recreation Committee for a three-year term. A slate of reappointments for the Historian, Dog Control Officer, Harbor Master, Harbor Recreation Administrator, Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals was approved.

Finance actions included Budget Revision #3, moving $165 from fund A599 into A7180.411 to cover invoice 3314 (Seachrist Law Offices), and the board authorized drawing checks for warrants dated May 6, 2026. The warrants approved by the board totaled $259,485.59 across town funds and $590,008.17 for the Route 5 Water Benefit District No. 2 pay application. Councilmember David Brown moved the budget revisions and warrant approvals; James Herbert seconded and the motions passed unanimously.

On infrastructure matters, the board authorized the Town Supervisor to sign an agreement with MDA Consulting Engineers, PLLC for an evaluation of the Schultz Drive pump station in the Forest Park Sewer District. The board also authorized Form E #10 certification and Pay App No.7 for the East Route 5 Water Benefit District No. 2 project, allowing contractor-related payments to proceed.

In a preservation action, the board approved donating an original 1864 Civil War poster in the town's possession to the Chautauqua County Historical Society at the McClurg Mansion, subject to conditions: CCHS must provide a full-size, high-resolution reproduction to the town within 120 days, conserve and catalog the original, make it accessible to the public, and credit the Town of Westfield. The resolution was made with the stated intent of long-term preservation and public accessibility.

The board also designated the Northern Chautauqua Canine Rescue as the recipient of voluntary donations collected on dog license applications, directing the Bookkeeper to deposit such donations into dedicated fund A2705 and to transmit accumulated amounts annually. The resolution cites Chapter 69 of the Agriculture and Markets Law, Section 109.

During public comment, residents along West Route 20 asked for assistance securing water during warmer months; town officials advised documenting need and neighbor support to pursue funding and noted the highway superintendent is exploring local hauling options. Karen Engstrom provided an overview of wind projects and New York State wind laws during the public comment period.

The meeting opened at 7:30 p.m. and adjourned at approximately 8:45 p.m. The Supervisor noted that the Supervisor’s monthly report and other departmental reports were filed and available for public inspection in the Supervisor’s office.