Depew trustees award $1.112 million sewer contract, approve seasonal hires and village events; zoning hearing tabled

At its June 22 meeting the Village of Depew Board of Trustees approved a slate of routine municipal measures, including a major contract award for sewer work and multiple event and staffing authorizations.

Trustees voted to award the Phase 9 sanitary sewer improvements contract to Jennese Valley Construction LLC (Portageville, N.Y.) for $1,112,350 based on the village engineer's recommendation. Mayor Kevin J. Peterson presented the resolution and trustees approved the award by roll call.

The board also approved a Department of Public Works mowing resolution to address properties with grass above the 10‑inch limit and to attach the cost of abated mowings to the property tax bill. Trustees approved permission for Depew Volunteer Fire Department apparatus to participate in the Lancaster Independence Day parade and to standby for the village fireworks event, and authorized the mayor to sign a contract with Skylighters for the July 3 pyrotechnic display.

Trustees approved police training travel for Officer Justin Handley to attend a close‑quarters tactics course (July 7–10), appointed four seasonal lifeguards for the recreation department and promoted Jessica Qatarski to police lieutenant (effective June 22, 2026). The police chief described Qatarski's experience in dispatch, patrol, community policing and training roles.

Village administrators and staff also received permission to run four movie nights at Fireman's Park in July with rain dates in August and to use park restrooms; Greenacres Ice Cream will vend at the events. The board approved audited claims and accounts presented by the finance committee.

The board opened a public hearing on proposed zoning-law revisions (Local Law No. 3 of 2026) but voted to keep the hearing open and table further action while code enforcement and staff complete draft language.

The meeting included department reports: DPW reported playground cleanup and scheduled street milling beginning July 15, and the fire department said it submitted a FEMA grant application for hose and equipment replacement with a dollar amount stated in the meeting transcript (amount recorded in transcript with ambiguous digits). Officials said they expect a FEMA decision around September.

The meeting concluded after an executive session on a personnel matter; trustees said no decisions were made in executive session and the board adjourned later that evening.

Votes at a glance: the transcript records roll-call votes of trustees Adolf, Zimba, Craft, Deputy Mayor Morowski and Mayor Peterson on most motions; the motions noted above carried by roll call as presented to the board.