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Town of Union board adopts multiple contract awards, sets parking law hearing and closes CDBG hearings
Summary
At its Nov. 6 meeting the Town Board of the Town of Union approved several public‑works and professional‑services contracts, approved budget transfers, set a hearing to amend parking rules on Lott Street, and closed CDBG/HOME and CAPER hearings; limited public comment focused on a zoning notice and local housing concerns.
The Town Board of the Town of Union met on Nov. 6, 2024, and approved a series of contract awards for local infrastructure and professional services, adopted budget transfers and set a public hearing to consider amending town parking regulations on Lott Street. The board opened and then closed public hearings on the FFY 2025–2029 CDBG & HOME Consolidated Plan and the initial draft of the FFY 2023 CDBG CAPER; the board also heard a public question during the budget hearing about which elected officials were referenced.
The board awarded multiple construction and service contracts for capital projects. Minutes record the awards of the Fairview Pump Station rehabilitation electrical contract to Blanding Electric Inc. (low bid of $231,000), the West Endicott Pump Station to Vacri Construction ($611,000), and the Reynolds Road Sanitary Pump Station to G. DeVincentis & Sons ($464,000). A sanitary sewer cleaning and televising contract was authorized for Arold’s (not to exceed $8,300). The board also moved to accept low‑bid professional services from EFPR Group, CPA PLLC for auditing/accounting services for 2024–2028 at the fee levels listed in the minutes.
On finance matters, the board approved several 2024 budget transfers reallocating tipping‑fee, equipment maintenance, sewer repairs and recycling accounts. The board authorized the Town Court to apply for a JCAP grant in the 2024–25 cycle of up to $30,000 and approved personnel and travel items, including allowing retired Deputy Clerk Karen Gance to return on an as‑needed basis at $26.00 per hour and approving Highway Superintendent John Mase to attend a highway‑department workshop.
The board passed a resolution to call a public hearing to consider amendments to Town Code §191‑14 (Parking Prohibited) to add no‑parking segments on Lott Street, with the hearing to be scheduled as provided in the resolution. The minutes show the motion to call the hearing was adopted.
During the Hearing of Visitors, resident Carol Leskowski asked which elected officials were referenced in the budget public hearing; Supervisor Robert Mack responded that the reference was to the town supervisor, town council members and the town clerk. Resident Marty Szymanski expressed concern about a lack of housing for homeless and immigrant populations; Supervisor Mack said local responsibility for those issues lies with the county, county Social Services or the Health Department and noted that town CDBG funds are allocated to different areas within the town.
Votes at a glance: the minutes record the board adopting the listed resolutions and contract awards. Several resolutions in the minutes are recorded as "Res. by [mover], seconded by [seconder]. Vote: All yes. The Resolution was adopted." Two vote lines include a notation that one member voted "No" adjacent to the "All yes" line in the minutes (the digital display contract and the solar project agreements entries); the minutes nevertheless record each resolution as adopted. The minutes do not provide a roll‑call tally for every action in the record.
The board received and filed intermunicipal notices (239 review items), zoning board of appeals decisions and multiple planning department reports, and appointed Amber Hontz to the Citizens Advisory Council for Community Development through Dec. 31, 2027. The meeting was adjourned at 7:35 p.m.; the minutes were signed by Town Clerk Leonard J. Perfetti.
Key quotes from the meeting include Carol Leskowski asking, "Who are the elected officials that were mentioned in the public hearing?" and Supervisor Robert Mack responding, "The Town Council members, the Supervisor, and the Town Clerk." Marty Szymanski said the town faces a shortage of housing for homeless and immigrant populations and asked what the town could do; Supervisor Mack replied the town doesn't control those services and recommended the county and Social Services be contacted.
Next steps noted in the minutes: the town will schedule the public hearing on parking amendments per the resolution, pursue awarded contracts per procurement procedures and file required documentation for the JCAP grant application. No substantive votes on the CDBG or HOME Consolidated Plan or CAPER were recorded at this meeting; the two related hearings were closed with no public comment.
