Town of Union adopts CDBG/HOME plan, authorizes sewer inspection work and approves several hires

The Town Board of the Town of Union on July 9, 2025 approved its FFY 2025–2026 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Five‑Year Consolidated Plan and HOME Program and authorized staff to submit required documentation to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development by Aug. 16, 2025.

The resolution to adopt the CDBG and HOME plans was offered by Councilman David Kudgus and seconded by Councilman Frank J. Bertoni; the board voted unanimously to adopt the plan. The board’s motion notes that minor adjustments may be required by HUD but that such changes would not alter the approved structure of the plan.

The board also adopted a capital projects resolution authorizing Arold Construction Company, Inc. to perform sanitary sewer cleaning and inspection in the Laguna Drive Easement/Taft Avenue area at $6,250 per day with a total cost listed as $12,500. The payment source for the work was identified as the Sewer Department Capital Improvement account; the resolution passed unanimously.

On personnel matters the board appointed Deputy Town Clerk Joan Morris and Deputy Town Clerk Caroline Zdimal as marriage officers pursuant to Domestic Relations Law Section 11. The board approved the appointment of Patricia A. Meis as clerk to Justice Gregory P. Thomas at an indicated starting salary of $46,000 pending successful completion of pre‑employment testing.

The Planning Department received multiple approvals: the board authorized hiring Christopher Sanchez as a full‑time Section 8 trainee at an annual salary of $33,579 and approved hiring Brooke Flagel as a full‑time account clerk at the same annual salary pending pre‑employment testing. Council also authorized the Planning Director to issue Requests for Proposals for construction projects tied to previously approved HOME program activities. The board approved staff attendance at the Association of Towns “2025 Planning & Zoning School” in Binghamton, NY (Sept. 2, 2025) with registration set at $100 per attendee; funding sources were specified in the minutes for coding to planning and CDBG administrative budgets as appropriate.

Votes at a glance: - Authorize Arold Construction sewer cleaning and inspection; mover: Frank J. Bertoni; seconder: Thomas R. Augostini; vote: all yes; outcome: adopted. - Appoint Joan Morris & Caroline Zdimal as Marriage Officers; mover: David Kudgus; seconder: Thomas R. Augostini; vote: all yes; outcome: adopted. - Appoint Patricia A. Meis as Clerk to Justice; mover: David Kudgus; seconder: Thomas R. Augostini; outcome: carried (pending pre‑employment testing). - Hire Christopher Sanchez, Section 8 trainee ($33,579); mover: David Kudgus; seconder: Frank J. Bertoni; vote: all yes; outcome: adopted. - Approve FFY 2025–2026 CDBG & HOME Consolidated Plan and Annual Action Plan; mover: David Kudgus; seconder: Frank J. Bertoni; vote: all yes; outcome: adopted. - Hire Brooke Flagel, Account Clerk ($33,579); mover: David Kudgus; seconder: Frank J. Bertoni; vote: all yes; outcome: adopted.

The board received and filed routine department reports, including the Permits Monthly Report and Town Clerk Monthly Report for June 2025. The meeting adjourned at 7:16 P.M. with brief recognitions of new restaurants in Little Italy and Supervisor Robert Mack commenting on the town’s July 4 celebration at Highland Park.

Next steps noted in the minutes: the planning staff and town supervisor were authorized to execute and submit HUD documentation for the adopted CDBG/HOME plan on or before Aug. 16, 2025; minor HUD-required adjustments were flagged as possible but not substantive.