Town of Union board approves roof, NYSDOT project, equipment purchases and multiple budget moves

The Town of Union Board on Aug. 13 adopted a series of resolutions advancing capital projects, equipment purchases and routine budget transfers.

The board awarded the Highland Park Recreation Center roof replacement to AB Construction & Roofing for $76,750 and approved a $75,200 sanitary sewer flow meter project to be paid from capital funds. It also authorized a $180,000 commitment to preliminary engineering and right-of-way incidentals for intersection improvements at Hooper Road (CR 33) and Pruyne Street under an agreement with the New York State Department of Transportation; the town will seek reimbursement of 80% from federal funds and 15% from state Marchiselli funds for the specified phases. The board also authorized purchase of a 2025 Caterpillar 938 3V loader through a NYS OGS buy-back program (contract PC69406) at a net cost of $58,000 after a $185,000 trade-in and declared multiple vehicles and pieces of equipment surplus for auction.

Councilman Frank J. Bertoni offered many of the Capital Projects resolutions and Councilman Thomas R. Augostini seconded them. Where votes were recorded, most resolutions passed unanimously (four in favor; one board member, Joseph P. Nirchi Sr., was listed as absent). One exception was a resolution approving an agreement with Allied Universal for security professional services: the vote was recorded Yes — David Kudgus, Thomas R. Augostini and Robert Mack; No — Frank J. Bertoni; the resolution was adopted 3–1.

The Finance Committee approved transfers including a $17,000 reallocation from Property Rental to Building Maintenance for Refuse and smaller transfers within the Parks budget to cover education and signage needs. The Parks & Recreation Committee authorized purchase of a 72" Zero Turn riding mower and parts for $21,428.97 under Omnia Contract 20469.

Planning and zoning items included adoption of the FFY 2025–2026 CDBG-HOME program budget for submission to HUD, authorization to submit an application for the FEMA Community Rating System program, and authorization for the Planning Director to advertise RFPs for construction projects identified in the CDBG & HOME annual plan. The board also set a public hearing on a Town Comprehensive Plan for Sept. 3, 2025.

The meeting minutes record motions as moved by Augostini and seconded by Bertoni for many routine items; resolutions from the Capital Projects & Public Works Committee show Bertoni as sponsor and Augostini as second in the items noted above. Where the minutes list specific vote language the article reports that language; where the minutes report "Vote: All yes" the outcome is described as unanimous among members present.

The board received and filed several department reports, planning board decisions and the Town Clerk and permits reports for July 2025. The meeting adjourned at 7:35 p.m.

Votes at a glance

• Parking amendments, Royal Road: adopted (Vote: All yes). • Highland Park roof award to AB Construction & Roofing ($76,750): adopted (Vote: All yes). • NYSDOT Hooper Road at Pruyne Street preliminary/ROW authorization ($180,000): adopted (Vote: All yes). • Sanitary sewer flow meter project (Duke's, $75,200): adopted (Vote: All yes). • Allied Universal security services agreement: adopted (Yes: Kudgus, Augostini, Mack; No: Bertoni). • 2025 CAT 938 3V Loader via NYS OGS buy-back (net $58,000): adopted (Vote: All yes). • Zero Turn mower (Parks) $21,428.97: adopted (Vote: All yes).