Summary
The Empire Village Council held public hearings on water rates, the FY 2026-27 budget, and schedule of fees, then adopted the FY 2026-27 budget, water rate resolution, Act 152 healthcare certification, and schedule of fees. The council also approved a healthcare policy change adding family coverage, reappointed three Zoning Board of Appeals members, approved a $3,500 engineering contract with Gosling-Czubak, approved replacement water meters, and approved most Empire Chamber of Commerce road closure requests.
Public Comments
During the budget public hearing, Karen Baja raised concerns about the Zoning Administrator's salary and lack of enforcement, DPW wages and organization, and staffing for sidewalk snow removal. During public comments on agenda items, Baja asked about a question sent to the attorney regarding Right to Farm; Davis responded no answer had been received yet and he would follow up. No comments were made during the water rates or schedule of fees hearings, and no public comments were offered at the end of the meeting.
Parks and Recreation Matters
Bacon requested that the Recreation Committee review the Beach Ordinance; this was a suggestion made during council member comments, not a formal council action.
Infrastructure Projects
Resolution No. 3 of 2026 set water rates; Skrocki discussed differences between business and residential rates and Ready to Serve vs. Water Usage rates, with future repair/replacement costs factored in. Motion by Rademacher, support by Dye, passed 6-1 (Skrocki opposed). Rademacher noted rates were based on a Gosling-Czubak Water Study, with the Water Fund required to be self-supporting. The council approved a $3,500 contract with Gosling-Czubak for oversight of the Union/Wilce alley crushing/paving project and Union St. HMA overlay from Niagara to Salisbury (motion by Dye, support by Rademacher, unanimous). Replacement of 7 water meters was approved (motion by Rademacher, support by Dye, 6-1, Bacon opposed); discussion included possible vendor reimbursement for defective meters and a suggestion that meter age be included in future requests. DPW reported frozen water lines during the reporting period, with adjusted billing planned.
Other Business
Three ZBA reappointments were made: Dave Diller (unanimous voice vote), Sam Barr (voice vote, Skrocki opposed), and Bob Scott (unanimous voice vote). The council approved Chamber of Commerce road closure requests except for the Front St. closure from Union to LaRue for the Asparagus Festival (motion by Dye, support by Bacon).
Financial Summary
Healthcare policy change adds family coverage at about $600/month, described as within this year's cap. Act 152 certification (Resolution No. 4) included the Hard Cap option; total health costs exceeded $50K in current/previous years; Bacon noted Hard Cap offers no overall savings with added family coverage. A voluntary employee payroll contribution was authorized when the cap is exceeded. The FY 2026-27 budget (Resolution No. 5) removed grant funding and professional development line items from the draft and added a $25K General Fund contribution to Local Streets; Bacon noted $24K in new state funding for neighborhood roads, expected to increase in future years.
Action Items
Davis to follow up with the attorney on the Right to Farm question raised by Karen Baja. Clerk to discuss voluntary payroll health insurance deductions with each employee. Walton noted Personnel is still accepting applications and requested additional publicity for the DPW Superintendent position. Council President and Pro Temp to review bills before mailing on February 27th.