> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://websterledger.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Town Board votes Thursday on declaring intent to pursue a new library by 2032 - URL: https://websterledger.com/2026-09-17-town-board-preview-library/ - Published: 2026-09-17T19:49:03.000Z - Updated: 2026-09-17T19:49:03.000Z - Description: The resolution would state an intent only. It names no site and no cost. A 6:45 p.m. presentation is set to compare the cost of leasing with building. - Author: Morgan VanDerLeest - Tags: Planning & development, Government The Webster Town Board will vote Thursday on a resolution declaring its intent to pursue a new library building by 2032, the year the current library lease expires. The Library Board of Trustees asked the town to state its plans. The resolution is a statement of intent. It names no site and no cost. It does not authorize spending, borrowing or a contract. Before the vote, Library Director Adam Traub and Town Engineer Keith Mortimer are scheduled to present a cost comparison of leasing versus building at 6:45 p.m., during the workshop. The cost comparison was not among the documents posted with either agenda. The workshop starts at 6:30 p.m. and the regular meeting at 7:30 p.m. Both are in the Town Board Meeting Room, 1002 Ridge Road, behind the main Town Hall next to the Justice Courts. Open to the Floor, with five minutes a speaker, comes before regular business. The library resolution is item 14 of 15\. Both agendas say they are subject to change. ## What the library resolution says The resolution says the library trustees sought "clarification regarding the Town's long-term intentions for the existing library lease set to expire in the year 2032." It says the board reviewed other options, including "location studies, facility assessments, land-use analyses, and consideration of capital and operational costs." The resolution states that the board "has determined that renewal of the current lease in 2032 would not represent the most prudent use of taxpayer resources, nor would it be the best support of future community needs." Its resolving clause says the board "hereby formally states its declaration of intent to pursue a new build for the library by the year 2032." The board would also keep working with the trustees and others "to explore, evaluate, and pursue long-term facility options." ## The two letters attached An Aug. 18 letter from Peter Knapp, president of the library's Board of Trustees, says the library board "respectfully supports planning for the construction of a new library facility by 2032 following the expiration of the current lease." The letter says new construction "represents the most significant financial investment among the available options" and "also offers the greatest ability to align the facility with future service needs." An Aug. 14 letter from Parks and Recreation Commissioner Christopher Bilow supports "the proposed construction of a new public library on the same property as the Webster Recreation Center (1350 Chiyoda Dr)." No other document posted with the agenda names that site. The resolution names no location. ## Comprehensive plan: a first step on environmental review Item 10 would classify the comprehensive plan update as a Type I action under the State Environmental Quality Review Act. The resolution would also declare the board's intent to be designated lead agency for that review. The Ledger's explainer covers [how lead agency and Type I review work](https://websterledger.com/how-a-project-gets-built-in-webster-site-plan-seqr/). The lead agency step is intent only. The resolution would direct town staff to notify the involved and interested agencies and seek their agreement or objection in writing. A town timeline attached to the item, marked "subject to change," lists these steps: - **Monday, Sept. 28:** public hearing held by the Comprehensive Plan Committee. The timeline gives no time or place. - **Thursday, Oct. 8:** the committee votes on its recommendation. - **Thursday, Oct. 15:** the Town Board refers the plan to Monroe County and sets its Nov. 5 public hearing. - **Thursday, Nov. 5:** Town Board public hearing; the board declares lead agency status. - **Thursday, Nov. 19:** Town Board workshop, final round of edits. - **Thursday, Dec. 17:** the board's environmental determination and plan adoption. A draft environmental narrative, also attached, says its purpose is to "support the determination that adoption of the Town of Webster Comprehensive Plan will not result in significant adverse environmental impacts." The draft's final page says the board "has issued a Negative Declaration." The town's timeline schedules the board's determination for Dec. 17, after both hearings. The Ledger's July piece covers [where the plan stood then](https://websterledger.com/where-the-webster-comprehensive-plan-stands/). ## The 2027 budget Item 5 would approve the 2027 tentative budget, making it the preliminary budget. That resolution puts the all-funds total to be raised by taxes, including sewer and special districts, at $23,567,025, up $711,882 or 3.11%, and says the real property tax levy does not exceed the town's tax levy limit. Its table estimates tax rates, a separate measure, rising 3.99% in the village and 4.18% outside. Item 6 would set the budget hearing for 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15, at 1002 Ridge Road. The town's published budget schedule sets final budget adoption for that meeting. ## Road project grant administration Item 11 would authorize the supervisor to sign a contract with Colliers Engineering & Design for additional services on the Webster Transportation Infrastructure Project, up to $35,000\. The firm's proposal describes grant administration for the $9.8 million FAST NY Track C grant for infrastructure improvements near the Xerox campus. The proposal says the $40,000 from the firm's initial town contract "is nearly expended." The new fee would cover work up to award of a construction contract, which the proposal anticipates in February 2027\. The board [closed environmental review of the project Sept. 3](https://websterledger.com/2026-09-03-town-board-recap-wtip-public-comment/). ## Grant consultant renewal Item 15 would renew the town's grant consulting and proposal writing agreement with J. O'Connell & Associates. The proposed contract would run two years, through Sept. 30, 2028\. The rate would be $4,000 a month. The 2025 extension ran one year at $3,900 a month. ## Other items **Credit cards.** Item 7 would adopt a credit card acceptance and processing policy. The policy authorizes only four offices to take cards: the Justice Court, the Town Clerk/Tax Collector, Parks and Recreation and the library. Online Justice Court payments and Town Clerk card payments would carry a convenience fee. Parks and Recreation and library customers would not be charged one. No fee amount appears in the policy. **Arbitrage.** Item 8 would authorize an engagement letter with PFM Asset Management, up to $7,500, for an arbitrage calculation and any needed IRS filings. At the July 30 budget workshop, Finance Director Paul Adams said, "We probably should have the calculation done sooner than later," as the Ledger [reported then](https://websterledger.com/budget-workshop-2027-raises-unsettled/). **Association of Towns.** Item 9 would designate Supervisor Alexander Scialdone as Webster's delegate to the New York State Association of Towns' Annual Legislative Priority Session on Sept. 23. **Fill permit.** Item 13 would grant a fill permit at 1636 Lake Road. The grading plan estimates 145 cubic yards of fill to eliminate "the existing permanent pool area," meaning standing water, in the rear yard. **Workshop.** The 6:30 p.m. workshop opens with a presentation titled "Buildout of Underutilized Space at the Town Court Building - Partnership with Monroe County Office of the Aging and Veterans Services Agency." **Also on the agenda:** Sept. 3 minutes, bills, a prepaid warrant, purchase orders and a Justice Court grant application. ## Get Webster news in your inbox Subscribe free Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. --- *AI tools were used in drafting and research.*