Tonawanda Town public meetings in 2022
12 substantive meetings from 2022, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Zoning Board of Appeals - Regular
The Zoning Board of Appeals approved an area variance for a homeowner to add a second story to an attached garage. The approval allows the structure to encroach 4 feet into a 6-foot side yard setback. The decision requires the installation of a bubbler system on the addition within one year.
- Approved minutes of November 16, 2022 meeting (Unanimous)
- Granted area variance for two-story attached garage at 16 Wayside Court (Unanimous)
Town Board - Regular
The Town Board approved several major infrastructure bids, including a $4.7M project for the Brighton Complex and a $1.1M waterline improvement. The Board also scheduled a public hearing for a development moratorium along River Road and authorized various budget amendments and personnel changes.
- Approved $4.7M bid from Montante Construction, LLC for Brighton Complex pool demolition and arena structure
- Approved $1.1M bid from Union Concrete and Construction Corp. for Kenmore Avenue waterline improvements
- Approved $172,116 bid from Atlantic Contracting Partners, LLC for Green Acres decommissioning
- Called public hearing for Jan 9, 2023, regarding development moratorium along coastal side of River Road
- Approved $75,858.90 five-year contract with Axon Enterprise Inc for paramedic body worn cameras
- Approved $120,000 grant from County of Erie for Rails to Trails connections on Moore Avenue
- Approved $17,092.39 in claim expenses paid by USI Insurance and Benefits
- Approved transfers to Capital Reserves totaling over $2.2M across multiple funds
Library Board - Regular
The Board of Trustees accepted the meeting agenda, the November 8, 2022 minutes with specific policy changes, and the Treasurer's report. Members discussed potential use of Bullet Aid for a "Library of Things" and future ADA restroom grants for the Kenilworth branch.
- Approved agenda as presented
- Approved November 8, 2022 minutes with changes to Whistler Blower policy and ByLaws
- Approved Treasurer's report including payables and bank statements
SEQR - Regular
The SEQR Committee approved the minutes from November 9, 2022. Four separate site plan and permit applications were tabled as the committee requested additional data on traffic, environmental impacts, and project definitions.
- Approved November 9, 2022 meeting minutes (4-0)
- Tabled Riverview Parkway site plan pending traffic and trail information (4-0)
- Tabled 1100 Military Road site plan/PS permit pending further information (3-0)
- Tabled 280 Two Mile Creek project pending detailed drawings and project definition (3-0)
- Tabled 2436 Niagara Falls Boulevard site plan and special use permit (3-0)
Planning Board - Regular
The Planning Board approved site plans for Gabe's Collision, Ken Ton Electronics, and Reinhart Enterprises. A Special Use Permit for a car wash was denied due to noise and traffic concerns near a residential area. Several other projects, including a cannabis processing facility, were tabled.
- Approved site plan for Gabe's Collision at 2260 Sheridan Drive (6-0)
- Approved site plan for new driveway at 2256 Sheridan Drive (6-0)
- Approved site plan for Reinhart Enterprises at 90 Pearce Ave (6-0)
- Denied Special Use Permit for Royal Car Wash at 2436 Niagara Falls Blvd (6-0)
- Tabled cannabis processing site plan at 1100 Military Road pending SEQR review
- Tabled site plan for 311 Coventry Road pending ZBA approval
- Tabled site plan for 280 Two Mile Creek Road (applicant failed to appear)
- Tabled site plan for 311 Kenmore Ave (applicant failed to appear)
Town Board - Regular
The Town Board approved a license agreement with Thunderwolves Baseball LLC to operate a youth baseball program. The board also authorized a $63,266.30 computer system for the Youth, Parks and Recreation Department and a contract for concrete removal at 4111 River Road.
- Approved license agreement with Thunderwolves Baseball LLC for youth baseball program (5-0)
- Approved $63,266.30 CivicPlus computer system and $50,000 annual support fee for Youth, Parks and Recreation (5-0)
- Approved $46,440 bid from E & R General Construction Inc. for concrete removal at 4111 River Road (5-0)
- Approved audit agreement with Drescher & Malecki LLP for years 2022-2024 (5-0)
- Approved $9,000 in insurance claims for National Fuel and Lipsitz, Green, Scime, Cambria LLP (5-0)
- Approved appointment of Edward D. Jetter as part-time Recreation Attendant A (5-0)
- Approved status change for David Hedrich to Working Crew Chief B-Step 1 (5-0)
- Determined to sell various surplus town-owned vacant properties at public auction
Town Board - Regular
The Town Board approved the sale of vacant land at 25 and 40 Pirson Parkway to NEWBRO Corp for approximately $271,250. Other key actions included renewing town insurance policies and authorizing the collection of over $1.1M in delinquent water charges and cleanup fees. A license agreement for a youth baseball program was tabled.
- Approved sale of 25 and 40 Pirson Parkway to NEWBRO Corp for approx. $271,250 (5-0)
- Approved $1,006,638.70 renewal of various insurance policies (5-0)
- Approved $49,560 contract with Wireless CCTV LLC for Blue Light Cameras (5-0)
- Approved $5,000 for streetlight improvements at 904 Parker Blvd and 108 Roswell Ave (5-0)
- Authorized levy of $1,075,591.70 in delinquent water charges and $63,376.33 for highway cleanup (5-0)
- Approved intermunicipal agreement for $45,000 in fire communication equipment (5-0)
- Tabled license agreement with Thunderwolves Baseball LLC (5-0)
- Tabled $63,266.30 proposal from CivicPlus for Parks & Recreation computer system (5-0)
Zoning Board of Appeals - Regular
The Zoning Board of Appeals unanimously approved four area variances for residential properties. These decisions allow for specific installations and structures that otherwise violate town zoning codes regarding side yards, driveway width, and garage height.
- Approved area variance for standby generator in side yard at 109 Willowgrove Ct (Unanimous)
- Approved area variance for air conditioning condenser in side yard at 170 Curtis Pkwy, contingent on screening by June 1, 2023 (Unanimous)
- Approved area variance for driveway width exceeding limit by 11 inches at 86 Grosvenor Rd (Unanimous)
- Approved area variance for 22-foot high detached garage at 19 Southwood Dr (Unanimous)
- Approved minutes of September 21, 2022 (Unanimous)
Town Board - Regular
The Town Board determined that three properties owned by Frank Juliano are in violation of unsafe building codes. The board also granted a performance standards use permit for a landscaping business at 90 Pearce Avenue and authorized several infrastructure grants and equipment purchases.
- Declared 765 Kenmore Ave, 4 St. Johns Ave, and 3 St. Johns Ave unsafe (4-0)
- Approved Land Use License for Highland Plaza, LLC and Highland O&P, LLC at 215 Highland Parkway (4-0)
- Granted Performance Standards Use Permit for Reinhart Enterprises Landscaping and Lawn Care, LLC at 90 Pearce Avenue (4-0)
- Authorized grant applications for Traffic Signal Upgrades and Aqua Lane Shore Stabilization (4-0)
- Approved $125,776 purchase of Case 221F Wheel Loader from Monroe Tractor (4-0)
- Approved $18,920 snow removal contract with Rickan’s Landscape Construction (4-0)
- Authorized $40,000 for a new NICE recording server for the Police Department (4-0)
- Tabled 60-month lease for a printer/scanner/copier for the Aquatic & Fitness Center (4-0)
Town Board - Budget - Regular
The Town Board held a public hearing and adopted the 2023 Preliminary Budget, including the Special Districts Budget. The board also approved the current base proportions for the 2022 Assessment Roll.
- Approved minutes from October 17, 2022
- Closed public hearing on 2023 Preliminary Budget (5-0)
- Adopted 2023 Preliminary Budget with $111,698,030.33 in appropriations (5-0)
- Adopted current base proportions for the 2022 Assessment Roll (5-0)
SEQR - Regular
The committee recommended a negative declaration for a landscaping business site plan at 90 Pearce Avenue. A proposal for cannabis product processing at 1100 Military Road was tabled pending more information. The replacement of a fence at Failing Cemetery was deferred to the next meeting.
- Approved October 12, 2022 minutes (5-0)
- Tabled 1100 Military Road site plan/PS permit pending further information (5-0)
- Recommended Town Board/Planning Board issue negative declaration for 90 Pearce Avenue (5-0)
Planning Board - Regular
The Planning Board recommended approval of a Performance Standards Use Permit for cannabis processing. Several other site plan reviews were tabled or removed from the agenda due to missing documentation or applicant absence.
- Recommended approval of Performance Standards Use Permit for Northeast Botanicals Distribution cannabis processing (6-0)
- Approved meeting minutes from October 5, 2022 (6-0)
- Tabled site plan for Gabe’s Collision at 2260 Sheridan Drive (6-0)
- Tabled site plan for Ken Ton Electronics at 2256 Sheridan Drive (6-0)
- Tabled site plan for 311 Coventry Road (6-0)
- Removed 2504 Niagara Falls Blvd storage yard application from agenda (6-0)
- Tabled conversion of 1750 Military Road to a church (6-0)
- Tabled site plan for Reinhart Enterprises at 90 Pearce Ave