Tonawanda Town public meetings in 2024
33 substantive meetings from 2024, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Town Board - Regular
The Tonawanda Town Board approved a series of resolutions including the purchase of police laptops and ambulances, budget transfers, and the approval of a minor subdivision at 1534 Military Road. The meeting also included the approval of minutes and the expiration of a permissive referendum.
- Police Department: Purchase of Panasonic CF-33 Toughbooks for $142,779.05
- Police Department: Purchase of Panasonic CF-33 Toughbooks for Paramedics at $50,056.63
- Town Board: Approve purchase of 4 new ambulances at $945,640.00
- Town Board: Approve transfer of funds from Recycling Equipment Reserve to Sanitation Equipment Reserve
- Town Board: Approve minor subdivision of 1534 Military Road into two lots
Zoning Board of Appeals - Regular
The Zoning Board of Appeals will approve the minutes from its November 20, 2024 meeting. It will hold hearings on four area variance applications, including a fence height request, a subdivision proposal, and two accessory‑structure height requests. Decisions on these variances will be recorded at this meeting or at the next meeting on January 15, 2025.
- Approve minutes of the Zoning Board meeting held November 20, 2024
- Area variance for 94 Gardenwood Lane: request for a 6‑foot fence on a corner lot
- Area variance for 185 Dupont Avenue: subdivision creating a 4,050 sq ft lot with 30 ft frontage, below the 4,500 sq ft and 45 ft minimums
- Area variance for 46 Glenside Avenue: accessory structure 13 ft high, exceeding the 12 ft limit
- Area variance for 160 Stoneleigh Avenue: accessory structure size exceeds code limits
Bid Openings - Regular
The Tonawanda Town Board adopted Resolution 2024-819 to advertise and receive sealed proposals for consumable paper products for all town departments. Bids are to be submitted by December 10, 2024 at 3:30 PM in the Council Room of the Municipal Building in Kenmore. The Ken‑Ton Bee was designated as the official newspaper for the bid advertisement. Received bids will be forwarded to the committee chair and the Youth, Parks & Recreation department for tabulation and recommendation.
- Call for sealed bids for 2025 consumable paper products town‑wide (Resolution 2024‑819).
- Bid receipt scheduled for December 10, 2024 at 3:30 PM, Council Room, Municipal Building, Kenmore.
- Ken‑Ton Bee designated as official newspaper for bid advertisement per General Municipal Law §103(2).
- Resolution adopted unanimously (movers: Carl Szarek; seconders: Gina Santa Maria).
Planning Board - Regular
The Town of Tonawanda Planning Board will consider actions for a flex space building on Sheridan Drive. The board will also discuss several preliminary site plans for warehouses, retail, and vehicle storage across Military Road, Delaware Avenue, and Elmwood Avenue.
- Action on 8,933 sf office/warehouse building with 8 flex space units at 817 Sheridan Drive
- Discussion of 19,440 sf warehouse space (up to 14 units) at 2042 Military Road
- Discussion of 3,200 sf accessory building for Five Star Services at 1320 Military Road
- Discussion of retail conversion of former auto repair at 3685 Delaware Ave.
- Discussion of 4,800 sf truck repair building for John’s Towing at 1121/1137 Sheridan Drive
Town Board - Regular
The Tonawanda Town Board will approve the minutes from the November 18 meeting and address several expirations of bond estoppel and permissive referenda related to ambulance purchases, dump‑truck funding, and a wastewater treatment plant project. The Board will hold hearings and vote on a special use permit for Maya Town, LLC to operate a short‑term rental at 39 Fowler Avenue, and on amending Schedule XI to add "NO STOPPING ANYTIME" signs on Merle Drive between Military Road and Nicholas Drive North. Additional resolutions will cover a grant application for the 1740 Military Road site, a claim payment of $2,519, and personnel actions.
- Expiration of Bond Estoppel 2024-ESTOP-1 for purchase of up to four ambulances
- Expiration of Permissive Referendum PRM-2024-15 for $234,034 dump‑truck purchase from the Water and Sewer Equipment Capital Reserve Fund
- Expiration of Permissive Referendum PRM-2024-16 for up to $500,000 professional services for the Wastewater Treatment Plant Oxygen Generation System Replacement Project
- Hearing and Resolution RES-2024-800 to grant or deny a Special Use Permit for a short‑term rental at 39 Fowler Avenue
- Hearing and Resolution RES-2024-801 to amend Schedule XI with "NO STOPPING ANYTIME" signs on Merle Drive between Military Road and Nicholas Drive North
Bid Openings - Regular
The Town Board is receiving sealed proposals for Job 3077.6. This project involves roof replacement and HVAC upgrades at the Highway Department Office Building and Paint Shop Building.
- Job 3077.6: Roof Replacement and HVAC Upgrades at the Highway Department Office Building and Paint Shop Building
Zoning Board of Appeals - Regular
The Zoning Board of Appeals will hold hearings for residents seeking area variances to install equipment in side yards. Current regulations generally require such equipment to be located in the rear yard.
- Variance request for emergency standby generator at 61 Snug Haven Court
- Variance request for emergency standby generator at 22 Kingsbury Lane
- Variance request for emergency standby generator at 1117 Colvin Boulevard
- Variance request for two heat pump condensers at 121 Deerhurst Park Boulevard
Bid Openings - Regular
The Tonawanda Town Board adopted Resolution 2024‑740 to re‑advertise sealed proposals for Job 3083 – Belmont Restroom Renovation after receiving no bids previously. The board set the bid receipt date for November 19, 2024 at 3:30 PM in the Council Room of the Municipal Building. Proposals must include a certified check or bid bond of at least 5 % of the base bid, and the Ken‑Ton Bee was designated as the newspaper for advertising.
- Re‑advertise sealed bids for Job 3083 – Belmont Restroom Renovation
- Bid receipt scheduled for November 19, 2024 at 3:30 PM
- Require bid bond of minimum 5 % of the base bid
- Ken‑Ton Bee designated as advertising newspaper
- Board reserves right to reject any or all bids
Town Board - Regular
The Tonawanda Town Board will vote on the 2025 Preliminary Budget, including special districts and assessment roll. It will also consider personnel actions and authorize several equipment purchases for the Police Department and emergency services. Additional items include a sanitation equipment reserve fund and a playground equipment project. All items are presented as resolutions for board approval.
- Resolution RES-2024-756 – Adopt the 2025 Preliminary Budget (including special districts)
- Resolution RES-2024-764 – Authorize $33,550 purchase of a Crash Data Retrieval unit for Police
- Resolution RES-2024-765 – Authorize $81,606.70 purchase of a Trimble X9 Laser Scanning System for Police
- Resolution RES-2024-766 – Authorize $27,796 purchase of seven Glide Scope Go 2 video laryngoscopes for the Paramedic Unit
- Resolution RES-2024-767 – Approve $80,443.54 purchase of inclusive playground equipment for Old Town Playground and Lincoln Parks DFK Pavilion
Town Board - Budget - Regular
The Tonawanda Town Board will hold a hearing on the 2025 Preliminary Budget for the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2025, covering the town and its special districts. The Board will also consider Resolution RES-2024-751, which would authorize the Supervisor to sign all documents needed to establish a municipal ambulance service for the Town of Tonawanda and the Village of Kenmore. Minutes from the October 21, 2024 meeting will be approved, and the meeting will be adjourned to November 18, 2024.
- Hearing on the 2025 Preliminary Budget for the Town of Tonawanda, including special districts and the assessment roll
- Resolution RES-2024-751 to authorize the Supervisor to sign documents for establishing a municipal ambulance service
Planning Board - Regular
The Tonawanda Town Planning Board will consider several actions, including a Special Use Permit for a short‑term rental at 39 Fowler Ave. It will also act on site plan and SEQR determinations for the National Fuel Solar Array at 2121/2141 Military Road. Additional items include preliminary reviews of multiple site plans and a discussion of rezoning matters.
- Special Use Permit request for short‑term rental at 39 Fowler Ave (action)
- SEQR Determination and Site Plan for National Fuel Solar Array at 2121/2141 Military Road (action)
- Preliminary review of 2042 Military Road warehouse space (discussion)
- Preliminary review of John’s Towing 4,800 sf truck‑repair building at 1121/1137 Sheridan Drive (discussion)
- Rezoning agenda item (discussion)
Town Board - Regular
The Tonawanda Town Board will approve the minutes from the October 7 meeting and address the expiration of several permissive referenda. It will receive the 2025 preliminary budget and review a LCRR compliance presentation. The Board will consider multiple resolutions, including a $1.1 million bond to purchase up to four ambulances and several infrastructure expenditures.
- Adopt a $1,100,000 bond for purchase of up to four ambulances (RES-2024-738)
- Approve $500,000 for professional services on the wastewater treatment plant oxygen generation project (RES-2024-733)
- Approve $274,900 for purchase of two CAT 420 backhoe loaders (PRM-2024-13)
- Approve $59,750 for a new 25‑ton trailer (RES-2024-739)
- Approve up to $20,000 for firetower building improvement (PRM-2024-12)
Zoning Board of Appeals - Regular
The Zoning Board of Appeals will hold hearings for three residents seeking area variances to install equipment in side yards. Current regulations require these items to be located in the rear yard.
- Area variance request for air conditioning condenser unit at 138 Devonshire Road
- Area variance request for emergency standby generator at 60 Halladay Lane
- Area variance request for emergency standby generator at 1589 Colvin Boulevard
Bid Openings - Regular
The Tonawanda Town Board called for sealed bids on October 15, 2024, for one new 25-ton trailer. The bids were received and will be reviewed by the Chairman of the Committee and the Town Engineer.
- Resolution 2024-686: Call for bids for one new 25-ton trailer
- Bid opening scheduled for October 15, 2024, at 3:30 PM in Council Chambers
- Ken-Ton Bee designated as the newspaper for advertising the bid
- Bids received and referred to the Chairman of the Committee and Town Engineer for tabulation
Town Board - Regular
The Tonawanda Town Board approved a resolution to exceed the state property tax cap for fiscal year 2025 and adopted a rezoning for 817 Sheridan Drive. The board also adopted resolutions for a four-way stop at Woodstock Avenue and Yorkshire Road and approved a $10,000 grant for an ambulance study.
- Rezone 817 Sheridan Drive from MU-N to MU-GC
- Adopt Local Law 3 of 2024 to exceed 2025 property tax cap
- Install all-way stop at Woodstock Avenue and Yorkshire Road
- Approve $10,000 conditional grant for ambulance study
- Approve payments totaling $7,783.83
Planning Board - Regular
The Tonawanda Planning Board will consider several actions, including a Special Use Permit for a short‑term rental at 39 Fowler Ave. It will also act on site‑plan extensions for Ken Ton Electronics and Gabe’s Collision, and a SEQR determination for a cannabis dispensary at 440 Niagara Falls Blvd. Additional items include discussions of preliminary site plans, a rezoning agenda, and other special‑use permit renewals.
- 39 Fowler Ave – Short term rental, request for Special Use Permit (action)
- 2256 Sheridan Drive – Ken Ton Electronics, extension of site plan approval (action)
- 440 Niagara Falls Blvd – Cannabis dispensary, SEQR determination (action)
- 2121/2141 Military Road – National Fuel Solar Array (discussion)
- Rezoning (discussion/action item)
Bid Openings - Regular
The Town Board adopted Resolution 2024-612 to call for sealed proposals for Job 3113.1, a generator installation at the Senior Center on 291 Ensminger Road. Bids are to be received on October 1, 2024 at 3:30 PM in the Council Room of the Municipal Building, with a required bid bond of at least 5% of the base bid. Advertisements will appear in the Ken‑Ton Bee newspaper and the Construction Exchange to meet state M/WBE requirements.
- Call for bids on Job 3113.1 – generator installation at 291 Ensminger Road Senior Center
- Bid bond required: minimum 5% of the base bid amount
- Advertisements in Ken‑Ton Bee newspaper and Construction Exchange for M/WBE compliance
- Sealed proposals to be received Oct 1, 2024 at 3:30 PM, Council Room, Municipal Building
- Board reserves right to reject any or all bids and re‑advertise
Bid Openings - Regular
The Town Board is receiving and opening sealed bids for 3M Peltor SwatTac VI NIB Headsets. These headsets are intended for use by the Town of Tonawanda Police Department SWAT Team. Bids will be referred to the Committee Chairman and Town Engineer for tabulation and recommendation.
- Receipt of bids for 3M Peltor SwatTac VI NIB Headsets for the Police Department SWAT Team
Town Board - Regular
The Tonawanda Town Board will consider several items, including a resolution to grant a Special Use Permit for a cannabis dispensary at 440 Niagara Falls Boulevard, a permit for an accessory dwelling unit at 62 Kingsbury Lane, and an amendment to speed limits on Brighton Road near Kenmore East High School. The board will also approve budget transfers, adopt the FY2024 Community Development Block Grant budget, and address the expiration of a permissive referendum for a Dish Wireless antenna lease at 1275 Parker Boulevard.
- Resolution RES-2024-638 – grant Special Use Permit for an accessory dwelling unit at 62 Kingsbury Lane
- Resolution RES-2024-640 – grant Special Use Permit for a cannabis dispensary at 440 Niagara Falls Boulevard
- Resolution RES-2024-641 – amend Schedule IX‑A speed limits on Brighton Road near Kenmore East High School
- Resolution RES-2024-646 – approve budget transfers for 2024 as requested by various departments
- Resolution RES-2024-647 – adopt FY2024 budget for the Community Development Block Grant program
Zoning Board of Appeals - Regular
The Tonawanda Zoning Board of Appeals will hear three area variance applications for residential properties. Applicants seek a generator in a side yard, a 192‑square‑foot utility building in a front yard, and a 403‑square‑foot garage addition that exceeds setback and size limits. The board will vote on the requests after the hearings or at its next meeting on October 16, 2024.
- David Chamberlain – variance to install an automatic standby generator in the side yard of 158 Leicester Road (First Residential zone).
- William Long – variance to construct a 192‑sq‑ft utility building exceeding the 180‑sq‑ft limit, proposed in the front yard of 615 Delaware Road.
- Rachel Stowell – variance to add a 403‑sq‑ft garage addition that would exceed the 6‑ft side‑yard setback and garage footprint limits at 122 Hartford Avenue.
Bid Openings - Regular
The Town Board is receiving and opening sealed proposals for Job 3083 - Belmont Restroom Renovation. Bids will be referred to the Committee Chairman and Town Engineer for tabulation and recommendation.
- Receipt of bids for Job 3083 - Belmont Restroom Renovation
Town Board - Regular
The Town Board will hold a public hearing regarding the subdivision of 145 Belmont Avenue into two lots. The meeting also includes votes on several community event permits, personnel changes, and various service contracts.
- Public hearing and resolution for minor subdivision of 145 Belmont Avenue
- Three-year agreement with USI Insurance Services costing $200,100
- 60-month lease with Toptracer Range Systems for Paddock Chevrolet Golf Dome at $1,999.44 per month (10 months annually)
- HOME 2024 Subrecipient Agreement with Town of Cheektowaga for affordable housing at Victoria Place
- Loan agreement with National Museum of Naval Aviation for the F9F-6P Cougar Jet at Kenney Park
Planning Board - Regular
The Tonawanda Town Planning Board will consider several site plan reviews and special use permits, including an action on a short‑term rental at 39 Fowler Ave. It will also review SEQR determination and site plan for O’Reilly Auto Parts at 2740 Niagara Falls Blvd. Additional items include discussions of a solar array, a cannabis dispensary, and other development proposals. The agenda also lists rezoning, park redevelopment, and public comment items.
- 39 Fowler Ave – short‑term rental, special use permit (action)
- 2740 Niagara Falls Blvd – O’Reilly Auto Parts, SEQR determination (action)
- 2740 Niagara Falls Blvd – O’Reilly Auto Parts, site plan review (action)
- 2121/2141 Military Road – National Fuel solar array (discussion)
- 440 Niagara Falls Blvd – cannabis dispensary (discussion)
Zoning Board of Appeals - Regular
The Zoning Board of Appeals met on August 21, 2024 to approve minutes from the July 17, 2024 meeting and to hear two area variance applications. One application from Phyllis Ann DePronio seeks permission to maintain a 6‑foot fence at 55 School Street, exceeding the 4‑foot side‑yard limit. The second application from DJJ & J Enterprises LLC (BOHLER) requests a commercial building at 2740 Niagara Falls Boulevard that would encroach about 7.4 feet into the required 65‑foot front‑yard setback and exceed sign‑area limits for pole and wall signage. The board will render decisions after the hearings or at its next meeting on September 18, 2024.
- Approve minutes of ZBA meeting held July 17, 2024
- Area variance request for 55 School Street to replace a 6‑foot fence (regulation limit 4 ft)
- Area variance request for 2740 Niagara Falls Boulevard commercial building encroaching ~7.4 ft into 65‑ft setback
- Proposed pole sign at 2740 Niagara Falls Blvd exceeds allowable face area by 30 sq ft (total 150 sq ft)
- Proposed wall signage at same site exceeds allowable face area by ~55 sq ft (total ~355 sq ft)
Bid Openings - Regular
The Town Board met to receive sealed proposals for the supply of approximately 200 trees to be planted in the fall of 2024. The bids will be referred to the Committee Chairman and Town Engineer for tabulation and recommendation.
- Bids for the supply of approximately 200 trees to be planted in fall 2024
Town Board - Regular
The Town Board will hold a hearing on a $10,565,000 improvement to the Water Acquisition and Storage District’s treatment plant, funded by $4,565,000 from the American Rescue Plan, $3,000,000 NYS grant, and a $3,000,000 bond. It will consider a bond resolution to issue the $3 M and a related resolution authorizing the upgrade. Additional items include approvals for community block parties, insurance claim payments, a $477,675.81 attorney fee, and several departmental agreements and budget transfers.
- Hearing on $10,565,000 Water Treatment Plant Filter Upgrades (Job 3102)
- Resolution RES-2024-550: Adopt $3,000,000 bond for the water plant upgrades
- Resolution RES-2024-553: Approve insurance claim payments of $22,166.22 and $8,787.05
- Resolution RES-2024-554: Approve attorney payment of $477,675.81 to Gross Shuman P.C.
- Resolution RES-2024-558: Approve 2024 budget transfers requested by various departments
Planning Board - Regular
The Tonawanda Town Planning Board will consider two Special Use Permit applications: one for a short‑term rental at 39 Fowler Ave and another for an accessory dwelling unit at 62 Kingsbury Lane. It will also review a Site Plan Approval extension for 934 Niagara Falls Blvd and discuss several preliminary site plan reviews, the Brighton Park redevelopment, and an update on the Tonawanda Coke project.
- 39 Fowler Ave – Special Use Permit request for short‑term rental (action)
- 62 Kingsbury Lane – Special Use Permit request for accessory dwelling unit (action)
- 934 Niagara Falls Blvd – Site Plan Approval extension request (action)
- Brighton Park redevelopment (discussion)
- Update on Tonawanda Coke project (discussion)
Board of Ethics - Regular
The Tonawanda Town Board of Ethics will meet on August 6, 2024 to approve the minutes from its December 28, 2023 meeting. The board will also review the 2023 financial disclosure forms and note that eleven forms have not been received by the Town Clerk's Office. After the official business, the board will open a public portion for comments.
- Approve minutes of the Board of Ethics meeting held December 28, 2023
- Review 2023 financial disclosure forms; eleven forms are missing
- Public comment period for individuals to address the board
Town Board - Special
The Town Board is meeting to appoint a new Town Justice and Deputy Town Attorney. The board will also consider an agreement to provide police officers for local high schools.
- Appointment of J. Patrick Lennon as Town Justice to fill the vacancy left by Daniel T. Cavarello
- Appointment of Daniel T. Cavarello as Deputy Town Attorney "B" through December 31, 2024
- School Resource Officer Agreement with Ken-Ton Union Free School District for two officers at Kenmore East and Kenmore West Senior High Schools (July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025)
Town Board - Regular
The Tonawanda Town Board approved a series of resolutions including the purchase of park equipment, budget transfers, and legal services. The board also authorized the sale of a police vehicle and the abandonment of a portion of two road rights-of-way.
- Purchase of park equipment for Paddock Chevrolet Spray Park ($73,426.50)
- Sale of police vehicle to Wilberts Premium Auto Parts ($3,000)
- Abandonment of Hawthorne Avenue and Ford Avenue rights-of-way
- Approval of legal services retainer for PFAS settlement ($100,000 grant)
- Authorization of budget transfers for 2024
Zoning Board of Appeals - Regular
The Zoning Board of Appeals will consider three area variance applications. Two applicants seek permission to install automatic standby generators in side yards at 102 Deerhurst Park Boulevard and 459 Ashford Avenue. A third applicant requests to widen the driveway at 286 Grandview Avenue to 17 ft 6 in. The board will review findings and vote on each request.
- Area variance for automatic standby generator at 102 Deerhurst Park Boulevard (First Residential)
- Area variance for automatic standby generator at 459 Ashford Avenue (First Residential)
- Area variance to widen driveway to 17 ft 6 in at 286 Grandview Avenue (First Residential)
Bid Openings - Regular
The Board adopted a resolution extending the bid deadline for Job 3107 from June 25 2024 to July 16 2024. It also adopted a resolution calling for sealed bids for Job 3107 – sanitary sewer lining at various locations, with bids due June 25 2024 at 3:30 PM in the Council Chambers, requiring a 5% bid bond and advertisement in the Ken‑Ton Bee. Both resolutions were adopted unanimously.
- Extend bid date for Job 3107 from June 25 2024 to July 16 2024 (Resolution 2024‑467).
- Call for sealed bids for Job 3107 – sanitary sewer lining (Various Locations) (Resolution 2024‑395).
- Bids to be received June 25 2024 at 3:30 PM in the Council Chambers, Kenmore.
- Require each bid to include a certified check or bond of at least 5 % of the base bid.
- Advertise the bid notice in the Ken‑Ton Bee newspaper.
Planning Board - Regular
The Planning Board will take action on site plan reviews for townhouses on Englewood Avenue and a pharmacy at Kenmore Ave. The meeting also includes discussions regarding several preliminary site plans, including cannabis dispensaries and a solar array.
- Site plan approval extension request for Life Storage at 2122 Colvin Blvd.
- SEQR determination and site plan review for two townhouses at 886 Englewood Avenue.
- Conversion of an auto repair facility to a pharmacy at 747 Kenmore Ave.
- Preliminary site plan discussion for a cannabis dispensary at 440 Niagara Falls Blvd.
- Discussion of a National Fuel solar array at 2121/2141 Military Road.