Questions about the future of former wastewater treatment plant buildings dominated discussion at the Walworth Town Board meeting Thursday night, where officials also approved several personnel changes, moved forward with stormwater compliance efforts and authorized the lease of a new municipal vehicle.
The meeting opened with routine business, including approval of prior meeting minutes and monthly reports from the town clerk and supervisor. Deputy Town Clerk Nadine Fisher highlighted several upcoming community events, including the Gananda Rotary Garage Sale, Memorial Day activities and a cemetery headstone cleaning workshop organized with the town historian and cemetery committee.
Much of the substantive discussion centered on a proposal to authorize MRB Group to conduct a condition assessment of buildings at the town’s former wastewater treatment plant site on Ontario Center Road. The proposal was narrowed from an earlier concept and reduced to a $6,700 study focused primarily on the structural condition of a storage building at the site.
Councilman Tim Botsford questioned whether the town was moving too quickly without first discussing long-term uses for the property with department heads and the Western Wayne Regional Wastewater Authority. He argued the town should first determine operational needs before commissioning outside engineering work.
“I don’t think we’re in necessarily a hurry,” Botsford said during the discussion, suggesting the board first meet internally to discuss possible uses for the buildings and whether future renovations or demolition would even make sense.
Other board members countered that the assessment would provide baseline information needed before those larger decisions could be made. Deputy Supervisor Amber Linson referenced previous large municipal projects and argued the town should avoid allowing wish lists to inflate future costs before officials even understand the condition of the buildings.
Discussion also touched on the deteriorated condition of one building previously tied to wastewater operations, concerns about contamination and uncertainty about whether the regional sewer authority may eventually have interest in portions of the property.
The resolution ultimately failed on a split vote after lingering disagreement over timing and scope.
The board unanimously approved several personnel-related resolutions, including creation of a senior account clerk title and promotion of Laura Elliott into the position at a pay rate of $21.50 per hour retroactive to January. Officials said the move reflected expanded responsibilities tied to working with the town’s outside accounting firm.
Board members also appointed Junior Engineer Heather LaDue as the town’s MS4 stormwater management officer and amended the resolution during the meeting to additionally designate her as sewer superintendent, a role required under town code. Officials praised LaDue’s early work on drainage concerns, GIS mapping and stormwater compliance efforts tied to the town’s MS4 requirements.
Supervisor Laura Elsbree was absent, but Linson repeatedly complimented LaDue’s technical knowledge and initiative since joining the town staff. Linson said LaDue had already begun coordinating on drainage projects, GIS mapping software and infrastructure oversight with the highway department.
The board also approved hiring Steven Kemp as a full-time building inspector effective June 1 at an annual salary of $62,500. Officials acknowledged Kemp is not yet certified but said his construction and maintenance background made him the top candidate after multiple rounds of interviews.
Another significant discussion involved authorization for Elsbree to sign financing documents for a leased Ford Maverick municipal vehicle that will primarily support the town’s engineering and MS4 work. The truck will be financed over three years at annual payments of about $10,627 before a final $1 buyout payment. Officials said the town leveraged a municipal purchasing arrangement through Onondaga County to secure pricing below market value.
Board members said the smaller pickup was more appropriate for engineering and stormwater field work than a larger highway vehicle, particularly for transporting equipment needed during drainage inspections and MS4 compliance activities.
During public participation, resident Jim Philpott criticized the lack of movement on a long-pending site plan application tied to Sage Construction, saying the proposal had remained in procedural limbo for roughly nine months without clear direction from the planning board. He urged town officials to establish stronger timelines and operational procedures for applications moving through the review process.
Philpott also distributed letters to town board and planning board members encouraging deeper review of local development procedures, zoning oversight and public hearing practices.
Town Historian Jean Davis thanked Linson for her service as president of the Walworth Historical Society and discussed upcoming cemetery restoration and historical preservation projects, including plans to train volunteers on proper gravestone cleaning techniques.
The meeting concluded with the board entering executive session for discussion of personnel matters. No further public action was scheduled afterward.
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