Walworth officials are weighing the future of the town’s former sewage treatment plant property, where aging buildings are still providing badly needed storage while another potential use has emerged: A home for New York State Police.
The discussion was among several issues before the Town Board on Aug. 20, when members also approved more than $25,000 in improvements at Sherburne Park, changed cemetery fees, authorized the Highway Department to fill a vacancy and placed an employee on unpaid administrative leave following an executive session.
Councilman Dan Botsford raised the future of the town-owned property at 3451 Ontario Center Road, describing three buildings now being used by the Parks and Facilities and Highway departments. A June inspection by the town’s code enforcement officer found the newest building, which serves as Parks and Facilities Superintendent Mike Buckley’s office, in good repair, while the other structures have varying needs.
The rear building is structurally sound based on the inspection but has pits associated with its former use and a persistent odor. Buckley currently uses the heated space for equipment, including snowblowers and a plow truck. The property’s pole barn is also being used for storage, and Highway Superintendent Kevin Switzer told the board his department is effectively out of room at its existing facility.
Botsford said one possibility would be selling the former sewage plant property and eventually consolidating parks operations elsewhere, potentially at Lorrane Drive. But that idea remains preliminary, and both departments said they need the existing space in the meantime.
Supervisor Laura Elsbree added another consideration: State Police remain interested in using a building at the site. Elsbree said she has met twice with troopers, including higher-level State Police officials, and the town is working with them and Buckley on potential plans and logistics.
No decision was made to sell the property. Botsford suggested the board could consider spending about $900 for a commercial real estate assessment to better understand what the property might be worth before deciding whether to pursue a sale.
Sherburne Park improvements move forward
The board approved the purchase of two 18-by-18-foot hyperbolic sunshades for Sherburne Park at a cost not to exceed $16,999.54.
Buckley said the shades will provide covered seating near athletic areas for families watching games. The supporting structures are intended to remain in place year-round, although the fabric portions could be removed during winter depending on conditions.
The board also authorized a contract with Hynes Concrete Contractors for a concrete pad and footer at Sherburne Park at a cost not to exceed $8,807.21. The work will use pricing available through the 2026 Wayne County bid book.
Together, the two authorizations represent up to about $25,807 in park improvements.
Cemetery fees change, infant burial charge eliminated
The board updated the town cemetery fee schedule after the contractor that installs monument foundations increased its prices because of labor and material costs.
The minimum foundation charge will increase from $275 to $300, while the additional rate rises from 85 cents to 90 cents per square inch. Town officials said the change is intended to match what the contractor charges rather than having taxpayers subsidize foundations for privately purchased monuments.
At the same time, the town eliminated its excavation fee for infant burials involving children under 1 year old.
Town officials said the Cemetery Committee recommended removing the charge earlier this year, describing it as a relatively small expense the town could absorb.
The board separately authorized a new contract with Senecal Memorials LLC for foundation work at Freewill, Baker and West Walworth cemeteries.
Officials also received an update on volunteer restoration work at Baker Cemetery. About 90% of safe and stable monuments have been cleaned, nine monuments have been reset and restoration work has been completed on a fenced family lot. Volunteers are also researching a child’s grave marker found near the edge of the cemetery without an identified burial location in town records.
Highway vacancy approved, employee placed on leave
The board accepted the resignation of motor equipment operator Silas Amsler, effective Aug. 20, and authorized the Highway Department to advertise and fill the vacant position as soon as possible.
Later, the board entered a brief executive session involving the medical, financial, credit or employment history of a particular person or matters that could lead to an employment action.
After returning to open session, the board added Resolution 168-26 and voted to place an unidentified employee on unpaid administrative leave. No additional details about the employee or circumstances were disclosed during the public portion of the meeting.
The board also approved a budget modification that included $1,000 for unexpected repairs to a Parks and Facilities dump truck.
Employee handbook, mileage policy updated
The board approved two changes to the town’s employee handbook.
The first updates the holiday policy to align it with the collective bargaining agreement. Covered employees receive three floating holidays, which must be used during the calendar year and can’t be carried over or paid out. Floating holiday time can be taken in half-hour increments.
The board also approved an updated organizational chart to remove positions that no longer exist and add newer positions.
In another change, the board revised its mileage reimbursement policy. Instead of specifying a fixed reimbursement amount, the town will reimburse eligible travel for meetings, training and workshops at the standard IRS mileage rate as it changes.
Residents continue raising concerns over Country Club Drive sign
Public participation again centered on disputes surrounding development and a sign at 1 Country Club Drive.
Resident Ray Reiner challenged the Planning Board’s handling of a sign permit and argued that it did not have authority to waive substantive requirements of the town’s sign code. Reiner also disputed information presented during earlier Planning Board discussions about the sign’s lighting and asked Town Board members to review written material he provided.
Bill Williamson separately called for the Town Board to investigate several issues involving planning, zoning and code enforcement, including the Windward Lakes subdivision and sign application at 1 Country Club Drive. His comments included allegations about town procedures and consultant billing that were not independently established during the meeting.
Another resident who said she lives next to the sign disputed statements made during the most recent Planning Board meeting about whether the sign had been illuminated and asked that her account be entered into the public record.
The Town Board took no action on those concerns during the meeting.
Among other business, members approved utility easement agreements for Orchard View Estates Section 6A, continued the existing 2027 rental rates for Ginegaw Lodge and open-air pavilions, approved an amendment to the town’s 2025-26 snow and ice agreement with the state and authorized the annual landowner permission needed for a local snowmobile club to use and maintain trails.
The board’s next regular meetings are scheduled for Sept. 3 and Sept. 17 at 6:30 p.m.
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