April 15 , 2026 Regular Town Board Meeting
REGULAR MEETING of the Town Board of the Town of Pomfret held at
6:30 P.M. April 15, 2026, at the Pomfret Town Hall, 9 Day Street, Fredonia, N.Y.
PRESENT:
Supervisor Daniel Pacos
Town Clerk Samantha Kellogg
Town Counsel Jeffrey Passafaro
Highway Superintendent Jude Gardner
COUNCILPERSONS: Adam Rak
Kathleen Dennison
Michael Lee
EvaDawn Bashaw
ABSENT:
DULY MOVED by Councilwoman Rak to accept the minutes of the March 11, 2026 Regular Town Board Meeting. The motion was seconded by Councilman Lee carried unanimously with the Correction under audience concerns under bullet #3 zooming being changed to zoning.
DULY MOVED by Supervisor Pacos to approve the payment of bills on abstract #4 of 2026. The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Dennison and carried by a roll call vote.
Roll Call:
Councilman Rak-AYE
Councilwoman Dennison-AYE
Councilman Lee-AYE
Councilwoman Bashaw-AYE
Supervisor Pacos-AYE
General Fund Town Wide $28,662.82
General Fund Part Town $18,670.01
Highway Fund Part Town $119,765.78
Berry Water District $28.33
North End Water District $4,055.75
Lily Dale Water District $12,78.57
Lily Dale Sewer District $2,798.86
Capital Projects $25,40.23
CBI $69,516.10
TOWN CLERK REPORTS
-Total Amount Collected: $9,117,079.82
Total Fine & Surcharges: $9,073.00
Cases dismissed: 30
Pomfret Town Justice Report for March 2026 is as follows:
Justice Cerrie Total Cases: 135
Total Fines & Surcharges: $6,606.00
Cases dismissed: 48
Pomfret Town Justice Report for March 2026 is as follows:
Justice Dietzen Total Cases: 193
Total Fines & Surcharges: $13,703.00
Cases dismissed: 49
HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT JUDE GARDNER
TOWN HISTORIAN
AUDIENCE CONCERNS
- Lot #0006 - Northwest Microfilm 20x20 Reader
- Lot #0007 - Micron Microfiche Reader
- Lot #0008 - Lexmark x466 Printer, Scanner, Copier
- Lot #0013 - Panasonic Omnivision TV/VCR
TOWN BOARD, TOWN OF POMFRET
RURAL DEVELOPMENT GRANT AND LOAN FOR SNOWPLOW TRUCK
WHEREAS, The Town of Pomfret previously applied for a Rural Development, Community Facilities Grant and Loan, for a snowplow truck for the Highway Department; and
WHEREAS, Rural Development did extend to the Town of Pomfret a commitment for a loan amount in the amount of $267,400.00 and a grant in the amount of $53,600.00 to be applied to a snow plow truck to be acquired by the Town of Pomfret for its Highway Department; and
WHEREAS, A 2025 Mack, Granite snow plow truck has been acquired by the Town of Pomfret through competitive bidding; and
WHEREAS, both the Town of Pomfret and USDA, Rural Development, desires to close out the loan and grant;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board has accepted the snowplow vehicle, 2025 Mack, Granite model ; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Town Board does hereby authorize final payment to be made for the acquisition of said vehicle.
Resolution duly adopted.
The motion was seconded by Councilman Rak and carried unanimously.
TOWN BOARD, TOWN OF POMFRET
NEGATIVE DECLARATION ON FORMATION OF
SEWER DISTRICT NO. 6
WHEREAS, The Town Board of the Town of Pomfret has before it consideration of the formation of a new sewer district, Sewer District No. 6, in the Town of Pomfret; and
WHEREAS, the Town Board has held a public hearing on said matter, duly called for April 15, 2026, which public hearing notice was duly posted and published in accordance with law; and
WHEREAS, the Town Board did consider all matters relating to the State Environmental Quality Review Act at such public hearing; and
WHEREAS, the formation of the sewer district would allow residential property to be connected to a municipal sewage system, eliminating the use of a septic system;
NOW, THEREFORE on motion of Councilperson Dennison and seconded by Councilperson Rak it is
RESOLVED, that after due deliberation and considering the benefit of connecting residential property to municipal sewage system, the Town Board of the Town of Pomfret does hereby find a negative declaration with respect to the formation of said Sewer District No. 6.
Resolution duly adopted.
of Sewer District No. 6, in the Town of ORDER ESTABLISHING
Pomfret, County of Chautauqua, DISTRICT
State of New York
WHEREAS, a map, plan and report relating to the establishment of a proposed Town of Pomfret, Sewer District No. 6, prepared by CPL Engineers, duly licensed engineers in the State of New York, in a manner and in such detail as has been determined by this Town Board, has been duly filed with the Town Clerk, in accordance with the requirements of article 12 of the Town Law; and
WHEREAS, an order was duly adopted by this Town Board on March 11, 2026, reciting the filing of said map, plan and report, the improvements proposed, the boundaries of the proposed district, the proposed method of financing, the fact that the map, plan and report describing the same were on file in the Town Clerk’s Office for public inspection, and stating all other matters required by law to be stated, and specifying April 15, 2026 at 6:15 p.m. on said day as the time, at the Pomfret Town Hall, Day Street, Fredonia, New York as the place where this Town Board would meet and consider said map, plan and report, and to hear all persons interested in the subject thereof, concerning the same, and to take such action thereon as is required or authorized by law; and
WHEREAS, such order was duly published and posted as required by law; and
WHEREAS, a hearing on said matter was duly held by said Town Board on April 15, 2026 at 6:15 p.m. at the Town Hall, Town of Pomfret, and all persons appearing were heard with respect to such matter; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to said petition, it is the intention of the petitioner, as sole owner of all the taxable property in said sewer district, to construct said sewer lines solely at its own expense, and to transfer said sewer system to the Town, when completed;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED AND DETERMINED:
That the notice of hearing was published and posted as required by law, and it is
otherwise sufficient;
That all property and property owners within the proposed district are benefited
thereby;
That all property and property owners benefited are included within the limits of
the proposed district;
That it is in the public interest to establish said district; and be it further
RESOLVED AND DETERMINED:
That that establishment of the proposed district as set forth in said map, plan and report, be approved; that the improvements therein mentioned be constructed by the petitioner; and such district shall be known and designated as “Town of Pomfret Sewer District No. 6” and shall be bounded and described as set forth in Exhibit A attached hereto and made a part hereof; and be it further
RESOLVED AND DETERMINED:
That the sewer line for said sewer district is to be constructed by the owners of the premises, wholly at their own expense, and they have offered to convey the same without cost to the Town of Pomfret, free and clear of encumbrances, except right of access to said improvement by adjoining landowners; that the cost of connecting the same with the Village of Fredonia sewer system shall be borne by the properties benefited thereby; and be it further
RESOLVED AND DETERMINED:
That the Town Clerk be, and hereby is, authorized and directed to file a certificate copy of this Resolution in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Chautauqua, which is the Court in which the said Town of Pomfret is located, and in the Office of the State Comptroller, within ten (10) days after the adoption of this Resolution, pursuant to the provision of section 195 of the Town Law.
The motion was seconded by Councilman Dennison and carried unanimously with Supervisor Pacos abstaining.
Supervisor Dan Pacos gives an updated report of all Meetings he’s attended since the last meeting on March 11, 2026.
March 12th: North County Water District Meeting
March 13th: VanBuren Bay Water District progress meeting / County Meeting
March 13th,18th,19th: Committee meeting to present our Government reduction initiative funding request.
March 19th: Met with property owners for the purchase of the tank property / moved baby grand pianos
March 21st: Moved 2 more of the pianos from the new Town hall
March 24th: Met with CPL to go over the changes on the Contract for the town hall and rational and the timing of the possible funding
March 25th: Met with Jude and Town of Dunkirk regarding the possibility of them contracting with us for highway services
March 26th: Attended a Mayors and Supervisors meeting
March 27th: Emailed the County about the Health Insurance concertion possibility
April 1st: Chamber of small business sit down meeting/ Ag and market meeting to discuss Dog control officer services. / meeting with Jim Joy , Pen Harlow, and Nicole from Zoning and planning regarding the zoning law changes.
April 2nd: Teams meeting with Alterity Group regarding health insurance.
April 7th: Met with CPL regarding the fees connected to the contract change for the Town Hall Project / Opened our New Town Hall for Area law enforcement canine training on April the 7th, they may be contacting us about doing swat training in the building while we’re not using it.
April 9th: Met with Laberge Group regarding shared services. / North Chatauqua County Water District meeting – We’re operating in the red because were required to record depreciation on our fixed assets. Were recording several hundred thousand dollars in depreciation every year. That’s a non-cash expense, if we back that out were operating in the black.
April 10th: VanBuren Bay Water District progress meeting.
April 13th: Met with NFP Group to discuss information on health insurance. Letting them know we may be partnering with the County.
April 15th: Met with Loren and Jude regarding water.
COUNCILMAN RAK
COUNCILWOMAN DENNISON
COUNCILMAN LEE
COUNCILWOMAN BASHAW
TOWN ATTORNEY PASSAFARO
Supervisor Pacos revoked the need to bring the meeting into an executive session.
DULY MOVED by Councilwoman Bashaw to adjourn the Regular Town Board Meeting at 8:19 P.M., seconded by Councilman Rak and carried unanimously.
Respectfully Submitted,
Samatha Kellogg
Town Clerk
6:30 P.M. April 15, 2026, at the Pomfret Town Hall, 9 Day Street, Fredonia, N.Y.
PRESENT:
Supervisor Daniel Pacos
Town Clerk Samantha Kellogg
Town Counsel Jeffrey Passafaro
Highway Superintendent Jude Gardner
COUNCILPERSONS: Adam Rak
Kathleen Dennison
Michael Lee
EvaDawn Bashaw
ABSENT:
DULY MOVED by Councilwoman Rak to accept the minutes of the March 11, 2026 Regular Town Board Meeting. The motion was seconded by Councilman Lee carried unanimously with the Correction under audience concerns under bullet #3 zooming being changed to zoning.
DULY MOVED by Supervisor Pacos to approve the payment of bills on abstract #4 of 2026. The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Dennison and carried by a roll call vote.
Roll Call:
Councilman Rak-AYE
Councilwoman Dennison-AYE
Councilman Lee-AYE
Councilwoman Bashaw-AYE
Supervisor Pacos-AYE
General Fund Town Wide $28,662.82
General Fund Part Town $18,670.01
Highway Fund Part Town $119,765.78
Berry Water District $28.33
North End Water District $4,055.75
Lily Dale Water District $12,78.57
Lily Dale Sewer District $2,798.86
Capital Projects $25,40.23
CBI $69,516.10
TOWN CLERK REPORTS
- Town Clerk Kellogg provided to the Pomfret Board the March 2026 report of monies collected. A total of $7,139.25 was collected. The report is on file with the Clerk’s Office.
- The tax report Summary 2026 is as Follows:
-Total Amount Collected: $9,117,079.82
- Pomfret Town Justice report for February 2026 is as follows:
Total Fine & Surcharges: $9,073.00
Cases dismissed: 30
Pomfret Town Justice Report for March 2026 is as follows:
Justice Cerrie Total Cases: 135
Total Fines & Surcharges: $6,606.00
Cases dismissed: 48
Pomfret Town Justice Report for March 2026 is as follows:
Justice Dietzen Total Cases: 193
Total Fines & Surcharges: $13,703.00
Cases dismissed: 49
- Town of Pomfret Financial Statement for February is on File in the Clerk’s office.
- The Code Enforcement monthly report for March is on file in the Clerk’s office.
- Fredonia Fire Departments report for February is on file in the Clerk’s office.
- The Pomfret Town Hall Offices and Buildings will be closed Friday, April 18, 2025, in observance of Good Friday.
HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT JUDE GARDNER
- The March work report was shared with the board.
-
Councilwoman Lee made the motion to approve the following Cemetery Seasonal Employees as of April 9,2026; motion was seconded by Councilman Rak and carried unanimously.
- Russell Conti $18.43 per hour
- James Lemanski $16.00 per hour
- Edwin Kaus $16.00 per hour
- Patrick Rogerson $16.00 per hour
- Councilman Lee made a motion to Hire Leigh Laurtio at a rate of $18.62 per hour effective April 20,2026. The motion was seconded by Councilman Rak and Carried unanimously.
TOWN HISTORIAN
- Historian was Contacted by a professional vintage motor car show who travel around the Country. Expressing they have many different cars from undertake to horse drawn carriages. He’s expressed interest in getting a full tour of our Foresthill Cemetery. They’d like to have a car show along with a walk-through tour with people explaining history of the cemetery. This event would be open to the public as well as the car show professionals. We’d like to look into organizing this event to get the history of the cemetery out to the residents and public.
AUDIENCE CONCERNS
- NONE
- Councilman Lee made a motion to approve the proposal for NYS DEC EC Charger Grant application support and related project development services from CPL. The motion was seconded by Councilman Rak and carried unanimously
- Councilman Lee made a motion to approve modifications to contract with CPL for renovations of the new Town Hall building. The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Dennison and carried unanimously.
- Councilwoman Bashaw made a motion to rescind bid awards for the following items sold at the auctions international.
- Lot #0006 - Northwest Microfilm 20x20 Reader
- Lot #0007 - Micron Microfiche Reader
- Lot #0008 - Lexmark x466 Printer, Scanner, Copier
- Lot #0013 - Panasonic Omnivision TV/VCR
- The motion was seconded by Councilman Lee and carried unanimously.
- Approval of property on Fredonia Stockton Rd for location of Phase 3 North End Water district water tank site – Tabled
- Councilman Lee made a motion for the approval of contract amendment between Chadwick Bay Intermunicipal Water Works and the North Chatauqua County Water District. The motion was seconded by Councilman Rak and carried unanimously.
- Councilman Rak made a motion to approve the ad for bid for the Pomfret North End Water District Phase 2 Contracts. The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Dennison and carried unanimously
- Councilman Rak made a motion to authorize the Supervisor to send a letter of support to the County Highway Department in support of option #2 to reduce the speed limit from 55 MPH to 45 MPH from the village line to BOCES. The motion was seconded by Councilman Dennison and carried unanimously.
- Councilwoman Bashaw made a motion to accept with Regret the Resignation of Karen Trippy from CBI Clerk affective May 1st and approve on a per diam basis as needed. The motion was seconded by Councilman Lee and carried unanimously.
- As of May 1st, the CBI office in Sheridan will be closing and moving all business to the Pomfret Town Hall at 9 Day Street Fredonia NY 14063.
- Councilwoman Bashaw made a motion to adopt the following Resolution
TOWN BOARD, TOWN OF POMFRET
RURAL DEVELOPMENT GRANT AND LOAN FOR SNOWPLOW TRUCK
WHEREAS, The Town of Pomfret previously applied for a Rural Development, Community Facilities Grant and Loan, for a snowplow truck for the Highway Department; and
WHEREAS, Rural Development did extend to the Town of Pomfret a commitment for a loan amount in the amount of $267,400.00 and a grant in the amount of $53,600.00 to be applied to a snow plow truck to be acquired by the Town of Pomfret for its Highway Department; and
WHEREAS, A 2025 Mack, Granite snow plow truck has been acquired by the Town of Pomfret through competitive bidding; and
WHEREAS, both the Town of Pomfret and USDA, Rural Development, desires to close out the loan and grant;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board has accepted the snowplow vehicle, 2025 Mack, Granite model ; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Town Board does hereby authorize final payment to be made for the acquisition of said vehicle.
Resolution duly adopted.
The motion was seconded by Councilman Rak and carried unanimously.
- Councilman Lee made a motion to approve an increase in our flat fee charges for water district customers on Fredonia lines from $25 to $30 to match Village of Fredonia charges effective April 1, 2026. The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Dennison and carried unanimously.
- Councilwoman Bashaw made a motion to approve sending draft Zoning law update to Town Attorney to put into final form. The motion was seconded by Councilman Lee and carried unanimously.
- Dan thanks everybody for all their hard work and paying attention to detail on the Zoning Law.
- Councilman Lee made a motion to approve the months of May, June, August, and September as Annual Fireman’s fund drive months in the Town of Pomfret. The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Dennison and carried unanimously
- Councilman Dennison made a motion to approve a Negative Declaration on Formation of Sewer District NO.6. The Motion was seconded by Councilman Rak and carried unanimously with Supervisor Pacos abstaining and Councilwoman Bashaw voting No.
TOWN BOARD, TOWN OF POMFRET
NEGATIVE DECLARATION ON FORMATION OF
SEWER DISTRICT NO. 6
WHEREAS, The Town Board of the Town of Pomfret has before it consideration of the formation of a new sewer district, Sewer District No. 6, in the Town of Pomfret; and
WHEREAS, the Town Board has held a public hearing on said matter, duly called for April 15, 2026, which public hearing notice was duly posted and published in accordance with law; and
WHEREAS, the Town Board did consider all matters relating to the State Environmental Quality Review Act at such public hearing; and
WHEREAS, the formation of the sewer district would allow residential property to be connected to a municipal sewage system, eliminating the use of a septic system;
NOW, THEREFORE on motion of Councilperson Dennison and seconded by Councilperson Rak it is
RESOLVED, that after due deliberation and considering the benefit of connecting residential property to municipal sewage system, the Town Board of the Town of Pomfret does hereby find a negative declaration with respect to the formation of said Sewer District No. 6.
Resolution duly adopted.
- Councilman Rak Made a motion to adopt the following resolution;
of Sewer District No. 6, in the Town of ORDER ESTABLISHING
Pomfret, County of Chautauqua, DISTRICT
State of New York
WHEREAS, a map, plan and report relating to the establishment of a proposed Town of Pomfret, Sewer District No. 6, prepared by CPL Engineers, duly licensed engineers in the State of New York, in a manner and in such detail as has been determined by this Town Board, has been duly filed with the Town Clerk, in accordance with the requirements of article 12 of the Town Law; and
WHEREAS, an order was duly adopted by this Town Board on March 11, 2026, reciting the filing of said map, plan and report, the improvements proposed, the boundaries of the proposed district, the proposed method of financing, the fact that the map, plan and report describing the same were on file in the Town Clerk’s Office for public inspection, and stating all other matters required by law to be stated, and specifying April 15, 2026 at 6:15 p.m. on said day as the time, at the Pomfret Town Hall, Day Street, Fredonia, New York as the place where this Town Board would meet and consider said map, plan and report, and to hear all persons interested in the subject thereof, concerning the same, and to take such action thereon as is required or authorized by law; and
WHEREAS, such order was duly published and posted as required by law; and
WHEREAS, a hearing on said matter was duly held by said Town Board on April 15, 2026 at 6:15 p.m. at the Town Hall, Town of Pomfret, and all persons appearing were heard with respect to such matter; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to said petition, it is the intention of the petitioner, as sole owner of all the taxable property in said sewer district, to construct said sewer lines solely at its own expense, and to transfer said sewer system to the Town, when completed;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED AND DETERMINED:
That the notice of hearing was published and posted as required by law, and it is
otherwise sufficient;
That all property and property owners within the proposed district are benefited
thereby;
That all property and property owners benefited are included within the limits of
the proposed district;
That it is in the public interest to establish said district; and be it further
RESOLVED AND DETERMINED:
That that establishment of the proposed district as set forth in said map, plan and report, be approved; that the improvements therein mentioned be constructed by the petitioner; and such district shall be known and designated as “Town of Pomfret Sewer District No. 6” and shall be bounded and described as set forth in Exhibit A attached hereto and made a part hereof; and be it further
RESOLVED AND DETERMINED:
That the sewer line for said sewer district is to be constructed by the owners of the premises, wholly at their own expense, and they have offered to convey the same without cost to the Town of Pomfret, free and clear of encumbrances, except right of access to said improvement by adjoining landowners; that the cost of connecting the same with the Village of Fredonia sewer system shall be borne by the properties benefited thereby; and be it further
RESOLVED AND DETERMINED:
That the Town Clerk be, and hereby is, authorized and directed to file a certificate copy of this Resolution in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Chautauqua, which is the Court in which the said Town of Pomfret is located, and in the Office of the State Comptroller, within ten (10) days after the adoption of this Resolution, pursuant to the provision of section 195 of the Town Law.
The motion was seconded by Councilman Dennison and carried unanimously with Supervisor Pacos abstaining.
Supervisor Dan Pacos gives an updated report of all Meetings he’s attended since the last meeting on March 11, 2026.
March 12th: North County Water District Meeting
March 13th: VanBuren Bay Water District progress meeting / County Meeting
March 13th,18th,19th: Committee meeting to present our Government reduction initiative funding request.
March 19th: Met with property owners for the purchase of the tank property / moved baby grand pianos
March 21st: Moved 2 more of the pianos from the new Town hall
March 24th: Met with CPL to go over the changes on the Contract for the town hall and rational and the timing of the possible funding
March 25th: Met with Jude and Town of Dunkirk regarding the possibility of them contracting with us for highway services
March 26th: Attended a Mayors and Supervisors meeting
March 27th: Emailed the County about the Health Insurance concertion possibility
April 1st: Chamber of small business sit down meeting/ Ag and market meeting to discuss Dog control officer services. / meeting with Jim Joy , Pen Harlow, and Nicole from Zoning and planning regarding the zoning law changes.
April 2nd: Teams meeting with Alterity Group regarding health insurance.
April 7th: Met with CPL regarding the fees connected to the contract change for the Town Hall Project / Opened our New Town Hall for Area law enforcement canine training on April the 7th, they may be contacting us about doing swat training in the building while we’re not using it.
April 9th: Met with Laberge Group regarding shared services. / North Chatauqua County Water District meeting – We’re operating in the red because were required to record depreciation on our fixed assets. Were recording several hundred thousand dollars in depreciation every year. That’s a non-cash expense, if we back that out were operating in the black.
April 10th: VanBuren Bay Water District progress meeting.
April 13th: Met with NFP Group to discuss information on health insurance. Letting them know we may be partnering with the County.
April 15th: Met with Loren and Jude regarding water.
COUNCILMAN RAK
- No Update
COUNCILWOMAN DENNISON
- Attended Future of the North County meeting on March 13th, and they’ll be meeting again on the 17th.
- Attended the discussion with the Highway Department regarding consolidating services with the Towns.
- Friday set up a meeting with a group called 3 plus 1. Working with municipalities on managing liquidity and investing our cash balances for maximum return.
COUNCILMAN LEE
- No Update
COUNCILWOMAN BASHAW
- No Update
- Dan Pacos gives an update stating being contacted by USDA Rual Development having applied to funding for our Berry and Chestnut Rd Water District lines, we were denied last year because they didn’t think they were sustainable water districts. We were in the Black, but we had negative fund balances. After closing our books this year, we noticed a loss in Chestnut Rd again and an even larger loss in our North End Water district. After further investigation we realized one of the Accounts being paid to the Village of Fredonia. We pay the village flat fee plus the water usage charge on that account. We concluded we pay a lot of the water used in that account through the master meters. As well as since we’ve gotten a new water software program that gives the correct multiplier so there shouldn’t be multipliers added to any accounts anymore
TOWN ATTORNEY PASSAFARO
- Some tax assessments cases are properties under contract for sale or listed at sale prices in the contract listings are not supported by the assessments. As the owners are selling, the County is not interested in waiving refunds.
- Both the County/School were given memos about these cases.
- Pomfret’s Assessor has added the value for Solar to the assessment. Solar and wind are automatically except unless you opt out.
- Supervisor Pacos discussed if were combining any municipality were going to have to do a reval, since we haven’t done one since the 1970’s.
Supervisor Pacos revoked the need to bring the meeting into an executive session.
DULY MOVED by Councilwoman Bashaw to adjourn the Regular Town Board Meeting at 8:19 P.M., seconded by Councilman Rak and carried unanimously.
Respectfully Submitted,
Samatha Kellogg
Town Clerk