OpenGov Homer

Highlights from the April Town Board Meeting:

Budget Adjustments
The budget adjustments formerly noted on the agenda were explained to be aimed at reallocating funds between accounts to balance the 2025 budget. A detailed breakdown was posted to the town website today — however, all document links on the town website are currently broken (the “preview” function does appear to work).  Hopefully this gets resolved soon. In the meantime, you can access the full document in OpenGov Homer’s google drive here.

Highway Garage Updates
A proposed new furnace for the highway garage was discussed but ultimately tabled until next month. This comes shortly after major renovations to the building, which had previously been described as setting the facility up well for the foreseeable future. Last month, there was also discussion about modifying the building entrance, so this is something to keep an eye on.

Energy Resolution
The board approved a resolution calling on the governor to declare an “Energy State of Emergency.”
You can read the full resolution here.

Town Hall Renovation Open House
An open house for the renovated lower level of Town Hall will be held on April 18th from 10-2. The total project cost is now expected to be around $1.3 million. This is a good opportunity for residents to see the completed work firsthand. The highway garage will also be open as part of the event.

Additional Change Order
There was another change order for the Town Hall project — this one for cabinets and countertops in the police department area, totaling $12,716. The previously approved contingency increase will cover this amount. 

Sweeney Road Speed Limit Discussion
There was initial discussion about potentially lowering the speed limit on Sweeney Road. This would require a multi-step process involving the NYS DOT. No decision was made on whether to move forward at this time.

Official minutes here

Mostly procedural items at the March Town Board meeting.

No updates on the Comprehensive Plan, the town is awaiting information from the state.

The budget adjustments on the preliminary agenda were removed from the agenda.

The board tabled a resolution urging state review of electric delivery charges and rate structures and authorizing communication with the New York State Public Service Commission regarding electric costs. Full text of the resolution here.

The Town Hall lower level renovation is nearing completion and there will be an open house planned.

Town Department Plan and Town Infrastructure Plan were reviewed.

Highlights from the February Town Board Meeting:

Village Mayor Pat Clune discussed Center for the Arts of Homer’s initiative with Spectrum to launch a public access channel for the Town.

Mayor Clune then discussed that applications are open for the Small Projects Fund as part of the Village’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative. There will be an optional public meeting for interested applicants on March 3 at 6pm at Center for the Arts.

Lots of discussion about the NYS DOT’s proposed roundabouts along Rt 281 in the Village, at the intersections of Rt 41 & Rt 90.

Matthew Sweeney appointed to the Town Planning Board. Bruce Crandall will be stepping down and Supervisor Park contacted Matthew Sweeney, at the recommendation of Planning Board Chairman Mike McMahon.

Supervisor Park provided information about change orders for the Town Hall basement renovation project and goes on to explain his reasoning for asking for another $100,000 to be added to the project’s contingency money. The board voted to approve the added contingency. According to Supervisor Park, most of the contingency expenses to date were to address site conditions only discovered once demolition commenced, and it sounds like a number of oversights on the original drawings and specifications from the project’s architect and engineer.

Attorney Ellis is working on a draft local law to put some restrictions on building residences on seasonal roads within the town.

A Point of Concern:

The appointment of a new Planning Board member was added to the agenda at the meeting and was not included on the agenda posted publicly the day before.

Appointments to the Planning Board affect long-term land use and development decisions in the town. Including such items on the published agenda whenever possible would improve transparency and help residents stay informed about important actions before they happen.