Village Board Minutes

October 21, 2026 (27)

A special meeting of the Village Board was held October 21, 2026 at 7:25 PM in the Firehouse, 16 Saratoga Ave.

 

Roll Call: Trustee Bedell, Trustee Clark, Trustee Kietzman & Trustee Stollery were present.
Also Present: Scott Siegal, Nicole Allen & Don Rhodes of Laberge Group.

SPECIFIC REQUESTS

Scott Siegal & Nicole Allen of Laberge Group addressed the Board regarding potential grant opportunities.  Grant programs for strategic planning initiatives, park improvements, community revitalization, and Fire Department needs were discussed in detail.  Mr. Siegal and Ms. Allen stressed the importance of planning grants to determine priority needs for the community and expressed the opinion that the Village’s strong history with successful CDBG programs is a benefit to being awarded.  Strategic planning can lay the groundwork for laying plans with an implementation mindset.

The Board cited assistance with the current moratorium and zoning revision, economic planning, recreation, youth sports and tourism development as main priorities.  Mayor Miller also expressed concern with jeopardizing the infrastructure grant components as the Village seeks to fund Main St/Sherman Ave as the next major project.  The consensus was to focus on economic strategy planning grants to inform zoning with a recreation component as a secondary step.  Laberge will contact the Office of Community Renewal to discuss funding availability and will submit a proposal to the board for an economic planning grant.

Don Rhodes, Laberge Group, addressed the Board with a presentation of revised water/sewer billing rate evaluations.  Mr. Rhodes presented detailed data on median usage of properties as well as four alternative scenarios to the current system.  Of the scenarios presented, Mr. Rhodes recommended the Board consider using an Equivalent Dwelling Unit (EDU) method if changes were made to the current billing structure.  The EDU approach was recommended as an equitable approach to address development density which determines the level of benefit a property receives from the water/sewer system with multiple unit and commercial properties receiving more benefit than single family homes.  Mr. Rhodes presented two scenarios utilizing EDU billing with fixed minimum value charges; Scenario 1 included a 10,000-gallon allowance, Scenario 2 eliminates the usage allowance.  Under both scenarios, most single-family homes in the median range would save money with high density and commercial lots paying more.  The Board will evaluate the data presented.

ADJOURNMENT

Motion by Trustee Kietzman, seconded by Trustee Stollery, that Board adjourn, 9:44 PM.
Carried – 4 – 0

Nicole M. Colson
Clerk-Treasurer