The Town Board unanimously locked in 2026 salaries, legal and engineering contracts, and a revised meeting calendar that cancels sessions Feb. 16, July 6, and Aug. 3.
Typeset from the official record — motions and recorded votes are detected automatically. The official copy governs.
APPROVED
At the ORGANIZATIONAL & REGULAR MEETINGS of the Town Board, Town of Clay, Onondaga County, held at the Town Hall, Clay, New York on the January 5, 2026, at 7:30 P.M., there were:
PRESENT:
Damian Ulatowski Supervisor Joseph Bick Deputy Supervisor/Councilor Eugene Young Councilor David Capria Councilor Edward Wisnowski Councilor Ryan Russell Councilor Courtney Gauthier Councilor Jill Hageman-Clark
Town Clerk
Robert Germain Town Attorney Ron DeTota Town Engineer Brian Bender
ABSENT:
None OTHERS PRESENT:
Commissioner Planning & Development Michelle Borton, Planning Board Chair; Russ Mitchell and Hal Henty, Planning Board Members.
The meeting was called to order by Supervisor Ulatowski at 7:00P.M. All present joined in the Pledge of Allegiance.
ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING: 7:00 P.M.
Official Rules of the Procedure – Roberts Rules of Order:
Supervisor Ulatowski moved the adoption of a resolution that Roberts Rules of Order
be the official rules of procedures at Town Board Meetings, subject to the Rules provided by the Town Law and like Statutes which shall prevail (except that there shall be no second reading of resolutions at Town Board Meetings unless the same is requested, and that there shall be no votes taken when the question of a pending resolution is called, unless an objection is stated to voting upon such resolution forthwith). Motion was seconded by Councilor Bick.
Ayes - 7 and Noes - 0. Motion carried.
ORGANIZATIONAL & REGULAR MEETINGS OF THE TOWN BOARD - January 5, 2026 Town of Clay Town Board Meeting Schedule:
Supervisor Ulatowski moved the adoption of a resolution establishing the first and
third Mondays of each month as the meeting nights for the Town Board and 7:30 P.М., local time, as the hour of commencement. Motion was seconded by Councilor Bick.
Ayes - 7 and Noes - 0. Motion carried.
Supervisor Ulatowski moved the adoption of a resolution rescheduling the Monday,
January 19, 2026 (Martin Luther King, Jr. Day) Town Board Meeting to Wednesday, January 21, 2026; rescheduling the Monday, September 7, 2026 (Labor Day) Town Board Meeting to Wednesday, September 9, 2026, and rescheduling the Monday, November 2, 2026 (Election Day - Tuesday, November 3) Town Board Meeting to Wednesday, November 4, 2026. Motion was seconded by Councilor Bick.
Ayes - 7 and Noes - 0. Motion carried.
Supervisor Ulatowski moved the adoption of a resolution cancelling the February 16,
July 6 and August 3, 2026, Town Board Meetings. NOTE: The Town Board will meet only February 2, July 20, and August 17, 2026. Motion was seconded by Councilor Bick.
Ayes - 7 and Noes - 0. Motion carried.
Supervisor Ulatowski read, the Town Hall will be closed on the following Holidays in 2026; New Year's Day - Thursday, January 1, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - Monday, January 19; Presidents' Day – Monday, February 16, cancelling the Town Board Meeting; Good Friday – April 3 (Town Hall to close at 12:00P.M., Highway at 11:00 A.M.); Memorial Day Weekend - Friday, May 22 and Monday, May 25; Juneteenth - Friday, June 19; Independence Day - observed Friday, July 3; Labor Day – Monday September 7; Election Day - Tuesday, November 3; Veteran's Day - Wednesday, November 11; Thanksgiving Day – Thursday, November 26 and Friday, November 27; Christmas Eve Thursday, December 24 and Christmas Day - Friday, December 25. Motion was seconded by Councilor Young.
Ayes - 7 and Noes - 0. Motion carried.
GENERAL COMMITTEE appointment by the Supervisor:
Special Districts Supervisor Ulatowski Supervisor/Councilor Ulatowski & Gauthier Finance Parks & Recreation Councilor Capria Public Safety Councilor Young Highway & Public Works Councilor Bick Planning & Development Councilor Russell 2 ORGANIZATIONAL & REGULAR MEETINGS OF THE TOWN BOARD - January 5, 2026 Town of Clay Micron Project Committee
Zoning Board of Appeals Industrial Development Building Recreation Facilities & Grants/Special Committee Liaison No, Syracuse School District Liaison Liverpool School District Annual Salaries:
Supervisor/Councilor Ulatowski & Bick Councilor Wisnowski Councilor Bick & Russell Councilor Capria & Young Councilor Bick & Gauthier Councilor Capria Councilor Wisnowski
Councilor Bick moved the adoption of a resolution that the annual salaries for the Town
Personnel for the year 2026 be established as follows:
Supervisor $85,284 Deputy Supervisor $24,492 Councilor $21,218 Judges $54,825 Commissioner of Parks & Recreation $79,341 Commissioner of Finance $46,100 Commissioner of Planning & Development $137,500 Commissioner of Code Enforcement $89,250
Town Clerk
$80,000 Receiver of Taxes $80,000 Assessor $113,603 Highway Superintendent $118,183 Water Superintendent $101,505 Motion was seconded by Supervisor Ulatowski.
Ayes - 7 and Noes - 0. Motion carried.
Appointments
Supervisor Ulatowski moved the adoption of a resolution appointing Councilor
JOSEPH BICK as Deputy Supervisor, by the Supervisor. Motion was seconded by Councilor Capria.
Ayes - 7 and Noes - 0. Motion carried.
Appointment of Special Districts
Councilor Wisnowski moved the adoption of a resolution appointing the Supervisor as
Administrator of Special Districts. Motion was seconded by Councilor Young.
Ayes - 7 and Noes - 0. Motion carried.
3 ORGANIZATIONAL & REGULAR MEETINGS OF THE TOWN BOARD – January 5, 2026 Town of Clay
Councilor Wisnowski moved the adoption of a resolution approving the annual
membership of the Town of Clay in the Association of Towns and payment of the annual dues in the amount of $2,300.00. Motion was seconded by Councilor Young.
Ayes - 7 and Noes - 0. Motion carried.
Councilor Wisnowski moved the adoption of a resolution appointing the Supervisor as
delegate to the Association of Towns. Motion was seconded by Councilor Young.
Ayes - 7 and Noes - 0. Motion carried.
Councilor Wisnowski moved the adoption of a resolution appointing the Deputy
Supervisor as alternate delegate to the Association of Towns. Motion was seconded by Councilor Young.
Ayes - 7 and Noes - 0. Motion carried.
Authorization – Check Signing:
Councilor Wisnowski moved the adoption of a resolution authorizing the Deputy
Supervisor to sign checks drawn on Town funds in the absence of the Supervisor. Motion was seconded by Councilor Young.
Ayes - 7 and Noes - 0. Motion carried.
Town Engineers:
Councilor Wisnowski moved the adoption of a resolution that C & S Engineers, Inc. be
retained by the Town of Clay to perform such Special District services as the Town may require and authorizing the Supervisor to enter into an annual contract with said firm. Motion was seconded by Councilor Young.
Ayes - 7 and Noes - 0. Motion carried.
Councilor Wisnowski moved the adoption of a resolution authorizing the C & S
Engineers, Inc. to update the "Town of Clay Zoning Map" annually, with payment for same to be authorized from the General Fund of the Town of Clay. Motion was seconded by Councilor Young.
Ayes - 7 and Noes - 0. Motion carried.
4 ORGANIZATIONAL & REGULAR MEETINGS OF THE TOWN BOARD - January 5, 2026 Town of Clay
Councilor Wisnowski moved the adoption of a resolution authorizing C & S Engineers,
Inc. to be retained by the Town of Clay to perform such services as the Town Board, Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals may require, for a term of one (1) year. Said term to expire December 31, 2026. Motion was seconded by Councilor Young.
Ayes - 7 and Noes - 0. Motion carried.
Town Attorneys:
Councilor Wisnowski moved the adoption of a resolution retaining Germain &
Germain as attorney(s) for the Town of Clay for a term of one (1) year. Said term to expire December 31, 2026. Motion was seconded by Councilor Bick.
Ayes - 7 and Noes - 0. Motion carried.
Councilor Capria moved the adoption of a resolution retaining Germain & Germain as
attorney(s) for the Zoning Board of Appeals, and to receive $18,000.00 for the
Zoning Board of Appeals work for the year 2026. Motion was seconded by Councilor Russell.
Ayes - 7 and Noes - 0. Motion carried.
Councilor Capria moved the adoption of a resolution retaining Bond, Schoeneck, and
King as attorney(s) for the Planning Board, and to receive $36,000.00 for the Planning Board work for the year 2026. Motion was seconded by Councilor Russell,
Ayes - 7 and Noes - 0. Motion carried.
Bank Designation:
Councilor Capria moved the adoption of a resolution designating the following as the
official 2026 depository banks for the Town of Clay: M & T Bank; JP Morgan Chase Bank; Bank of America Bank; Alliance Bank, N.A.; Solvay Bank, RBS Citizens Bank, Key Bank, NY CLASS and Pathfinder Bank – pooled cash investment program (class), or successor. Motion was seconded by Councilor Russell. -
Ayes - 6 and Noes - 0. Motion carried. Councilor Gauthier abstaining due employment.
Newspaper Designation:
Councilor Capria moved the adoption of a resolution designating the Syracuse Post
Standard as the official Town Newspaper for 2026 and designating the Eagle Star Review as an additional newspaper for the publication of legal notices. Motion was seconded by Councilor Russell.
Ayes - 7 and Noes - 0. Motion carried.
5 ORGANIZATIONAL & REGULAR MEETINGS OF THE TOWN BOARD – January 5, 2026 Town of Clay Zoning Maps:
Councilor Capria moved the adoption of a resolution accepting and adopting the Town of
Clay Official Zoning Map as revised on December 12, 2025, as the official zoning map of the Town for all purposes of administering and enforcing the Town Zoning Code. Motion was seconded by Councilor Russell.
Ayes - 7 and Noes - 0. Motion carried.
Appointments – Misc:
Councilor Capria moved the adoption of a resolution designating Aaron Bellows as an
approved contractor to provide the service of Electrical Inspector for 2026. Motion was seconded by Councilor Russell.
Ayes - 7 and Noes - 0. Motion carried.
ΑΡΡΟΙΝΤMENT -Town Officers:
Councilor Capria moved the adoption of a resolution appointing MICHELLE BORTON
as Chairperson of the Planning Board for the year 2026. Motion was seconded by Councilor Russell.
Ayes - 7 and Noes - 0. Motion carried.
Councilor Gauthier moved the adoption of a resolution appointing HAROLD HENTY
as a Member of the Planning Board for a term of seven (7) years. Said term to expire December 31, 2032. Motion was seconded by Councilor Russell.
Ayes - 7 and Noes - 0. Motion carried.
Councilor Gauthier moved the adoption of a resolution appointing MARIE
GIANNONE as a Secretary of the Planning Board for the year 2026. Motion was seconded by Councilor Russell.
Ayes 7 and Noes - 0. Motion carried.
Councilor Gauthier moved the adoption of a resolution appointing VIVIAN MASON as
Chairperson of the Zoning Board of Appeals for the year 2026. Motion was seconded by Councilor Russell.
Ayes - 7 and Noes - 0. Motion carried.
6 ORGANIZATIONAL & REGULAR MEETINGS OF THE TOWN BOARD – January 5, 2026 Town of Clay
Councilor Gauthier moved the adoption of a resolution appointing MARY LOU
DESROSIER as a Member of the Zoning Board of Appeals for a term of five (5) years. Said term to expire December 31, 2030. Motion was seconded by Councilor Russell.
Ayes - 7 and Noes - 0. Motion carried.
Councilor Gauthier moved the adoption of a resolution appointing MICHAEL
BECKER as Alternate Member of the Zoning Board of Appeals for a term of one (1) year. Said term to expire December 31, 2026. Motion was seconded by Councilor Russell,
Ayes - 7 and Noes - 0. Motion carried.
Councilor Gauthier moved the adoption of a resolution appointing CHELSEA CLARK
as a Secretary of the Zoning Board of Appeals for the year 2026. Motion was seconded by Councilor Russell.
Ayes - 7 and Noes - 0. Motion carried.
Councilor Gauthier moved the adoption of a resolution appointing JILL HAGEMAN-
CLARK for a term of five (5) years as member and Chairperson to the Board of Ethics, pursuant to Ethics Law, Chapter 22, Article IV, Board of Ethics. Said term to expire December 31, 2030. Motion was seconded by Councilor Russell.
Ayes - 7 and Noes - 0. Motion carried.
Councilor Bick moved the adoption of a resolution appointing JEFFREY SNOW as
Town Historian for the year 2026. Motion was seconded by Councilor Capria.
Ayes - 7 and Noes - 0. Motion carried.
Councilor Bick moved the adoption of a resolution appointing JUDY RIOS as Safety
Committee Chairperson and CHELSEA CLARK as Safety Co-Chairperson for the year 2026. Motion was seconded by Councilor Capria.
Ayes - 7 and Noes-0. Motion carried.
Councilor Bick moved the adoption of a resolution appointing MICHAEL MCCARTHY
as Constable for the year 2026. Motion was seconded by Councilor Capria.
Ayes 7 and Noes - 0. Motion carried.
7 ORGANIZATIONAL & REGULAR MEETINGS OF THE TOWN BOARD – January 5, 2026 Town of Clay
Councilor Bick moved the adoption of a resolution appointing STEVEN MCBURNIE
as Substitute Constable for the year 2026. Motion was seconded by Councilor Capria.
Ayes - 7 and Noes - 0. Motion carried.
Councilor Bick moved the adoption of a resolution appointing JOSEPH NICOLETTI,
JR. as Highway Superintendent for a term of one (1) year. Said term to expire December 31, 2026. Motion was seconded by Councilor Capria.
Ayes - 7 and Noes - 0. Motion carried.
Councilor Bick moved the adoption of a resolution appointing FRANCIS MAZZYE as
Water Superintendent for a term of one (1) year. Said term to expire December 31, 2026. Motion was seconded by Councilor Capria.
Ayes - 7 and Noes – 0. Motion carried.
Councilor Russell moved the adoption of a resolution appointing BRIAN BENDER as
Commissioner of Planning & Development for a term of one (1) year. Said term to expire December 31, 2026. Motion was seconded by Councilor Young.
Ayes 7 and Noes - 0. Motion carried.
Councilor Russell moved the adoption of a resolution appointing JOSEPH GRISPINO
as Commissioner of Code Enforcement for a term of one (1) year. Said term to expire December 31, 2026. Motion was seconded by Councilor Wisnowski.
Ayes - 7 and Noes - 0. Motion carried.
Councilor Russell moved the adoption of a resolution appointing PAULA CARON as
Commissioner of Finance for a term of one (1) year. Said term to expire December 31, 2026. Motion was seconded by Councilor Young.
Ayes 7 and Noes - 0. Motion carried.
Councilor Russell moved the adoption of a resolution appointing JAMES
MUSCATELLO as Commissioner of Recreation for a term of one (1) year. Said term to expire December 31, 2026. Motion was seconded by Councilor Wisnowski.
Ayes - 7 and Noes - 0. Motion carried.
Councilor Russell moved the adoption of a resolution appointing MOLLY BENNION as
Deputy Tax Receiver for a term of three (3) years. Said term to expire December 31, 2028. Motion was seconded by Councilor Gauthier.
Ayes-7 and Noes - 0. Motion carried.
8
ORGANIZATIONAL & REGULAR MEETINGS OF THE TOWN BOARD – January 5, 2026 Town of Clay
Councilor Russell moved the adoption of a resolution appointing ANDREA SACKETT
and CHERYL DECKER as Deputy Town Clerks for a term of one (1) year. Said term to expire December 31, 2026. Motion was seconded by Councilor Wisnowski.
Ayes - 7 and Noes - 0. Motion carried.
Councilor Young moved the adoption of a resolution appointing JILL HAGEMEN-
CLARK, as a Marriage Officer for the Town of Clay. Pursuant to Section 11 of the New York State Domestic Relations Law which states no public officer listed in Section 11 shall be prohibited from accepting any fee or compensation having a value of one hundred dollars or less, whether in the form of money, property, services, or entertainment, for the solemnization of the marriage by such public officer at a time and place other than the public officer's normal public place of business and during normal hours of business. Said appointment expires December 31, 2026. Motion was seconded by Councilor Wisnowski.
Ayes - 7 and Noes - 0. Motion carried.
===== REGULAR AGENDA – JANUARY 5, 2026 == = APPROVAL of MINUTES:
= = ====
Councilor Bick made a motion to approve the minutes of the December 15, 2025 Regular
Town Board Meeting. Motion was seconded by Councilor Young.
Ayes 7 and Noes-0. Motion carried.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Lennie Tucker a retired, schoolteacher from Salina, attended the Town Board meeting. She entertained everyone with stories of her youth spotlighting the importance of being neighborly and kind. She explained that she was moved by the outpouring of support for the widow affected by the Micron. She told stories of neighbors helping neighbors throughout her lifetime and came to applaud the Town of Clay residents calling them Patriots. Lennie Tucker purchased hats for residents of Clay to show her thanks and remind us that being neighborly and kind is important. Hats were distributed and the reminder were sent to the Clerks office to offer to residents.
Wayne Barnes asked about the sidewalks on Taft and Allen Roads. He was concerned about the lack of maintenance and asked if the businesses on these two roads could be enforced to remove the snow. There was a discussion about the responsibility of sidewalks and resident safety. Mr. Barnes asked about the 9 ORGANIZATIONAL & REGULAR MEETINGS OF THE TOWN BOARD – January 5, 2026 Town of Clay possibility of the Town, Village or School district maintaining them. He left his number and the asked to speak to someone about this. Councilor Capria concurred about this problem.
Matthew Carr asked if the Town of Clay offers any Mental Health Resources provided by the Town. Councilor Bick said that Onondaga County offers resources as well as Social Services, Helio Health, St. Joes Hospital and Crouse Hospital. REQUESTS for ADJOURNMENTS:
None.
Licenses and Permits (PH) – CASUAL ESTATES (MOBILE HOME COURT) LLC, d/b/a MADISON VILLAGE:
A public hearing to consider the application of CASUAL ESTATES, LLC D/B/A MADISON VILLAGE MOBILE HOME COURT, for the renewal of its license for the year 2026, was opened by the Supervisor. Proof of publication and posting was furnished by the Town Clerk.
There was no one present to speak on behalf of the application.
Councilor Bick moved the adoption of a resolution adjourning the public hearing to January 21, 2026 at 7:35 PM.
Supervisor Ulatowski asked if someone would let them know that they are on the agenda.
The Town Clerk said that she would send an email as she had done for this hearing.
Motion was seconded by Councilor Wisnowski.
Ayes 7 and Noes - 0. Motion carried.
CODE of ETHICS (Schedule and Responsibility):
Councilor Bick moved the adoption of a resolution approving the Board of Ethics will
meet at least once annually and require the Chairman to provide a full in-person report to the Town Board at or immediately after the annual Organization Meeting of the Town. The Town Board will review all financial disclosure forms for completeness and shall have access to the inquiry procedure. A list of active Town vendors will also be supplied to the Board of Ethics annually for conflict screening review and maintained by the Board for consultation on a case-by-case basis. Motion was seconded by Councilor Wisnowski.
Ayes 7 and Noes - 0. Motion carried.
10 ORGANIZATIONAL & REGULAR MEETINGS OF THE TOWN BOARD – January 5, 2026 Town of Clay Agreement – (A) Expenditures of Highway Monies 2026:
Councilor Capria moved the adoption of a resolution approving an agreement between
the Superintendent of Highways and the Members of the Town Board for the expenditures of highway monies in the Town of Clay for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026. Motion was seconded by Councilor Bick.
Ayes - 7 and Noes - 0. Motion carried.
Harassment/Sexual Harassment Prevention Policy 2026:
Councilor Russell moved the adoption of a resolution adopting the Town of Clay's
Harassment Prevention Policy, including Sexual Harassment for the year 2026. Motion was seconded by Councilor Wisnowski.
Ayes-7 and Noes - 0. Motion carried.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:48 P.M. upon motion by Councilor Young and seconded by Councilor Bick.
Ayes 7 and Noes - 0. Motion carried.
Jill Hageman-Clark RMC / Town Clerk 11