Town of Grove
County of Allegany, State of New York
Board Meeting Minutes
January
20, 2026
The regular meeting of the Town Board was called to order at 7:30 pm in the Town Hall by Town Supervisor, Kenneth DeRitter.
Present: Kenneth DeRitter, Town Supervisor Susan Morris, Town Clerk/Collector
Kelly Mann, Councilmember/ Mark Ringelberg Highway Superintendent
Deputy Supervisor Richard Morris, Sole Assessor/Dog Control Officer
Michael Dieter, Councilmember James Myers, Code Enforcement Officer
Peggy Gelser-Web, Councilmember Alex Pierce Town Historian
Jesse Griffith, Councilmember
Absent:
Late:
Others present: Troy Emke; Kevin Walsh; Barbara Welker; Jerry & Sherry Gagne’
All reports are filed in Town Clerk’s office for review.
Public Participation:
Swain Hill Road- Barbra Welker reading statements for her and next door neighbors re: Swain Hill Plowing.
Kevin Walsh spoke as well re: snow plowing. Discussion ensued. Supervisor replied to all concerns. Supervisor to write a letter to people re: cars on road.
Approval of Minutes
The minutes of the December board meeting were read.
Kelly Mann made the motion and Jesse Griffith seconded it to accept the minutes as read.
Carried. Ayes 5 Dieter, Gelser-Web, Griffith, Mann, & DeRitter
Nays 0
Absent 0
Town Clerk/Tax Collector
BOE will be sending petitions in emails with instructions for those going up for election.
This election only Supervisor; Hwy Superintendent; Town Clerk/Collector and Justice only.
Audit of Claims
Bills were stated in the amounts of:
General Fund #1 - 10 $ 34,869.72
Highway Fund # 1 - 17 $ 30,515.45
Town Official Reports:
Highway Report
Plowing snow. Normal maintenance on trucks. Suggestion to call County to bring salt every now and then. Discussion on mix of salt & sand.
Code Enforcement Report
Issued 2 permits. Zoning board mtg. cancelled. Will call attorney for progress on Bugman.
Challice has until the end of month to remove cars and excess stuff.
Dog Control Officer Report
No report
Assessor’s Report
Working on 2026 eval. New land table is done every year.
Supervisor’s Report
Talking with Belmont re: .gov which needs to get done. Office equip: Schrader, garbage can stapler, etc..
Phones: Talked with Armstrong. Supervisor presented cost and how they will work. Approved.
Motion to accept Kelly Mann as Deputy Town Supervisor.
Jesse Griffith made the motion and Mike Dieter seconded it to accept Kelly Mann as Deputy Town Supervisor.
Carried. Ayes 5 Dieter, Gelser-Web, Griffith, Mann, & DeRitter
Nays 0
Absent 0
Motion to accept Troy Emke to Zoning Board.
Kelly Mann made the motion and Mike Dieter seconded it to accept troy Emke to zoning Board.
Carried. Ayes 5 Dieter, Gelser-Web, Griffith, Mann, & DeRitter
Nays 0
Absent 0
Town Historian
Still working on historical society. Looking for military records and such. Talked about file cabinet.
Would like to do a Photo shoot in March
Correspondence:
None
Old Business:
RESOLUTION 1-2026
Acceptance of Amendment B for increase of $9,350.36 of State Snow & Ice Agreement 2025/2026
Mike Dieter made the motion and Kelly Mann seconded it to accept the Amendment B increase. Jesse approved.
Carried. Ayes 5 Dieter, Gelser-Web, Griffith, Mann, & DeRitter
Nays 0
Absent 0
New Business:
Humane Society Contract for 2026
Peggy Gelser-Web made the motion and Kelly Mann seconded it to accept the Humane Society Contract.
Carried. Ayes 5 Dieter, Gelser-Web, Griffith, Mann, & DeRitter
Nays 0
Absent 0
Appointments for 2026
Supervisor read all appointments for approval
Motion to accept Appointments
Kelly Mann made the motion and Mike Dieter seconded it to accept the 2026 appointments.
Carried. Ayes 5 Dieter, Gelser-Web, Griffith, Mann, & DeRitter
Nays 0
Absent 0
Adjournment:
With no further business, Jesse Griffith made the motion and Peggy Gelser-1web seconded it to Adjourn.
Carried.
Minutes submitted by:
Susan Morris, Town Clerk