Town of Grove
County of Allegany, State of New York
Board Meeting Minutes
February
17, 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
Michael Dieter, Councilmember Mark Ringelberg Highway Superintendent
Peggy Gelser-Webb, Councilmember Richard Morris, Sole Assessor/Dog Control Officer
Jesse Griffith, Councilmember James Myers, Code Enforcement Officer
Kelly Mann, Councilmember Alex Pierce Town Historian
Absent: No
Late:
Others present: Sherry & Jerry Gagne’
All reports are filed in Town Clerk’s office for review.
Public Participation:
Approval of Minutes
The minutes of the January board meeting were read.
made the motion and 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
Audit of Claims
Bills were stated in the amounts of:
General Fund # 11 - 22 $ 11,668.53
Highway Fund # 19 - 30 $ 16,776.04
Town Official Reports:
Highway Report
Nobody is getting salt. Plowing snow. Had to order more sand. Called Albany re: remainder salt. Discussion ensued regarding getting remainder of salt, location kept and storage of salt over winter. Need to call early for full amount of salt & sand for next Winter.
Code Enforcement Report
1 permit. Closed permit. Called Town Attorney re: 2 properties. Follow-up letter on Challice(2 final notices) and gave her to middle of March. Bugman transferred ownership and closed it. Mtg. March 26th 6pm for variance mtg re: containers. Then Andy to contact Williams re: French Hill.
Dog Control Officer Report
Two Great Pyrenees picked up and took back and need license & sent a letter.
Assessor’s Report
Working on new assessments. Vacant land 5% - every other 3%.
Town Historian
Not much on History but we need to be here next month at 7:00 for photo. 2025 NYS Historian Conference was attended by the Director. This year there should be an announcement.
Plan B is Closed which they worked with County and people who needed transportation. Passed around
Town of Nunda’s comprehension plan. Last Town history was done by Sue & Marilyn for Town of Grove. Talked about invasion of species in the environment.
Supervisor’s Report
Ambulance calls 14 for 2025.
Thank you note from Jon Gorton for the retirement party & gift.
Executive session Opened 8:00pm
Employee Problem
Executive Session Closed 8:32pm
Employee Termination
Agreement by the Board to terminate Casey Gates
Peggy Gelser-Webb made the Motion and Kelly Mann seconded it to terminate Casey Gates employment.
Correspondence:
None
Old Business:
Supervisor presented what is needed for .gov email. Talked about cost between companies. Waiting for IT person of choice to get back to Super. Albany states we must have .gov for future. Discussion ensued.
New Business:
New phones/system to be installed. New upgraded computers for Sue and Sherry. Old computers are becoming obsolete. Peggy Gelser-Webb made motion and Kelly Mann seconded to purchase computers.
Kevin Tucker to come back as a part timer
Jesse Griffith made motion and mike Dieter seconded it to hire Kevin Tucker part time.
Adjournment:
With no further business, Jesse Griffith made the motion and Mike Dieter seconded it to Adjourn.
Carried.
Minutes submitted by:
Susan Morris, Town Clerk