Hanover Supervisor Lou Pelletter said at a recent meeting that the State Department of Environmental Conservation is finally satisfied with the capabilities of the sewer system at the facility, located at the former Lakeshore Hospital site on Routes 5 and 20.

The town of Hanover previously conducted a study when Lakeshore Hospital was operating out of the same building, which showed the town had the capacity to support further development. Pelletter said the Department of Environmental Conservation still required another study to make sure the sewer plant could handle operation of the facility, but that requirement was recently met.

Construction has been done at the site in the meantime, including roof work and interior remodeling in anticipation of a phased opening. Once it is open, New York Medical Center will operate as a residential mental health and rehabilitation facility, including a total of 180 total beds – 140 for behavioral health and 40 for substance abuse.

Also of note, now that the Bay Creek Joint Fire District has been established, Pelletter is calling on his fellow Town Board members to continue the dialogue with the remaining fire departments in pursuit of one fire district for the entire town.

OBSERVER Photo by Braden Carmen Hanover Supervisor Lou Pelletter is still pushing for one fire district in the town.

“I believe that if we can get Forestville on board, the whole town will have one fire district with a number of fire companies, and one lower tax rate. That’s what I’m looking for,” Pelletter said. “I’m willing to negotiate with Forestville to accommodate everybody so everybody can have a lower tax rate throughout the whole town, regardless of where you live.”

Pelletter is eyeing support from Chautauqua County through County Executive PJ Wendel’s government efficiency program. The County is prepared to provide funding to municipalities looking to consolidate services, and Pelletter believes the town of Hanover could receive funding to support the remaining fire departments joining the Bay Creek Fire District.

“The town is willing to do whatever we can do to work together to save money for the taxpayers,” Pelletter said. “I’m looking to save everybody some money if we can.”

At a recent meeting, Pelletter reappointed Bernie Feldmann as Deputy Supervisor for 2026. Pelletter receives a salary of $17,500 as Supervisor, with Feldmann earning an additional $2,000 as Deputy Supervisor on top of the $8,200 salary as a Town Board member. James Feldmann, Aimee Rogers, and Ed Schintzius also receive $8,200 as Town Board members.

Water and Sewer Department Superintendent Rob Weiskerger earns a salary of $84,850. Highway Superintendent Peter Pelletter earns a salary of $74,175. Brandyn Griewisch earns an hourly rate of $28.83 as Deputy Highway Superintendent. Highway Department Motor Equipment Operators earn an hourly rate of $26.02.

Elizabeth VanCheri earns a salary of $63,300 as Town Clerk. Deputy Clerk Hazel Deet earns an hourly rate of $30.44, while Deputy Clerk Lorry Schneider earns an hourly rate of $26.70.

Town Justices James McGowan and Gary Cerne earn salaries of $18,000. Court Clerk Molly Merrill earns $23.02 per hour, and Kathleen Tempski earns $19.76 per hour. Court Officers earn an hourly rate of $18.

Code Enforcement Officer Jordan Naudasher earns an hourly rate of $26.02, while Vince Gugliuzza earns an hourly rate of $25.

John Grennell earns $28,000 as Town Attorney. Andrew Kehrer earns $13,000 as Assistant District Attorney and Town Prosecutor.

Bookkeeper Elmar Kiefer earns $21,600, with an additional $4,000 as Budget Officer. Vince Martonis earns $2,500 as Town Historian.

Aaron Weiskerger was appointed as Coordinating Director of Disaster at a salary of $3,500, while James Tyka Jr. was appointed as Assistant Coordinating Director of Disaster at a salary of $1,750.

The Town Board also approved an Intermunicipal Cooperation Agreement with the towns of Pomfret, Dunkirk, Portland, and Arkwright to appoint Jeanne Ebersole as Town Assessor, for a six-year term.

Kaitlin Gage was reappointed to the Hanover Planning Board, with a seven-year term through 2032. Lorry Schneider, Carol DePasquale and Cyndi Sheedy were appointed to serve on the town’s Board of Ethics. Shawn Smith was reappointed as Chairman of the Zoning Board of Appeals; and Rick Klisiewicz was reappointed Chairman of the Planning Board.

The rate of pay for Colleen McKenna, Custodian, was adjusted to $18.50 per hour, while Colleen Griewisch was added as part-time Clerk II at a rate of $18 per hour.

The Town Board also approved the 2026 Highway Superintendent’s 284 Agreement to spend highway funds in the amount of $1.2 million for general repairs on 150 miles of town highways. The Town Board authorized Highway Superintendent Peter Pelletter to seek bids for a new Dodge Ram truck, with the existing 2023 Dodge Ram truck to be used as a trade-in if a satisfactory bid is received.

The Town scheduled a public hearing at the beginning of its next regular meeting, Monday, Feb. 9 at 7 p.m., for the purpose of increasing the senior citizen partial tax exemption annual income level to $30,000, in line with increases in the village of Silver Creek and Chautauqua County.