Town of Lewiston talks reassessment, zoning changes, NYPA compensation

By Terry Duffy

Editor-in-Chief

While discussions in Porter were centered on smart meters, the Lewiston Town Board had an informative session of its own, with news on reassessments; modifying the town’s zoning code; and an updated NYPA compensation package for Lewiston among the agenda items.

Nicholas Fiutko, Lewiston assessor, opened with remarks on “misinformation” on the internet as the town’s reassessment project with the Town of Porter winds down this year.

“I just wanted to clear up some misgivings” in the paperwork town residents received earlier, Fiutko said. “One was the actual change of assessment. The other one was the important notice for questioning the reassessment. The one thing that I want to make very clear on the change of assessment paperwork: (There) seems to be a lot of people coming into my office; they're confusing their market value of 2025 with their assessed value.”

Fiutko continued, “The market value has always been the same. It's the higher number the level of assessment the state gives us on a yearly basis. This year, we were dropped to 40%. That's why the reassessment was so important, the assessed value. The small number is the amount (of) your tax dollars, but that number has not been your assessment for the last 20 years.

“The market value number is better reassessment. There's your assessed value number, your market value number, and then below that you'll see the new market value number. Now, if you do mathematics, it'll be a lot closer than the tiny 40% number.

“Number two: The (purpose of) the reassessment is not to generate more tax revenue for the municipality. It's to make sure that the state gives us a 100% rating, (and) the tax burden is shared, where it is supposed to among the residents. If you disagree with your assessment, your new assessment, there are several outlets to do to dispute it.”

Informal reviews

“One, you have to get the startup (soon) it’s by March 31, by going to the Town of Lewiston prosgar.com website. Now, that will put in an informal review with GAR Associates, in which a human being will sit down. They'll look at your assessment if a mistake was made. They'll make a quick adjustment – end of story.

“If you still don't agree with your assessment afterwards, on May 1, I will start accepting applications for what's called a grievance on May 26. We have a board of Lewiston residents that are going to meet right here. You will state your case (and provide) reasons why (you think your) assessment should be what you think it is. And the review board will make a decision, based on what you submit.

“Lastly, if anybody has any questions, problems, concerns, you can't handle filling it out on the internet, see me. I will help you. I will walk you through it. I will help you fill out the application. We want everybody to make sure your properties are properly assessed.”

For more information, Fiutko can be reached via email at nfiutko@townoflewistonny.gov or by calling 716-754-8213, ext. 226.

On a related matter, Dr. Mark Gallo, a member of the Planning Board and of the Town of Lewiston Comprehensive Plan (master planning) Committee, offered remarks on fair and equitable assessments during the residents’ statements section. Gallo said he found disparities in that all lands in the town are not treated equally. Noting the impacts on such areas as farmlands, wetlands and grass lands, he suggested these should be better reflected in the updated reassessment.

“Lewiston is a robust community with multiple land uses and all land is not created equal,” Gallo said. “This should be reflective in the assessments.”

Noting the town’s farmlands, for example, Gallo continued, “I understand about residential and business land over things like that, but there's other sorts of lands that we need to consider here. So, we need farmland. I think our community is more robust when we have those sorts of things, and if it helps our community and its structure – but it doesn't just end with farmland. We also need … marshland, wetland, grasslands and, yes, forestland. We need all of those things. Those are all really important because … diversity and land really adds to our resilience as a community.”

“That’s a really important point that we need to make,” Gallo said.

Public hearings

•Supervisor Steve Broderick introduced Local Law No. 2 of 2026 to modify Chapter 360 of the Zoning Code and announced plans for a public hearing at 6 p.m. Monday, April 13, to consider the changes.

“It modifies several codes within the Town of Lewiston,” he said.

The measure seeks to amend sections in Chapter 360 focusing on permits; changes in the time limit, revocations, the sequence to gain approvals; definitions; permitted uses; building, height and size requirements; a host of regulations on such areas as permitted uses, site plan review for developments, accessory uses and structures; prohibitions and exceptions.

The document is available for review in the clerk’s office. It can also be viewed at www.townoflewistonny.gov.

•Broderick also announced renewal of a New York Power Authority community host agreement with the Town of Lewiston covering the sale of low-cost power.

Titled, “Approval of the renewal agreement for the sale of low-cost power” the document details NYPA negotiations with the seven-member host communities contained in the 2005 NYPA relicensing package. It covers such areas as cash disbursements, lands, and low-cost power provisions for the 50-year term of the NYPA agreement.

Board members approved the agreement. It is available for review on the town’s website.

•Board member Sarah Waechter announced a second public hearing would be held at the board’s April 13 work session to consider Local Law No. 3.

“It would be a local law imposing a moratorium on the establishment, construction, expansion or operation of data centers, artificial processing facilities and cryptocurrency mining operations within the Town of Lewiston,” Waechter said.

The motion was approved.

The hearing will follow consideration of Local Law No. 2 covering zoning modifications.