Town of Wheatfield shares lead-testing results; announces rate changes

Article and Photo by Benjamin Joe

At Monday’s Town Board meeting, Wheatfield Water and Sewer Department head Mark Clark gave the Town of Wheatfield an update on the municipality’s efforts to test for lead in water. The testing has been mandated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency following new changes in the lead and copper rule.

Clark said 60 sample containers were dispersed amongst the town’s residents to fill up and turn in to check for lead. So far, 35 have been sent to the lab and no lead has been found. Twenty-five more need to be collected. All of the samples will have to be sent to the lab and completed by Dec. 15.

“There’s no lead so far, and I don’t think we’ll find any,” Clark said.

The next batch of sampling is due July 10, 2026, Clark noted, and said resident cooperation is needed to take samples.

Town Engineer Tim Zuber said Clark was instrumental in getting the samples from residents.

“Mark has been doing a fantastic job,” he said. “Sometimes people just need to talk to someone. You get it in the mail and you throw it away, but he’s gone door to door and got a bunch of them.”

Water & sewer rates

Water and sewer rates are increasing for residents after the Town Board voted to approve the measure.

The rates for sewer will increase 5 cents per 1,000 gallons of usage, bringing it from $1.40 per to $1.45. Water rates will increase 15 cents from $2.90 per 1,000 gallons of usage to $3.05. The minimal bill, due to the changes, will be $31.50 starting Jan. 1, 2026.

The reason for the increase is due to an increase of cost for the water fund and sewer fund.

In other news

•The Town Board voted to schedule a public hearing on Jan. 5, 2026, to address the zoning of 15 parcels of commercial buildings on and around Wildwood Parkway. The change asked is to rezone from commercial to residential waterfront.

Wendel Engineering was tasked with the job of coordinating the review process.

Zuber said the change comes after residential uses of commercial buildings was prohibited in 2024.

“So, people who live there are in nonconforming uses. It’s OK to keep the status quo, but you can’t build a house, can’t build an addition or make improvements, because finance companies are saying, ‘We’re not going to finance you because it’s not allowed,’ ” Zuber said.

He noted many of the lots in the commercial zone are vacant, but people may want to build them, and there are residents in the few homes that are there.

The public hearing is scheduled for 6:45 p.m.

Recreation fees

Residents will have to pay an increased fee for use of recreational buildings and participation in recreational sports in the Town of Wheatfield after Jan. 1, 2026. The new fees were approved earlier this month by the town.

Recreation Department head Mike Ranalli said the Community and Senior Center hosts meetings, as well as birthday parties and celebrations. The site is comprised of four meeting rooms, one of which is large and makes two rooms with a divider.

“We haven’t adjusted our rates since 2016, so we were due,” Ranalli said, noting the increases were mostly $5 per day for meetings, while weekend parties went up $25.

The rates for some of the recreational activities, including T-ball, softball and pickleball have also increased approximately $10 per activity.

Ranalli said rates are comparable with other towns in Niagara County, and that influenced the decision.

“I think it was time; I think it was appropriate to increase rates,” he said. “It’s a necessary move for the town, because we need to maintain services for the residents.”

The new rates are as follows:

√ For meetings taking place six times a year, one room is $330 and two rooms is $360.

√ For meetings taking place each month, one room is $540 and two rooms is $600.

√ For meetings taking place twice a month, one room is $840 and two rooms is $960.

√ For weekly meetings, one room is $1040 and two rooms is $1,560.

√ For weekend meetings held weekly, one room is $1,820 and two rooms is $2,080.

√ For one-time, four-hour weekday meetings, one room is $150 and two rooms is $200.

√ For one-time, eight-hour weekday meetings, one room is $245 and two rooms is $275.

Weekend parties and meetings come to $275 for four hours in half the large room, or $325 for the entire large room.

Half of the room is $275. Six hours comes to $425 for the entire room and $375 for half. Eight hours costs $525 for the room and $475 for half.

Program fees are $50 for the first child, and $40 for each additional child for residents participating in the basketball clinic and tennis camp. Non-residents must pay $90 for the first child, and $72 for each additional child.

Fees for basketball league, T-ball and coach pitch are $60 for residents with one child, and $48 for each additional child. Non-residents pay $100 for the first child, and $72 for each additional child.

Fees for softball and baseball are $90 for the first child, and $72 for each additional child for residents. Non-residents must pay $130 for the first child, and $104 for each additional child.

Open pickleball costs the resident $3 while non-residents pay $4. Men’s open basketball is $5 for residents, and $7 for non-residents. The pre-K program costs $6 for residents, and $8 for non-residents. Fairmont Park camp costs residents $10, and non-residents $14. Daily use of the Youth Center for Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday is $6 for residents, and $8 for non-residents. For Fridays, the fee is $8 for residents and $10 for non-residents.

For Youth Center sessions, the fee is $60 for residents, and $70 for non-residents. The Youth Center family session rate is $85 for residents, and $100 for non-residents. Summer camp has a weekly rate of $180 for residents, and $230 for non-residents.

Pavilions are rented out separately for each of four shelters. Residents pay $60 for shelter 1, $45 for shelter 2, $60 for shelter 3 or $50 for shelter 4. Non-residents pay $80 for shelter 1, $65 for shelter 2, $80 for shelter 3 or $70 for shelter 4.