by Mike Zale, Ogden Town Supervisor
The start of a new year brings fresh opportunities and the chance to set new goals, launch exciting initiatives, and reflect on the progress made over the past year. I am reminded of how proud I am to serve as your Town Supervisor. This privilege is one I take very seriously, and I am deeply grateful for the trust you have placed in me to serve our community.
In 2024, we kicked off the year by adopting our Comprehensive Plan, a vision for the town’s future shaped by input from residents. We’ve already made significant strides in achieving many of the plan’s goals, such as updating outdated residential codes, enhancing park amenities, and adding new paved paths. We are also exploring infrastructure studies, developing new nature trails, and planning a new park.
Throughout the year, we remained committed to responsible fiscal management. In October, the Town Board approved the 2025 Budget, totaling $16,348,280, while staying within the State’s 2% tax cap. Additionally, we strategically allocated the remainder of our American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to support important projects, such as the new Splash Pad, renovations at the Ogden Community Center, and the rebuilding of the town’s fuel station.
Additionally, the Town Board approved measures to extend real property exemptions to volunteer firefighters, EMS workers, and their spouses. We also expanded exemptions for veterans, providing further financial support to these courageous individuals and their families. Thanks to careful fiscal planning by the Town Board, department heads, and our Finance Director, we were able to fund these initiatives without raising taxes, keeping Ogden a debt-free town.
2024 also saw another successful year for our Mobile DMV service in partnership with Monroe County. This service has proven invaluable to residents, and we’re excited to continue offering it in 2025.
Several exciting Parks and Recreation (P&R) initiatives launched in 2024 will continue into 2025. We finalized designs for the new Splash Pad at Pineway Ponds Park, which will be installed in late spring. We’re also refurbishing the basketball court at the little red building. Additionally, we are planning new senior programs at Town Hall. This year, we will begin renovations at the Community Center to create a dedicated space for our senior residents, complete with a kitchen, restrooms, and a welcoming area for socializing. We’re also developing new trails at our future park space on Buffalo Road.
Our P&R Department continued to excel in 2024, delivering a variety of engaging programs. One standout achievement was the inaugural Magical Holiday Celebration and Christmas Tree Lighting, which combined the previously separate Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting events. This celebration was a tremendous success, made possible by the hard work and collaboration of our entire town staff.
Beyond P&R, we’ve made great strides in other departments as well. Our Police Department, along with our Special Police Force, continues to do an outstanding job keeping our community safe. Through outreach initiatives like ‘National Night Out’ and their presence at events such as Canal Days and the Spencerport Firemen’s Parade, our officers have earned the complete trust and respect of the community. Their tireless efforts help ensure that Ogden remains a safe and welcoming place to live.
In 2024, our Building Department introduced online permit processing through Municity, which will be fully operational early this year. The Highway Department continues to provide essential services, including snow plowing, repaving roads, and offering brush and leaf pickup. After the retirement of our Town Assessor and the completion of the 2024 town-wide reassessment, we entered into a shared services agreement with the Town of Gates. Through this partnership, the Gates Assessor will assist with assessments and support our Assessor’s Office through 2025.
At Town Hall, we remain focused on transparency and communication with residents. We’ve redesigned our town website to make it more user-friendly and easier to navigate. Additionally, we secured a .GOV domain, which will enhance security and improve searchability. The new site features our town calendar, department contact information, Town Board agendas, video recordings, and many other useful resources.
Finally, in an effort to increase energy efficiency at Town Hall, we installed LED lights throughout the campus. This transition marks a significant step toward reducing energy costs, and we look forward to identifying additional ways to improve efficiency in the coming year.
As we move into 2025, it promises to be a year of fruition for many of the projects we’ve worked tirelessly on. I am fortunate to work alongside a strong, dedicated team here at Town Hall, including my fellow board members, department heads, and staff. It is because of their efforts that 2024 was such a productive year.
I want to wish everyone a happy and prosperous New Year. I look forward to all we will achieve together for our community in 2025!
