Tonight’s (2/11/2026) Hearing Board meeting is set for 6p at Vestal’s Town Hall located at 605 Vestal Parkway West, Vestal, NY 13850. According to Vestal Town Supervisor Maria Sexton, it is the first item listed on the boards agenda. In addition, anyone in attendance that wishes to share input for board consideration regarding the two (2) petitions filed will each have a 3min period where they may share their thoughts, findings, input, etc. Please plan your time accordingly. I have submitted my 3 minute statement to each of the 5 board members via email and have included every signature and comment included within this petition in that email. As per my phone conversation with Maria Sexton that took place yesterday (2/10/2026) and due to my inability to attend this evenings meeting, one of the board members will be reading my statement aloud prior to the board making their decision. I have included my exact statement below so that others in attendance can focus on points in addition to and beyond what I have provided. I just want to say a huge THANK YOU to every single person who has shared their input, admiration and memories associated with our beloved community Skate Estate space. Regardless of what happens at the end of this meeting, know that we as a community have done our civic duties in expressing and educating our fellow community members. Respectfully speaking up is exactly what we need as a populace in order to stop the continual progress of shady business practices who attempt to undermine community. Regardless of what the petition filers have stated in their applications, it is CLEAR that they lack community mindset and no amount of gaslighting or commercials will alter what we together as a community now know. We the People do not consent to money over community power and action, period. For without community, we are each an island unto ourselves. Blessings All ♥️ MY 3 MINUTE REMARKS that have been emailed to each hearing board member that I have been assured will be read tonight:: Good evening hearing board members. My name is Jessica and I was born and raised in Vestal and am a proud graduate of the 2000 VHS class. I am submitting this letter to be read by the board because I am unfortunately unable to attend. I am writing in opposition to the granting of a Vehicle Service Station permit to Williams Auto at the already disclosed location because it’s stated purpose does not serve public convenience and welfare as is required pursuant to Vestal’s Code Permit requirements. Specifically, in Section 24-385 (Vehicle Service Stations) of Vestal’s town code in item number seven (7), it is stated that the following provisions must apply to vehicle service stations: (7) In addition to meeting the aforementioned requirements, before a permit can be issued the town board must find that the public convenience and welfare will be substantially served […], and that the granting of such permit is in the best interest of the community and its inhabitants. Attached to the email that I have provided in opposition, you will find 1303 community signatures and 53 comments listing various reasons that both prove and demonstrate that the proposal does NOT in fact serve the best interest of the community or its inhabitants. While I believe in an individual’s right to buy and sell properties as they wish, I also strongly stand for a community’s ability to speak up against plans that undermine the sociocultural integrity of a region. A business that seeks and is awarded tax abatements by the county and then immediately applies for new use permits at the severance of that abatement does not serve public convenience, in fact the opposite. Please see the attached Broome County Industrial Development Agency (IDA) tax-abatement award that Marchuska Bros. received in the removal of the water slide and miniature golf course for proposed improvements to a community use space. The permits in question were filed the same month this tax-abatement expired and it draws into question the notion that the awarded tax-cut only served to prepare the property for the filing of these two (2) permits in question. Public tax abatements are awarded to serve community good, something that is clear was not intended from the parties filing these permit applications from the start. I am asking the hearing board to consider their own code policies written within Town of Vestal’s code of ordinances and to each individually ask yourselves “Does this business, specifically Williams Auto, actually serve a public convenience and substantially serve it’s community and its inhabitants?” It is my strong belief that the attached signatures, statements and above points demonstrate that this business does NOT substantially serve its inhabitants. In fact, that is in an area already saturated with car-type facilities. If the board finds this to be otherwise then we must ask ourselves what civil service representatives are actually defending here and why such provisions as item (7) requires would even be included in code ordinances if they are not actually taken into account. Thank you for your time and I wish many blessings to everyone on all sides of this matter. For freedom of speech is essential in serving public good.