Buffalo Board of Aldermen approve firefighter, hear citizens

Published 9:23 pm Thursday, October 8, 2026

At the Buffalo Board of Aldermen meeting on September 23, Fire Chief Greg Cunningham presented a new firefighter application from Tristin Rothstein. Citizens addressed the board concerning a spectrum of issues including tow rotations, property owner rights and an upcoming event. Aldermen also discussed creating a utility permit, a non-profit building permit and took action on several items.

Ryan Atwood of Backwoods Towing encouraged the city council to determine the documentation and legalities for towing companies in the towing rotation and to evaluate if they were uniformly applied. He said he had been investigated for unrelated, personal issues, and that since then, his company seems to not be getting called regularly on the rotation, which affects not only his finances, but also his employees’.

An officer was present to speak on the matter for Police Chief Garner, who was not available that evening. He read part of the ordinance regarding the tow rotation, which said in part that officers could choose who they called and that companies could be removed from the list for unethical behavior. Alderman Matt Wisdom pointed out that the latter issue is the one that applies.

Resident Monica Stevenson addressed the board about a boundary issue she has been having with her neighbors. Even though she has had a survey, she is still having problems and will have to go through the expense of putting in a fence. She expressed that there ought to be something the city can do to support the rights of property owners in similar circumstances. She has called the police before, but by that time, they are not on her property, so they can’t do anything. “Why do we live in a city if we’re not going to be protected?” Stevenson asked.

Mayor Brandon Kenall told her she needs to call the police while the trespassers are on her property. It was also suggested that she could put up cameras.

Sue Dyle said she was asked to talk to the board about the upcoming track meet on Thursday, October 8. She said parking will be at Superior Gearbox and restrooms at the event center would be used. The route will be the same as last year’s meet. Next year the meet will be held somewhere else.

There have been issues with a fiber company damaging existing utilities as they put their own lines in. In absence of any ordinances or permitting procedures, the board agreed to have the city attorney prepare something to protect the city and residents in the future.

Wisdom asked if there was any waiver for non-for-profits that are building in the city. It was stated that Habitat for Humanity has always paid the full permitting fees, and the board agreed there should be no full or partial waivers.

The revised budget for fiscal year 2026, Bill No. 26-18 related to the use of Storage Containers; Bill No. 26-20, setting the employees’ rates for the Fiscal Year; and the budget for the new fiscal year were all approved.

Administrative Assistant/Treasurer Martha Swearingin was thanked for all of her hard work in preparing the budgets. “Martha cares a lot about the city and is passionate about it,” said Kenall. He said that Martha is retiring at the end of this calendar year and that Mandy Wecker, who will take her place, will do a good job, too.

A Special Use application for the Buffalo Boo Bash and Block Party was approved. This year, the party will be a full block, on the square. Aldermen decided that one street will need to be kept open, while the others will be closed off for the event.