6-B   COMMUNICATIONS

1.   Supervisor Clark re Retirement of Police Chief John J. Miskovski

Motion by Councilman Osmanski, seconded by Councilman Wroblewski, to accept the retirement of John J. Miskovski and terminate him as Police Chief effective March 31, 2001 and authorize the Supervisor to complete and sign the necessary forms for Erie County Personnel, noting that Chief Miskovski served the Town of West Seneca and protected our residents for over 32 years.

On the question, Councilman Osmanski stated that the board members went through a very rigorous interview process when Chief Miskovski was appointed, but it was clear at that time that he was the best candidate for the town. He served in exemplary fashion during his tenure and was a benefit to the Town of West Seneca. Councilman Osmanski was proud to have known and worked with Chief Miskovski and he wished him well in the future.

Councilman Wroblewski stated that it was a pleasure to work with Chief Miskovski for the past 3½ years and he did a great job and would be difficult to replace. He commented that Chief Miskovski was respected by his peers throughout the County and that was the ultimate compliment in any line of work. Councilman Wroblewski wished Chief Miskovski the best of luck in his retirement.

Councilman Graber commented on Chief Miskovski's ability to run a 'tight ship' and the number of grants he pursued that helped pay for some of the technology in the Police Department. He also saved money by helping to develop a maintenance program for the police vehicles where the work was done in-house by Highway Department personnel at an annual savings of $30,000. Councilman Graber stated that the current police station was cramped and in need of improvements and he looked forward to working on this with Chief Miskovski, who had volunteered to head this project. Councilman Graber wished Chief Miskovski many happy years of retirement.

6-B   COMMUNICATIONS

1.   Supervisor Clark re Retirement of Police Chief John J. Miskovski   (continued)

Supervisor Clark noted some of the things that came to mind when he thought of Chief Miskovski such as: training, K-9, DARE, traffic, grants, honor and professional. Supervisor Clark stated that Chief Miskovski's mark would be felt many years from now and his name would be a prominent one in the history of West Seneca.

Councilman Hicks stated that he had only known Chief Miskovski for a short time, but he had the pleasure of negotiating the police contract with him. He thought that Chief Miskovski's work ethic was superb and wished him the best in his future endeavors.

2.   Supervisor Clark re Appointment of provisional Police Chief

Motion by Supervisor Clark, seconded by Councilman Wroblewski, to appoint Asst. Chief Edward F. Gehen as Police Chief Provisional effective April 1, 2001 at an annual salary of $80,391.00 and authorize the Supervisor to complete and sign the necessary forms for Erie County Personnel.

On the question, Supervisor Clark stated that Asst. Chief Gehen had a long, distinguished history of service to the Town of West Seneca, and his honor, ethics, and morals were beyond reproach. Supervisor Clark commented that Asst. Chief Gehen's training and technical ability were superior and the town was lucky to have someone of his leadership and ability to take over the helm of the Police Department.

Councilman Osmanski stated that candidates for Police Chief had taken an exam and were awaiting the results, so the appointment for this position was provisional at this time. Asst. Chief Gehen took the exam and the board felt he was well qualified in his position as Asst. Chief to take over the Chief's position provisionally. Councilman Osmanski hoped that the test results would allow Asst. Chief Gehen to continue as Police Chief.

Councilman Wroblewski stated that the board members had spoken with Asst. Chief Gehen concerning the Police Chief's position and they were happy that he had accepted this provisional position. They were confident that Asst. Chief Gehen would pick up where Chief Miskovski left off and keep the reputation of the department at the forefront and the taxpayers at the top of his list.

3.   Supervisor Clerk re Retirement of Detective Edward A. Tyczka, Jr.

Motion by Councilman Osmanski, seconded by Councilman Wroblewski, to accept the retirement of Edward A. Tyczka, Jr. and terminate him as Detective effective March 31, 2001 and authorize the Supervisor to complete and sign the necessary forms for Erie County Personnel, noting that Detective Tyczka served the Town of West Seneca and protected our residents for over 33 years.

On the question, Councilman Osmanski stated that Detective Tyczka did an excellent job and served the town for many years. He wished him much enjoyment in his retirement.

6-B COMMUNICATIONS

4.   Supervisor Clark re Title change for Kathleen Hauger to Clerk Typist

Motion by Councilman Osmanski, seconded by Councilman Graber, to change the title of Kathleen E. Hauger from Clerk to Clerk Typist, Group 2, Step 3, at an annual salary of $26,035.03 effective April 1, 2001 and authorize the Supervisor to complete and sign the necessary forms for Erie County Personnel, noting that Mrs. Hauger scored within the top three on the Erie County Civil Service list.

5.   Supervisor Clark re Rate increase for part-time employees

Motion by Councilman Osmanski, seconded by Supervisor Clark, to grant a $.25 per hour rate increase to the part-time employees on the attached list effective April 1, 2001 and an additional $.50 per hour rate increase to the part-time employees on the attached list who have completed over 5400 hours of service and are eligible to move to Step 3 in their appropriate title effective April 1, 2001, and authorize the Supervisor to complete and sign the necessary forms for Erie County Personnel.

On the question, Supervisor Clark stated that in order to remain somewhat competitive with the local job market, it was necessary to grant moderate increases to the part-time employees. In addition, a level of compensation was added for those with more than 5400 hours of service to the town, which is a great sign of loyalty and dedication. For the most part, these were $5 to $7 per hour jobs with no benefits, but the individuals were very important to the town's operation.

*APPENDICES*

6.   Supervisor Clark re Status change for Anthony DiPiano to part-time seasonal

Motion by Councilman Osmanski, seconded by Supervisor Clark, to change the status of Community Development Loan Officer Anthony J.G. DiPiano from part-time to part-time seasonal effective April 2 - September 2, 2001 and authorize the Supervisor to complete and sign the necessary forms for Erie County Personnel.

7.   Supervisor Clark re Request for West Seneca Town Band

Motion by Councilman Osmanski, seconded by Councilman Wroblewski, to authorize the West Seneca Town Band to perform at the annual Strawberry Festival to be held at Seneca United Methodist Church on Wednesday, June 13, 2001.

8.   Town Attorney re 2001 Community Development Block Grant Housing Administration Contracts

Motion by Councilman Osmanski, seconded by Supervisor Clark, to authorize the Supervisor to execute the 2001 agreement between the Town of West Seneca and the County of Erie regarding housing activities under our Community Development Block Grant.

On the question, Councilman Osmanski stated that this agreement was renewed annually and provided the County's administration of the town's Block Grant Funds along with reimbursement to the town in an amount not to exceed $15,600 for the services of the town's Community Development Loan Officer.

6-B    COMMUNICATIONS

9.   Town Engineer re Bid date for leased vehicle

Motion by Supervisor Clark, seconded by Councilman Graber, to table this item.

10.   Town Engineer re Compensation for John Kelly

Motion by Councilman Graber, seconded by Councilman Wroblewski, to compensate John Kelly at the White Collar Group 8, Step 3, annual salary of $39,262.38 retroactive to July 3, 2000 and authorize the Supervisor to complete and sign the necessary forms for Erie County Personnel.

11.   Highway Supt. re Title change for Dan Thompson to part-time Sanitation Laborer

Motion by Councilman Osmanski, seconded by Councilman Wroblewski, to terminate Dan Thompson as part-time Laborer in the Buildings & Grounds Department and appoint Dan Thompson as part-time Laborer in the Sanitation Department effective March 26, 2001 at a rate of $7 per hour and authorize the Supervisor to complete and sign the necessary forms for Erie County Personnel.

12.   Highway Supt. re Termination of part-time Sanitation Laborers

Motion by Councilman Osmanski, seconded by Supervisor Clark, to terminate the following part-time Laborers in the Sanitation Department effective March 26, 2001: Raymond Felder; William Heusinger Jr.; Steve Vonsik; Thomas Kustra; Mark Vogel; Norman Kardas; and authorize the Supervisor to complete and sign the necessary forms for Erie County Personnel, noting that these employees had not worked for some time or had other positions.

13.   Highway Supt. re Family Medical Leave for Randall Larivey

Motion by Councilman Osmanski, seconded by Supervisor Clark, to approve the Family Medical Leave Act application from Randall Larivey for up to a 12-week period beginning February 2, 2001 and authorize the Supervisor to complete and sign the necessary forms for Erie County Personnel.

14.   Highway Supt. re Purchases requiring Town Board approval

Motion by Councilman Osmanski, seconded by Councilman Hicks, to authorize payment of the following vouchers for the Highway Department:

6-B    COMMUNICATIONS

15.   Town Clerk re Purchase requiring Town Board approval

Motion by Councilman Osmanski, seconded by Councilman Wroblewski, to authorize payment of $1625.55 to Biel's Information Tech Systems for microfilming of building permits, noting that funds are available under the Local Government Records Management Improvement Fund microfilming grant.

16.   Comptroller re Purchase requiring Town Board approval

Motion by Councilman Osmanski, seconded by Councilman Wroblewski, to authorize payment of $4128 to KVS Information Systems for the annual software subscription and telephone hotline service.

17.   Recreation Director re Status change for K. Wisniewski & D. Weixlmann to seasonal part-time

Motion by Councilman Osmanski, seconded by Councilman Wroblewski, to change the status of the following part-time employees to part-time seasonal effective April 1 - September 1, 2001:

PROBLEMS OF THE PUBLIC

TERMINATION OF NORMAN KARDAS AS PART-TIME LABORER

Mrs. Kardas referred to Item #12 on the agenda and questioned why Highway Supt. Pat Finnegan had waited so long to terminate her husband, Norman Kardas.

Supervisor Clark responded that Item #12 was basically a housekeeping matter that was submitted in order to clean up the list of alternates that had not worked for some time.

Mr. Finnegan stated that in November 2000 they began preparing a list of employees that were not working and had not worked for a long time. There was a question on some of the employees as to whether they would be returning to work. The list was not finalized until recently.

Mrs. Kardas stated that Mr. Kardas should have been terminated last year and noted that this created a problem for him when he attempted to withdraw his retirement funds.

Supervisor Clark stated that he was not aware that there was a pressing need for the termination to be finalized and did not know that it created an imposition or hardship for Mr. Kardas. He questioned if Mr. Finnegan had received a request from the Kardas family to process the termination quickly.

Mr. Finnegan responded that the only request he received from the Kardas family was two weeks ago.

PRESENTATION OF COMMUNICATIONS BY BOARD MEMBERS AND DEPARTMENT HEADS

CAMPER PARKED AT SENECA & MILL

Councilman Osmanski commented on a camper that was parked behind Attorney Dennis Vaughn's office at Seneca Street and Mill Road. The camper was parked there for quite some time and was rusted and unsightly. Councilman Osmanski directed Mr. Czuprynski to find out if there were any plans to remove the camper from this site.

BRIGHT LIGHTS ON LEIN ROAD

Councilman Osmanski referred to Delevan Industries on Lein Road next to Route 400 and questioned if Building Inspector Bill Czuprynski had talked to them about their lighting. The lights were very high and illuminated many of the residences on Lein Road. Councilman Osmanski suggested that side panels of some sort be installed to aid in directing the light.

Mr. Czuprynski stated that he had previously contacted this business and would contact them again.

PRESENTATION OF COMMUNICATIONS BY BOARD MEMBERS AND DEPARTMENT HEADS

REVISION TO HRH MANAGEMENT CONTRACT

Motion by Councilman Wroblewski, seconded by Supervisor Clark, to revise the contract with HRH Management to eliminate the actual consulting of the town's insurance program, but leave the claims administration and risk management, and reduce the cost from $10,000 to $3,000 for the remainder of the contract that expires August 31, 2001.

CONSULTING CONTRACT WITH NORTHWOOD CORPORATION

Motion by Councilman Wroblewski, seconded by Councilman Osmanski, to enter into a consulting contract with Northwood Corporation, 54 Pine Tree Lane, West Seneca, New York 14224, at an annual sum of $7,000.

On the question, Councilman Wroblewski stated that Northwood Corporation had several offices in Erie County and the main consultant on the town's policy would be Roger Gurney, a West Seneca resident. Councilman Wroblewski thought that Mr. Gurney was very knowledgeable in the insurance business and would look extensively at coverages and pricing. Councilman Wroblewski noted that the insurance market was changing drastically and the town had some renewals coming up May 1, 2001, so the board members thought it was necessary to have a little more expertise on comprehensive coverages and take a closer look at the pricing.

PAYMENT TO MANPOWER FOR CLERICAL SUPPORT

Motion by Councilman Hicks, seconded by Councilman Osmanski, to authorize payment of $442.38 to Manpower Inc. for clerical support for the AmeriCorps program and additional amounts as follows: two payments at approximately $455 each and one payment at $575.

PAYMENT FOR ADDITIONAL EXPENSES AT FAMILY LITERACY CONFERENCE

Motion by Councilman Hicks, seconded by Supervisor Clark, to authorize payment of $1881 for additional expenses incurred by Mark Lazzara and Elizabeth Simons for attendance at the National Family Literacy Conference held in Dallas, Texas, March 18 - 20, 2001, noting that $300 was for registration fees not included in the original cost and $1487 was for a change in their flight home due to bad weather and excessive delays through Atlanta.

TOWN BOARD MEETINGS SCHEDULED

Supervisor Clark announced the Town Board meetings scheduled for the second quarter of 2001 as follows: