West Seneca Town Board
Reorganization Meeting Minutes 01/05/2009

11.   Motion by Councilman Graber, seconded by Councilwoman Meegan, that Maureen Murphy be appointed Clerk to the Town Justices at an annual salary of $39,432 effective January 1, 2009 and authorize the Supervisor to complete and sign the necessary forms for Erie County Personnel.

12.   Motion by Councilman Graber, seconded by Councilwoman Meegan, that Linda M. Stefaniak be appointed Clerk to the Town Justices at an annual salary of $40,716 effective January 1, 2009 and authorize the Supervisor to complete and sign the necessary forms for Erie County Personnel.

13.   Motion by Councilman Graber, seconded by Councilwoman Bove, that Donald Powers; John Bager; and Dennis Osinski be appointed to the Board of Plumbing Examiners at an annual stipend of $500.00 each effective January 1, 2009 and authorize the Supervisor to complete and sign the necessary forms for Erie County Personnel.

14.   Motion by Councilman Graber, seconded by Councilwoman Meegan, that the annual salaries of the Zoning Board of Appeals and Planning Board members be set at $5420.00 for the Chairman of each Board and $3,676.00 each for the other members of each Board effective January 1, 2009, noting members of each board will be paid one-twelfth of the annual salary for each meeting attended, and the secretary should report any missed meetings to the Comptroller’s Office the following day, and authorize the Supervisor to complete and sign the necessary forms for Erie County Personnel.

15.   Motion by Councilman Graber, seconded by Councilwoman Meegan, that Patricia C. DePasquale be continued as Secretary to the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals at an annual salary of $3870 for each board and Jacqueline Felser as Deputy Secretary at an annual salary of $1,572.00, effective January 1, 2009 and authorize the Supervisor to complete and sign the necessary forms for Erie County Personnel.

16.   Motion by Councilman Graber, seconded by Supervisor Piotrowski, that Robin Heiss, Michael Shea, and Timothy Elling be appointed Civil Officers of the Town of West Seneca effective January 1, 2009 for the purpose of service of process, etc. without remuneration from the Town.

17.   Motion by Councilman Graber, seconded by Councilwoman Meegan, that Gladys Ryan be appointed Deputy Receiver of Taxes at an annual salary of $895 effective January 1, 2009 and authorize the Supervisor to complete and sign the necessary forms for Erie County Personnel.

18.   Motion by Councilman Graber, seconded by Councilwoman Meegan, that members of the Assessment Board of Review be subject to the call of the Assessor at an annual stipend of $500 each effective January 1, 2009.

19.   Motion by Councilman Graber, seconded by Supervisor Piotrowski, that the following officials and employees not represented by the Collective Bargaining Agent recognized by the Town of West Seneca are hereby appointed to the following positions with salaries effective January 1, 2009:

and authorize the Supervisor to complete and sign the necessary forms for Erie County Personnel.

20.   Motion by Councilman Graber, seconded by Supervisor Piotrowski, that Paula VanRemmen be appointed to a one (1) year term as Bingo Inspector for the Town of West Seneca at an annual salary of $4000.00 effective January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2009 and authorize the Supervisor to complete and sign the necessary forms for Erie County Personnel.

21.   Motion by Councilman Graber, seconded by Councilwoman Meegan, that Paul Notaro be appointed American With Disabilities Officer and Harassment Compliance Officer for the Town of West Seneca, without remuneration.

22.   Motion by Councilman Graber, seconded by Councilwoman Bove, that Ferol Webb be appointed Town Historian at an annual salary of $1,886.00 effective January 1, 2009 and authorize the Supervisor to complete and sign the necessary forms for Erie County Personnel.

23.   Motion by Councilman Graber, seconded by Councilwoman Meegan, that Michael Kerl be appointed Natural Disaster Services Coordinator, Part-Time at an annual salary of $4,070 effective January 1, 2009 and authorize the Supervisor to complete and sign the necessary forms for Erie County Personnel.

24.   Motion by Councilman Graber, seconded by Councilwoman Meegan, that John Gullo be appointed Assistant Disaster Coordinator at a stipend of $50 per incident effective January 1, 2009 and authorize the Supervisor to complete and sign the necessary forms for Erie County Personnel.

25.   Motion by Councilman Graber, seconded by Councilwoman Bove, that Patrick Finnegan be granted an extension of his existing leave of absence as Laborer in the Highway Department through and including January 1, 2010 and authorize the Supervisor to complete and sign the necessary forms for Erie County Personnel.

26.   Motion by Councilman Graber, seconded by Councilwoman Meegan, that town funds be deposited in the West Seneca Offices of the following banks effective January 1, 2009:

M & T Trust Company    -   Capital

Evans National Bank    -   Operating, Payroll, Unemployment Escrow, Trust & Agency

J.P. Morgan Chase    -   Operating

27.   Motion by Councilman Graber, seconded by Councilwoman Meegan, that the Town Board does hereby authorize all funds of the Construction and Improvement Account to be maintained in a consolidated bank account, but that the Town Comptroller continue to maintain a separate Improvement Account at all times, as recommended by the state auditors.

28.   Motion by Councilman Graber, seconded by Councilwoman Meegan, that the Town Board of the Town of West Seneca, pursuant to §25 of Town Law and §11 (2) of the Public Officers Law, hereby approves the execution of a Public Employee’s Blanket Bond issued by the Fidelity Deposit Company covering all officers and employees including the Supervisor, Town Clerk, Comptroller, Deputy Comptroller, Superintendent of Highways, Receiver of Taxes, and two (2) Town Justices for the sum of $200,000.00 per occurrence, and be it further resolved that the undertaking shall be effective January 1, 2009, noting that a $2500.00 deductible will apply to the bond.

29.   Motion by Councilman Graber, seconded by Councilwoman Bove, that the West Seneca Bee be designated as the Official Newspaper and that the Front Page and Buffalo News be used at the discretion of the Town Board.

30.   Motion by Councilman Graber, seconded by Councilwoman Meegan, that the following titles of town department heads, elected or appointed officials, and certain other full-time employees not covered by contract provisions between the town and the Blue and White Collar CSEA or the West Seneca PBA be granted extended benefits including Blue Shield or equivalent plan costs as well as all other health and welfare fund related benefits in accordance with the CSEA White Collar Contract or equivalent, with the exception of the Chief of Police and Assistant Chief of Police who are granted benefits pursuant to the contract with the West Seneca PBA. These will include the following: Supervisor, (4) Councilmen; Town Clerk, Highway Superintendent; (2) Town Justices; Receiver of Taxes; Town Attorney; (1) Deputy Town Attorney; Town Comptroller; Sole Assessor; Secretary to Supervisor; (2) Clerks to Town Justices; Secretary to Highway Superintendent; Town Engineer; Building Inspector; Director of Recreation; Director of Youth Bureau; (2) Coordinators of Peer Counseling; and (1) Real Property Appraisal Technician.

On the question,

Councilman Clarke stated that it was his choosing not to take this benefit and wanted to amend the motion to reflect only three (3) Councilmen.

Motion by Councilman Clarke, seconded by Supervisor Piotrowski, to amend the motion that the following titles of town department heads, elected or appointed officials, and certain other full-time employees not covered by contract provisions between the town and the Blue and White Collar CSEA or the West Seneca PBA be granted extended benefits including Blue Shield or equivalent plan costs as well as all other health and welfare fund related benefits in accordance with the CSEA White Collar Contract or equivalent, with the exception of the Chief of Police and Assistant Chief of Police who are granted benefits pursuant to the contract with the West Seneca PBA. These will include the following: Supervisor, (3) Councilmen; Town Clerk, Highway Superintendent; (2) Town Justices; Receiver of Taxes; Town Attorney; (1) Deputy Town Attorney; Town Comptroller; Sole Assessor; Secretary to Supervisor; (2) Clerks to Town Justices; Secretary to Highway Superintendent; Town Engineer; Building Inspector; Director of Recreation; Director of Youth Bureau; (2) Coordinators of Peer Counseling; and (1) Real Property Appraisal Technician.

31.   Motion by Councilman Graber, seconded by Councilwoman Meegan, that the Town of West Seneca shall continue to pay 100% of non-Traditional or an equivalent plan for eligible appointed or elected retired employees who have retired under the NYS Retirement System after January 1, 1992, noting that said payments shall not be made to employees but directly to the insurance carriers.

32.   Motion by Councilman Graber, seconded by Councilwoman Meegan, that pursuant to §119 (2) of the Town Law, the Town Comptroller be authorized to draw warrants to pay any claims for fixed salaries, for principal and interest on bonded or refunded debt or other loans, on the legal or stated compensation of officers or employees of the town, or accounts becoming due upon lawful contracts for periods not exceeding one (1) year.

33.   Motion by Councilman Graber, seconded by Councilwoman Meegan, that all vouchers for claims upon the town shall be acceptable for audit provided they are certified to be true, correct, and initialed by the department head, board or commission.

34.   Motion by Councilman Graber, seconded by Councilwoman Meegan, that reasonable mileage allowed to public officials and town employees be tied to Internal Revenue Service regulations.

35.   Motion by Councilman Graber, seconded by Councilwoman Meegan, that:

1. No purchases be made over $1000.00 without prior approval of the department head;

2. No purchases be made for more than $1000.00 but less than $1700.00 without approval of the department head and Town Board liaison or Committee Chairman to the department (Town Board member);

3. Purchases for more than $1700.00, but under the bidding limits must be aggregated by purchase request and submitted to the Town Board as an agenda item on the purchases requiring Town Board approval form for approval prior to committing for the purchase.

There will be no exceptions to this procedure other than as permitted by law and the Comptroller is directed to strictly enforce this ruling.

36.   Motion by Councilman Graber, seconded by Councilwoman Meegan, that the town continue its Procurement Policy as outlined in Chapter 30 of the West Seneca Town Code.

37.   Motion by Councilman Graber, seconded by Councilwoman Meegan, that petty cash funds be created as follows:

38.   Motion by Councilman Graber, seconded by Councilwoman Meegan, that the Town Hall Offices be open 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. five (5) days per week, except July 1 through Labor Day when the hours shall be 9:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. five (5) days per week as outlined in the White Collar Labor Contract.

39.   Motion by Councilman Graber, seconded by Councilwoman Bove, that the accounting firm of Drescher & Malecki, LLP be employed to prepare the annual audit and also any other services that may be called for by order of the Town Board.

40.   Motion by Councilman Graber, seconded by Councilwoman Meegan, that Supervisor Wallace C. Piotrowski be appointed Budget Officer to serve with remuneration as set out in the Town Budget.

41.   Motion by Councilman Graber, seconded by Councilwoman Meegan, that Supervisor Piotrowski be authorized to sign checks for the West Seneca Library pursuant to §259 of the Education Law.

42.   Motion by Councilman Graber, seconded by Councilwoman Meegan, that the Comptroller be authorized to temporarily invest town monies not needed for immediate expenditure, and further, the Town Board adopt and authorize the Comptroller to comply with the Investment Policy and Guidelines as originally adopted by the Town Board on 12/18/89 and amended on 8/15/94.

43.   Motion by Councilman Graber, seconded by Councilwoman Meegan, to add the following list of banks to the Town Investment Policy, which the town plans to have bid on excess funds for 2009:

44.   Motion by Councilman Graber, seconded by Councilwoman Meegan, that regular meetings of the Town Board where not otherwise specified be held on the first and third Mondays of each month and any emergency meeting at the call of the Chair. Special meetings shall be held at the call of the Town Clerk of the Town of West Seneca upon direction of the Chairman, or upon written request of at least two (2) members of the Town Board. Notice in writing stating the time, place, and purpose of the special meeting shall be served personally upon each member of the board at least forty-eight (48) hours prior to the date fixed for holding the meeting. Only business specified in the notice thereof may be transacted at a special meeting. In accordance with the Open Meetings Law, the public and news media shall be given reasonable notice of any special meeting and all further executive sessions shall be public except for specific purposes allowed by law.

45.   Motion by Councilman Graber, seconded by Councilwoman Meegan, that no town vehicles be used for unauthorized personal use and all town vehicles including the equipment in the Highway Department be identified by decals, with the exception of the Police Department vehicles used for detective work, the Police Chief’s car, and the Highway Superintendent’s car, and direct the Supervisor to ensure that decals are placed on all cars except those mentioned.

46.   Motion by Councilman Graber, seconded by Councilwoman Meegan, that in the interest of energy conservation, the operation of a log be continued for each town owned truck and vehicle as relating to mileage, destination, and task accomplished. Said log should be reviewed by the department head and forwarded monthly to the Committee Chairman responsible for that office. No town owned vehicle, except Police Department vehicles, should be left running at any location for any reason; and further, all town vehicles of various department heads, except Police and Highway, should be left at the Town Hall for general use while individuals are on vacation or any extended time off.

47.   Motion by Councilman Graber, seconded by Councilwoman Meegan, that the Town Board sets the following rules relative to the use of Highway personnel and equipment for emergencies:

1. The West Seneca Highway Department is authorized to provide for emergency assistance to the local school systems, fire districts and other municipalities if men or equipment are requested;

2. An emergency must exist and have been declared in the Erie County municipality requesting assistance;

3. The Highway Superintendent will promptly notify the Supervisor of such action and a written resume will immediately be given to the Town Clerk and Town Attorney outlining the details of the emergency service;

4. Town equipment will be operated by West Seneca employees in the majority of work situations. However, slow moving vehicles (roller), stationary equipment (air compressor or pumps), and light tools may be loaned to another Highway Department to be used and operated by their employees and fees will be assigned to the municipality that receives long term aid; and

5. The West Seneca Highway Superintendent is authorized to request aid from other towns in Erie County and non West Seneca men and equipment will work under the supervision of the West Seneca Highway Superintendent.

48.   Motion by Graber, seconded by Councilwoman Meegan, that in the interest of providing the best services to Town residents, the Town may hire independent contractors.

49.   Supervisor Piotrowski announced the following personal appointments and committees for the year 2009, noting that he will also be a member of each committee. The appointments were kept the same as last year to allow for continuity in services.

COMMITTEES:

49.    (continued)

Liaison Members:

ADJOURNMENT

Motion by Councilman Graber, seconded by Supervisor Piotrowski, that the Town Board Proceedings be adjourned at 6:40 P.M.

PATRICIA C. DePASQUALE, RMC/CMC
TOWN CLERK