Town Board Minutes
WEST SENECA TOWN OFFICES TOWN BOARD PROCEEDINGS
1250 Union Road Work Session
West Seneca, NY 14224 November 3, 2014
Supervisor Meegan called the work session to order at 3:00 P.M. with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag led by Councilman Hart.
ROLL CALL: Present - Sheila M. Meegan Supervisor
William P. Hanley Jr. Councilman
Charles D. Grieco Attorney for the Town
Jacqueline A. Felser Town Clerk
Daniel M. Denz Police Chief
Matthew D. English Highway Supt.
Luke Malecki Finance Director
Steven Tanner Town Engineer
Mary Josefiak Sr. Rec. Therapist of Sr. Services
Lauren Masset Recreation Supervisor
Supervisor Meegan read the Fire Prevention Code instructing the public where to exit in case of a fire or an emergency.
Motion by Supervisor Meegan, seconded by Councilman Hart, to remove the budget hearing from the table.
Ayes: All Noes: None Motion Carried
Councilman Hart submitted proposed changes to the 2015 preliminary ad valorem budget, outlining each of the proposed reductions/increases in appropriations line by line and discussing the impact with department heads in attendance.
Finance Director Luke Malecki stated he will input the changes and provide an update. He anticipated an approximate one percent reduction in the tax increase.
Councilman Hanley suggested taking an additional $250,000 from the fund balance and adding $125,000 to both the general and highway funds to further reduce the tax increase.
Mr. Malecki cautioned against using too much fund balance, stating there should be a plan in place for the future.
Councilman Hart suggested using $80,000 to $100,000 additional fund balance to cover some of the errors in previous budgets. He agreed the town needs to have a very definite financial plan going forward and commented on the need for improvement in the purchasing policy, implementation of a purchase order system and controlling costs.
David Kims suggested the town solicit bids for picking up garbage, police dispatching, etc. since 76 percent of budget costs are labor and benefits and compare current costs to the cost of hiring an outside firm. Mr. Kims commented on the Senior Center Parking Lot Improvements Project and questioned why prevailing wage rates were included in the contract.
Councilman Hart responded under the Wicks Law the town is required to utilize prevailing wage rates and Town Engineer Steven Tanner added this costs the town an additional 28 percent.
WEST SENECA TOWN OFFICES TOWN BOARD PROCEEDINGS
1250 Union Road Work Session
West Seneca, NY 14224 November 3, 2014
Page two . . .
Susan Kims stated she would like to see the town negotiate better contracts and commented employees should contribute to health care costs and give back.
Supervisor Meegan thanked Councilman Hart, Councilman Hanley and Mr. Malecki for their input and hard work regarding the budget.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion by Supervisor Meegan, seconded by Councilman Hart, to recess to Executive Session at 5:45 P.M. to discuss legal issues with Attorney for the Town Charles Grieco.
Ayes: All Noes: None Motion Carried
The board members returned from Executive Session at 6:30 P.M.
The work session concluded at 6:30 P.M.
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JACQUELINE A FELSER, TOWN CLERK