Board Reorganization Meeting Minutes 01/11/2010
WEST SENECA TOWN OFFICES TOWN BOARD PROCEEDINGS
1250 Union Road ORGANIZATION MEETING MINUTES
West Seneca, NY 14224 January 11, 2010
Supervisor Wallace C. Piotrowski called the meeting to order at 6:00 P.M. with 30 seconds of silent prayer followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL: Present - Wallace C. Piotrowski, Supervisor
Sheila M. Meegan, Councilwoman
Dale F. Clarke, Councilman
Absent - None
Supervisor Piotrowski read the Fire Prevention Code instructing the public where to exit in case of a fire or an emergency.
1. Motion by Supervisor Piotrowski, seconded by Councilwoman Meegan, that the elected Town Officials be salaried as follows effective January 1, 2010:
| Supervisor | Wallace C. Piotrowski | $63,096.00 |
| Sheila M. Meegan | $22,420.00 | |
| Dale F. Clarke | $11,280.00 | |
| Town Clerk | Patricia C. DePasquale | $52,352.00 |
| Highway Supt. | Matthew English | $76,650.00 |
| Town Justices | Richard B. Scott | $38,268.00 |
| Dale F. McCabe | $38,268.00 | |
| Receiver of Taxes |
Ruth Breidenstein | $50,619.00 |
and authorize the Supervisor to complete and sign the necessary forms for Erie County Personnel.
| Ayes: All | Noes: None | Motion Carried |
2. Motion by Supervisor Piotrowski, seconded by Councilwoman Meegan, that Shawn P. Martin, West Seneca, New York, be appointed Town Attorney for a term set pursuant to Town Law §24 at an annual salary of $45,000.00 effective January 1, 2010 and authorize the Supervisor to complete and sign the necessary forms for Erie County Personnel.
| Ayes: All | Noes: None | Motion Carried |
3. Motion by Supervisor Piotrowski, seconded by Councilwoman Meegan, that Jeffrey Harrington, West Seneca, New York, be appointed Deputy Town Attorney/Town Prosecutor at an annual salary of $30,000.00 effective January 1, 2010 and authorize the Supervisor to complete and sign the necessary forms for Erie County Personnel.
| Ayes: All | Noes: None | Motion Carried |
4. Motion by Supervisor Piotrowski, seconded by Councilwoman Meegan, that Robert Bielecki, West Seneca, New York, be appointed Town Comptroller for a term set pursuant to Town Law §20 Subd. 3(B) at an annual salary of $25,750.00 effective January 1, 2010 and authorize the Supervisor to complete and sign the necessary forms for Erie County Personnel.
| Ayes: All | Noes: None | Motion Carried |
5. Motion by Supervisor Piotrowski, seconded by Councilwoman Meegan, that Patricia C. DePasquale be appointed Registrar of Vital Statistics at an annual salary of $4,062.00 effective January 1, 2010, all fees to go to the Town General Fund, and authorize the Supervisor to complete and sign the necessary forms for Erie County Personnel.
| Ayes: All | Noes: None | Motion Carried |
6. Motion by Supervisor Piotrowski, seconded by Councilwoman Meegan, on the recommendation of the Town Clerk, that Jacqueline Felser, West Seneca, New York, be appointed Deputy Registrar of Vital Statistics at an annual salary of $1,661.00 effective January 1, 2010 and authorize the Supervisor to complete and sign the necessary forms for Erie County Personnel.
| Ayes: All | Noes: None | Motion Carried |
7. Motion by Supervisor Piotrowski, seconded by Councilman Clarke, on the recommendation of the Town Clerk, that Jacqueline Felser, West Seneca, New York, be appointed First Deputy Clerk to serve without remuneration effective January 1, 2010.
| Ayes: All | Noes: None | Motion Carried |
8. Motion by Supervisor Piotrowski, seconded by Councilwoman Meegan, on the recommendation of the Town Clerk, that Carol Rebl, Hamburg, New York, be appointed Second Deputy Clerk to serve without remuneration effective January 1, 2010.
| Ayes: All | Noes: None | Motion Carried |
9. Motion by Supervisor Piotrowski, seconded by Councilwoman Meegan, on the recommendation of the Highway Superintendent, that Robert Schultz, West Seneca, New York, be appointed Deputy Highway Superintendent at an annual salary of $4000 over twenty-six (26) payroll periods effective January 1, 2010 and that he act in the capacity of the Highway Supt. in the event of his absence for any reason, e.g., vacation, illness, etc., and authorize the Supervisor to complete and sign the necessary forms for Erie County Personnel.
| Ayes: All | Noes: None | Motion Carried |
10. Motion by Supervisor Piotrowski, seconded by Councilwoman Meegan, that the salary of Secretary to the Supervisor be set at $41,937 as established by the 2010 budget.
| Ayes: All | Noes: None | Motion Carried |
11. Motion by Supervisor Piotrowski, seconded by Councilwoman Meegan, that Linda M. Stefaniak, West Seneca, New York, be appointed Clerk to the Town Justices at an annual salary of $41,937 effective January 1, 2010 and authorize the Supervisor to complete and sign the necessary forms for Erie County Personnel.
| Ayes: All | Noes: None | Motion Carried |
12. Motion by Supervisor Piotrowski, seconded by Councilwoman Meegan, that Maureen Murphy, West Seneca, New York, be appointed Clerk to the Town Justices at an annual salary of $41,937 effective January 1, 2010 and authorize the Supervisor to complete and sign the necessary forms for Erie County Personnel.
| Ayes: All | Noes: None | Motion Carried |
13. Motion by Supervisor Piotrowski, seconded by Councilwoman Meegan, that Donald Powers, John Bager, and Dennis Osinski, of West Seneca, New York, be appointed to the Board of Plumbing Examiners at an annual stipend of $500.00 each effective January 1, 2010 and authorize the Supervisor to complete and sign the necessary forms for Erie County Personnel.
| Ayes: All | Noes: None | Motion Carried |
14. Motion by Supervisor Piotrowski, 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, 2010, 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.
| Ayes: All | Noes: None | Motion Carried |
15. Motion by Supervisor Piotrowski, 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 $4656 and $3084 respectively, and Jacqueline Felser as Deputy Secretary at an annual salary of $1,572.00, effective January 1, 2010 and authorize the Supervisor to complete and sign the necessary forms for Erie County Personnel.
| Ayes: All | Noes: None | Motion Carried |
16. Motion by Supervisor Piotrowski, seconded by Councilwoman Meegan, that Timothy Elling, Michael Shea, and Robin Heiss, of West Seneca, New York, be appointed Civil Officers of the Town of West Seneca effective January 1, 2010 for the purpose of service of process, etc. without remuneration from the Town.
| Ayes: All | Noes: None | Motion Carried |
17. Motion by Supervisor Piotrowski, seconded by Councilwoman Meegan, that Gladys Ryan, West Seneca, New York, be appointed Deputy Receiver of Taxes at an annual salary of $895 effective January 1, 2010 and authorize the Supervisor to complete and sign the necessary forms for Erie County Personnel.
| Ayes: All | Noes: None | Motion Carried |
18. Motion by Supervisor Piotrowski, 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, 2010.
| Ayes: All | Noes: None | Motion Carried |
19. Motion by Supervisor Piotrowski, seconded by Councilwoman Meegan, 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, 2010:
| George D. Montz | Town Engineer | $ 92,029.00 |
| Edward Gehen Jr. | Chief of Police | $105,888.00 |
| Daniel Denz | Assistant Chief of Police | $ 91,938.00 |
| Robert Walsh | Recreation Director | $ 70,937.00 |
| Donna Lepore | Coordinator of Peer Counseling | $ 32,378.00 |
| Jolynn Keane | Coordinator of Peer Counseling | $ 32,378.00 |
| Dina Weixlmann | Secretary to Highway Superintendent | $ 36,784.00 |
| Mark Lazzara | Director of Youth Bureau (serving for January 2010 with remuneration as set forthin the 2010 budget) |
and authorize the Supervisor to complete and sign the necessary forms for Erie County Personnel.
| Ayes: All | Noes: None | Motion Carried |
20. Motion by Supervisor Piotrowski, seconded by Councilwoman Meegan, that Paula VanRemmen, West Seneca, New York, 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, 2010 through December 31, 2010 and authorize the Supervisor to complete and sign the necessary forms for Erie County Personnel.
| Ayes: All | Noes: None | Motion Carried |
21. Motion by Supervisor Piotrowski, seconded by Councilwoman Meegan, that the town decline service of process by facsimile or other electronic means pursuant to Section 2103 of the New York Civil Practice Law and Rules.
| Ayes: All | Noes: None | Motion Carried |
22. Motion by Supervisor Piotrowski, seconded by Councilwoman Meegan, that Jeffrey Harrington, West Seneca, New York, be appointed Americans With Disabilities Officer and Harassment Compliance Officer for the Town of West Seneca, without remuneration.
| Ayes: All | Noes: None | Motion Carried |
23. Motion by Supervisor Piotrowski, seconded by Councilwoman Meegan, that James Pace, West Seneca, New York, be appointed Town Historian at no annual salary effective January 1, 2010 and authorize the Supervisor to complete and sign the necessary forms for Erie County Personnel.
| Ayes: All | Noes: None | Motion Carried |
24. Motion by Supervisor Piotrowski, seconded by Councilwoman Meegan, that Michael Kerl, West Seneca, New York, be appointed Natural Disaster Services Coordinator, Part-Time at an annual salary of $4,070 effective January 1, 2010 and authorize the Supervisor to complete and sign the necessary forms for Erie County Personnel.
| Ayes: All | Noes: None | Motion Carried |
25. Motion by Supervisor Piotrowski, seconded by Councilwoman Meegan, that John Gullo, West Seneca, New York, be appointed Assistant Disaster Coordinator at a stipend of $50 per incident effective January 1, 2010 and authorize the Supervisor to complete and sign the necessary forms for Erie County Personnel.
| Ayes: All | Noes: None | Motion Carried |
26. Motion by Supervisor Piotrowski, seconded by Councilwoman Meegan, that Matthew English be granted an extension of his existing leave of absence as Motor Equipment Operator in the Highway Department through and including January 1, 2011 and authorize the Supervisor to complete and sign the necessary forms for Erie County Personnel.
| Ayes: All | Noes: None | Motion Carried |
27. Motion by Supervisor Piotrowski, seconded by Councilwoman Meegan, that town funds be deposited in the West Seneca Offices of the following banks effective January 1, 2010:
| M & T Trust Company | Capital |
| Evans National Bank | Operating, Payroll, Unemployment Escrow, Trust & Agency |
| J.P. Morgan Chase Bank | Operating & Capital |
| Ayes: All | Noes: None | Motion Carried |
28. Motion by Supervisor Piotrowski, 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.
| Ayes: All | Noes: None | Motion Carried |
29. Motion by Supervisor Piotrowski, 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, 2010, noting that a $2500.00 deductible will apply to the bond.
| Ayes: All | Noes: None | Motion Carried |
30. Motion by Supervisor Piotrowski, seconded by Councilwoman Meegan, that the West Seneca Bee be designated as the Official Newspaper and that the Buffalo News be used at the discretion of the Town Board.
| Ayes: All | Noes: None | Motion Carried |
31. Motion by Supervisor Piotrowski, 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, (1) Council Member; 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; Code Enforcement Officer; Director of Recreation; and (2) Coordinators of Peer Counseling.
| Ayes: All | Noes: None | Motion Carried |
32. Motion by Supervisor Piotrowski, 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.
| Ayes: All | Noes: None | Motion Carried |
33. Motion by Supervisor Piotrowski, 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.
| Ayes: All | Noes: None | Motion Carried |
34. Motion by Supervisor Piotrowski, 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.
| Ayes: All | Noes: None | Motion Carried |
35. Motion by Supervisor Piotrowski, seconded by Councilwoman Meegan, that the mileage rate allowed to public officials and town employees be tied to Internal Revenue Service regulations.
| Ayes: All | Noes: None | Motion Carried |
36. Motion by Supervisor Piotrowski, seconded by Councilwoman Meegan, that:
- No purchases be made over $1000.00 without prior approval of the department head;
- 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);
- 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.
| Ayes: All | Noes: None | Motion Carried |
37. Motion by Supervisor Piotrowski, seconded by Councilwoman Meegan, that the town continue its Procurement Policy as outlined in Chapter 30 of the West Seneca Town Code.
| Ayes: All | Noes: None | Motion Carried |
38. Motion by Supervisor Piotrowski, seconded by Councilwoman Meegan, that petty cash funds be created as follows:
| Comptroller | $ 25.00 | Police Confidential Investigation | $2500.00 |
| Town Clerk | $200.00 | Police Department | $ 250.00 |
| Receiver of Taxes | $500.00 | Youth Bureau | $ 75.00 |
| Highway Supt. | $ 25.00 | Recreation | $ 100.00 |
| Ayes: All | Noes: None | Motion Carried |
39. Motion by Supervisor Piotrowski, seconded by Councilwoman Meegan, that 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.
| Ayes: All | Noes: None | Motion Carried |
40. Motion by Supervisor Piotrowski, seconded by Councilwoman Meegan, 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.
| Ayes: All | Noes: None | Motion Carried |
41. Motion by Supervisor Piotrowski, seconded by Councilwoman Meegan, that Supervisor Wallace C. Piotrowski be appointed Budget Officer to serve with remuneration as set out in the 2010 Town Budget.
| Ayes: All | Noes: None | Motion Carried |
42. Motion by Supervisor Piotrowski, seconded by Councilwoman Meegan, that Supervisor Piotrowski be authorized to sign checks for the West Seneca Library pursuant to §259 of the Education Law.
| Ayes: All | Noes: None | Motion Carried |
43. Motion by Supervisor Piotrowski, 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.
| Ayes: All | Noes: None | Motion Carried |
44. Motion by Supervisor Piotrowski, 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 2010:
| Key Bank of WNY N.A. | M & T Bank |
| Evans National Bank | HSBC Bank |
| J.P. Morgan Chase Bank | Bank of America |
| Citizens Bank |
| Ayes: All | Noes: None | Motion Carried |
45. Motion by Supervisor Piotrowski, 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 at 7:00 P.M. and any emergency meeting at the written request of at least two (2) members of the Town Board. Special meetings shall be held at the call of the Town Clerk of the Town of West Seneca 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 special meetings shall be public except for executive sessions for specific purposes allowed by law.
| Ayes: All | Noes: None | Motion Carried |
46. Motion by Supervisor Piotrowski, 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.
| Ayes: All | Noes: None | Motion Carried |
47. Motion by Supervisor Piotrowski, 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.
| Ayes: All | Noes: None | Motion Carried |
48. Motion by Supervisor Piotrowski, seconded by Councilwoman Meegan, that the Town Board sets the following rules relative to the use of Highway personnel and equipment for emergencies:
- 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;
- An emergency must exist and have been declared in the Erie County municipality requesting assistance;
- The Highway Superintendent will promptly notify the Supervisor of such action and a written notice will immediately be given to the Town Clerk and Town Attorney outlining the details of the emergency service;
- 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
- 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.
| Ayes: All | Noes: None | Motion Carried |
49. Motion by Supervisor Piotrowski, seconded by Councilwoman Meegan, that in the interest of providing the best services to Town residents, the Town may hire independent contractors.
| Ayes: All | Noes: None | Motion Carried |
50. Motion by Supervisor Piotrowski, seconded by Councilwoman Meegan, that Town Attorney Shawn P. Martin be appointed the step 3 grievance designee and shall make recommendations to the Town Board as contained in the various union contracts.
| Ayes: All | Noes: None | Motion Carried |
51. Supervisor Piotrowski announced the following personal appointments and committees for the year 2010, 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.
| Utility Advisory Committee | Councilman Clarke, Shawn Martin, Robert Bielecki, Robert Niederpruem Jr | |
| Engineering & Special Districts | Councilman Clarke | |
| Police & Public Safety | Supervisor Piotrowski | |
| Recreation & Senior Citizens | Councilwoman Meegan | |
| Library Advisory | Councilwoman Meegan | |
| Highway | Councilman Clarke | |
| Insurance | Councilwoman Meegan | |
| Capital Projects | Supervisor Piotrowski, George Montz, Matthew English, Robert Bielecki | |
| Revenue Development | Supervisor Piotrowski | |
| Safety & Accident Review | Councilwoman Meegan | |
| Environmental Conservation Committee | Councilwoman Meegan | |
| Band Shell Committee | David Brant, Supervisor Piotrowski | |
| Solid Waste Committee | Councilman Clarke | |
| Youth Bureau | Supervisor Piotrowski | |
| Employee Assistance Program | Councilman Clarke |
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Supervisor Piotrowski, seconded by Councilwoman Meegan, that the Town Board Proceedings be adjourned at 6:25 P.M.
| Ayes: All | Noes: None | Motion Carried |
Highway Supt. Matthew English was installed by Town Attorney Shawn Martin.
PATRICIA C. DePASQUALE, RMC/CMC
TOWN CLERK