[00:02:55]
ALRIGHT, SO ON THE WORK SESSION AGENDA TIME, WE HAVE THREE ITEMS. FIRST, WE'RE GONNA HEAR FROM GAVIN WALSH TO TALK ABOUT, UH, SOME, UH, WORK THAT SHE'S LOOKING TO HEAD UP IN TOWN REGARDING OUR LOCAL TRIALS AND LACK THEREOF.
WE'RE ALSO GONNA HEAR FROM, UH, OUR SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC WORKS.
AND THEN I HAVE PERSONNEL UPDATE, UH, THAT I WANNA SHARE WITH THE BOARD REGARDING A RESOLUTION ON TONIGHT'S AGENDA.
BEFORE I GET MORE OVER TO MS. WALSH, I JUST WANT TO GIVE SOME CONTEXT TO, UH, HER PRESENTATION.
SOME OF YOU MAY BE FAMILIAR WITH THE HAMBURG MOVES COMMITTEE AND SOME WORK THAT HAS BEEN DONE BY, UH, FOLKS IN THE VILLAGE AND TOWN OF HAMBURG.
UH, LOOKING AT OUR, OUR TRAILS MULTIMODAL TRANSPORTATION, UM, THAT WORK, UH, STARTED, UH, WITH, WITH GREAT FOCUS AND ENERGY.
PRIOR TO THE PANDEMIC, THERE WERE A COUPLE THINGS THAT KIND OF TOOK THAT WORK OFF TRACK.
AND NOW THAT COMMITTEE IS RE-ENERGIZED UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF GO BY BUFFALO, LOOKING AT CONNECTING TO COMMUNITIES PRIMARILY THROUGH, UM, UH, MAKING OUR ROADS SAFE AND PROVIDING BIKE ROUTE TRAFFIC, COUNTY PEDESTRIAN FRIENDLY MEASURES, ESPECIALLY AROUND OUR SCHOOLS AND GATEWAYS TO OUR VILLAGES.
MS. WALSH APPROACHED MY OFFICE TO TALK ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF TRAILS THROUGH WOODED AREAS IN AND AROUND THE VILLAGE OF HAMBURG, UH, ON A TOWN LANDS, SOME OF IT, WHICH IS, UM, UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION.
I THOUGHT IT'D BE A GOOD IDEA TO TAKE A LOOK AT TRAILS AS A SEPARATE ISSUE FROM THE WORK THAT GOBI IS DOING WITH THE HAMBURG MOVES COMMITTEE BECAUSE THAT WORK HAS REALLY ELEVATED IN PROFILE, UM, AND THOSE FOLKS HAVE THEIR HANDS FULL WORKING ON OUR STREETS, SIDEWALKS AND SO FORTH.
SO, UH, MS. WALSH COMES TO US NOT ONLY ON HER OWN, BUT AS PART OF A GROUP
[00:05:01]
OF OUR COMMUNITY THAT HAS SOME IDEAS AND IS READY TO ROLL UP THEIR SLEEVE AND GET TO WORK.I'LL TURN THE FLOOR OVER TO YOU, KEVIN, SHOULD I STAND SOMEWHERE? WHEREVER YOU'RE MOST COMFORTABLE.
LIKE THIS ONE IS KIND OF DEPICTING LIKE THE AREA WE'RE GONNA FOCUS ON, WHICH I'LL TALK TO YOU GUYS A BIT MORE ABOUT.
UM, IS IT OKAY RIGHT HERE? MM-HMM
SO, UM, SAID CATHERINE WALSH, MY FAMILY AND I LIVE IN HAMBURG AND WE JUST LOVE HAMBURG.
SO THANK YOU FOR ALL THE WORK YOU GUYS DO.
UM, WE HAVE, WE ARE FROM THE AREA, WE MOVED AWAY AFTER COLLEGE FOR WORK AND SO WE SAW A LOT OF DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE COUNTRY AND WE WOULD ALWAYS LIKE VISIT PARKS AND COMMUNITY AREAS AND I ALWAYS WAS JUST SO IMPRESSED WITH WHAT WAS GOING ON.
YOU, YOU KNOW, LIKE WE'D SEE IT HERE NOW.
UM, WHEN WE GOT BACK WE WERE ABLE TO, SO WE, WE LIVED IN DALLAS FOR A LITTLE BIT IN ORLANDO FOR THE BRUNT OF IT.
WE WERE GONE FOR ABOUT NINE YEARS, HAD THREE KIDS AND WE DROVE BACK AND FORTH FROM FLORIDA TO BUFFALO A LOT.
AND WE'D STOP OFTEN ON THE ROAD TO STRETCH OUR LEGS AND GET THE WILLIES OUTTA THE KIDS.
AND WE WOULD STOP AT LIKE A MARSH WHERE THEY HAD THIS LIKE, BEAUTIFUL BOARDWALK WITH EDUCATION AND CONSERVATION AT THE FOREFRONT.
AND THE COMMUNITY WAS AROUND RAIL TO TRAIL SITUATIONS AND IT WAS JUST SOMETHING REALLY COOL TO SEE.
SO WHEN WE CAME BACK TO BUFFALO, IT WAS GREAT TO SEE LIKE THE WATERFRONT WAS GOING ON.
UM, AND LIKE I SAID, HAMBURG IS AWESOME.
AT THE TIME OUR KIDS WERE THREE, FIVE, AND SEVEN AND WE LOVED THE WALKABILITY OF THE VILLAGE, BUT OUR FAVORITE THING WAS THE CREEK.
WE WERE ALWAYS AT THE CREEK EVERY WEEK WE'D GO TO THE CREEK IN ALL SEASONS.
UM, SO IT'S A VERY SPECIAL PLACE FOR MY FAMILY.
UM, IN 2018, MY SON, WE HAD AN ACCIDENT HOME AND MY SON PASSED AWAY.
HE, UM, DIED RIGHT BEFORE HIS SIXTH BIRTHDAY.
AND AROUND THAT TIME PEOPLE OFTEN WOULD COME TO ME AND SAY, WOULD YOU LIKE TO GO OUT TO LUNCH OR A CUP OF COFFEE? AND I WAS LIKE, UH, OKAY.
BUT I ACTUALLY FELT VERY LIKE VULNERABLE, SO I'D ALWAYS, I, I WOULD SAY, WELL, WHY DON'T WE TAKE A WALK? SO I STARTED WALKING WITH PEOPLE AND THIS HAPPENED IN NOVEMBER AND SO I WAS REALLY WORRIED ABOUT THAT SEASONAL DEPRESSION PIECE.
SO I WAS WALKING TWO TO THREE HOURS A DAY.
SO I GOT TO KNOW HAMBURG REALLY, REALLY WELL.
UM, I WALKED THE WOODS AND, AND ALL THE STREETS AND FIGURED OUT LIKE WHAT WAS GOOD LOOPS AND ALL THIS.
SO, AND I WOULD TAKE PEOPLE WITH ME AND A LOT OF THESE PEOPLE LIVED IN HAMBURG, BUT THEY WOULD BE LIKE, I DIDN'T KNOW YOU COULD WALK DOWN TO THE CREEK.
I DIDN'T KNOW THAT THIS, THIS PLACE WAS HERE.
AND SO I WAS JUST FLOORED THAT THE ACCESSIBILITY OF LIKE OUR GREATEST RESOURCE IS JUST NOT THERE.
SO, UM, IT KIND KINDA CAME INTO MY MIND TO GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY THAT WAS SO SUPPORTIVE TO US DURING THAT TIME TO START, UM, MAYBE LIKE ENHANCE A TRAIL.
'CAUSE THERE ARE FOOTPATHS ALL THROUGHOUT THE CREEK AND STUFF, BUT IF YOU WANNA GET DOWN THERE WITH LIKE A STROLLER OR SOMEBODY OLDER, IT WOULD BE DIFFICULT.
SO I HOOKED UP, LIKE RANDY WAS SAYING, KINDA THE HISTORY OF THAT.
UM, AND, AND THEN LIKE COVID STOPPED EVERYTHING AND THEN MY HUSBAND AND I WOKE UP TWO MORE CHILDREN AND SO I WAS IN LIKE BABY LA LA LAND FOR A WHILE THERE AND I CAME BACK AND I'M LOOKING, OKAY, WHAT'S GOING ON? AND THERE'S JUST NOBODY TALKING ABOUT TRAILS.
UM, I JUST FEEL LIKE IT IS SOMETHING THAT WE NEED TO GET OUR EYES ON, HAVE THE CONVERSATION STARTED.
THIS IS, UM, SOMETHING THAT'S GOING ON ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.
UM, THERE'S A LOT OF INITIATIVE TO GET ACCESSIBILITY AND CONNECTIVITY TO LIKE YOUR MAIN STREET CORRIDOR INTO LIKE GREEN SPACES.
UM, SO LIKE WE SAID, WE, WE HAD A, WE HAD A MEETING IN THE END OF APRIL AND I HAD ABOUT 20 PEOPLE THERE THAT WERE INTERESTED.
THAT'S JUST FIRST STARTERS, THAT WAS A LITTLE POP ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND WORD OF MOUTH.
PEOPLE ARE INTERESTED IN THIS.
UM, AND WE'D LOVE TO START A COMMITTEE SO THAT WE KEEP THOSE CONVERSATIONS GOING.
UM, WHEN I WAS IN HAMBURG MOVES THE, THE MULTIMODAL TRAIL PLAN THAT HAD CAME OUT OF THE VILLAGE, I BELIEVE IN 2017.
IT'S VERY BROAD, BUT WE REALLY WANTED TO FOCUS ON THE HAMPTON BROOK WOODS AREA, WHICH IS KIND OF WHAT'S FOCUSED ON THAT MAP.
UM, IT HAS ACCESSIBILITY, LIKE EASY WALKABILITY FROM THE VILLAGE.
IT IS A LOT OF WORK AND I'M NOT EVEN SURE HOW TO GO ABOUT IT, BUT I, LIKE I SAID, JUST TO GET THAT CONVERSATION STARTED AND PEOPLE'S EYES ON IT I THINK WOULD BE HUGE FOR OUR COMMUNITY.
SO I DON'T KNOW IF ANYBODY HAS ANY QUESTIONS OR, I DON'T KNOW IF I HAVE THE ANSWERS, BUT YOU'RE LOOKING AT THE TRAIL.
YEAH, SO THERE, SO THERE'S UM, THE LAND IS JUST SOUTH OF 18 MILE CREEK.
UM, IT'S KIND, IF YOU'VE EVER BEEN TO GUNTHER HILL, WHICH IS LIKE THIS SLEDDING HILL, IT'S ACROSS THE CREEK FROM THERE IS THIS BIG SWATH OF DC LAND AND IT'S, IT'S INTERESTING BECAUSE THE FIRST TIME I HIKED IT, I RAN INTO A HUNTER 'CAUSE YOU CAN HUNT OVER THERE.
AND I WAS LIKE, WHAT? YOU CAN HUNT OVER
[00:10:01]
HERE.AND IT'S REALLY STRANGE 'CAUSE IT'S VERY CLOSE TO LIKE A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD, WHICH IS NORTH MOUNTAIN BROOK DRIVE.
AND THEN ALSO GUNTHER'S HILL IS RIGHT THERE, BUT I'M NOT A HUNTER, SO I DON'T KNOW.
BUT THE DC IS, UM, YOU KNOW, THEY'RE COMMITTED TO SERVING THE PEOPLE OF NEW YORK FOR RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES.
WELL, BIRDWATCHING IS A RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITY AS WELL.
SO I THINK MAYBE THAT CONVERSATION WITH THE DC WE'RE HOPING TO HAVE THAT SOON TO SEE WHAT IT, WHAT THAT, WHAT COULD HAPPEN THERE.
MAYBE MAKE IT MORE JIVE WITH LIKE WHAT HAMBURG NEEDS AND WOULD LIKE.
SO THE, THE AREA THAT YOU'RE, LIKE THE AREA WOULD FOCUS ON ENHANCING, WOULD IT ALL BE ON THAT OTHER SIDE OR, OR WOULD IT BE SOME OF THE EXISTING ONES ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE CREEK? UM, WE KIND OF THOUGHT IT WOULD BE EASIEST TO TACKLE LIKE ONE, LIKE, LIKE THE DC LIKE WHEN YOU GO, ARE YOU TALKING LIKE WHEN YOU GO OFF THE SLEDDING HILL OF THOSE TRAILS? YES.
LIKE ON THE VILLAGE SIDE OF THOSE ARE LIKE PRIVATE PROPERTY.
SO THAT IS LIKE KIND OF MORE WITH DEC AND HOW FAR DOES THAT GO? UM, TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT DIRECTION THAT WOULD BE SOUTH.
UM, SO IT ACTUALLY CONNECTS, IT'S REALLY INTERESTING AND I JUST WALKED THE ENTIRE THING THIS PAST WEEKEND, WEEKEND.
IT CONNECTS FROM LIKE THE END OF NORTH HAMPTON BROOK ROAD, I THINK IT'S ROAD, UM, TO HAMPTON BROOK OFF OF 62.
SO IT'S REALLY COOL BECAUSE IF YOU LOOK AT THAT, THE MULTIMODAL TRAIL SYSTEM, THE IDEA WAS TO CONNECT THE VILLAGE, LIKE THE MAIN STREET CORRIDOR TO 18 MILE CREEK PARK.
SO THAT'S KIND OF HOW THEY HAD IT IN THERE.
AND THAT MULTIMODAL TRAIL PLAN IS PRETTY, UM, IN DETAIL.
IT SHOWS DIFFERENT OBSTACLES THAT THERE ARE, YOU KNOW, UM, THIS PER PERSON'S PRIVATE PROPERTY, THIS IS DC LAND, SO YOU CAN TAKE A LOOK AT THAT.
BUT, UM, IT'S, IT'S A BEAUTIFUL FOREST.
YOU MENTIONED THE VILLAGE GROUP.
UM, I KNOW FOR YEARS AND YEARS THEY WERE MEETING ONCE A MONTH, UH, ON THE PLANS.
UM, I PERSONALLY HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO BE THERE SINCE, UH, COVID, BUT MM-HMM
ARE THEY STILL MEETING AND HAVE YOU, YOU MET WITH 'EM AND I KNOW THEY'VE GOT A COMPREHENSIVE, WAS THAT HAMMERED MOVES? NO.
TRAIL TASK FORCE TRAIL TASK FORCE, I THINK.
THEY DON'T, THEY'RE NOT MEETING ANYMORE, BUT DAN ROSATI, UM, ACTUALLY HE WAS ON THERE YEARS AGO.
I DON'T THINK A LOT OF MEMBERS ARE STILL ACTIVE FOR WHATEVER REASON.
SO DAN ROSATI IS CO-CHAIRING WITH ME ON THIS.
I HAVE LOOKED AROUND TO SEE IF ANYBODY ELSE IS DOING THIS.
NO, AS LONG AS YOU, YOU CONNECT WITH DAN BECAUSE THEY WERE, I THOUGHT, KIND OF AN UNDER THE RADAR GROUP AND THEY HAD AMAZING PLANS AND THEY MADE A LOT OF PROGRESS.
SO I JUST WANNA MAKE SURE THAT YOU WERE AT LEAST CONNECTED WITH THAT GROUP.
YEAH, AND DAN SAID A LOT OF THE PROBLEM WITH THAT WAS THEY WERE A VILLAGE COMMITTEE, I BELIEVE.
AND THIS MOST OF THE HAMBURG MULTIMODAL TRAIL PLAN IS IN THE TOWN.
SO WE REALLY NEED TO LIKE BE COHESIVE ON IT.
AND ALSO, BASED ON WHAT YOU'RE SAYING, THE ONE PLAN OF THE TIE INTO CHESTNUT RIDGE, UM, MIGHT, UH, MIGHT MAKE YOU WANT TO REACH OUT GEORGIA PARK AS UH, OR EVEN BOSTON.
I MEAN HERE WE'VE GOT THIS GREAT COUNTY PARK THAT, UH, IF WE COULD HAVE ACCESS FROM THE VILLAGE AND OTHER PARTS OF THE TOWN.
JUST FOOD FOR THOUGHT THERE AS WELL.
SO IS THE GREEN WHAT YOU'RE PROPOSING? YEAH, THE GREEN IS KIND OF LIKE, I CAN GRAB THAT QUICK.
UM, THE GREEN STARTS AT, UM, THIS IS THE BIRD SANCTUARY.
UM, I'M ALSO ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION COMMISSION, WHICH IS IN THE VILLAGE.
AND THEY ARE A GREAT SMALL GROUP THAT'S DEDICATED TO ENVIRONMENTAL EFFORTS IN THE VILLAGE, BUT THEY ALSO REALLY DO A LOT OF WORK AT THE BIRD SANCTUARY.
SO THEY'RE WORKING ON GETTING GRANTS WRITTEN FOR THIS BRIDGE TO CONNECT THE OVERLOOK TO THE BIRD SANCTUARY.
I BELIEVE THAT'S LIKE KIND OF THE BEST WAY.
BUT YOU CAN ALSO GO DOWN SOUTH BUFFALO STREET.
UM, WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE DC LAND, THERE'S A LITTLE ACCESS POINT HERE TO THE DEC OFF OF, UM, OLD EAST EDEN ROAD, IF YOU'RE FAMILIAR WITH THAT AREA.
UM, AND IT KIND OF CAN GO THROUGH HERE.
THIS IS, UM, THIS IS, THE TRAIL DOES NOT LIVE WITH THIS.
WHEN YOU WALK IN, IT'S VERY WINDY OF COURSE 'CAUSE IT'S A NATURE TRAIL.
UM, AND YOU CAN REALLY GET ALL THE WAY TO THE OTHER HAMPTON BROOK DRIVE OFF OF 62.
AND YOU MENTIONED THAT YOU WANTED TO MAKE A LOOP.
SO IS THERE THOUGHT THAT THERE'D BE A WAY EITHER AT THE BEGINNING OR THE, THE TERMINATING END OR THE OR THE OTHER RIGHT BEFORE YOU GET TO THE BIRD SANCTUARY TO TAKE THAT LITTLE, UM, CIRCLE AROUND CRESCENT SO YOU COULD MAKE IT A LOOP IF SOMEONE DIDN'T WANNA GO UP TO THE BIRD.
I MEAN, YOU'RE TRYING TO MAKE THAT A COMPLETE LOOP OR I THINK ALL OF THOSE THINGS MM-HMM
YOU KNOW, I THINK THE MORE ACCESSIBILITY,
[00:15:01]
THE BETTER.UM, AND IT JUST DEPENDS ON, YOU KNOW, WHERE DO YOU START.
ANYWHERE I GUESS IS WHERE I'M STARTING
BUT WE, WE THOUGHT TO FOCUS ON THIS BECAUSE I FELT IN HAMBURG MOVES THERE WERE SO MANY DIFFERENT PARTS AND ALL THESE DIFFERENT PEOPLE AND IT WAS, IT WAS HARD TO FOCUS, YOU KNOW? YEAH.
THANK YOU FOR CONTACTING MY OFFICE AND, AND THANK YOU FOR COMING HERE TONIGHT TO, TO SHARE YOUR IDEAS AND STORIES.
IT'S ALWAYS HELPFUL TO, TO PUT A, A FACE TO THE IDEAS.
I REALLY LIKE THAT YOU ARE LOOKING TO CONVENE A GROUP OF RESIDENTS FIRST AND DECIDE WHAT WE SHOULD DO WITH THEIR, WITH THEIR INPUT.
I THINK THAT'S A VERY INCLUSIVE APPROACH AND UM, AND, AND I DO STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT A FOCUS SPECIFIC ON OFF-ROAD TRAILS WOULD BE BENEFICIAL AND COMPLIMENT THE OTHER WORK THAT WE'RE DOING IN THE TOWN.
UM, I'M GONNA TALK TONIGHT ABOUT ONE OF THE RESOLUTIONS THAT'S ON THERE THAT, UH, WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON TO SOLVE SOME DRAINAGE PROBLEMS ALONG LAKESHORE ROAD.
NOW THAT ACTUALLY LOOKS LIKE LAKESHORE ROAD, BUT IT IS ROAD, THAT PICTURE I JUST FOUND.
SO, UM, THERE'S A BUNCH OF PROPERTIES THAT ARE, HAVE A LOT OF DRAINAGE ISSUES.
UH, THE PROBLEM IS, IS THAT WE HAVE TOWN ROADS THAT ARE DRAINING ACROSS THE STATE ROAD AND THEN OUT FALLING THROUGH PRIVATE PROPERTY.
SO LIKE, HERE'S THE DRONE, HERE'S, UH, ONE OF THE BIRTH EXAMS. I'VE GONNA RUN THROUGH JUST A COUPLE OF THEM.
THERE'S A LOT MORE, UH, LIKE I'M JUST GONNA GET LITTLE THEM, GIVE YOU KIND OF THE SCENARIOS AND KNOW THOSE LITTLE ORANGE LINES ARE NOT A LOT EVERY, THEY'RE KINDA HARD TO SEE UP THERE.
UM, THEY'RE, YOU KNOW, OH, THERE WE GO.
UM, SO THERE'S STORM LINES THAT RUNDOWN BEACH, AND THEN YOU CAN SEE HOW THEY CROSS LAKESHORE ROAD AND THEN THEY OUTFALL THROUGH A PRIVATE OWNED PARCEL WHEN WE ACTUALLY HAVE A PAPER STREET THERE.
SO THIS HAS TO BE KIND OF CORRECTED 'CAUSE WE DON'T, WE DON'T HAVE ANY EASEMENT TO GET ACROSS THAT PROPERTY.
UM, THERE'S ONE SITUATION, UH, HERE, OBVIOUSLY WE KNOW THIS ONE BIG TREE LAKESHORE INTERSECTION.
WE HAVE A LOT OF DRAINAGE GOING THROUGH, A LOT OF CROSSING, A LOT OF PRIVATELY OWNED, PUBLIC OWNED IN MUNICIPAL OWNED LAND.
THIS, THIS IS A DISASTER OVER HERE.
THERE'S A LOT OF, A LOT OF DAMAGE THAT HAPPENS IN THESE ROADS.
THE WATER JUST COMPLETELY SCOURS.
UM, AND ROADS, THE, THE DRAINAGE THAT'S OUT FALLING THROUGH THAT PUBLIC PROPERTY, CAN'T KIND OF SEE THAT.
EVERYONE'S REALLY, I'M SURE EVERYONE'S GOTTEN A COMPLAINT ON THIS ONE.
THIS GENTLEMAN RIGHT HERE IN THIS TRIANGULAR SPOT, RIGHT WHERE, UH, COLUMBIA COMES IN, HE IS GETTING THE BRUNT OF A SITUATION HE REALLY ISN'T EVEN CONTRIBUTING TO.
SO COLUMBIA'S A PRETTY SIGNIFICANT HILL.
IT'S GOT AN OPEN DITCH UP AT THE TOP OF IT THAT RUNS INTO A OPEN-ENDED PIPE, COLLECTS ALL THE WATER RUNNING DOWN THE ROAD, SHOOTS ACROSS LAKESHORE, DOWN BETWEEN TWO PRIVATE PROPERTIES AND OUTFALLS TO THE LAKE.
WHAT HAPPENS IS DEBRIS IS WASHING IN THE RAVINE, MAKING ITS WAY MAGICALLY DOWN THROUGH THAT WHOLE SYSTEM AND PLUGGING UP THE, THE OUTFALL.
SEE WHERE THAT WATER'S BUBBLING OUT OF THE GROUND.
IT, IT IS LIKE 70 FEET TO THE OUTFALL AND IT'S GETTING CLOGGED IN THERE.
AND THE HYDROSTATIC PRESSURE TO LIVE LIFT TWO CUBIC FEET OF WATER IN THE AIR AFOOT IS PRETTY SIGNIFICANT.
AND THAT'S ACTUALLY AFTER THAT TRIANGULAR PIECE IS GETTING FLUTTERED, THIS, THIS BILL AND MR. RAMADA HAS BEEN MORE THAN PATIENT.
HE'S BEEN GETTING MAJOR PROPERTY DAMAGE.
SO WE HAVE TO KIND OF COME UP WITH SOME SOMETHING TO HELP HIM OUT.
AND SO THIS IS THE INLET ON COLUMBIA THAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT.
AND SEE THIS PIPE HERE, THERE'S A LOG STICKING, STICKING OUT OF IT, RIGHT? A LOG STICKING OUT OF THAT INLET RIGHT THERE.
SO ALL THAT DEBRIS WASHES IN THERE AND, UH, GRAVELS SEVERAL HUNDRED FEET AND GETS PLUGGED.
THAT'S, THAT'S SOME OF THE OVERFLOW, WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE, THE DAMAGE, THAT'S WHERE THE WATER'S SUPPOSED TO BE COMING OUT OF.
YOU CAN SEE THOSE ROCKS THERE.
THERE'S JUST A TRICKLE OF WATER COMING OUT.
THEN YOU CAN SEE THE, THE WATER FALLING OVER THE EDGE, THAT'S ERO ERODING THE, THE BREAK WALL AND CAUSING
[00:20:01]
SOME PROPERTY DAMAGE.SO A LOT OF THE PROBLEMS, OR WE, WE DON'T HAVE ACCESS AGREEMENTS.
THERE'S, YOU KNOW, YEARS OF JUST, YOU KNOW, VERBAL AGREEMENTS TYPE OF THING LIKE THAT.
THE OTHER PROBLEM IS, IS THAT HAVING A STATE ROAD COMING INTO IT, THEY HAVE SOME LIABILITY.
SO WE HAVE BEEN REACHING OUT TO THE UT AND WORKING WITH THE SOUTH RESIDENCY.
WE HAD A COUPLE MEETINGS, UH, WITH THEM AND MEGAN WAS THERE AND, UM, THEY'RE WILLING TO START A STUDY FOR THAT WHOLE CORRIDOR SECTION.
SO THEY REALIZED THAT THIS, THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM.
THEY WERE AWARE OF IT, YOU KNOW, THEY KNOW, BUT THEY'RE NOT ENTIRELY RESPONSIBLE TO HANDLE ALL OF OUR WATER.
SO WE KIND OF MADE A JOINT AGREEMENT WITH THEM TO, UH, PROVIDE THEM DATA, HELP THEM OUT, AND THEY'RE GONNA HELP US OUT.
SO THEY STARTED THIS, THIS STUDY, UM, I GAVE THEM OUR TOWN WIDES DRAINAGE STUDY AS SUPPORTING INFORMATION AND THEY'RE GONNA START WORKING ON IT.
SO SHE TOLD US, UH, HEATHER MCCOURT'S, THE, THE CHIEF ENGINEER FOR THE RESIDENCY, SHE SAID THAT IT'S PROBABLY GONNA BE ABOUT 18 MONTHS FOR THEM TO DO A STUDY AND THEN PROBABLY 18 MONTHS AFTER THAT, UM, MAYBE IMPLEMENT IT TO GET FUNDING TO GO THROUGH THE WHOLE PROCESS TO ACTUALLY CREATE A DESIGN.
AND THEN, I MEAN, WE HAVE TO NEGOTIATE RESPONSIBILITIES AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
SO ONE OF THE THINGS THEY PROPOSED THAT I THOUGHT WAS PRETTY FAIR IS THAT THEY QUANTIFY RESPONSIBILITY BY THE AMOUNT OF WATER THAT GOES THROUGH THE PIPE.
SO THE WATERSHED FOR COLUMBIA, YOU KNOW, IS THIS BIG AREA UP THE HILL AND REALLY THE DOT ONLY PUTS 10% OF THE WATER INTO THAT PIPE.
SO THEY'RE SAYING, WELL, OUR 10% WILL BE DOING THE REAL ESTATE PURCHASE OR DO THE ENGINEERING FOR IT, AND THEN YOU GUYS CAN TAKE CARE OF DOING THE MAINTENANCE OR CREATING THE SOLUTIONS AND STUFF LIKE THAT.
I THOUGHT IT WAS A PRETTY, PRETTY FAIR DEAL.
BUT, UM, ONCE WE GET LIKE THE RESULTS, PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF THE REPORT AND STUDY AND STUFF, WE, YOU KNOW, WE CAN ALL TALK ABOUT THAT AND BRIEF EVERYONE ON THAT.
SO WE DRAFTED A RESOLUTION FOR YOU GUYS TO HOPEFULLY PASS TONIGHT TO, YOU KNOW, OFFER THE TALENT SUPPORT AND, YOU KNOW, WORK TOGETHER WITH THEM.
UM, THIS HERE, I DON'T WANNA REALLY WAIT TO AS ANY LONGER, WE, WE SHOULD TRY AND DO SOMETHING WITH THIS.
SO I, I DID GET SOME PROPOSALS FROM SOME ENGINEERING FIRMS TO DO SOME TYPE OF, UH, COLLECTION, LIKE A TRASH RACK OR REVISING THIS AND SOME, UH, TYPE OF DISTILLING BAY AND A, A STRUCTURE MAYBE ON THE END TO TRY AND JUST GET WATER TO GO IN THERE AND KEEP THE TRASH DEBRIS OUT.
SO I HAVE SOME PROPOSALS, UM, JUST NEED A LITTLE WORK, OBVIOUSLY IT'S GONNA COST SOME MONEY.
SO WHAT I'M HOPING HAPPENS, AND I'M PRETTY SURE IT'S GONNA HAPPEN, IS THAT WE HAD TO ALLOCATED $500,000 INTO A FUND TO FIX THE WOODLAWN PUMP STATION, AND THAT'S GONNA COME IN UNDER THAT.
SO WE'RE, WE SHOULD HAVE LIKE A HUNDRED, A LITTLE BIT OVER A HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS THAT WE CAN USE TO FIX THIS.
AND I'M HOPING A COUPLE, COUPLE OTHER DRAINAGE ISSUES THAT HAVE BEEN POPPING UP.
LIKE THIS IS ONLY ONE OF, YOU KNOW, SEVERAL THINGS THAT WE KIND OF HAVE BEEN BEEN CHASING, BUT THIS ONE HERE, UM, I THINK WE COULD, WE COULD DO SOMETHING AND HELP, HELP OUT.
YOU KNOW, WE CAN EITHER, IF WE CAN KEEP THE TRASH, KEEP THE TRASH FROM GOING IN THAT PIPE, GETTING FORCED IN AND PUSHED THROUGH BY ALL THAT HYDROSTATIC PRESSURE, MAYBE LINE OR REVAMP THAT LAST PIECE.
BUT, YOU KNOW, A A LOT OF, THERE'S GONNA BE A LOT OF MOVING PIECES.
THE, THE OWNER OF THAT PROPERTY IS, HE WANTS A REIMBURSEMENT ON DEPRECIATION VALUES OF HIS HOME, ALL KINDS OF STUFF.
SO THAT'S WHERE I, SO WE KIND OF NEED A REAL PROPERTY DIVISION OF THE STATE TO HANDLE THAT KIND OF THING.
SO I KIND OF WANNA LEAVE THAT END OF THE, THE IT ALONE.
UH, AND THEN ADDRESS THIS, THIS IS WHERE, WHAT IS THE POINT OF THE PROBLEM? UM, THERE'S SOME OTHER DRAINAGE STUFF, UH, IN THE TOWN.
THERE'S A, THERE'S A SPOT ON ON CLARK THAT THERE'S A, A RESIDENT THAT HAS A PRIVATE PROPERTY THAT DRAINS A TOWN ROAD.
NAB COMES IN, GOES THROUGH ALL THIS PUBLIC SYSTEM, ENTERS A A, A PRIVATE PIECE OF PIPE THAT THIS PROPERTY HAS NO WATER GOING INTO THE SYSTEM AT ALL AND IT'S FAILING.
IT'S GOT A HOLE AND IT'S CREATING A SINKHOLE IN HIS YARD.
I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THAT OVER.
I THINK WE SHOULD TAKE THAT AS PART OF US AND THEN DO A PROJECT TO, TO FIX THAT PIPE AND PUT IT IN AS PART OF OUR, PART OF OUR SYSTEM.
SO THERE'S A, THERE'S A BUNCH OF LITTLE THINGS LIKE THIS THAT I'D LIKE TO USE THE BALANCE OF WHATEVER'S LEFT IN THAT FOR.
SO ONCE WE GET WOODLAWN CLOSED OUT, WHICH, UH, ALL THE PIPE WORK IS DONE ON IT, WE,
[00:25:01]
WE HAVE ONE PUMP IN STOCK, THE OTHER ONE SHOULD BE COMING IN A WEEK.THAT PUMP STATION PROJECT WILL BE CLOSED OUT AND RUNNING.
AND THEN WE'LL SEE WHAT THE BALANCE IS AND THEN I CAN BRIEF THE BOARD ON WHERE WE ARE AND THEN I'D LIKE TO ALLOCATE THOSE FUNDS THAT PICK AND SOME OF THIS TYPE OF STUFF.
THAT'S SO BAD, RIGHT? AWESOME.
SO I MENTIONED I WANNA DO A PRESENTATION ON A PERSONNEL ISSUE.
AND THIS PERSONNEL ISSUE IS IN OUR, UH, BILLINGS AND GROUNDS DEPARTMENT AND CENTERS AROUND, UH, WHAT WE REFER TO AS A TITLE OF SPECIAL LABOR SPECIAL LABOR.
CURRENTLY THERE'S A RESOLUTION NUMBER 17, WHICH APPEARS AS IF IT'S A DEMOTION FOR FOUR INDIVIDUALS IN OUR BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS DEPARTMENT FROM SPECIAL LABOR TO LABOR.
SO I WANTED TO GIVE YOU A LITTLE BIT OF BACKGROUND ON HOW WE GOT TO WHERE WE ARE IN 2018.
HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT RELINQUISHED RESPONSIBILITY FOR MANAGING THE BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS DEPARTMENT, WHICH HAVE BEEN A PREVIOUS PRACTICE BETWEEN 2018 AND 2022 WORKING CREW CHIEF WERE DE DESIGNATED AS DEPUTIES RESPONSIBLE TO ACT AS DEPARTMENT HEADS IN 2022.
LAST YEAR, UH, THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, IT BECAME APPARENT AND THE WORKING CREW, CHIEF, CHIEF IN CHARGE OF THE DEPARTMENT INDICATED UNWILLINGNESS TO DISCIPLINE EMPLOYEES MONITOR BUDGETS, ASSESS OVERTIME OR MONITOR DAILY UPGRADES IN ANY WAY THAT WE COULD HAVE ANY KIND OF CONTROL OVER THOSE COSTS.
AND YOU'LL SEE WHAT THOSE COSTS ARE MOMENTARILY.
IN 2022 CSCA FILED A GRIEVANCE STATING THAT THE TOWN MUST CREATE AND POST A NEW SPECIAL LABOR POSITION.
THE TOWN DENIED THAT GRIEVANCE AND CSCA DECIDED TO PURSUE ARBITRATION RELATED TO THAT GRIEVANCE.
THE ARBITRATOR CITED WITH THE TOWN OF HAMBURG, I SHARE THIS AS AN EXAMPLE OF A COMPENSATION ISSUE, A MANAGEMENT ISSUE THAT WE WERE UNABLE TO ADDRESS IN 2022, BUT WE HAVE MADE SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS IN 2023 AND THAT IS AN ISSUE OF COMPENSATION AND OVERTIME.
AND I SPELL OUT, UH, THE COMPENSATION IN OVERTIME FOR THREE POSITIONS.
WE HAD THREE WORKING CREW CHIEFS ON THE BOOKS THROUGH 2022.
IN 2020, THE AVERAGE TOTAL COMPENSATION, THIS IS RED STRAIGHT TIME AND OVERTIME FOR EACH WORKING CREW CHIEF, THIS IS AVERAGE WAS $132,805.
NOW THAT NUMBER IS INFLATED BECAUSE THAT INCLUDES A, A SETTLEMENT FOR, FOR ONE OF THOSE EMPLOYEES.
BUT AS YOU CAN SEE IN 2021, THE AVERAGE COMPENSATION WAS 103,000 IN 2022 WAS 114,000.
THE OVERTIME COMPENSATION, THIS IS JUST, THIS IS A TOTAL COMPENSATION FOR THOSE THREE INDIVIDUALS.
THOSE THREE POSITIONS, IT'S GONE FROM 64,000 IN 2020.
YES, IT WAS A PANDEMIC 88,000 IN 2021 AND $108,636 AND 63 CENTS IN 2022.
THAT'S FOR THOSE THREE POSITIONS.
ALL OVERTIME THROUGHOUT THE DEPARTMENT WENT FROM ONE 10 TO 1 62 TO $231,112 AND 64 CENTS.
WHAT'S ALARMING AND CONCERNING AND MAKES ME GLAD THAT WE DID BRING IN A DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS TO ADDRESS THESE ISSUES, THAT THE OVERTIME THAT THE WORKING CREW CHIEFS WERE ABLE TO TO, TO ACHIEVE RESULTED, AS YOU CAN SEE, IN MORE THAN HALF OF THE TOTAL OVERTIME BUDGET, THREE PEOPLE WERE GETTING OVER HALF AND THE REST OF THE FRONTLINE, UH, EMPLOYEES WHO ARE OUT DOING THE WORK, THEY HAD TO SPLIT UP THE OTHER HALF OF THE OVERTIME.
SO THIS WAS AN ISSUE NOT ONLY IN HOW OVERTIME WAS ASSIGNED AND APPROVED, WHICH THERE WAS NO FORMAL PROCESS, UM, BUT ALSO IN DAILY UPGRADES.
LABORERS THAT START WITH THE TOWN OF HAMBURG, UH, I BELIEVE START AROUND 24 20 $5 AN HOUR.
PLUS THEY HAVE A GREAT FINANCIAL OPPORTUNITY IF THEY CAN GET A DAILY UPGRADE TO SPECIAL LABOR.
SPECIAL LABOR UPGRADES CONSIST OF DOING THINGS LIKE PAINTING CEMENT WORK, UM, MASONRY, UM, THERE'S, THERE'S ABOUT SIX OR SEVEN DIFFERENT CATEGORIES OF WORK.
[00:30:01]
UM, SO THESE UPGRADES WERE OFTEN GIVEN TO FOLKS THAT, UH, HAD STARTED, UM, AND WERE NOT MAKING THE FULL 10 YEAR SALARY.UM, BUT THAT DAILY UPGRADE TO SPECIAL LABOR WOULD GIVE THEM AN ADDITIONAL $7 AN HOUR OF COMPENSATION.
UH, THERE ALSO WAS SOME CONCERN IN THE DEPARTMENT AS WELL AS CONCERN THAT I HAD ABOUT HOW THOSE UPGRADES WERE BEING GIVEN OUT AND IF THEY WERE COMPLETELY NECESSARY, SAME AS THE OVERTIME DISTRIBUTION.
SO GETTING BACK TO THE SPECIAL LABOR UPGRADE, THE SPECIAL LABOR TITLE, UM, THE REASON THIS PAF IS ON THE AGENDA TONIGHT IS THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED DURING THE ARBITRATION.
THE ARBITRATOR SPELLED OUT THE RELEVANT SECTIONS OF THE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT.
THE CONTRACT SECTION 1.2 0.2 SAYS THAT PUBLIC EMPLOYEES FAIR EMPLOYMENT ACT.
THE OTHER PROVISIONS OF THE CIVIL SERVICE LAW AND THE LOCAL LAWS OF THE TOWN OF HAMBURG AND NOT INCONSISTENT WITH SENATE ACT AND THE CIVIL SERVICE LAW ARE APPLICABLE LAWS WHICH GOVERN THE TERMS AND PROVISIONS OF THIS AGREEMENT.
SECTION 1.4 0.2 STATES, NO PROVISION OF THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE INTERPRETED AS TO BE IN CONFLICT WITH ANY PROVISION OF THE LAW.
THE ARBITRATOR WENT ON TO SHARE CIVIL SERVICE LAW SECTION 22 BEFORE ANY NEW POSITION IN THE SERVICE OF A CIVIL DIVISION SHALL BE CREATED OR ANY EXISTING POSITION IN SUCH SERVICE OF CLASS CLASSIFIED THE PROPOSAL THEREFORE INCLUDING A STATEMENT OF THE DUTIES OF THE POSITION SHALL BE REFERRED TO THE MUNICIPAL COMMISSION.
HAVING JURISDICTION IN SUCH COMMISSION SHALL FURNISH A CERTIFICATE STATING THE APPROPRIATE CIVIL SERVICE TITLE FOR THE PROPOSED POSITION OR THE POSITION TO BE RECLASSIFIED.
ANY SUCH NEW POSITION SHALL BE CREATED OR ANY SUCH EXISTING POSITION RECLASSIFIED RECLASSIFIED ONLY WITH THE TITLE APPROVED AND CERTIFIED BY THE COMMISSION.
THE TOWN OF HAMBURG DID NOT CREATE A POSITION, DID NOT NOTIFY THE COUNTY.
THEY SIMPLY TOLD EMPLOYEES THAT THEY CAN NOW ENJOY THIS NEW TITLE WITHOUT FOLLOWING THE CIVIL SERVICE LAW.
THE ARBITRATOR'S RULING IN THE PRESENT CASE IS UNDISPUTED THAT THE POSITION OF SPECIAL LABOR HAS NEVER BEEN CREATED THROUGH THE PROCEDURE OUTLINED IN CIVIL SERVICE LAW SECTION 22.
THUS PURSUANT TO THE NINE FOREGOING CASE LAW.
WHILE I MAY FIND THAT THE CBA RECOGNIZES SPECIAL LABOR AS A POSITION WITHIN THE TOWN, I MAY NOT GIVE LEGAL RECOGNITION OR ATTACH LEGAL SIGNIFICANCE TO THAT FACT.
AND IT SEEMS CLEAR THAT ABSENT CIVIL SERVICE APPROVAL AND CERTIFICATION OF THE SPECIAL LABOR POSITION ANY DETERMINATION BY ME DIRECTING THE TOWN TO CREATE AND FILL A PERMANENT SPECIAL LABOR POSITION IN THE HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 4.3 OF THIS COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT WOULD BE GIVEN LEGAL RECOGNITION AND SIGNIFICANCE DUE THE POSITION THE RESOLUTION IS ON TONIGHT, NUMBER ONE, TO BRING US INTO COMPLIANCE WITH CIVIL SERVICE LAW.
NUMBER TWO, WE HAVE SOME SPECIAL LABOR PROJECTS THAT CURRENTLY EXIST THROUGH THE TOWN THAT WE NEED THE TALENT OF MASONS AND PAINTERS AND CEMENT WORKERS AND THE SPECIAL LABORS ARE NOT ABLE TO COMPLETE THIS WORK AND WE OFTEN HAVE TO OUTSOURCE THAT WORK TO MORE APPROPRIATE SKILLED LABOR.
SO THIS IS NOT A CIVIL SERVICE TITLE AND THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE WORK QUALITY OF THE INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE MENTIONED ON PERSONNEL ACTION FORM.
UNDER RESOLUTION NUMBER 17, THEY SIMPLY, UM, HAVE FALLEN INTO A CIRCUMSTANCE, UH, THAT IS CONTRARY TO THE LAW THAT GOVERNS OUR EMPLOYEES AND OUR PERSONNEL DEPARTMENT.
THIS WILL CREATE A, UH, A SITUATION WHERE THEIR HOURLY RATE WILL BE REDUCED BY $1 AND 39 CENTS PER HOUR.
HOWEVER, IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT WHEN SPECIAL LABORERS ARE NEEDED, THESE EMPLOYEES CAN BE UPGRADED TO PERFORM THAT SPECIAL LABOR.
SO, UH, WE WILL BE ABLE TO MORE EFFECTIVELY AND EFFICIENTLY USE THE RESOURCES IN OUR BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS DEPARTMENT.
ANY QUESTIONS ON RESOLUTION? ALRIGHT, AT THIS TIME I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO ADJOURN TO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS THE MATTER OF LITIGATION MOTION
[00:35:01]
AJOUR SECOND.[01:32:01]
WE'LL[01:32:02]
START[01:32:02]
THE[01:32:02]
MEETING[01:32:02]
WITH[01:32:02]
ROLL[01:32:02]
CALL[01:32:04]
SUPERVISOR.[01:32:05]
PRESENT.[01:32:06]
COUNCIL[01:32:06]
MEMBER PRESENT, COUNCIL MEMBER HALL PRESENT.COUNCIL MEMBER
APRIL 10TH, 2023, THE REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING.
SECOND MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER C*M, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER HOKE.
ALL IN FAVOR PLEASE SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
SUSTAIN PROPOSED LOCAL LAW NUMBER 4 20 23.
COMPLIANCE WITH SUQR WHEREAS PUBLIC HEARING WAS HELD ON APRIL 24TH, 2023 FOR DISCUSSION AND PUBLIC COMMENT CONCERNING ADOPTION OF PROPOSED LOCAL LAW NUMBER 4 20 23 AND WHEREAS PROPOSED LOCAL LAW NUMBER 4 20 23 LAW WILL AMEND CHAPTER 2 8 0 OF THE ZONING GO OF THE TOWN OF HAMBURG.
ARTICLE XLV CHAPTER TWO 80 DASH THREE 11 H BY ADDING THE FOLLOWING CHAPTER TWO 80 DASH THREE ONE H COMPLIANCE WITH SE QR THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS SHALL COMPLY WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE STATE ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY REVIEW ACT UNDER ARTICLE EIGHT OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION LAW AND ITS IMPLEMENTING REGULATIONS AS CODIFIED IN TITLE SIX N-Y-C-R-R 65 17.
THE ZBA IS SUBJECT TO NEW YORK SEQR LAW AND FOR THOSE ACTIONS NOT MEETING THE TYPE TWO DESIGNATION, NOT SUBJECT TO SEQR COMPLETED PRIOR TO THE ZBA TAKING ACTIONS.
TYPICALLY THE LEAD AGENCY SHALL BE DETERMINED AND DESIGNATED BY MUTUAL AGREEMENT OF ALL INVOLVED AGENCIES WITHIN 30 CALENDAR DAYS OF THE EAF BEING MAILED AS PROVIDED BY SUBSECTION 6, 1 7 0.6 OF TITLE VI OF N-Y-C-R-R.
IN ALL CASES THE LEAD AGENCY SHALL BE THE AGENCY BOARD OR BODY HAVING AUTHORITY TO APPROVE OR UNDERTAKE
[01:35:01]
THE ACTION WHEN PROJECTS REQUIRE MULTIPLE APPROVALS FROM THE TOWN.ZONING PLANNING AND TOWN BOARDS.
THE TOWN BOARD AT THE TOWN OF HAMBURG SHALL BE THE LEAD AGENCY WHEN PROJECTS REQUIRE MULTIPLE APPROVALS FROM THE TOWN ZONING AND PLANNING BOARDS.
THE PLANNING BOARD AND THE TOWN OF HAMBURG SHALL BE THE LEAD AGENCY NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE HAMBURG TOWN BOARD ADOPT THIS PROPOSED AMENDMENT, THE TOWN CODE OF THE TOWN OF HAMBURG EFFECTIVE DATE, THIS LOCAL LAW SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.
SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER RE ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
OPPOSED ABSTENTIONS PERIOD BE RESOLVED THAT THE TOWN BOARD APPROVED THE TERMINATION AND THE HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT PER THE ATTACHED PAF.
WE HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER REZ AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER HULK.
ALL IN FAVOR PLEASE SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
WHEREAS THE TOWN OF HAMBURG ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT PREPARED BID DOCUMENTS FOR THE TOWN GOLF COURSE PAVING PROJECT AND WHEREAS A PUBLIC BID OPENING WAS HELD MAY 2ND, 2023 AND WHEREAS THE TOWN OF HAMBURG RECEIVED SEAL BIDS FROM SIX ELIGIBLE CONTRACTORS, WHEREAS THAT THE LOWEST RESPONSIBLE BIDDER FOR THIS PROJECT IS TO ASPHALT PAVING 56 GUNVILLE ROAD, LANCASTER, NEW YORK 1 4 0 8 6 HAVING SUBMITTED BIDS FOR BASE BID ONE, ALTERNATE ONE AND ALTERNATE TWO IN THE AMOUNT OF $280,391 AND 50 CENTS, IT RESOLVED THAT THE TOWN SUPERVISOR IS AUTHORIZED TO SIGN THE CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENT WITH BOWMAN ASPHALT PAVING AND ISSUE THE NOTICE OF AWARD AND NOTICE TO PROCEED.
FUNDS AVAILABLE IN ACCOUNT H 0 2 1 7 2 5 0 3 0 3.
WE HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER CONLEY.
ALL IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
WHEREAS J WAGNER CONSTRUCTION INC.
IS CURRENTLY UNDER CONTRACT WITH THE TOWN OF HAMMER FOR THE CONSTRUCTION FOR THE TOWN CLOCK TOWER REPAIR PROJECT AND WHEREAS DUE TO ACCESS TO THE SHORELINE WHICH WAS IDENTIFIED ON PLANS PREPARED BY URBAN ENGINEERS, THE TOWN OF HAMBURG REQUIRES THE USE OF AN ADJACENT PARCEL OF LAND, WHICH WILL REQUIRE MINOR SITE WORK TO CREATE AN ACCESS ROAD TO THE SHORELINE.
AND WHEREAS THIS TASK WAS NOT INCLUDED OR QUANTIFIED IN THE BID DOCUMENTS, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE SUPERVISORS AUTHORIZED TO SIGN CHANGE ORDER NUMBER ONE FOR THIS PROJECT, APPROVING THE TIME AND MATERIALS TO CONSTRUCT MAINTAIN DURING THE DURATION OF THE PROJECT AND RESTORE TO EXISTING CON CONDITIONS AND EXCESS ROAD ON EIGHT F FER MENTIONED ADJOINING PARCEL IN THE AMOUNT OF $10,700 AND 0 CENTS TO J BOGNER CONSTRUCTION, LLT COST OF THIS PROJECT WILL BE CHARGED TO H 1 0 2 7 2 53 0 3 CAPITAL PROJECT.
WE HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER CONLEY AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER HOKE.
ALL IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
OPPOSED EXTENSIONS WHEREAS THE TOWN OF HAMBURG HAS BEGUN CONSTRUCTION TO THE CLOCK TOWER SITE AND WHEREAS THE TOWN ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDS THE HIRING OF A CONSULTANT TO PERFORM CONSTRUCTION INSPECTION SERVICES AND WHEREAS JM DAVIDSON DPC HAVE SUBMITTED AN HOURLY RATE FOR PART-TIME INSPECTION SERVICES WITH A TOTAL CONTRACT ESTIMATE NOT TO EXCEED $28,000 AND 0 CENTS.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, THE TOWN BOARD AUTHORIZES THE SUPERVISOR TO SIGN THE 2023 CONTRACT AMENDMENT BETWEEN THE TOWN OF HAMBURG AND JM DAVIDSON.
[01:40:01]
OF THIS PROJECT WILL BE CHARGED TO H 0 2 7 2 5 3 0 3 CAPITAL PROJECT.SECOND WE A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER CONLEY AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER C****R.
ALL IN FAVOR PLEASE SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
WHEREAS THE TOWN OF HAMBURG CODE ENFORCEMENT DEPARTMENT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ENFORCEMENT OF LOCAL LAW NUMBER NINE DASH 1 9 74.
CHAPTER 75, BRUSH GRASS AND WEEDS AND SUCH SERVICES TO BE PERFORMED.
CUTTING OF GRASS AND WEEDS ON PRIVATE PROPERTY ARE REQUIRED WHEREAS THE TOWN OF HAMBURG HAS PREVIOUSLY ADVERTISED FOR SEALED BIDS AND HAVING NOT RECEIVED ANY BIDS FOR THIS SERVICE BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE TOWN CLERK IS AUTHORIZED TO RE ADVERTISE FOR SEALED BIDS ENTITLED HAMBURG CODE ENFORCEMENT ANNUAL CONTRACT FOR GRASS SLASH WEED CUTTING SERVICES.
SEALED SEPARATE BIDS WILL BE RECEIVED IN HAMBURG TOWN HALL TOWN CLERK'S OFFICE 6 1 0 0 SOUTH PARK AVENUE, HAMBURG, NEW YORK 1 4 0 7 5 AND SAID BID WILL BE PUBLICLY OPENED AND READ ALOUD ON TUESDAY, MAY 30TH IN CONFERENCE ROOM ONE AT 10:00 AM MAILED BIDS SHOULD BE SENT TO TOWN OF HAMBURG, CLEARLY MARKED ATTENTION TOWN CLERK BID ENCLOSED ANNUAL GRASS GRASS SLASH WEED CUTTING SERVICES 6 1 0 0 SOUTH PARK AVENUE, HAMBURG, NEW YORK 1 4 0 7 5 CHARGED TO CLEAN UP PROPERTIES A 3 6 2 4 6 9.
SECOND WE HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER ERFORD AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER FERRELL EVENTS ALL IN FAVOR PLEASE SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
IT RESOLVED THAT THE TOWN BOARD APPROVES THE APPOINTMENT OF MICHAEL VELA TO FULL-TIME PERMANENT POSITION OF ASSISTANT CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER IN THE BUILDING INSPECTION DEPARTMENT.
THIS APPOINTMENT IS EFFECTIVE MAY 9TH, 2023 WITH A PAY RATE OF $33 53 CENTS PER HOUR.
FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE IN A 3 6 2 0.
SECOND WE MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER C*M AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER CON.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR PLEASE SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
WE'D LOVE TO CONGRATULATE YOU.
TAKE A PICTURE OF THE TOWN BOARD, PLEASE HOLD.
YOU'RE WELCOME MR. CONGRATULATIONS.
WHEREAS THE TOWN OF HAMBURG IS ACTIVELY WORKING TO RESOLVE DRAINAGE ISSUES NEGATIVELY AFFECTING OUR RESIDENTS, HAVING RECENTLY COMPLETED A TOWN WIDE DRAINAGE STUDY AND WHEREAS THE TOWN WISHES TO BEGIN A JOINT EFFORT WITH THE NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO DEVELOP SOLUTIONS TO SEVERAL AREAS IN NEED OF ATTENTION ALONG LAKESHORE ROAD AND WHEREAS MANY OF THE TOWNS RIGHT OF WAY HAVE DRAINAGE, WHICH ADJOINS THE STORM SEWER WITHIN NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION MAINTAINED RIGHT OF WAY.
AND WHEREAS THE NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, SOUTH RESIDENCY AND TOWN OF HAMBURG ENGINEERING BASED ON SEVERAL MEETINGS AND BY SHARING RESOURCES COLLABORATED A PLAN TO IDENTIFY AREAS OF STORM SEWERS WITH FOUR FUNCTION ALONG LAKE SHORE ROAD, NEW YORK STATE ROUTE FIVE IDENTIFY PROPERTIES WHICH REQUIRE EASEMENT OR ACCESS AGREEMENT IDENTIFY APPROPRIATE LAND USE.
NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
[01:45:01]
REAL PROPERTY DIVISION WILL BE ACTIVELY PURSUING OUTREACH TO PROPERTY OWNERS THAT HAVE STORM WATER INFRASTRUCTURE LYING WITHIN PRIVATE PROPERTY, PROVIDE DATA FROM TOWN WIDE DRAINAGE STUDY TO BE USED IN THE NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION STUDY, IDENTIFY FEASIBLE FUND SOURCES, GRANTS AND FINANCE MECHANISMS FOR IMPLEMENTING THE CORRECTIVE ACTIONS RESULTING FROM THE DRAINAGE STUDY EFFECTIVELY INVOLVED THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY AND PUBLIC IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE DESIGNS, POLICIES AND ORDINANCES DESCRIBED ABOVE.NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE TOWN OF HAMBURG FULLY SUPPORTS AND ENDORSES THE STUDY PROPOSED BY THE NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND WILL ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE IN THE COMPLETION OF THE STUDY.
SECOND, WE HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER CONLEY AND SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER LL LOREN ON THE QUESTION.
I WOULD JUST LIKE TO COMMENT THAT THIS HAS BEEN A TROUBLESOME AREA WITHIN THE TOWN AND OVER THE PAST, UH, 15 OR 16 MONTHS, WE'VE RECEIVED A GREAT DEAL OF COMPLAINTS.
WE'VE WORKED COLLABORATIVELY TO TRY AND ADDRESS SOME OF THESE DRAINAGE ISSUES WHICH REQUIRE EASEMENTS FOR PRIVATE PROPERTY AND SUPERINTENDENT ED HUGHES HAS BEEN VERY HELPFUL IN TRYING TO CLEAR SOME OF THE DEBRIS AS IT'S HAPPENED.
HOWEVER, UH, AN INVESTIGATION BY SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC WORKS, KEN ESTONIA AND A MEETING WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION RARELY INDICATES THAT A MORE GLOBAL SOLUTION IS REQUIRED HERE.
SO I WANT TO THANK BOTH SUPERINTENDENT HUGHES FOR, FOR ASSISTING IN THE MAINTENANCE OF THIS AREA AND HELPING OUT THOSE NEIGHBORS AND ALSO MR. ESTONIA FOR REACHING OUT TO OTHER PARTNERS THAT CAN HELP US SOLVE THIS PROBLEM AREA IN THE TOWN OF HAMBURG.
WE HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER CONLEY, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER FERRELL LOREN.
ALL IN FAVOR PLEASE SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
RESOLVE THAT THE TOWN BOARD APPROVE THE APPOINTMENT APPOINTMENT OF ANNISE PAULSON TO THE FULL-TIME PROVISIONAL POSITION OF ASSISTANT PLANNER.
THE APPOINTMENT IS SUBJECT TO ALL PRECONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO A PRE-EMPLOYMENT BACKGROUND CHECK AND PHYSICAL.
THIS APPOINTMENT IS EFFECTIVE MAY 22ND, 2023 AT A RATE OF 29 57 PER HOUR, WHICH IS $61,505 AND 60 CENTS ANNUALLY.
FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE IN ACCOUNT B 8 0 2.
SECOND, WE HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER HOKE AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER BAR LORENZ LORENZ.
ALL IN FAVOR PLEASE SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
A OPPOSED? ABSTENTIONS CARRIED.
MS. PAULSON, IF YOU COULD COME UP SO WE CAN CONGRATULATE YOU.
WHEREAS THE TOWN OF HAMBURG RECENTLY COMPLETED ADOPTION OF A NEW COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, WHICH INCLUDED A PLAN FOR IMPLEMENTATION AND WHEREAS THE HAMBURG TOWN BOARD HAS CREATED A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN IMPLEMENTATION COMMITTEE, NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE HAMBURG TOWN BOARD AUTHORIZES THE TOWN SUPERVISOR TO SIGN AN AGREEMENT WITH THE TOWN'S PLANNING CONSULTANT WENDELL TO COORDINATE THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN IMPLEMENTATION COMMITTEE AND FACILITATE THE IMPLEMENTATION PROCESS AS AGREED UPON THROUGH DECEMBER 31ST.
2024 FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE IN HP P I'M SORRY, H NINE 9.802.
A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER FARRELL LOREN, AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER ERFORD.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR PLEASE SIGNIFY BY SAYING
[01:50:01]
AYE.NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE TOWN BOARD APPROVED THE TRANSFER OF $40,000 FROM ACCOUNT DB 51 42 0.467 CHEMICALS INTO ACCOUNT DB FIVE ONE $20,000 OVERTIME AND ACCOUNT DB 510.102 $20,000 PART-TIME TO FACILITATE ONGOING CLEANUP AND REPAIR FROM SNOW DAMAGE.
WE HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER FARRELL LOREN AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER CONLEY.
ALL IN FAVOR PLEASE SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
IT RESOLVED THAT THE TOWN BOARD APPROVED THE TERMINATION AND HIRING OF PERSONNEL FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF YOUTH RECREATION AND SENIOR SERVICES AS PER THE PAF.
SECOND WE HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER CONLEY AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER ERFORD.
ALL IN FAVOR PLEASE SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
REQUEST A RESOLUTION FROM THE TOWN BOARD AUTHORIZING ALCOHOL WAIVERS FOR THE FOLLOWING.
JUNE, 2023 TAYLOR ROAD RENTALS.
WE HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER CONNOLLY AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER PARK.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR PLEASE SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
WE RESOLVED THAT THE TOWN BOARD APPROVED THE TERMINATION AND HIRING OF THE FOLLOWING EMPLOYEES IN THE BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS DEPARTMENT AS LISTED IN THE PERSONNEL ACTION FORM.
UM, AS LISTED ON THE PERSONNEL ACTION FORM, WE HAVE 1, 2, 3, 4 SPECIAL LABORERS, UH, THAT ARE BEING TERMINATED AS SPECIAL LABOR AND BEING HIRED AS LABOR THE SPECIAL LABOR RATE OF $34 AND 67 CENTS IN THE LABOR RATE OF $33 AND 28 CENTS IN ADDITION TO A PART-TIME LABORER WHO'S BEING HIRED AT $14 AND 20 CENTS PER HOUR.
SECOND MOTION BY SUPERVISOR HO AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER CONLEY ON THE QUESTION.
I'D LIKE TO SHARE A PRESENTATION ON THIS ISSUE THAT I SHARED EARLIER WITH THE TOWN BOARD TO OUTLINE THIS ISSUE.
WHILE THIS APPEARS TO BE A DEMOTION FOR FOUR EMPLOYEES, THIS PRESENTATION WILL CLARIFY WHERE THE TOWN'S HANDS ARE TIED AND WE ARE NOW WILL BE IN COMPLIANCE WITH CIVIL SERVICE LAW.
WE CERTAINLY DO NOT TAKE THE DECISION TO DEMOTE EMPLOYEES LIKELY.
SO I DID PREPARE THIS PRESENTATION FOR FOLKS WHO TAKE INTEREST IN THE ISSUE TO SET SOME CONTEXT OF THE LEADERSHIP OF THE BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS DEPARTMENT I'VE PREPARED A TIME ON IN 2018, THE HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT RELINQUISHED THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR MANAGING THE BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS DEPARTMENT FROM 2018 TO 2022.
WORKING CREW CHIEFS WERE DESIGNATED AS DEPUTIES RESPONSIBLE TO ACT AS DEPARTMENT HEADS IN 2022.
THE DOWN BOARD MYSELF FOUND THAT WORKING CREW CHIEF INDICATED UNWILLINGNESS TO DISCIPLINE EMPLOYEES MONITOR BUDGETS, ASSESS OVER TIME OR MONITOR THE DAILY UPGRADES IN 2022.
ALSO RELATED TO SPECIAL LABOR'S POSITION, CSEA FILED A GRIEVANCE STATING THAT THE TOWN MUST CREATE AND POST A NEW SPECIAL LABOR POSITION.
THE TOWN DENIED THAT GRIEVANCE AND CSEA PURSUED ARBITRATION OF WHICH THE TOWN WAS A WILLING PARTICIPANT.
THE ARBITRATOR SIDED WITH THE TOWN OF HAMBURG TO GIVE THE BOARD AND THE PUBLIC AN IDEA OF THE STATE OF THE DEPARTMENT AND THE DECISION TO NOT FILL A WORKING CREW CHIEF POSITION AND BRING
[01:55:01]
IN A DIRECTOR OF MANAGEMENT, CONFIDENTIAL DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS.I SHARE WITH YOU A SERIOUS COMPENSATION ISSUE THAT THE TOWN BOARD HAS UNCOVERED.
WE HAVE WORKING CREW CHIEFS THREE POSITIONS THAT IN 2022 AVERAGE TOTAL COMPENSATION FOR THOSE EMPLOYEES WAS $132,805 AND 59 CENTS.
THERE WAS A, UH, A UNIQUE SITUATION THERE, BUT IN 2021 YOU CAN SEE THAT IT WAS $103,626 AND 59 CENTS AND 2022, THE AVERAGE COMPENSATION FOR THOSE THREE POSITIONS WAS $114,431 AND 76 CENTS.
WHAT WAS MORE CONCERNING WAS THE OVERTIME COMPENSATION FOR THOSE THREE POSITIONS IN 2020, THE OVERTIME COMPENSATION FOR THOSE THREE POSITIONS WAS $64,502 AND 9 CENTS IN 2021, THE OVERTIME COMPENSATION FOR THOSE THREE POSITIONS WAS $88,029 AND 30 CENTS.
IN 2022, THE OVERTIME COMPENSATION FOR THOSE THREE POSITIONS WAS $108,636 AND 63 CENTS.
BUT YOU CAN SEE IN THE NEXT ROW LISTED THE ENTIRE OVERTIME BUDGET FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS, WHICH GREW FROM $110,932 AND 72 CENTS IN 2020 $162,669 AND 99 CENTS IN 2021 AND $231,112 AND 64 CENTS.
NOW THE TOWN IS WILLING TO PAY OVERTIME FOR THE WORK THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE, BUT WHAT WE FOUND IS THAT 58% OF THE OVERTIME BUDGET WAS GOING TO THREE EMPLOYEES IN 20 20, 50 4% IN 2021 AND 47% IN 2022.
IT WAS CLEAR THAT IT WAS TIME TO IMPLEMENT SOME ACCOUNTABILITY MEASURES AND WE WERE ABLE TO BRING ON A DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS TO LOOK AT THE SPECIFIC SITUATIONS THAT APPLY.
CHIEF AMONG THOSE SITUATIONS WAS THE ISSUE OF OVERTIME AND UPGRADE PAY.
AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, THIS ISSUE OF THE SPECIAL LABOR WENT TO ARBITRATION.
AND I HAVE WITH YOU WHAT THE ARBITRATOR SAID DURING THAT ARBITRATION.
THE SECTIONS OF THE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT AND CIVIL SERVICE LAW THAT APPLIED THE ARBITRATOR BROUGHT OUR ATTENTION TO THE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT.
SECTION 1.2 0.2, WHICH STATES THAT THE PUBLIC EMPLOYS FAIR EMPLOYMENT ACT.
THE OTHER PROVISIONS OF THE CIVIL SERVICE LAW AND THE LOCAL LAWS OF THE TOWN OF HAMBURG ARE NOT INCONSISTENT WITH THE SET ACT AND THE CIVIL SERVICE LAW ARE APPLICABLE LAWS WHICH GOVERN THE TERMS AND PROVISIONS OF THIS AGREEMENT.
SECTION 1.4 0.2 STATES, NO PROVISION OF THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE INTERPRETED SO AS TO BE IN CONFLICT WITH ANY PROVISION OF LAW.
THE ARBITRATOR THEN BROUGHT OUR ATTENTION TO CIVIL SERVICE LAW SECTION 22, WHICH STATES THAT BEFORE ANY NEW POSITION IN THE CIVIL SERVICE OF A CIVIL DIVISION SHALL BE CREATED OR ANY EXISTING POSITION IN SUCH SERVICE SHALL BE RECLASSIFIED.
THE PROPOSAL THEREFORE INCLUDING THE STATEMENT OF THE DUTIES OF THE POSITION SHALL BE REFERRED TO THE MUNICIPAL COMMISSION HAVING JURISDICTION AND SUCH COMMISSION SHALL FURNISH THEIR CERTIFICATE STATING THE APPROPRIATE CIVIL SERVICE TITLE FOR THE PROPOSED POSITION OR THE POSITION TO BE RECLASSIFIED.
ANY SUCH NEW POSITION SHALL BE CREATED OR ANY SUCH EXISTING POSITION RECLASSIFIED ONLY WITH A TITLE APPROVED AND CERTIFIED BY THE COMMISSION.
THE TOWN BOARD AND THE TOWN OF HAMBURG DID NOT FOLLOW CIVIL SERVICE LAW WHEN THEY TOLD EMPLOYEES THAT THEY WOULD BE RECEIVING A NEW TITLE AND KNEW PAY ASSOCIATED WITH THE TITLE THAT DID NOT EXIST.
THE TOWN BOARD THROUGH THIS PERSONNEL ACTION FORM TONIGHT WILL BRING THE TOWN OF HAMBURGS INTO COMPLIANCE WITH CIVIL SERVICE LAW ON THIS ISSUE, THE EMPLOYEES IN QUESTION AS WELL AS OTHER EMPLOYEES IN THE DEPARTMENT WILL CONTINUE TO BE COMPENSATED WITH UPGRADE PAY WHEN PERFORMING THE TASKS ASSOCIATED WITH A SPECIAL LABOR UPGRADE.
THE ARBITRATOR'S RULING IN THE PRESENT CASE.
IT IS UNDISPUTED THAT THE POSITION OF SPECIAL LABOR HAS NEVER BEEN CREATED THROUGH THE PROCEDURE OUTLINED IN CIVIL SERVICE LAW SECTION 22.
[02:00:02]
THUS PURSUANT TO THE NINE FOREGOING CASE LAW.WHILE I MAY FIND THAT THE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT RECOGNIZES SPECIAL LABOR AS A POSITION WITHIN THE TOWN, I MAY NOT GIVE LEGAL RECOGNITION OR ATTACHED LEGAL SIGNIFICANCE TO THAT FACT.
AND IT SEEMS CLEAR THAT ABSENT CIVIL SERVICE APPROVAL AND CERTIFICATION OF THE SPECIAL LABOR POSITION ANY DETERMINATION BY ME DIRECTING THE TOWN TO CREATE AND FILL A PERMANENT SPECIAL LABOR POSITION IN THE HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION FOUR BY 1.3 OF THE CBA WOULD BE GIVING LEGAL RECOGNITION AND SIGNIFICANCE TO THE POSITION.
WE HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR HOKE, THE SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER CONLEY.
ALL IN FAVOR PLEASE SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE TOWN CLERK IS AUTHORIZED WILL BE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC COMMENT AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE MEETING BE RESOLVED.
THAT TOWN CLERK IS AUTHORIZED TO ADVERTISE FOR SEALED BIDS FOR THE OPERATION, THE HAMBURG PUBLIC LIBRARY COFFEE SHOP CONCESSION.
THE BIDS ARE SCHEDULED TO BE OPENED ON JUNE 20TH, 2023 AT 11:00 AM SEALED BIDS SHALL BE SUBMITTED TO THE OFFICE OF THE TOWN CLERK TOWN OF HAMBURG, 6,100 SOUTH PARK AVENUE, HAMBURG, NEW YORK, 1 4 0 7 5 AND MARCH HAMBURG PUBLIC LIBRARY COFFEE SHOP IN SESSION.
A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR HOKE AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER C*M.
ALL IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
OPPOSED? ABSTENTIONS CARRIAGE RESOLVE IF TOWN BOARD APPROVED THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC WORKS TO APPOINT DONALD BRADY TO THE PART-TIME SEASONAL POSITION OF CLERK WITHIN THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT.
THE APPOINTMENT IS SUBJECT TO ALL PRECONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO.
RE-EMPLOYMENT BACKGROUND CHECK.
THE APPOINTMENT IS EFFECTIVE MAY 15TH, 2023 AT A RATE OF $15 AND 50 CENTS PER HOUR.
FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE IN A 1 4 4 0 1 0 3.
SECONDLY, WE HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER CONLEY AND SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER HULK.
ALL IN FAVOR PLEASE SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
WE'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO ENTERTAIN A LATE RESOLUTION CONCERNING OUR ASSESSMENT BOARD OF REVIEW.
SECOND MOTION BY SUPERVISOR HOKE AND IS SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER FARRELL LORENZ.
ALL IN FAVOR PLEASE SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
THE IT RESOLVED THAT THE HAMBURG TOWN BOARD APPOINT ROBERT G. MCDONALD TO FILL THE VACANCY ON THE TOWN OF HAMBURG ASSESSMENT BOARD OF REVIEW FOR A FIVE YEAR TERM COMMENCING MAY 9TH, 2023.
YOU HAVE A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER CONLEY.
ALL IN FAVOR PLEASE SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO ENTERTAIN A LATE RESOLUTION CONCERNING A SECOND PUBLIC HEARING FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FUNDING.
SECOND MOTION ON THE FLOOR FROM SUPERVISOR HOKE.
SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER LL LOREN.
ALL IN FAVOR PLEASE SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
WHEREAS THE TOWN OF HAMBURG RECEIVED COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK FUNDING FROM THE NEW YORK STATE OFFICE OF COMMUNITY RENEWAL PROJECT NUMBER 2 6 2 3 CVSB TWO SEVEN DASH 21 TO IMPLEMENT THE HAMBURG SMALL BUSINESS REVITALIZATION INITIATIVE, THE PROGRAM AND WHEREAS THE HAMBURG TOWN BOARD IS REQUIRED TO HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING TO DISCUSS THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROGRAM AND TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROGRESS OF THE ONGOING CD BG PROGRAM AND TO RECEIVE COMMENTS RELATED TO THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ADMINISTRATION OF THE CD BG PROGRAM.
[02:05:01]
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT A PUBLIC HEARING BE HELD ON MAY 22ND, 2023 AT 7:00 PM AT HAMBURG TOWN HALL.6,100 SOUTH PARK AVENUE, HAMBURG, NEW YORK BEFORE THE HAMBURG TOWN BOARD WHERE ALL INTERESTED PARTIES SHALL BE HEARD REGARDING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CDBG PROGRAM AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVE THAT THE TOWN CLERK HAS DIRECTED TO PREPARE A NOTICE OF SET A HEARING TO CAUSE THE PUBLICATION OF THE NOTICE OF SUCH HEARING IN THE NEWSPAPER, WHICH HAVE BEEN OFFICIALLY DESIGNATED BY THIS BOARD TO PUBLISH NOTICES AND TO AFFIX A COPY OF SAID NOTICE FROM THE TOWN GOLDEN BOARD IN THE TOWN HALL AT 6,100 SOUTH PARK AVENUE, HAMBURG, NEW YORK.
BOTH PUBLICATION AND POSTING TO BE MADE AT LEAST EIGHT DAYS BEFORE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER FARRELL LORENZ.
ALL IN FAVOR PLEASE SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE TOWN BOARD AUDIT OF CASH DISBURSEMENTS DATED MAY 8TH, 2023 FOR TOTAL CAPITAL FUND DISBURSEMENTS TOTAL CASH DISBURSEMENTS SUBMITTED FOR AUDIT OF $1,411,476 AND 24 CENTS.
A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR OAK AND THE SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER POUND.
ALL IN FAVOR PLEASE SIGNIFY BY SAYING A, A A AYE.
OPPOSED AB EXTENSIONS CARRIED.
NOW BRINGS US TO OUR PUBLIC COMMENT SECTION OF THE MEETING IF YOU WISH TO.
DO WE HAVE A SIGN IN SHEET? NO, BUT WE CAN MAKE ONE.
YEAH, LET'S MAKE ONE JUST IN CASE THERE'S, UH, MORE THAN A FEW PEOPLE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK.
I KNOW MR. T WE'LL MAKE SURE THAT HE'S FIRST UP, BUT IF ANYBODY ELSE WANTS TO SPEAK, IT'D BE HELPFUL TO, TO SIGN YOUR NAME AND, UH, WE'LL CALL YOU IN ORDER.
UH, FIRST OFF, THANK YOU FOR COMING TO OUR PRESS CONFERENCE WITH HIM WITH, UH, PRESIDENT COUPLE WEEKS AGO.
I DO BELIEVE YOU RECEIVED THIS REASON I'M UP HERE IS I WANNA KNOW WHAT THE TOWN IS ABOUT OPTING INTO THE 10% FOR THE VOLUNTEER FIREMEN, HOMEOWNERS.
HAVE WE DONE ANYTHING ABOUT IT AS OF THIS TIME? AT THIS TIME, WE'RE STILL DISCUSSING THE ISSUE.
UM, RECENTLY FIRE FIREMEN, FIREFIGHTER ASSOCIATION OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK AT COST STUDIES.
RIGHT NOW, I BELIEVE YOU DID RECEIVE ONE.
I'M GONNA GIVE YOU A COPY I DID MAKE RIGHT NOW THE VOLUNTEER FIRE SERVICE SAVES THE STATE OF NEW YORK $4.7 BILLION TO HAVE US OUT THERE.
YOUR C**S ADDRESS VOLUNTEER FIRE SERVICE SAVES THE RESIDENTS $4.7 BILLION IN THE STATE.
ESTIMATED ANNUAL BASE WAGES TO HIRE A PAID FIREMEN, YOUR MEDIAN IS ABOUT 68,500.
LOW END HIRING RATE WOULD BE ABOUT 49,800.
HIGH END IS ABOUT 87 HIGHER PROPERTY TAXES.
IF THERE WERE NONE AROUND IN ERIE COUNTY, YOUR TAXES WOULD BE UP 38.5%.
PROPERTY TAXES IN THE SENATE DISTRICT NUMBER 60, WHICH IS SENATOR GALVIN, OURS SAVES US $210,181,808.
THE ASSEMBLY DISTRICT OF 1 49 MR. RIVERA IS 21,197,000 $179, ALSO 39% SAVINGS.
AND WE ARE ASKING THAT THIS BOARD LOOK IN TO BEING ABLE TO GIVE THE VOLUNTEER FIRE HOMEOWNERS 10% TAX BREAK.
AND THAT IS BASED ON THE ASSESSED VALUE OF A HOUSE.
AS WE ALL KNOW, IN THIS TOWN OF HAMBURG, THERE'S NOT MANY HOUSES THAT ARE ASSESSED AT OVER 200,000.
AND UNFORTUNATELY WITH THIS HERE BILL LAW THAT WAS PUT INTO EFFECT BY THE GOVERNOR BACK IN DECEMBER.
[02:10:01]
WE ARE ONLY ABLE TO CO COLLECT EITHER THE 10% ON OUR HOUSE OR $200 TAX INCOME TAX CREDIT.WE'RE NOT GONNA BE ABLE TO COLLECT BOTH.
SO I DON'T THINK IT, I HAVEN'T SEEN FINANCES OF THIS TOWN, BUT I DON'T THINK IT'S GONNA HURT THIS TOWN A LOT TO REALLY LOOK INTO IT AND MOVE FORWARD WITH IT THERE.
THE COUNTY RECENTLY UNANIMOUSLY PASSED THIS THROUGH THERE.
WE ARE ASKING THAT THIS TOWN BOARD START MOVING FORWARD.
I KNOW OTHER MUNICIPALITIES IN THIS COUNTY THAT HAVE ALREADY STEPPED FORWARD AND APPROVE THAT.
I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THIS TOWN BOARD START MOVING FORWARD.
WE ALL KNOW THE VOLUNTEER FIRE SERVICE IS LOW ON MEMBERS.
LET'S START GIVING THEM A LITTLE SOMETHING.
LIKE I SAID, WE'RE SAVING THIS STATE $4.7 BILLION.
WE'RE ASKING FOR VERY LITTLE BACK.
UM, AND THANK YOU FOR KEEPING IT UNDER THREE MINUTES, WHICH I WANTED TO REMIND FOLKS THAT, UH, WE GENERALLY ASK FOR PEOPLE TO KEEP THEIR COMMENTS TO THREE MINUTES OR LESS.
NEXT UP IS PATTY MIC YOU LIKE, OKAY.
I'M HERE REPRESENTING BRIARCLIFF HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION.
LAST TIME I WAS HERE, UM, YOU ASKED THAT WE, UM, FOLLOW THE PROCESS AND LET IT PLAY OUT.
AND WE ARE, UH, THE PLANNING BOARD IS DOING A GREAT JOB INVESTIGATING WHAT WE'VE BEEN GIVING THEM.
UM, HOWEVER, I WAS NOT JUST DISCUSSING DAYTO TOWNHOME.
UM, WE WANT THE TOWN BOARD TO VERY CAREFULLY LOOK AT THE PUD.
UM, THE TOWN PASSED A RECREATION FEE WAIVER IN 1993, VALUED AT AN ESTIMATE OF $350,000 IN LIEU OF ADDITIONAL GREEN SPACE FOR THE ENTIRE PUD BURKE.
DEVELOPMENT DATA HAS NOT MET THE TERMS SET FORTH IN THAT AGREEMENT.
TOWN BOARDS AND PLANNING BOARDS IN THE PAST 30 YEARS HAVE COME AND GONE.
THE CURRENT RESIDENTS OF BRIAR CLIFF HOMEOWNERS ARE KEENLY AWARE OF WHAT HAS HAPPENED FROM THE BEGINNING.
WE TOLD YOU THAT THIS IS COMPLEX AND WE'RE ASKING THAT YOU PLEASE GIVE IT YOUR, YOUR ATTENTION.
YOU HAVE, YOU DIDN'T CREATE THIS, BUT YOU NOW HAVE THE ABILITY TO CORRECT IT.
THE PLANNING BOARD MINUTES OVER THE LAST 25 YEARS HAS RECORDED THAT A HEART TRAIL WAS NOT COMPLETED.
THE OBLIGATED PUD GREENING RECREATION SPACE IS SIGNIFICANTLY SHORT OF WHAT WAS AGREED TO.
AND EDMUND BURKE TOLD THE BOARD, WE HAVE IT IN THE MINUTES THAT ALL THE LAND HE WAS GIVING WAS USABLE AND DEVELOPABLE.
HOWEVER, BURKE NOT ONLY PROVIDED JUNK LAND, BUT THREE OF THE PARCELS PROMISED WERE DEVELOPED INSTEAD OF BECOMING RECREATION SPACE.
AND WERE NEVER TURNED OVER TO THE HOA DONE.
UM, SORRY, NOT MS. CROWDS CENTER IS UP NEXT.
DO YOU HAVE 30 SECONDS? NO, SHE, OKAY.
THE BIG PICTURE IS BIRTH PROMISED SO MUCH IN GREEN SPACE IN THE HEART TRAIL.
IT DIDN'T, DIDN'T COME TRUE WITH IT.
AND, AND WE'VE GOT SPENT HUNDREDS OF HOURS RESEARCHING IT AND WE, WE REALLY WANT THE TOWN TO LOOK INTO.
WE, WE WILL BE GLAD TO HELP AND SHOW YOU WHAT WE HAVE.
BUT I MEAN, REALLY IF BURKE GETS AWAY WITH NOT FOLLOWING THROUGH ON THEIR COMMITMENT, REALLY IT'S, IT'S A LEGAL OBLIGATION, RIGHT? THERE WAS A, THERE WAS A, YOU KNOW, THEY GAVE, THEY, YOU GAVE UP, THE TOWN GAVE UP AT LEAST A QUARTER MILLION DOLLARS AND RECREATION FEES.
OUR DEVELOPMENT LOAN WAS OVER A HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS.
SO BURKE DIDN'T HAVE TO PAY THAT IN RETURN.
HE'S SUPPOSED TO GIVE GREEN SPACE AND HE DIDN'T, HE DIDN'T HIT THE NUMBERS AND HE THINKS HE HIT 'EM, BUT HE DIDN'T.
HE'S COUNTING STUFF LIKE PONDS AND ALL THAT IS GREEN SPACE AND USABLE SPACE.
[02:15:01]
SO THE POINT IS, RIGHT NOW THEY HAVE COUPLE DEVELOPMENTS OR A COUPLE PROJECTS LEFT TO GO AND YOU DON'T WANNA WAIT TILL IT'S DONE BECAUSE THEN WHAT YOU GONNA GO AFTER 'EM AND TRY TO COLLECT, YOU KNOW, RECREATION FEES.I MEAN, THE OPTION NOW IS DO A STOP ORDER ON IT UNTIL THEY GET THIS, RIGHT NOW, THE PROJECT GOING ON ROUTE 20 THERE BETWEEN AMSEL AND OVERBANK OR AMSEL AND ROGERS.
IF YOU PUT A STOP, STOP A WORK ORDER STOPPAGE ON THAT, AT LEAST THEY'LL BRING IT TO THE TABLE.
'CAUSE OTHERWISE IT'S GONNA BE A MESS.
AND THEY'RE NEVER GONNA, YOU KNOW, THEY'RE NEVER GONNA GET THE MONEY.
THE TOWN'S NEVER GONNA GET THE MONEY THEY DESERVE TO GET.
YOU KNOW, SO THAT'S, THAT'S THE BIG THING RIGHT NOW.
I MEAN, THE ONLY OTHER OPTION WE WOULD HAVE TO DO IS GO TO THE, UH, I DON'T GO TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND SEE WHAT THEY WOULD SAY IF THEY COULD DO SOMETHING AGAINST BURKE.
BUT, YOU KNOW, WE DON'T WANNA DO THAT.
WE WANNA, AND WE, WE'LL, WE'RE GLAD TO HELP THE TOWN.
WE HAVE ALL THE RESEARCH, WE HAVE ALL THE DOCUMENTATIONS.
WE'RE ACTUALLY GIVING THE PLANNING BOARD A COLOR-CODED MAP OF ALL THE GREEN SPACE IN OUR, IN, IN OUR DEVELOPMENT AND IN DATA DEVELOPMENT TO SHOW WHAT IS ACTUALLY AVAILABLE AND HOW MUCH HE'S SHORT.
SO THAT'S ALL I JUST WANTED TO TELL HIM TO BE AWARE OF THAT.
AND, AND NOW IS THE TIME TO DO IT BECAUSE AGAIN, WHEN THEY'RE DONE WITH THESE PROJECTS, WHAT GONNA DO, HOW CAN YOU GO AFTER 'EM WITHOUT GOING, GOING TO A LAWSUIT? SO THANKS FOR YOUR TIME.
SUPERVISOR HALL, MEMBERS OF THE TOWN BOARD.
MY NAME IS R ACK AND I'M THE BLUE COLLAR PRESIDENT FOR CSCA LOCAL EIGHT 15 HERE IN HAMBURG AND A TOWN TAXPAYER FOR 23 YEARS.
I'M CONFRONTED YOU THE TONIGHT TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES THE UNION IS HAVING WITH THE SUPERVISOR IN THE TOWN BOARD.
LET'S START WITH THE CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS.
AUGUST, 2022 TO SEPTEMBER, 2022.
DURING CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS, SUPERVISOR POLK TOLD US THERE WAS NO NEED TO DISCUSS MINIMUM STAFFING.
HE ASSURED US THAT THE HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT WAS GETTING FOUR FULL-TIME POSITIONS AND MORE STAFF IN BOTH DEPARTMENTS.
YOU IMMEDIATELY PULLED THOSE FOUR POSITIONS, WHICH YOU KNOW IS LEAVING US UNDERSTAFFED EVEN MORE.
YOU CANNOT EXPECT US TO GET WORK DONE WITH MINIMAL STAFFING.
YOU KNOW, BOTH DEPARTMENTS ARE UNDERSTAFFED, YET YOU CONTINUE TO CUT OUR UNION JOBS OR FILL THEM WITH NON-UNION POSITIONS.
WE SEE WHAT YOU ARE DOING AND WE ARE NOT OKAY WITH ANY OF YOUR DECISIONS AND BEHAVIOR DURING NEGOTIATIONS.
SUPERVISOR HOPE TOLD US REPEATEDLY THAT THE BOARD BELIEVES WE'RE UNSKILLED, UNEDUCATED WORKERS THAT DO NOT DESERVE MORE THAN WHAT WE HAVE.
SUPERVISOR HOPE YOU SAID THIS IN FRONT OF MY COMMITTEE AND YOURS IS THIS HOW OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS FEEL.
FEW, FEW OF WHOM ARE IN UNIONS REALLY FEEL THE MEMBERSHIP IS AWARE OF YOUR BOLD STATEMENT THAT YOU HAVE MADE SUPERVISOR AND THE MEMBERSHIP IS NOT PLEASED WITH ANY OF YOU.
WE HAVE WATCHED YOU BUTCHER BUDGETS, REMOVE POSITIONS, AND MANIPULATE POSITIONS TO FIT YOUR NARRATIVE, WHICH IS NON-UNION.
THE FIRST POSITION YOU, YOU REMOVE CAN'T BE DISCUSSED.
AS I'M SURE YOU KNOW, YOU HAVE BEEN SENT A PER ACTION ABOUT IT.
THE SECOND POSITION THAT RAISES CONCERNS FOR ME IS THAT OF THE HEAD SCREENS GREENSKEEPER.
AND IF YOU WERE TO CHANGE THAT TO A NON-UNION JOB, WHICH IT SEEMS LIKE YOU WANNA DO THAT DOES NOT BENEFIT THE PERSON IN THAT ROLE AND ONLY BENEFITS YOU.
JUST IN THE LAST WEEK, I FILED A GRIEVANCE AND NATE RIVERA, WHO THREATENED TO REMOVE THE ASSIGNED GREENS GREENSKEEPER DID EXACTLY THAT ONCE I OFFICIALLY FILED.
NOW HE SAID HE'S THE ACTING GREEN SCRAPER, WHICH IS OUR UNION'S POSITION.
YOU AND THE HEAD OF BILLY BROWN RIVERA MUST UNDERSTAND THAT YOU CANNOT MAKE DIRECT DEALS WITH MEMBERS, PRIVATE MEETINGS WITH MEMBERS, AND THE ABSENCE OF A UNION OFFICIAL IS SUSPICIOUS BEHAVIOR THAT THE UNION WILL NOT TOLERATE.
WE SEE THIS BEHAVIOR AND WE'LL TAKE NECESSARY ACTIONS TO CORRECT THIS.
WE HAVE A WORKING CREW CHIEF WHO IS SET TO RETIRE IN JUNE.
DO YOU PLAN ON KEEPING THAT A UNION POSITION TONIGHT? YOU SIGNED OFF ON DEMOTING MY SPECIAL LABORERS TO JUST LABORERS, WHICH IS NOT JUST AN IMPACT TO THEIR TITLE, BUT THEIR PAY.
YOU PREVIOUSLY AWARDED A SPECIAL LABORER, SO I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY YOU DEMOTE THE POSITION ONCE AWARDED.
IS IT TO REPLACE THEM WITH NON-UNION JOBS? PUNISHMENT RESTRICTIONS AND RETALIATION SEEM TO BE THE NORM OF THE TOWN LATELY, IN JULY OF 2022, SUPERVISOR HOPE INSTRUCTED MYSELF AND ANOTHER FEMALE PRESIDENT.
10 SECONDS NOT ALLOWED TO SPEAK WITH THE HEAD OF AS PERSONNEL DIRECTOR.
WE HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK TONIGHT.
MS. MS, YOUR TIME IS MS. REED ELECTION
[02:20:04]
ENDORSE BY MEMBERS TAKEN AWAY BY FOLKS.I'D ASK YOU TO PLEASE REMAIN QUIET WHILE THE FOLKS THAT ARE SPEAKING HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.
YOU HAVE TWO AND A HALF MINUTES, MS. ZA AND I, WELL, PERSONNEL DIRECTOR, DIRECTOR TARA WORKS CLOSELY WITH ME TO APPLY THE CBA TO TOWN OPERATIONS.
SINCE YOU HAVE MADE THIS STATEMENT AND EVEN BEFORE THAT, WE HAVE SEEN SELECTIVE PUNISHMENT, LACK OF COMMUNICATION, NO RESPONSES, CONFUSING RESPONSES, DICTATION ON HOW WE USE OUR TIME AND GET PAID AND NO RESPONSES TO FMLA LEAVE.
I APPLIED FOR FMLA LEAVE ON JANUARY 18TH.
MY DAUGHTER IS IN THE MILITARY AND I APPLIED FOR MILITARY CAREGIVER LEAVE.
I HAVE RECEIVED NOTHING STATING MY APPROVAL WHATSOEVER, BUT PEOPLE HAVE BEEN APPROVED IN ABOUT A WEEK.
I'M NOT THE ONLY MEMBER WHO HAS BEEN NOT BEEN APPROVED BY WHERE THERE WAS ISSUES IN THE PAPERWORK.
BY NO FAULT OF THE MEMBER, IT'S OBVIOUS AT THIS POINT, THE RULES DO NOT APPLY TO EVERYONE.
AND I WOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE IF I MESSED UP MY JOB DAILY OR WEEKLY.
AND THE SAME DOES NOT APPLY FOR THOSE WHO SAY YES TO YOU.
SINCE THE NEW BOARD HAS TAKEN OVER, WE HAVE SEEN NOTHING POSITIVE WHATSOEVER.
YOU ARE THE FOURTH SUPERVISOR I HAVE HAD, AND BY FAR WHAT THE MOST PROBLEMATIC IN MY EYES.
I HAVE NEVER WITNESSED A SOUND SUPERVISOR PROVOKING THE UNION AND THE EMPLOYEES THE WAY YOU DO.
ON MANY OCCASIONS, YOU'VE BEEN NASTY, CONDESCENDING.
WHEN YOU LOOK LIKE YOU WANNA PHYSICALLY HURT ANYONE WHO CHALLENGES YOU.
THE UNION SPEAKS TO YOU WITH RESPECT AND WE ARE TREATED WITH CHILDISH BEHAVIOR.
SOME EXAMPLES OF THIS ARE THROWING PAPERWORK THAT YOU ASKED FOR BACK AT US OR STORMING OUT OF MEETINGS.
YOU REFUSE TO ANSWER EMAILS OR WHEN YOU DO, IT'S UNPROFESSIONAL OR SARCASTIC.
THIS IS NOT HOW WE CONDUCT UNION BUSINESS.
YOU FEEL LIKE YOU ARE ABOVE THE UNION AND WE WILL NO LONGER PUT UP WITH THIS TYPE OF BEHAVIOR MOVING FORWARD.
WE EXPECT THE SUPERVISOR AND TOWN BOARD TO WORK WITH US AND TREAT US WITH THE RESPECT THAT WE SHOW THEM.
IN CLOSING, I HOPE THERE WILL BE NOTES OF RETALIATION BROUGHT AGAINST MYSELF, MY BOARD, OR ANY CSCA MEMBER OF THE STATEMENT I HAVE JUST READ TO YOU AND THAT WE CAN OPEN A CONVERSATION ABOUT HOW TO EFFECTIVELY WORK TOGETHER AND MAINTAIN THIS BEAUTIFUL TOWN THAT WE ALL CALL HOME.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME, MR. BOSKY.
MEMBERS OF THE TOWN BOARD CITIZENS.
I LIVED, LIVED IN HAMBURG MY ENTIRE LIFE AND I SPENT 11 YEARS WORKING FOR CSEA.
AND WHAT THE TOWN BOARD IS HEARING IS SOMETHING THAT YOU SHOULD CONSIDER.
PEOPLE AREN'T HAPPY WITH THE WAY THAT THE LABOR RELATIONS OF THIS TOWN ARE GOING.
NOW, I WORKED FOR CSEA, AS I SAID, FOR 10 YEARS.
AND EVERY TIME JEROME LEFKOWITZ WOULD COME INTO BUFFALO, I WOULD DRIVE HIM TO THE AIRPORT.
NOW, HE WAS THE DRAFTER OF THE TAYLOR LAW.
HE WROTE IT AND HE SAID, WHEN MANAGEMENT, AND I HEARD FROM THE UNION WORK TOGETHER, THEY CAN SOLVE PROBLEMS. BUT IT TAKES TWO TO TANGO.
WHAT I HEAR FROM THE TOWN BOARD IS LABOR LAW VIOLATIONS.
WHAT? YOU DIDN'T TALK ABOUT THAT.
RECLASSIFICATION OF THE BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS POSITION.
THE ONLY CRITERIA BY LAW FOR MANAGEMENT CONFIDENTIAL IS POLICYMAKING AND COLLECTIVE BARGAINING.
SO YOU'RE ON RECORD SAYING IS THAT YOU CREATED THIS POSITION FOR DISCIPLINE.
WELL, IF YOU LOOK IT UP, IF YOU LOOK UP TO THE STATUTE, THAT'S ILLEGAL.
NOW I'M TOLD THAT THE CSEA HAS FILED A UNIT CLARIFICATION, UNIT PLACEMENT PETITION.
AND I FEEL THEY'LL BE SUCCESSFUL WITH THE FIRM.
NOW, WHAT I WOULD ENCOURAGE THE TOWN BOARD TO DO, AND IF I, IF I WERE YOU AND IF I WERE YOUR COUNSEL, I WOULD NEGOTIATE WITH THE UNION.
YOU TOOK FOUR POSITIONS THAT WERE SPECIAL LABORERS THAT WERE THERE FOR A LONG TIME.
AND I TALKED TO THE UNION PEOPLE AND I SAID, DID THEY NEGOTIATE THIS? AND IT SOUNDS TO ME LIKE IT'S A UNILATERAL CHANGE IN TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT.
AND THAT VIOLATES SECTION 2 0 9 1 A OF THE TAYLOR LAW.
YOU HAVE AN OBLIGATION AS THE BOARD, AS THE EMPLOYER TO NEGOTIATE WITH THE UNION.
THAT IS THE INTENT OF THE STATUTE.
NOW, THAT'S WHAT I WOULD ASK THE BOARD TO DO AS A CITIZEN BECAUSE WHAT WE HAVE HERE RIGHT NOW IS STRIFE.
WE HAVE WORKERS THAT ARE UPSET AND WE HAVE MANAGE MANAGEMENT HERE THAT DOESN'T WANNA SEEM TO WORK WITH THE, WITH THE UNION.
AND IN MY CAREER AS A LABOR RELATIONS SPECIALIST, AND I WENT TO CORNELL AND I STUDIED IT, AND I HAVE A DEGREE, WHEN YOU HAVE ONE SIDE THAT WANTS TO MAKE ALL THE DECISIONS
[02:25:01]
AND DISREGARD THE OTHER, YOU'RE GONNA HAVE PROBLEMS. AND IT'S GONNA COST ME AS A TAXPAYER MORE MONEY.'CAUSE THERE'S GONNA BE MORE LITIGATION, THERE'S GOING TO BE UNHAPPY WORKERS.
AND THIS IS NOT GOOD FOR THE TOWN AND IT'S NOT GOOD FOR THE BOARD.
SO WHAT I WOULD ASK YOU TO DO AS A CITIZEN AND AS A PERSON WHO'S A LAWYER WHO'S DONE TONS OF CONTRACTS, IS RECONSIDER THAT MOTION THAT YOU MADE, RECLASSIFYING THOSE POSITIONS AND NEGOTIATE WITH THE UNION BECAUSE OTHERWISE PER IS GONNA MAKE YOU LOOK BAD BECAUSE WHAT YOU DID VIOLATED THE LAW.
MS. GEIER FRANCINE GEIER THE TOPIC.
AT THIS POINT, I FEEL LIKE RELATIVE EVENING, MS. SKYER, MS. SKYER, YOU DO NOT WANNA SPEAK THIS EVENING.
MY HUSBAND MIKE IS CURRENTLY EMPLOYED AT THE HAMBURG HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT, WHERE HE HAS BEEN EMPLOYED FOR THE LAST 33 YEARS.
I'M HERE REGARDING THE SWITCH OF HEALTH INSURANCE TO UN WELL, IT WAS STATED FROM SEVERAL PEOPLE THAT NOTHING WAS GOING TO CHANGE AND THAT EVERYTHING WAS GONNA STAY THE SAME.
SPECIFICALLY, EVERYTHING HAS CHANGED FOR ME.
I'M A TYPE ONE DIABETIC WHO HAS DEALT WITH THIS TRICKY AND UNFORGIVING DISEASE.
FOR THE LAST 38 YEARS, I HAVE BECOME INSULIN RESISTANT, WHICH IS CAUSING A LARGE SPIKE IN MY A1C AND CAUSING VARIOUS OTHER HEALTHCARE PROBLEMS. UM, MY OZEMPIC WAS CANCELED BECAUSE UNIVERA REFUSES TO PRESCRIBE IT FOR ME.
I TRIED METFORMIN WITH NO SUCCESS.
MY DOCTOR PRESCRIBED O OZEMPIC OFF-LABEL FOR ME, AND IT WORKED.
I USED IT FOR TWO YEARS THROUGH, UM, HIGHMARK, AND IT WORKED PERFECT.
UN N VERA HAS DIVID DENIED ME FOUR TIMES.
I'VE APPEALED ONE TIME AND MY DOCTOR HAS, AND I'VE LOST EVERY SINGLE TIME.
NOW IT IS GOING TO NEW YORK STATE FOR APPEAL.
WHILE GOING THROUGH THIS PROCESS, I HAVE SPOKEN TO BRIANNA ACK AND SHE REFERRED ME TO MARK BURNS, WHO IN TURN PASSED THE BUCK TO JULIE DONOVAN.
I'VE BEEN IN CONSTANT COMMUNICATION WITH HER REGARDING THIS ISSUE.
I ALSO SPOKE WITH TRACY HANER ABOUT THE NEGOTIATION WITH THE NEW INSURANCE PLAN.
I KNOW THAT THE UNION SIGNED OFF IN GOOD FAITH, BUT THAT NOT, THAT WAS NOT UPHELD.
I ASKED POINT BLANK TO TRACY, DID YOU GO OVER LINE BY LINE? EVERYTHING SHE, SHE DISCUSSED THAT MARK BURNS SAID ALL THE WAY THROUGH APPLES TO APPLES, WHICH TO ME IS A CLEAR INDICATION THAT HE DID NOT RESPECT THE PROCESS TO BE HONEST ABOUT WHAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN MOVING FORWARD.
THE DIABETIC TEAR MOVED FROM ONE TO TWO, MEANING COLD CASE HAVE INCREASED AND THINGS ARE NOT, THINGS ARE NOT NOW COVERED.
MY DISCOUNT SUPPLIES WERE RECENTLY DENIED.
IN FACT, THIS PAST FRIDAY AND NOW I HAVE TO FIND A NEW PROVIDER.
ALL THEIR PRESCRIPTIONS THAT I HAVE HAVE INCREASED TOO.
ONE MEDICATION WENT FROM $120 A YEAR TO DOUBLE THAT.
SO WHILE THIS PLAN WAS CHOSEN TO SAVE MONEY FOR THE TOWN, IT DOES NOT MEAN IT IS THE RIGHT CHOICE.
AS I STATED HERE BEFORE, I'M ADVOCATING FOR MYSELF AND OTHERS.
I'M ASKING THE BOARD WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP ME.
I'VE SPOKEN TO EVERYONE I POSSIBLY COULD FROM THE DOCTOR'S OFFICE TO THE INSURANCE BROKER, TO THE UNIVERSE UNIVAR STAFF, TO THE UNION REPS.
I FEEL THAT THIS IS NOT RIGHT, THAT I HAVE BEEN DENIED A MEDICATION THAT HAS IMPROVED MY LIFE IMMENSELY.
DIABETES IS TRULY AN UNFORGIVING DISEASE THAT YOU NEVER GET A DAY OFF FROM.
IT IS A CONSTANT STRUGGLE OF HIGHS AND LOWS.
WITH THAT BEING SAID, I HAVE ONE FINAL THOUGHT.
MY QUALITY OF LIFE AND MY HEALTH ARE GOING TO SUFFER.
ALL WILL IN THE BACK OF MY MIND, THE HEALTH INSURANCE.
I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO DECLINE BECAUSE THE THANK MR. BEQUE.
THANK YOU TO TOWN, UH, BOARD FOR HEARING.
NOW ON THIS, I WAS A COUNCILMAN ALONG WITH, UH, MR. MOSEY WHO'S IN ATTENDANCE BACK IN 2018.
AND PART OF YOUR PRESENTATION, UH, YOU ACKNOWLEDGED THAT SUPERINTENDENT OF, UH, HIGHWAYS, WE, WE TOOK THE POWERS OF B AND G AWAY FROM HIM IN 2018.
THERE WAS, UH, INTERNAL STRIFE WITHIN THE B AND G DEPARTMENT, DISCIPLINE PROBLEMS, MORALE PROBLEMS. AND WHAT WE DID IS WE PUT THE, UH, FOREMANS IN TO, UH, ALLEVIATE THAT PROBLEM FROM 18 TO 20.
[02:30:01]
A TERM, UH, THE BEGINNING OF 20, THOSE PROBLEMS ENDED.THERE WAS NO MORE PROBLEMS BECAUSE WE PUT SOMEBODY THAT WAS COMPETENT HAD THE EXPERIENCE.
NOW YOU BRING SOMEBODY IN FROM FLORIDA, WHICH I BELIEVE TO BE A RELATIVE OF A, A STATE ASSEMBLYMAN, POSSIBLY.
DON'T MAKE, NO, THIS IS NOT A CONVERSATION.
THE BOARD WANNA, BUT NO ANSWER.
SO PART OF, UH, YOUR PRESENTATION, YOU ACKNOWLEDGED, YOU ACKNOWLEDGED IN YOUR PRESENTATION, UH, REGARDING THE, UM, CONTRACT THAT IT SAYS WITHIN THE CONTRACT THAT THE SENIOR LABORER IS ACKNOWLEDGED.
AS PART OF MY DUTIES AS COUNCILMAN, I HELP NEGOTIATE WITH CONTRACTS.
WE HONORED THE SENIOR LABOR POSITION ABOUT $12,000.
YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT WHAT YOU'RE CUTTING FROM ABOUT $3,000 EACH BEFORE, UM, OVERTIME.
SO WHAT YOU'RE DOING FOR THE MORALE, FOR YOUR, YOUR, YOUR WHOLE DEPARTMENT IS YOU'RE GOING RIGHT BACK TO THE 2018 ENVIRONMENT WITHIN THE BG DEPARTMENT.
AND THE OTHER THING I HAVE TO SAY IS, WHOSE IDEA IS IT TO, WHEN YOU'RE SAYING TO CREATE A POSITION WITH CIVIL SERVICE THAT'S NOT THE UNION'S THE JOB.
YOU COULD ACKNOWLEDGE THAT IT WAS DROPPED.
IT WAS SURE WAS SURE WAS SO THE RIGHT THING TO DO.
IT WAS DROPPED BY SOMEBODY WHO WHO KNOWS WHO? ME? OH YEAH.
I I'LL ENJOY YOUR, SO WHY WOULD YOU NOT WORK WITH THESE PEOPLE? CREATE THE POSITIONS AS YOU HAVE FOUR PEOPLE THAT POSITION WORK WITH THE UNION.
INSTEAD, YOU FOUND ALL THIS INTERNAL STRIFE.
YOU'RE HIRING YOUR PATRON, HIS JOBS, BUT IN DEPARTMENT HEAD POSITIONS, YOU DID IT WITH THE JUDGE'S DAUGHTER IN HIGHWAY AND NOW YOU'RE DOING IT WITH THE B AND G DEPARTMENT.
AND IT'S, UH, YOU'LL, YOU'LL BE PAYING FOR IT TO AND HALF YEARS.
I'M GONNA ADDRESS SOME POINTS FROM COUNCILMAN BEST.
UH, NOT COUNCILMAN FORMER COUNCILMAN FORMER.
HE ALLEGES THAT WE HIRED THE STATE ASSEMBLYMAN'S COUSIN.
I DON'T, I I I SAID A RELATIVE, POSSIBLY COUSIN, CORRECT.
IF YOU'D LIKE TO SPLIT HAIRS, THAT'S FINE, BUT I'M TRYING TO RESPECT THE TIME OF EVERYBODY HERE TONIGHT.
YOU ALLEGE THAT WE, WE HIRED A STATE ASSEMBLYMAN'S RELATIVE.
AND I HAVE SAID OVER AND OVER AGAIN TO CSEA, TO ANYBODY THAT COMES TO ME WITH THAT RUMOR THAT THAT IS NOT TRUE.
YOU ALLEGE A PATRONAGE HIRE IN THE DEPARTMENT OF RECREATE YOUTH, RECREATION AND, AND SENIOR SERVICES.
MR. CONLEY WAS A PART OF THE INTERVIEW PROCESS.
IT WAS AN OPEN AND TRANSPARENT PROCESS THAT RESULTED IN THE MOST QUALIFIED CANDIDATE TO GET THAT JOB.
IT WAS A VERY DIFFICULT DECISION FOR THE ENTIRE BOARD THAT WORKED TO ARRIVE AT THAT DECISION.
AND THE RESULTS THAT MS. GORMAN KING HAS BROUGHT TO THE TOWN OF HAMBURG SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES.
MR. CHAPMAN, THAT'S YOUR OPINION.
MR. BEST, THANK YOU FOR COMING.
MY COMMENTS ARE TO THE BOARD AND I'M REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT IF YOU GUYS ARE VIOLATING THE OPEN MEETINGS LAW.
I'VE NEVER BEEN MEMBER OF A GROUP OR ANY ORGANIZATION OR AT A MEETING.
A MOTION IS MADE, SECONDED, AND VOTED ON WITHOUT DISCUSSION.
HOW CAN YOU VOTE ANYWAY ON YOUR CONSCIENCE? HOW CAN YOU VOTE WITHOUT ANY DISCUSSION? UNLESS YOU'RE MEETING IN PRIVATE AND DOING ALL THIS ABOUT, YOU KNOW, UNDER BOARD.
AND THE CHAIRMAN'S JOB IS TO SAY, IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? YOU NEVER SAY THAT.
YOU SAY IF YOU'RE, IF YOU'RE, IF YOU'RE IN FAVOR, UH, ANY EXTENSIONS, YOU NEVER ASK FOR ANY COMMENTS FROM YOUR FELLOW BOARD MEMBERS.
WHICH LEADS ME TO BELIEVE WHEN YOU WALK IN THAT DOOR, EVERYTHING IS CUT AND DRY.
AND I'LL CHECK THIS OUT WITH PAUL WOLF AND FIND OUT HOW YOU GUYS CAN SPEND ALL THIS MONEY LIKE IT DID TONIGHT.
YOU KNOW, LAY PEOPLE OFF, MAKE THEM LOOSE, FALL DOWN.
HOW CAN YOU DO THAT? AND IT WASN'T ONE WORD OF DISCUSSION AMONG YOUR BOARD MEMBERS.
WHEN DID ALL THIS COME ABOUT, MR. CHAPMAN TO ANSWER? ARE YOU FINISHED? ARE YOU FINISHED? ARE YOU FINISHED? NO.
STAY HERE FOR ANOTHER MINUTE AND A HALF.
THIS IS HOW SILENT THE BOARD IS ALWAYS WHEN YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE MAKING DECISIONS AND YOU COME IN HERE AND NOT ONE WORD, NOT ONE WORD,
[02:35:01]
NOT EVEN ASKING FOR DISCUSSION.ALRIGHT, MR. CHAIRMAN, I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE YOU TO ATTEND OUR WORK SESSIONS, WHICH ARE PUBLIC AND START AT FIVE 30.
AND THAT'S WHEN WE DO HAVE SOME OF THE MORE CONTROVERSIAL, UH, TOPICS THAT WE POSE FOR DISCUSSION.
THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT WE DID TODAY AT SIX O'CLOCK, I GAVE YOU PRESENTATION TO THE TOWN BOARD, OPEN IT UP FOR DISCUSSION.
THE BOARD MEMBERS WHO WERE WELL VERSED IN THE ISSUE WERE ABLE TO VOTE THEIR CONSCIENCE.
I STARTED HERE WITH THE TOWN BACK IN 2012.
I WAS AN IRON WORKER FOR 10 YEARS.
HAD A LOT OF BUILDING TREASURE EXPERIENCE.
UM, I STARTED OUT AS A 90, 90% LABOR.
WORKED MY WAY UNDER A SPECIAL LABOR AND LEARNED THE TRADE.
I WAS ABLE TO THEN HAVE THE QUALIFICATIONS AND THE EXPERIENCE AND THE KNOWLEDGE TO TAKE HIS SPOT.
THEY SAY CHEAP LABOR ISN'T GOOD AND GOOD LABOR ISN'T CHEAP.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A LABOR AND A SPECIAL LABOR IS A DOLLAR 39 AN HOUR UNTIL YOU GET YOU YOURSELF UP INTO A LIFT.
70 FEET UP IN THE AIR, CUTTING TREES, RISKING YOUR LIFE OR PAINTING OR WELDING OR ANYTHING.
SKILLED LABOR, BESIDES WHAT YOU CALL US, IS UNEDUCATED DITCH DIGGERS, WHICH IS INSULTING A DOLLAR 39 AN HOUR.
ED HUGHES, I READ HIS POST LAST WEEK.
THEY SAVED THE TOWN $200,000 SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THIS YEAR.
JUST CUTTING TREES ALONE, LET ALONE ALL THE WELDING, LET ALONE ALL THE, WE HAD TO SUB ALL OUR WORK OUT TO WILL BROWN TO DO THE DOCK WORK DOWN AT THE BEACH.
YOU SEE WHAT OUR BEACH LOOKS LIKE.
YOU SEE WHAT THESE MEN AND WOMEN DO.
IT TAKES A DISA, IT GOES FROM LOOKING LIKE A DISASTER TO A NICE BEAUTIFUL BEACH THAT ALL OF US HAMBURG RESIDENTS GET TO ENJOY.
SO ONE OTHER THING, THIS GUY PAT RYAN IS OUR FOREMAN.
OUR GUY, OUR MEN AND WOMEN WORK OUR TAIL OFF FOR THIS GUY.
WHAT YOU DID TO HIM WAS WRONG.
THIS NATHANIEL RIVERO HAD A MEETING WITH US GUYS THE VERY FIRST DAY.
HE COULDN'T EVEN ADDRESS US AS FAR AS, HEY, WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY ANYTHING TO THE MEN AND WOMEN YOU'RE ABOUT TO REPRESENT? OH, I WASN'T PREPARED FOR IT.
THEN HE GOES ON THE RECORD OF SAYING, IF THERE'S ANYBODY THAT YOU GUYS WOULD LIKE TO HIRE, YOU KNOW, REACH OUT, REACH OUT TO HIM.
BUT PLEASE DON'T LET, DON'T, UH, WE DON'T NEED ANYBODY 60 OR 70 YEARS OLD.
SO YOU'RE TAKING THIS CANDIDATE FROM FLORIDA.
WHY THIS GUY, PAT RYAN, WHO GAVE HIS HEART AND SOUL INTO THIS DEPARTMENT AND YOU HIRED YOUR OWN PERSON FROM FLORIDA.
TERRIBLE, THAT KNOWS NOTHING ABOUT WATCHING NEW YORK.
HOW MANY CANDIDATES WERE INTERVIEWED DURING THE INTERVIEW PROCESS? CIVIL SERVICE.
WHERE'S THE SIMPLE SERVICE? AND HOLD ON ONE.
YOU SAY WE'RE GOOD ENOUGH AS SPECIAL LABORS TO GET PAID WHEN WE DO THE WORK.
SO IF WE'RE GETTING PAID A SPECIAL LABOR RATE, THEN THERE IS A SPECIAL LABOR THING IN ERIE COUNTY, CORRECT? NO.
SO WHERE'S THE RATE COMING FROM? FROM THE CONTRACT? THERE'S AN UPGRADE.
I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO CLARIFY A FEW ISSUES.
PAT RYAN HAS NEVER BEEN FIRED.
HE CONTINUES TO BE EMPLOYED BY THE TOWN OF HAMBURG UNDER HIS CURRENT TITLE, WITH THE ADDITIONAL LEADERSHIP STIPEND OF $7,500 PER YEAR.
HE'S NOT GOING ANYWHERE FOR $90,000 A YEAR.
WE HIRED NATE RIVERA FOR $85,000 A YEAR,
[02:40:01]
WHICH IS FAR LESS THAN THE $114,000 PLUS THAT WE WERE PAYING PREVIOUS EMPLOYEES THAT WERE TASKED BUT NOT ABLE TO PERFORM THE WORK THAT WE ASKED ABOUT.YOU GUYS CAN'T FORWARD EITHER.
FOLKS, I WOULD ASK YOU TO REMAIN QUIET UNTIL YOU ARE RECOGNIZED AND GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.
I'VE ALSO HEARD FOR THE SECOND TIME THAT I REFERRED TO OUR BLUE COLLAR WORKFORCE AS UNEDUCATED DITCH DIGGERS DURING CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS.
NOW I'M RESPECTFUL OF CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS AND THE PRIVACY THAT SHOULD BE AFFORDED TO CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS.
HOWEVER, SINCE PRESIDENT K SEK HAS OPENED THE DOOR TO THAT CONVERSATION, WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO CLARIFY IS THE UNION WAS LOOKING TO COMPENSATE NEW EMPLOYEES AT A RATE THAT WAS HIGHER THAN OUR TOWN POLICE DEPARTMENT, WHO ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE A TWO YEAR DEGREE.
WHILE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR LABOR DO NOT INCLUDE A TWO YEAR DEGREE, AND I DID NOT FEEL IT WAS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE TOWN OF HAMBURG, OUR RESIDENTS.
AND FURTHERMORE, I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE A SLAP IN THE FACE TO THE MEN AND WOMEN THAT PROTECT AND SERVE THIS COMMUNITY IF WE WERE TO START OUR LABORERS AT A RATE HIGHER THAN POLICE OFFICERS IN THE TOWN OF HAMBURG.
SO I THOUGHT IT'S IMPORTANT TO PROVIDE SOME CONTEXT FOR MS. KRA SEX.
ALEC, IS THERE ANYBODY ELSE ON THE LIST? MAUREEN? HI.
ON OCTOBER 1ST, 2021 AT 6:00 AM CWA LED 1800 MEMBERS OF CATHOLIC HEALTH OUT ON STRIKE.
YOU SHOWED UP AND WALKED SIDE BY SIDE NEXT TO ME, LEADING ME TO BELIEVE THAT YOU ARE A UNION SUPPORTER AND BELIEVING IN WHAT THE UNION STANDS FOR.
APPARENTLY YOU MUST LED ME AND EVERYONE ELSE THAT WALKED THAT PICKET LINE.
YOU MUST HAVE ONLY BEEN LOOKING FOR THE ENDORSEMENT OF THE UNIONS.
I DON'T KNOW, BUT YOUR ATTACK ON OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CSC LOCAL 1000 IS AN ATTACK ON EVERY UNION MEMBER IN ERIE COUNTY IN WESTERN NEW YORK.
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU HAVE NOTICED LATELY, BUT THE UNION MOVEMENT IS VERY STRONG IN THIS AREA AND WE LEAD THE COUNTRY RIGHT NOW.
LOOK AT STARBUCKS PARK AND LOOK AT STRIKE AND CATHOLIC HEALTH JUST SUCCESSFULLY DID.
WE AS UNION MEMBERS WILL STAND SIDE BY SIDE IN SOLIDARITY WITH OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS, AND WE WILL SUPPORT THEM TO THE END UNION.
YEAH, MS. I DO RECALL THAT DAY BACK IN OCTOBER, AND I WAS PROUD TO STAND WITH YOU, PROTESTING THE $14 A 10 CENTS PER HOUR.
THE TRANSPORT AIDS WERE RECEIVING AT MERCY HOSPITAL.
THE DEPLORABLE CONDITIONS THAT OUR NURSES WERE PUT INTO WITH LISTS LONGER THAN THEY COULD MANAGE AND NO SAFE STAFFING LEVELS.
I HAVE BEEN AN ADVOCATE AND WORKED IN SENIOR SERVICES IN NURSING HOMES FOR MY ENTIRE CAREER.
AND I WILL CONTINUE TO STAND UP AND STAND BY OUR HEALTHCARE WORKERS WHO HAVE NOT BEEN GIVEN FAIR COMPENSATION FOR THEIR CAREERS.
I ALSO HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF ENSURING THAT THE TOWN OF HAMBURG STAYS WITHIN THE COMPLIANCE OF CIVIL SERVICE LAW LAW.
AND WHILE SOME FOLKS ARE HAVING TITLE CHANGES AND WILL BE LOSING NOMINAL COMPENSATION, THERE WILL BE OPPORTUNITIES FOR LABORERS, SPECIALIZED LABOR, SKILLED LABOR IN THE TOWN OF HAMBURG.
WE RECOGNIZE THAT TRAINING AND IS MY PROMISE TO TOWN SUPERVISOR THAT WE WILL CONTINUE TO EDUCATE AND PROMOTE MEMBERS WITHIN OUR UNION TO UNION POSITIONS.
NEXT 15 REPORTS FROM DEPARTMENT HEADS IT CHIEF, WE, UH, HELD OUR CHARITY HOCKEY GAME THIS PAST SATURDAY AND I WANT TO THANK ALL THE, UH, ATTENDEES, THE PARTICIPANTS AND EVERYONE THAT HELPED OUT WITH THAT.
WE RAISED $19,000 FOR PARAL DOYLE AND HER FAMILY AUDIENCE.
UM, I WANNA THANK EVERYBODY THAT CAME OUT ON SATURDAY TO
[02:45:01]
THE HAZARDOUS HOUSEHOLD WASTE, UH, COLLECTION.WE DID OVER 700 CARS AND, UH, IN ABOUT FOUR HOURS.
SO, UH, IT WAS VERY WELL ATTENDED AND VERY, UH, A LOT OF PEOPLE CAME OUT AND REALLY DID A GREAT JOB, ESPECIALLY MY OLD MEMBERS.
THEIR, THEIR GUYS WERE ALSO VOLUNTEERING TOO.
UM, WE'LL BE ANNOUNCING OUR ROADS, UH, NEXT, NEXT WEEK ON THE PAVING.
AND, UM, REMEMBER MONDAYS AND THURSDAYS WE HAVE A HEADS THE ELECTRONIC DROP OFF AT OUR, AT OUR, UH, BARNS.
AND, UM, WE'VE BEEN DOING A LOT OF LANDSCAPING AND FIXING UP FROM THE STORM.
THAT'S WHY I HAVE SOME TRANSFER SOME MONEY AROUND.
UM, LIKE OUR GUYS HAVE BEEN WORKING OVERTIME, UH, TRYING TO DO CATCH UP WITH THE LANDSCAPING.
THANK YOU SUPERINTENDENT PUBLIC WORKS.
UM, I'LL LET YOU GUYS KNOW THE CLOCK TOWER WORK HAS STARTED.
THEY HAVE THE ACCESS ROAD IN DRILLING FOR THE S'S GONNA START.
UH, THE TUNNEL RAMP REPAIR HAS STARTED TOO.
THEY GUYS CEMENT BAGS OF SAND THAT THEY SET.
THEY'RE GONNA, UH, UH, BLOCK OFF THE AREA WATER ON THE RAIL REPAIR PROBABLY ABOUT FOUR OR SIX WEEKS ON THE TOTAL PROJECT.
UH, MOUNT VERNON, UH, CCTV IS STILL CONTINUING.
THEY'VE ONLY, UH, UH, SEWERS ROUTE FIVE, SO THEY HAVE TO BE VIDEOED YET.
UH, NEXT WEEK, THURSDAY OR FRIDAY IS WHEN WE'RE GONNA START LINING.
SO, UH, ELECTRIC AND SOME MORE REPAIR WORK BEING DONE, DONE THERE.
UM, AND FROM THE BUILDING PART, I'D LIKE TO WELCOME MIKE VE UM, AND I'D LIKE TO LET EVERYONE KNOW WE'RE GONNA BE INTERVIEWING FOR
UH, JUST QUICK UPDATE ON THE LED PROJECT.
I THINK WE'RE AT APPROXIMATELY 3,600 LIGHTS, CONVERTED, STREET LIGHTS CONVERTED IN THE TOWN.
UM, WE'RE STARTING TO IDENTIFY SOME OF THE MORE TROUBLESOME AREAS AND WE'LL START TO WORK THROUGH THOSE ISSUES.
UH, WE ALSO HAD ANOTHER MEETING ON THE TOWN ARENA CONCEPT PLANS.
AND WE CONTINUE TO WORK WITH THE CONSULTANT THERE ON, UH, FINALIZING SOME IDEAS, UH, TO HOPEFULLY PRESENT TO THE BOARD, UH, DOWN THE ROAD.
YOUTH REC AND SENIOR SERVICES.
WE'VE FINALLY BEEN ABLE TO GET ON THE GOLF COURSE WITH GOLF CART.
UM, SO THAT'S PRETTY EXCITING.
WE ARE GOING TO BE HAVING A LUNCH, UM, IN TWO SATURDAYS WITH A BUNCH OF OUR ADAPTED REC INDIVIDUALS AS WELL AS 50 SENIORS.
UM, WE'LL BE HAVING LUNCH TOGETHER AND HAVING A GET TO KNOW YOU, UM, ACTIVITY.
AND WE'RE ALSO, I THINK FULL EXCEPT FOR ONE WEEK FOR DAY CAMP TOWN TAUGHT AND
NOTHING TO REPORT TO THE BEST OF YOUR KNOWLEDGE.
HAS THE GREENSKEEPER POSITION BEEN POSTED? NO.
DID HAS IT BEEN PREVIOUSLY POSTED FOR THE UNION? THE, THE GREENSKEEPER POSITION? IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT IT'S BEEN, THAT IT HAS BEEN POSTED, YES.
HAS THERE BEEN ANY APPLICANTS? NO.
COULD YOU TELL ME HOW MANY YEARS EXPERIENCE YOU HAVE WORKING ON A GOLF COURSE? BEEN IN OUR GOLF COURSE.
COURSE SEASON WAS MY FIFTH SEASON.
I WORKED AT BRIARWOOD WHEN I WAS YOUNG.
I KNOW YOU INTERPRETED AS A YEAR, BUT THAT WAS A SEASON.
I'M THE ONLY ONE IN THE WHOLE UNION THAT SIGNED IT.
I SIGNED A BID THAT YOUR PERSONNEL PUT FORWARD THAT SAID NOTHING ABOUT THE EXPERIENCE THAT YOU GUYS PULLED OUT FROM THE CIVIL SERVICE.
SO I DID EVERYTHING THEN I SIGNED THAT BID AS WELL.
SO DO YOU GUYS KNOW THAT I'M QUALIFIED? I OPENED THE GOLF COURSE FOR YOU GUYS PLAYED ME, I DID EVERYTHING YOU GUYS WANTED.
DO YOU HAVE FIVE YEARS? DO YOU HAVE FIVE YEARS OF EXPERIENCE WORKING ON A GOLF GAME? YES.
SEASON CIVIL SERVICE LAW IS ONE YEAR.
MR. A FALDO'S APPLICATION WAS EVALUATED AND HIS EXPERIENCE FELL SHORT.
FOR OPENING THE LAW FIVE YEARS AND MAKING IT LOOK BEAUTIFUL.
I KNOW THAT THERE'S FOLKS THAT WOULD LIKE US TO IGNORE CIVIL SERVICE LAW, BUT THAT'S NOT WHAT WE'RE GONNA DO IN HAMBURG.
IF YOU'RE A DEPARTMENT YET THAT I HAVEN'T CALLED UPON YET, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
I WOULD JUST LIKE TO THANK, UM, ED HUGHES AND THE HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT FOR ALL OF THE DIFFERENT THINGS THEY HAVE BEEN DOING AND I WANT TO POINT EVERYONE TO.
UH, THEY'VE BEEN DOING A TERRIFIC JOB OF GETTING INFORMATION OUT TO THE COMMUNITY VIA SOCIAL MEDIA.
I ENJOY GETTING HIS FREQUENT POSTS AND THEY'RE A GREAT REMINDER FOR ME AS A RESIDENT.
IT TELLS ME WHEN THE BRUSH PICKUP IS GONNA BE IN MY ZONE WHERE THE
[02:50:01]
TREE CREW IS OUT.UM, I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THE PAVING NEXT WEEK.
SO I JUST WANTED TO COMPLIMENT HIM AND HIS DEPARTMENT BECAUSE I THINK THE SOCIAL MEDIA EFFORTS HAVE BEEN GREAT AND IT REPRESENTS ALL OF THE OTHER WORK THAT THEY'RE DOING.
MS. COMERFORD, UH, I WANTED TO WELCOME MICHAEL VALLA.
WELCOME TO THE TOWN OF HAMBURG.
WE ARE VERY EXCITED TO HAVE YOU IN OUR, UH, MIDST AND WORKING WITH US.
I KNOW THE BUILDINGS DEPARTMENT IS EXCITED TO HAVE YOU AS WELL.
UM, I WANTED TO THANK KEN SONIA FOR TAKING THE TIME TO MEET WITH DOT AND WORK HAND IN HAND WITH THEM TO FIND CREATIVE SOLUTIONS TO SHARED PROBLEM.
UM, I WANTED TO THANK JOE BONKO FOR HIS SERVICE.
HE RETIRED ON FRIDAY AND WE ARE GOING TO MISS HIM DEEPLY, BUT WE KNOW HE WILL BE ENJOYING HIS RETIREMENT.
AND THEN I WANNA ENCOURAGE ANYBODY WHO IS PRESENT TO CONSIDER PARTICIPATING.
UM, THE VILLAGE OF HAMBURG LIBRARY IS DOING A BLOOD DRIVE.
THERE IS A CRITICAL BLOOD SHORTAGE THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY.
IT IS MAY 22ND AT 12:30 PM SO IF YOU ARE ABLE, PLEASE CONSIDER AND IF YOU ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO DONATE BLOOD, PERHAPS YOU CAN SUPPORT THE LIBRARY AND SOME OTHER ENDEAVOR TO, UM, ADDRESS THAT NEED.
UM, MR. T IN REGARDS TO THE, THE FIREFIGHTER.
UH, JUST WANNA LET YOU KNOW, WE CERTAINLY ARE, UH, LOOKING INTO THAT.
WE DO HAVE, UM, SOME, HAD SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW THAT PROGRAM WORKED BECAUSE FROM OUR UNDERSTANDING IT WAS, UH, A RECRUITMENT TOOL.
BUT IN MY RESEARCH, UH, MOST OF THE FIREFIGHTERS ARE RENTERS AND THEY WOULDN'T BENEFIT FROM THE THE PROGRAM.
SO WE'VE TALKED TO SOME PEOPLE AND WE'RE HOPING, UM, WE CERTAINLY ARE A HUNDRED PERCENT IN FAVOR.
WE, YOU KNOW, WOULD LIKE TO DO IT.
UM, BUT AGAIN, YOU KNOW, IN FAIRNESS OF DOING THE DUE DILIGENCE, WE REACH OUT AND WE HAVE HAD MEETING.
SO I DON'T WANT YOU TO THINK THAT IT'S BEING IGNORED OR HASN'T BEEN TALKED ABOUT.
UM, BUT WE ARE, YOU KNOW, UH, LOOKING INTO IT AND THERE ARE A FEW CONCERNS THAT WE THINK THIS MIGHT BE A GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO BRING UP SO THAT THERE COULD POSSIBLY BE AMENDMENTS, THERE COULD POSSIBLY ENHANCEMENTS, UM, SO THAT SOME OF THE YOUNG FIREFIGHTERS THAT AREN'T HOMEOWNERS, UM, WOULD POSSIBLY BENEFIT.
UM, THAT IN THE CURRENT LAW AS WE UNDERSTAND IT, UM, THEY WON'T BENEFIT FROM IT.
SO THE MAIN RECRUITMENT TOOL, UM, ISN'T GONNA BE AS EFFECTIVE AS IT MIGHT BE IF WE CAN ADAPT, UH, ADOPT SOMETHING, UH, A LITTLE BIT MORE SPECIFIC TO THAT.
ANYTIME, PLEASE GIVE ME A CALL.
I'LL COME IN, I'LL BRING ANY AND I'LL PAPERWORK I CAN AND I'LL BE MORE THAN HAPPY.
AND YOU'RE RIGHT, MAJORITY OF THE FIREMEN OUR RENTERS OR CHILDREN OF, BUT LIKE I SAID, IT'S NOT GONNA BE EVERYBODY.
IT'S GONNA BE A SMALL PERCENTAGE.
I FIGURE BETWEEN FIVE AND 10% IN THIS TOWN BECAUSE VILLAGE OF BLAZEDALE, THE ASSESSED VALUE WE ALL KNOW IS NOT GONNA BE 200,000 BECAUSE WE CAN'T TAKE THE 10% THERE PLUS THE $200 ON OUR INCOME TAX.
IT'S GONNA BE ONE OR THE OTHER.
SO IF MY HOUSE IS ASSESSED A HUNDRED, I GET 10% THERE.
AM I GONNA TAKE THE A HUNDRED DOLLARS THERE OR AM I GONNA GO AHEAD AND TAKE IT THERE? WE ALL KNOW THAT, BUT THERE ARE PEOPLE WHERE YOU GOT A HUSBAND AND A WIFE WHO MAY BE LIVING OUT UP OFF OF, UH, MCKINLEY IN THE NEW AREA WHERE THE ASSESSED VALUE PROBABLY IS OVER 200, MAYBE HERE I'M GONNA TAKE THE HOUSE.
YOU TAKE THE $200 CREDIT FROM THE TAX PICKUP TAX AND WORK TOGETHER THAT WAY.
IT IS GONNA BE THE MINORITY THAT WILL AND TO HELP THEM OUT.
THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO.
UM, AND THEN I JUST WANNA ADDRESS MR. CHAPMAN'S CONCERN ABOUT THE OPEN MEETINGS LOT.
YOU KNOW, JUST SO YOU'RE AWARE, WE DO HAVE SEVERAL MEETINGS IN BETWEEN BOARD MEETINGS, MEETING OFTEN BY THE TIME THAT WE HAVE A DECISION.
WE HAVE NOT WITHIN COMPLIANCE OF THE LAW, WHICH MEANS, YOU KNOW, TWO BOARD MEMBERS.
A LOT OF TIMES IT'S WITH, UH, THE DEPARTMENT HEADS OR IT'S WITH THE EMPLOYEES.
UM, SO I UNDERSTAND YOUR CONCERN, UH, BUT WE CERTAINLY DO TAKE A TON OF TIME, A TON OF EFFORT, A TON OF DUE DILIGENCE, UM, OUTSIDE OF THE PUBLIC FORUM, UH, WHERE YOU SEE THE FINAL DECISIONS BEING MADE.
A LOT OF THOSE DECISIONS HAVE BEEN, YOU KNOW, UH, HASHED OUT, UH, IN, UH, MEETINGS WITH DEPARTMENT HEADS, WITH EMPLOYEES, UM, CONSERVATION BOARDS, RECREATION BOARDS, YOU KNOW, VOLUNTEERS IN THE COMMUNITY, UM, SENIOR CITIZEN BOARD.
[02:55:01]
SO A LOT OF TIMES, UM, TIMES, UM, YOU SEE THE END RESULT.SO, UH, I JUST WANNA MAKE SURE THAT YOU'RE AWARE THAT WE, UH, AREN'T IN VIOLATION OF GUILT MEANSES YET.
WE DO HAVE A LOT OF DIALOGUE AND DISCUSSION.
UM, SECOND THING I WANNA ADJUST WAS MR. BEST, UM, UH, I GUESS ACCUSATION IN TERMS OF, OF THE HIRING OF JILL GORMAN.
UM, AS RANDY SAID, I WAS ON THAT, UH, COMMITTEE.
THERE WAS ABOUT SEVEN OF US AND I HAD TO MY RECOLLECTION, NEVER EVEN MET, UH, JILL GORMAN BEFORE MY ENTIRE LIFE.
AND, UH, ONE OF THE OTHER CANDIDATES I ACTUALLY KNEW VERY WELL, HE GREW UP ABOUT FOUR HOUSES DOWN AND HAS BEEN A VERY, VERY DEAR CLOSE, UH, FAMILY FRIEND, UM, FOR OVER 45 YEARS.
THAT'S THE ONE THAT WAS THERE FOR 25 YEARS IN RECREATION AND HAD WORKED IN RECREATION FOR
BUT BASICALLY IF I WAS TO HAVE GIVEN IT TO, UH, SOMEBODY IN TERMS OF NOT LOOKING AT WHAT, IN MY OPINION WAS THE HIGHEST QUALIFICATIONS, UM, I CAN GUARANTEE A HUNDRED PERCENT IT WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN JILL GORMAN.
UM, BUT I FELT I HAD A FIDUCIARY RESPONSIBILITY TO ALL THE TAXPAYERS, TO ALL THE PEOPLE THAT ELECTED ME TO MAKE THAT DECISION TO CHOOSE SOMEBODY THAT I FELT WAS ONE OF THE BEST CANDIDATES WE COULD HAVE EVER ASKED FOR.
AND THE SEVEN OTHER, UH, MEMBERS ALSO CAME TO THE SAME CONCLUSION.
UM, SO, UH, I UNDERSTAND THE, THE, THE LOOK OF THAT, BUT I JUST WANTED TO GIVE YOU, UH, THE, THE OPTICS LOOK, OPTICS LOOK TERRIBLE AND THE EARLY RESULTS AREN'T TOO FAVORABLE FOR A LOT OF RESIDENTS.
I GUESS, UM, THE SECOND THING I WANTED TO TALK TO, UH, TALK BRIEFLY ABOUT WAS, UM, YOU KNOW, IT WAS MENTIONED THAT COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE BOARD AND THE B AND G, UH, I GUESS THE IMPRESSION WAS THAT IT DOESN'T EXIST OR THAT SOME BOARD MEMBERS AREN'T OPEN TO THAT DIALOGUE.
UM, AND AGAIN, I JUST WANNA SAY THAT I DON'T THINK THAT'S, UH, ENTIRELY ACCURATE.
UM, I MAKE A POINT TO REACH OUT.
UM, IN FACT, THE ONLY CALL I GOT IN REGARDS TO THIS MEETING WAS ON MY CELL PHONE FROM A BNG EMPLOYEE WHO I GAVE MY CELL PHONE NUMBER TO IF ISSUES CAME UP.
UM, AND I THINK, YOU KNOW, MANY MEMBERS IN THE B AND G CAN ATTEST TO THE FACT THAT I MAKE MYSELF AVAILABLE, UH, NIGHTS, WEEKENDS, HOLIDAYS, UH, WHATEVER THE CASE IS.
AND I CERTAINLY, UM, YOU KNOW, JUST DON'T WANT THAT TO BE OUT THERE THAT I DON'T CARE OR THAT, UM, WE AS A BOARD DON'T CARE.
I THINK ALL FIVE OF US DO CARE.
SO, UM, AND I WILL REMAIN COMPLETELY ACCESSIBLE AND COMPLETELY OPEN TO IDEAS AND HELPING EVERYONE THE BEST I CAN.
AND I, AND I'M VERY CONFIDENT THAT THE ENTIRE BOARD, UH, 'CAUSE I'VE WORKED WITH 'EM VERY CLOSELY, UH, WE'LL ALL CONTINUE TO DO THE SAME.
UM, I UNDERSTAND THE FRUSTRATION AND I THINK, YOU KNOW, WE HEAR YOU LOUD AND CLEAR AND WE APPRECIATE YOUR OPENNESS AND YOUR HONESTY.
YOU KNOW, THIS EVENING, UH, WE'RE NOT ALWAYS PERFECT AND WE CERTAINLY ARE GOING TO TAKE WHAT YOU SAID INTO CONSIDERATION, UM, BUT TO THINK THAT WE DON'T CARE OR TO THINK THAT WE DON'T DO OUR HOMEWORK OR DON'T, YOU KNOW, REALLY THINK THINGS THROUGH, UM, I DON'T WANT THAT TO BE OUT THERE BECAUSE THAT'S JUST NOT ACCURATE.
UH, IN FACT, TWO OF THE FIVE PEOPLE THAT, UH, WE HAD THIS RESOLUTION REDUCE THEIR PAY, UM, I'VE BEEN CLOSE FAMILY FRIENDS WITH FOR OVER 30 YEARS AND I DON'T TAKE IT.
UM, BUT AGAIN, I WAS HIRED TO, YOU KNOW, MAKE DECISIONS THAT ULTIMATELY I FEEL ARE IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE TAXPAYERS.
AND, UH, AGAIN, WE'RE NOT PERFECT.
WE'RE OPEN TO, UH, YOUR CRITICISM.
UH, CERTAINLY, YOU KNOW, I'VE ALWAYS BEEN A BIG, UH, UNION SUPPORTER, UNION MEMBER, MYSELF, MY GRANDPARENTS, MY PARENTS.
UH, THIS IS NOT IN ATTACK ON UNIONS.
SO, UM, I WOULD JUST WANTED TO, YOU KNOW, CLEAR THE AIR ON A FEW OF THOSE, UH, COMMENTS AND, AND INNUENDOS THAT WE'RE THROWING OUT THERE.
UH, AND AGAIN, I REALLY APPRECIATE EVERYONE'S OPEN OPENNESS AND HONESTY TO, UH, UH, TO SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH US TONIGHT.
UM, I WOULD JUST LIKE TO ADD ON TO, TO SEAN'S COMMENTS.
YEAH, IT WAS CERTAINLY, IT WAS NOT AN EASY DECISION.
UH, BUT WE DO HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO COMPLY WITH ALL LAWS OF THE LAND.
I ALSO, IT'S NOT O OFTEN THAT YOU HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO PROVE OR DISPROVE A A RUMOR THAT'S THROWN AROUND YOU, BUT IT'S BEEN ALLEGED THAT WE DID HIRE ASSEMBLYMAN RIVERA'S RELATIVE.
I CERTAINLY WOULDN'T HOLD THAT AGAINST HIM IF THAT WAS THE CASE, IT WOULDN'T GIVE HIM ANY SPECIAL TREATMENT IN THE, IN
[03:00:01]
APPLYING FOR THE JOB.BUT WE DO HAVE A RELATIVE OF ASSEMBLYMAN RIVERA THAT'S WITH US AT THE MEETING TONIGHT.
AND IF HE HAS ANY INFORMATION ON WHETHER OR NOT MR. RIVERA IS RELATED TO THE ASSEMBLYMAN, I'D LIKE TO GIVE HIM THE OPPORTUNITY TO CLARIFY FOR US, DO WE ADVERTISE IN FLORIDA FOR POSITIONS IN HAMBURG? SO THE OTHER ISSUE THAT, YOU KNOW, HAMBURG CAN BE A PLACE WHERE WE LOOK AT PEOPLE AS OTHERS AS FROM NOT HERE.
PERHAPS THEY LOOK A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT AND THEY DON'T FIT IN.
HE GREW UP IN HAMBURG AND HE IS CALLED HAMBURG HOME FOR MOST OF HIS LIFE WHILE HE DID LIVE IN IN FLORIDA.
GET FIRED FROM WHILE HE, HOW MANY RUMORS DO YOU WANNA SPIN HERE, MR. BEST? AS I SAID BEFORE, YOUR TIME IS OVER.
WE CAN MAKE A MOTION TO ADJOURN.
BEFORE WE DO THAT, I DO HAVE TO REPORT THAT ON THURSDAY, MAY 11TH, WE WILL BE HOSTING A BIKE RODEO WITH GO BIKE AT THE HAMBURG MIDDLE SCHOOL FROM FIVE TO SEVEN.
THERE ARE 10 SPOTS OPEN FOR YOUTH THAT WOULD LIKE TO REGISTER.
THIS IS NOT JUST FOR KIDS, THIS IS FOR ANYBODY THAT WOULD LIKE TO PARTICIPATE IN THEIR ACTIVE MOBILITY PLANNING.
ANYBODY THAT WOULD LIKE TO SIGN UP TO HELP KEEP THE STREETS SAFER AT THE INTERSECTION OF SOUTH PARK AND LAKE AVENUE, WHERE WE HAD A TRAGIC FATALITY MOST RECENTLY, AS WELL AS THE INTERSECTION OF PLEASANT AND LAKE STREET NEAR THE VILLAGE OF HAMBURG AND THE INTERSECTIONS OF CLARK AND MCKINLEY.
THOSE ARE ALL INTERSECTIONS THAT WE WILL BE DOING.
AND IF YOU'D LIKE TO SIGN UP TO HELP US, YOU CAN DO SO AT THE BIKE ROAD RODEO THIS THURSDAY FROM FIVE TO SEVEN.
I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO ADDRESS A QUESTION THAT WAS PROPOSED EARLIER IN THE PUBLIC EXPRESSION ASKING IF THE GREENSKEEPER POSITION WILL BECOME NON-UNION.
THE ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION IS NO.
WE FULLY INTEND TO KEEP THE GREENSKEEPER POSITION A UNION POSITION IN THE TOWN OF HAMBURG.
AND WHILE IT WAS UNFORTUNATE THAT WE DIDN'T HAVE ANYBODY THAT MET THE CURRENT CIVIL SERVICE REQUIREMENTS, WE WILL FIND SOMEBODY WHO IS ABLE TO MEET THOSE REQUIREMENTS AND WELCOME THEM INTO EMPLOYMENT IN THE TOWN OF HAMBURG.
I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK THE FOLKS FROM LAKESHORE MANAGEMENT COMPANY WHO OVERSEE THE MANUFACTURED HOME PARK, MORE COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS BROOK GARDENS.
FOR DONATING THE TIME TO HELP THE TOWN OF HAMBURG CLEAN UP LAKE AVENUE FROM THE VILLAGE OF BLAZE DELL TO ROUTE FIVE WE'RE ABLE TO REMOVE 31 BAGS OF GARBAGE WITH THE HELP OF EASE OF VOLUNTEERS AND THE WORK OF TWO BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEES WHO ASSISTED IN THE EFFORT.
THERE'S A NOTICEABLE DIFFERENCE ON LAKE AVENUE AND WE WERE PROUD TO TAKE PART IN THAT.
IF COMPANIES OR INDIVIDUALS ARE LOOKING FOR FUTURE VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES, PLEASE REACH OUT TO MY OFFICE.
LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO ADJOURN.
SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER COUNTY.