January 11, 2023 Organizational Meeting Minutes
TOWN OF POMFRET
ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING
JANUARY 11, 2023 at 5:30P.M.
Supervisor Daniel Pacos
Present: Town Clerk Allison Vento
Highway Superintendent Jude Gardner
Councilpersons:
Councilman Christopher Schaeffer
Councilman Brett Christy
Councilwoman Ann Eckman
Councilman John Sedota
Supervisor Pacos began the Organizational meeting with the Pledge to the Flag.
APPROVAL OF SALARIES FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS
Supervisor $ 12,000
Councilperson (4) $ 4,500 (each)
Town Justices (2) $16,500(each)
Town Clerk $46,500
Highway Superintendent $72,000
DULY MOVED by Councilman Sedota, seconded by Councilman Schaeffer and carried unanimously.
BOARD OF ASSESSMENT REVIEW
The following members will continue to serve on the Board of Assessment Review with
their terms expiring as so stated and with the appointment of Ann LaPaglia to serve
on the Board of Assessment Review:
Roger Renswick 9/20/2024
Vacancy 9/30/2025
Harry Centner 9/30/2026
Alan Shaw 9/30/2027
Ann LaPaglia 9/30/2028
DULY MOVED by Councilman Schaeffer, seconded by Councilwoman Eckman and carried unanimously.
APPOINT DEPUTY SUPERVISOR AND SET SALARY
Councilwoman Ann Eckman appointed as Deputy Supervisor at the salary of $600.00.
DULY MOVED by Councilman Christy, seconded by Councilman Sedota and carried unanimously with Councilwoman Eckman abstaining.
APPOINT DEPUTY TOWN CLERK/DEPUTY TAX COLLECTOR
Town Clerk Vento appoints Teresa Bunge as Deputy Town Clerk and Deputy Tax Collector.
DULY MOVED by Councilwoman Eckman, seconded by Councilman Christy and carried unanimously.
APPOINT DEPUTY HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT
Highway Superintendent Jude Gardner appoints Jeff O’Brien as Deputy Highway
Superintendent at the rate of $1.50 per hour in addition to his hourly rate.
DULY MOVED by Councilman Sedota, seconded by Councilman Schaeffer and carried unanimously.
APPOINTMENTS AND SALARIES AS FOLLOWS:
Jeanne Ebersole – Assessor $90,640 per year
*The subject of a multi-municipal shared service agreement
Caryn Tresler -Assessor Clerk $16.20 per hour
Board of Assessment Review $14.40 per hour
Warren Kelly-Code/Inspection Officer $34,000.00 per year
Warren Kelly-Fire Inspector $5,437.00 per year
Jason Luce-Zoning Officer $7,500 per year
Jason Luce-Deputy Inspection Officer $20.00 per hour
Jim McKillip-Deputy Inspection Officer $20.00 per hour
Teresa Bunge-Secretary for Zoning & Planning Board $17.55 per hour
Allison Vento -Civil Defense Officer $150.00 per year
Miriam Washington-Court Clerk $17.82 per hour
Heidi Sobecki- Court Clerk $16.25 per hour
Mark Dietzen -Court Officer $16.76 per hour
David Pleszewski-Court Officer $16.76 per hour
Tom Fisher -Town Constable Fees As Allowed By State
Douglas Bunge-Town Constable Fees As Allowed By State
Pat Ambrose-Town Constable Fees As Allowed By State
Daniel Smith-Town Constable Fees As Allowed By State
Allison Vento -Registrar Fees As Allowed By State
Teresa Bunge-Deputy Town Clerk $17.55 per hour
Allison Vento -Tax Collector $6,350.00 per year
Teresa Bunge-Deputy Tax Receiver $3,250.00 per year
Jeffrey Passafaro-Town Counsel $160.00 per hour/$185.00 per hour
Bahgat & Laurito-Bahgat-Bookkeeping Services $16,600.00 per year
Brad Dietzen-Pomfret Cemetery Sexton $17.55 per hour
Jude Gardner -Cemetery Maintenance Supervisor $2,800.00 per year
Dennis Maslak $30.89 per hour
Loren Laurito $30.29 per hour
Jeff O’Brien (includes $1.50/hr. for Deputy. Highway Superintendent) $31.68 per hour
David Dunlap $30.14 per hour
Jeff Abbey $25.46 per hour
Paul Kingsbury $25.46 per hour
Tyler Haynes $25.46 per hour
Jude Gardner -Public Works Superintendent $2,400.00 per year
Jude Gardner -Water Dist. System Operator $2,000.00 per year
Loren Laurito -Water Dist. System Operator $2,000.00 per year
Allison Vento- Water District System Clerk $3,000.00 per year
John Bell-Lily Dale Sewage Treatment Plant Operator $16,465.00 per year
John Paul Long- Dog Control Officer $6,600.00 per year
Todd Langworthy-Town Historian $1,500.00 per year
Allison Vento -Web Master $500.00 per year
Allison Vento - Server Backup $500.00 per year
Cleaner $275.00 per month
Kayla Sullivan-Recreation Director $3,000.00 per year
DULY MOVED by Councilman Schaeffer, seconded by Councilwoman Eckman and carried unanimously.
SICK LEAVE, PAID HOLIDAYS, PERSONAL DAYS, AND VACATION FOR
FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES
Town Hall personnel working a minimum of 35 hours per week and all Highway
Department employees working a minimum of 40 scheduled hours per week be eligible
for sick leave, paid holidays, personal days, and vacation as follows:
SICK LEAVE
1.One (1) day earned per month; twelve (12) days earned per year.
2.After three (3) days, a doctor’s certificate is required.
3.Sick leave can be accumulated up to one hundred and sixty-five (165) days at full salary.
PAID HOLIDAYS
New Year’s Day Columbus Day
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
President’s Day Veteran’s Day
Good Friday Thanksgiving & Day After
Memorial Day
Juneteenth Day Christmas Day
July 4th Birthday (Floating day with proper
Labor Day notification and approved by Highway
Superintendent for Highway employees.)
PERSONAL DAYS
(2) personal leave days per year.
VACATION
The first three months of continuous, new, employment there will be no given vacation time.
2.At the beginning of the fourth month of continuous employment, the employee shall receive one vacation day. At the beginning of the seventh month of continuous employment, the employee will receive an additional one-day vacation, and at the beginning of the tenth month of continuous employment, the employee will receive one day of vacation, not to exceed three days during their first full year of employment.
3. After completing:
One & Two Full Years
One-week paid vacation /Five (5) days
Three & Four full years
Two weeks paid vacation /Ten (10) days
Five full years
Three weeks paid vacation /Fifteen (15) days
Six full years Additional day /Sixteen (16) days
Seven full years Additional day /Seventeen (17) days
Eight full years Additional day/ Eighteen (18) days
Nine full years Additional day /Nineteen (19) days
Ten full years Additional day /Twenty (20) days
Maximum Paid Vacation Twenty (20) Days
DULY MOVED by Councilwoman Eckman, seconded by Councilman Christy and carried unanimously.
TOWN OF POMFRET INSURANCE BENEFITS
Any insurance benefits offered by the Town of Pomfret are subject to approval by the Town
Board. The grant of any employment benefit in these resolutions does not, nor is it intended to,
create a contract. The Town Board reserves the right to amend, modify, change, or cancel any
such benefit.
HEALTH INSURANCE BENEFITS
1. No one except full-time employees or those who work more than thirty-five (35) hours a
week and retirees who were full-time employees of the Town for ten (10) years or more
are eligible for health insurance.
Effective January 1, 2014 all individuals eligible for and participating in the Town’s
health insurance plan, will be required to contribute ten percent (10%) of the annual
premium cost of health insurance.
2. Effective January 1, 2008, any new part-time elected officials, whether elected or
appointed, or part-time employees of The Town of Pomfret, hired after the effective
date, may participate in the plan but shall pay one hundred percent (100%) of the
premium cost without contribution from the Town of Pomfret.
3. Effective January 1, 2008, no part time elected official retiring after the effective date of
this resolution will be eligible for any health insurance benefit at Town expense, but may
participate in the plan by paying one hundred percent (100%) of the premium cost
without contribution from the Town of Pomfret.
4. The following resolution adopted November 8, 2006:
RESOLVED, that no post-retirement or post-employment health insurance benefits, shall be afforded to, or provided to, any employee of the Town of Pomfret hired after November 1, 2006, and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Town health insurance policy is so amended, and that the Town Employee Handbook and any other related document amended by this resolution shall be modified and amended as stated herein.
5. The Town of Pomfret has developed an Insurance Buyout policy for eligible employees
who choose to not take advantage of Health Insurance offered by the Town. No part
time Employee is entitled to participate in any buyout plan.
For eligible full-time employees, the annual buyout amounts shall be as listed:
Active employees Retirees
$1500 Family/Double $750
$750 Single
At age sixty-five (65) all retirees buyout amounts shall be reduced to $750
(double) and $375 (single) or participation in the Town financed Senior Medicare
program.
DULY MOVED by Councilman Christy, seconded by Councilman Sedota and carried unanimously.
DENTAL INSURANCE
The following resolution adopted March 23, 1998 will remain
in effect:
1. Those eligible for participation in the plan shall all be full time employees of the Town
of Pomfret, the Highway Superintendent, and Town Clerk. The Town as the employer
shall pay fifty percent (50%) of the annual premium and the eligible employee or Town
official shall pay fifty percent (50%) of the premium.
2. All other elected officials of the Town of Pomfret and part-time employees of The Town
of Pomfret may participate in the plan but shall pay one hundred percent (100%) of the
premium cost without contribution from the Town of Pomfret.
3. It is the policy of the Town Board of the Town of Pomfret to make eligible for dental
insurance only active employees or officials and no benefits shall be offered or extended
nor shall this resolution be in any manner construed to extend any benefit under this plan
to any retired or former Town employee or official.
DULY MOVED by Councilman Sedota, seconded by Councilman Schaeffer and carried unanimously.
VISION INSURANCE
The following resolution adopted March 23, 1998 will remain in effect:
1. Those eligible for participation in the plan shall be all full-time employees of the Town,
the Highway Superintendent, and the Town Clerk. The Town as the employer shall pay
one hundred per cent (100%) of the annual premium.
2. All other elected officials of the Town of Pomfret and part-time employees of The Town
of Pomfret may participate in the plan but shall pay one hundred percent (100%) of the
premium cost without contribution from the Town of Pomfret.
3. It is the policy of the Town Board of the Town of Pomfret to make eligible for vision
insurance only active employees or officials and no benefits shall be offered or extended
nor shall this resolution be in any manner construed to extend any benefit under this plan
to any retired or former Town employee or official.
DULY MOVED by Councilman Schaeffer, seconded by Councilwoman Eckman and carried unanimously.
CLOTHING ALLOWANCES (HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEES)
The following motion adopted January 5, 2000, and amended November 8, 2000, will
remain in effect:
The Town of Pomfret will provide a clothing reimbursement, including steel-toed work shoes
or boots, of $200.00 per calendar year to all full-time Town of Pomfret Highway
Department employees and the Highway Superintendent. To receive reimbursement
from the Town, the employee or Highway Superintendent must present an original paid invoice.
DULY MOVED by Councilwoman Eckman, seconded by Councilman Christy and carried unanimously.
TOWN PROCUREMENT POLICY
The Town Procurement Policy establishing internal policies and procedures governing
all procurement of goods and services not subject to the bidding requirements of General
Municipal Law Section 103, or any other law, originally adopted March 16, 1992, will
remain in effect.
DULY MOVED by Councilman Christy, seconded by Councilman Sedota and carried unanimously.
TOWN DEPOSITORIES
Approve M&T Bank, Community Bank, MBIA CLASS Cooperative are designated as
Town depositories.
DULY MOVED by Councilman Sedota, seconded by Councilman Schaeffer and carried unanimously.
OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER AND POSTING LOCATIONS
The Observer is designated as the official newspaper for the Town.
Pomfret Town Hall will serve as the posting location for notices as required by law.
DULY MOVED by Councilman Schaeffer, seconded by Councilwoman Eckman and carried unanimously.
MILEAGE REIMBURSEMENT
The mileage reimbursement is set at $ .655 per mile for Town officials while on Town
business, subject to Town Board approval. Elected Officials will not be reimbursed for
travel within the Town boundaries.
DULY MOVED by Councilwoman Eckman, seconded by Councilman Christy and carried unanimously.
TOWN PLANNING BOARD
RATE OF PAY
The Town Planning Board Chairperson and members be paid $1,000.00 and $500.00 respectively for the year 2023, with each term expiring the second Wednesday in January of the
year listed below and with the reappointment of Heather Lesch to serve on the Town Planning Board.
MEMBERS YEAR
James Joy-Chairman 2024
Robert Smith 2025
Travis Eckstrom 2026
Janet Szymanski 2027
Heather Lesch 2028
DULY MOVED by Councilman Christy, seconded by Councilman Sedota and carried unanimously.
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
RATE OF PAY
The Zoning Board of Appeals Chairperson and members be paid $1,000.00 and $500
respectively for the year 2023, with each term expiring the second Wednesday in January of the
year listed below:
MEMBERS YEAR
Matthew Estep 2023
David Fridmann-Chairman 2024
Raymond Lewandowski 2025
Ruth Eckstrom 2026
Michaelene Comerford 2027
Vacancy 2028
DULY MOVED by Councilman Schaeffer seconded by Councilwoman Eckman and carried unanimously.
SUPERVISOR’S ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT
The Supervisor is directed to submit to the Town Clerk his annual financial report within
ninety (90) days of the closed fiscal year, and send a copy of the report to the State
Comptroller, as required by Section 30 of the General Municipal Law. The Town Clerk
shall cause summary of such report to be published within ten (10) days after receipt
thereof in the official newspaper of the Town of Pomfret. This report will be in lieu of
the annual report due January 30, 2023.
DULY MOVED by Councilman Christy, seconded by Councilman Sedota and carried unanimously.
TOWN INVESTMENT POLICY
Maintain the Town’s investment policy, adopted March 14, 1989, and amended
June 8, 1994, predicated upon the strength of the money market.
DULY MOVED by Councilwoman Eckman, seconded by Councilman Christy and carried unanimously.
TOWN BOARD MEETING DATE & TIME
The regular monthly meeting of the Pomfret Town Board is held the second Wednesday
of each month at the Town Hall, 9 Day Street, Fredonia, New York at 6:30 PM, unless
otherwise notified.
The regular preview (workshop) meeting of the Pomfret Town Board will be held
the first Wednesday of each month at the Town Hall, 9 Day Street, Fredonia, New York
at 6:30 PM, as needed.
DULY MOVED by Councilman Sedota, seconded by Councilman Schaeffer and carried unanimously.
POSTING OF ROADS
The Highway Superintendent is authorized to legally post roads and remove at his
discretion as authorized in the vehicle and traffic law for the year 2023.
DULY MOVED by Councilman Schaeffer, seconded by Councilwoman Eckman and carried unanimously.
CEMETERY FEES
TOWN CEMETERIES
Cemetery Lot/Grave $625.00
Opening/Closing (Burial) $650.00
Cremains Burial $350.00
Grave Opening (Cremation; Sat./Sun./Holidays) $500.00
Grave Opening (Sat./Sun./Holidays) $900.00
Charge per half hour if funeral remains after $30.00
3:00 PM Weekdays or 12:00 PM Sat./Sun./Holiday
Foundations: Per Square Inch $.65
Minimum $150.00(10”X12”)
Historical Research: Minimum $25.00
Per Hour $25.00
Forest Hill Storage Vault & Rental:
First 30 days $100.00
After 30 days/for additional 30 days $20.00
Or portion thereof
Columbarium Pricing:
Single Niche $750.00
Double niche $1,000.00
Niche Opening $100.00 per opening, per internment
Saturday/Sunday Niche Opening $150.00
*All plaques and engraving will be purchased and done by A.D. Titus Monuments of Fredonia.
DULY MOVED by Councilwoman Eckman, seconded by Councilman Christy and carried unanimously.
EXPENDITURES BY HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT WITHOUT PRIOR
APPROVAL
WHEREAS, Section 142, Subdivision 1(a) of the Highway Law authorizes the Town
Board to adopt a resolution permitting the Town Superintendent of Highways to
purchase equipment, tools and implements without prior approval of the Town Board in
an amount fixed by them, and
WHEREAS, it is determined by this board to be reasonable and proper in the best
interest of the efficient functioning of the Highway Department, the Town
Superintendent of Highways be granted permission to purchase such items without its
prior approval, an amount not to exceed $5,000.00,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town Superintendent of Highways be
and is hereby authorized to spend an amount not in excess of $5,000.00 for the purchase of
equipment, tools and implements without prior approval of the board.
DULY MOVED by Councilman Christy, seconded by Councilman Sedota and carried unanimously.
HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT TO PURCHASE OFF OF OTHER MUNICIPALITIES
Authorization to the Highway Superintendent to accept and purchase highway
materials, motor fuels, gravel, stone, black top, binder, and oil from and on other proper
authorized municipal bids in municipalities in the County of Chautauqua and surrounding
counties in New York State for the year 2023.
DULY MOVED by Councilman Schaeffer, seconded by Councilwoman Eckman and carried unanimously.
LILY DALE SEWER DISTRICT CHAIRPERSON & VICE-CHAIRPERSON
Appoint Supervisor Pacos as Chairperson of the Lily Dale Sewer District for the year
2023 at a pay rate of $600.00 and Councilman Christy is appointed Vice-Chairperson,
with no financial compensation.
DULY MOVED by Councilwoman Eckman, seconded by Councilman Sedota and carried unanimously with Supervisor Pacos abstaining.
LILY DALE SEWER DISTRICT ACCOUNTING SERVICES
The Town will contract with Bahgat & Laurito-Bahgat to provide accounting services
for the Lily Dale Sewer District for the year 2023 at a rate of $500.00 for the year.
DULY MOVED by Councilman Sedota, seconded by Councilman Schaeffer and carried unanimously.
MUNICIPAL COOPERATION AGREEMENT FOR HIGHWAY PROJECTS &
MAINTENANCE
WHEREAS, pursuant to New York State General Municipal Law, local governments are
authorized to enter into municipal cooperation agreements for the performance among
themselves or one of the other of their respective functions, and
WHEREAS, a county-wide “Mutual Aid” agreement for highway projects and
maintenance has been developed to formalize the sharing of manpower, equipment and
materials by municipalities in Chautauqua County, and
WHEREAS, the Mutual Aid Agreement provides that assisting municipalities shall be
entitled to receive services of equivalent value at a later date from the municipality
receiving their assistance,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town Supervisor is hereby authorized and
empowered to execute all documents necessary to confirm the Town of Pomfret’s
participation in the countywide Mutual Aid Agreement.
DULY MOVED by Councilman Schaeffer, seconded by Councilman Christy and carried unanimously.
SUPERVISOR COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS
1891 Fredonia Opera House Eckman Schaeffer
Audit Eckman Sedota Christy
Buildings Christy Schaeffer Sedota
Cable Commission Sedota Christy Schaeffer
Cemeteries Pacos Eckman Christy
Chamber of Commerce Sedota Eckman Schaeffer
Consolidation / Shared Services Pacos Eckman
Highways Christy Schaeffer
Libraries Eckman Schaeffer
Lily Dale Sewer District Christy Pacos
Office for Aging Eckman Schaeffer
Parks & Recreation Eckman Sedota Christy
Planning Bd. /Zoning Bd. Eckman Christy Pacos
Preservation Society Sedota Schaeffer
Public Safety Sedota Christy Eckman
(Fire/Police/Code Enforcement/DCO/Courts)
Regional Planning Pacos Christy
Special Districts Pacos
(Excluding Lily Dale)
DULY MOVED by Councilman Sedota, seconded by Councilman Schaeffer to approve the Supervisor’s committee appointments. The motion carried unanimously.
DULY MOVED by Councilwoman Eckman, seconded by Councilman Christy to adjourn the meeting at 6:07P.M. The motion carried unanimously.
Respectfully Submitted, Allison Vento, MMC/RMC
