Meetings here have been lively recently with much bickering back and forth over the merging of a position and pay raises for department heads. Thursday’s session to adopt the 2009 town budget was no different.
In the end, the town board unanimously adopted a $14 million spending plan that includes cost of living pay raises of an average of 2 percent for department heads, although a few are getting raises closer to 10 percent.
The town board made cuts in other budget departments to offset those raises, and used a $300,000 surplus to insulate residents against tax hikes in most of the town’s special district taxes, such as fire and garbage, Supervisor Tim Demler said.
Demler said the pay hikes came at the recommendation of the town’s salary review committee, which rates each department head’s salary based on the job duties.
But the raises didn’t sit well with some residents, who also criticized the board earlier this month at a public hearing on the budget.
“With the economy the way it is, I don’t think it’s appropriate to be giving these big raises,” said former town board member Jim Heuer. “You’re way out of line with your wage increases.”
“I don’t always agree with their numbers either,” Demler said of the salary review committee, “but I do believe that our department heads need to be looked at, and they were.” Of the raises, Demler said, “Some are $300 and some are $6,000.”
Residents also argued heatedly with Demler over his decision earlier in the fall to put up to public vote a proposal to merge the town’s tax receiver job, folding those duties into the role of the town clerk. Residents approved that decision overwhelmingly, but abolishing the job has continued to be a point of contention at meetings.
Former town tax receiver Patti Weiss accused Demler of “playing games” by paying town clerk Kathy Harrington to handle the receiver of taxes duties. Demler fired back by saying that Weiss lobbied for and received a 225 percent pay raise when she was town tax receiver in 1992.
Board member Larry Helwig said that by his calculations, Wheatfield is saving nearly $12,500 by abolishing the tax receiver job.
“Like I said before, we can argue until the end of time ... but I think we’ve written 14 good budgets,” Demler said of his terms as supervisor.
“I think we’ve delivered better services. We are the only town that has the type of services that we have,” Demler said, to which former town board candidate Sam Conti replied, “But we have more expenses.”
Demler countered with, “Yes, and they’re covered.”
Local News
WHEATFIELD: Tempers flare, but budget gets adopted
Department heads to get pay raise
- Local News
-
-
Child run over be car on Niagara Avenue
Falls Traffic Division investigators said an 11-year-old boy was struck after he darted into the street, in front of a car as it pulled away from a stop sign.
-
Militello paid $50K to leave Niagara-Wheatfield
Former Niagara-Wheatfield Superintendent Carl Militello is receiving a $50,000 from the district, according to a separation settlement agreed to on Feb. 1.
-
Autopsy unable to determine cause or time of Judith Burr’s death
An autopsy by an Erie County Medical Examiner has failed to determine either the time of death or the cause of death of Judith Burr.
-
Gerber resigns from SPCA board; calls for adding veterinarian to staff
A Town of Niagara veterinarian and long-time member of the SPCA of Niagara Board of Directors has stepped down.
Dr. William Gerber submitted his resignation on Tuesday. It was effective immediately. -
Has NYPA relicensing agreement led to a revival?
A state senator is calling for an audit of the low-cost power and cash used in the last seven years by Niagara County entities that have shared in the benefits of the 50-year relicensing agreement with the New York Power Authority.
-
Joseph Davis State Park gets some green
Officials in the Town of Lewiston received approval Thursday to spend a significant portion of the community’s incoming greenway funds on the redevelopment of Joseph Davis State Park.
-
Search continues for Falls jumper
State Park Police were still searching Thursday for a Falls man who jumped from the rapids bridge at Goat Island on Wednesday morning.
-
NU gets helping hand for campus projects
A new county entity formed to help organizations secure bond financing agreed on Wednesday to assist Niagara University in the development of its new science center, a proposed refurbishment at Meade Hall and other campus improvements totaling $48 million.
-
One Niagara tax break denied
It’s a no-go for a proposed tax break at One Niagara.
At least for now. -
County IDA adds local hiring clause
From now on, applicants seeking assistance through the Niagara County Industrial Development Agency will be expected to demonstrate their “best efforts” in hiring local workers for subsidized projects.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs
Expert: Removing LA School's Staff 'Appropriate'
Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal
$25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses
Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
