Votes at a glance: Fredonia trustees approve tournament, hires, legal vendor and other administrative measures

The Fredonia Board of Trustees approved several routine resolutions and administrative actions at its regular meeting on April 28, 2025. The items below list each action, the essential detail recorded in the minutes, and the vote outcome.

Key votes and outcomes

- Pickleball tournament approval (Russell Joy Park, June 8, 2025): Resolution approved. The applicant must provide a certificate of insurance naming the Village of Fredonia as additional insured for at least $1,000,000, to be delivered at least two weeks prior to the event. Vote: unanimous recorded in minutes.

- Appointment of full-time patrolman: Bradley Lawson appointed effective May 11, 2025, at $28.03 per hour with an 18-month probationary term, subject to civil-service rules. Vote: unanimous recorded in minutes.

- Legal services vendor list: Lippus Mathias LLP (Buffalo) added as an approved vendor for legal and labor matters with rates capped in the proposal (partner up to $270/hr; associate $200/hr; paralegal $105/hr); prior board authorization required for engagements that appropriate funds. Vote: approved.

- Dog impound fees: New daily impound schedule adopted (Day 1 $60; Day 2 $80; Day 3 $100; Day 4 $120; Day 5 $140). Vote: approved.

- Standard workday reporting: The board established standard workday hours for listed positions (firefighter, fire captain, fire lieutenant, fire chief — 8 hours) for submission to the New York State and Local Employees’ Retirement System. Vote: approved.

- Pomfret water-application approval: The village approved a residential water-service connection at 4699 Berry Road, subject to Pomfret Town Board approval. Vote: approved.

Other items discussed (no formal vote recorded)

- RFP for a backup generator at the water treatment plant: trustees asked for cost estimates and discussed ARPA as a possible funding source; an RFP was supported to solicit exact pricing. - Parking meters downtown: trustees discussed removal requests and potential app-based options but did not adopt a formal change; the board noted a local-law change would be required to change the designated number of metered spaces. - Recreation fees and program participation by non-residents: trustees discussed a proposed fee (a $20 introductory fee for this season was suggested in workshop conversation), and the recreation committee will finalize details.

Speakers and references

- Ryland (Bridal) Tunstall (applicant for pickleball tournament) — applicant/resident - Bradley Lawson — appointee (listed in resolution) - Lippus Mathias LLP — law firm (vendor)

Actions (summary)

[Listed below in actions array: pickleball permit; appointment of patrolman; vendor approval for Lippus Mathias LLP; dog impound fee schedule; standard workday resolution; Pomfret water application approval.]

Provenance

The items above are drawn from workshop discussion on events and RFPs and from the regular meeting resolutions and recorded roll-call votes. See meeting minutes for full resolution text and filing instructions.

Searchable tags

["appointments","events","legal_vendor","fees","water_service"]

Proper names

[{"name":"Russell Joy Park","type":"location"},{"name":"Bradley Lawson","type":"person"},{"name":"Lippus Mathias LLP","type":"organization"},{"name":"Ryland Tunstall","type":"person"}]

Provenance

[{"block_id":"6601.1504","local_start":0,"local_end":220,"evidence_excerpt":"Was received from Bridal Tunstall requesting to use Russell Joy Park for a pickleball tournament on Sunday, 06/08/2025."},{"block_id":"7775.685","local_start":0,"local_end":220,"evidence_excerpt":"Be it resolved that Bradley Lawson... is hereby appointed to the position of full time patrolman... effective 05/11/2025 at a rate of pay of $28.03 per hour for a term of 18 months probation..."}],