Depew trustees approve engineering contract, personnel appointments, election inspectors and claims totaling $280,456.91

The Village of Depew Board of Trustees on Jan. 13 approved several routine personnel appointments, an engineering services agreement for a culvert project, election inspector appointments, accepted several recreation department resignations and approved claims and accounts totaling $280,456.91.

The board voted to appoint Dan Wippick as a motor equipment operator in the Department of Public Works effective Jan. 15, 2025. The appointment was made pursuant to Village Law §4-400 and carried on a roll-call vote with all voting in favor.

The board accepted three resignations from the recreation department: rink guard Evan Borkowski (effective Dec. 23, 2024), laborer Sam Radka (effective Jan. 13, 2025) and rink guard David Raggle (effective Jan. 20, 2025). The motion to accept the resignations was carried unanimously.

On the Warner Drive Culvert replacement project, the board voted to enter into an agreement with DiDonato Associates, 689 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14203, to provide engineering services for design and construction phases. The motion cited New York State Department of Transportation PIN 5764.53 and said the recommendation came from David Britton, village engineer. The motion was seconded and approved by the board.

The board also appointed inspectors for the 2025 general village election, to be held Tuesday, March 18, 2025, from 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The appointments were made pursuant to Section 15-116 of the Village Election Law of the State of New York. The board specified pay rates from the Erie County Board of Elections list: $185 per day for chairmen and $165 per day for inspectors. The roster included chairpersons Sharon Newsall and Jim Newsall and inspectors Nancy Forsyth, Linda Tong, Michael Capara, Andrea Zimmerman, Paul Walters Sr. and Gary Friar; alternates would be used as needed.

The police department’s December 2024 monthly report and the annual report for 2024 were accepted. The board recorded acceptance of the reports by motion and voice vote.

The finance committee presented claims and accounts audited for payment: general fund $250,612.91; community development $0.00; sewer fund $29,844.00; capital projects $0.00; total $280,456.91. The board approved payment by voice vote.

Votes at a glance - Appoint Dan Wippick, Public Works motor equipment operator — outcome: approved (roll-call unanimous). - Approve engineering agreement with DiDonato Associates for Warner Drive Culvert (NYSDOT PIN 5764.53) — outcome: approved (roll-call unanimous). - Appoint election inspectors for March 18, 2025 — outcome: approved (roll-call unanimous). Chair pay $185/day; inspector pay $165/day. - Accept resignations of three recreation employees (E. Borkowski, S. Radka, D. Raggle) — outcome: approved (roll-call unanimous). - Accept police department December 2024 and 2024 annual reports — outcome: approved (voice vote). - Approve claims and accounts totaling $280,456.91 (general $250,612.91; sewer $29,844.00) — outcome: approved (voice vote).

No further formal board directions or amendments to these items were recorded in the meeting minutes.