Council adopts eight resolutions including fire chief appointment and public events permits

The City of Tonawanda Common Council on Sept. 16 voted to adopt eight resolutions covering routine minutes and bills, personnel confirmations and several special-event permits.

The council approved the minutes from its Sept. 2 meeting and allowed audited bills. It adopted a resolution to pay a one-time $2,500 stipend to the superintendent of public works to cover increased duties while the parks and recreation director post is vacant. The council confirmed Mayor John L. White’s appointment of Joseph Briggs as fire chief, effective Sept. 17, 2025, at an annual salary of $110,000. The council also approved a short extension of the city assessor’s appointment through Oct. 31, 2025, while the mayor finalizes a new employment agreement.

Council members additionally approved three special-event permits: the Historical Society bicentennial event at the Benjamin Long Homestead (Oct. 25, 2025), a concert by Buffalo Suburban Seventh-day Adventist Church at David Miller Band Shell (Sept. 27, 2025), and the Murchie family Christmas lighting on Fletcher and Wheeler (Nov. 29, 2025). All permits were conditioned on coordination with the appropriate department heads and, where required, filing a certificate of insurance.

Council president called the roll for each resolution; each recorded resolution was adopted with unanimous “aye” votes from the five council members present. The meeting included public comments on the charter revision commission, ethics oversight, open-records availability and other community items.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution 1 (accept minutes from 09/02/2025): Sponsor — Milam; Outcome — adopted; Vote — 5–0 yes. - Resolution 2 (allow bills as audited): Sponsor — Sheasley; Outcome — adopted; Vote — 5–0 yes. - Resolution 3 (one-time $2,500 stipend to superintendent of public works): Sponsor — Raubstrow; Outcome — adopted; Vote — 5–0 yes; Funding: salaries highway office account A00501000100000. - Resolution 4 (confirm Joseph Briggs as fire chief, effective 09/17/2025, salary $110,000): Sponsor — Raubstrow; Outcome — adopted; Vote — 5–0 yes; Authority citation in resolution: City Charter sections 2.025 and 3.051. - Resolution 5 (extend city assessor Katie Schultz’s term to expire 10/31/2025): Sponsor — Fisher; Outcome — adopted; Vote — 5–0 yes. - Resolution 6 (special event: Historical Society, Benjamin Long Homestead, 10/25/2025): Sponsor — Milam; Outcome — adopted; Vote — 5–0 yes; Requirement: coordinate with superintendent Fronczak. - Resolution 7 (special event: Buffalo Suburban Seventh-day Adventist Church concert, David Miller Band Shell, 09/27/2025): Sponsor — Fisher; Outcome — adopted; Vote — 5–0 yes; Condition: certificate of insurance naming City of Tonawanda due by 09/19/2025. - Resolution 8 (special event: Lick and Murchie family Christmas lighting, Fletcher & Wheeler, 11/29/2025): Sponsor — Raubstrow; Outcome — adopted; Vote — 5–0 yes; Coordinate with Captain Kiersitz.

Context: Several items (the fire chief appointment and the assessor-term extension) generated discussion on personnel negotiation and process; the assessor extension prompted the most extended council discussion and questions from the council and from the assessor herself about the terms and timing. The meeting also included public-comment concerns about charter revision timing, ethics oversight and records availability.