Depew trustees approve volunteer service awards, new fire members, 4‑way stop and budget tweaks

The Village of Depew Board of Trustees voted unanimously or by recorded roll calls on multiple routine measures at its Feb. 24 meeting, approving a length-of-service award program list for volunteer firefighters, several membership requests for the volunteer fire department, a local law establishing an all-way stop at Howard Lane/Lee Street/George Street, a court officer resignation and line-item budget adjustments for the 2024–25 fiscal year.

The board approved the length-of-service award program (LOSAP) list for calendar year 2024, as presented by the fire department and certified under Article 11‑a of the New York State General Municipal Law (GML). The board recorded three yes votes and two abstentions; the adopted resolution directs that the approved list be returned to the fire department for posting for a minimum of 30 days.

Why it matters: LOSAP lists determine which volunteer firefighters qualify for service credit tied to a monetary benefit; state law prescribes certification and a 30‑day posting requirement before implementation.

Key actions and recorded votes

- LOSAP service award list (resolution 1). Motion to approve the attached certified list of active volunteer firefighters who earned at least 50 points during the 2024 calendar year. Roll-call votes recorded: Trustee Zimba — yes; Trustee Craft — yes; Deputy Mayor Adolph — yes; Trustee Morawski — abstain; Mayor Peterson — abstain. Outcome: approved. Notes: list to be posted for at least 30 days. Authority referenced: Article 11‑a, New York State General Municipal Law (GML).

- Authorization to advertise canvass meeting for the village election (special meeting to canvass votes of the March 18, 2025 election; canvass set for Wednesday, March 19, 2025, at 6 p.m.). Motion made and seconded; vote recorded in favor. Outcome: approved.

- Memberships to Depew Volunteer Fire Department (resolution 3). Approved pending physicals: Jaden Recor (Aetna Hose Company), Ryan Snyder (Aetna Hose Company), and John M. Leissner Sr. (Central Hose Company). Roll-call votes recorded in favor. Outcome: approved.

- Junior firefighter membership (resolution 4). Approved pending physical: Joseph Buonafi (Aetna Hose Company, junior firefighter). Roll-call votes recorded in favor. Outcome: approved.

- Adoption of Local Law No. 1 of 2025 (resolution 5) establishing an all-way stop at Lee Street with George Street and Howard Lane as described in the amendment to section 240 subdivision 5 of the Village Code. The board held a public hearing on Feb. 10 and recorded unanimous yes votes on adoption. Outcome: adopted; effective upon filing with the Secretary of State.

- Acceptance of court officer resignation (resolution 6). The board accepted the resignation of court officer James Honeck, effective March 6, 2025. Roll-call votes recorded in favor. Outcome: approved.

- Budget modifications (resolution 7). The board approved targeted line‑item transfers within the 2024–25 budget described in the motion; amounts cited in the meeting record include transfers of $2,500, $3,040.59, $400 and $5,806.99 between specified department lines for the fire department. Outcome: approved. Notes: described in meeting as reallocations within the fire department budget to cover costs late in the fiscal year.

- Claims and accounts. The finance committee presented audited claims for payment; amounts read into the record included General Fund $483,894.20, Sewer Fund $951.40 and Capital Projects $56,276.40. The meeting record listed a total but the line was not clearly stated and is not specified here.

Nut graf: The Feb. 24 meeting covered several routine but operationally important items for village services — from recognizing volunteer firefighter service and adding personnel to the volunteer force, to local traffic controls and small budget transfers — matters that affect emergency response, roadway safety and the close of the village’s fiscal year.

Background and context: The LOSAP motion cited certification requirements under state law and the village’s adopted point system for volunteer service credit. The local law adopting an all‑way stop followed a Feb. 10 public hearing at which residents spoke in favor of additional traffic controls at the intersection. Budget transfers were described by staff as internal adjustments within the fire department’s accounts to address final‑year expenses.

Ending: The board closed its business and moved to a moment of silence before adjourning at 7:44 p.m.