Mayor's intent letter naming Mark Saltarelli as part‑time judge draws council scrutiny; linked to pending lawsuits

A mayoral letter naming Mark Saltarelli as the intended part-time city court judge effective Jan. 1, 2026 prompted pointed discussion and legal questions among Tonawanda council members.

Several council members said the letter was circulated in a way that felt opaque and argued it read as a definitive appointment rather than an intention. One council member noted two conditions would have to occur for the letter to have effect: the relevant election outcome and the result of a separate lawsuit. Another described the letter's wording as appearing to be submitted in connection with litigation to establish damages if the law were to change; that speaker said, "This letter was generated for the purpose of the lawsuit." A city attorney and other council members clarified there was no official correspondence posted to the clerk's office that altered the city's law; the letter was publicly filed with the court as part of the lawsuit record, according to another speaker.

Council members expressed concern about transparency and whether the mayor should have circulated the apparent appointment prior to the election and any legal finality. The mayor addressed the council later in the meeting and said the letter reflected a personal commitment and was conditional: "Whether I win, whether I lost, I put it on there... It's a promise I made to Mark," he said. No formal appointment, vote or rule change took place at the meeting; council members asked for clarification about filing and transparency and requested the matter be handled through official channels going forward.