Cheektowaga board debates appointing a general crew chief without posting; members split on process

Town board members debated a resolution presented under suspension of rules to add and appoint a general crew chief in the sanitation department as an immediate succession measure.

The sponsor (identified in the transcript as Speaker 12) said the town "has run into" staffing gaps repeatedly and argued appointing a second-in-command now would prevent scrambling when the incumbent retires. The sponsor said discussions had occurred with the TCSU union and framed the measure as proactive succession planning.

Opponents on the board, including a council member identified in the transcript as Speaker 7, objected to bypassing normal procedures. "I'm concerned with this, and I'm gonna be a no, simply because we haven't held interviews. We haven't posted the job," Speaker 7 said, adding that interviews and posting give applicants a "fair shake." Other members suggested posting the job immediately and beginning interviews to ensure fairness and to comply with any CBA requirements.

Town staff and other council members clarified there are limited bidding rights under the TCSU for the general crew chief position and that selection is typically by interview; the draft included an effective date of Jan. 13, 2026, which some said would allow time for posting. The transcript records substantial discussion but does not show a final vote on the appointment resolution during this meeting.

Next steps: board members asked staff to proceed with posting and an interview process if the appointment is not approved at this meeting; sponsor warned the town could quickly find itself "scrambling" if the incumbent leaves before a successor is ready.