Tonawanda council confirms Mark Saltarelli as city attorney at $105,000, strips automatic deputy-appointment language
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Summary
The Tonawanda Common Council voted to confirm Mark Saltarelli as city attorney at an annual salary of $105,000 and removed a provision that could have committed the city to a deputy attorney salary; council members said the hire will save the city an estimated $32,000 immediately by shifting health‑care costs off the city.
The Tonawanda Common Council voted to confirm Mark Saltarelli as city attorney effective Jan. 6, 2026, at an annual salary of $105,000 and amended the resolution to remove language that would have allowed the appointee to automatically appoint a deputy under terms that could obligate the city to a specific salary.
The council president read the amended resolution, which also states that the appointed city attorney will be full time and responsible for payment of his own health care; the term is set to expire Dec. 31, 2029. After debate about budget coding and charter language, the council adopted the amended resolution by roll call.
Why it matters: Council members said the change should save money by consolidating legal work in-house and by shifting health insurance responsibility off the city. Mayor William Strasburg told the council the prior combined salary and benefits for the city attorney and deputy totalled about $137,000, and “with this hire at a 105 and no health insurance, immediately, there’s a $32,000 savings.”
Council debate focused on how the city charter describes deputy compensation and whether the city would be exposed to an unintended salary commitment. Several members pressed for clearer language so the council would not be forced to provide a salaried deputy at the previous pay level. One councilmember argued that, under the charter, the deputy’s annual salary must be not less than the previous city attorney, and that ambiguity in the resolution could create a budget problem if interpreted literally.
The council moved to amend the resolution to strike the clause allowing the appointee unfettered discretion to appoint a deputy under the unclear terms; that amendment passed on a roll call. After further discussion about whether to table the item to verify numbers, the council adopted the final amended resolution. Councilmember Christopher Fisher said the full‑time, in‑house attorney should provide daily access to counsel and noted the council could remove the appointee in the future by resolution if necessary.
During a short ceremonial pause the council administered the oath to Saltarelli. In the swearing‑in, Saltarelli recited the oath: “I, Mark Saltarelli, do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States… and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of Tonawanda city attorney.”
What’s next: Council members said they will bring a separate resolution later if they need to set or change a deputy city attorney’s compensation, and staff agreed to correct or clarify charter references and budget lines if needed. The council moved on to other reorganizational business and then went into executive session later in the evening.
Quotes used in this article are taken verbatim from the meeting transcript and attributed to speakers who appear in the official attendance list and roll call.
