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Town board appoints temporary IT director, approves sanitation purchase and adopts youth mental‑health resolution
Summary
The Cheektowaga Town Board appointed Daniel Gribner as temporary Director of IT and Records Management at $115,000 annually, authorized purchase of 400 refuse totes, and adopted a late resolution prioritizing youth mental health and online safety; the appointment prompted procedural discussion and a reconsideration vote.
The Town Board of Cheektowaga approved several personnel and routine administrative items during its Jan. 27 meeting, including a temporary appointment in the IT department, a sanitation purchase and a resolution recognizing youth mental‑health priorities.
Appointment: The board amended and approved resolution 20‑26‑672 (presented as an amendment to 20‑26‑72) to appoint Daniel (Dan) Gribner as temporary Director of Information Technology and Records Management, effective upon required approvals, at an annual salary of $115,000. The item was pulled from the consent agenda, debated, amended and ultimately reconsidered and adopted after members clarified procedural steps for the amendment. Councilmembers discussed succession planning and the need to preserve institutional knowledge before staff retirements.
Procurement: The board approved a separate resolution to purchase 400 refuse totes from a Sourcewell contract awarded to a vendor in Statesville, N.C. The unit price is $49 per tote (total $19,600) plus $1,800 shipping; the board authorized the sanitation general crew chief to complete the purchase.
Youth mental health resolution: The board voted to waive rules and approve a late resolution affirming youth mental health, online safety and preventive education as municipal priorities and encouraging departments to seek partnerships and funding aligned with New York State initiatives. Proponents described the resolution as a way to position the town for state funding streams and begin local programs such as youth mental‑health first aid.
Procedure and votes: The appointment vote generated debate about whether the amended text had been properly voted on before final adoption; a motion to bring the amended item back to the table passed and the board subsequently approved the amended appointment. The hiring action is contingent on final approvals by town counsel, the personnel director and the current director of technology.
What’s next: Gribner’s appointment is effective upon required approvals; the town will continue succession planning for other long‑tenured positions. The sanitation purchase will proceed under the contract authorization; the youth mental‑health resolution positions the town to pursue grants and partnerships but does not appropriate funds at this time.
