Westmoreland board adopts 2026 organizational resolutions, sets salaries and procurement policy

The Westmoreland Town Board met for its 2026 organizational meeting Dec. 30 and approved a package of routine organizational resolutions, including salaries, appointments, financial designations and a new procurement policy.

Supervisor Charles Hebbard called the meeting to order at 5:14 p.m. Councilpersons Burton Seymour Jr., Randy Rundle and Kirk Donley were present; Councilperson Peter Smith was absent. The board voted unanimously on each motion by those present.

The board authorized the Supervisor to transfer town funds into established payroll accounts as needed and to pay recurring utility and contract bills when received, including Mohawk Valley Water Authority and Rome Water charges. The board also designated the Rome Sentinel as the official newspaper and Community Bank (or its successor) as the depository for town funds or any FDIC-insured depository in Oneida County.

The board set the mileage reimbursement rate at $0.65 per mile with town hall as the starting point for mileage claims. It also approved the following elected-official salaries for 2026: Supervisor Charles Hebbard, $27,000; Town Clerk Anna C. Storey, $44,170; Highway Superintendent Russell Young, $74,000; Receiver of Taxes Margaret Leone, $10,017; and Town Justices Keith Bowers and Tom Hart, $18,656 each. The board set its regular meeting date as the second Monday of each month at 6:00 p.m. at Town Hall.

Councilmembers adopted a 2026 Procurement Policy under General Municipal Law §104-b that identifies the Supervisor and Highway Superintendent as responsible purchasers and sets documentation and vendor-quote requirements tied to dollar thresholds (for example, written RFPs and multiple vendor quotes for purchases above specified amounts and formal bidding procedures where GML §103 applies). The minutes record that the policy requires preservation of procurement documentation and justifications for awards above the lowest responsible bid.

The board approved a blanket undertaking (commercial surety bond) through National Grange Mutual Insurance, via agent Eastern Shore Associates, covering officers and employees for the 2026 calendar year under Public Officers Law §11; the resolution dispenses with individual undertakings. It also approved the Highway Wage Agreement establishing position counts and maximum hourly rates for highway staff (e.g., Deputy Highway Superintendent and Automotive Mechanic not to exceed $31.16/hr; H.E.O. and M.E.O. rates capped as recorded) and noted pay rate discretion rests with the Highway Superintendent.

The board confirmed a slate of appointments and wage rates for a variety of town roles, including Deputy Supervisor Burton Seymour Jr. ($1,000 PY), Bookkeeper Allison Leone ($25,830 PY), Town Historian Nancy Pritchard ($800 PY), part‑time codes officers Fred Fox Jr. and Patrick Baron, and a range of clerical, plant operations and library positions as listed in the minutes. It reappointed members to the Planning/Zoning Board and set meeting pay for the chairman ($120 per meeting), vice chairman ($100) and members ($85). The Board of Assessment Review pay was set at $205/year for the chairman and $100/year for members.

Other administrative votes included allowing part-time W‑2 employees to self-pay health insurance through the Town and permitting retirees to self-pay life insurance premiums, and a motion that part-time hourly wages shall not exceed budgeted amounts unless the Town Board approves otherwise.

All motions recorded in the minutes carried with the Board members present voting AYE. The meeting adjourned at 5:25 p.m.

The minutes were submitted by Town Clerk Anna C. Storey.