Walworth board approves staffing changes, hires building inspector and authorizes vehicle lease; wastewater assessment fails

The Walworth Town Board on May 21 approved multiple personnel and equipment actions, including creating and filling a new Senior Account Clerk role, appointing the junior engineer as the town's MS4 Stormwater Management Officer and Sewer Superintendent, hiring a full-time building inspector, and authorizing a leased vehicle for engineering use. The board declined a separate proposal to fund a condition assessment of former wastewater treatment plant buildings.

Deputy Supervisor Amber Linson called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. and the Board proceeded through routine business before taking a series of votes on staffing and purchases. The Board unanimously approved changing the Account Clerk civil service title to Senior Account Clerk (Resolution 121-26) and then moved Laura Elliott into that part-time role (Resolution 122-26) retroactive to Jan. 1, 2026, at $21.50 per hour for up to 25 hours per week.

The Board voted to appoint Junior Engineer Heather LaDuke as the Town of Walworth MS4 Stormwater Management Officer to handle SPDES general permits; Deputy Supervisor Linson successfully moved an amendment to add the title Sewer Superintendent to that appointment (Resolution 123-26), and the amended resolution carried on roll call.

On staffing for building inspections, the Board adopted Resolution 124-26 to hire Steven Kemp as full-time Building Inspector effective June 1, 2026, at an annual salary of $62,500, contingent on passing the Town's alcohol and drug screening. Council members who conducted interviews — Councilwoman Linson, the current code enforcement officer, and the building clerk — recommended Mr. Kemp based on his experience in construction-related areas.

The Board also authorized the Town Supervisor to sign documents and make the initial payment to lease a 2026 Ford Maverick for junior engineer duties (Resolution 125-26). The board noted the town could piggyback on Onondaga bid #0010808 through OGS to lease the truck at a unit price of $29,739.84 and proposed financing through Ford Municipal Financing on a three-year agreement with an estimated annual payment of $10,627.86; funding for the initial payment was identified in budget line AA.00.8140.405 (GIS mapping).

A separate proposal to engage MRB Group to perform a condition assessment of three buildings at the former wastewater treatment plant at 3451 Ontario Center Road for up to $6,700 (Resolution 126-26) failed on a 2-2 roll call (Councilwoman Linson and Councilman Jeffers voted Aye; Councilmen Botsford and Kelly voted Nay). Discussion at the meeting included whether the Board should identify future uses for the buildings prior to undertaking the assessment.

Routine financial business included approval of the abstract of audited vouchers (Resolution 120-26). The Town Clerk, Nadine Seppeler, reported logistical details for upcoming community events including the Gananda Garage Sales (June 13–14), a Memorial Day parade on May 30 beginning at Ontario Elementary School at 6:00 p.m., and a headstone-cleaning workshop on May 23 organized by the Historical Society and volunteers to clean veterans' headstones.

In public comment, resident Phil Williamson submitted letters to the Board and thanked members for considering cost-saving approaches for the old sewer buildings. Town Historian Gene Bavis, who said he has accepted the presidency of the Walworth Historical Society, reminded the Board and attendees of the headstone cleaning and a July Festival in the Park celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States.

The Board entered executive session at 7:06 p.m. to discuss personnel matters and reconvened at 7:20 p.m.; no formal action arising from the executive session was recorded before adjournment at 7:20 p.m.