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Westfield adopts 2025 organizational resolutions, appoints deputies and approves highway projects
Summary
At its Jan. 8 meeting the Town of Westfield set meeting dates, fixed 2024 salaries, designated banks and newspapers, confirmed appointments, authorized supervisor delegations, approved highway work (including a $150,000 allocation for road sealing) and authorized NYS Parks construction access at Barcelona pier.
The Town of Westfield's Town Board completed its annual organizational business on Jan. 8, adopting a slate of resolutions that set meeting rules, fixed salaries for 2024, designated banks and official newspapers, made annual appointments, and authorized several administrative actions and capital projects.
Councilmember David Spann introduced Resolution No. 1 setting the official meeting place as Eason Hall, 23 Elm Street, on the first Wednesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. The board then adopted Resolution No. 2, which fixes salaries for elected and appointed positions for 2024, including a $20,000 annual supervisor salary, $39,717 for the town clerk, and $73,563 for the highway superintendent; the resolution also lists hourly ranges for highway MEOs.
Other organizational items approved unanimously included designation of Community Bank of Westfield and M&T Bank as depositaries; naming the Westfield Republican and the Observer as official newspapers; and a series of annual appointments (for example, Deputy Supervisor David Brown; Registrar Andrea L. Babcock; Bookkeeper Jill Fredd). The board also set a $1,000 fixed-asset threshold and approved petty-cash allocations totaling $700 across department custodians.
On fiscal and operations items, the board authorized the Supervisor, under Town Law §29(16), to carry out day-to-day administration consistent with the adopted budget; adopted a standard mileage reimbursement rate equal to the 2025 IRS federal rate ($0.70 per mile); and approved a policy authorizing the advance payment of routine claims pending audit (utilities, postage, freight). The board also adopted a Standard Work Day resolution for retirement reporting.
Regarding public works, by Resolution No. 7 the board agreed to expend $150,000 for general highway repairs under Highway Law §284 and identified sealing (oil) work on five miles of road including Martin Wright Road, Ogden Road and portions of Parker and Jones roads; the resolution also anticipates using CHIPS funds for blacktop work on Pigeon Road and sections of Parker Road. The board authorized the Supervisor to sign documents for the East Route 5 Water Benefit District #2 and approved Budget Revision #11 to reallocate modest amounts among accounts to cover overspends and personnel changes in various funds.
The board voted to authorize New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation to use town property near the Barcelona pier for construction access related to slope stabilization and site improvements, subject to conditions requiring removal/replacement of guardrail and restoration of disturbed areas when work is complete.
During public comment Martin Wright Road residents Michael Harrington and Tim Roets asked the board to consider extending municipal water to their road. Town Attorney Joel Seachrist outlined the process, noting the need for sufficient property-owner interest and discussing likely costs to property owners and the municipality; no formal motion was made at that time.
Members audited and approved warrants dated Jan. 8, 2025 (totaling $27,716.17 and $13,859.12 on listed funds, plus a Welch Building warrant of $1,241.58) and then entered executive session at 8:40 p.m. to discuss a personnel matter and potential litigation; the board returned at 9:02 p.m. and adjourned.
