Thursday, December 3, 2020

Benson considers changing highway superintendent position from elected to appointed

 Benson TB November 17 2020



Benson considers changing highway superintendent position from elected to appointed

By PETE KLEIN

BENSON—The Benson Town Board met on November 17 and passed the following resolution by a split vote.

CHANGING THE HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT’S POSITION FROM ELECTED TO APPOINTED

WHEREAS the Town of Benson Highway Superintendent’s current term in set to expire December 31st, 2021, and

WHEREAS the Town Board wishes to explore the option of making the Highway Superintendent position an appointed position, and

WHEREAS, the Town Board recognizes that there are many legal, financial, and social questions surrounding the idea of changing an elected position to an appointed position and that these questions would best be answered by an attorney, now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that the Town Board legal committee will be authorized to compile information and questions that any board member may have, which will then be relayed to Attorney Gifford. Be it further,

RESOLVED, that exploratory questioning and legal advice shall not exceed 4 hours of billed time and that Attorney Gifford’s responses will be shared with all board members to determine if further action will be taken.

VOTE: Tad Davis – Aye, David Pincombe – Aye, Charles Biche – Nay, Dave Rogers – Abstain, John Stortecky – Aye. Motion carried.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Phil Snyder asked why he did not see $45,000.00 from Fire Protection District as a line item on the new budget. Where did it go?

Supervisor Stortecky said it is on the 2021 budget.

Snyder said the public does not see it.

Frank Fernandez’s question to George Blowers regarding Webber driveway was not answered due to lawsuit regarding it.

Snyder further asked why the increase in Fire district amount to be paid?

Stortecky said their budget makes clear what is needed and why.

Snyder commented, “I used to but no longer support the Highway Superintendent position to become an appointed one as opposed to an elected one.

BLDGS., GROUNDS AND EMERGENCY SERVICES

Furnace needs attention at Town Barn re: filter and maintenance. Biche will contact Allen and Palmer.

LEGAL

Rogers moved to have monthly Town of Benson Code Enforcement Reports included in the minutes; 2nd by Stortecky.

Vote: Pincombe – Aye, Biche – Aye, Rogers – Aye, Davis – Aye, Stortecky – Aye. Motion carried.

Rogers made a motion for Benson Town Board to adopt Contractors Liability Form for all contractors doing work for the Town of Benson; 2nd by Pincombe.

Vote: Pincombe – Aye, Biche – Aye, Rogers – Aye, Davis – Aye, Stortecky – Aye. Motion carried.

CEMETERY

Pincombe would like to see main headstone on Suydam Plots moved to center spot. Twenty plots are available to be sold back to the Town of Benson at cost purchased.

This article is based upon the minutes of Jeanne Cox, Town Clerk.


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