1 Annual Organizational Meeting Tuesday, January 2, 2009 2:00 Pm
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Proceedings of the Board of Supervisors 1 ANNUAL ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING TUESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2009 2:00 PM The annual organization meeting of the Wyoming County Board of Supervisors was held in the Supervisor’s Chamber, Government Center, 143 North Main Street, Warsaw, NY with all members present. Clerk to the Board, Mrs. Cheryl Ketchum, called the meeting to order and introduced Wyoming County Veteran, Mr. Paul H. Hamilton to lead in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag: Paul H. Hamilton Mr. Hamilton’s service to his country comes while serving during the Gulf Wars. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corp on September 26, 1994. He completed Basic Training at Paris Island, South Carolina, and then went on to Camp Keiger, North Carolina where he completed Advanced Individual Training as a Heavy Equipment Operator. Mr. Hamilton’s first assignment was with the MWSS 171st in Iwa Kuni, Japan. He spent a year in Japan with his unit as a heavy equipment operator. He then returned to the United States and was assigned duties at 29 Palms Air Base in California, with the Aviation Ground Support Element where he spent the next 2 ½ years as a Heavy Equipment Operator. Mr. Hamilton was Honorably Discharged on September 25, 1998 at the rank of Corporal E-4. For his service to his country, Mr. Hamilton was awarded: The National Defense Service Medal The Sea Service Development Ribbon The Meritorious Mast Medal; and The Good Conduct Medal Following his discharge, he returned to this area and worked in construction as an equipment operator for 2 years and then went to work for the New York State Department of Correction as a Correction Officer. During this time, he continued his service to his country by serving 4 years with the United States Naval Reserve in Buffalo, during which he and his unit helped in the “Recovery” of New York City following the attack on “9-11”. This service earned him 2 Battle “E” Ribbons. Mr. Hamilton also has continued his education. He is presently enrolled at Genesee Community College with a Major in Engineering and still works at Attica Correctional Facility as a Correction Officer. Mr. Hamilton enjoys hiking and anything outdoors. He has January 02, 2009 2 Proceedings of the Board of Supervisors been married to his wife, Lisa, for over 11 years and they have 2 beautiful daughters, Alexandria and Victoria, and they live in Attica. The pledge was said by all. A certificate of appreciation was presented to Mr. Hamilton in honor of his service to his country and also to commemorate his appearance today. Clerk Ketchum stated that another custom of this Board is to offer Veterans an opportunity to address the Board. Mr. Hamilton thanked the Board for caring about all veterans. Clerk Ketchum announced that the Supervisors would be utilizing their new weighted voting system today, pursuant to a local law recently passed and filed with the New York State Secretary of State. Judge Mark Dadd was thanked for agreeing to administer the oath of office to the officials today, as well. The Clerk then called for nominations for the Temporary Chairman. Supervisor Gozelski nominated Supervisor Rogers. Seconded by Supervisor Grant. As there were no other nominations Supervisor Grant moved that the nominations be closed, the motion was seconded by Supervisor Smith. A roll call vote was taken with the following results: Ayes: (1596); Noes: (0); Absent: (0) Abstain: (0); Supervisor Rogers was declared Temporary Chairman. Judge Mark Dadd administered the oath of Office to the Temporary Chairman. Temporary Chairman Rogers welcomed his fellow Supervisors, County Officials, Department Heads, County Staff, Media Representatives, Family, Friends and guests of the 2009 Annual Organizational Meeting of the Board of Supervisors. He extended a thank you to the Board for their continued confidence in his ability to conduct the meeting in the Temporary Chairman’s capacity. He then called for nominations for Permanent Chairman of the Board. Supervisor Kushner nominated Supervisor Berwanger; seconded by Supervisor Patti. As there were no other nominations Supervisor Brick moved that the nominations be closed, the motion was seconded by Supervisor Smith. A roll call vote was taken with the following results: Ayes: (1596); Noes: (0); Absent: (0) Abstain: (0); Temporary Chairman Rogers declared Supervisor Berwanger as Permanent Chairman of the Board for the year 2009. Judge Mark Dadd administered the oath of Office to the Permanent Chairman. Organizational Meeting Proceedings of the Board of Supervisors 3 Chairman Berwanger called for nominations for Vice-Chairman of the Board. Supervisor Totsline nominated Supervisor Davis. Seconded by Supervisor May. As there were no other nominations, Supervisor May moved that nominations be closed. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Fleischman. A roll call vote was taken with the following results: Ayes: (1596); Noes: (0); Absent: (0) Abstain: (0); Supervisor Davis was declared Vice- Chairman of the Board for the year 2009. Judge Mark Dadd administered the oath of Office to the Vice Chairman. Chairman Berwanger called for nominations for Clerk to the Board. Supervisor Smith nominated Cheryl J. Ketchum. Seconded by Supervisor Brick. As there were no other nominations, Supervisor Davis moved that nominations by closed. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Grant. A roll call vote was taken with the following results: Ayes: (1596); Noes: (0); Absent: (0) Abstain: (0). Cheryl J. Ketchum was declared Clerk to the Board for the year 2009. Judge Mark Dadd administered the oath of Office to the Clerk to the Board. Chairman Berwanger then invited recently appointed County Clerk, Rhonda Pierce to please come forward and take the oath of office. The Oath of Office was administered by Judge Mark Dadd. Clerk Pierce was given an opportunity to address the board. She stated, “I would like to thank Chairman Berwanger and the entire board of supervisors for their vote of confidence in appointing me as County Clerk to succeed Dick. I, and all the employee’s at the Clerk’s Office and DMV are going to miss Dick and his leadership very much. In the short time we had working as County Clerk and Deputy Clerk we were able to accomplish so much and we both were very proud of how smoothly the Clerk’s Office operated in 2008. Although this appointment is bittersweet in how I received it, I am excited about my new position and look forward to serving the people of Wyoming County. Thank you all once again.” Chairman Berwanger requested a moment of silence in honor of former County Clerk, Richard Harrison. Chairman Berwanger offered the following tribute in memory of Richard Harrison, “One year ago Richard Harrison stood in these Chambers and took the oath of office as the newly elected County Clerk. Being from Arcade all of us who knew Dick were especially proud and happy for him. His career in Wyoming County began 10 years ago as the Director of the Bureau of Weights January 02, 2009 4 Proceedings of the Board of Supervisors and Measures taking over for the retired, Charles Daniels. Dick took on the responsibility as a Department Head with great vigor. Updating and computerizing department functions and records. His work with the public was excellent and he began new innovations which increased public awareness of the importance of Weights and Measures, most notably staffing a booth at the Wyoming County Fair, which provided a great opportunity to reach the public. Dick was also the Bookkeeper for the Town of Arcade. He has worked with me for 13 years. His attention to detail was at times maddening but under his direction of Town Finance the State Comptroller’s audits were always good and as you know that is always a positive for any elected Town Supervisor. Dick Harrison was a loyal, intelligent, thoughtful, and dedicated public servant. His time in the world was far too short. But for those of us that knew him well, we were most fortunate to be a part of his life. To his wife, Joan, son and daughter, Trent and Nicole, mother, Marge, and sister, Sandy our thoughts and prayers are with you. Wyoming County is a better place because of Dick Harrison. Introduction of Guests: Nick Langworthy, Congressman, Chris Lee’s District Director Michelle McCullough, Congressman, Chris Lee’s, Williamsville Office Director Jim Domalgowski, Erie County Republican Committee Chair. Chairman Berwanger asked Clerk Ketchum to pass out the Standing Committee assignments for 2009. At 2:25 PM Chairmen Berwanger called for a short recess for a special meeting of the Finance Committee. At 2:28 PM the meeting resumed with the following results: Chairman Berwanger introduced the Assistant County Attorney Jamie Welch. 2/3 Majority Unanimous Consent #1 RESOLUTION NO. 09-01 (January 2, 2009) By Mr. Berwanger, Chairman of the Committee of the Whole: RULES OF PROCEDURE AMENDED AND ADOPTED Organizational Meeting Proceedings of the Board of Supervisors 5 BE IT RESOLVED, That this Board of Supervisors hereby adopts, as its Rules of Procedure, the Rules of this Board as adopted May 11, 1999, as amended, and be it FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Rules of Procedure are hereby amended as follows: Rule 42. Participation in Sessions. “No person other than the members of the Board of Supervisors, the Clerk to the Board, the County Attorney, and the Budget Officer shall participate in any way in the meetings of the Board…” Carried: XXX Ayes: 1470 Noes: Absent: Abstain: Unanimous Consent #2 RESOLUTION NO. 09-02 (January 2, 2009) By Mr. Berwanger, Chairman of the Committee of the Whole: BETH POND REAPPOINTED COUNTY AUDITOR BE IT RESOLVED, That Beth Pond, 6708 Swyers Road, Castile, NY 14427 is hereby reappointed County Auditor; effective January 01, 2009 through December 31, 2009.