OWASCO - Sparks flew briefly over the naming of a new code enforcement officer Tuesday afternoon at a work session of the Owasco Town Board.
Patrick Doyle, former deputy supervisor and former town councilman, was selected by a committee of two from a field of 23 candidates as the nominee by the town board. Paul Weiman filled the position temporarily after Jerry VeVone was fired in December.
“Patrick Doyle was part of the reason I was fired,” VeVone said. “They had to find a place to put him.”
“I could never sit in this chair and appoint Pat Doyle as code enforcement officer because of problems in the past - a misdemeanor in the past,” said deputy supervisor Douglas Buchanan.
Buchanan complained that he hadn't been notified who the candidates were before Tuesday's meeting, in spite of his refusal to be on the screening committee.
Buchanan also raised the question of a potential conflict of interest because Doyle is employed in real estate.
He moved to rescind the motion to appoint Doyle and put it on the agenda for the next regular town board meeting.
But Buchanan met with resistance from the rest of the town board.
John Klink, town supervisor, and Edward Wagner, town councilman, had reviewed all applications and narrowed them down to two individual lists. Then they discussed the three finalists, settling on Doyle.
“Patrick stood head and shoulders above the other two,” Klink said. He noted Doyle's degree in finance, stints as deputy supervisor for three years and board member for four years as well as his construction experience.
“I sat through every one of the applications,” Wagner said.
He explained that his choice was based on experience, education, residence, work interest, and a “gut feeling.” He said Doyle's background in construction and real estate, plus his knowledge of and ability to work with people in the community were considerations.
“I see that we had two individuals that looked at the applications,” said Gino Alberici, town councilman. “I trust their judgment to break the list down to the number they had. I would like to think fellow board members would trust our judgment.”
“I did tell John I didn't want to be on the interviewing committee, but I'm annoyed that there was no agenda here and I see this gentleman here,” Buchanan said.
Alberici expressed his faith in the selection committee.
The board agreed that it could add stipulations indicating that Doyle accept no involvement in permitted construction or real estate where he might have a conflict of interest. Another code enforcement officer could inspect if such instances occurred.
Buchanan's vote was the only “no.” He shook Doyle's hand in congratulations, and Doyle indicated that they would talk.
In other news:
• Taxes will most likely go up as town engineers submitted a draft of the water/sewer rate study with recommendations to balance the budget first. Barton & Loguidice reported that the town's cash revenues of $558,781 for water were less than operating costs of $662,426. Budgeted expenses for sewer districts No. 1 and No. 2 were $794,484, but revenues fell short at $724,964, or a deficit $69,520. The town's water and sewer systems were found to be generally well maintained and efficiently run, but rates hadn't been adjusted for a number of years.
• Engineers recommended generating funds to balance the budget by making incremental adjustments to the tax rates on a yearly basis and establishing reserves. Currently, funds are transferred from appropriated funds to balance the budget. Sewer rates are more difficult to project than water, given the need for repair in sewer district No. 1. The intention of the engineering report was to simplify rates.
Staff writer Kathleen Barran can be reached at 253-5311, ext. 238 or kathleen.barran@lee.net
“Patrick Doyle was part of the reason I was fired,” VeVone said. “They had to find a place to put him.”
“I could never sit in this chair and appoint Pat Doyle as code enforcement officer because of problems in the past - a misdemeanor in the past,” said deputy supervisor Douglas Buchanan.
Buchanan complained that he hadn't been notified who the candidates were before Tuesday's meeting, in spite of his refusal to be on the screening committee.
Buchanan also raised the question of a potential conflict of interest because Doyle is employed in real estate.
He moved to rescind the motion to appoint Doyle and put it on the agenda for the next regular town board meeting.
But Buchanan met with resistance from the rest of the town board.
John Klink, town supervisor, and Edward Wagner, town councilman, had reviewed all applications and narrowed them down to two individual lists. Then they discussed the three finalists, settling on Doyle.
“Patrick stood head and shoulders above the other two,” Klink said. He noted Doyle's degree in finance, stints as deputy supervisor for three years and board member for four years as well as his construction experience.
“I sat through every one of the applications,” Wagner said.
He explained that his choice was based on experience, education, residence, work interest, and a “gut feeling.” He said Doyle's background in construction and real estate, plus his knowledge of and ability to work with people in the community were considerations.
“I see that we had two individuals that looked at the applications,” said Gino Alberici, town councilman. “I trust their judgment to break the list down to the number they had. I would like to think fellow board members would trust our judgment.”
“I did tell John I didn't want to be on the interviewing committee, but I'm annoyed that there was no agenda here and I see this gentleman here,” Buchanan said.
Alberici expressed his faith in the selection committee.
The board agreed that it could add stipulations indicating that Doyle accept no involvement in permitted construction or real estate where he might have a conflict of interest. Another code enforcement officer could inspect if such instances occurred.
Buchanan's vote was the only “no.” He shook Doyle's hand in congratulations, and Doyle indicated that they would talk.
In other news:
• Taxes will most likely go up as town engineers submitted a draft of the water/sewer rate study with recommendations to balance the budget first. Barton & Loguidice reported that the town's cash revenues of $558,781 for water were less than operating costs of $662,426. Budgeted expenses for sewer districts No. 1 and No. 2 were $794,484, but revenues fell short at $724,964, or a deficit $69,520. The town's water and sewer systems were found to be generally well maintained and efficiently run, but rates hadn't been adjusted for a number of years.
• Engineers recommended generating funds to balance the budget by making incremental adjustments to the tax rates on a yearly basis and establishing reserves. Currently, funds are transferred from appropriated funds to balance the budget. Sewer rates are more difficult to project than water, given the need for repair in sewer district No. 1. The intention of the engineering report was to simplify rates.
Staff writer Kathleen Barran can be reached at 253-5311, ext. 238 or kathleen.barran@lee.net