CASSADAGA - Minus Mayor LeeAnn Lazarony, who is on medical leave, and Deputy Mayor Rodney Waite, who was unable to attend, Village Clerk Roxanne Astry took up the gavel to preside over the recent meeting of the Cassadaga Village Board.
The major agenda item was hiring a new utility worker to replace Ronald Matter, who resigned effective June 8.
The three board members in attendance voted without comment to approve the hiring of Larry Farnham as a utility worker for the village. Farnham, a village resident, lives at 262 Maple Ave. He began work on July 9. The position is full-time, 40 hours per week. Farnham will be paid $13 per hour. He has to complete training for a water license, after which he will receive a raise of $1 per hour. He is subject to a 60-day probation period after which he will be eligible for health insurance. He will also be eligible for one week of vacation time. After an initial training period, his hours will be flexible according to the needs of the village.
Article Photos
OBSERVER Photo by Diane R. Chodan
The Cassadaga Village Board was missing both its mayor and deputy mayor at its recent meeting. Village Clerk Roxanne Astry presided over the meeting. Pictured left to right are trustees Michael Lehnen and Ronald DeChard, Astry, and trustee Valerie Culverwell.
During the public comment section of the meeting, Mary Jo Bauer addressed the board about the beach program. She began by saying, "Val has done a fabulous job with the beach. It is very pretty."
Bauer then went on to express some concerns about the program. She said, "Too many staff were hired. ... The kids are not happy not getting hours. A couple of them have told me they were promised twenty hours a week."
Bauer's son, David Carlson, is a lifeguard for the program, but she denied this was the motivation for her to come to the board.
"I used to run the beach program and the kids are comfortable talking to me," she said.
Bauer went on to question the number of lifeguards assigned at specific times, the use of a recreation aide to assist in the Tiny Tots program, which she deemed a liability issue, and the classification of one of the lifeguards as a junior lifeguard and his duties.
"I want them (the lifeguard staff) to be happy," she said.
Trustee Valerie Culverwell explained to Bauer that no public response would be offered, but said that Bauer had her number and was always welcome to voice her concerns or ask questions directly.
Culverwell said after the meeting that the beach program is being run properly.
Before adjourning, the board tabled reports from Stearns & Wheler and Sam Mancuso, the code officer.
The next meeting is scheduled for July 18. The workshop is at 6:30 p.m. and the regular meeting at 7 p.m.
Comments on this story may be directed to dchodan@observertoday.com
