Trustees should maintain professionalism at meetings
Trustees of the Village of Williamsville should think before they speak when it

comes to their response to public comments made by residents and members of service organizations.

During a special meeting held to place two referendums on the November election ballot, hostile remarks led to hurt feelings and outbursts. The meeting had a rocky start when all five members of the board met behind closed doors for 20 minutes prior to the meeting. According to Robert's Rules of Order, trustees cannot meet as a majority unless they call for an executive session during a public meeting.

When Williamsville Fire Chief Jim Zymanek asked them to hold the meeting in public, they came out of their chambers and met with members of the Williamsville Fire Department to discuss the proposed resolutions about the Fire Service Award Program.

Already angry that the meeting was starting late, members of the fire department asked why the board met secretly. Trustee Richard Sweeney replied, "What are you going to do about it?" This statement started a confrontation lasting for most of the meeting between representatives of the two organizations.

During the special meeting, the fire department sought to hold the referendums until the June election. This way the components of the entire program could be looked at and a solution could be found. The firefighters are unhappy about the proposal to raise the entitlement age from 55 to 60 - the age when members receive compensation for their years of active service.

Many firefighters donate their time during events such as An Evening in the Village, and Zymanek said it might be difficult to maintain firefighters' support during such events.

Sweeney then added that he was developing hostile feelings toward the firefighters in the room and their position. He said he resented that the firefighters implied they would ignore assisting with village functions.

According to Zymanek, tension had been brewing between the fire company and the board for a few months. Cleaning crews hired by the board neglected to maintain the lower level of Village Hall, where the firefighters' offices and meeting area are located. The two entities have had a contractual agreement since 1987 stating that the village would pay for the cleaning of the area.

Because the firefighters do more than answer fire and first aid calls, the board should include them in discussions about their future. Neglecting to include fire officials in the proposed referendums is backhanded and goes against the way business has been handled for 150 years.