DPW chief, committee members appointed
by ELIZABETH TAUFA Reporter

At its first regular meeting since reorganization, the Williamsville Village Board made several appointments, including that of a new Department of Public Works crew chief.

Marc Shuttleworth, a Hamburg resident, was appointed unanimously by the board for a six-month probationary basis. He started his work with the DPW on Tuesday morning.

Shuttleworth replaces former DPW Crew Chief Michael Parker, who resigned in June.

Several committee appointments were also made at Monday's meeting, including committee chair appointments.

Appointments were not made during the annual reorganization meeting so that new trustees Jeff Kingsley and Brian Kulpa could meet with their committees and existing trustees could meet with new committees before making appointments.

Trustee Brian Geary appointed Village Justice Jeffrey Voelkl as chairperson of the Parks Committee; Marcia Roth, chairperson of the Beautification Committee; and Kevin Lester, chairperson of the Planning and Architectural Review Board.

Frank Mischler was appointed chairperson of the Environmental Committee by Trustee Basil Piazza.

Kulpa appointed Deborah Steinbruchner chairperson of the Meeting House Committee.

Kingsley appointed Kathleen Delaney chairperson of the Historic Preservation Committee; Richard Andrews, chairperson of the Zoning Board of Appeals; and James Lion Jr., chairperson of the Youth and Recreation Committee. He also made several appointments to the Mill Restoration Committee noting that he would like to see the committee split into subgroups responsible for different areas such as grant-writing.

During the board's work session, several other issues were discussed, including the village's parks.

Geary, the board's Parks Committee liaison, noted that the toy in Garrison Park will be removed, and the committee is in the process of finding a replacement.

Plans for Garrison Park also include the addition of blacktop to the play area and benches in the mulch for parents to sit and observe their children.

"The new toy is longer than the present one," Geary said. "But it appeals to all ages of kids."

Geary also addressed the wading pool at Garrison Park, noting that he would like to see more paving around the pool, so that parents would be encouraged to stay with their children, as well as the addition of a water mushroom.

The board also made the decision to charge the Williamsville Business Association the regular $175 for the day's rental of Island Park for Taste of Williamsville in lieu of the 1.5 percent of the proceeds previously charged.

The proceeds from Taste of Williamsville go to pay for beautification costs in the village. The $175 received from the WBA will be moved into the beautification fund along with the proceeds from Taste of Williamsville so that all proceeds will be used for flowers and other costs for beautification.

Taste of Williamsville will be held from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 7 in Island Park. More than 20 restaurants are participating this year.

The next regular Village Board meeting will be at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 13 at Village Hall, 5565 Main St., with a work session at 6 p.m.

e-mail: etaufa@beenews.com