Kuzon, who has been employed with the village since 1987, ended her tenure as village administrator on Aug. 31.

In a letter to the board, Kuzon thanked them for proposing an employment contract but refused it.

"I do not believe it is in my best interest to accept the terms of the new agreement," she said. 

Kuzon's letter went on to note that because she and the board could not reach an agreement, her position expired without a contract and she would receive severance pay in accordance with her contract.

"Since my accrued benefit time exceeds my current annual salary, I anticipate payment of an amount equal to one year's salary in accordance with the agreement." 

Details of Kuzon's salary could not be confirmed, and Kuzon could not be reached for comment.

According to former Village Trustee Joseph Frese, Kuzon was the highest paid village administrator in Erie County, if not Western New York.

Frese said that Kuzon's severance package was a matter of contention with the current board and the major cause for renegotiating her contract.

Kuzon's contract was written under the previous administration and accepted in July 2003.

"The board is contractually obligated to follow the terms of all employee contracts," Lowther said.   "The funds for all benefits for employees of the village are accrued on an annual basis so there is no major expenditure required to meet the terms of any employee leaving the service of the village."

"I don't recall that clause when the original contract was drawn up," Frese said, referring to Kuzon's original contract accepted in April 2000. "I don't know when it was changed."

"It's very shocking for a small community like this," he continued.  "She did a wonderful job but to pay anybody one lump sum like that is very shocking."