Planning Board appointment becomes political party debate
by JESSICA L. FINCH Associate Editor

Weinstein

In the first meeting with the three new Amherst Town Board members a line was clearly drawn between the Democrats and Republicans during the appointment of a Planning Board member.

Phillip Gulisano's appointment played second fiddle to the debate about whether it was an appropriate appointment or the Republicans "taking care of their own."

Gulisano is vice chairman of the Amherst Republican Committee.

His appointment was approved 4-3, with GOP Supervisor Satish Mohan, Deputy Shelly Schratz, Guy Marlette and Dr. Barry Weinstein voting yes. The Democrats, Dan Ward, Deborah Bruch Bucki and Mark Manna, voted no.

"It was wrong for the four (Republicans) to put a name through. The Planning Board is too important and this shouldn't have been done in secret," Manna said, adding that the four council members decided on Gulisano's appointment without discussing it with the three Democrats.

Marlette said he had been approached by the three Democrats who had a name they wanted to submit, but he chose to support Gulisano.

"He is an attorney who specializes in traffic law," Marlette said. "He has experience and is neither pro- nor anti-development. He's a reasonable person."

Gulisano is also a past president of the Amherst Youth Foundation.

He will fill a spot that had been held by Bob Simmons for at least two decades, Marlette said.

When Mohan was asked if the Republicans had met, he said, "No."

"We can never make that mistake. Four can't meet, it's illegal, we will never do it," Mohan said.

Marlette said the four Republicans met prior to his installation to discuss a number of issues, including a possible Planning Board member appointment.

The board also appointed Colleen Bogdan to the Zoning Board of Appeals. She had filled a vacancy for one year, and this was an appointment to a full term. The vote was 5-2, with Ward and Bucki voting no.

Weinstein said having Bogdan on the board keeps everyone honest.

In his first meeting, Weinstein ruffled some feathers by proposing changes to the rules of order. They were discussed and then tabled until the Jan. 22 meeting.

He is proposing that public hearings be held on the second and fourth Mondays of the month and not within the regular town meetings.

He also suggested that the public comment period be broken into two sections - one on agenda items at the beginning of the meeting and the other at the end of the meeting on any town issues. The towns of Clarence, Lancaster and Cheektowaga follow this policy.

Weinstein also revived a town rule of order, passed in 2007, that states meetings must end at 11:30 p.m. or extended by unanimous vote.

At 11:45 p.m., he said he would not vote for such an action and said the board had five minutes to approve the consent agenda.

The board had completed the committee reports but had not reached the department head reports. Any items not on the consent agenda were moved to unfinished business.

That includes approving the 2008 salaries for part-time exempt employees, which refers to employees who are exempt from certain wage and hour laws. They will remain at the 2007 figures.

It also includes the setting of a public hearing for a proposed rezoning of 3950 Maple Road from general business to motor service district. The date was supposed to be Feb. 4, but the hearing will have to be held at a later date.

The board's next meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 22 because of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday on Jan. 21.

For information, visit www. amherst. ny. us.