Lack of second stymies board reduction proposal
by ANDREA KIMBRIEL Reporter

A resolution to authorize a public referendum on reducing the size of the Williamsville Village Board from four trustees to two did not come to a vote at the board meeting Monday night.

The resolution was brought forward by Trustee Jeffrey Kingsley, but no member seconded the motion.

The resolution was a response to a presentation made by Kevin Gaughan during the Jan. 28 board meeting. Gaughan has addressed the boards of area municipalities suggesting they eliminate two positions to reduce the size and cost of local government.

Kingsley said the staff expenses of the Village of Williamsville were among the highest in the area, according to Gaughan's report, "The Cost."

The resolution would have authorized the public to vote for or against the reduction no later than June 2009.

"The resolution is not endorsing Mr. Gaughan's proposal," said Kingsley. "It would allow our employers - which is the residents of the Village of Williamsville - to make a decision. I trust the public to make an educated decision because the information is out there."

Although the board did not vote on the resolution, it was a matter of public comment at the beginning of the meeting. Residents, including several former board members, expressed concern about the possibility of a smaller Village Board.

"As a longtime volunteer and a short-term board member, my first thought was I just don't get it," said Bea Slick, a former Williamsville trustee, before Kingsley made his motion.

She said the board members have significant responsibilities that might be too much for two trustees and a mayor to handle.

"I really think we need full representation from all of you," she said.

"I'm actually quite baffled that the village would consider without public demonstration to downsize or increase village government," said Richard Sweeney, another former trustee.

He questioned the value of the savings, which Kingsley said would be approximately $11,000 per year.

"It's not about the money, it's about the size of representative government," Kingsley said.

He said the village has a yearly budget of about $4.5 million for 5,500 residents of one square mile. Kingsley said the village needs to consider whether it needs its own sewer and water departments. However, before asking them to downsize, the board should consider downsizing itself, he said.

"If we don't start from the top, we're not being leaders here," he said.

Kingsley expressed his disappointment that the resolution was not seconded.

"It's clearly an attempt to sidestep the record," he said. "If you have a firm belief, the least you should do is put the vote on the record."

The resolution could be placed on the agenda again or residents could gather 100 signatures on a referendum petition to place the issue on the ballot.

Because no residents attended the meeting to support the resolution, Trustee Brian Geary said he did not feel it was in the best interest of the village to pursue the issue further.

"I have not received any e-mails, letters or calls, nor has any trustee as far as I know, asking us to shrink the village government," he said.

He said he also believes Kevin Gaughan's report is inaccurate.

"Since no one seconded the motion, it did not come up for a vote. To me, that's an indication of no support for the resolution," said Mayor Mary Lowther.

Lowther said she believes the current number of trustees offers the best representation for residents.

"The cost savings by having two fewer board members is miniscule in a $4.5 million budget and the service, ideas, and hard work our trustees do is difficult to put a price on," she said.

Geary said he typically works 40 hours a week for the village on a monthly salary of about $450.

"Where else are you going to get labor this cheap?" he said.

Geary said he was prepared to oppose the resolution with seven pages of research had it been seconded for discussion.

"You end up with a three-person board - all you need is one person and their buddy, and they would be making all the decisions for the entire community," he said.

The Town of Amherst voted against a similar resolution to create a public referendum concerning the size of its board at the Town Board meeting on Jan. 22.