From: http://www.westseneca.net/index.php?q=node/1262

Motion by Supervisor Meegan, seconded by Councilman Hanley, to appoint Tyler Burdzy, Brian Kessel, Daniel Dyson, Kenneth Strell, Jr. and William Geary, Jr. as part-time seasonal laborers in the Sanitation Department at a rate of $8.00/HR effective April 21-September 21, 2014 and authorize the Supervisor to complete and sign the necessary forms for Erie County Personnel.

Ayes: All Noes: None Motion Carried
From: http://www.westseneca.net/index.php?q=node/1353

Motion by Councilman Hanley, seconded by Councilman Hart, to amend the motion and terminate Daniel D.J. Dyson as part-time Sanitation Laborer and appoint Daniel D.J. Dyson as full-time Sanitation Laborer at a rate of $18.06/HR effective August 12, 2014 contingent upon passing drug and alcohol testing and authorize the Supervisor to complete and sign the necessary forms for Erie County Personnel.

On the question, Supervisor Meegan stated she has nothing against Mr. Dyson but he has not worked for the town six months. She questioned how long Mr. Slominski has worked for the town.

Highway Supt. Matthew English stated Mr. Slominski has worked as an alternate for three years and they have always hired alternates as full-time employees based on seniority and possession of a commercial driver’s license (CDL). He stated that alternates come to the shop and wait to be assigned a route, sometimes being sent home at 6:45 am with no work, and Mr. Slominski is an outstanding employee that has put in his time. By seniority, Mr. Dyson has not put in his time and has not even worked through a winter. Mr. English further stated that Councilman Hanley had commented on a previous occasion that full-time appointments should be based on seniority and he thought this was an injustice to Mr. Slominski and set a bad example for other alternates hoping to become full-time in the future.

Councilman Hanley stated he was aware of other appointments where people were passed by and he understood there is no seniority with alternates.
From: http://www.westseneca.net/index.php?q=node/1359

Dale Clarke questioned why Councilman Hanley continues to deny his political involvement regarding this appointment and referred to a previous meeting where Councilman Hanley commented on hard work and job performance being the basis of hiring vs. hiring individuals who circulate petitions and work on campaigns. Mr. Clarke noted the individual Councilman Hanley is proposing for the job, Mr. Dyson, is running for the democratic committee.

Councilman Hanley stated he did not know Mr. Dyson and noted it is a different person, although they are related.

Mr. Clarke further referred to a West Seneca Bee editorial from 2011 concerning hiring practices and knowing someone to get a job. He acknowledged there are reasons why certain individuals are and are not appointed to positions, but questioned the motivation behind this particular appointment.

Councilman Hanley responded the results of a West Seneca Bee poll that questioned who should be responsible for hiring in town were: 78% - Town Board; 22% - Department Heads.

Highway Supt. Matthew English stated it is a travesty and disheartening that an employee who has worked hard and lifted garbage through blizzards and snowstorms is being bypassed for a full-time position by someone who has worked less than four months. Mr. English stated since he has taken office he has always followed the practice of recommending the most senior person on the alternate list who has a Commercial Drivers License (CDL). He further stated politics should not be playing a role in this case.

Councilman Hanley responded he is not playing politics and all his decisions are based on what is best for the residents of West Seneca, noting he went through years of records and had paperwork showing where other employees were chosen ahead of senior people. Councilman Hanley stated he is not in favor of handing out jobs based on someone being a friend or family member.
From: http://www.westseneca.net/sites/defa...0918124137.pdf

Councilman Hanley responded he did not know Mr. Dyson; however, he reached out to him
after the last Town Board meeting and met him for coffee. He had received a verbal work
record report on Mr. Dyson from Highway Supt. Matthew English in executive session.
So if we take Mr. Hanley at his word that this was not political then apparently a verbal resume and having breakfast with him is his bar to hiring for the town.

Is this incompetence or is he not being truthful about it not being political? Which is worse or does it even matter?