Transition for West Seneca

[The Jokester]

Now that new blood is on the Town Board, what is it that needs to be done to make sure the mistakes of the past do not continue to haunt our town and those who run it?

Try to keep suggestions simple, please.

[Mona]

[/LIST]checks and balances[/LIST]no increased taxes to pay for over inflated salaries

[wantabe]

Its time to clean house and start fresh. I would like to see the town board stay at 4 members, not including the supervisor. I think you need that many for good representation.
I have always fought for term limits and I would like to see that happen. But I know that is not going to happen.
Better town board meetings where the residents have time to express their concerns.

[Pumpkinhead]

See discussion "Changes You Want' there were lots of good ideas. I don't know, I came on this for information and found out that the problem is lack of information. People shouldn't have to make a freedom of informatoin to get a simple thing like a detailed budget.

[The Jokester]

See discussion "Changes You Want' there were lots of good ideas. I don't know, I came on this for information and found out that the problem is lack of information. People shouldn't have to make a freedom of informatoin to get a simple thing like a detailed budget.

Right you are! And, is anyone aware if whether Wally has done any research through these types of forums to see what the people really are buzzing about? It might behoove him to do so.

[Psycho1]

Right you are! And, is anyone aware if whether Wally has done any research through these types of forums to see what the people really are buzzing about? It might behoove him to do so.

I will attest to the fact that this forum has been mentioned as a barometer for what people are asking and saying. Don't know if any of the new officials have checked in though.

[CSense]

I will attest to the fact that this forum has been mentioned as a barometer for what people are asking and saying. Don't know if any of the new officials have checked in though.

I think ML, although not an elected official, along with friends and family are reading this thread.

[BigGuy]

Right you are! And, is anyone aware if whether Wally has done any research through these types of forums to see what the people really are buzzing about? It might behoove him to do so.

I'm not sure Wally associates with people who use the word "behoove".

But anyway, I don't have any idea whether he reads his site.

[Psycho1]

I'm not sure Wally associates with people who use the word "behoove".

Hey! What is wrong with behoove?

[The Jokester]

I'm not sure Wally associates with people who use the word "behoove".

But anyway, I don't have any idea whether he reads his site.

Hey, I'm an old guy, what can I say?

[dtwarren]

I mentioned some of these before in another thread:

• Acknowledge its obligations and the public’s right under FOIL and the Open Meetings Law;
• enact a more comprehensive ethics policy;
• Reduce the discretionary purchasing authority under the current procurement policy;
• Enact a nuisance abatement law.

[wnyfuture]

I mentioned some of these before in another thread:

• Acknowledge its obligations and the public’s right under FOIL and the Open Meetings Law;
• enact a more comprehensive ethics policy;
• Reduce the discretionary purchasing authority under the current procurement policy;
• Enact a nuisance abatement law.

Nuisance Abatement Law - I know a few homes in the Winchester area that were told to paint their house or garage by X or be fined x amount of dollars.

[dtwarren]

Nuisance Abatement Law - I know a few homes in the Winchester area that were told to paint their house or garage by X or be fined x amount of dollars.

We have to acknowledge the fact that we are a first ring suburb and to date as a town have been pretty lucky in that we have not had some of the issues like Cheektowaga has had on its border with the city.

Many towns have enacted nuisance abatement laws that give the town the power through eitheran administrative proceeding or civil proceeding in court to enjoin certain conduct on premises in the town or fine the owner of the premises as well as revoking the premises certificate of occupancy. A good example is where a premises used constantly for the sale of drugs or other illegal activity as well as zoning and maintenance violations. The Police may be able to act on a violation by violation of the penal if the landlord continuously rents the premises to people engaged in the illegal activity.

[Spirit of Ebenezer]

Listen to a police scanner. Talk to some cops. The problems are here, and it isn't going to get better. Much of it does seem to stem around the city line borders where there are more absentee owners, but it is more invasive than just there. The criminal courts in West Seneca are stretched to their limits. I'm speculating but would it be fair to say to enact and enforce more laws even zoning types would lead to more costs for the town ? Are you saying your solutions can be simply instituted and would be of miminal or no cost and require little research and work ? I agree a start is needed, but you seem to like to lead people to think everything is so simple to solve.

[dtwarren]

Things are simple to solve, what is difficult is getting those responsible for public policy to overcome the inertia that appears to affect them. Nothing I have posted has never been done before. Nuisance abatement laws have been on the books in some towns for decades and they provide for the impositions of costs against the property owners to cover the cost to the town to abate the nuisance. Some other towns and municipalities require a landlord to pay an annual fee and possess a permit in order to rent out to others (which may include the posting of a maintenance bond, minimum insurance coverage or other such issues).

Our code of ethics is pitiful and provides for no real guidance, procedures or penalties. This town has no known formal written policy on FOIL or the Open Meetings Law. I think that allowing discretionary purchases up to $3,000.00 (under the Town's current procurement policy) is unreasonable and will not encourage the purchaser to obtain the lowest possible price.