Town of Porter approves calendar, sets salaries, numerous appointments

Staff Reports

As is the case with local governments throughout the area, the Town of Porter opened 2024 with its reorganizational meeting. A number of resolutions and routine procedural items were approved, setting the stage for town operations in the coming year.

Included were appointments, the town’s holiday and standard workday schedules, and the naming of town officials to various positions/duties.

Attorney Michael Dowd was reappointed for 2024 at a salary of $32,400, with his duties to include serving as town attorney and prosecutor, plus duties on the Planning and Zoning boards.

The town’s holiday schedule includes Monday, Jan. 15, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day; Monday, Feb. 19, President’s Day; Friday, March 29, Good Friday; Monday, May 27, Memorial Day (observed); Thursday, July 4, Independence Day; Monday, Sept. 2, Labor Day; Monday, Oct. 14, Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples’ Day (observed); Thursday and Friday, Nov. 28-29, Thanksgiving Day weekend; and Wednesday, Dec. 25, Christmas Day.

Town Board meetings will take place at 7 p.m. on the second Monday of each month (excluding October) at Town Hall. The schedule includes Feb. 12, March 11, April 8, May 13, June 10, July 8, Aug. 12, Sept. 9, Oct. 15 (Tuesday), Nov. 12 and Dec. 9.

Supervisor John “Duffy” Johnston was reappointed as the town’s budget officer.

Others reupped included Glenn M. Calvery, storm management control officer; and G@G Consulting and Grant Writing as the town’s grant writer on a $650 monthly retainer.

The board approved the town’s procurement policy for 2024 and authorized various officials to make purchases. It also approved a number of salaries of elected/appointed officials.

Leading off on a motion from Councilman Jeff Baker, seconded by Councilman Tim Adamson, the board approved a $6,000 salary increase for Johnston. His new salary is $45,082, plus $1,831 as budget officer.

Other salaries include Clerk Kara Hibbard, $47,558 (salary), $7,690 (town registrar), $6,541 (water collections), $3,637 (sewer collections) and $3,586 (tax collector). Hibbard and Deputy Clerk Elaine Porto were also approved for an additional stipend of $1,500 to reflect more duties.

Highway Superintendent Dave Burmaster, $42,541 (salary), $562 (buildings), $2,060 (parks), and $37,022 (Water/Sewer departments); and town justices Wayne Pollow and David Truesdale, $20,697.16 each. Also, Baker, $562.74, deputy supervisor and $7,985, councilman; and Jip Ortiz, Adamson and Larry White, councilmen, $7,985.

The Town Board approved a new water rate. Effective Jan. 1, water usage rates are: 0-7,000 gallons, $22.60 minimum; 7,000-20,000 gallons, $3.28 per thousand; 20,000-100,000 gallons, $3.02 per thousand; and over 100,000 gallons, $2.52 per thousand (irrigation rate).

The board said sewer rates would remain as follows: Village of Youngstown, 65 cents per thousand; Fort Niagara State Park, $5.25 per thousand; Town of Porter, 0-7,000 gallons, $40.25 and over 7,000 gallons, $5.75 per thousand. The town’s current treatment rate paid to the Town of Lewiston Water Pollution Control Center is $3.60 per thousand gallons.

All water bills will have an additional 10% surcharge, intended to build up the town’s water reserve account to handle anticipated water structure improvements.

The Town Board approved a number of liaison appointments: CWM (Citizens Advisory Committee) – Johnston, Baker and Anthony Collard (Planning Board); Village of Youngstown – Johnston; Recreation Department – Larry White; Niagara Falls Area Chamber of Commerce – Baker; libraries – White; fire companies – Dave Truesdale (Youngstown) and Baker (Ransomville); human relations – Johnston, Kimberli Boyer (budget officer) and Dowd; highways – Burmaster, Adamson and White; buildings – Truesdale, Johnston and Peter Jeffery (town building/code enforcement officer); Planning Board – Ortiz; Zoning Board of Appeals – Baker and White; historical societies – Ortiz; Upward Niagara Chamber of Commerce – Johnston and Baker; and the Lake Ontario Ordnance Works (Restoration Advisory Board) – Johnston and all Town Board members.

Wrapping up, the Town Board approved a number of contacts as budgeted: Care-n-Share, $2,000; industrial development (NICAP), $4,000; American Legion O. Leo Curtiss Post, Ransomville (maintenance), $2,500; VFW Post 313, Youngstown, $2,500; Upward Niagara Chamber of Commerce annual contract, $7,500; Youngstown Free Library, $70,000; William J. McLaughlin Free Library (Ransomville), $70,000; Ransomville Historical Project, $2,000; Town of Porter Historical Society (program maintenance), $2,000; Ransomville Country Faire (Ransomville Historical Project), $1,000; Ransomville Business and Professional Association (community beautification), $1,500; Youngstown Business and Professional Association (community beautification), $1,500; Ransomville Garden Club (flowers), $700; Niagara Pioneer Soccer League, $500; Wilson Youth Baseball Program, $500; Ransomville Rural Retirees (Services of the Aging), $700; Old Fort Niagara, $5,000; Ransomville Lighting of the Wreaths, $2,000; and Ransomville Rural retirees (activity programs), $3,000.

For more information on the town’s various reorganization approvals, visit www.townofporter.net.