Town of Lewiston gets down to business for 2023

By Terry Duffy

Editor-in-Chief

At a brief session earlier this month, the Town of Lewiston got down to business for 2023, with a number of approvals, authorizations and appointments for the upcoming year.

Among actions approved by the Town Board:

√ Member audit schedules and work sessions and meetings for the Town Board. Also approved were meeting schedules for the town’s Planning and Zoning boards and its various commissions and committees.

√ The town’s 2023 holiday schedule with adjustments made for the Christmas holiday.

√ The 2023 IRS mileage reimbursement rate at 65.5 cents and fee rates for copies assessor fees. In addition, the board approved the cell phone stipend for select town officials; and authorized credit card use for town departments. Also set was the dishonored check fee at $20.

√ The Niagara Gazette was named the official paper for the town with the Niagara County Tribune/Sentinel designated as the secondary paper for advertisements.

√ KeyBank was named as the official town depository. Also approved were the town’s procurement policies, and guidelines on investments.

√ Named Linda Johnson as town assessor and Jamie O’Shea as property appraisal tech.

√ Named Seaman Norris as attorney for the town under contract. Alphonso Marra Bax was named as town attorney.

√ Building Inspector Tim Masters was named as compliance officer, Ed Zimmerman deputy building inspector, and Christopher McAuliffe was reappointed as storm water management officer.

√ Engineering services for the town will be provided by GHD Consulting.

√ Fire inspectors for 2023 are Pat Martin (part-time) and Chris Finnitz, with Les Myers as fire prevention chair.

√ Jeff Cosgrove was named as deputy highway superintendent and Marjorie Maggard was reappointed as town historian.

√ George Adamson was named as town prosecutor.

√ Mitch Zahno, appointed earlier as town highway superintendent following the retirement of Dave Trane, was named as parks superintendent.

√ Frank Previte was reappointed as Lewiston Police Department chief, with Katelyn Allan as account clerk.

√ Cathy Cvijetinovic was reappointed as recreation director.

√ Town Clerk Donna Garfinkel was designated as records/access officer and RMO.

√ Melinda Olick was reappointed as senior services director, with Pat Zahno and Carol Jacobs as senior service aides.

√ Susan Laterno was named as Sanborn senior services leader (part-time).

√ Supervisor’s confirmations for 2023 include William Conrad as deputy supervisor; Amy Smith as confidential secretary; Jacqueline Agnello as finance director; and John Walker as junior accountant, part-time.

√ Connie Minor was named as grants consultant on a contracted basis. Dresher-Malecki was named as town auditor on a contracted basis.

√ Town Clerk’s office appointments included Carole Schroeder as first deputy town clerk/deputy registrar; Linda Kreps, deputy town clerk/sub registrar; and Tamra Burns, deputy town clerk.

√ Dan Zahno was named water foreman, and Jeff Ritter as chief operator of the water treatment plant.

√ The town’s pay schedules were approved as presented.

√ Wrapping up, the board approved its meeting procedures under Roberts Rules of Order, and its privilege of the floor (public comments) guidelines as presented.

Privilege of the floor allows the public to express their views to the Town Board on matters of importance affecting the town. Its guidelines call for one speaker to address the board at a time. Comments should be directed to the entire board and not just one individual. Comments are also limited to five minutes or less.

Visitors are reminded that if any speaker uses inappropriate language, become abusive or unruly, or personally attacks any person, that speakers time will be cut off, and the individual may not be recognized in the future for privilege of the floor.

Should a speaker continue with disruptive behavior, the supervisor may order that person to leave the premises, and may use law enforcement if needed.

For more information on the town’s reorganization session, visit www.townoflewiston.us.