Town Board handles town business in quick meeting

By Alice Gerard

In a meeting on Jan. 17 that was completed in 18 minutes, the Grand Island Town Board voted to:

•Accept with regret the retirement of Town Supervising Accountant Pam Barton, who stated in a letter, “I greatly appreciate opportunities the Town has afforded me in the nearly 22 years I have been employed. I have always had the best interests of the Town in mind when making recommendations to the Board, and when making decisions throughout my career.”

Barton’s retirement will be effective as of Jan. 31. She will continue to work in Town Hall, however, as the Town Board voted 4-1, with Mike Madigan dissenting, to appoint her as part-time supervising accountant.

•Accept the resignation of Charles Grunzweig from the Traffic Safety Advisory Board. Grunzweig was noted for his leadership as chair of the board, as well as for his leadership role in the First Night Out event, held annually in August.

•Reappoint Daniel J. Sperrazza and John Rottaris as town prosecutors.

•Reappoint Betty Harris to a five-year term on the Zoning Board of Appeals. Her term will expire on Dec. 31, 2027. She has served on the Zoning Board of Appeals since 2005.

In addition, Vienna A. Haak was appointed as an alternate member, with a term expiring on Dec. 31, 2023. She has served as an alternate member for the past year.

•Approve a promotion for Parks maintenance worker Steve Mrzygut.

According to a letter from Parks Department Crew Chief Thomas Cecere, Mrzygut has shown “impeccable work ethic, absorbed all elements of the job with great speed, and has demonstrated a strong leadership role.”

•Grant a special use permit renewal to Robert Mesmer to continue to maintain a private airport and landing strip on Love Road.

•Grant a special use application to Kevin Bitikofer to maintain up to three horses on 9.85 acres on East River Road.