Town's website voted No. 1 out of 16 municipalities
By David Yarger
Tribune Editor
At Monday night's Town of Wheatfield regular Town Board meeting, the board announced several items, all with great relevance to the town.
The board appointed David Heim as the town justice, filling the vacant spot recently held by the late Justice John Mattio. Heim's term began Tuesday. Heim will be up for election come November.
Supervisor Don MacSwan said, "I'd like to thank the Town Board and the town attorney for all their assistance in conducting interviews for town justice. All applicants were exceptional and all interviewed very well. ... The Town Board has selected the most qualified for the position. We know we have the best qualified people."
Heim enters the new position after being the town prosecutor.
Filling the position of town prosecutor is Matthew Mosher, who was appointed to the position by the board. Mosher's term begins March 25.
In other news, during board member items, Councilman Larry Helwig announced the town was graded as the top website amongst 16 other municipalities by the Buffalo Niagara Coalition for Open Government. For 2018, the town site was graded an 80 percent, an increase from its 2017 second place grade of 75.5 percent. Wheatfield nudged out defending champ Amherst by 1 percent.
"A big thank you goes out to Kathy Harrington and Mike Ranalli and all the departments keeping our website active and content up to date. It's very important for our residents and constituents," Helwig said.
During department head items, the board heard from Tim Zuber of Wendel Engineers, the town's engineering firm, about several proposals at recent Planning Board sessions.
Plans proposed included an addition to the Voss Manufacturing facility, which was approved by the Planning Board. Other plans came from Gardner Trucking and Storage, Sanborn Distillery, Heritage Structures, Moog, Wheatfield Gardens, Dollar General, and Pellicano's. No action was required or taken for the proposals.
In other news, the board announced with regret the resignation of Jerry Canada from the Zoning Board of Appeals. The board recognized his 17 years of service and appointed Matthew Klettke to fill Canada's vacancy.
The Town Board also approved a revision to its town code "Subdivision of land." The revision requires developers to take on any cost for any signage required in new developments. The costs must also be paid to the town prior to the installation of signage and installation must be complete prior to final acceptance of the property improvement plans.
Next, the Town Board scheduled a public hearing regarding bicycle races in Inducon Drive West and Inducon Drive East at the Vantage International Point. USA Cycling recently proposed a series of 10 races on Thursday's during the summer months. The public hearing gives residents, as well as members of Vantage International Point, a chance to ask questions and voice possible concerns or suggestions over the proposal. The hearing is slated to start at 7 p.m. April 2.
The next regular Town Board meeting will follow the public hearing on April 2.