CATTARAUGUS - At the Cattaraugus Village Board's regular meeting, their police liaison, Trustee Patrick McGlew, asked Acting Officer-in-Charge Mike McCarthy about the public's reaction to a recent changeup in patrolling schedules.
"It seems to be good for the public," answered McCarthy, "and it's good for us." He explained that he and the other two officers working for the village have drawn up a staggered timetable that includes both day and night patrols arranged in a less predictable pattern than was formerly used.
Some board members had been requesting more police presence in the village during daytime hours, and they expressed appreciation for the recent scheduling adjustments. Trustee John Bronneberg said, "I like to see you patrolling the streets more, and doing less radar sitting."
Officer McCarthy brought up two monetary matters for the board to consider. He said he felt his pay should be raised to correspond with that of Chief Don Veith, since, essentially, he's now performng Veith's administrative tasks in addition to his own patrolling duties. (Veith is currently on paid administrative leave pending the settlement of an investigation.) The board moved to comply with McCarthy's request.
Officer McCarthy then informed the board that the local police force was the only one in the county without an in-car computer. He requested permission to equip the Cattaraugus police vehicle with one. "That way, we could write tickets in the car," he said, "and check for warrants on the spot. It would simplify and speed up our work."
Trustee McGlew commented that the matter of making the patrol car computer compliant had been under discussion for at least a couple of years.
McCarthy added that Captain Joseph Grube, of the Cattaraugus County Sheriff's Office, had agreed to furnish a modem to the local department. "In all," he told the board, "it looks like it would only cost you about $1,300 to get this done."
After discussing with Treasurer Gene Doucette whether the police contractual account contained sufficient funds for the proposed disbursement, the board moved to approve the purchase of a computer, mounting brackets and other needed items, up to $1,300.
Town Clerk Rose LaQuay brought up the fact that village Code Enforcement Officer Cort Wilkins' ninety-day probationary period ended Oct. 10. She and Trustee Walt Gunther both attested to the fact that Wilkins has been attending the prerequisite training classes and has kept his books and records up-to-date. In view of these endorsements, the board authorized Mayor Myers to offer Wilkins the job on a permanent basis, if he wants it.
In other business:
In the absence of Public Works Superintendent Jason Opferbeck, two separate water-related issues were tabled until his return.
In response to a repeat request from Trading Post South to add an access ramp to their storefront, Mayor Bill Myers said he would contact them, determine their specifications and find out whether their plan conforms to local zoning regulations.
In response to queries about the delayed patching of the Mud Creek Hill road after it was torn up to repair a water leak, Mayor Myers said that Superintendent Opferbeck reported it was being left to "settle" before being repaved.
Treasurer Doucette asked for two fund transfers - $64,000 to pay for the new truck - and $15,643.32 to pay for the sand change-outs at the sewer plant.
In response to a complaint from Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Hess, Waverly Street, about drainage issues with the village storm sewers, the board agreed to direct Superintendent Opferbeck to "address" the problem when he returned.
Before adjournment, the mayor asked which board members' terms run out this year. Trustee John Bronneberg and Trustee Angela Hogan were the only two who fell into that category. Neither gave an indication as to whether they plan to run for office in the spring election. The mayor said that his own term also expires, and made it clear that he does not choose to run again.
In their final order of business, the board set Sunday, Oct. 31, 6 to 8 p.m., as the village's official trick or treat hours.