OBSERVER Photo by Braden Carmen Bob Frank Jr. was recently hired as the new Department of Public Works Superintendent in Cassadaga.

CASSADAGA — One of the biggest items on the checklist for Rudy Abersold as mayor was to find a new supervisor of the Department of Public Works.

That has been crossed off the list with the appointment of Bob Frank Jr. as DPW superintendent.

Frank, who also serves as chief of the Cassadaga Fire Department, was appointed earlier this month to fill the position that was vacant since Abersold took over as mayor. Sam Alaimo resigned from the post, and since then, the department has been without a supervisor.

Biancca Riggle, the only remaining full-time employee of the department, resigned earlier this month just prior to Frank being named the new superintendent. Bob Frank Sr. has been helping out his son on a part-time basis, but the Village Board is searching for a more permanent employee to take over in the coming months.

As Frank took over the role, cleanup of the facilities has begun. The Village Board recently declared two vehicles — a street sweeper from 1967 and a Ford dump truck from 1987 — as surplus equipment.

Frank was fortunate to have a light month at the Fire Department in April, as the department responded to zero fires and zero motor vehicle accidents for the month. Of the 14 total calls, 11 were Emergency Medical Services calls. Mutual aid was provided six times and received once. The Village Board approved the purchase of turnout gear for two new interior firefighters at a total cost of $8,719.44.

The Village Board also made another recent appointment, as Sean Seibert was selected as an alternate for the Zoning Board of Appeals. He received an ovation from an audience of roughly a dozen residents after taking his oath of office at the latest meeting. At a previous meeting, the Board also appointed Judith Garncarek to the Ethics Committee. She was sworn-in at a meeting in April.

In recent discussions, Abersold has been advised that the best course of action for drilling a new well for the water line replacement project would be at the village’s ballfields. Water meter replacement and water line upgrades along Main Street are the village’s priority. The Village Board expects more discussion on the project at its next meeting, Wednesday, June 3. Matt Zarbo of Square Engineering is planning to attend the meeting to discuss next steps.