ORCHARD PARK
Vote rejects idea to make some elected posts appointed
Local town governments are fighting a state proposal that would make it easier for them to do away with elections to fill the jobs of their town clerks, tax receivers and highway superintendents.
The proposal, a government-streamlining move in Gov. David A. Paterson’s budget, would allow town boards to appoint people to fill the administrative positions.
Orchard Park’s Town Board unanimously passed a resolution Wednesday opposing the idea. Earlier this month, the Town of Hamburg passed a similar resolution.
“In a way, a vote for this [resolution] is a vote for a little more democracy — direct democracy,” Orchard Park Councilman Mark C. Dietrick said before the vote.
Town Clerk Janis A. Colarusso said she joined the New York State Town Clerks Association in opposing the governor’s measure.
“The right to vote is a gift for anyone who wishes to use it,” she said in a statement. “Anytime that right is in jeopardy, we need to fight to keep it.”
Under current law, a public referendum is required to change an elected town position to an appointed one.
Under the governor’s proposal, a public referendum would still be required if petitioners line up 5 percent voter support for keeping the position elected.
The governor’s proposal aims to make it easier for towns to consolidate the positions and streamline administrative services, according to the state Budget Division.
“If you’re trying to merge some of these administrative offices, the positions would need to be appointed to have a consolidation occur,” Budget Division spokesman Matt Anderson said.
The idea comes from last year’s report from the state Commission on Local Government Efficiency and Competitiveness. Elected officials often put up roadblocks to merging municipal departments or combining shared services with neighboring governments, the report states.
Most towns in Erie County have already combined the positions of clerk and tax receiver, said David J. Shenk, who performs both jobs in the Town of Boston and is also the president of the Erie County Tax Receivers and Collectors Association.
Those that don’t might have special circumstances, he said. Some town tax receivers also collect village taxes, making it difficult to take on the role of clerk, as well.
“Generally, clerks, collectors and highway superintendents enjoy strong support from their community,” he said. As elected officials, they are more responsive to residents.
The state proposal is in the executive budget’s Article VII Public Protection/ General Government section. The State Legislature is supposed to adopt a budget by April 1.
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