Orchard Park Town Board to vote on abolishing office of tax receiver
Orchard Park Town Board members plan to vote on abolishing the job of tax receiver at their meeting next Wednesday.
After an hour of discussion Wednesday evening, much of it involving “what if” scenarios, four board members agreed on language that would abolish the elected position of tax receiver Dec. 31, 2011, and have the duties and responsibilities consolidated with the town clerk’s office.
Once approved by the board, voters would have the final say in November.
Supervisor Mary Travers Murphy, who brought the issue to the board last month, said she wanted the consolidation to take place at the beginning of next year.
“I think the sooner the better,” she said.
But the other board members said there should be more time for a transition and planning for the merging of the two offices.
Both Town Clerk Janis Colarusso and Receiver of Taxes Carol R. Hutton attended the work session.
The “what ifs” centered around Colarusso’s campaign for supervisor this year. If she is elected supervisor, there still would be two years remaining in her term. Hutton is running for re-election this year.
“I know I’m going to be a winner, and as soon as I go upstairs, [to the supervisor’s office] she’s being appointed,” Colarusso said about Hutton.
Should Colarusso be elected supervisor, Hutton could be appointed clerk and oversee the two offices. Colarusso asked Hutton if she would like to work for two more years, and if she would like to work as town clerk. She said yes to both questions.
There is one full-time employee and one part-time employee in the tax receiver’s office, and one part-time and two full-time workers in the clerk’s office.
It’s not known how much money might be saved on the consolidation. Town Attorney Leonard Berkowitz said a study several years ago showed the savings would be about $53,000. But Councilman David Kaczor said he thinks the town would have to hire at least a part-time worker to help out in the consolidated office.
Edward J. Graber Jr. said projections of money saving assume that the town is overstaffed in the offices, but he said the two offices are lean on staff.
Town officials said there have been discussion for years about consolidating the two offices, something 19 other towns in Erie County have done.
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