Even while, in recent months, the Village of Brockport has been under the cloud of scandal, there are many successes that should be celebrated by the administration and the community, Mayor Josephine Matela said in an address to the board at their first meeting of 2002 on January 7.

"The state of Brockport is good," she said. "Our service departments have demonstrated their ability to deliver to you the level of services you expect."

Matela commended the Acting Police Chief Doug Ziegler for putting together a bike patrol, the General Orders, working with SPARTAC and the day-to-day operations of the department.

"Doug, I just want to say 'thank you' for your dedication and devotion to members of your department," she said. "The officers under your command continued to serve and protect this community even under the most adverse conditions."

The Department of Public Works, under the direction of Fred Perrine, played an integral part in coordinating the demolition of the homes on Oxford Street, working with 3M and the village's environmental consultant.

"Fred, thanks to you and your crew for a job well done during the past year," she said. "We appreciate your attention to detail and your quick response to consumer concerns."

During the past year, the department has continued their commitment to improve the parks and playgrounds, and constructed a circular tulip bed at Triangle Park. The park will be dedicated Memorial Day to the victims of September 11, she said.

The village's communication department, with a workforce whose experience numbers more than 90 years, has continued to provide excellent dispatching services for police, fire, ambulance and DPW in the village and surrounding communities.

Matela indicated that dispatchers would receive additional training in domestic violence intervention which will be added to their skills when responding to community needs.

"Dan (Zimmer) many thanks to you and your department for continued excellent service at all hours of the day or night."

The Department of Zoning/Code Enforcement will undoubtedly go through the most changes of all departments, she said.

"We are extremely grateful to have hired a qualified and experienced officer, Scott Zarnstorff," she said. "He brings with him more than 10 years experience in zoning and enforcement."

In addition to Zarnstorff, Matela said, the department has hired Sandy Prince who will act as administrative assistant to the zoning and planning departments.

"Her responsibilities will include managing the paperwork flow between the two boards and also generate tracking and compliance reports," she said.

The fire department, under the supervision of Chief Greg Wing, answered more than 769 fire calls and 1,038 ambulance calls.

"This completely volunteer force has continued to demonstrate through their very visible actions, their unselfish commitment to the community," she said.

She indicated her first experience with the department was during the evacuation of Lakeside Beikirch's Care Center in July.

"If ever there was anyone cool under pressure, it was certainly Chief Wing," she said.

In the spring, Matela said, the village will implement paid part time ambulance coverage which will ensure the community that we will have prompt response to any calls for service during those times when volunteers may be in short supply.

Matela also thanked Inga Songbird for organizing the second annual Candlewalk last December.

The most significant accomplishment last year, she said, was the signing of the memorandum of understanding with the 3M Company.

"The legal team headed by village attorney Ed Riley with attorney Frank Aloi and Ken Pike successfully negotiated a performance plan for the demolition of the Oxford Street homes," she explained. "This coordinated effort and successful demolition was accomplished with little disruption to the neighborhood and the community."

"There is much to do in the coming year and, as I said during my campaign, the health, safety and welfare of our community will be our first priority," she said.