Brockport officials repeal their salary increases,
present other cost cutting measures

As a money saving measure for taxpayers and as a way to set an example, board members in the Village of Brockport, voted to rescind the salary increases that were built into the 2005-06 budget. The vote was taken at the July 18 meeting.

"As a board I want us to look at rescinding the three percent increase that was in the budget," Trustee David Wagenhauser said.

It was discussed at an informal meeting at the end of June to repeal the salary increases as the newly elected board members said they hadn't been in office when the raises were voted upon and that they hadn't yet earned a raise. Village officials were going to look into ways to "give back" the raises and where it would be put back into the budget.

Trustee Maria Castaneda asked for a resolution to cut the mayor's salary by $5,000. "I was against the creation of a village manager (a position created by the previous board) and I think we should reduce the mayor's salary to fund that position," she said.

There was no second to the motion and it died.

As another money saving measure, a public hearing was called for August 15 for the dissolution of the Board of Water Commissioners.

"We will either dissolve the board or reduce it from five members to one or two," Mayor Mort Wexler said. "I also want to make that board accountable to this board. Right now when they decide to raise water rates they just come and tell us. We don't have any discussion."

Wexler also said that in his position as mayor he will not vote on resolutions unless his vote is needed to break a tie. "All decisions by the board will be made by the board, not me," he said.