Trustee Blair said he received proofing feedback from Clerk Morelli and Trustee Blackman and asked if anyone had any further suggested changes. He questioned whether the Board wished to approve the Mayor’s Message as submitted or utilize part of it from the Board as a whole.
Mayor Castañeda said she does not grant permission for the Board to edit her letter.
Trustee Blackman said the bulk of it was written from the perspective of the Board with a few exceptions that are proprietary to the Mayor.
Trustee Andrews suggested Trustee Blair meet with Mayor Castañeda and reach a compromise.
Trustee Blair said there are only a couple of lines that are not the feeling of the Board.
Trustee Blackman concurred and said she does not agree with a couple of lines.
Mayor Castañeda again said she does not grant permission for the Board to edit her letter.
Trustee Blair suggested Clerk Morelli place finalization of the newsletter on the next agenda.
Mayor Castañeda said many municipal newsletters have a letter of column from the Mayor or Supervisor. Regardless of whether her letter ends up being approved by the Board for the newsletter, she asked Clerk Morelli to insert it in these minutes.
This is the letter drafted by the Clerk for the Mayor:
Welcome to the Village of Brockport Newsletter.
The Village did a newsletter from 2000-2006 and is happy to reinstate it. We also encourage you to visit the Village website at www.brockportny.org and subscribe to receive updates.
It has been an interesting few years for the Village of Brockport. As Trustee July 2005 through June 2009 and Deputy Mayor July 2006 through June 2009 I learned quite a bit about municipal government and represented the Mayor at many functions and meetings.
As Mayor since July 2009, the Treasurer at that time, who had only started a few months prior,brought to my attention the troubling state of the Village’s finances. The Board inherited many problems. For years there was under-budgeting and over-spending. Water rates hadn’t kept up with costs. Therefore, we enlisted the help of outside auditors, municipal finance experts, and the NYS Comptroller’s Office. We were considered to be a municipality in “fiscal distress”.
A referendum was held on dissolution and defeated. Not enough was known as to what services would remain and what cost savings there would be, etc.
As Mayor since July 2009, the Treasurer at that time, who had only started a few months prior,brought to my attention the troubling state of the Village’s finances. The Board inherited many problems. For years there was under-budgeting and over-spending. Water rates hadn’t kept up with costs. Therefore, we enlisted the help of outside auditors, municipal finance experts, and the NYS Comptroller’s Office. We were considered to be a municipality in “fiscal distress”.
A referendum was held on dissolution and defeated. Not enough was known as to what services would remain and what cost savings there would be, etc.
The Board, Department Heads and Staff have worked very hard to “right the ship”. Purchasing controls were put in place. Spending was cut. Water rates were raised. A sewer user fee based on water consumption was implemented. Employee/retiree benefits were modified. Positions were eliminated or left vacant. Some staff took on more responsibilities. The Treasurer position saw turnover a few times. Equipment purchases were delayed. Projects were put on the back burner. Seymour Library took over handling their accounts payable and banking. Local Dispatch was eliminated. Paid Ambulance personnel were eliminated. Brockport Ambulance is now a private entity. Brockport Fire Department is now Brockport Fire District. Grant Writing was contracted.
I am happy to report we are more focused and in good financial shape. I thank those who helped turn things around and who stuck with us during very challenging times.
Thanks not only to the officials and employees, but the many volunteers who do so much for our community.
I am also appreciative of improved civility on the Village Board. We definitely do not agree on everything, and that is okay.
The Village’s mission statement is: “To provide a high quality of life for all residents, exercising fiscal responsibility and preserving Brockport’s unique heritage and historic character.” That mission is being taken seriously.
I have previously proposed and would like to see the Board agree to 1) apply for a grant to study improved efficiencies and possible consolidation of services and 2) put up for referendum the need for local Police.
As always, feel free to contact me with feedback.
Maria Connie Castañeda, Mayor
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