SALAMANCA — Salamanca Town Board members interviewed three candidates for town supervisor Tuesday and delayed reorganization appointments until later this month.
The Dec. 15 death of two-term Supervisor Michael Phillips and his wife, Donna, who had been elected town clerk in November, was on the minds of those attending the reorganization meeting.
The Phillips were struck and killed as they crossed Route 353 in front of their house on their way to the Town Hall. The driver of the car, Kevin L. Donaldson Jr., 27, of Cattaraugus, was charged with two counts of second degree vehicular manslaughter and driving while intoxicated.
Prior to the meeting, the board spoke to James Crosby, the town building code enforcement officer; Timothy Jackson, a retired state trooper; and Michael Anderson, a delivery man.
All had expressed interest in the supervisor’s post. The appointment would be until an election could be held in November for the three years remaining in Phillips’ term.
Board members did not set a date for the reorganization meeting when they plan to name a new supervisor.
Deputy Supervisor Kevin Rider was named Dec. 27 to an interim appointment as supervisor through Jan. 31. Rider ran Tuesday’s meeting. Shelly Bryant was named town clerk at the Dec. 27 meeting.
Jackson is leading an effort to have a bronze memorial plaque memorializing the Phillips placed in the Town Hall. He is seeking donations to defray costs. The Phillips were married for 49 years. Any excess donations will be donated to the Salamanca Public Library in the Phillips name, Jackson said.
Donations may be sent to the Michael and Donna Phillips Memorial Fund c/o Supervisor, Town of Salamanca, 4295 Center Street Extension, Salamanca, NY 14779.
Councilman Wayne Riddle suggested the special meeting for appointment of Phillips’ successor for the next 11 months. He said there were questions best answered by the town attorney.
Both Riddle and Councilman Larry Stewart had concerns about appointing Crosby supervisor because of his duties as building code enforcement officer. County Legislator David Koch, D-Salamanca, said it would probably require the board to approve a local law for Crosby to serve in both positions.
Because there are other candidates, board members declined to consider a local law at this time.
Bryant, the new town clerk, said office hours today would be Tuesday and Wednesday from 1 to 4 p.m. and on Saturday from 9 to 11 a.m. The hours are expected to change in February.
(Contact reporter Rick Miller at rmiller@oleantimesherald.com. Follow him on Twitter, @RMillerOTH)