GREAT VALLEY — The Great Valley Town Board saw one of its members resign at the end of 2023 but be reappointed at the reorganizational meeting Jan. 8 as part of a state requirement for retirement benefits.
Sandra Goode, who was first elected to the board in the 2017 general election and was unopposed in 2021, previously served as the town clerk about two decades ago.
“Sandy has reached the point where she is entitled to take advantage of her longtime retirement benefits,” explained Supervisor Dan Brown. “In order to do so, you have to step away from this job, but then you can be reappointed to this job to fulfill your term, and that changes the retirement.”
As part of the town’s regular reorganizational business, the board had to accept Monday Goode’s resignation from her position effective Dec. 31, 2023. Shortly after, the four board members unanimously voted to appoint Goode back to the position effective that night.
“This is something that many towns have in their policies, and we’ve never had to because we never had anyone step aside,” Brown said. “Except for Tony Barrile, and that was 17 years ago, and who knows before then.”
Because of the resignation, Goode’s appointment is only good for this year with a special election to fill the remainder of her term on the ballot in November. Goode indicated she wishes to collect signatures and run for the seat proper again. The same seat would again be on the ballot in 2025 for a new four-year term.
“And I could have some opposition” in the upcoming special election, Goode said.
“You’ve got some work to do now if you choose to keep going,” Brown said.
MEANWHILE, salaries for 2023 were established for Brown at $35,000; four council members at $2,700 each; $23,320 for Clerk Toni Evans; $13,000 each for two justices and $65,000 for Highway Superintendent Jack Harrington.
Other appointments and salaries include Jerry Musall as deputy supervisor; Deputy Highway Superintendent, Randy Peplinski, an extra week of vacation; Code Enforcement Officer Richard Rinko, $19,000; outside assessors (two) $10,000 each; court clerk Debra Stokes at $13,750; Evans as supervisor’s clerk at $9,000.
Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals Chairman Christopher Schena, $2,000; board members Stephen Ward, Donald Roll, Alois Puszcz, Jeffrey Ramsten and Amy Detine at $1,000 each; Planning Board Clerk Connie Brennan, $857; Assessment Review Board, Connie Brennan, Amy Detine and Jean Davis, $150 each.
Dog Control Officer Eric Butler, $3,500; Town Historian Marilyn Siperik, $1,100; Senior Citizens Director Barb Sergel, $350; accountants and auditing, Tronconi Segarra CPAs, $6,100; Town Attorney, Hopkins, Sorgi & Morganawski, $18,000; engineers, MDA Consulting, as needed.
Members were named to the following committees:
• Highway — Jack Harrington, Daniel Brown and Jerry Musall.
• Youth Program — Lori Finch, Becky Kruszynski and Sandy Goode.
• Senior Citizens — Finch, Kruszynski and Goode.
• Building — Brown, Musall and Kruszynski.
• Audit — Finch, Kruszynski and Goode.
The Salamanca Press and Olean Times Herald were named the town’s official newspapers.
