Arcadia officials begin new year
By Donna Comella

Tuesday night, the new Arcadia Town Board organized for the coming year. Led by Supervisor Joe DeSanto, the Board made the usual designations and authorizations, then proceeded to 'undo' some of the decisions and policies of the last administration.

The three candidates defeated in November's election were present as the new board voted to name David Saracino as Town Counsel. Former Supervisor Dom Bartucca had taken aim more than once at Saracino's attorney's fees. He had led the way to seek other proposals, which ultimately led to a board policy to seek proposals for all professional services. (That policy would die later in the meeting.)

With Saracino's designation on the floor, Councilman Mike Diamond requested that the move be tabled until another law firm could be present to answer some questions. The other attorneys had proposed to take on the town's legal matters at what appeared to be a cost savings. DeSanto, however, said that he had doubts about those savings.

DeSanto said he had compared Arcadia's legal costs to those of neighboring towns, and found them to be comparable. He stated that Saracino's long-standing relationship with the town had never before been questioned, and that it is to the town's benefit that Saracino lives here, pays taxes here, and is available within seconds.

Diamond moved to table, but he found no support. Saracino was named Town Counsel, with only Diamond voting no.

The matter resurfaced when the board was about to designate MRB Group as the Town Engineering firm. Diamond again referred to the policy that requires the board to seek proposals on all professional services. Councilman Gary Grant explained that the motion didn't hire MRB for a project, it merely gave them the town's designation and would keep MRB from taking on a private project that might conflict with town interests.

Later, the policy that had been the only source of debate throughout the meeting, was hanging in the balance. But only Diamond was willing to defend it. Grant had prepared a motion to rescind the policy - a policy he said hampered the board from tending to business, especially in emergency situations.

Brenda Westcott told Diamond that, since instituting the policy on November 9, the board has twice had its hands tied. She said that the policy had caused unnecessary delays and had interfered with the board solving problems. Westcott predicted that the policy, initiated to save money, would eventually cost taxpayers.

The new policy states that the board will seek proposals when appropriate and feasible, but not in all instances. Diamond voted against it.

Other business included salaries being set for the coming year; reappointing town officials; and naming the Courier-Gazette as the official newspaper. DeSanto named Gary Grant as Deputy Supervisor and the Board appointed Gerry DeBarr to the Town Planning Board. He will fill the term vacated by new Town Board member Tom Chappell.

The meeting was videotaped and is set to air Fri., Jan. 7 on FLTV Cable Channel 12 immediately following the Newark Varsity Basketball game. The game, against Canandaigua, will air live at 7:30 p.m.

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