by Terri M. Bahne

The Town of Persia’s Board has resolved that:

   •  The regular town board meetings will be held throughout the calendar year 2005 at 7 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month in the Persia Town Hall.
   •  The HSBC Gowanda Branch or Community Bank, NA will be designated as the town’s official depository. Collateral arrangements will be made to secure the town’s deposits for amounts over $100,000 by the State Comptroller’s guidelines.
   •  Town officers will be compensated for the use of their vehicles in the performance of their official duties of obligations at a rate of 37.5 cents per mile.
   •  Councilman Kenneth Strohmeyer has been appointed deputy supervisor for the calendar year 2005.
   •  Fritz Weyand, Attorney, will be employed by the town to give professional services and advice, as it is required.
   •  The town board entered into terms of engagement with R.A. Mercer & Co. P.C. for the calendar year 2005, at a cost not to exceed $6,050.
   •  Sarah Burr was appointed to the Assessment Review Board for the term beginning Oct. 1, 2004 to Sept. 30, 2009. Other participating members are Richard Leisner and Kenneth Smith. The review board will receive $60 for their one-day service, schooling, $15 plus mileage. Bob Heichberger was appointed to the Assessment Review Board to fill Leo Blatner’s seat.
   •  David Allen of Persia Road was appointed to a five-year term on the Zoning Board. Other members are William Loehr (two years), David Allen of Point Peter Road (one year), William Hojnacki (four years), and Ronald Lipinski (four years).
   •  William Loehr was appointed to a five-year term on the Planning Board. Other members are David Allen of Point Peter Road (three years), William Hojnacki (one year), and David Allen of Persia Road (four years).
   •  The local historian position for the calendar year 2005 remains open.
   •  No charges will be placed on taxpayers’ tax accounts for the calendar year 2005. This is for the second billing of unpaid taxes that are sent out in March.
   •  Highway employees of the Town of Persia will receive $9.75 per hour for part-time positions.
   •  Albert Conklin Jr. was appointed deputy highway superintendent for the Town of Persia for the calendar year 2005 at the rate of $12 per hour.
   •  Daniel Ackley, superintendent of highways, will receive a salary for the calendar year 2005 of $32,200.
   •  Melvin LeBar, town supervisor, will receive a salary of $8,190.
   •  Melvin LeBar was appointed budget officer for the Town of Persia at a salary of $950.
   •  Councilpeople Harry Ackley, Kenneth Strohmeyer, Richard Lipinski and Paula Schueler will receive a salary of $2,840 each for the calendar year 2005.
   •  Town Justices Arnold Andolsek and Adolph Namlik will receive a salary of $7,139 each for the calendar year 2005.
   •  Court Clerks Denise Trumpore and M. Kristen Schaus, as part-time employees for the town justices, will receive a salary of $3,680 each for the calendar year 2005.
   •  Mary Dankert was appointed as dog control officer at a salary of $2,100 plus mileage and boarding fees.
   •  Claude Sampson was appointed as Town of Persia custodian at a salary of $2,250 for the calendar year 2005.
   •  Melvin Shaw was appointed town code enforcement officer for the calendar year 2005 at a salary of $2,680 plus mileage.
   •  Janice Blatner, town clerk, will receive a salary of $20,252 for the calendar year 2005.
   •  Janice Blatner was appointed registrar of vital statistics for the Town of Persia outside the Village of Gowanda and will be paid $900 for the calendar year 2005.

In other business:
   •  Assessor Mary Bailey reported that Senior Citizen and Enhanced STAR renewals have been coming in steadily. Property owners are reminded that the deadline for receiving exemptions at the assessor’s office is March 1.
   •  Justice Arnold Andolsek heard 41 cases for the month of December, bringing in $675 in revenues.
   •  Justice Adolph Namlik heard nine cases for the month of December, bringing in S155 in revenues.
   •  Justice Andolsek petitioned the board for a town constable for D.A. nights and trial nights. He asked that Paul Bowers be considered for the position if it is granted. Andolsek added that the justice books are ready to be audited, to which Councilwoman Schueler agreed to review such.
   •  The Town of Persia Highway Department received a letter from the Village of Gowanda stating that they "support and encourage the town’s efforts to mitigate the erosion problems on Point Peter Road." Gowanda Mayor Richard Klancer added that if the village could be of any assistance in the project that the Town of Persia contact himself or the Public Works superintendent.

The next Town of Persia Board meeting will be held on Thursday, Feb. 10 at 7 p.m. in the town hall.