Finding my Groove
This is a column I wrote in last week's paper- my first ever for the Advertiser. I was nervous, but it seems like it's pretty well received so far (we'll see what the Board members have to say at their next meeting.
It feels good to write opinion again.
The East Aurora Village Board meeting on Monday night was a long one, but it was also productive. For example, Clark Patterson Lee's Rick Henry presented on the proposed new water rates, and village and town residents asked thoughtful questions about those rates (see story on page 1). However, the last few minutes of the meeting were-and excuse my flair for the dramatic-excruciating.
Why? Because the members of the Village Board somehow stretched a simple change order into taking up twice as much time as it should have.
As Trustee Patrick Shea pointed out, it's the board's right and responsibility to ask tough questions when more than the expected amount of money is charged for a service. Those questions, though sometimes tedious, are to be expected. However, it's also expected the board members be well-versed in the issues before them, and not ask questions that have already been answered or act surprised when issues already discussed come up again. Yet, often, those are the inquiries and protests holding up productivity at the meetings.
A change order for an increase of roughly $33,500 for demolition at the new fire station at 33 Center St. was presented for approval Monday night. There were various factors for the increase-the need to haul in more fill material than expected, installation of a fence, removal of a pipe.
“It's so much!” board members protested. “We need to table this for further discussion!”
Village Administrator Bryan Gazda pointed out that the board was informed of the forthcoming change order several weeks ago during a fire station update.
Oh.
“I don't always understand these complicated reports. We need exact figures during those presentations!”
You had exact figures in the presentation, Bryan replied.
Oh.
Another few minutes of valuable time were devoured when one board member made a motion (A), then made a second motion (B) to rescind his previous motion (A). He then withdrew the second motion (B) to rescind the first motion (A), and made a separate motion (C). Are you still following? Neither am I. The purpose of all that motioning? To table the approval of the change order.
The bottom line is, it's the board members' job to know what they're talking about, both in terms of board business and policy.
The trustees should take time before its next meeting to brush up on the procedures and etiquette of their own municipal meetings, as well as make sure they have a firm grasp-not just a quick skim through the materials-on whatever the board is due to address. A little preparation and review will go a long way in making meetings faster and more efficient. It will make projects progress as planned rather then flounder in the quagmire of needless bureaucracy, and it will keep the focus on issues that actually matter.