Monroe Town Board seeks to restructure highway superintendent's job

MONROE - Some of the hats worn by the late Town of Monroe highway superintendent Roy Montanye Jr. and now worn by the intern superintendent may be different come January. That’s when the winner of the James Gulick-Charles Mancuso contest in November will begin serving remainder of the term created when Montanye died last month. Town Board members are discussing how, when and even if to consider doling out the different jobs that were all done by Montanye. Getting a jump start on creating the positions, councilman Gerard McQuade’s motion to put out bids for town water superintendent and animal control officer was given the heads up by the board members. At this time, McQuade said the town is simply requesting resumes for potential part-time or full-time employment. Meanwhile, the town also intends to create a non-paid law enforcement office to be headed by one of its own board members. The board member will act as the liaison with village and State Police agencies involving town matters. Councilman Harley Doles wanted to name the board member, but the motion was tabled until the next meeting when Supervisor Sandy Leonard returns from vacation. Monroe Mayor James Purcell, who attended Monday night’s meeting, was asked for his input on how the village delegates duties. He explained that each trustee is a liaison with the various departments and files a report every six months. Purcell suggested the town board speak to Leonard since “bottom line, she’s the boss.” Doles responded the village has ‘home rule’ in which the mayor has power. In the town, Doles said, “All board members are equal.” Doles, who was acting deputy supervisor in Leonard’s absence, wanted to announce the findings by the town Planning Board regarding the Round Lake Open Development. However, McQuade interjected that since the planning board wanted to wait until the next meeting to discuss the announcement, it would be prudent to wait especially since chairman Mary Bingham declined to do so at this time. In other business from this week’s Town Board meeting: Court Clerk One of the topics of the board’s executive session involved the appointment of a new clerk for the town court. Doles wife is one of the two town justices. Library The Monroe Free Library request to have its budget line item on the General Election ballot this Nov. 2 was granted. The library’s operating budget, if approved by voters, will increase by $66,656 for a total of $1.2 million annually.