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Silver Creek decides on Sullivan’s replacement

OBSERVER Photo by Rebecca Cuthbert Silver Creek officials, from left: Trustee Warren Kelly, Trustee John Burt, Village Clerk Tom Postle, Mayor Nick Piccolo, attorney Michael Sullivan, Trustee Jeff Hornburg and Trustee Vince Tampio.

SILVER CREEK — When it came down to a vote, Silver Creek trustees unanimously approved hiring Peter Clark as village attorney.

Clark will replace Mike Sullivan, who will take up his new mantle as Chautauqua County Family Court judge on Jan. 1.

After an hour-long executive session, officials emerged and Mayor Nick Piccolo made an announcement.

“We’re going forward with the recommendation of the two attorneys at this time,” he said, referring to Sullivan and Clark. Piccolo indicated that during the executive session, the board’s thinking was “not unanimous,” but trustees unified for the vote.

“I need a motion and a second to hire Peter Clark as village attorney,” Piccolo stated, “effective Jan. 1, 2017 at a cost of $1,000 a month.”

Trustee Warren Kelly made the motion, with Trustee Jeff Hornburg seconding. All voted “aye.”

Sandra Lindstrom, a Silver Creek resident, asked the board during the public comments section why the village seems to spend so much on its attorney fees.

“It looks like our attorney costs are really going up,” she said. “Didn’t we have it, at one point, where it was 6,300 (per year)? I know that’s not reasonable in this day and age, but it seems like we paid $7,000 one year and now we pay this person $1,000 a month, and it’s a 12-month position … that’s double.”

Piccolo answered that the attorneys set their rates.

“The attorney fees, since we’re going to lose Mr. Sullivan, and we all congratulate him on his success, we’ve done a little shopping, and the cost for an attorney has been as high as $4,000 a month down to $1,000 a month. And (Clark) has municipal and village experience; he also does Brocton and Mayville, so he’s very learned in that.”

Piccolo also stated that the board is confident in Clark’s capabilities; otherwise, it wouldn’t move forward with the hire.

Trustee Vince Tampio also congratulated Sullivan on his new position, and thanked him for his service to the village.

For his part, Sullivan said he would do everything he could to set up Clark for an easy takeover of duties.

“We’ll make sure we get everything to Pete Clark,” he said. “His office is close to mine, so I can walk over and drop off the files for things that are going forward, and make sure that it’s a smooth transition,” he said. “… When you can get an attorney who’s got history with villages, which he does, it’s very helpful because village law is different from a lot of other municipal law. Pete has a very good demeanor, and I’m sure he will (do a great job).”

The Silver Creek Village Board is set to meet again Dec. 19 at 7 p.m. in the village hall. Workshops are held every Tuesday at 9 a.m., also in the village hall.

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