SILVER CREEK - The room filled with applause Monday night as board members and department heads commended Sergeant Stephen Romanik on the board's unanimous approval of his permanent appointment at the Silver Creek Village Board's regular meeting.

Silver Creek Police Chief Timothy Roche shook Romanik's hand as the sergeant's probationary period concluded. Romanik's appointment is effective today.

"I want to congratulate Sergeant Romanik on completing his probationary period," Trustee Frederickson said, as she made the motion to accept the mayor's appointment of Romanik.

Roche also praised Romanik on his permanent appointment and thanked the board for their support of the police department, as the board accepted the department's request to participate in the Protective Vest Program Grant. A reserve was created for the vest program in an amount not to exceed $1,700.

Roche explained at the board's workshop prior to the meeting that a new regulation requires body armor to be replaced every five years.

Mayor Kurt Lindstrom announced that applications for the Silver Creek Disaster Relief Fund will continue to be accepted through Friday. The committee will then assemble to decide how the funds, which total $24,575, will be dispersed.

"As of last week, we only had 11 applications," Lindstrom said. All residents requiring assistance are encouraged to submit applications before Friday.

In other new business:

The board approved the payment of bills appearing on abstract No. 7, including claims 10431 through 10484, totaling $159.631.67, following proper audit with no exceptions. "I just want the public to know that most of that is concerning our flood money - a lot of that is paid out for flood related things," Trustee Frederickson said.

Bids were opened for the tractor, dining car engineer and pole barn. The board accepted the bid from Larry Romance and Sons in the amount of $23,100 for the tractor. No bids were received for the dining car engineer and the board agreed to table the matter. Two bids on the pole barn were received, from Daniel D, Smith Construction for $37,500 and Franklin D. Pagano for $40,998. The bids on the pole barn were tabled.

The board accepted the following offers from Selective Insurance on vehicles totaled in the flood: $1,250 for the New Holland Tractor; $8,657.35 for the 2005 Ford Crown Victoria Police Car; $5,965.71 for the 2003 Ford Crown Victoria Police Car; $7,830 for the 2001 Ford F150.

The mayor is to sign the TVGA Task Order No. 13 for establishing flood damage costs for repair/replacement costs for the DPW building, salt barn building complex and emergency squad, as approved by the board.

Saturday is Make a Difference in Silver Creek Day, with volunteers from Lake Shore Hospital coming to the village from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. to assist any senior citizens or disabled adults in need. To request assistance, call the village office at 934-3240 with name and address.

Ralph Crawford, Streets Department foreman, requested residents refrain from including sticks and rocks along with the leaves for the village's last brush pickup of the year, which he hopes to complete by the end of the week.

Fire Chief Todd Johnson said a benefit jamboree will be held for the fire department at the Westfield Fireman's Exempt Building on Bourne Street from 1 to 7 p.m. on Sunday. Johnson encouraged residents to attend to support the department and also to have a good time and leave their worries about the flood behind.

Trick or treating hours were set for 5 to 8 p.m. on Halloween in the village of Silver Creek. The village recommends that residents turn their lights off after 8 p.m. The Halloween Parade will be held in Silver Creek at 5:30 p.m., Oct. 31.

Wendy Pagano's temporary part time position in the clerk's office at $8.50 per hour was approved by the board. Pagano will be hired for the length of time Village Clerk Kerrieann Pelletter is on maternity leave.

At the Silver Creek Village Board's special meeting Thursday at 7 p.m., bids on the new ambulance will be opened.

Comments on this story may be sent to adiodato@observertoday.com