OBSERVER Photo by Braden Carmen Silver Creek resident Anna Frederickson voiced concern regarding the lack of a full-time Code Enforcement Officer for the village of Silver Creek following an unexpected vacancy.

SILVER CREEK — Residents have not been afraid to address the Silver Creek Village Board regarding unkempt properties that violate the village codes. The two residents who have been most vocal, Anna Frederickson and Jim Castiglia, were both at a recent meeting with more reason for concern following an unexpected vacancy.

“Somewhere along the line, we’ve got to get on top of this thing. We’re down below now. We’ve got to get on top of it and get these properties cleaned up,” Frederickson said.

Jordan Naudasher is no longer acting as the full-time Code Enforcement Officer for the Town of Hanover, which shares code enforcement duties with the Village of Silver Creek. Hanover Town Supervisor Lou Pelletter did not comment on the matter further because Naudasher’s departure is deemed a personnel issue.

Naudasher earned an hourly rate of $26.02 in the role of Code Enforcement Officer, while Vince Gugliuzza receives $25 per hour on a part-time basis. Jeanne Ebersole, Town Assessor, was recently appointed as a Code Enforcement Officer, at will, as needed, at a rate of $100 per month.

Gugliuzza and Ebersole are both available for any drastic issues that arise, but one part-time employee and an assessor that shares the duties of several municipalities already likely cannot handle the workload of both the Town of Hanover and the Village of Silver Creek on a permanent basis.

In an effort to address the matter further, a week after Frederickson and Castiglia addressed the Silver Creek Village Board, the Town of Hanover appointed Alex Fensky as a full-time, temporary Property Maintenance Enforcement Officer, at a rate of $23 per hour. Fensky is currently undergoing training. The Town is also canvassing the area for civil service approved candidates for the role of Code Enforcement Officer.

Hanover is not alone when it comes to searching for a full-time Code Enforcement Officer. Several municipalities have been in search of Code Enforcement Officers in recent months, including the Village of Brocton and the Town of Portland, who share duties similar to how Hanover and Silver Creek do.

“It is tough to get a good Code Enforcement Officer, and if a municipality has a good one, they don’t want to leave,” said Trustee Jeff Hornburg. “In the couple instances when the good ones leave, they don’t want to go someplace else.”

Mayor Kathy Tampio recently met with mayors across Chautauqua County in Mayville, along with representatives from Chautauqua County. Tampio stated that the issue of code enforcement was one of several concerns raised at the meeting. Tampio said the topic of code enforcement on a countywide level was discussed, as well.

“It’s a common challenge that every village faces,” Tampio said.

From her recent meeting, Tampio brought back a resolution for the Board to adopt in support of increased aid to municipalities in the spirit of strengthening New York’s state-to-local partnership. The resolution stated, “New York’s strength begins in its cities, villages and towns.”

The resolution “applauds” Governor Kathy Hochul for reaffirming her commitment to invest in local governments by allocating an additional $100 million in temporary municipal assistance, just as she has for the past two years, in the statewide executive budget. The additional funding is to be used to “address fiscal challenges to maintain essential services for residents.”

The Silver Creek Village Board passed the resolution unanimously.

Additionally, Hornburg reported that he is researching the potential purchase of a new sweeper truck for the village. Hornburg said the prices are exorbitant, but the equipment is necessary for the village.

The Village has received quotes for the replacement of the pavilion located at George Borrello Park. The Board anticipates ruling on the matter at an upcoming meeting.

The Board also approved a request from the Hanover Little League for use of the village ballpark for tee-ball on Wednesdays from 5-7 p.m. between April 27 to June 14.

The next Mobile Food Pantry event, sponsored by the Silver Creek Food Pantry, the Village of Silver Creek, and Feedmore WNY, will be on Tuesday, March 24, from 11 a.m. until 12:30 p.m., at the village municipal parking lot. The event is free of charge to residents of Silver Creek and other nearby communities. The Village appreciates and welcomes all volunteers.

The next Silver Creek Village Board meeting will be held on Monday, March 16 at 7 p.m.