By RICK MILLER
Olean Star
The Olean Common Council on Tuesday rejected Olean Police Department contracts with the patrol and command units. All six aldermen voted against the pacts.
Alderman David Anastasia, D-Ward 7, said that while the council “respects the Olean Police Department, it also takes into account the fiscal responsibility that we have towards the taxpayers.” The proposed contract would break the tax cap, he added,” not including any incoming raises, further contracts, or other unions.”
Alderwoman Sonya McCall, D-Ward 4, said the council also has to think about the city’s dwindling population and people’s ability to pay higher taxes and afford necessities. McCall, the Finance Committee chairwoman, said the proposed four-year contract would add $121,000 to the 2027-28 police budget, $281,000 in 2028-29, and $452,000 in 2029-30.
“So as we look with that, we we appreciate all the work that our patrol and the command do,” McCall said, “but we are here to also be fiscally responsible for our our residents and make sure that what comes before us is because the only way that we’re going to make this is by raising taxes.”
Two years ago, the council approved a $5 per hour raise for the police department to aid in retention and recruitment, Alderman John Crawford, D-Ward 5. He said personnel costs are 80% of the city budget and he wasn’t sure of the impact of four years of major budgetary increases.
Anastasia said that he thought police were “pretty well compensated,” adding, “I will be voting no. I hope it goes back to the table and we can compromise and make a better deal.”
McCall noted a proposed $12,000 buyout for health insurance seemed pretty high. Police officers whose spouses have health insurance can request a buy-out. “We absolutely support our police force and all of our other employees, and we appreciate everything they do. But we also have to be responsible to the taxpayers,” she said.
Mayor Amy B. Sherburne said later that negotiations with the police patrol and command units would resume. “We’ve got to go back to the table,” she told the Olean Star on Wednesday.
Council President Lawrence “JR” Bennion Jr., R-Ward 1, also announced that Public Works Director James Sprague had submitted his resignation. At the mayor’s recommendation, the council voted to hire former DPW director Tom Windus as interim director. He will work up to 20 hours a week for up to three months.
The mayor said Sprague had given two weeks notice and she looked forward to a smooth transition.
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