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Ed LaVigneIn his first act as Town Supervisor Ed LaVigne said Monday he will give 20% of his town salary back to Lansing.  LaVigne said he intends to continue to take a close look at every budget line item to keep spending at a prudent level.  He said that the Town will plan for future expenses, especially for Highway Department equipment, but added that he hopes to find $200,000 in savings for the year.  LaVigne also said in addition to giving back 20% of his salary, he does not intend to appoint a Deputy Supervisor, which together save the Town close to $9,000.

"The best way to do it as a leader is to take the first step, LaVigne said Monday.  "That first step is that I will give back 20% of my salary.  There's $6,000 right there.  The $3,447 dollars that we save by eliminating the Deputy Supervisor salary brings us up to $9,447.  Our goal is to reach $200,000 per year in savings, or some other way.  We'll look in the books and see where that money is, and see where other money is, and work smarter, not harder.  Every expense is on the table.  I will go through every expanse, and with the Board's approval we'll see where we can find money."

LaVigne says a priority will be to make sure town equipment is maintained and placed on a replacement schedule.  Last year board discussions focused on establishing equipment reserves, but LaVigne and then Supervisor Kathy Miller disagreed on how they would be funded.  LaVigne favored handling equipment needs at budget time, while Miller wanted a systematic approach to funding reserves.  LaVigne now favors funding reserves, but continues to stress funding will be based on a strict review of each piece of equipment and anticipated replacement spans.

"We need to address the main concern we have, which is highway equipment," LaVigne said.  "That has been the 500 pound gorilla in the room that no one has addressed.  Therefore, where there is chaos I am going to bring clarity.  That will be a line item in the budget.  I am going through every piece of equipment we have, as I did with (former Highway Superintendent) Jack French four years ago.  I will assign an expiration date for each along with Cricket's (Highway Superintendent Charlie Purcell) input.  We will give that to the Board so we can address this at budget time."

LaVigne is also cutting back to one Town Board meeting per month.  Miller had established a second, working meting at the beginning of each month where board members could discuss upcoming issues before dealing with them officially at the regularly monthly meeting.  LaVigne says that if working meetings are needed they will take place after the regular meetings n the third Wednesday of each month.

LaVigne said one board member was not comfortable with LaVigne reducing the Supervisor salary from its current officially budgeted level of $30,000.  He says that instead of reducing the salary he will give back $500 to the town every month, in respect of that board member's concern.

He added that he has asked the other four Town Board members to forgo 20% of their salaries, but will not pursue it further unless all four agree.

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