Mayoka Seeks Numbers on Highway Department Plan

Town Board member Mark Mayoka has filed two requests for information about the costs and benefits associated with the possible merger of the Highway Department and into a Department of Public Works.

Mayoka said he filed the Freedom of Information Law requests with Andrew Persich, the FOIL officer for audit and control.

“In order to properly evaluate the cost savings and feasibility of eliminating the Superintendent of Highways as an elected position and creation of a Department of Public Works it is vital to review a cost benefit analysis of such a proposal.  This is an essential part of the decision making process and should have been readily available to the Residents for the public comment portion of the board meeting taking place today," he said.

Town spokesman A. J. Carter said Supervisor Frank Petrone "Has met and continues to meet with (Councilman Eugene) Cook and Mayoka" and provided the information Mayoka is seeing.

The councilman requested a cost benefit analysis at the board meeting on July 24, and again in an all -day budget meeting on Aug. 8. His third request was a formal request on Aug.10.

Mayoka's office said he has asked for 2013 information on June 19 at the town board meeting, and again on July 10, Aug. 6 and Aug. 7.