North Tonawanda Water Superintendent Paul Drof will not be splitting his time with the City of Niagara Falls in a bid to divide his expertise — and his salary — between both cities.
Common Council President Catherine Schwandt issued a statement Friday saying that she and Mayor Rob Ortt decided Drof is worth more to residents in the Lumber City by staying right where he is, despite a potential for cost savings under the plan.
The Niagara Falls Water Board’s bid to pay part of Drof’s salary in return for part of his time will benefit his current employer less than it would those in Niagara Falls, the statement concludes.
Drof had recently emerged as the leading candidate for consolidated oversight when the board began searching for a person to oversee operations in both cities.
“Due to the age and condition of water systems in Niagara Falls, there are real concerns here in North Tonawanda that our city’s employee would have been devoting the bulk of his time to another municipality, and little of his attention to our water customers,” Schwandt wrote.
“I was open to the idea of reviewing it,” Ortt said Friday. “I think we’re at a point where if there’s a potential for saving taxpayers money you have to look at it ... but when you consider Paul would be working half the hours in North Tonawanda, is it a savings or are you just getting less productivity?
Ortt said once planners got down to brass tacks the half and half time sharing started to look like less than that for his city, mainly because of the ailing infrastructure in Niagara Falls, which it seems would certainly demand more of Drof’s attention.
As for where that leave the city’s involvement in future shared services arrangements, Ortt said results of the Tri-City water study, funded using grant money more than a year ago, will soon be released.
“I felt it would be prudent to see what that report says before entering into something like this ...,” he said. “I’m hopeful that there will be something positive to come out of that but at this point there were more concerns and the collective decision was to not pursue this option.”
Drof could not be reached for comment Friday, though Ortt said he was made aware of the decision prior to the announcement.
Contact reporter Neale Gulley at 693-1000, ext. 114.
Local News
February 6, 2010
NORTH TONAWANDA: NT won’t share Drof with Falls
- Local News
-
-
Niagara woman is fooled by ‘phisher’
Caller was able to infiltrate her computer.
-
Canal Fest, city spar over closing time
Police chief, council members debate 11 p.m. closing time.
-
Overdue update to take place
Aging water tank to get needed repairs.
-
Bill would ban offenders
Would hold monitors to the same standards as drivers.
-
Home care agency sale OK’d
Vote to turn business over to Catholic Health is unanimous.
-
Dead Lockport man had been going to Vegas
Mark Dunham’s body found Wednesday; exposure listed as cause of death.
-
Ice Ice Babies
Members of the Queen City Roller Girls’ junior team ready for first bout
-
Council vacancy takes its toll
Still no decision on whether to OK recount of Third Ward votes.
-
Union deal finally solidified
Common council approves deal with CSEA.
-
Town cop faces disciplinary action
Assessor chosen; meeting scheduled over Amigone crematory.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Worker Tells 911: Powell 'exploded the House'
Triple Win: Santorum Takes MN, MO, CO
Injured Marine Inspired by Homecoming
No Rape Charges Against Son of NYPD Commissioner
Romney Congratulates Santorum, Focuses on Obama
Paul Says Results Help Him Rack Up Delegates
Egypt's Ruling Generals Play Risky Game With US
Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional
Jury Selection for Ex-UVa Athlete Enters 2nd Day
Raw Video: Giants Celebrate Another Super Bowl
Cab Driver Helps Wis. Family Escape House Fire
Greek Leaders Seek Deal As Bankruptcy Looms
Bernanke: Recovery Depends on Consumer Spending
Staff Removed at LA School During Abuse Probe
Eastwood in Super Bowl Ad 'Compassionate'
Stranded Fishermen Rescued From Bay of Green Bay
Analyst: Outside Troops Won't Intervene in Syria
Police: Father Planned Deadly Fire for Some Time
