West Seneca Town Supervisor gets 14.9% raise

West Seneca's Town Board voted 2-1 to give its Town Supervisor a 14.9% salary increase.

Sheila Meegan's salary rises from $63,100 to $72,500 in the 2017 Town Budget and does not include health benefits.

Meegan's fight for a higher wage set off heated community consultation and raised questions over gender pay equity.

"The women that hold positions of authority, we are the lowest paid," Meegan said during a public hearing last week. "All of the men, our counterparts, receive a much larger salary."

During a budget hearing on November 7th, Meegan argued that her predecessor Wallace Piotrowski earned more than $80,000 because he received health benefits and a budget stipend.  

During the budget vote on Monday evening, Councilman Gene Hart said Meegan's 14.9% salary increase will amount to pennies on the dollar for residents. 

"It's less than pennies on the dollar," he said.

In addition to tackling the Town Supervisor's salary, the Board also voted to increase property tax by 2.9% in portions of West Seneca.  Council members estimate that on a house valued at $125,000, homeowners can expect an increase of approximately $30.  About 30% of homes will be affected by this tax increase.

Since West Seneca ended up under the tax cap, residents in West Seneca will be receiving a rebate check from the state.

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