Before a full house, at a special meeting of the Brant Town Board on Tuesday April 25, 2006, Supervisor Leonard K. Pero introduced the new Chief of Police of the Town of Brant, David Hock. After the Board welcomed their new police chief. Chief Hock was officially sworn in by Town Attorney William Trask.

The Board members all agreed that the decision of whom to hire was an extremely difficult one because of the quality of the 18 candidates who had applied for the position. They all believe that the right decision has been made and the best interests of the Town of Brant will be served by Chief Hock.

Coming to Brant with 8 years of experience gathered in North Collins, Eden, Franklinville, Springville and Gowanda, Chief Hock brings with him a diversification and understanding of the issues confronting a police chief in a rural setting. Chief Hock is also responsible for the Sheriff’s K-9 Unit at the Erie County Fair which includes 10 officers and dogs.

Chief Hock looks forward to serving the residents of Brant. "I am available at any time, for everyone." Chief Hock will working rotating hours so that he will know what is happening on all shifts. He also looks forward to updating the police department with the technology that is available and new officers to fill the vacant positions.

With Chief Hock for the swearing in ceremony were his wife Linda, daughter Elizabeth, his parents and mother-in-law. Unable to attend was their son David.

Also on the agenda, the Board had a discussion on the Town’s Junk yard Ordinance. The Planning Board recommended a 6 month moratorium be placed on starting junk yards in the Town. Currently, a special use permit is needed before a junk yard can be operated. Done the right way, like Brant Auto Parts, junk yards can be a tremendous asset to the Town. The Board agreed to place the issue on the agenda as Old Business to be discussed further on May 9. This will allow them time to review the current law, definitions of junk and begin to formulate a direction for the Town to proceed.

The Surfside Water Extension was discussed. The preliminary report indicated that it would cost $6,000 for construction, engineering and inspection of the proposed extension which would include a hydrant at the end, valves and connections as needed (to accommodate 5 or 6 homes on the now vacant land). Before anything is decided, a public hearing will be held. It was suggested that the General Fund initially pay for the work and then the residents of the Water District pay the General Fund back over a period of years. It was also suggested that any further discussion/decision wait until after the Town determines if they are going to continue using water service from the Village of Farnham or if they should contract with Erie County for water service in the district. Councilmen John Chiavetta and Jeff Gier have set up a meeting with Erie County Water Department and will report on their progress at the next Board Work Session.

A discussion was held on whether or not the Town needed to have a Racetrack Ordinance. A resident has built a dirt bike track on his property in a residential area and some neighbors are complaining. Town Attorney Trask cautioned the Board that it is not prudent to "legislate on a single issue" and that no one wants the government to become too involved in legal, recreational pursuits. Supervisor Pero responded that "the Board cares" about the concerns of its residents and will look into the matter. Attorney Trask said, "sometimes a neighbor problem is just that, a neighbor problem and it is not up to the government to find a remedy."

Supervisor Pero reported that he had just returned from Albany for a meeting about the proposed water line down Route 62. The Department of Corrections is supposed to make a decision regarding their involvement within the next two weeks.

The first Driving School was held in the Town on Saturday, April 22. It was very successful.

Councilman John Arrigo reported that a letter was received from Senator Dale Volker’s office stating that, based on traffic data, improvements requested by the Town to the Mileblock/Rt. 249 intersection would be made.