Water Board union calls for board change

The ongoing tumult that has marked Niagara Falls City Council meetings continued Wednesday night with an escalating twist.

Retirees of the Niagara Falls Water Board picketed before the meeting and asked the council to remove its appointee from the 5-person board.

Niagara Falls residents pay among the highest water and sewer rates in Western New York. The wastewater treatment plant operates on a chemical, not biological basis and is archaic in design.

A new plant is estimated to cost about $250 million but was not included in recent state funding. It also was left out of the largest federal infrastructure spending plan in history by Sen. Majority Leader Charles Schumer who instead most recently visited Niagara Falls to grandstand about something called “flagpoling” most residents did not know existed.

Michael Asklar, who was never mentioned by name by the retirees, is listed as the council’s appointee. He is listed as treasurer, finance and audit committee chair.

Numerous retirees spoke at the meeting about the issue of management meddling in day-to-day work as well as people being hired via patronage who are so unqualified they not only can’t do the work but also can’t even sit for a civil service exam.

Jim Rice, who identified himself as sub-district director of the United Steelworkers said there are about 25 current employees unqualified to sit for civil service. He railed against changes to retiree healthcare because numerous employees over the years came to work for lower wages because of the promise of lifetime healthcare in the labor contract.

Nicholas Forster is the board chairman and serves at the pleasure of the Mayor, with a term ending December 31.

Colleen Larkin is listed as vice chairman and governance committee chair and serves at the pleasure of State Sen. Rob Ortt. She has continued to serve despite a term that expired in 2019. She is chair of the governance committee.

Former County Legislator Renae Kimble serves at the pleasure of Assemblyman Angelo Morinello and has a term that expired in 2014.

Gov. Kathy Hochul recently appointed Richard Sirianni to the board. His term continues through 2027.