Williamsville, N.Y. (WBEN) - In a 3-2 vote following a lengthy executive session Thursday evening, the Williamsville Village Board retained the legal services of attorney Todd Aldinger to handle the $300 fine levied by the Erie County Department of Health for alleged COVID protocol violations.
Aldinger has handled numerous other high profile cases stemming from COVID mandates during the pandemic.
Mayor Deborah Rogers cast the third and deciding vote on the resolution to retain legal counsel.
"For the life of me I really have no idea why a billion dollar bureaucracy like Erie County is targeting our one square mile of the Village of Williamsville when there are town halls across Erie County that have also shown their opposition through both resolutions and unmasked attendance at their respective board meetings as well."
Erie County notified the village in writing this week of the $300 fine stemming from a recent board meeting at which attendees went unmasked. Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz stated publicly the village had repeatedly violated the mask mandate that is currently in place.
Through a freedom of information request this week, WBEN obtained a copy of the violation letter sent to the village from ECDOH.
"I am not in agreement with this resolution and ask that the village pay the $300 fine and not use additional taxpayer dollars in a legal proceeding against the county's department of health," stated trustee Christine Hunt prior to registered her 'no' vote against the resolution.
Prior to the virtual zoom meeting of the board, about a dozen demonstrators gathered outside village hall on Main Street to speak out against the hiring of an attorney and encouraged the board to pay the fine, comply and move forward.
Elizabeth Stewart was among the demonstrators in front of village hall before the meeting and told WBEN, "There are many more things our mayor could focus on." "She's misguided to be focused on that issue."
Attorney Todd Aldinger declined comment on the board action Thursday evening and the village board will meet next at a regularly scheduled session Monday.
