ERIE COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY
INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM
October 1, 2018
To:

Jerome D. Schad, Chairman
Mark S. Carney, Vice Chairman
E. Thomas Jones, Treasurer

From:

Margaret A. Murphy, Attorney
Shari Zajdel, Confidential Secretary/Legal
Anthony Perna, Law Clerk

Subject:

2016-2017 FOIL Audit

Pursuant to Section 13 of the Freedom of Information Policy & Procedures for
Accessing Public Records, the Legal Department has been requested to perform a
FOIL Audit for calendar years 2016 and 2017. We have gone through all FOIL files,
both paper and electronic, for this period using the newly established FOIL
checklist. A copy of that FOIL checklist is attached to this memorandum.
2016 FOIL REQUESTS
In 2016, the Erie County Water Authority (the “Authority”) received 36 FOIL
requests. In reviewing these paper and electronic files, we have determined the
following 15 files either had information showing non-compliance with FOIL
requirements or lack information to show FOIL compliance. A single failure on any
one item constitutes a “failed” file. The details on these 15 “failed” files are listed
below:
15 FAILED FOIL FILES
FOIL 2016-0001

January 13, 2016

Brown, Scott (WGRZ)

Request: The total number of employees, both full time and part time, at the
Authority for each of the last ten years.
Problem: The FOIL request was forwarded to the Authority’s public relations firm.
Zeppelin Communications LLC (“ZeppCom”). ZeppCom did not provide or retain
any information relating to its response on the Authority’s behalf.
A second
request was sent to the Authority on February 29, 2016 after ZeppCom failed to
respond timely to the first request.
1

 FOIL 2016-0002

January 13, 2016

Ramos, Joshua (Ramos & Ramos)

Request: Any work orders/invoices/bills as well as any copies of messages received
regarding the broken water pipe on Transit Road from September 15, 2015 until
October 20, 2015.
Problem: In its final response, the Authority provided the law firm with all work
orders for the requested dates, but never indicated whether the work was done by
Authority work crew or whether the Authority was invoiced by outside contractors.
The ABO noted these deficiencies in correspondence to the Authority prior to the
issuance of its final report.

FOIL 2016-0008

March 2, 2016

Brown, Scott (WGRZ)

Request: Annual increases in the infrastructure charge for customers over the last
ten years, and the total number of ECWA employees for the last ten years.
Problem: Scott Brown sent this FOIL request directly to ZeppCom. ZeppCom did
not provide or retain any information relating to its response on the Authority’s
behalf. We did find an email from Sean Dwyer (a ZeppCom employee) to Scott
Brown attaching the quarterly, infrastructure investment charges for 2011 through
2016. Due to incomplete information in the file, we were unable to show
compliance. The ABO noted these deficiencies in correspondence to the Authority
prior to the issuance of its final report.

FOIL 2016-0009

March 2, 2016

Sledziewski, Candace
(Cunningham Lindsey)

Request: Any contracts, work orders, or other documents pertaining to a water line
break in front of 617 Pleasant View Lancaster, New York; the procedures followed
when a water line breaks; any notice provided to the Town of Lancaster; and any
request submitted to replace this particular line.
Problem: The Authority provided the work orders relating to the break, but did not
respond as to whether the Authority had any written procedures for water line
breaks or whether any notice was provided to the Town of Lancaster. The ABO had
requested information about this file. The ABO noted these deficiencies in
correspondence to the Authority prior to the issuance of its final report.

2

 FOIL 2016-0013

April 29, 2016

Williams, Jordan (WIVB)

Request: Photographs showing ECWA fire hydrants in various states of disrepairs
Problems: The Authority did respond to the FOIL request in a timely manner, but
the pictures provided to Mr. Williams were not verified by ECWA staff to be in fact
hydrants that the Authority owned and maintained. Once the photographs aired on
television, it was brought to the attention of staff that the pictures sent were not
hydrants for which ECWA were responsible for their maintenance.

FOIL 2016-0014

May 5, 2016

Irwin, Scott (Smith-Blair, Inc.)

Request: The bid tabulation for a specific water main materials contract.
Problem: The Authority provided the bid tabulation for only the winning bid, but
did not provide the information for all bids received. The ABO noted these
deficiencies in correspondence to the Authority prior to the issuance of its final
report.

FOIL 2016-0016

June 2, 2016

Telvock, Dan (Investigative Post)

Request: The testing protocols for monitoring lead and cooper in tap water; copies of
the analysis and testing results of monitoring program; addresses of all cooper and
lead service lines, including lines owned privately; copies of all letters and emails
sent to ECWA customers regarding its testing protocols, including any letters or
emails referencing the water contamination problems in Flint, Michigan.
Problem: The initial response was sent four days late, on June 13, 2016. In the
interim, Mr. Telvock sent an additional FOIL request on June 6, 2016 which was
timely acknowledged by the Authority on June 13, 2016. On June 24, 2016, Mr.
Telvock amended his June 6th request. The Authority sent a letter on July 12, 2016
requesting additional time to respond. On July 26, 2016, the Authority responded
to all three requests from Mr. Telvock, except the request for documents regarding a
materials survey performed over 20 years ago. The Authority gave a date certain
(i.e. August 5, 2016) to provide the survey. On August 5, 2016 the final response
and survey were sent.

3

 FOIL 2016-0017

June 7, 2016

Tan, Sandra (Buffalo News)

Request: Copies of the RFP and responses to the RFP relating to a rate study;
breakdown on water rates for the last 20 years; breakdown by year of the
infrastructure charges; breakdown on the cost of repair and replacement of water
lines; employee list by title and salary; general information regarding ECWA
customer.
Problem: The Authority timely sent a five-day response on June 13, 2016. An
email chain in the file indicates the FOIL request was responded to by ZeppCom.
The file contains information that should have been sent to Ms. Tan; however, there
is no indicated in the file if the information was actually sent by ZeppCom to Ms.
Tan.

FOIL 2016-0019

June 23, 2016

Pannozzo, Christopher
(Shaw & Shaw)

Request: All documents pertaining to 14 Dorr Street, West Seneca, New York.
Problem: The Authority timely responded to this request. However, after the
Authority send its response, Shaw & Shaw sent a second identical request on
August 3, 2016. Nothing in the file to indicate any letter or call was made to Shaw
& Shaw regarding this second request.

FOIL 2016-0020

June 28, 2016

Hayes, Tamara (Rupp, Basse)

Request: All documents pertaining to 14 Dorr Street, West Seneca, New York
during the following dates: January 1, 2011 through January 31, 2013.
Problem: There is no indication that any response was ever given to this FOIL
request. Ms. Hayes sent a second request for the same information on October 17,
2016. Timely responses were sent for the second FOIL request. The ABO noted
the deficiencies in not responding to the first request in correspondence to the
Authority prior to the issuance of its final report.

4

 FOIL 2016-0025

July 26, 2016

Ciotta, Rose (WIVB)

Request: Information on water pipe breaks for the years 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014,
2015, and 2016; a report, study, or memo that led the Authority to first impose a
infrastructure fee to water customers’ bills; a report, study, or memo that led the
Authority to raise water rates as of January 1, 2016; and a report, study, or memo
on the extent of leaking water pipes throughout Erie County.
Problem: After an initial letter was timely sent, the Authority sent a letter via email
to Rose Ciotta, on August 22, 2016, indicating additional time was needed to
provide the documents requested. The FOIL request was then sent to ZeppCom.
No indication in the file that any response was sent by ZeppCom. The ABO noted
these deficiencies in correspondence to the Authority prior to the issuance of its
final report.

FOIL 2016-0030

August 29, 2016

Specht, Charlie (WKBW)

Request: Any and all correspondence between the management and staff of the
Authority from June 19, 2016 to June 29, 2016 relating to water main breaks; any
and all correspondence between the management/staff of the Authority and Michael
Caputo from June 19, 2016 to June 29, 2016 relating to water main breaks; any and
all correspondence between the management/staff of the Authority and employees
of Erie County and the Town of Amherst, from June 19, 2016 to June 29, 2016
relating to water main breaks; and any and all policies and procedures relating to
public notification after water main breaks and other emergencies.
Problem: The FOIL file contains a copy of the initial and final letters. However,
the file does not contain the information sent in response to this FOIL request. Mr.
Specht sent an email to an Authority attorney acknowledging receipt of some
information, but also indicated problems with the completeness of the information
received. The ABO noted these deficiencies in correspondence to the Authority
prior to the issuance of its final report.

FOIL 2016-0031

October 6, 2016

Zydel, Rick (New Frontier)

Request: For the current emergency repair contract, provide the bid specification
and the bid results based on the unit, quantity and the dollar amount submitted by
each bidder.

5

 Problem: The Authority provided the itemized bid documents for the winning bid,
but failed to provide information submitted by other bidders. The Authority also
denied having the bid specifications. The ABO noted these deficiencies in
correspondence to the Authority prior to the issuance of its final report.

FOIL 2016-0032

October 28, 2016

Telvock, Dan (Investigative Post)

Request: (1) The complete results of the 2016 lead and copper rule testing for each
home sampled for lead in drinking water; (2) the complete addresses including zip
codes of the homes sampled in the lead and copper rule testing for the 2016 round
for lead in drinking water; and (3) Email communications between ZeppCom
employees/interns and any ECWA employees or board members for the period of
Jan 1, 2016, to Oct. 28, 2016.
Problem: The Authority sent a timely five-day response, but its interim response
letter was sent two days late, on December 1, 2016. In the interim response, the
Authority asked for a more descriptive request regarding the communications via
emails. Mr. Telvock never gave a more descriptive request; instead he filed an
appeal with the Board. (Appeal discussed below).

FOIL 2016-0035

November 8, 2016

Heaney, Jim (Investigative Post)

Request: Copy of the ZeppCom contract; copies of the RFP and all response to the
RFP for public relation services; copies of all notes and other communications
relating to the selection of public relations firm; copies of all written communications between ZeppCom and the Authority; and all ZeppCom invoices.
Problem:
The Authority timely sent a five-day response. On December 1, 2016,
the Authority sent a timely interim response, but requested a “more descriptive
request regarding written communications, texts and emails” between the
Authority and ZeppCom.
On December 23, 2016, Mr. Heaney sent an email indicating that his original
request was descriptive enough for FOIL purposes, but then narrowed his request
to specific individuals within the Authority with whom ZeppCom may have
communicated. This clarification was treated as a new FOIL request; however,
Authority staff refused to conduct a review of such communications and never sent
a response to the request.
The ABO specifically requested an explanation as to why no response was sent and
6

 why the request was denied.
ONE DISPUTED, “PASSED” FILE
FOIL 2016-0021

July 8, 2016

Pinker, Talia

There is one additional 2016 FOIL request that drew criticism from the ABO. On
June 13, 2016, Talia Pinker requested information regarding the volume of drinking
water tested, delivered and billed to ECWA customers between 1990 and 2015, as
well as information as to the demographics of these customers. The Authority
responded to her request and produced the information she requested in a timely
manner. In its response, the Authority told Ms. Pinker some the information she
requested was available in the CAFR report, which could be found on the
Authority’s website.
The ABO stated the Authority should have given her specific page references to the
CAFR report. Despite these comments from the ABO, we found the Authority’s
final response was appropriate and timely and did not violate any FOIL provision.
The file, therefore, passed the FOIL Audit.
2016 APPEALS
FOIL 2016-0032

October 28, 2016

Telvock, Dan (Investigative Post)

The Authority sent a timely five-day response, but its interim response letter was
sent two days late, on December 1, 2016. In the interim response, the Authority
asked for a more descriptive request regarding the email communications. Mr.
Telvock never gave a more descriptive request; instead he filed an appeal with the
Board.
The Board denied the appeal by resolution at its December 15, 2016 meeting. The
Secretary informed Mr. Telvock his appeal was denied; however, the correspondence
does not indicate a certified copy of the resolution was sent to Mr. Telvock. The file
does not show whether the Committee on Open Government was given copies of the
appeal and/or the Board’s decision/resolution.

7

 2017 FOIL REQUESTS
In 2017, the Authority received 28 FOIL requests. In reviewing these paper
and electronic files, we have determined the following 5 files either had information
showing non-compliance with FOIL requirements or lack information to show FOIL
compliance. The details on these 5 “failed” files are listed below:
5 FAILED FOIL FILES
FOIL 2017-0009

April 13, 2017

Gazda, Bryan
(Village of East Aurora)

Request: The final written summary prepared by Raftelis Financial Consultants
regarding the Cost of Service and Rate Structure Review as identified in the
Authority minutes of November 16, 2016.
Problem: Although this request was received, it was never assigned to an attorney
to handle. Consequently, the Authority never sent an initial five-day response.
After a second request was made on May 26, 2017, the file was assigned to an
attorney and the requested report was sent on May 30, 2017. The ABO noted the
deficiencies in correspondence to the Authority prior to the issuance of its final
report.
FOIL 2017-0013

May 11, 2017

Gerace, Michelle (JW Danforth)

Request: The bid result and the bid award for the following: Heating, Ventilating,
and Air Conditioning and Preventative Maintenance for the time period between
July 1, 2015 and June 30, 2017.
Problem: The Authority did not handle this matter as a FOIL request. When email
was received, the information was immediately sent via email, but the attachments
to the email were not retained. We have the email and acknowledgement from the
requester showing the information was received. No formal five-day letter
acknowledging the FOIL request was prepared and no FOIL file was opened.
Otherwise, the information was provided as requested.

8

 FOIL 2017-0014

May 24, 2017

Ward, Daniel
(Amherst Democratic Club)

Request: Copies of the current Authority personnel roster and salary schedule.
Problem: The Authority did not respond to the original FOIL request. Mr. Ward
made a second request for the same information on July 26, 2017. We only have the
second request, not his original request. A final response to the second request was
sent via email on August 2, 2017.

FOIL 2017-0017

June 7, 2017

Tan, Sandra (Buffalo News)

Request: Phillips Lyle invoices relating to the Investigative Post matter and all
related documents relating the subject and purpose of the engagement; the
budgeted amount and actual expenditures for the engagement; and copies of all
legal retainer agreements between 2015 and 2017.
Problem:
An initial response was timely sent to Ms. Tan. Ms. Tan agreed to
extend the time for the Authority to submit her response to July 20, 2017. The
Authority sent an interim response on July 21, 2017, one day passed the extension
period granted by Ms. Tan. An interim response indicated a final response would
be sent by August 3, 2017. On August 3, 2017, the Authority sent the redacted
invoices and a single email containing no privileged communication. Ms. Tan
appealed to the Board regarding the redactions.

FOIL 2017-0028

November 21, 2017

Toni, Michelle
(Mark Cerrone, Inc.)

Request: Copies of bid tabulations for Emergency Water Main Repair Contract for
June 6, 2017 and July 25, 2017.
Problem: The Authority prepared a first and final response that was sent out one
day late.

9

 THREE DISPUTED, “PASSED” FILE
FOIL 2017-0008

March 24, 2017

McNaughton, Timothy (IBEW)

Request: Copies of certified weekly payroll reports; copies of job meeting minutes
for the above referenced project or work in which Kaman Automation, Control and
Energy participated in or was mentioned; copies of any “Clerk of the Works” daily
reports or daily log sheets for Kaman Automation, Control and Energy was
mentioned; copies of the General Contractors sealed bid list naming the electrical
sub-contractor performing the electrical work and the amount to be paid to the
electrical sub-contractor.
The initial/ final response was timely sent on March 31, 2017 because the FOIL
request was received by the Authority on March 24, 2017 (although the letter was
dated March 22, 2017).
In the final response, the Authority stated Kaman
Automation had not started work on the project.
The ABO questioned why the Authority claimed the project had not begun when the
Authority had made two payments to the contractor. Those payments were for
equipment costs, not wages. The FOIL request never requested payments made to
the contractor, only requested payments that would later be made to an electrical
sub-contractor. We have no information as to whether the Authority responded to
the ABO prior to the issuance of its final report.

FOIL 2017-0011

April 27, 2017

Porat, Daniela (Investigative Post)

Request:
Records pertaining to financial transactions between the Authority
and Buffalo Protection and Investigation, Inc.
Both the initial and final responses were timely given to the Investigative Post.
The attorney assigned to the FOIL request contacted Ms. Porat, informing her
certain requested information in its original format were in storage and would be
costly to retrieve. Ms. Porat and the Authority’s attorney agreed to an alternative
method to provide Ms. Porat with the information requested. The information was
then sent to Ms. Porat in a timely fashion.
The ABO questioned why it was unable to find any line item in the Board’s report
relating to Buffalo Protection. This question does not appear to relate to the
whether the Authority complied with the FOIL request, but related to the reporting
of expenditures to the Board. There is no indication in the FOIL file whether the
Authority ever responded to this question.

10

 The ABO also asked why the Authority only sent one invoice to Investigative Post.
The question suggests that the ABO was not given access to the email response
given to Ms. Porat. The information given to Ms. Porat was complete and therefore,
we determined the FOIL file passed the audit.

FOIL 2017-0024

September 13, 2017

Holly Park (Bouvier Law)

Request: All records in ECWA’s possession regarding reports, minutes, resolutions,
statements, memoranda, opinions, folders, files, books, manuals, pamphlets, forms,
papers, designs, drawings, maps, photos, letters, rules, regulations or codes
including notices, warnings, notices of claim, written complaints, notices of falls,
trips or defects in the sidewalk and property adjacent or pertinent to: 6 Fair Woods
Drive in the Village of Williamsville, New York (including a nearby section on the
west side of Hopkins Road in the Town of Amherst, approximately 140 feet south of
its intersection with Fair Woods Drive).
The Authority responded in a timely fashion, sending all relevant documents. Since
the Authority specifically stated that it had provided all documents responsive to
the FOIL request, we determined the file passed the audit. The ABO, however,
noted the Authority did not itemize the documents sent in its final response letter
nor specifically stated the Authority did not possess certain type of documents.

2017 Appeal
FOIL 2017-0004

February 10, 2017

Furlong, Richard (Lipsitz Green)

On February 10, 2017, Richard Furlong requested documents relating to work
completed by CRM Contracting, Inc. in the period between 2015 and 2017. These
requested documents included copies of the certified payroll records, inspection logs,
proof of workers’ compensation, OSHA 10 certification and other documents
required for contractors working for the State of New York. The Authority only
had the certificate for worker’s compensation. Purchasing had never requested or
required the contractor to provide the Authority with certified payroll records,
inspection logs, or OCHA 10 certification. Consequently, the Authority responded
to the FOIL request by giving Mr. Furlong the only document within the Authority’s
possession responsive to his request – the worker’s compensation certificate.
Mr. Furlong appealed to the Board. The Board denied the appeal on the ground
that the Authority had send “the only document in existence that was responsive to
[his] request.”
A copy of the appeal and the Board’s decision was sent to the
11

 Committee on Open Government.
FOIL 2017-0005

February 10, 2017

Furlong, Richard (Lipsitz Green)

On February 10, 2017, Richard Furlong requested copies of certified payroll records
for Global Painting and Contracting, Inc. relating to the refurbishing of water
tanks.
The Authority timely responded to Mr. Furlong’s request, providing him
with copies of the certified payroll records with the names and addresses of the
Global employee redacted, citing for support a recent decision issued by the
Appellate Division for the Third Judicial Department. Mr. Furlong demanded the
names and addresses, citing a decision issued by an Erie County Supreme Court
justice, which had been affirmed without opinion by the Appellate Division for
Fourth Judicial Department.
Mr. Furlong appealed. The Board denied the appeal, citing to the decision of the
Third Department. A copy of the appeal and the Board’s decision was sent to the
Committee on Open Government.
FOIL 2017-0017

June 7, 2017

Tan, Sandra (Buffalo News)

On August 9, 2017, Ms. Tan sent an email to the Chair of the Authority, copying all
Commissioners and other Authority staff. On August 10, 2017, the Secretary sent
a letter to Ms. Tan, enclosing the Authority’s FOIL Policy. Thereafter, Ms. Tan
sent the appeal again on letterhead, dated August 9, 2017, via mail.
On August 18, 2017, an Authority attorney sent an internal memorandum to the
Chair and the Secretary regarding the appeal.
On September 14, 2017, Ms. Tan sent an email, asking if the Authority had received
her mailed correspondence regarding the appeal.
On September 14, 2017, the
Secretary sent a letter to Ms. Tan, indicated the appeal letter was received by the
Authority on September 11, 2017. On October 5, 2017, the Board passed a
resolution denying Ms. Tan’s appeal in its entirety. The same day, Chairman
Robert Anderson sent a letter to Ms. Tan informing her that her appeal had been
denied and copied the Committee on Open Government on the letter. On October 6,
2017, the Secretary sent a letter to the Committee on Open Government (“COOG”)
with “pertinent information” relating to the appeal. There is no indication in the
file what “pertinent information” was sent to the COOG.
Pursuant to Public Officers Law § 89(4)(a), the Board has only ten (10) business
days to respond to the appeal. The file does not contain the envelope sent by Ms.
Tan to the Authority with her request. That envelope would have been timed12

 stamped showing the date of when the appeal was received. Without this envelope,
we are unable to determine whether the appeal was timely filed, or if the Board
timely rendered its decision.
RECENT IMPLEMENTATED FOIL PROTOCOLS
Most of the problems indicated in this FOIL Audit stem two facts. First, there
was no formal procedure to assign or track the progress of the individual handling
the request. Consequently, files fell through the cracks. Second, there was no
calendaring system in place to note deadlines. The Secretary to the Authority and
the Legal Department have now implemented the following protocols to handle and
respond to FOIL request.


FOIL requests are logged in by date from the email portal.
Most FOIL requests are received by email, and therefore, have the
exact date and time when a FOIL request is received. If FOIL requests
are mailed, the envelopes are time-stamped. Unfortunately, these
envelopes are not always retained in the FOIL file. When a FOIL
request is not received through the mail, the written request and the
time-stamped envelope are scanned and email to the email portal
(foil@ecwa.org). This email portal now is the record of when FOIL
requests are received and logged in.



The email portal also records when and how the Authority responds to
a FOIL request.
Since most FOIL requests are received by email, any initial, interim or
final responses sent by the Secretary are emailed to the FOIL
requester, along with responsive documents in electronic format. If a
written request is received through the mail, any initial, interim, or
final responses will also be sent by mail. However, moving forward, all
FOIL responses sent by via mail will also be scanned and email to the
Secretary from the email portal for the purpose of creating a record
showing the date when the response was mailed. The email sent to
the Secretary will state, “Hardcopies of the attached documents were
mailed today in response to the FOIL request.”



As soon as a FOIL request is received, copies of the request are
emailed to the Commissioners, the Secretary and Trish Fabozzi. Trish
Fabozzi then places the FOIL request on the Board’s next agenda as a
“Communications.”

13

 

FOIL requests are recorded in the Legal Department’s Legal Log.
The Legal Department has created a Legal Log file in Excel. In Legal
Log, FOIL requests are recorded and tracked.
Under the Assignment tab, the FOIL request is assigned to a
particular attorney to handle. These assignments become part of the
weekly staff report submitted weekly to department heads.
Under the FOIL tab, FOIL requests are logged in, using fields: (1) to
assign file numbers, (2) to list the name of the requester and
organization, (3) to record the date the FOIL request was receive, (3) to
calculate and calendar deadlines, (4) to record the date when the item
was placed on the Board’s agenda, and (5) to briefly describe the
information requested. The spreadsheet is searchable and the fields
can be sorted and filtered.



FOIL Checklist is prepared to track the progress and stage of each
response.
The Legal Department created the FOIL Checklist so attorneys
assigned to FOIL files will be conscious of deadlines and method used
to track the stage and progress of each request.

14

 ATTACHMENTS

FOIL Checklist
2016 FOIL Excel Spreadsheet

2017 FOIL Excel Shreadsheet

ERIE COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY
Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) Audit
FOIL 20 FOIL Date:
Board Agenda Date:
Requester:

Email

AUDIT:
Letter 5-Day Deadline:
20-Day Deadline:
Address:

Email Address:

Pass

Fail

Yes

No

Yes

No

Phone:

Initial Response Date:

Sent within 5-days?

Initial Response Sent:

Email

Mail

Supplemental Response Needed?

Initial Response in File?
Yes

Next Steps: Check All Applicable Boxes
Contact Requester to clarify FOIL request.

No

Final

Assigned to:
Request has been:

Forward FOIL request to:
Prepare privilege log

Interim

Revised

Withdrawn

Dept:
Provide privilege log to Board

Other
Responsive documents sent
No responsive documents after diligent search
Filed:
Hard copy
Electronic : I: Legal/FOIL/
Interim Response Date:

Sent within 20-days?

Interim Response Sent:

Email

Mail

Final Response Sent:
Final Response Sent:

Appeal:

Yes

Email

No

Mail

Yes

No

Interim Response in File?

Yes

No

Final Timely Sent?

Yes

No

Interim Response in File?

Yes

No

Appeal Received:

Decision Date:

Email
Sent within 10-days?

Appellate record sent to Committee on Open Government (COOG) on :
Decision sent to Appellant and COOG on :

Letter
Yes

No

 FILE NO.

REQUESTER (Last, First [ORG])

FOIL DATE

2016‐0001

Brown,Scott (WGRZ)

5‐DAY 
INITIAL 
20‐DAY 
DEADLINE RESPONSE  DEADLINE
DATE
01/13/16 01/20/16 02/29/16
03/29/16

2016‐0002

Ramos, Joshua (Ramos & Ramos)

01/13/16

01/20/16

01/20/16

02/18/16

2016‐0003

Brown, Scott (WGRZ)

02/04/16

02/11/16

02/05/16

03/04/16

2016‐0004

Ramos, Joshua (Ramos & Ramos)

02/04/16

02/11/16

02/09/16

03/08/16

2016‐0005

Ranger. Debb

02/08/16

02/15/16

02/10/16

03/09/16

2016‐0006

Brown, Scott (WGRZ)

02/08/16

02/16/16

02/10/16

03/09/16

2016‐0007
2016‐0008

Brown, Scott (WGRZ)
Brown, Scott (WGRZ)

02/16/16
03/02/16

02/23/16
03/09/16

02/19/16
03/04/16

03/18/16
04/01/16

2016‐0009

Sledziewski, Candace (Cunningham 
Lindsey)

03/02/16

03/09/16

03/02/16

03/30/16

2016‐0010

Thomas, Anthony (Republic 
Services)

03/16/16

03/23/16

03/16/16

04/13/16

BOARD  NATURE OF REQUEST
APPEAL APPEAL  PASS  OPEN 
AGENDA 
DECISION  FAIL CLOSE
DATE
DEADLINE
Payroll information for all current union and 
F
C
exempt employees including job titles and 
hiring dates. 
information regarding broken pipe on 
F
C
Transit Road from 9/15/15 through 
10/20/15
Current Lease for 295 Main Street, Room 
P
C
350
Broken pipe on Transit Road from August 1, 
C
2015 through September 15, 2015
Copies of the General Liability Ceretificate of 
P
C
Insurance.
information on outside legal work per year 
p
C
for the past five years, by law firm.
Annual rate increases over past 10 years
P
C
Annual inceases in infrastructure charge for 
F
C
past 10 years.
Communications concerning watermain 
F
C
break at 617 Pleasant View, Lancaster; Was 
Town of Lancaster put on notice and was a 
request submitted to replace the line.
Bid by Modern Diposal for Project 
#201600021, pick‐up hauling and disposal of 
Aluminum‐Based Residuals, Zebra Mussel 
and Other Debris and waste.

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 FILE NO.

REQUESTER (Last, First [ORG])

FOIL DATE

5‐DAY 
INITIAL 
20‐DAY 
DEADLINE RESPONSE  DEADLINE
DATE
03/16/16 03/23/16 03/16/16
04/13/16

2016‐0011

Fitz, Allison (Modern Disposal 
Services)

2016‐0012

Luly, Christine Hannotte

03/22/16

03/29/16

03/22/16

04/19/16

2016‐0013

Williams, Jordan (WIVB)

04/29/16

05/06/16

04/29/16

05/27/16

2016‐0014

Irwin, Scott (Smith‐Blair, Inc.)

05/05/16

05/12/16

05/06/16

06/03/16

2016‐0015

Pinker, Talia

05/25/16

06/01/16

05/26/16

06/23/16

2016‐0016

Telvock, Dan (Investigative Post)

06/02/16

06/09/16

06/13/16

07/11/16

BOARD  NATURE OF REQUEST
APPEAL APPEAL  PASS  OPEN 
AGENDA 
DECISION  FAIL CLOSE
DATE
DEADLINE
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Itemized breakdown of Allied Waste 
Services bid proposl for Project No. 
201600021 for pickup, hauling and disposal 
of Aluminum‐Based Residuals, Zebra 
Mussels and other Debris and Waste
Water Tower in Hamburg located off of 
South Park Avenue between the NYS 
Thruway and exit 75
Photos showing fire hydrants in various 
states of disrepair from 2011 to current          
Bid tabulation for Project No. 201600001 ‐ 
Water works material for Water 
Department
drinking water treated, delivered, billed ‐ 
1990‐2015‐ Buffalo
Testing protocols for water tap testing 
under Lead and Copper Rule; Full detailed 
analysis & testing results of lead & copper 
monitoring program that tests drinking 
water in homes for most recent five years of 
testing; locations by address where there 
exists lead service lines; copies of 
correspondence sent to customers re water 
testing protocols or correspondence that 
references water contimination problems in 
Flint, Michigan during the period 1/1/14/to 
6/16.

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 FILE NO.

REQUESTER (Last, First [ORG])

FOIL DATE

5‐DAY 
INITIAL 
20‐DAY 
BOARD  NATURE OF REQUEST
APPEAL APPEAL  PASS  OPEN 
DEADLINE RESPONSE  DEADLINE
AGENDA 
DECISION  FAIL CLOSE
DATE
DATE
DEADLINE
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06/07/16 06/14/16 06/13/16
07/11/16  
Rate study. Water rates, infrastructure 
charge dating back to fee's inception, 
breakdown of amount of money spent on 
pipe repair and replacement for past 20 
years,
06/13/16 06/20/16 06/14/16
07/12/16
specific questions re response to 6/8/16 foil
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2016‐0017

Tan, Sandra (Buffalo News)

2016‐0018

Pinker, Talia

2016‐0019

Pannozzo, Christopher (Shaw & 
Shaw)

06/23/16

06/30/16

06/28/16

07/26/16

All files and documents for account of Karen 
Candler from 1/1/2011 through 1/31/2013

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2016‐0020

Haynes, Tamara (Rupp, Baase, 
Pfalzgraf, Cunningham, LLC)

06/28/16

07/05/16

10/21/16

11/18/16

All files and documents for account of Karen 
Candler from 1/1/2011 through 1/31/2013

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2016‐0021

Pinker, Talia

07/08/16

07/15/16

07/14/16

08/11/16

P

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2016‐0022

Reistter, Eric (Travelers)

07/19/16

07/26/16

07/20/16

08/17/16

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2016‐0023

Ciotta, Rose (WIVB)

07/22/16

07/29/16

07/26/16

08/23/16

P

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2016‐0024

Brown, Steven (WGRZ)

07/26/16

08/02/16

07/26/16

08/23/16

P

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2016‐0025

Ciotta, Rose (WIVB)

07/26/16

08/02/16

07/27/16

08/24/16

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2016‐0026

Preval, Jeff

07/26/16

08/02/16

07/28/16

08/25/16

drinking water treated, delivered, billed ‐ 
1990‐2015‐ Amherst, Hamburg, Direct 
Service
Any records pertaining to an automobile 
accident on 3/28/16.
Current contracts for Public relations 
services; most recent RFP for PR services; 
responses to RFP
Water on demand experience from 7/12/16 
through 7/25/16
Documentation supporting decision to 
impose recontruction fee; documentation 
that led ECWA to raise water rates as of 
1/1/16; documentation on extent of leaking 
pipes throughout Erie County.
water testing and information re water 
pipe/infrastructure breaks and leaks 
occuring between 7/20/16 and 7 /26/16.

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 FILE NO.

REQUESTER (Last, First [ORG])

FOIL DATE

2016‐0027

Funke, Dolores

5‐DAY 
INITIAL 
20‐DAY 
DEADLINE RESPONSE  DEADLINE
DATE
07/27/16 08/03/16 07/28/16
08/25/16

2016‐0028

O'Brien, Barbara (Buffalo News)

08/08/16

08/15/16

08/09/16

09/06/16

2016‐0029

Christopher, Mary (First Order, LLC)

08/22/16

08/29/16

08/24/16

09/21/16

2016‐0030

Specht, Charles (WKBW)

08/29/16

09/05/16

09/02/16

09/30/16

2016‐0031

Zydel, Rick (New Frontier Excavating  10/06/16
& Paving, Inc.)

10/13/16

10/13/16

11/10/16

BOARD  NATURE OF REQUEST
APPEAL APPEAL  PASS  OPEN 
AGENDA 
DECISION  FAIL CLOSE
DATE
DEADLINE
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Any and all information pertaiing to the site 
selection criteria under the Lead and Copper 
rule; Tier 1 sampling sites selected for the 
sampling pool for testing period 2002‐
2014;documentation of ECWA'a corrosion 
control studies at the 2 treatment  plants in 
the 1990's.
Quantity of water pumped during May, 
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June, July and August 2016 and 2015; five 
days w/highest numbers; if any of high days 
set a record.
Site plans for water, storm water or as‐builts 
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for 3120 Orchard Park Road, West Seneca.
Correspondence between management and 
staff of  ECWA from 6/19/16 to 6/29/16 
relating to watermain breaks; 
Correspondence between ECWA and Michel 
Caputo for the same time period; 
correspondence between ECWA  and Erie 
County and/or town of Amherst for same 
time period relating to watermain breaks; 
policies and procedures relating to public 
notification after water main breaks and 
other emergencies.
Copies of itemized bid results for current 
contract for Emergency Maintenance and 
Repair of watermain breaks 

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REQUESTER (Last, First [ORG])

2016‐0032

Telvock, Dan (Investigative Post)

5‐DAY 
INITIAL 
20‐DAY 
DEADLINE RESPONSE  DEADLINE
DATE
10/28/16 11/04/16 10/28/16
11/25/16

2016‐0033

Telvock, Dan (Investigative Post)

10/28/16

11/04/16

10/28/16

11/25/16

2016‐0034

Kroll, Scott (Erie Count y 
Comptroller)
Heaney, Jim (Investigative Post)

11/07/16

11/14/16

11/10/16

12/08/16

11/08/16

11/15/16

11/16/16

12/14/16

Schlossin, Wesley (IUPAT District 
Council 4)

12/28/16

01/04/17

12/28/16

01/25/17

2016‐0035

2016‐0036

FOIL DATE

BOARD  NATURE OF REQUEST
APPEAL APPEAL  PASS  OPEN 
AGENDA 
DECISION  FAIL CLOSE
DATE
DEADLINE
Y
12/15/16 F
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Results of ECWA's 2016 lead and copper 
testing for each home sampled; email 
communications between Zeppelin 
Communications,  Michael Caputo of 
Zeppelin Communications and ECWA from 
1/1/16 through 10/28/16
Water sampling instructions used in 2010 
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and 2013 for homes that participated in the 
lead and copper rule program
Consumption (metered and/or billed) for all 
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accounts  on Lombardy Street for 2015
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Zeppelin Communications contract, RFPs 
and bid(s) documents; all correspondence 
with Zeppelin from date of contract; 
reimbursement requests  submitted by 
Zeppelin.
payroll records and inspector logs for 
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repainting of Eden Water Tank by Global 
Contracting and Painting.

 FILE NO.

REQUESTER (Last, First [ORG])

2017‐0001

Meyne, David (CSX)

5‐DAY 
INITIAL 
20‐DAY 
DEADLINE RESPONSE  DEADLINE
DATE
01/04/17 01/11/17 01/07/17
02/03/17

2017‐0002

Recker, Ben (Chelipis & Associates)

01/06/17

01/13/17

01/10/17

02/07/17

2017‐0003

Zunner, Ryan

02/09/17

02/16/17

02/13/17

03/13/17

2017‐0004

02/10/17

02/17/17

02/16/17

03/16/17

02/10/17

02/17/17

02/16/17

03/16/17

Payrolls for Global Painting and Contracting

2017‐0006

Furlong, Richard (Lipsitz, Green 
Scime, Cambria)
Furlong, Richard (Lipsitz, Green 
Scime, Cambria)
Galbraith, Robert 

03/03/17

03/10/17

03/09/17

04/06/17

2017‐0007
2017‐0008
2017‐0009

Oliver, Glenn
McNaughton, Timothy (IBEW)
Gazda, Bryan (Village of East Aurora)

03/16/16
03/24/17
04/13/17

03/23/16
03/31/17
04/20/17

03/09/16
03/31/17
05/30/17

04/06/16
04/28/17
06/27/17

2017‐0010

Specht, Charlie (WKBW)

04/17/17

04/24/17

04/24/17

05/22/17

2017‐0011

Porat, Daniela (Investigative Post)

04/27/17

05/04/17

05/02/17

05/30/17

2017‐0012

Telvock, Dan (Investigative Post)

05/02/17

05/09/17

Agreements and communications with 
Zeppelin Communications and/or Michael 
Caputo; policies and guidelines re access to 
Social Media accounts
ECWA vendor list, including bidders
Kamen Automation (SCADA)
Final written report prepared by Raftelis  
Financial  re Cost of Service and Rate 
Structure Review as identified in 11/17/16 
minutes
Emails or written correspondence from Earl 
Jann between 5/1/11 and 4/16/2017 
including emails from ECWA account and 
personal account pertaining to ECWA 
business.  Subsequently withdrawn
Records pertaining to financial transactions 
between ECWA and Buffalo Protection and 
Investigation(s)
Lead and Copper Rule sample sites and test 
results

2017‐0005

FOIL DATE

01/27/00

BOARD  NATURE OF REQUEST
AGENDA 
DATE
Watermain Break, Broadway Ave. on 
12/26/17
Water & Sewer bills for January 1, 2016 
through December 31,2016
Communications and reports on water 
quality at Hilbert  College
Payrolls for CRM Contracting

APPEAL

APPEAL  PASS  OPEN 
DECISION  FAIL CLOSE
DEADLINE
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y

03/30/17

P

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Y

03/30/17

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REQUESTER (Last, First [ORG])

FOIL DATE

5‐DAY 
INITIAL 
20‐DAY 
DEADLINE RESPONSE  DEADLINE
DATE
05/11/17 05/18/17 05/30/17
06/27/17

BOARD  NATURE OF REQUEST
APPEAL APPEAL  PASS  OPEN 
AGENDA 
DECISION  FAIL CLOSE
DATE
DEADLINE
bid results HVAC/Preventative Maintenance 
F
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Work for period 7/1/15 to 6/30/17

2017‐0013

Gerace, Michelle (JW Danforth)

2017‐0014

05/24/17

05/31/17

08/21/17

09/18/17

Personnel Roster and salary schedule

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2017‐0015

Ward, Daniel (Amherst Democratic 
Club)
Tan, Sandra (Buffalo News)

06/02/17

06/09/17

06/09/17

07/07/17

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2017‐0016

Hibbert, Seth (Getman & Biryla)

06/04/17

06/09/17

06/06/17

07/04/17

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2017‐0017
2017‐0018

Tan, Sandra (Buffalo News)
Ethan Lucht (Chelipis & Associates, 
Inc.)

06/07/17
06/28/17

06/14/17
07/05/17

06/14/17
07/05/17

07/12/17
08/02/17

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2017‐0019

Dreyer, Molly (C & S Companies)

07/03/17

07/10/17

07/18/17

08/15/17

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2017‐0020

Weiss, Paul (Bartlo, Hettler, Weiss &  07/26/17
Tripi)

08/02/17

07/27/17

08/24/17

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2017‐0021
2017‐0023

Specht, Charles (WKBW)
Girardin, Ken (Empire Center)

08/23/17
09/13/17

08/30/17
09/20/17

08/30/17
09/13/17

09/27/17
10/11/17

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2017‐0024

Park, Holly (Bouvierlaw)

09/13/17

09/20/17

09/14/17

10/12/17

Civil service applications, resumes for 
exempt employees, severance and /or 
buyout agreements since 2013
Labor and Material Bond by DN Tanks, Inc. 
re project No. 2013002666
Phillips Lytle invoices
Water bills for Two Brothers Realty LLC, Ford 
Motor Co., 4455 Genssee St, LLC for 7/1/16 
through 6/30/17
Condition of above and below  ground water 
infrastruture within and adjacent to 714 
Ridge Road, Lackawanna
Collective Bargaining Agreements or MOU's 
with unions includng CSEA, AFSCME and 
Brotherhood of WNY Water Workers for 
2009 though 7/17.
Payroll Information for past 5 years
Payroll withholdings collected by ECWA for 
union dues.
Any and all documents pertaining to written 
complaints, notices of falls, trips or defects 
in the sidewalk and property adjacent or 
pertinent to 6 Fair Woods Dr., Williamsville, 
and a section of Hopkins Road, Amherst, 140 
feet South of Fair Woods Dr.

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10/05/17

 FILE NO.

REQUESTER (Last, First [ORG])

2017‐0025

Tan, Sandra (Buffalo News)

5‐DAY 
INITIAL 
20‐DAY 
DEADLINE RESPONSE  DEADLINE
DATE
09/15/17 09/22/17 09/18/17
10/16/17

2017‐0026

Specht, Charles (WKBW)

09/19/17

09/26/17

09/26/17

10/24/17

2017‐0027

Rowe, Ashley (WKBW)

09/26/17

10/03/17

10/03/17

10/31/17

2017‐0028

Toni, Michelle (Mark Cerrone, Inc.)

FOIL DATE

11/21/17

11/28/17

11/30/17

12/28/17

BOARD  NATURE OF REQUEST
APPEAL APPEAL  PASS  OPEN 
AGENDA 
DECISION  FAIL CLOSE
DATE
DEADLINE
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Buyout, Severance and separation 
agreements for 2011 and 2012, policies re 
severance and benefit buyout, employment 
agreements for Robert Gaylord
Customer Complaint files, Audio tapes 
between customer & restoration, Phone 
Directory, Restoration customer survey 
reports, restoration customer 
correspondence for period 1/1/16 to 
present.
Investment Infrastructure; Program revenue 
allocation from January, 2011 to January, 
2017; any/all reports from Raftalis; Annual 
reports from PARIS for 2014 and 2016
Bid Tabulations for Emergency Watermain 
Repair Contract ‐ Bid Date 6/6/17 and rebid 
on 7/25/17

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