Town of Cheektowaga

WEB SITE POSTING CAUSES PRIVACY STIR:

Town officials have launched an investigation into how photographs of the interior of at least one home and its floor plan were posted on the town’s official Web site.

The photos were posted on the town’s online assessment portion of the Web site, but Town Assessor Brian M. Hess said that only pictures displaying the front exterior of homes were meant to be posted.

One resident, who was visible in the photos, took little solace when informed that the photos were no longer online. In addition to the individual’s likeness, the floor plan and interior pictures of the resident’s home were also online.
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Hess said that there were at least two other individual complaints about pictures and floor plans posted on the town’s Web site. One complainant said that a photo showed her working in her garden; another said that a floor plan of his home was posted online.

Town Attorney Michael S. Stachowski said that Cheektowaga may have violated New York State’s civil rights law by posting the photos.

Stachowski said that the town "took action" as soon as officials learned of the images.

Stachowski added that his department was never notified prior to posting the photos.

"No one had talked to the law department before they put this Web site together," Stachowski said. "No one talked to the law department about the contents."

Hess said that the pictures were taken before he became town assessor.

Asked if assessors or appraisers normally take interior photos of private residences, Hess replied, "no."

The updated Online Assessment Roll System is an upgrade that became possible through a $30,000 New York State grant.

The front exterior shots were to be posted online to provide assistance to residents who may want to compare homes or challenge assessments.