SENECA FALLS TOWN BOARD
SPECIAL MEETING
JUNE 24, 2011
Same said the decision to rehab the building was done by an architect looking at the building and space needs.
The Police Department will remain on State Street assuming the Village will transfer the asset. He said the
Board can attest that this has been a long, tedious process to get to where we are with rehabbing the building.
Mr. Same stated the Board wanted to put the building back into public use and thought there was a project, but
it fell through. Mr. Snyder stated the Board has been discussing this since he has been on the Board, which is
four years.
Don Earle state the question brought up is – is it the right time now rather than waiting until after the first of the
year, the reason being not knowing exactly what the budget is for 2012. Mr. Same responded that the Board
does know what the budget is for 2012; it will be made public in July. Mr. Earle stated whatever happens after
the first of the year – it’s going to be a very busy year with all the things that are going to happen; it seems
wiser to wait until then and see what the priorities are going to be. Mr. Earle said they don’t discount that it
needs to be done. Mr. Same stated their letter indicated that this was done without forethought; the Board has
done this with a lot of forethought – it planned accordingly; it just makes sense to go forward.
Mr. Moore stated regardless of what happens after the first of the year, the Town still needs an adequate facility
for everyone that is involved here. Mr. Same added the employees have been working in difficult locations and
conditions; it is only fair and right that we have a home for them, and this will be a great location. Mr. Snyder
stated the funds are in the bank to completely pay for this project without raising taxes. Mr. Same added no
bonding is required as the funds are in a capital reserve account.
Mr. Casamassima asked what if the Village sells Village Hall; Mr. Same replied if they sell Village Hall, they
will be doing a disservice to the residents of the Community. They are logical people and they are making
decisions without knowledge; we have the knowledge to change their mind, and in July it will be presented to
them - it will be proven to them that there is no reason in the world to not transfer Village Hall. Brief
discussion followed.
Mr. Casamassima mentioned that people have expressed that it’s a lot of money for this building. Mr. Snyder
stated it’s either we pay $1.8 million which the Town has, or bond it out and raise taxes and build a new
building. He added to him, it’s a no brainer - it’s not going to affect the taxpayers at all.
Mr. Same stated the Board already agreed that we are going to rehab the building. This is just an agreement to
authorize Barton & Loguidice to draw up plans and specs to go out for bid.
The motion made by Sue Sauvageau and seconded by Tim Snyder authorizing the Town Supervisor to sign the
agreement with Barton & Loguidice for professional services relative to the reconstruction of 10 Fall Street was
carried 4 ayes, 1 nay; Councilman Casamassima with the dissenting vote.
Approve Added Funding – Replacement of Cayuga Street Waterline: Mr. Same read portions of the following
Resolution:
WHEREAS, the New York State Department of Transportation proposes the construction, reconstruction, or
improvement of Routes 5 & 20 in the Village of Seneca Falls located in Seneca County, PIN 3076.10; and
WHEREAS, the State will include as part of the construction, reconstruction or improvement of the above
mentioned project the relocation and adjustment to water mains and appurtenances, pursuant to Section 10,
Subdivision 24, of the State Highway Law, as shown on the contract plans relating to the project and meeting
the requirements of the owner; and
WHEREAS, the service life of the relocated and/or replaced utilities has not been extended; and
WHEREAS, the State will provide the reconstruction of the above mentioned work, as shown on the contract
plans relating to the above mentioned project.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town of Seneca Falls approves the relocation of and the
adjustment to their water mains and appurtenances and the above mentioned work performed on the project and
shown on the contract plans relating to the project, and that the Town of Seneca Falls will maintain or cause to
be maintained the adjusted facilities performed as above stated and as shown on the contract plans, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Supervisor has the authority to sign, with the concurrence of the Town
Board, any and all documentation that may become necessary as a result of this project as it relates to the Town
of Seneca Falls; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Clerk of the Town of Seneca Falls is hereby directed to transmit five
(5) certified copies of the foregoing resolution to the New York State Department of Transportation.
Mr. Same stated at a prior Meeting, the Board agreed to deposit money in reserve in the Comptroller’s Office to
cover the cost of the replacement of the waterlines; initially, the cost was $270,000.00. He said there has been
three changes which puts the required amount to be put in the Comptroller’s Office at $351,401.85; it needs to
be on file by July 6th – that’s the reason it has to be approved today.
Mr. Morrell asked where the money would be coming from; Mr. Same replied the money will be pulled from
the sewer reserve that has been set up for West Seneca Falls District. Mr. Morrell asked if it was a capital
SENECA FALLS TOWN BOARD
SPECIAL MEETING
JUNE 24, 2011
reserve fund; Mr. Same replied yes. Mr. Morrell said the money would be borrowed from that fund and put into
the General Fund to address this – is that accurate; Mr. Same replied yes. Mr. Morrell asked – what is the
prospect of having this money paid back to the District within this fiscal year; Mr. Same replied absolutely not
possible. Mr. Morrell read a section of the General Municipal Law which states that money temporarily
advanced shall be repaid to the fund from which they were advanced as soon as available, but in no event later
than the close of the fiscal year in which the advance was made. After lengthy discussion relative to funding
the project, Mr. Morrell stated his suggestion would be to pay what needs to be paid out of the General Fund for
the time being, and he will see how to go about taking the $400,000.00 that originally came from the General
Fund into that West Seneca Falls District, and get that back into the General Fund; it might be that it would
have to be restricted to a capital reserve – this is a capital project.
A motion was made to rescind the $270,000.00 amount that was agreed upon at a Joint Meeting with the
Village Board held on April 28, 2011 by Tim Snyder and seconded by Duane Moore. No questions. Motion
carried 5 ayes, 0 nayes.
A motion was made to adopt the above Resolution relative to the replacement of the water mains on Cayuga
Street, and to deposit $351,401.85 in the Comptroller’s Office, funds to be taken from the General Fund, by Sue
Sauvageau and seconded by Tim Snyder. No questions. Motion carried 5 ayes, 0 nayes.
Replacement of Awning & Addition of Sign: Mr. Same stated the Museum and Visitor’s Center’s awning is in
very poor condition and needs to be replaced; total cost of replacement of the awning and sign will not exceed
$5,500.00. He said the Village had money in a reserve for the Visitor’s Center; the Museum asked the Village
Board if they would use the money to pay for the sign and awning, and they said no – they are going to use
those dollars to reduce Village debt. Brief discussion followed.
A motion was made to fund the replacement of the awning and sign for the Visitor’s Center and Museum at a
cost not to exceed $5,500.00 by Duane Moore and seconded by Tim Snyder. No questions. Motion carried.
5 ayes, 0 nayes.
Mr. Snyder mentioned that a couple of the businesses downtown have gone with the same colors; maybe the
colors could match them so that downtown looks uniform. Brief discussion followed relative to the colors. Mr.
Same requested that Ms. Sauvageau take the concern about colors back to the Museum.
Approve Changes of 2012 Tax Codes: Mr. Same stated the final tax roll has to be established by July 1st. He
added this is a commitment the Town will be making to do some of the things that it is planning for in the
budget. Amended changes are:
FD012 - Bridgeport Fire District - will include the entire Town. FD014 – Fire Contract District will be deleted.
Mr. Same stated everyone in the Town will be charged .99 per $1,000 for fire protection in 2012.
MD012 – Townwide Garbage Pickup – will include downtown Business District and Sackett Street District as
defined in Village Code. Mr. Same said this is assuming that this is the direction the Town goes in; a charge
will be established for every resident for pickup in the Town. He added this line on the tax bill will be zeroed
out if the Town doesn’t go with bidding this out.
LD008 – Ken-Mor Lighting District – Mr. Same stated he is recommending eliminating the Lighting District in
Ken-Mor. He said the dissolution plan called for a lighting district to be established for Village residents going
forward, the cost would have been .87 per $1,000. He added if we are going to become one town, his
recommendation is not to establish any lighting districts and eliminate the Ken-Mor Lighting District; all the
lighting will be paid for from the General Fund because it is safety for the entire Community.
The creations of three new identifications on the tax bill are:
1. Post Retirement Benefit Obligation for those that retire from the Village that only serviced the Village.
That obligation district is estimated at .23 per $1,000.
2. Post Retirement Benefit Obligation for those that retire from the Town. Mr. Same stated this is to
satisfy the Village’s request – why isn’t the Town assessing the people outside just for the people who
worked exclusively for the Town outside. That obligation district is estimated at .08 per $1,000.
3. Create Bond Debt for the Village. Mr. Same said that will be determined once they close out their
budget year.
Ms. Sauvageau asked what the number currently is without paying anything off. Mr. Same stated he thinks it’s
in the neighborhood of .32 – that’s assuming they pay off the bond that they can pay off; the bond that is noncallable has to be paid off over time.
Mr. Morrell referred to the Post Retirement Benefits for Town outside Village workers, and asked if the Board
is proposing to create a district. Mr. Same replied yes. Mr. Morrell said this will need a Public Hearing. Mr.
Same said this is just to set the Codes - the Board will have to follow through with creating other districts, too.
SENECA FALLS TOWN BOARD
SPECIAL MEETING
JUNE 24, 2011
A motion was made to approve the Tax Code Changes and Creations as stated above by Sue Sauvageau and
seconded by Tim Snyder.
Ms. Sauvageau stated she is happy to take them all at this point. She would like to see the garbage taken out of
the General Fund; the tax code could be there and not be used. Brief discussion followed.
The motion made by Sue Sauvageau and seconded by Tim Snyder to approve the Tax Code Changes and
Creations as stated above was carried 5 ayes, 0 nayes.
Being there was no further business, a motion was made to adjourn the meeting by T.J. Casamassima and
seconded by Tim Snyder. No questions. Motion carried 5 ayes, 0 nayes.
Meeting adjourned at 12:55 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
NICALETTA J. GREER
Town Clerk