Jamestown Mayor Eddie Sundquist outlines bond proposal as Council President Tony Dolce listens (May 15, 2023)

The City of Jamestown is proposing to bond for $6.4 million in order to do a variety of building improvements and repairs.

Mayor Eddie Sundquist presented the initial bond proposal to City Council Monday, saying the projects were limited to just municipal facilities.

He said the list of projects is just a draft because he wants Council to discuss the proposal. Sundquist said $3.15 million would go toward improvements and repairs at City Hall, including a $1.8 million roof replacement and façade work, “We had hoped that the patching we did on the roof was going to hold. We are still seeing leaks within the building on that roof and so it’ll need to be replaced. As a reminder, the building opened up in 1971.”

Sundquist said security improvements and HVAC upgrades are also part of the project. He added that 17 windows need to be replaced for a cost of $350,000.

Council member Marie Carrubba suggested that the city should be considering replacing the current gold-filmed windows, which she says are not energy efficient, “When you talk about climate action, these (windows) are horrible. Go down to the second floor and half of the windows you can’t look out of. I don’t know if they’re on the list to be replaced, but I can’t even imagine. I haven’t counted all of the windows in this building. But, I almost feel like we’re throwing good money after bad to keep trying to get these windows, which are very hard to get, they’re very expensive, versus trying to begin a process of replacing these windows in a manageable fashion.”

Sundquist said it was something the city could look into.

The replacement of the Fenton Roof at a cost of $2 million is also included in the bond proposal. Sundquist said the historic mansion is owned by the City and needs a new rubber roof due to leaks that are impacting the Fenton History Center‘s collection. He added that the $2 million price tag may get reduced if the city is able to find grants for the project.

Other projects that would be funded under a proposed bond include $250,000 to fix the roof at 145 Steele Street and $500,000 for a new water line at Bergman Park.

Sundquist said $500,000 is also included as gap funding for the Fleet Maintenance Building on Washington Street. An information sheet said this funding is due to increased labor and material costs that could not be foreseen when the project was initially budgeted. Sundquist said the city has applied for a $1 million reimbursement from New York State.

He added that the city is able to “comfortably” borrow up to $12 million, “We’re very low on our actual debt right now as a city and so we wanted to confirm with them what we think we can borrow. The other thing I’ll point out is that we still have ARPA funds. I didn’t include it in here because I think it’s a discussion for everyone. There is still $1.7 million in ARPA funds that could be applied toward this should the council wish. That obviously for some further discussion which would lower that debt level.”

Council member at Large Kim Ecklund requested information on other bonds the city has in addition to how a $6.4 million bond would impact the city budget.

The Chautauqua Community Music Project and the Fenton History Center are part of 23 organizations receiving a portion of $44,500 in Give for Greatness Funding.

The grants provide general operating support to arts and culture nonprofits based in Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, and Niagara counties.

More information about Give for Greatness and this year’s recipients can be found at asiwny.org.

Chautauqua County Executive PJ Wendel, Assemblyman Andrew Goodell; Patricia Lindfors, daughter of PFC Tedesco; PFC Thomas Tedesco; Senator George Borrello; and Roseann Carlson, daughter of PFC Tedesco.

State and local officials along with family members gathered at the Fenton History Center mansion on Thursday to honor a World War II veteran with a medal presentation ceremony.

98-year old Private First Class Thomas A. Tedesco of Falconer served in the U.S. Army Aircorp and Infantry. He was drafted in February 1943 and was sent to England in December 1943. Tedesco was part of the D-Day armada and then later was on the front lines of the Battle of the Bulge in Europe. He remained in Europe through VE day, returning to the United States in July 1945.

State Senator George Borrello said the medals were just being awarded to Mr. Tedesco due to several factors, including a shortage of metal following World War 2, “And so a lot of medals did not get awarded. And then, of course you know, typical government bureaucracy, it took a long time and records were lost in a big fire, is my understanding. And thanks to the diligence of his family and our Senate staff led by the head of Veterans Concerns, George Philgrove, who is himself a veteran, and persistence, a lot of persistence, we were able to cut through the red tape and get these medals awarded.”

Tedesco was presented with the Bronze Star, Good Conduct medal, American Campaign medal, the European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, two Bronze Service Stars, the World War 2 Victory Medal, a Combat Infantrymen’s Badge, and the Honorable Service Lapel pin from the United States Army. In addition, he received from the New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs the New York State Conspicuous Service Cross and Medal For Merit.

Jamestown Deputy Fire Chief Matt Coon and Jamestown Police Chief Tim Jackson present their budgets to City Council (November 7, 2022)

The Jamestown Police Chief has concerns over cuts or under-funding of several areas of the department’s budget.

Chief Tim Jackson, presenting to City Council, said training and instruction was only funded with $30,000 when $60,000 was requested. He said as of October 28, the department was $25,205 over budget for that line and he anticipated similar numbers for 2023.

Jackson said funding for special operations, or the SWAT team, was only funded with $16,500 when $35,000 was requested, “As I’m sure everybody knows, we used the SWAT team a lot more this year. And we continually use our SWAT team. This past weekend we used them again. And we’ve definitely have shown an increased need to use the team. As of October 28 of this year, we are over our allocated amount by $10,022.41.”

Jackson said the K9 Handler compensation, which New York State mandates a minimum wage rate, was under-budgeted with only $10,000 allocated. He said with minimum wage rising to $14.20 in 2023, he estimates the actual compensation cost will be $15,549.

Jackson said he and City Fleet Manager Pat Monaghan put together a police vehicle and equipment replacement schedule spreadsheet, including vehicles that were recommended to be replaced for 2023.

He said none of those requested vehicle replacements were included in the proposed budget, “And we created that spreadsheet so we wouldn’t end up in the situation we ended up in last year. Some of our vehicles, to be frank, I don’t know if one or two of them are going to pass inspection.”

Monaghan said while he was grateful for the funding previously approved by Council to replace some patrol cars this year, there needs to be a regular replacement schedule so that they can avoid having to replace major components on the vehicles, “I can tell you that on four-year old vehicles, we’ve replaced the engine and transmission on them. And that’s in spite of regular, aggressive preventative maintenance programs. It’s just, those vehicles are subjected to everything they tell you should never do to a vehicle. Consider that they run 365 days a year, 24-7, under extreme conditions. And it’s just something that, by the time the third year of these vehicles is up it’s time to replace them.”

Finance Chair and Council Member at Large Kim Ecklund asked why the cuts were made with City Comptroller John Sellstrom replying that he would get back to her with that information.

Council Member at Large Jeff Russell expressed concern that the cuts to the SWAT team could result in team losing its state certification, which Chief Jackson said is possible.

Deputy Fire Chief Matt Coon also presented his budget, with few concerns. Russell asked if grant funding could be used to replace turn-out gear, but Coon said they rarely meet requirements as one of the grants requires gear to be 14 years old and the department goes through equipment at a much faster rate than that.

The last budget presentations to Council will be by the City Department of Development and the Fenton History Center on Monday, November 14.

However, council members can begin to pre-file budget amendments as soon as Wednesday, November 9.

A public hearing on the budget is scheduled for 6:00 p.m., Wednesday, November 16 and is anticipated to be voted on at the November 28th voting session.

Jamestown City Council voting session (October 24, 2022)

Jamestown City Council has approved the purchase of a new SWAT vehicle.

The $247,516 Bearcat will be paid for using American Rescue Plan funds.

Council President Tony Dolce said the SWAT team has been using regular vehicles for raids and with the number of raids they’re doing on top of the amount of guns on the streets, he said an armored vehicle will be more safe, “And this also gives the Police Department the ability, God forbid if we did have a major shooting, where they can actually rescue people and take them out of a situation in a much safer environment to get them out of there. And also, that vehicle can go through things and get a lot closer and make much safer not only for themselves but for residents.”

Dolce said delivery of the new vehicle is expected to take a year.

Council also approved $1.3 million in grants to seven local businesses through the ARP Business Property and Infrastructure Improvement program. The grants had been approved by the Jamestown Local Development Corporation, but as all the requests were over $100,000, City Council also had to give their approval. The businesses receiving funds for capital improvements include Artone, Colecraft Commercial Furnishings, Dawson Metal, El Greco, International Ordnance, National Wire and Metal Technology, and Shawbucks.

An additional $500,000 of American Rescue Plan funds have been put into the Senior Citizen Home Improvement Incentive Program. This brings the total amount of funding to that program to $1 million. Dolce said Council is looking to fund another round of $500,000 which would satisfy all the applications that met the requirements.

And council approved $8,000 out of the city’s contingency fund for emergency roof repairs at the Fenton History Center. Dolce said the roof had been leaking, “It has reached a point where it’s causing interior damage to the walls and the structure of the building. So this is an emergency stopgap measure to at least repair that part roof. The entire roof, at some point, is going to need to be done. They’re going to be getting bids and quotes on that, so that will be much more money coming down probably in the next few months.”

The Fenton mansion is owned by the City of Jamestown and is, thus, the responsibility of the City to maintain.

Jamestown City Council

The seven resolutions under new business had been approved by the Jamestown Local Development Corporation, but as all the requests were over $100,000, City Council also must give their approval.

The businesses seeking capital improvements grants from the program include:
– El Greco $198,363
– Dawson Metal $198,363
– Artone LLC $192,794
– International Ordnance $198,363
– National Wire and Metal Technology Incorporated $198,363
– Colecraft Commercial Furnishings $198,363
– and Shawbucks $198,363

Council also will vote under new business on adding $500,000 of American Rescue Plan funds to the Senior Citizen Home Improvement Incentive Program. Mayor Eddie Sundquist had said there had been over $1.8 million in requests for the senior citizen program, which had initially been funded with $500,000 of ARPA funds.

Another item under new business is a resolution to spend $8,000 out of contingency for building roof maintenance at the Fenton History Center.

City Council will hear budget presentations from the Clerk and Treasurer’s Office, Finance, Assessor’s, and Corporation Counsel at a work session scheduled for 6:30 p.m. in the fourth floor Police Training Room.

The voting session will take place at 7:30 p.m. in the second floor Council Chambers. The meetings are open to the public and will be livestreamed on jamestownny.gov.

The Saturday, July 16 interview sessions will take place from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Interview topics will include:
– Memories of Chautauqua Lake: Beaches, Boating, Communities, etc.
– The Construction of I-86 and the Chautauqua Lake Veterans Memorial Bridge
– Boat Races on Chautauqua Lake
– Chautauqua County Music Venues & Musicians: Part 1
– Bill Clinton’s Visit to Chautauqua County (and other Presidents / Vice Presidents)

Pre-registration for those who want to participate is required. Participants may sign up for a 20-minute interview session at the Bemus Historical Society located at 13 Alburtus Avenue in Bemus Point.
You also may register by emailing WRFA@RegLenna.com with “I Remember” in the subject line or calling 716.664.2465 ext. 209.

More Information about the project can be found at www.WRFALP.com/IRemember.

The “I Remember” oral history project focuses on local residents who want to serve as primary sources on a variety of historical topics from the Jamestown and Chautauqua Region. The residents will be interviewed and portions of those interviews will then run in a series of audio and video programs that will be broadcast on the local airwaves and also streamed online, starting in September 2022.

Funded through a Community Action Grant from the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, as well as from additional funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the “I Remember” project has a goal of interviewing at least 100 different individuals and providing 25 hours of audio and video programming in its first year.

All unedited interviews will also be transcribed and donated to the Chautauqua County Historical Society and the Fenton History Center for their archives

Project will launch in June with a goal of interviewing 100 area residents

JAMESTOWN, NY – Area residents who want to share their memories to help chronicle local history in Chautauqua County will get a chance to do so later this year.

WRFA-LP in is launching an oral history program that will allow Chautauqua County residents to provide their first-hand accounts of people, places, industries and events from our region’s rich past.

The “I Remember” oral history project will begin with a series of interview sessions starting in June, and local residents who want to serve as primary sources on a variety of historical topics are encouraged to participate. The interviews will then run in a series of audio and video programs that will be broadcast on the local airwaves and also streamed online.

“As a former trustee with the Chautauqua County Historical Society, I can’t emphasize enough the importance of documenting first-hand accounts of everyday people who’ve experienced, lived and witnessed our local history,” explained Jason Sample, WRFA general manager, adding, “That’s why this project is so important for our county.”

Funded through a Community Action Grant from the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, as well as from additional funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting’s American Rescue Plan Act Stabilization Grant, the “I Remember” project has a goal of interviewing at least 100 different individuals and providing 25 hours of audio and video programming in its first year. All interviews will also be transcribed and donated to the Chautauqua County Historical Society and the Fenton History Center for their archives.

“We’ve already established a committee of local historians to help us identify topics to focus on for this year,” Sample said. “Starting in June, we’ll schedule a series of interview sessions and invite community members to meet with us and share their memories of a particular topic or topics.”

Partnering with WRFA on the project is Kipp Reynolds from Kranky Plate Productions, who will help to document each interview. Conducting the majority of interviews will be Dan Swackhammer, a long-time resident of Jamestown who has a past history of working on a similar project. In 1986, Swackhammer produced and directed an hour long video documentary in conjunction with the Jamestown Centennial entitled ‘A Century of Life- A Century of Living in which he interviewed residents born in the 1800’s as well as local historians.

FIRST INTERVIEW SESSION IS JUNE 4

The first interview session for the I Remember project is scheduled to take place on Saturday, June 4 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the James Prendergast Library. Specific topics for the June 4 session include: Brooklyn Square & Urban Renewal; the Kent Mansion, including its time as the Scottish Consistory and also the transition to the Robert H. Jackson Center; Jamestown General Hospital; Jamestown Community College from 1950 to 1990; and the development and early history of the Lucille Ball Comedy Festivals.

Other sessions, which will focus on other topics, will also take place on June 25 at the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts; July 16 at a location to be determined in Bemus Point; and August 13 again at the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts. Other dates and locations for future months will also be announced.

WRFA is asking anyone who wishes to be interviewed for the project during any upcoming session can reach out via email at WRFA@RegLenna.com with “I Remember” in the subject line. You can also call (716) 664-2465 ext. 209. More information can also be found online at WRFALP.com/IRemember.

Once enough interviews have been collected, WRFA will launch the first episode, tentatively scheduled for September 2022.

“This is going to be a very exciting project and we are looking forward to not only hearing the stories and memories of people who’ve lived and experienced our local history, but also sharing it with the greater Chautauqua Community,” Sample said. “I cannot express enough how excited we are to see this project launch and usher it forward!”

Comments, questions, or suggestions about the project can be directed to Sample using the above contact information.

ABOUT: Founded in 2004, WRFA-LP is a noncommercial, listener supported, low power FM radio station licensed to the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts and broadcasting at 107.9 FM in Jamestown, NY.  As a radio station licensed to a 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit organization, all financial donations/contributions made to WRFA are 100% tax deductible. Businesses and organizations can also provide corporate underwriting for WRFA by making a tax-deductible contribution of $100 or more.

Dr. Tom Greer, “Elizabeth Scudder Fenton,” County Legislator Lisa Vanstrom, and County Executive PJ Wendel unveil the new interpretive archaeology signs at the Fenton History Center

The Fenton History Center unveiled new interpretive archaeology signs on its grounds in a ceremony Wednesday afternoon.

Resident Archaeologist Dr. Tom Greer said the Walnut Grove Archaeology Project at the center has been going on for ten years. He said close to 100 volunteers have helped with the dig over that time.

Greer said he worked with former Fenton History Center Executive Director Noah Goodling on the language for the three signs, “As far as the signs themselves, they were designed by myself, Noah, and Victoria Parker. I was hoping Victoria would be here today. She’s not feeling well. Cause she did most of the work on this. She did all the graphics, all the layout, she recorded all the videos, and edited the videos that you’ll be able to access on your phone via the QR codes that are on the signs.”

The event coincided with the 198th birthday of Elizabeth Scudder Fenton, who was the second wife of former New York Governor Reuben Fenton.

Center Staff confirmed that Renee Freifeld, who began in the new position on January 10, 2022, has left the organization. No explanation was given for her departure. Freifeld had replaced Noah Goodling, who resigned from the Fenton in December.

He took a job as Project Director for Capacity Lab, a new shared non-profit capacity building initiative housed at both Chautauqua Region Community Foundation and the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation.