Local resident Brad Gains told the paper that a petition containing 95 signatures has been filed by a local tax payers group calling for the village government to dissolve.

The group believes that dissolving the village will result in tax savings, although a study would have to be completed to show just how much money could be saved. The matter would also have to go up for a public referendum where all registered voters could choose whether or not to dissolve the local government.

Gains has said the members of the Sinclairville Village Board are opposed to the idea.

Dissolution isn’t new in Chautauqua County. Recently both Forestville and Cherry Creek residents voted to dissolve their village governments. Meanwhile, an effort to dissolve the village of Sherman Government failed by just two votes in December 2016.

In order to help offset that increase, the County legislature will be considering a resolution that will help to ease some of that local tax increase.

Chatuauqua County Executive Vince Horrigan is joining Legislator George Borello (R-Irving) in sponsoring a resolution that would provide Forestville with $87,000. That money would be given to the village in exchange for 14 years worth of county landfill credits that have been designated to the municipality.

In addition, the county would also provide a bridge loan of $150,000 to the village at a rate of 2.5 percent, which will be used for its share of the inter-municipal water line project, to be repaid immediately upon the Village’s long term refinancing of the debt, but also no later than December 31, 2014.

As part of the deal, the county is also calling on the village to request the state comptrollers office to audit all of Forestville’s financial records for the past fie years. The village must also participate in a task force that will examine the viability of the Village as a continuing independent municipal entity, including consideration of the potential of dissolution.

Some lawmakers have voiced concern about the bailout and are expected to raise those concerns when the full legislature meets Wednesday night. The meeting begins t 6:30 pm and is open to the public.

The Jamestown Post-Journal is reporting Friday that members of the county’s Audit and Control Committee discussed the bailout plan, with some voicing concern over how far the county should go to help out.

The county is considering giving the village a short-term, low-interest loan of $150,000 – to be paid back by the end of this year. In addition, the plan also calls for giving the village $87,344 in exchange for 14 years of landfill credits that the village purchased back in 2009.The proposed bailout is being sponsored by both County Executive Vince Horrigan and legislator George Borello (R-Irving).

Jamestown representative Chuck Nazarro (D-Jamestown) expressed his concern about buying back the landfill credits – saying he’s concerned it may set a precedent for other municipalities to follow.

The village is in serious dire straits after failing to pay $400,000 in loans for two projects it recently undertook. As a result, Forestville Property owners are facing a tax increase of 445 percent.

The proposed resolution is contingent on an audit by the state Comptroller’s Office and the village participating in a task force that would examine the viability of the municipality.

The full legislature will consider the resolution during its monthly voting session next Wednesday night during its regular voting session.

According to Chautauqua County Board of Election officials, some of the local caucuses scheduled include:

Bemus Point:  Democrats caucus Tue. Jan. 21, 5:15 p.m., See-Zurh House, 14 Main St., and Republicans caucus Sat. Jan. 25, 10 a.m., Bemus Point Village Hall, 13 Alburtus Ave.  There will be elections for two expiring village trustee terms.

Brocton: Portland Town Hall, 87 West Main St. is the site for both major party caucuses on Sat. Jan. 25, with the Republicans at 9 a.m. and the Democrats at 10 a.m.  There will be an election for one village trustee vacancy.

Cherry Creek: Cherry Creek Village Hall, 6763 Main St. is the site for both major party caucuses on Sat. Jan 25, for the Democrats at 9:30 a.m. and Thurs. Jan. 23, for the Republicans at 7 p.m.  There will be an election for the expiring terms of the mayor and two village trustees.

Forestville:  Forestville Village Hall Municipal Building, 18 Chestnut St., is the site for both major political party caucuses on Thurs. Jan. 23, for the Democrats at 7 p.m. and Tue. Jan. 28, for the Republicans at 6 p.m.  There will be an election for the expiring terms of the mayor and two village trustees.

Mayville:  Mayville American Legion, 144 South Erie St., is the site for both major party caucuses on  Wed. Jan. 22, for the Democrats at 6 p.m. and Sat. Jan. 25 for the Republicans at 1 p.m. There will be an election for the expiring terms of the mayor and two village trustees.

Panama: Did not file for major party caucuses, but will have a March village election conducted by the Board of Elections.  There will be an election for the expiring terms of the mayor and one village trustee.

Sherman: Did not file for major party caucuses, but will have a March village election conducted by the Board of Elections.  There will be an election for two expiring village trustee terms and one village trustee vacancy.

Sinclairville:  Did not file for major party caucuses, but will have a March village election conducted by the Sinclairville Village Clerk.   There will be an election for two expiring village trustee terms and one village trustee vacancy.

Westfield: Eason Hall, 23 Elm St., is the site for both major political party caucuses Tue. Jan. 28 at 7 p.m. for the Democrats and Wed. Jan. 22, at 7 p.m. for the Republicans.

Celoron, Falconer, Fredonia, Lakewood and Silver Creek elections are conducted in concert with the November General Elections.   Cassadaga does not have any offices to be filled at an election in 2014.

For more information, contact the Board of Elections at 753-4580.