Legislator Terry Niebel and County Attorney Pat Slagle present to the Administrative Services Committee (April 17, 2023)

The Chautauqua County Legislature is considering a property tax exemption for volunteer fire fighters and ambulance workers.

Legislator Terry Niebel and County Attorney Pat Slagle presented the proposal to the Administrative Services Committee to adopt a local law to give enrolled members of an incorporated volunteer fire company, fire department or incorporated voluntary ambulance service a 10% exemption on their assessed value of their property taxes.

Niebel said he is recommending legislators adopt the 10% exemption, “Now, the actual law, which was enacted on December 9, 2022, provided for an exemption of five to ten percent. Okay? But, I’ve talked to fire chiefs, I’ve talked to fire advisory board, emergency services council, our own emergency services department, past chiefs association.. everybody that I talked to seem to think that 10% would be better than the 5%.”

Niebel pointed out that the village of Mayville recently adopted a similar property tax exemption in the amount of 10%.

The local law requires that members have at least two years of service before they can claim the exemption. It also provides a lifetime exemption for any active volunteer who has 20 years of active service.

Neibel said there are an estimated 1,600 volunteers in Chautauqua County, which based on a sample comes out to be $85 per volunteer, “Not all 1,600 people will be entitled to this because this is on your residence and some people rent, some people have their residences in their spouse’s name. So, again, in talking to some of the folks in the fire service, we figure probably the effective number is 1,200. So, 1,200 times $85 is roughly $102,000.”

Niebel added he hopes the exemption will help attract and retain volunteer firefighters.

The entire Administrative Services Committee requested to be added as sponsors to the local law. There will be a public hearing on the local law at the Legislature’s voting session on Wednesday, April 26.

Lakeside Park, Mayville

The Village of Mayville has been awarded $675,000 in state funds for improvements to Lakeside Park.

The funding is part of $16.4 million in Local Waterfront Revitalization Program monies awarded to 23 communities in New York State.

The funding will be used to design and construct improvements at Lakeside Park along Chautauqua Lake including Chautauqua Belle gateway enhancements, a new kayak and canoe launch; and a waterfront multi-use trail.

This project will implement the Chautauqua Lake Local Waterfront Revitalization Program goals to improve public access, expand recreational opportunities, and attract residents and visitors to downtown Mayville.

Chautauqua County also received $193,500 to will assist the coastal Towns of Hanover, Sheridan, Dunkirk, Pomfret, Portland, Westfield and Ripley, the Villages of Silver Creek and Westfield, and City of Dunkirk to prepare and adopt Local Waterfront Revitalization Programs (LWRPs) and supporting local regulations.

The LWRPs will promote the State’s coastal policies along Lake Erie and guide future economic development and preservation of natural and cultural resources, and expand public access along the shoreline.

The Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP) provides grants to communities to develop a community-driven plan with a vision for their waterfront, guided by several environmental policies to ensure projects work in harmony with waterfront natural resources and ecosystems.

The summons filed in Chautauqua County Supreme Court on Friday, September 9 cited the desire to recover damages for the contamination of wells supplying the Village’s public water-supply system. The summons said the contamination was caused use of by aqueous film forming foam during certain training exercises held in the Village.

In February 2021, then County Health Department Water specialist Bill Boria reported to the village board that a state investigation said the fire training foam that was used near the former Mayville school between 2014 and 2018 appeared to have leached into the village water supply. He said this resulted in the high levels of perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) being discovered in three of the village’s water wells.

The discovery led to a do-not-drink advisory being issued for two weeks in December 2020 and ultimately forced the village to shut down one of the wells.

After the old well was shut down in December, the village brought online the new Well #4 located in a different aquifer that did not contain any PFNA.

Boria said that lab testing on animals has shown that high doses of PFNA have caused adverse effects on the liver, thyroid, and immune system, and also contributes to high blood pressure and high cholesterol. There’s also some evidence that it delays growth and development.

Boria added that because the fire training was only done during a five-year period, it’s unlikely there was a legacy contamination, meaning residents weren’t exposed for a significant period of time.

The chemicals that were used in firefighting foam, which caused the higher PFNA, have since been removed and are no longer used today.

The Village had previously filed a suit against 3M for contaminating the municipalities water supply in Jun 2021, but that filing was removed in July 2021.

Dunkirk Mayor Willie Rosas, U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer, Dunkirk Director of Development Vince DeJoy

U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer touted $10 million in funding for waterfront infrastructure projects in Dunkirk Thursday.

Schumer, in a visit to the Dunkirk harbor, said that the funding is part of the Fiscal Year 2022 omnibus, which includes $8 million in funding for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, “There’s $1.1 million for Barcelona Harbor. There’s $1 million for Cattaraugus Creek and $5.9 million for Dunkirk Harbor. Why is Dunkirk Harbor so much more? Cause every body will be dredged. You know the silt has really just gathered up and it hasn’t been cleared for a very long time. So we’re doing that in all three harbors. But in addition, in Dunkirk harbor they’re going to work on the breakwater, which we’ve needed for a long time and it’s so important for keeping this harbor strong and vital.”

Schumer said $2 million also will go to the Village of Mayville to construct a new water well, replacing existing contaminated wells.

He added that former mentor and Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan always decried the fact that New York state always sent more tax dollars to Washington D.C. then it received back, “He called us a ‘donor state.’ However, this is the first year that we are getting more dollars back than we sent. For every dollar we sent to Washington, we’re getting $1.59 back. That’s the first time every and that’s why having a Majority Leader from New York State is a darn good thing.”

When asked where things are with the Federal Infrastructure Bill, Schumer said that bill has now been signed with money becoming available in September 2022.

Lakeside Park, Mayville

A public input session on a draft plan to bring activity to Lakeside Park and Route 394 in Mayville has been scheduled for Monday, May 25.

The Chautauqua County Partnership for Economic Growth, the Chautauqua Region Economic Development Corporation, and the Village of Mayville are holding the meeting where people can learn about the draft Master Plan for Lakeside Park and the West Lake Road corridor. People also will be able to provide feedback on the Mayville Strategic Waterfront Activation effort.

County officials said in the press release that the park facilities have degraded over time and some of the properties surrounding the park are underutilized. They said there is a growing need to assess Lakeside Park and the West Lake Road corridor, and identify necessary and opportune improvements.

The Master Plan will outline possible facility enhancements and funding opportunities, and is intended to identify improvements that could be achieved within a 5 to 10 year timeframe.

The meeting on Monday, May 25th will take place at 5:30 p.m. in the Carlson Community Center located at Lakeside Park.

A presentation on the community surveys and project input that shaped the draft plan will be given, followed by community feedback through an open house setting. Light refreshments and drinks will be provided.

The link for additional project information can be found here: https://bartonloguidice.mysocialpinpoint.com/mayville-waterfront

Mayville Lakeside Park

Public input is being sought for the activation of the Mayville waterfront.

The Chautauqua County Partnership for Economic Growth, Village of Mayville, and the Chautauqua Region Economic Development Corporation are asking local residents, business owners, and stakeholders to fill out a Recreational Demand Survey and an Interactive Map.

The Partnership for Economic Growth said in a release that Mayville’s Lakeside Park is a community resource with cultural, recreational, and scenic value. The historic train depot, boat launch, beach, floating stage, and other amenities have established Lakeside Park as a local and regional asset.

Officials say park facilities have degraded over time and some of the properties surrounding the park are underutilized. With The Lodge condominium resort project receiving approval to be built next to the park, officials say a master plan should be developed for facility enhancements and funding opportunities.

Hard copies of the survey will be available at the Village of Mayville Office, Town of Chautauqua Clerk’s Office, Mayville Library, Webb’s, and the Chautauqua Book Store. The survey and interactive map will be open to the public until Friday, February 25th, 2022.

To learn more, visit the project website at https://bartonloguidice.mysocialpinpoint.com/mayville-waterfront

After the old wells were shut down in December, the village brought online the new Well #4 located in a different aquifer that did not contain any PFNA. However, due to the spring drought and corresponding low water levels in the well, the Village and County issued a water conservation order. Now that the village has two good wells and the water level in Well #4 has stabilized, the conservation order is lifted.

Construction of the PFNA filtration system was made possible through a grant from New York State. This grant provided the Village with necessary funds to construct the new treatment system, which cost nearly $1 million.

Village of Mayville

On May 11th, the Village will install a permanent water pump in a new well to replace the temporary pump installed in December 2020 during a water emergency. This pump replacement will take approximately ten hours to complete which means the Village will be relying exclusively on water from the water storage tank while the well is off.

If during the pump replacement process, the water in the storage tank falls below a safe level, the Village will be forced to use one of the PFNA contaminated wells to supply emergency water to the system. If these PFNA contaminated water sources are used, a “Do Not Drink Order” will be required.

Village water customers can reduce water use by:

• Not using any water outside of your home or business including filling swimming pools, washing cars, and watering lawns and gardens.
• Limiting washing clothes during this period or use a commercially available laundromat.
• Using paper plates and disposable silverware to reduce washing dishes. Only running automatic dishwashers when completely full.
• Using less water for baths and taking shorter showers, and not letting the water run while brushing teeth.

Once the pump replacement is completed, a “Boil Water Advisory” will be required until passing water samples are collected from the new well. Water customers should prepare for this by filing water jugs for use during the boil water advisory.

Any questions about this can be directed to the Village of Mayville Public Works Superintendent at (716) 269-4801, or the County Health Department at (716) 753-4481.

Water specialist Bill Boria with the Chautauqua County Health Department reported to the village board this week that a state investigation says the fire training foam that was used near the former Mayville school between 2014 and 2018 appears to have leached into the village water supply, resulting in the high levels of perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) being discovered in three of the village’s water wells.
The discovery led to a do-not-drink advisory being issued for two weeks in December.

Boria said that lab testing on animals has shown that high doses of PFNA has caused adverse effects on the liver, thyroid, and immune system, and also contributes to high blood pressure and high cholesterol. There’s also some evidence that it delays growth and development.

Boria added that because the fire training was only done during a five-year period, it’s unlikely there was a legacy contamination, meaning residents were exposed for a significant period of time.

The chemicals that were used in firefighting foam, which caused the higher PFNA, have since been removed and are no longer used today.
Meanwhile, the village has switched to a new well and it continually has tested free of PFNA.

Village officials are exploring options for its water system so it’s not relying on only one well in the future.

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.