COUNTY LEGISLATURE APPROVES SALE OF NORTH HARMONY PROPERTY
MAYVILLE – A piece of property owned by the county has been approved for sale to the Ashville Fire District for $85,000. The action was taken last night during the monthly meeting of the Chautauqua County Legislature. The panel approved the sale of the property at 2097 South Maple Avenue in North Harmony to the fire department, despite the opposition of several residents – including members of the fire department.
At issue was whether or not the fire department actually needs – or can even afford – the property. Former Ashville Fire Department Chief Mike Gleason claims the fire commission went ahead submitting a bid before even having it approved in meeting. While the sale was approved by the legislature, the residents of the fire district will have the final say on the purchase when it goes up for a public referendum this November.
COUNTY TO CONTINUE 7.5 PERCENT SALES TAX IN 2012
MAYVILLE – In other news from last night’s meeting, the Legislature approved a resolution to keep the county’s sales tax at 7.5 percent. The resolution received nearly unanimous support, although Lori Cornell (D-Jamestown) spoke out against the current rate, saying she opposes any tax increase, noting that if the legislature voted against the measure, the tax increase would revert to 7 percent.
However, several legislators disagreed, including Chuck Nazarro (D-Jamestown), who said that maintaining the current sales tax level is far more palatable than the alternative of raising property taxes even higher to offset the difference. Nazarro noted that 7.5 percent is still comparatively low compared to other counties in the state, and if the sales tax were to revert back to 7 percent, the county would be facing a $24 million budget gap instead of the $18 million.
Foreclosed property amendment also debated
There was also a lengthy discussion last night regarding an amendment to a current law dealing with who can purchase foreclosed property from the county. The amendment dealt with several matters, but the final version did not include a stipulation that any purchaser of foreclosed property must not have any outstanding tax payments to other properties they already own. Maria Kindberg (D-Jamestown), along with Cornell, wanted to leave that stipulation in the final version of the amendment, but didn’t receive the needed support. Legislator Larry Barmore (R-Gerry) said that because it would be difficult to track of each purchasers tax records, the county legislature would instead review each property purchase on a case-by-case basis.
Other Legislature Action
Among other items last night, the legislature approved a resolution naming Katherine Tampio as the new clerk of the legislature for the remainder of 2011. She will replace Ron Lemon, who announced he was stepping down from the post at the end of this month.
The legislature also approved a resolution on a one-year lease agreement for space to be used as a restaurant in the Chautauqua County Airport to Teal Wolcott, owner of the Backyard Bar and Grill in Kimblestand – at a cost of $600 per month.
ERIE, PA COMPANY PURCHASES PEEK’N PEAK
FINDLEY LAKE – It looks like the owner of the Erie, Pennsylvania indoor water park will be the new owner of Peek’n Peak Resort in Findley Lake. On Wednesday, Scott Enterprises – which owns the water park located off Interstate 90 along with a string of other hotels – was the high bidder at a court-ordered auction. The Post-Journal reports that the successful bid was for $11.3 million. A total of four participants took part in the bidding process during yesterday’s auction. A Bankruptcy judge in Cleveland is expected to approve the deal for the 1,150-acre ski and golf resort during a hearing later this morning.
COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY, LAKE MANAGEMENT PLAN TO BE FEATURED ON WRFA
The Chautauqua County Humane Society is asking area residents to turn their carbon footprint into a green pawprint. The organization’s 2nd Chances Thrift Store wants all of your fabric and electronic cast-offs, especially the stuff that would normally be thrown in the garbage. The new initiative has already been launched and we’ll have complete details later today during our Community Matters program at 6 p.m. right here on WRFA.
Also tonight on community matters program, we’ll replay a portion of last night’s county legislature meeting dealing with the progress of creating a Chautauqua Lake Watershed’s Management Plan. Lyle Hajdu of Chautauqua Lake Management Commission and Jeff Diers of the the Chautauqua County Watershed Commission delivered the update. A management plan is needed before the lake can qualify for state funding to address various issues of concern related its health.
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