Seneca County Supervisors hold April meeting (video)

Tuesday’s Seneca County Board of Supervisors meeting featured a variety of resolutions, concerns, and even a couple speakers. While it wasn’t dominated by public comment, like other meetings in recent months in Seneca County, it still had its fair share of interesting moments.The board did not act on the creation of a deputy county manager, or finance department tonight. After the committee’s decision on Saturday to have another workshop April 23rd at the County Office Building at 9:00 am – voting to create the position or department simply was not in the cards. While some supervisors expressed interest in the idea of having a finance department and following the plan –the cautious majority had the numbers to buy additional time for consideration. Representatives from Barton & Loguidice were in attendance to deliver a presentation to board members on the 318 sewer district project. There were multiple key dates ahead for the project – including multiple meetings, and checkpoints that the project would have to reach – requiring various boards approvals along the way, but debate was spurred by concern over the cost and specifics of the project. The representatives outlined the various cost structures and mechanisms built into the plan, which led to a net cost for Seneca County of $6 million. That sum would be bonded, according to the presenters with a debt service per year ranging from $275,000 to $375,000 over the course of more than 15 years. The bonding would be structured to ensure that repayment would be staggered throughout the process. The board passed a motion to initiate the process of identifying itself as the lead agency. The board hoped to officially identify itself as the lead agency in the project, pending notifications, by May 10th. In other board matters, a minimum wage resolution met somewhat surprising opposition when it came time for a vote. Seneca Falls Supervisors Greg Lazzaro and Steve Churchill voted against the resolution, both citing a need for “more to be done,” to help those who simply can’t make ends meet on a minimum wage job. “People need to make a living wage,” Lazzaro concluded. Romulus Supervisor David Kaiser voted against the resolution after pointing out that it could have been put together better.Waterloo Supervisor Robert Shipley said he could not support the resolution, which named Jeffrey Case as County Fire Coordinator. His reasoning was that Case was not the most-qualified option available. That rationale was shared by several board members. When it came time to vote on the resolution, which ultimately passed appointing Case the Fire Coordinator, Supervisors McGreevy, Westfall, Trout and Wadhams – in addition to Shipley – all voted against it.Two speakers at the meeting delivered powerful messages about transparency and the future of the Seneca Army Depot. Specifically, Diana Potter, a Monroe County resident – urged the board to “do the right thing,” and work to preserve the White Deer. Allison Stokes, of Seneca Falls, delivered an impactful message regarding the clarity of items on the public agenda. She argued that when things are not explained, or made clear on the agenda – that it could impact the overall turnout for the meeting or hearing.