The city of Jamestown is moving ahead with the process of taking ownership of a "zombie property" on the northside that's been abandoned for several years to be rehabilitated, and then sold as a single-family home...
City Development Director Vince DeJoy says this may be the first time a municipality has been able to take advantage of the new provision of state Real Property Tax Law. During last night's City Council work session, DeJoy said the city was able to hire a special attorney to finalize city ownership of 402 Lakeview Avenue.
Ben Haskin is also part of the legal team involved in the process of acquiring the property... and, says there were a number of hurdles that had to be cleared first. Haskin says the first is proving the house had been abandoned for some time. In this case, he says it's been five-years. DeJoy says the good news is that the property should be eligible for historic tax credits, and, some tax abatements. The home is near the corner of Lakeview and Van Buren Street.
Residents in the Frewsburg School District residents will decide today on a $17.7-million budget that cuts spending, but increases the tax levy...
School officials say the budget includes a 2.36-percent tax levy increase in the 2018-19 budget. There is also a $380,000 bus proposition and, a $189,000 capitol reserve proposition. Voters will also ballot on two school board seats currently held by Chad Chitester, and Larry Lodestro. Voting today runs from 2 to 8 p.m.
Voters in the Falconer Central School District will cast ballots today on a just over $23-million, 2018-19 budget that has no tax increase in it...
That from School Business Manager Brent Agatt... who says there is a $460,000 spending increase in the new proposal. Agatt says the increases are mostly in two different areas: teacher-retirement system costs and health insurance.
Agatt says they were able to cover the added spending through a $360,000 increase in state Foundation Aid, and more BOCES Aid. He says there are no other propositions on the ballot Tuesday and, there is one school board seat up for a vote. Board President Todd Beckerink is running unopposed for re-election. Voting in Falconer today runs from 2 to 8 p.m.
Residents of the Jamestown School District will vote today on an $86.6-million dollar budget that includes no increase in the tax levy...
Voting takes place from Noon to 9 p.m. at Lincoln, Jefferson and, Washington Schools. If you are unsure about where to vote, call District Clerk Nita Walter, at 483-4420. There are also a transportation and capital reserve fund propositions. Voters will also chose between school board incumbants Dan Johnson and Nina Karbacka, and challenger Brianna Fadale.
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The first district to vote today in the immediate Jamestown-area will be the Southwestern School District, where polls open at 7:00 this morning...
There will be three propositions on the ballot, including a $28.6-million budget for the 2018-19 school year. That includes a one-percent tax levy increase. There is also a much-discussed proposition to establish a Special Tax for the Lakewood and Hazeltine Libraries and, another proposition for new buses. Three people are running for four school board seats. Voting in the morning runs from 7 to 9 a.m. and, from 2 to 8 p.m.
A proposed local law establishing an Animal Abuse Registry in Chautauqua County has cleared the final hurdle. County Executive George Borrello says he has now signed the law, after holding a public hearing Monday morning...
Borrello has been a supporter of the legislation that was brought to his attention by Chautauqua County Sheriff Joe Gerace. He says he doesn't know when a website will be launched, but he doesn't expect it to be very long. Borrello says the Sheriff's Department will maintain the registry and, keep it updated. Besides requiring those who are convicted of animal abuse to register, the local law will also require groups and individuals who sell or arrange adoptions to check the registry.
The Bemus Bay Pops will not be in operation this year because the "floating stage" no longer has it's home near the Italian Fisherman to operate from...
The Pops posted a Facebook release last weekend, saying the news was submitted with "a heavy heart." However, Pops Chairman Dan Dalpra says they hope "this is not the final curtain; but rather the start of our 2nd act!" The Pops had been located along Chautauqua Lake -- in Bemus Point -- for the past 20 years. In the release, Dalpra says they are searching for a new location to call home.
As part of National Infrastructure Week, advocates are calling on Congress to fully fund maintenance at national parks here in New York and across the country...
There are two dozen National Park sites in the Empire State, drawing more than 19-million visitors a year and generating more than $700-million in local spending in 2017 alone. But, years of deferred maintenance have left a national back-log of needed repairs that was estimated at $11.6-billion. President Mary Kay Vrba with Dutchess County Tourism says maintaining national parks in New York means preserving not only their economic value but critical pieces of our national heritage as well.
Pew Charitable Trusts has launched a Restore America's Parks Campaign calling on Congress to preserve the nation's history, protect local economies and create jobs by fixing the nation's parks. A Pew-commissioned analysis found that addressing the maintenance backlog facing the National Park Service would create or support more than 9,800 jobs in New York State alone.
A man from Conewango is jailed on $75,000 bail for allegedly shoplifting a number of items from the Lakewood Wal-Mart Superstore and being in possession of brass knuckles and drugs...
Lakewood-Busti Police say they were called to the scene on Fairmount Avenue shortly before 9 p.m. Sunday and, learned that Travis Centi of Route 62 had fled in a vehicle. He was found a short time later and, was also found with the brass knuckles, and some Methamphetimes in a liquid. He was arraigned on Felony drug and weapons possession charges and, sent to the county lock-up.
