Perrysburg to put the pressure on

by Mary Pankow

     “The town is being taken advantage of,” exclaimed Budget Officer Cindy Lauer at the July 12 Town of Perrysburg Board meeting. Referring to the state of limbo that the former JN Adam Developmental Center is in, Lauer proceeded to inform the board that, according to her conservative estimate, Perrysburg is owed at least a half million in back taxes.

     For 14 years while town supervisor, Lauer worked on a resolution to the JN situation. At that time, she said, the City of Buffalo had known JN was theirs. Approximately 10 years ago her administration claimed the JN property abandoned. The City of Buffalo then had seven years to say “no, the property is not abandoned,” but failed to do so.

     In addition, Lauer noted that Buffalo cannot own land outside the city limits without paying taxes on it. Therefore, based on a conservative $3 million assessment and only three years, Lauer estimates town and county back taxes of $150,000 and school taxes of $150,000 are owed on JN.

     Had the matter been cut and dried 14 years ago and the property sold before the various stages of decrepitude it is in today, the town may have realized even greater amounts of collected taxes.

     Since taking office over eight years ago, Supervisor Myrton Sprague has also pursued a resolution to the matter. He noted at least a couple viable purchasers that had been interested in JN - until the wrangling between state and city, and title of ownership, became too much red tape for a smooth transfer of ownership to take place.

     Lauer offered to speak with Cattaraugus County Attorney Dennis Tobolski about the matter and will have the town’s declaration of abandonment in hand. The board agreed that this needed to be pursued.

     Should the abandoned property claim stand up, the town would then be able to do something with JN, such as selling it to a tax-paying entity.

     Lauer doubts that Buffalo will lay claim to JN since that means paying back taxes. She will keep the board apprised of her progress.

     In other matters, the board:

  •Read Building Inspector and Code Enforcement Officer Jim Pacanowski’s report that stated the Zoning Board of Appeals had granted three variances, 12 building permits had been issued and two demolition permits had been issued.
  •Read the justice report stating the following: Justice Jonette Taber - 12 vehicle and traffic, two penal, three Ag and Market and two dismissed cases; Justice Connie Johnson - 10 vehicle and traffic, three penal, one environmental conservation and one dismissed case. Total sent to the state comptroller was $2,720.
  •Opened bids for a new lawn mower. The board agreed to accept the lowest bid that meets specifications, subject to review. About a dozen bids will be closely scrutinized.
  •Was told by Highway Superintendent Charlie Leight that work has been done on the following roadways: Cole Road, Dewey Road, Maltbie Road, Markham Drive, Prospect Street and Plank Road. Also, the roadside mower needs repairing.
  •Requests, per the recommendation of the highway superintendent, that if anyone witnesses someone throwing debris on the roadsides, they report it. License plate numbers and vehicle descriptions assist authorities in locating the litterers.

     This request comes as a result of a recent incident when someone threw paint cans, thinner and other hazardous materials on the west end of Plank Road.

  •Set a public hearing on the Versailles Water Project for Monday, Aug. 2 at 6:30 p.m. in the Perrysburg Town Hall.

     According to Engineer Mark Alianello, the scope of the project has changed. Project cost will be down from $1.2 million to $880,000. Cost to each residence is also lower, from $525 to $440.24. Since springs and wells will not be supplying the water, the water will be purchased from the Seneca Nation, which costs more.

     A special board meeting will follow the public hearing.

  •Signed the SEQR negative declaration for the Prospect Street Water Project.
  •Set a public hearing to establish the Prospect Street Water District for Wednesday, Aug. 11 at 7 p.m. at Gowanda Central School.

     Estimated project cost is $330,000, and $504 per residence cost.

     A special board meeting will follow the public hearing.

  •Agreed to support the efforts of the West Valley Demonstration Project Task Force by passing a resolution. Safe disposal of radioactive waste is the group’s main objective.

     The next regular Town of Perrysburg Board meeting is Monday, Aug. 9 at 7 p.m. in the town hall.