town of batavia

Pointing to the Town of Batavia’s robust economy, Supervisor Gregory Post on Wednesday released the municipality’s tentative budget for 2020 – a $5.1 million spending plan that holds the line on property taxes.

“Our strong and viable economic development policy adds to the assessed value and increases our revenue without raising the (tax) rate,” he said. “We’re seeing PILOTS (payments in lieu of taxes) coming off, several instances of (company) expansion, and an increase in engineering review fees … and this will enable us to keep the rate flat for the foreseeable future.”

The general fund budget calls for $1.04 million to be raised by property taxes – with the rate of $2.44 per thousand of assessed valuation, the same as the rate in 2019. Last year’s tax rate was 20 cents per thousand less than the 2018 rate.

At $2..44 per thousand, owners of a home assessed at $90,000 would pay $219.60 for the year.

The Town Board has estimated 2020 revenues to be $3.077 million, which means that $992,310 will be used from an unexpended fund balance to reach the $5.1 million in appropriations.

Post said the board is projecting a $543,000 increase in spending over last year, but $500,000 of that is earmarked as a capital project line item pertaining to the Town Hall building.

“We need to establish it (capital project) if we want to explore refurbishing and remodeling of the Town Hall,” he said. “We have no authorization to spend that yet, but this is how the process begins.”

The supervisor indicated that water and sewer rates will go up slightly – about 3 percent – “which equates to a 7- or 8-cent increase per 1,000 gallons.

“We’re seeing significant increases in revenues, especially from the industrial use on the east side of the Town,” he said. “We’re truly blessed to have those businesses there (referring to the Genesee Valley Agribusiness Park on East Main Street).”

Post also said that personnel salary increases range from 2.5 to 3.5 percent, with raises determined on a “case by case evaluation.” He noted that the Town has been able to cap health insurance costs at the same level as 2019.

“We have been advised to anticipate additional work, particularly in the courts … 30 to 35 percent more administrative work and time spent in the courts, and we have to compensate for that.”

The Town Board will convene at 7 p.m. on Wednesdays to continue to review the spending plan, and is expected to adopt the preliminary budget at its Oct. 16 meeting. A public hearing is scheduled for Nov. 6, with a vote on the final plan set for Nov. 20.

Press release:

Responding to concerns over the length of firefighting training programs, the NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control has redesigned the Fire Officer I (FOI) program into five individual modules. Completion of all five modules will earn the participant a Fire Officer 1 certificate. 

Editor's Note: This post was updated Sept. 26 to include more information about Genesee County, see below ***.

From the NYS Association of Counties:

Across New York State, local governments are enacting local laws, adopting energy-saving initiatives, taking steps toward climate resiliency, and collaborating to develop programs for supporting more resilient communities.

“As we celebrate Climate Week, it must be noted counties across New York are investing in hundreds of initiatives to combat climate change and promote more climate resilient communities,” said Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz.

Through state programs such as Climate Smart Communities and Clean Energy Communities, counties are acting to both mitigate their environmental impact and save taxpayer dollars in the process.

Counties will also be key partners with the state in meeting the goals established by the recently-enacted New York State Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. This legislation set the most aggressive greenhouse gas emission (GHG) reduction goals of any major economy and will put New York State on a path to carbon neutrality.

“Our county leaders are in a unique position to work with state, federal, and local agencies on environmental issues, and to develop partnerships to mitigate and prepare for the impact of climate change on our communities,” said NYSAC Executive Director Stephen Acquario. “During this Climate Week, we are highlighting the programs underway in our communities.”

________________________________

***Genesee County received a Smart Growth grant from the NYS Department of State for climate resiliency planning: 

When the grant was announced last September, Genesee County Legislature Chairman Robert Bausch said, "The Smart Growth grant program has provided some of our State's most vulnerable counties with the resources they need to ensure they are prepared for the next severe weather event.

"We can never be sure when the next disastrous storm will hit. With this funding to build more resilient communities and fight against the devastating effects, Governor Cuomo is creating a more sustainable New York for all."

Genesee County was among five Upstate counties chosen to divvy up a total of $1 million to develop resiliency plans and identify projects while incorporating the principles of smart, sustainable growth and development.

The plans funded through the grant will address:

• An increase in frequency and severity of storm and precipitation events;
• Sea-level rise;
• Storm surge;
• Coastal and riverine flooding;
• Drought; and
• Debris and ice jams.

For the first phase, they mapped the whole county and worked closely with four municipalities (see below). Now, for Phase 2, they're hoping to work with as many communities as possible.

The person overseeing the local Smart Growth planning and projects is county Planning Director Felipe Oltramari (Felipe.Oltramari@co.genesee.ny.us).

The Green Geneese/Smart Genesee plan is available online here.

________________________________

 To learn more about the climate actions counties have undertaken, check out the NYS Energy Research & Development Authority's Clean Energy Communities map here.

Village of Bergen (2010 Census population: 1,176)

Clean Energy Community -- designated

• 4 High Impact Areas Completed: Unified Solar Permit; LED Street Lights; Energy Code Enforcement Training; Benchmarking.

Town of Batavia -- (2010 Census population: 6,809)

Village of Corfu (2010 Census population: 709)

Clean Energy Community -- participating

• 1 High Impact Action Completed: Energy Code Enforcement Training

Town of Pembroke (2010 Census population: 4,292)

Clean Energy Community -- participating

• 1 High Impact Action Completed: Energy Code Enforcement Training

Notice of Public Hearing

Submitted photos and press release:

TOWN OF BATAVIA

• William J. Allen Jr. 
• Josh K. Boyle
• Thomas M. Garlock 
• Clayton A. Gorski 
• Thomas E. Marlowe 
• Bryan A. Moscicki

EAST PEMBROKE

• Matthew N. Allen 
• Samantha M. Cavalieri

One of five modules required to earn  the Fire Officer 1 certification, the Company Training & Community Risk Reduction course covers the basic responsibilities of the fire officer as they relate to community relations, company-level building inspections and community risk reduction.

Additionally, this course provides potential fire officers with the basic knowledge of how to determine company-level training needs, teaching from a lesson plan, documentation of training activities, and different methods to conduct company-level training. 

TRAVEL ADVISORY

July 10 through Aug. 7 -- Road Work

NYS Route 5 between 665 E. Main St. and 5022 E. Main Street Road in the Town of Batavia will be reduced to one lane of traffic in the westbound direction to allow for the construction of a center pedestrian refuge island as part of the Ellicott Trail Project. 

For further information contact:

Tom Lichtenthal 

Town of Batavia

Asst. Town Engineer

3833 W. Main Street Road

585-343-1729, ext. 218

The solar farm boom is upon us, which means that more and more rural residents are looking to their municipal leaders to inform them of rules and regulations pertaining to these green-energy producing systems.

That’s one of the reasons why Nancy Brach of 5168 Ellicott Street Road in the Town of Batavia is inviting her neighbors to attend an informational meeting at 6 p.m. this Friday (June 28) at her home. She said the meeting will take place rain or shine, and dessert will be provided.

“We’re having this meeting due to a lack of communication about these projects and to learn what is allowed,” Brach said. “Why are people not notified beforehand? And if something does come up again, we want to have contact information to reach these people (who live near a proposed solar farm site).”

Specifically, Brach and other Ellicott Street Road residents who attended a Batavia Town Planning Board meeting last week were upset about a proposed solar farm installation on land owned by Donald Partridge.

They felt they hadn’t received adequate advance notification of the project, which ended up being denied by the Town’s Zoning Board of Appeals due to the proposed size of 40 acres.

“So this could have taken place with no input at all if not for two people who printed out fliers and left them at our houses last weekend,” she said. “And that is not right. Bill (her husband) and I now read the (legal) notices in the paper, but I doubt we would have noticed that even if we had seen it.”

The Brachs are owners of Brach Machine, which is located at 4814 Ellicott Street Road.

Town Engineer Steve Mountain said the application by Truesdale Solar for the Partridge property could be resubmitted if it were reduced to conform to code (maximum of 20 acres).

He added that if a vote needs to be taken again, the same property owners within 500 feet of the proposed site would be notified by mail.

Although Brach’s home is more than 500 feet away, she believes more should be done to let people know about these projects other than being on the Town’s website.

Brach’s concerns over solar farms go beyond notification methods, however.

“Our meeting will be for awareness,” she said. “These projects benefit two parties -- the person leasing the property and the company installing the solar equipment. The town and the people of the town do not benefit.

“And the funds for these projects come from the taxpayers. These projects do not pay for themselves, they are only profitable with the subsidies we, as taxpayers, fund.”

She decried the expenses to the Town involved in zoning, planning and legal costs, and said that the projects are not self-supporting and should not be permitted until they are.

“And the 20-year bonds may or may not be enough to dismantle the equipment when the time comes, if they even last that long. Plus, people lose the beautiful country vistas that they hoped to enjoy for a lifetime.”

Brach said she thought that the Town of Stafford had a policy “more protective” of the rights of its residents, and hoped that some of Stafford’s ideas could be incorporated into Batavia’s policy.

In the end, she hopes Friday’s meeting will mobilize residents to speak out.

“As a taxpayer, I resent paying for projects that are not profitable just to benefit an individual and a company,” she said. “Luckily, I can afford it. But there are many people who cannot and we need to stand up for them, and for what is right.”

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Matt Grover from Troop 6006 of the First United Presbyterian Church presented his Eagle Project to Greg Post of the Town of Batavia this past Wednesday evening at Kiwanis Park in Batavia in front of friends, family and contributors to the project.

The project started last winter with a constructed sheet metal form from scrap to pour six concrete bench legs along with wood and other materials to make three benches. They were installed on Labor Day weekend by friends, family and with the help of his scout troop.

Various area businesses in Western New York include Marlin Salmon, DDS, from Salmon Orthodontists in Batavia was a huge contributor to this project. Other contributors were Brad Veley Masonry from Varysburg, Joe's Pro Shop and Trophy’s Batavia, Unidex machine shop from Warsaw, Paul from T R Goldsmith & Son Inc. in Tonawanda, and Don Anderson from the troop. 

"The project was an amazing learning experience and had endless challenges, problem solving involved but at points proved very difficult and I often had no clue how I was going to solve a specific issue, but with the help of my personal engineer and father it turned out better than I could ever imagine," Matt said, adding that "the skills I have learned in this will help me in endeavors in college, the military and the workforce."

Matt presents Batavia orthodonist Marlin Salmon with a plaque.

Town of Batavia Supervisor Greg Post congratulates Matt.

Press release:

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced more than 200 communities across the state have earned the Clean Energy Community designation, completing more than 1,250 total high-impact clean energy actions. Two of them are in Genesee County: The Town of Batavia; and the Village of Bergen.

The designation recognizes community leadership in reducing energy use, cutting costs and driving clean energy, all supporting the state's clean energy goals.

In the Finger Lakes Region, which includes the Town of Batavia and Village of Bergen, a total of 56 communities are participating in the Clean Energy Community designation efforts; a total of 139 Clean Energy actions have been completed to date; and a total of 22 communities have earned the designation so far.

The Clean Energy Community initiative advances the Governor's Reforming the Energy Vision strategy by demonstrating the importance of communities in helping New York achieve the state's goal to supply 50 percent of its electricity from renewable energy resources and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent by 2030.

"New York is a national leader in combating climate change, and this significant milestone demonstrates that communities in every corner of this great state are committed to our efforts to create a more sustainable future," Governor Cuomo said. "These 200 communities serve as a model for cities and towns across this state and this nation to reduce energy use and preserve our environment for generations to come."

Announced by Governor Cuomo in August 2016, the $16 million Clean Energy Communities initiative supports local governments across the state by providing grants to eligible municipalities to implement energy efficiency, renewable energy and sustainable development projects in their communities.

"Communities across the state are undergoing projects to help cut costs and support clean energy," said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul. "More than 200 communities in New York have earned the Clean Energy Community designation, further advancing our aggressive clean energy goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

"New York is leading in our efforts to combat climate change, and municipalities statewide are helping to make sure our environment is clean and safe now and for future generations."'

Overall, the 1,255 high-impact clean energy action items were completed by communities representing more than 86 percent of the state's population in 60 counties and all 10 Economic Development Council regions. View a map showing Clean Energy Communities, actions completed and communities engaged in the Clean Energy Communities initiative.

More than 450 communities are participating in the Clean Energy Communities initiative and have completed at least one high-impact action.

The Clean Energy Communities initiative was recently honored as a recipient of the Clean Energy States Alliance 2018 State Leadership in Clean Energy Award. Clean Energy Communities was one of six programs nationwide to win the 2018 award for its outstanding accomplishments with public benefits and results, cost effectiveness, leadership and innovation, and replicability.

Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Segos said, "New York recognizes and supports community efforts to help achieve Governor Cuomo's ambitious greenhouse gas reduction goals. I applaud the achievements of the designated Clean Energy Communities across the state and hope that others are inspired by their outstanding example."

Richard Kauffman, chair of Energy and Finance for New York State said, "Congratulations to all the Clean Energy Communities for taking significant actions to reduce their carbon footprint and cut costs. Communities continue to play an important role in supporting Governor Cuomo's Reforming the Energy Vision strategy to advance and build a cleaner, more resilient and affordable energy system to combat climate change."

Alicia Barton, president and CEO, NYSERDA, said, "I congratulate the Clean Energy Communities across the state that are realizing the opportunities to reduce their energy usage and costs while providing a cleaner environment for their residents. Governor Cuomo has made it a priority to ensure local communities have access to resources and technical assistance to assist them in their efforts to reduce their carbon footprint."

Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee Chair Joseph Griffo said, "There are now 200 communities throughout New York State that have received a Clean Energy Community designation, which is given to communities who have shown leadership in their efforts to reduce energy use. I would like to congratulate all the Clean Energy communities across the state for serving as an example of sustainable energy practice for all New Yorkers."

Assembly Energy Chairman Michael Cusick said, "Encouraging communities to use clean energy alternatives is an important step toward reaching our State's energy goals. By investing in green energy products, we are creating a more sustainable future for the next generation of New Yorkers to building a cleaner, more resilient New York for all. I'm encouraged by these results and look forward to seeing more communities implement clean energy practices."

Cities, counties, towns and villages that complete at least four of 10 high-impact clean energy actions are designated as Clean Energy Communities and are eligible to apply for funding of up to $250,000 to finance additional clean energy projects. Areas with fewer than 40,000 residents are eligible to apply for up to $100,000 in funding. NYSERDA is accepting applications for funding on a rolling basis through Sept. 30, 2019 or until funds are exhausted, whichever comes first. Grant funds are being provided as part of the Clean Energy Fund and the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.

The 10 High Impact Actions local governments can to take to earn a Clean Energy Community designation and qualify to apply for grant funding include:

• Benchmarking energy use at municipal and large privately owned buildings;
• Performing energy efficiency and renewable energy upgrades to municipal buildings;
• Replacing street lights with energy-efficient LED lighting;
• Streamlining local approval processes for solar projects through adoption of the NYS Unified Solar Permit;
• Undertaking a community-based Solarize campaign to reduce solar project costs through joint purchasing;
• Providing energy code enforcement training to code officers;
• Earning Climate Smart Communities Certification by reducing the community's impact on the environment;
• Passing a local law to allow aggregation of residents to gain greater choice and control over energy use as a group (called Community Choice Aggregation);
• Installing electric vehicle charging stations and using alternative fuel vehicles, such as electric cars, for municipal business; and
• Establishing an Energize NY Finance Program that enables long-term, affordable Property Assessed Clean Energy financing for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects at commercial buildings and not-for-profits.

Clean Energy community coordinators are also available at no charge to help communities develop and prioritize clean energy goals; access easy-to-use resources, such as guidance documents and case studies; and take advantage of available funding and technical assistance opportunities.

Local government officials or employees can find contact information for their respective coordinator here for assistance in completing the actions.

For more information on Clean Energy Communities visit www.nyserda.ny.gov/cec.

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Armed with $1.6 billion in green bonds earmarked for the Finger Lakes Region and the worldwide emergence of combined heat and power technologies, a representative of a Georgia-based green community development firm encouraged Town of Batavia officials tonight to consider contracting with his company on a large-scale energy-efficient complex.  

“Your investment is the land. We can start with 10 acres and if you have more and can develop more, we will develop more,” said Christopher Wilson of Rochester, NE business development president for Waste to Energy Inc., as he spoke to Town Planning Board and Town Board members at Town Hall on West Main Street Road.

Wilson, in his presentation and question-and-answer period that followed, said the Batavia area – situated between two metropolitan cities – is a prime location for a green development, one void of gasoline-powered automobiles and energy sources that create harmful emissions.

That, he said, is where Waste to Energy Inc. comes in.

Through the use of CHP machines of varying sizes and capacities, Waste to Energy has the ability to “take municipal waste and power it, and then take the by-products to make building materials and create jobs,” Wilson said, noting that CHPs are used at United Memorial Medical Center, the former Genesee County Nursing Home and at O-At-Ka Milk Products.

“It’s called an Eco-Center … where people can work, play, live and enjoy the surrounding area and its environment,” he said. “The catch phrase is ‘immersion’ – where technology and nature come together to make a greener tomorrow today.”

According to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy website, combine heat and power (CHP) systems, also known as cogeneration, generate electricity and useful thermal energy in a single, integrated system.

Heat that is normally wasted in conventional power generation is recovered as useful energy, which avoids the losses that would be incurred from separate generation of heat and power. While the conventional method has a typical combined efficiency of 45 percent, CHP systems can operate at levels as high as 80 percent.

Waste to Energy is setting up pilot programs – in Maryland, South Carolina and (in conjunction with the Federal Emergency Management Agency) in Puerto Rico and California, Wilson said. He said should the Town of Batavia contract with his company it would be the first in this area.

Wilson said an Eco-Center could consist of all or a combination of housing, retail, manufacturing, entertainment and educational entities, and would produce high-paying jobs where even “the guy that mops the floor will make $18 an hour with benefits and a 401K.”

He said an eco-center seamlessly weaves park land, housing, restaurants and comfort in a setting that “promotes local entrepreneurship and local development.”

“I know that we have a problem in Rochester with keeping our millennials. How do we keep them here?” he said. “Give them opportunities right here in Batavia and maybe they will look inward instead of outward.”

Wilson said his company has investors already set up to buy green bonds, and that its concept is “already 45 percent pre-sold, no matter where we put it.”

He said that Waste to Energy -- after receiving the land commitment from a municipality and direction on what the community desires in development -- oversees the site’s construction and manages its workforce and income-producing tenants – both commercial and residential as warranted. He also noted that the complex doesn’t need to accept waste from other sites to survive, adding that the facility can be “self-sustaining.”

Planners said they liked the idea, but were unconvinced in light of all the promises being made by Wilson.

“Conceptually, it sounds real cool, but there’s got to be some kind of catch here,” Paul Marchese said. “The money (to pay for it) has got to come from somewhere. It has to make financial sense for your investors … I need to understand the whole nine yards, and where the dollars are coming from. I don’t want to be involved in something that may be an albatross in 20 years.”

Wilson countered by saying his company has done its homework over the past 10 years, lining up financial partners and investors that believe in the business model.

“Let’s say this guy (Wilson) was actually telling the truth this time,” he said. “This is a joint venture. We need a commitment from you; we will draft a contract and come up with a plan together.”

Town Engineer Steve Mountain said that the Town already conducted a study – called Townville – which incorporates progressive zoning, design and green energy practices – and said he could forward that on to Wilson.

The Townville concept is currently 10 acres, but could be expanded to 100 or 200 acres and include 100 housing units.

“With your plan and using our technology, now your abilities have been expanded exponentially,” Wilson offered.

Wilson said it would take a year to build the development, with his company expecting to "be profitable by the 24th month."

Town officials said they plan to discuss the proposal further.

Photos at top -- Christopher Wilson of Waste to Energy Inc.; Town planners Lou Paganello and Jonathan Long and Town Board Member Patti Michalak look at Eco-Center design; large CHP or cogeneration system. Photos by Mike Pettinella.

Batavia Town Supervisor Gregory Post tonight said he was surprised by the Batavia Town Planning Board placing an issue over a sidewalk at the Dollar General project in the hamlet of East Pembroke into the Town Board’s lap, but he acknowledged that it could provide the impetus toward creating a municipal sidewalk policy.

Speaking after the monthly Town Board meeting, Post said he didn’t expect planners to approve the site plan without sidewalks and also calling for the developer, Zaremba Group, to contribute $10,000 toward a sidewalk fund should the Town Board rule that a sidewalk be constructed to connect to existing sidewalk on nearby East Avenue.

The planning board’s vote, which was accompanied by a recommendation to the Town Board to include the sidewalk, took place on Tuesday night.

“Usually the planning board makes the final decision when it comes to that (approval or disapproval of a site plan), not kicking it back to the Town Board,” Post said. “In the end, the common sense thing to do is to build the sidewalk, which coincides with our goal of creating a walkable community.”

Post said the Town hasn’t developed a sidewalk policy – “we don’t build sidewalks; this is something new to the Town,” he noted – but this could be the “instigating spark that compels us to move in that direction.”

The supervisor said the Town Board discussed the matter before its meeting tonight and will be continuing the debate, adding that he anticipates calling a public information meeting focusing on sidewalks and public sewer in the hamlet.

Post said that, one way or another, the sidewalk at the site of the proposed 9,000-square-foot Dollar General store will be built.

“In the long term, we will look at a policy and (the creation) of sidewalk districts that benefit the residents that use them, while for the short term, we don’t want to make people walk on the side of the road in the dark for 200 (actually about 260) feet,” he said.

The board passed numerous resolutions tonight, including:

-- Two Eagle Scout community service projects by a pair of Batavia High School students. Johnathan Totten, a senior (pictured), and Matthew Grover, a junior, were granted authority to build park benches at Kiwanis Park and park benches and picnic tables at Galloway Park, respectively.

Both are working toward Eagle Scout status – Totten in Troop 6069, of which his father, Greg, is scoutmaster, and Grover in Troop 6006.

“I want to thank you for your service and dedication to the community and scouting,” Post said to Totten after this request was approved. “You’re on your way.”

-- The purchase of four 2018 Ford pickup trucks – two F250s and two F350s – for use by the highway and water/sewer departments, replacing four 2016 models as part of its two-year vehicle rotation schedule. The purchase of 8-10 foot snowplows that attach to the trucks also was approved.

“By changing trucks every two years, it is much more cost-effective for us,” Post said. “We have no maintenance issues since they’re under warranty, which allows us to not have a full-time mechanic.”

-- The transfer of two parcels from Oakwood Hills LLC, at the Oakwood Subdivision on East Main Street Road – a 10th of an acre tract where a sewer pump station is located and 15 acres covering five streets in the subdivision as part of the Town’s roadway infrastructure.

-- The acquisition of a parcel of land at Batavia Gardens on East Main Street as an easement for Ellicott Trail. The cost was $20,400, which will be reimbursed to the Town as part of the grant-funded $1.2 million bicycle and pedestrian project.

-- An agreement with G&G Municipal Consulting and Grant Writing to conduct a Median Household Income and Low/Moderate Income survey throughout the Town for the purpose of determining the Town’s eligibility for grant money. The contract with the company is for $16,500 plus postage.

Photos at top -- State Assemblyman Steven Hawley presents a certificate of achievement to Gary Diegelman for his 15 years of service as chair of the Town of Batavia Zoning Board of Appeals as Supervisor Gregory Post looks on. Moments earlier, Post and the Town Board showed their appreciation with a crystal award. Scoutmaster Greg Totten congratulates his son, Johnathon, after the Town Board approved their Eagle Scout community service project. Photos by Mike Pettinella.

Realizing that future commercial and industrial development will require increased wastewater capacity and treatment, the Batavia Town Board tonight passed a pair of resolutions that seek to address the Town’s short-term and long-term needs.

The board, at its regular monthly meeting, authorized:

-- Acceptance of a $30,000 Engineering Planning Grant Award, which would pay most of the estimated $36,000 cost of a wastewater treatment assessment and planning study;

-- A contract with Clark Patterson Lee for engineering and grant assistance support services related to the study.

The EPG grant comes with the stipulation that the Town would be responsible for a 20 percent local match, up to $6,000.

The contract with Clark Patterson Lee is for $24,750.

“The grant is one of many that we have received, and helps support our strategic studies and needs assessment model that I have embraced,” said Town Supervisor Gregory Post. “We have a good handle on the collection (of wastewater) and this study will lead to upgrades to the pump station and gravity lines, as well as provide us with the design and construction of a permanent solution.”

The Town received EPGs in 2013 and 2014 for the development of long-term sanitary sewer collection system plans for the east and west sides of the Town. This current project is set up to address the wastewater treatment needs for the Town.

In a letter dated Jan. 12 to Town Engineer Steve Mountain, Eric Wies of Clark Patterson Lee wrote that the “primary alternative will be the upgrade of the joint City/Town Wastewater Treatment Facility … and the report will be a tool that can be used to guide the Town through potential treatment upgrades at each phase of future development.”

Post said the study will “give us a better timeline in order to complete the work that is imperative for us.”

“We’re looking for a design for needed improvements that enhance our score for getting grants and loans,” he said. “Agencies tend to support ready-to-go projects, not those where no plan is in place. Our purpose is to be ahead of every potential failure by 20 years.”

Post noted that developers are more apt to choose locations where strategic planning is evident, and that those new businesses will, in turn, help fund the cost of increased wastewater collection and treatment capacity.

In other action, the board voted to contract with Wendel Consulting Services LLC for a total of $9,500 for Geographical Information System (GIS) programming, maintenance, consulting and training for one year, and voted in favor of the installation of a 96-watt LED street light at the corner of Barrett Drive and Route 5 (the location of the new East Pembroke Fire Hall) at an annual cost of $153.33.

Stating that “we’re not willing to sign it in its present form,” Batavia Town Supervisor Gregory Post said this morning that the Batavia Town Board did not take any action in connection with an amended and restated water agreement with Genesee County.

The board met on Thursday afternoon but decided not to sign off on the document, a 40-year agreement for water supply between the county and the town.

Post would not say what aspects of the agreement were deemed unacceptable.

“It is a complex issue; a work in progress,” he said.

County Manager Jay Gsell also would not elaborate, saying only that county legislators will discuss the situation next week and “continue our conversation with the Town of Batavia.”

As reported Wednesday on The Batavian, amendments to the water agreement focus on making sure municipalities are aware there is no unlimited supply of water and giving the county the flexibility it needs to increase the surcharge that municipalities pay as the demand for water increases.

Per County Attorney Kevin Earl, the restated agreement includes a provision that the county has to give 120 days prior notice to towns and villages of a price increase and, as part of the master plan, explain why an increase is warranted.

Phone calls to Earl and Batavia Town Attorney Andrew Meier were not returned as of the posting of this story.

Lawyers for Genesee County and the Town of Batavia are in the final stages of drafting an amended and restated water agreement – a document that, if completed in time, will be considered by the Town Board at a special meeting at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at the Town Hall on West Main Street Road.

According to Genesee County Attorney Kevin Earl, the amended agreement that will govern the Town’s water usage will focus on making sure the municipality (and all towns and villages in the county, for that matter) understand that the county is unable to supply an unlimited amount of water and that the county has the flexibility to increase the surcharge that municipalities pay.

“The county needs the flexibility to increase the surcharge (currently at 60 cents per thousand gallons of water) and ensure that everybody pays the same price,” Earl said. “The restated agreement will have a provision that the county has to give 120 days prior notice to the towns and villages of a price increase and, as part of the master plan, explain why an increase is necessary.”

Earl is working with Batavia Town Attorney Andrew Meier on finalizing the agreement.

County Manager Jay Gsell said that the next phase in the distribution of water calls for an increase of about 2.5 million gallons per day on top of the 8.1 million gallon currently supplied to county users as a result of agreements with the Monroe County Water Authority, Erie County Water Authority and the City’s water treatment facility.

“We’re estimating a surcharge increase of 60 to 80 cents per thousand,” Gsell said, “which is to be used for water system improvements only and to pay off the debt service of $20 million from 1999-2000.”

Gsell noted that future phases over the next five to 10 years are expected to increase the supply to 15 million to 20 million gallons per day.

Should municipalities approve the amended and restated agreements over the next several weeks, the earliest date of any surcharge increase would be June 2018, Earl said, due to the 120-day notice provision.

Earl said the many industrial development projects in the county will drive up the demand for water in the future, and that the county is planning to spend the money required to meet the demand.

Those projects/sites include the STAMP (Science, Technology and Advanced Manufacturing Park) site in the Town of Alabama, Genesee Valley Agri-Business Park, Buffalo East Tech Park, and increased need in areas such as Bethany, Alabama, Darien and Town of Batavia, as well as the possible replacement (to increase the capacity) of the City water plant.

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The Batavia Town Board has unveiled its tentative budget for 2018, a $5.02 million spending plan that, for the second straight year, calls for $1 million to be generated through property taxes.

The tax rate, however, may go down slightly, said Supervisor Gregory Post, during a special board meeting on Wednesday afternoon at the Town Hall on West Main Street Road.

“By keeping the tax rate the same (it was $2.64 per thousand of assessed valuation in 2017), we figure we will generate a $7,000 increase over the $1 million (in tax revenue) we had last year,” Post said.

In turn, that $7,000 could be used to reduce the tax rate by another two cents, dropping it to $2.62 – which equates to a yearly tax bill of $235.80 on a house assessed at $90,000.

The budget also calls for using nearly $470,000 from the Town’s unexpended fund balance.

Post said the board will have a much better idea of the Town’s financial outlook for the fiscal year 2018 (January through December) in a couple weeks as it receives updated information about sales tax and other revenue streams.

“We just heard last week that Genesee County and the City of Batavia extended for one year its sales tax agreement (which determines how much money is distributed to the county’s municipalities), and that the county again has been authorized to collect an additional 1 percent, so we have proposed the same amount of sales tax for 2018 that we budgeted for last year,” he said.

Post said he is hoping for increases in water and sewer revenues as a result of HP Hood taking over the former Muller Quaker plant on East Main Street Road, adding that nothing is certain, however, as “water rates are volatile.”

The supervisor said sales tax for the first two quarters was close to what was estimated. In all, the budget lists sales tax revenue of $1.85 million.

While uncertainty remains in some areas, Post said the board is taking steps to turning the employee health insurance benefits line item into a “fixed” cost.

 “We’re capping health insurance at 95 percent (of the premium for single, two-person and family plans),” Post said. “Any future premium increases will be the responsibility of the employee.”

Still, the Town’s 30 employees eligible for health insurance benefits will receive up to $16,910 to cover their plan, and will be able to purchase a plan “that suits their needs,” Post said.

In contracting with Tompkins Insurance Agencies, the Town is offering the following:

-- Single plan: $6,080;
-- Two-person plan, $11,400;
-- Family plan, $16,910.

Employees have that much to spend on their health insurance plans, but also have the option of taking a buyout – valued at 60 percent of their plan allowance – as long as they can prove they have obtained health insurance through another source (spouse, significant other, etc.).

“If five people opt to take ‘in lieu of’ we could save around $40,000,” Post said. “The budgeted amount could go down … or worse case, we’re not spending any more on health insurance and we haven’t reduced the benefit to the staff.”

Actually, the benefit is being enhanced as the “buyout” is increasing from a long-standing $2,700 stipend to the 60 percent of the plan allowance.

As was the case last year, the board is proposing 3 percent raises across the board, but that, too, is tentative “because raises will be given or not given on a person-by-person basis,” Post said.

Post said the board is proposing to contract with outside engineers as consultants rather than hiring another Town engineer.

Board members commented that they would like to increase the salary of its Town justices, who have put in additional hours covering when other municipalities’ judges were unavailable.

The summary of the budget is as follows:

General Fund
Appropriations -- $3.89 million; Estimated revenue -- $2.42 million; Unexpended fund balance -- $469,000; Amount to be raised by tax -- $1 million.
Highway Fund
Appropriations -- $1.12 million; Estimated revenue -- $1.12 million.

Including the Town’s special sewer, water and Batavia fire districts, the total budget is $9 million --$6 million in revenue, $606,000 in unexpended fund balance and $2.33 million to be raised by tax.

The board will continue to work on the budget throughout the month in anticipation of a public hearing in November.