Fuel increases, Rosell to succeed Pelych, reaction to NYS budget, and wind energy
By Syrena Lynn Carver
Finance Committee Meeting
Committee members stressed at the beginning of the meeting that the numbers are tentative and will not be finalized until March. Budget increases for the Water department indicate a 59% increase over last year for chemicals used in the treatment of the water. This increase is due to inflation and supply chain issues, in-part explaining the increase in the water bills for residents. The volume of water treated stays consistent but heavy rain or higher water temperatures influence how many chemicals need to be used.
There is an new item in the General Fund: The City Newsletter. There will be 3 newsletters published this year and most likely, it will be published quarterly starting in 2024.
The budget for Public Safety saw a significant increase in fuel costs; the Police Department has a 50% increase, while the Fire Department has a 31% increase (this includes Ambulance services). These increases reflect the high gasoline prices.
The $1/hour increase in minimum wage affects the summer jobs program and other increases to the budget were for 4th of July Fireworks and the City’s health insurance. Overall, even with the increases, the city is hoping to see a bottom line of only 1.98% increase over last year.
Hornell Common Council Meeting
The Invocation was given by Deacon Mark Clark of Our Lady of the Valley Parish (St. Ann’s). This will be the last common council meeting for City Attorney, Joseph G. Pelych, esq. He is retiring having served the City of Hornell for 37 years. Mayor John Buckley presented him with the Proclamation of the City, and he received a standing ovation from those in attendance.
Hornell lawyer Tim Rosell will be taking over for the role as Hornell City Attorney. Rosell is a partner at Pulos and Rosell LLP and life-long resident. Read his bio here.
Mark Morrissey is resigning from the planning board and will now serve on the DRI committee. William Norton was reappointed to the planning board. The mayor discussed the NYCOM meeting and expressed disappointment in the fact that our Governor would not listen to what the mayors had to say. He referenced a news release by Peter Baynes, Executive Director. The mayor pointed out how the Governor’s new ruling on housing and zoning is overstepping the State Constitution on Home Rule. Read that NYCOM presser:
To bring the meeting around to end on a more positive note, Steuben County Legislator, Paul Van Caeseele, said that Steuben County has the most wind farms in the state, and we benefit from the tax dollars created by them and the solar farms. A new company in Bath, NY, Momentum, will be recycling wind turbines. Also, in the Bath area there are other new companies: LLP Solutions, which will manufacture siding, and an Amazon warehouse. The meeting was closed for executive session and would be adjourned at once.
