The Seneca Falls Town Board heard updates on economic development efforts, tourism programming and the status of municipal audits while approving several resolutions related to infrastructure, equipment and staffing during its March 3 meeting.
Development, tourism and event updates highlighted
During the petitioners portion of the meeting, Seneca Falls Development Corp. representatives outlined ongoing work tied to downtown projects and business support programs. The organization said it continues to administer improvements connected to the state’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative, assist property owners with building upgrades and operate a microenterprise program aimed at helping small businesses get established in the community.
Officials also said the development corporation is preparing to seek proposals from firms that could help market Seneca Falls more aggressively. The goal would be to develop a strategy to better promote the town as a destination, with representatives expected to return to the board later this year with a more detailed plan and potential funding request.
Judy Wenzel also updated the board on plans for the Women’s Right to Run 5K weekend celebration in May. The event will include the annual race, a Friday evening guest speaker, a block party on Mynderse Street and additional arts programming planned for Saturday.
The board also heard from Seneca Falls Museum and Tourism Center Executive Director Andrew Olden, who said renovations tied to downtown improvements are nearing completion. The museum expects to hold a grand reopening once exterior signage installation is finished. Olden also previewed upcoming programming, including the summer concert series and a new speaker series connected to the nation’s 250th anniversary.
Audit status and landfill correspondence discussed
Board members also received an update from representatives of Bonadio regarding the town’s financial audits. Auditors said their work is complete through 2022, but reviews for 2023 and 2024 have not yet begun because the town’s financial records must first be fully reconciled before additional audits can proceed.
Once those records are finalized, the firm said it plans to combine the work and issue an opinion tied to the 2024 audit.
The communications portion of the meeting also included discussion of correspondence related to the Seneca Meadows landfill and ongoing odor concerns. Supervisor Frank Schmitter summarized a letter from the state indicating that the Department of Environmental Conservation continues to monitor operations at the facility and will notify the public when comment periods or hearings are scheduled on pending applications.
He also referenced correspondence from Waterloo Container’s Mark Pittifer, who argued that odor problems remain unresolved and urged stronger oversight and enforcement.
Board approves transfers, bids and staffing moves
Among the actions taken during the meeting, the board approved fund transfers for the town’s master plan and for HVAC and power work at Vince’s Park.
The board also authorized the surplus sale of certain police equipment and a pickup truck, approved bids for tree-cutting work, and authorized the purchase of spare pumps for the Garden Street and Bridgeport sewer stations.
Board members also approved creation of a part-time zoning and ordinance enforcement officer position.
One agenda item involving heavy equipment bids was tabled for further review, and another item related to a summer service corps program application was removed from consideration.
The board also amended a proposal related to clerk training, ultimately approving attendance for one clerk rather than two at a conference hosted by the New York State Town Clerks Association.
The meeting concluded with approval of bills and a motion to enter executive session for discussions involving personnel matters.
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