The Seneca Falls Town board moved several multimillion-dollar infrastructure projects forward earlier this month while pursuing state grants for water treatment, zoning, stormwater planning and a broader effort to reshape how the town presents itself to residents and visitors.
The Town Board awarded more than $5.2 million in contracts for the Kingdom Road sanitary sewer project during its July 7 meeting, authorized engineering work for another major drainage project and advanced plans for $16.5 million in water system improvements.
The meeting also included updates on downtown investment, public art and a potential hotel project, along with decisions involving bridge lighting, staffing, dog control and several grant applications.
Kingdom Road sewer contracts awarded
The board awarded the main construction contract for the Kingdom Road Sanitary Sewer Improvements Project to Blue Heron Construction Co. LLC for $5.096 million. Concord Electric Corp. received the project’s $109,000 electrical contract.
Town officials said the work had previously been designed and bid, but rising costs forced the town to rebid the project. With the new contracts approved, officials said contractors were prepared to move forward and could finish the work by the end of 2026 or January 2027.
The board also approved another amendment to the town’s engineering agreement with Barton & Loguidice. The additional services are intended to cover the extended construction schedule and maintain engineering oversight through the project.
In a related action, the board amended and restated its borrowing authorization for a broader $6.5 million sanitary sewer improvement program. The project includes a new force main and related equipment, paving, site restoration and other work serving the Bridgeport, Seneca Falls and West Seneca Falls sewer districts.
The updated resolution allows Supervisor Frank Schmitter to pursue funding through the state Environmental Facilities Corp., including the Clean Water State Revolving Fund and Water Infrastructure Improvement Act programs.
Town eyes $16.5 million water project
The board also began the public approval process for a proposed $16.5 million water system improvement project.
Plans call for installing granular activated carbon treatment equipment at the Seneca Falls Water Treatment Plant to improve the removal of PFAS, including PFOA and PFOS. The project would also add a new 200,000-gallon clear well and replace aging water mains along East Bayard Street, West Bayard Street and Cortland Avenue.
Officials said the work is intended to improve drinking water quality, strengthen pumping capacity and improve reliability and fire protection.
The town has unsuccessfully sought funding for the project in two previous grant rounds and is preparing another application through the state’s Water Infrastructure Improvement Act program. The board authorized the application and acknowledged that the town could be responsible for at least 30% of project costs through cash, financing or in-kind services.
Board members discussed holding a special public hearing later in July to meet the funding program’s legal requirements. The meeting minutes reflect discussion of several possible dates and times, with officials planning to confirm the final schedule before issuing the required public notice.
The town also authorized a separate drinking water grant application tied to recommendations contained in its 2025 water system improvement engineering report.
Flooding projects move ahead
The board selected LaBella Associates for up to $129,900 in engineering services for a proposed 36-inch storm sewer along Walnut Street.
The project is intended to address persistent flooding on Chestnut, Oak and Miller streets in Ward 2. The new trunk line would connect drainage systems east and west of Walnut Street and carry stormwater safely to the canal.
LaBella’s proposal was not the lowest initial bid. C&S Companies submitted a proposal of $114,542, while MRB Group proposed $144,900.
Town officials recommended LaBella because its base price included a $40,000 geotechnical investigation that the other firms excluded. The study is considered critical because the proposed sewer could be installed at depths of up to 18 feet, requiring detailed information about soils, groundwater and bedrock before construction bids are solicited.
Officials said the goal is to complete engineering work during the remainder of 2026 and bid the project during the first quarter of 2027.
The board also authorized contractor bidding for the Bayard Street culvert maintenance and rehabilitation project, with bids due Sept. 2. The town previously solicited a separate bid for the precast concrete culvert because of long manufacturing and delivery times.
In addition, Seneca Falls authorized a Climate Smart Communities grant application to assess the town’s stormwater system. The town would provide a match equal to at least 20% of the total project cost if funding is awarded.
Bridge lighting clears environmental review
Plans to replace the decorative lighting on the It’s a Wonderful Life Bridge also moved forward.
The town will replace the existing electrical panel, install a new aerial electrical connection and add LED strip lighting and uplighting to the bridge’s structural members and railings. Navigation and channel lighting will remain in place, and no excavation or work in Van Cleef Lake is planned.
The board designated itself as lead agency for the project’s environmental review and determined that the work would not have a significant adverse environmental impact.
Councilwoman Gabby Cosentino clarified that the bridge painting project had already been completed and that the latest action applied only to lighting.
Board members also discussed whether the decorative bells previously displayed on the bridge could return without damaging the new paint. One option would involve hanging the bells from a wire suspended across the bridge rather than attaching them directly to the structure. Schmitter said he would consult the bridge painters before approving any installation method.
Downtown investment and hotel search highlighted
David Goldberg, owner of It’s A Wonderful Scoop at 77 Fall St., opened the meeting with a presentation about the extensive restoration of the building.
Goldberg and business partner Alyssa Davidson renovated a structure dating to 1862 that had been vacant for about a decade. Work included new flooring and electrical systems, renovation of the retail and lower-level spaces and restoration of historical elements.
The business reused seating from former restaurants and installed vintage chandeliers from the former First Congregational Church. Goldberg said the business created 12 jobs and plans to operate year-round.
Lisa Fitzgerald of the Comprehensive Plan Implementation Committee reported on the committee’s work to carry out the Seneca Falls 2040 Comprehensive Plan. The group held its first public open house in April and traveled to Fairport to study how another community had approached long-term plan implementation.
Fitzgerald also announced the creation of an Arts and Culture Committee under the Seneca Falls Development Corp.
Judy Wentzell, executive director of the Bonifiglia Family Foundation, said the foundation has invested about $1 million in community programs and projects since it was established in December 2021.
Its downtown facade program generated nearly $800,000 in combined grant and private investment. Eight projects received funding through the program, which covered up to 75% of eligible costs with a maximum award of $150,000.
Wentzell also said the town’s mural project received regional recognition from the National Mural Award Association. The foundation is planning another mural at 118 Fall St., across from the Wesleyan Chapel.
The board approved up to $3,500 for plaques explaining the artists, history and sponsors behind the downtown murals.
Wentzell also disclosed that the foundation owns a 2.5-acre downtown property and is seeking a developer to build and operate a hotel. The foundation is willing to sell the site for $1 to a qualified developer that follows the community’s vision and is paying some predevelopment expenses to make the project more attractive.
Zoning and branding grants pursued
The board authorized an application for up to $200,000 through the state Smart Growth Communities Planning Program to update the town’s zoning regulations.
The work would align zoning with the comprehensive plan, address housing needs and support downtown and waterfront development. The state could reimburse 85% of eligible costs, leaving the town responsible for a 15% local match.
Because the program operates on a reimbursement basis, Seneca Falls would need to advance the full project cost and wait as long as 12 to 18 months for repayment.
The board also authorized the Seneca Falls Development Corp. to seek a Market New York grant for a community branding and tourism campaign costing up to $120,000.
The grant would reimburse 50% of eligible expenses, but the town would again need to pay the full cost before receiving state reimbursement, potentially 18 to 24 months later.
Councilman Jackson Puylara said the effort is designed to give Seneca Falls a more consistent identity and long-term marketing strategy. The development corporation received 34 responses from firms interested in the work.
The town also authorized requests for professional proposals to prepare a community-wide bicycle and pedestrian plan and administer related Climate Smart Communities funding.
Staffing and operations
The board approved several personnel changes in the Department of Public Works and water and sewer operations.
Austin Hartzell was reclassified from laborer to motor equipment operator-heavy after obtaining a Class A commercial driver’s license. His new wage was set at $29.46 per hour.
Phillip Bennett was appointed water plant operator trainee at $28.23 per hour. Anthony Lanphear was appointed water and wastewater maintainer at $27.02 per hour.
Joshua Polk received a provisional appointment as wastewater plant operator trainee at $28.23 per hour, pending successful completion of a Civil Service examination.
The board also transferred $26,000 from the code enforcement officer budget line to the part-time zoning officer line.
Seneca Falls appointed Joann Bennett as dog control officer after the Beverly Animal Shelter stopped providing the service. Bennett will receive $680 per month, plus $25 per day for each boarded dog.
Officials said Bennett has arranged a temporary holding location and plans to use the Beverly shelter when it reopens, which was anticipated around Sept. 1. The town will remain responsible for euthanasia expenses when required.
Residents raise water and property concerns
During public comment, Reggie Meeks asked the board to address a long-running dispute over water bills he said have reached $400 to $500.
Meeks said he believes a faulty meter caused the problem and reported that it had tested at only 13% accuracy. He said he had contacted the board in March but had not received a response from the full board.
Schmitter said he and Cosentino, who serve on the board’s water committee, would schedule a meeting with Meeks.
Debbie Swenson asked the town to intervene at a condemned property next to her home on Cayuga Street. She described the property as structurally unsafe, badly overgrown and a source of rodents and other pests.
Swenson said the issue had continued for years while passing through several code enforcement officers. She asked the board for a firm timeline for action.
Schmitter said condemnation authority rested with Seneca County and promised to contact county officials. Town staff confirmed that Seneca Falls had posted a condemnation notice at the property, leading to questions about which level of government has authority over the next steps.
Other actions
The board approved Convention Days activities held July 17-19, requiring any vendor selling alcohol to provide proof of liability insurance.
It honored Joyce and Vito Sinicropi as recipients of the 2026 Community Service Award and approved resolutions recognizing Gloria Thornton-Peek, World War II “Rosie the Riveter” Mary Masciangelo and National Women’s Hall of Fame co-founder Helen Miller.
The board released a budgeted $500 contribution to the Seneca Falls Community Band and approved $4,000 for professional tree removal at Academy Square and Lower Lake Road Park following storm damage and the identification of hazardous trees.
Council members also approved 29 water leak and pool-fill credits totaling $3,701.98. Councilwoman Dawn Dyson abstained because her account was among those receiving a pool credit.
The board entered executive session at 7:29 p.m. to discuss the employment, medical, financial or credit history of a particular person or corporation. It returned to open session and adjourned at 8:14 p.m. without announcing additional action.
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