Embattled Seneca Falls Town Supervisor Frank Schmitter warned this week that preliminary spending requests could force significant budget cuts or further withdrawals from accumulated funds, drawing challenges from board members over how landfill revenue and reserves were being used in the budget process.
The Town Board later heard competing arguments about the treatment of Seneca Meadows landfill leachate entering the municipal wastewater system. Neither discussion produced a final decision on spending or changes to the town’s leachate agreement.
Budget warning draws pushback
Schmitter described a remaining funding gap of roughly $4.5 million after applying certain revenue and reserve assumptions to department requests for the next budget, excluding water and sewer.
He warned that continued reliance on accumulated funds could leave the town unable to sustain its spending.
“We need to cut the budget somewhere somehow,” Schmitter said.
Councilwoman Wendy Crane challenged his explanation of landfill revenue and asked for clearer information about account balances and available money. She argued that landfill money not incorporated into the previous budget needed to be accounted for.
Schmitter responded that the town had already used substantial amounts of accumulated funds and could not keep drawing from them indefinitely.
Councilman Jackson Puylara said only 25% of landfill revenue could be used to offset taxes. Crane questioned that restriction, and Schmitter said it came from a previously adopted resolution.
Members also disagreed about access to financial reports. Crane and Councilwoman Gabby Cosentino questioned whether requested information had been provided, while Puylara said board members regularly received reports.
Schmitter compared the projected gap with the existing tax levy to illustrate the scale of the problem. The presentation concerned preliminary requests and disputed funding assumptions; the board did not approve a tax increase.
Police spending became another point of contention. Schmitter cited a police budget of approximately $3.8 million, while Crane defended the department’s workload and argued that the town needed more officers.
Landfill treatment questioned
During public comment, Michael Coia, a former town landfill consultant, urged officials to strengthen testing and treatment provisions in the agreement governing leachate sent from Seneca Meadows to the town’s wastewater plant.
Coia questioned whether the agreement adequately addressed PFAS and other substances the municipal plant might not remove. Puylara asked whether future state requirements could force the town to upgrade its wastewater treatment system.
Seneca Meadows District Manager Kyle Black defended the landfill’s existing treatment operation. He said it removes approximately 99% of PFAS and that material sent to Seneca Falls is tested and complies with the agreement.
Black said the company had invested $5 million in its current treatment plant and was pursuing additional PFAS removal technology. He attributed delays to continuing questions from the state Department of Environmental Conservation.
He also said PFAS enters municipal sewer systems from sources beyond landfill leachate and that municipalities should prepare for possible future treatment requirements.
The exchange ended without a vote to amend the agreement.
Workshops moved to evening
The board also disputed when residents and officials should be able to participate in budget discussions.
Crane and Cosentino said daytime workshops conflicted with their jobs and made attendance difficult for working residents. Schmitter defended daytime sessions as a way to limit employee overtime.
The board approved moving the workshops under discussion to 5:30 p.m.
Officials left the meeting with the next budget still under development and questions about landfill revenue, available reserves and future treatment responsibilities unresolved.
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