Jamestown school district voters approve no tax increase budget, propositions...
Voters in the Jamestown Public School District have approved a new, just over $93-million budget for next school year. The unofficial vote count Tuesday was 359-53. The spending plan includes no tax increase. Voters also approved establishment of two reserve funds... one for capital improvements, 365-44... and, the other for vehicles, machinery and equipment, 373-35. A proposition to purchase most of a church parking lot on Chandler Street was also approved by a vote of 348-57. School board members Patrick Slagle and Joe Pawelski were re-elected unopposed.
Voters in SWCS district approve budget with more than supermajority needed...
A supermajority of voters was needed in the Southwestern Central School District to approve the district's 2022-23 school budget Tuesday. But... in the end, the $30.8-million spending plan was approved comfortably, 254-69. The budget included a 2-percent tax levy increase because of a loss of building aid. The increase exceeded the state's property tax cap, and required at least a 60% majority of yes votes. Superintendent Maureen Donahue says there was concern... but, was thankful voters understood the situation. Donahue says residents also approved buying four new buses, 246-76. She says the district put in a "letter of intent" a while back so they should have the buses in time for the new school year. Those will cost about $595,000. School Board incumbant Correy Miller was re-elected... and, will be joined by newcomer, Dr. Elizabeth Laczi on the board. Miller wound up with 196 votes... while Dr. Laczi had 173 votes. Brendan Carter was third with 139 votes.
All other reporting school districts say their budgets were also adopted...
Falconer School District voters overwhelmingly approved a just over $27-million budget on Tuesday, 110-to-29. The spending plan included no tax increase... and, Bob Carpenter and Tom Frederes were re-elected to the school board. In Frewsburg... both the 2022-23 budget, and a bus proposition were approved... but, no final vote tallies were made available. Corrie Graham, Polly Hanson, and Randy Wiltsie were each elected to the school board. Voters in the Bemus Point Central School District approved their budget by a nearly 2-to-1 margin... 125-to-64. School bus purchases were also approved 133-to-56. Megan Kent and Lauren Ryan were elected to the school board. The Panama School District saw it's voters approve a $13.5-million budget by a huge margin, 149-to-18. Greg Bullaro won a school board seat with 130 votes... while Sophie Horner edged out Jeremy Pearson for the other open seat, 97-to-92. In Sherman... voters approved an $11.1-million budget to 2022-23 by a vote of 343-to-115. A separate proposition to purchase two buses, and a van for $351,000 was adopted, 356-to-103. Kristin Irwin won a three-way race for a board seat with 235 votes. Voters in the Clymer, Brocton, Wesfield, Ripley and Chautauqua Lake Districts also approved their spending plans.
City man arrested during traffic stop on drug and weapons charges...
A Jamestown man has been arrested during a traffic stop on the city's northside after being found in possession of drugs and a handgun. City police say a K-9 Unit stopped a vehicle on Kingsbury Street -- near Spring Street Extension -- just after 11 a.m. Monday for traffic violations. Officers sy they found a front seat passenger, Bart Bartlett, was sought on outstand warrants from City Court. They also found Barlett in possession of a quantity of Fentanyl, a digital scale, and a Smith and Wesson revolver... and, 22-calibur long-rifle bullets. Police say the gun was reported stolen out of Fredonia. Bartlett was arresed for second-degree criminal possession of a weapon... fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property... and, seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. He was jailed pending arraignment.
Jamestown Area YMCA proposing new facility near Brooklyn Square area...
The Jamestown-area YMCA is proposing a new, 68,000 square foot facility to replace it's current, 100-year-old facility on the city's eastside. Officials are planning to erect the new, $31-million structure at the former Watson Industries location on Harrison Street. One of the people involved in the project, Tom Benson, made a power-point presentation to the city council Monday night about their plans. Benson says Brownfield credits will be obtained because it's a former industrial site... and, that will help offset the cost. He says the current building is no longer useful to growing "Y" programs... and, it would also replace the Lakewood and Eastside Y facilities... though the Lakewood facility would still be available on a "rental basis." He says they have about $5-million lined up from local foundations... but, adds they are requesting $2-million in American Rescue Plan Act funding from the city to help kick-start the project. Benson says the current facility will become "unsustainable" within the next two years.
Gas price jump nearly 20-cents between last week and now...
The price for a gallon of regular, unleaded gasoline in the Jamestown area was up 19 cents to begin this week... and, has jumped again at mid-week. That from the AAA East Central Gas Price Report, which said Monday the cost was up to slightly more than $4.58 a gallon. However... that number -- in many cases -- has now gone to $4.75 a gallon. AAA says the price of crude oil decreased early last week due to market concerns. However... prices reversed by the end of the week due to growing concerns over Ukrainian and European Union actions against Russian oil and natural gas companies they say could spark retaliation by Russia... and, that would lead to more market disruption and uncertainty. There's also the now underway switch-over to "summer blend" gasoline.
