Ecklund to present 2025 budget proposal later today...
Jamestown Mayor Kim Ecklund will release her proposed, 2025 budget plan this afternoon... but, it will remain a "work-in-progress" up until the deadline. During last night's City Council work session... Ecklund announced that the spending plan will be unveiled in the police training room on the fourth-floor of City Hall at 4 p.m. Leading into budget preparations... the city has been facing a nearly $3-million shortfall... and, she says it's "been a very tough budget, and I will be very clear on what we're facing." Ecklund added "don't bank on any ARPA money." The city was recently able to "claw-back" some unused American Rescue Plan Act funding... totaling just over $2-million. Ecklund recently said that some that's left over could be used for "lost revenue." She says she and City Comptroller Ericka Thomas will likely be crunching numbers right up until the presentation... and, she says they may take a little more of a risk with some of the projections. The budget will likely be over $40-million... and, there will likely be little -- if any -- tax increase... given that the city is very close to it's constitutional taxing limit. A final budget needs to be approved by City Council by Dec. 1.
City Council learns about nearly $3-million grant application to NYS to help rehab vacant rental units...
City lawmakers will vote later this month on applying for nearly $3-million from New York state's Home and Community Renewal Vacant Rental Improvement program. That from City Council Housing Committee Chairman Bill Reynolds... who says the Department of Development filled out the necessary paperwork in "record time." Reynolds says the amount requested was $2.913-million. Development Director Crystal Surdyk praised her department staff... and city Grants Writter Paula Pichon... for geting the application submitted in about 3-months. Surdyk told lawmakers that... in addition to approving the application... they should also vote to accept whatever funds are awarded to speed up the process. The application is being submitted in partnership with Citizens Opportunity for Development and Equality... otherwise known at CODE, Incorporated.
Single-car crash in town of Dayton sends one to the hospital...
One person was transported to Brooks Memorial Hospital following a one-vehicle crash Monday afternoon in the Town of Dayton. First responders from Gowanda were called to assist Dayton Fire rescue crews shortly before 3:15 p.m., after a car crashed into a pole on Jolls Road. NYSEG crews were called to repair the pole and downed lines. Gowanda Fire officials say the crash shut down Jolls Road between Route 62 and Town Line Road... with the road being reopened about 8 p.m. State Police are handling the investigation.
Borrello writes letter to Hochul asking what to do in wake of several school district's electric bus propositions being rejected...
The recent rejection of a proposal for a school district in Chautauqua County to purchase an electric bus has prompted a local state lawmaker to ask how New York plans to address public resistance that schools are encountering. State Senator George Borrello has penned a letter to Governor Kathy Hochul, which comes after voters in the Bemus Point Central School District rejected the proposal in early September. Borrello is urging Hochul to clarify those plans because there is no guidance. In the letter, Borrello says this has put the Bemus Point district in a difficult position. The Sunset Bay Republican cited a letter he got from Superintendent Joseph Reyda, who stated that district voters did not "support the political process that put this mandate in place," plus his concern about future voter approvals needed to comply with the state's electric school bus mandate. Borrello continues to urge Hochul to "pump the brakes" on the mandate and says a pilot study needs to be done before money is spent on electric buses.
Gillibrand remembers those killed, or kidnapped on one-year anniversary attacks on October 7...
New York's junior U.S. Senator is honoring the Israelies and Americans who killed... or kidnapped... on Monday's one-year anniversary of the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Hamas terrorists. Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand says -- "today is an incredibly sad and somber day as we remember the 1,200 innocent people who were brutally murdered a year ago in the Oct. 7 attack. These were grandparents, parents, children, and infants. They were young people at a concert, families building their lives, and advocates working for peace. My heart and prayers are with their families and friends. May their memories be a blessing." She adds that "we must also remember that there are around 100 hostages still being held by Hamas, including a number of Americans." Gillibrand pledged to "not rest" until they're all back home.
Tractor-trailer gets hung up on railroad tracks in Westfield Sunday afternoon...
There were some anxious moments for the driver of a tractor-trailer Sunday afternoon when his big-rig got stuck on railroad tracks in the town of Westfield. Both Westfield Police and Westfield Fire crews responded to the Norfolk-Southern crossing on Walker Road about 2 p.m. after the truck went off the pavement while attempting to back across the tracks... and make a turn. Westfield Fire officials say all rail traffic was stopped, and the tractor-trailer was removed without any damage to it -- or the tracks. Crews were on scene for approximately 2 1/2 hours.
