OBSERVER Photos by Braden Carmen
Resident Rudy Abersold read a prepared letter at two recent meetings that highlighted concerns he had with the Village Board.
CASSADAGA — Issues between residents and the Village Board have been at the forefront of recent meetings again in the last couple months.
At the end of May, resident Judith Garncarek and Valley Outdoors owner Adam Diate both attended a meeting to criticize the Board for its practices. Recently, several other residents have voiced concerns, as well.
Diate has been in a long standing feud with the Village regarding cement blocks that are located at his Valley Outdoors store located on Route 60 in the village. Diate wanted the Village to remove the blocks, which were initially placed at the site to protect a fire hydrant. The Village has since moved the blocks and is pursuing another solution.
Garncarek previously said the Village’s authorization for purchase of the blocks in the first place and lack of transparency is “a systemic problem.” She later said, “There is a bigger problem here that you’re suffering from, and that’s sad.”
Garncarek has since looked into the purchase of the cement blocks placed at Diate’s business and discovered the Village had no record of an authorization for the purchase. She also found no authorization on record for a truck, snow plow, and additional plow equipment in August of 2022.
Cassadaga resident Rudy Abersold also read a letter that he had prepared at two recent meetings. He highlighted concerns he had with accountability of the Department of Public Works, along with concerns with purchasing procedures and ongoing projects that have not been completed.
Teresa Seibert also spoke at a recent meeting to the issues with residents and the Village Board. The Village’s official minutes from the meeting characterized her portrayal of the relationship as “disheartening”, and that a small community like Cassadaga should be a more supportive environment.
Resident unrest is nothing new to Cassadaga, as the issue of short-term rental property regulation resulted in several contentious meetings in recent years. That issue was at the forefront again in a different sense, as Code Enforcement Officer Jason Luce recently submitted his resignation.
To address Luce’s vacancy, the Village has been in discussions with Dan Delcamp, who expressed interest in the job and is currently enrolled in the necessary training courses. The Village has asked Toby Hammond to assist with Code Enforcement needs in the Village on a per-case basis until a new Code Enforcement Officer is hired.
Regarding the aforementioned ongoing projects, the bathhouse at the beach is proceeding, but has not yet been completed. The Village recently approved glass block window replacement on the bathhouse at a cost of $1,250 of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, along with the acceptance of a quote for electrical work at a cost of $17,235, also utilizing ARPA funds. Electrical work and plumbing has not yet been completed at the site.
In other Village business, a resolution in opposition of the placement of wind turbines in Lake Erie was passed by the Village Board, as many municipalities across Chautauqua and Erie counties have done in recent months.
The Board also recently welcomed Carson Power representatives for a solar energy project presentation. A proposed 5 megawatt community solar project is proposed in the Town of Stockton, with several poles and secondary access to the system located in the Village off Frisbee Road. Energy for approximately 800 homes will be produced annually by the project. As a community solar project, Stockton and Cassadaga residents would be offered priority access to subscribe to receive the benefits of up to 10% savings on energy costs. For more information, visit carson-power.com
The Village Board also approved the 2025 seasonal event schedule proposed by Wilson Endurance Sports. The Frozen 50K will take place Feb. 2, 2025; the STTC Summer Tri Series will be June 4, July 2, and Aug. 6, 2025; the Cassadaga Kids Triathlon will be Aug. 9, 2025; Cassadaga Man will be Aug. 30, 2025; and the KBR Triathlon will be Sept. 13, 2025.
Trustee Cindy Flaherty noted that the village received approximately 15 letters of support for Wilson Endurance Sports’ events. Flaherty reiterated the importance of both the beach program and Wilson Endurance Sports’ events. After discussion with Mark Wilson, a former Trustee, the beach program will be staffing lifeguards during the next triathlon and parking will be open on the north side of the beach.
Trustee Cathy Cruver commended Flaherty for coming up with a solution so that
the beach program and the triathlon could coexist. Cruver noted the Village is fortunate to have Wilson Endurance Sports’ events support the Village, but also noted the
importance for residents to have access to the beach.