Holley looks for more infrastructure grants after being approved for sidewalk funds
Village also considering having county take over animal control
HOLLEY – Holley Village Board members plan to meet with their grant writers this weekend to discuss additional infrastructure improvements for the village.
During the Village Board meeting on Tuesday, Mayor Brian Sorochty said he is interested in finding out what grants may be available to help fund water and sewer improvements for the village.
“If it went along with sidewalk work, it would make a lot of sense,” he told trustees.
The village was recently awarded a $1.78 million TAP Grant from New York State, which will help the village replace about one-third of its sidewalks and curbs.
Sorochty said the village is currently working to solicit an engineering firm regarding the sidewalk work, and that making needed improvements to the village’s water and sewer systems at the same time should also be considered.
Village leaders also discussed the possibility of turning over animal control from the village’s Department of Public Works to Orleans County.
Sorochty said the services are already being paid by village residents through their county tax dollars. He noted the village would likely not see much financial savings from the switch.
“What we would probably see is a change in the level of service,” Sorochty said. “What Dave (DPW Superintendent David Nenni) does now they (Orleans County Sheriffs Department and Animal Control) probably would not do.”
Currently, the DPW and Holley police officers respond to residents’ concerns over nuisance animals whenever those issues arise. The mayor said the county might respond only if a vicious or wild animal was reported; additionally, the county offers services during limited hours.
Holley Police Chief Roland Nenni said his department has the ability to respond to barking dogs, nuisance/vicious animals, but cannot transport an animal to the county shelter if that becomes necessary.
“When they call we go,” the chief said in regards to calls about animals. “This is a small town and we try to help out as best we can.”
He agreed with the mayor that if the county takes over, that level of service may change.
“It may be a big deal in your town, but the county may have to prioritize,” he said.
DPW Superintendent David Nenni pointed out that animal control is not always needed – that many times nuisance dog issues are solved quickly when the owner realizes his animal has gotten away from home.
He said if the village changes over to the county for animal control, the DPW could continue to provide service after hours and and on weekends.
“We can always re-implement animal control here,” if an agreement with the county does not work out, he added.
Sorochty said village leaders hope to meet with the Orleans County Sheriffs Department next week to discuss details of the level of service the county could provide.
“We need to understand what they are going to do,” Sorochty said.
