Issues over playground lead to accusations at Village of Blasdell meeting

The reasoning, timeline and manner in which basketball hoops were recently taken down at a Blasdell playground were discussed at last Wednesday’s (Feb. 15) village board meeting, during which time related site issues spawned from the sporadically heated talk.

It was stated that the village Department of Public Works’ takedown of the hoops during the previous week at Blasdell’s Silver Street Playground, described by Trustee Rob Hefner as a measure that had been approved by two prior board votes, had resulted in various damage to the grounds surrounding the basketball court area, including several visible ruts. DPW Chief Adam Zwack questioned during a public comment session at the meeting what he believed to be village administrators’ “badmouthing” of the DPW’s overall handling of the backhoe-conducted takedown, as Zwack at the meeting directed negative comments toward Trustee Matt Chandler. Zwack stated that he was “extremely offended” by what he described to be the DPW’s negative portrayal.

Chandler responded that an email that had been sent simply explained a procedural timeline that included before and during the hoops’ takedown. Hefner added in response that the playground area misshap tore up the ground, an error he says that will force taxpayers to foot the repair bill.

Audience members also chimed in regarding overall takedown of the hoops. Ron Seifert, a resident of LaBelle Avenue and the brother of board seat candidate Kathy King, asked whose idea it was to move forward with the takedown project, to which it was answered that Blasdell Mayor Michael Petrie had initiated brainstorming for such an undertaking a few months prior. At that time- when board members unanimously voted to approve the playground’s hoops’ takedown, Village officials, particularly Chandler, had noted the presence of questionable activity at the playground/basketball court area. It was further stated that suspicious gatherings were prevalent among adolescents identified as not residing in Blasdell.

Seifert furthered that scenario by seemingly insinuating that the takedown of the hoops was predicated by racial motivation. Hefner described that suggestion as being ridiculous, reiterating the pair of unanimous board votes to take down the hoops, as well as the mayor’s initial interest in the measure.

“Why would you even bring (race) up?” Hefner asked Seifert. “(The hoops) could’ve been down a long time ago...I resent the remark of race (being suggested as a reason for the hoops’ takedown).”

Helen Avenue resident Robert Couche added during the public comment session that when passing by the playground he had regularly observed youths who are likely non-village residents playing on and domineering the courts, which thereby forced other adolescents, including those who live in Blasdell, to be relegated to playing other sports, such as kickball. Additionally, Kent Avenue resident David Adrian, a former village board trustee who is also running for the open seat vacated by recently resigned Trustee Jeff Adrian, mentioned the feasibility, or perhaps lack thereof, for implementing an identification card system for residents. Adrian said the idea of installing an ID card system for village youths in their usage of Blasdell playgrounds had been looked into three years ago, while he served on the board. However, he added, the brainstorm never fully developed past the beginning stages.

“We were told by an administrator that it was unconstitutional and difficult, if not impossible, to enforce,” Adrian said of the ID card idea.

Adrian stated that ID card system implementation ideas had arose partly from the possibility of unruly youth gatherings at JFK Playground and the adjoining outdoor ice rink. Village officials during the work session added that ideas such as implementing a street hockey league and splash pad have continued to be discussed as possibilities as the warm weather season emerges.

Other meeting action included Petrie stating that village administrators are continuing ongoing discussions with Erie County officials regarding monies would be used toward repair work on Lake Avenue, a road owned by the county. During the preceeding work session, Erie County Legislator Lynne Dixon, who represents District 9, which includes the Village of Blasdell, was on hand to talk with Blasdell officials while attempting to answer questions regarding Blasdell’s agreement with the previous county DPW. The agreement had included the expectation that Lake Avenue would be rebuilt from county funds, combined with an existing federal grant, with Lake then being transferred to village ownership. It had been stated that village officials were hoping to have the funding restored for the project.

Dixon, a two-year Legislature member, said it is her hope that county administrators heed the needs of infrastructure repair in Blasdell.

“Hopefully we can help (county officials) to see the importance of (road repairs),” said Dixon, who stated that a surplus in excess of $10 million set aside at the county for repairs had dissipated, for reasons unknown. “You deserve better. I’m sure you’re frustrated.”

Petrie said needed repavement and repair on Lake Avenue has not taken place for more than two decades, an absence that has brought forth an overall feeling of frustration.

“It’s very unfair,” the mayor said. “We have very substantial traffic (on Lake)...We need to know where we stand with the county. It’s a sore spot for village residents, and it’s not right...It’s greatly disappointing. Erie County needs to step up on this.”

Petrie said he and village officials will seek alternative means of obtaining other federal grant monies for project work if the funding is not reinstated.

During further work session issues, it was stated that village officials will likely proceed forward with a budget that contains a tax rate increase of 1.5 percent. It was stated that by evaluating through a line by line basis and tightening its fiscal belt, village taxpayers will be spared a significant hike to their taxes. Part of that awareness, Petrie said, includes implementing a wage freeze and not granting requested raises to employees of Blasdell, along with not approving requests for various departmental equipment.

Village administrators had implemented a 4-percent tax rate increase during last year’s budget process, a number that board trustees said they had hoped to decrease in the wake of economic struggles facing many Blasdell residents in 2012.

Officials had worked over the course of the last two weeks to scale down what had been stated to be a starting point of a 7.75 percent tax rate increase, a number predicated upon all requested expenditures being present and granted. However, a conservative spending approach lessened the tax rate increase to its listed level of 1.5 percent.

Chandler and Hefner stated during the work session that they had hoped to chop the tax rate increase down to as low as 1 percent, but added that they “could live with” the 1.5-percent hike. Fellow Trustee Lou McDonald said that he had hoped initially for no tax rate increase but that the listed number was within reason. Petrie said the budgeted amounts are necessary to keep the village in working order.

“(A 1.5-percent tax rate increase) is very reasonable,” said the mayor. “It keeps all of our services going. You don’t want to cut yourself too short...We’re doing the best we can and we’ve got to get things done. I think it’s fair.”

At the board’s Feb. 1 meeting, board members did not act to move on a motion or to second such an item regarding a proposed local law to override the state-imposed 2-percent tax levy cap. Chandler, Hefner and McDonald had spoken against instituting such an enactment.

Petrie had described the local law as a protective measure for the village in the case of uncertain budget figures or changing parameters that could have emerged as fiscal talks further developed.

The village’s budget is slated to be adopted at the Village Board’s meeting on Wednesday, March 21, with a budget hearing on March 14.