Sheriff's Highway Patrol and Dumping Costs Discussed at Allegany County District Meeting | News

ANDOVER — Concerns ranged from patrolling and cleaning county roads to the upcoming redistricting hearing at the Allegany County Legislative District 4 meeting in Andover Tuesday evening.

County legislators Jim Rumfelt of Andover and Gary Barnes and Steve Havey of Wellsville were at the table with nearly a dozen residents to hear what they thought.

Andover Mayor David Truax asked why there isn't a countywide sheriff's patrol?

Quick responses from lawmakers were the cost and existing coverage by the Amity-based New York State Police, but the conversation quickly turned to Undersheriff Walt Mackney, a former state trooper .

He replied, “Because we never had one.” » He quickly added that there is a manpower problem today facing not only state police, but local police departments as well.

While Truax said the lack of patrol is one of the public's biggest complaints, Mackney said, “We are unable to attract people to this station.” There is a lot of negativity towards law enforcement that is relayed by the media.

Dar Fanton, a former Wellsville town supervisor and longtime city councilman, said discussions about creating a sheriff's highway patrol in the 1960s and 1970s were accompanied by fears that it would lead to a reduction of the number of state troopers assigned to Amity.

Mackney said Amity has always been a transitional facility and state police staffing is based on population.

Concerned citizens also asked if there was a way the county could help clean up the city, attributing the high cost of dump permits to dumping waste on riverbanks along waterways. water and roads, railways and accumulation in yards and lots.

Truax suggested reimbursement for tire disposal and Havey said he liked the idea and would explore its feasibility.

There was also a suggestion of allowing more free days for the disposal of electronics and other items at transfer stations, which also sparked interest from lawmakers.

Lawmakers were also asked why the redistricting took place and responded that it was recommended by the state based on population changes as recorded by the last census.

Barnes said the population of the northern part of the county has increased while that of the southern part of the county has decreased. The state, he said, wants legislative districts to be more equal in terms of population.

This has led to several projects aimed at making districts more equal. The fifth plan, Option Five, is the subject of public hearings to be held at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., respectively, on June 12 at the Legislative Chamber in Belmont. It calls for the town of Ward – north of Scio, east of Amity and west of Alfred, and adjacent to Wellsville and Andover – to be included in District 4 (Wellsville and Andover).

Rumfelt said option five is the most approved plan and that the redistricting plan will be completed by the end of summer after the Legislature votes and a public referendum is held.

The next District 4 meeting will be held in the Town of Wellsville at a time and location to be determined.