Pavilion Town Supervisor James Thater speaking at Stafford Town Board meeting on Monday night. Photo by Mike Pettinella/For Video News Service
BY MIKE PETTINELLA
For Video News Service
With a bit of cleaning up of the contract language, the Stafford Town Board is indicating its willingness to allow the Town of Pavilion to use its town court building on Route 237 on a regular basis.
Pavilion Town Supervisor James Thater, appearing at Monday night’s monthly meeting in Stafford, explained that Pavilion’s agreement with the Town of Le Roy to use its facilities has ended, leaving his community without adequate court space and thousands of dollars “in the red.”
Thater said that Pavilion officials signed a 10-year lease agreement with the Town of Le Roy in August 2021 but things began to go awry when Le Roy leaders asked for a significant price increase in the spring of 2024.
He said Le Roy was looking to employ two full-time court clerks and wanted Pavilion to pay for half of one of those positions. He said that was something his town was unable to afford, adding that the situation has cost Pavilion in the neighborhood of $40,000 to $50,000 since Le Roy raised the price.
Thater also mentioned Pavilion’s inadequate and dated court space, stating that the town’s judges, Phil Werner and Lawrence Dagan, “don’t like being there.”
Stafford Town Justice Robert Mattice, also at the meeting, said he has spoken with Thater about the possibility of a merger, and said, “I can’t see a downside to it.” It was pointed out that Tuesday – the day of Pavilion’s two court sessions – doesn’t conflict with Stafford’s scheduled use of the facility.
Ronald Panek, Stafford’s deputy supervisor, referring to wording in the tentative agreement, inquired about Pavilion’s staffing and how payment would be made. Thater said Pavilion would be looking to utilize Stafford’s part-time clerk for around 10 hours per week – with hours recorded on a separate time sheet.
Stafford Town Attorney David DiMatteo said he preferred the contract state the price at $250 per night instead of $250 per court appearance, noting that Pavilion normally would use the building for two nights, possibly three depending upon caseload. He also said any increase in cost, currently stated as 2 percent after five years, should be on an annual basis.
Town Board member Terry Young said he wanted the board to proceed with the agreement, provided the language was less ambiguous, with the board to revisit the pact in July 2026. The board agreed and asked DiMatteo to make the necessary changes to the document.
Following the meeting, Thater said he was encouraged with how things went, stating, “I think we’re on the cusp of making it.”
SOLAR SPECIAL USE PERMITS GRANTED
The Town Board unanimously approved special use permits for two solar farms – NY CDG Genesee 5 and NY CDG Genesee 6 at 8244 Batavia Stafford Townline Road. This action moves the project to the Town Planning Board before building permits can be issued.
The Catalyze solar project, on land owned by Robert and Michelle Wood, has been on the table for several years. It proposes to build two 5-megawatt, ground-mounted solar systems on the Wood’s farmland. One will cover 31.08 acres and the other will cover 28.32 acres.
Stafford Town zoning does allow for solar arrays in industrial zones by special use permit, subject to specific conditions. DiMatteo said all of those conditions have been met.
Contacted on Tuesday, Mark Masse, president/chief executive officer of the Genesee County Economic Development Center, said his agency has not received an application for tax incentives from Catalyze.
TENTATIVE 2026 TAX RATE SET AT $2.02
Panek reviewed the town’s tentative budget for 2026 which calls for a tax rate of $2.02 per $1,000 of assessed valuation. This is an increase from $1.83 in 2025, but still represents one of the lowest rates in the county, he said.
The town will seek to collect $413,776 in property taxes to meet a $2 million budget (general and highway) — $2.7 million including the various water districts.
The board set a public hearing on the 2 percent tax cap for 7 p.m. Nov. 10 and a public hearing on the budget for 7:15 p.m. Nov. 10. Clerk Barbara Radley said the final budget must be approved by Nov. 20.
Cut the budget no need to keep raising our tax …