{"id":58125,"date":"2024-10-17T17:13:50","date_gmt":"2024-10-17T21:13:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/?p=58125"},"modified":"2024-10-18T14:07:16","modified_gmt":"2024-10-18T18:07:16","slug":"genesee-county-pontillo-proves-that-he-can-pay-for-repairs-to-bring-former-stafford-trading-post-up-to-code-but-vacancy-issue-in-question","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2024\/10\/17\/genesee-county-pontillo-proves-that-he-can-pay-for-repairs-to-bring-former-stafford-trading-post-up-to-code-but-vacancy-issue-in-question\/","title":{"rendered":"GENESEE COUNTY\/Pontillo proves that he can pay for repairs to bring former Stafford Trading Post up to code but \u2018vacancy\u2019 issue in question"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

(File photo)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By Mike Pettinella
For Video News Service<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

UPDATED \u2013 Oct. 18 at noon with additional comments from attorneys (in italics).<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The attorney representing the Town of Stafford in legal proceedings against James Pontillo, owner of the former Stafford Trading Post on Route 5, on Thursday says he needs to look into what he calls \u201ca unique suggestion\u201d that involves bringing the 134-year-old historic building up to code while maintaining its vacant status.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe need to determine \u2013 we the town (of Stafford) \u2013 if the scope of what Mr. Pontillo\u2019s architect has submitted will comply with the law, the code,\u201d said David Roach of DiMatteo Roach & Kelly of Warsaw, following a session in Genesee County Supreme Court with Judge Diane Y. Devlin presiding. \u201cAs it stands right now, it\u2019s a unique suggestion here as to having a vacant building that meets code.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Roach explained that when submitting a building application, \u201cthere\u2019s a site plan (and) baked into all that is a corresponding use of the building.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cVacant is not a use, it\u2019s a condition,\u201d he said, adding that what Pontillo and his attorney, Chad Hummel of Rochester, seems to have submitted to the court are plans for Batavia architect\/engineer Matthew Hume to address multiple code violations while the structure remains vacant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the court proceeding, it was reported that a letter from Hume \u2013 which was received by attorneys just prior to the 10 a.m. start time \u2013 indicated that it would cost $45,000 for Pontillo to side the building and another $10,000 for work to be performed on 11 columns in the building to comply with the town\u2019s fire code.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Roach opened by stating that Pontillo provided an initial letter from Hume showing the scope of the work to some extent but no construction schedule or budget. He said the town is prepared to file a default judgment against Pontillo if he doesn\u2019t comply with the court order.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Concerning the letter received today, he said that he needs \u201cmore time to digest it,\u201d adding that he believes the case is taking a different course, one which would get the building to fire code but would remain vacant.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Devlin that mentioned a figure of $600,000, which apparently is the cost to restore the building back to historical standards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reached on Thursday night, Hummel said was \u201ca hearsay\u201d comment by Hume, who speculated that a total renovation of the building could approach $500,000 to $600,000. Roach, in an email, agreed, stating that amount was \u201cnot an official quote or estimate.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

She then asked if the code allowed for a vacant building.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Roach responded by saying there would be no certificate of occupancy in that case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAt a minimum here today, we need to see if he’s got the funds for at least the $55,000 scope (of the project),\u201d Roach said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hummel referred to Hume\u2019s first letter which stated it would take about six months to develop a reasonable budget despite, in Hummel\u2019s words, \u201call good faith efforts.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Minutes later, he asked if there was \u201csubmitted evidence\u201d of complaints about the building to the court.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Roach countered by stating that wasn\u2019t pertinent at this point since they were in the \u201csettlement negotiations phase\u201d and not a trial.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He added that Hume considered the building to be \u201cin relatively good shape and has good bones.\u201d He said that Hume went through the code violation list \u201cone by one\u201d to reach the $55,000 price tag.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At that point, Devlin told Hummel to share proof of Pontillo\u2019s finances with Roach and town officials before calling for a short recess to discuss Hume\u2019s second letter and to view financial documents. Roach said he was satisfied that Pontillo had enough money in his account to cover the $55,000 expense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The next court date is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Nov. 7.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On Thursday night, Hummel said that he expects to meet with Roach and Hume in the near future to review the architect\u2019s plans and to decide if the town requires any additional work. He said he believes it would take two to three months to complete the work.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

HISTORICAL SOCIETY REP WEIGHS IN<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Laura Giacchino, incoming president of the Stafford Historical Society, said she has been keeping tabs on this situation. She was at the court today and said she took exception to statements that the building has been the subject of numerous complaints from residents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe only complaint that has been issued is the building next door, which is owned by the person who initially was trying to buy the building before Pontillo did,\u201d she said. \u201cThey wanted to put a gas station on it and have a parking lot. It’s definitely in the best interest for that one person.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Giacchino said there are many Stafford residents who do not want the building taken down. She downplayed comments such as the structure is a \u201cblight\u201d on the business district.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThere\u2019s no business district in Stafford,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s almost funny.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She said she is reorganizing the local historical group, whose goal is preventing the town or anyone else from taking the building down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s on the National Register. It\u2019s a place of significance,\u201d she said, adding that her house in the hamlet is the oldest in Genesee County.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Giacchino said she hopes that the parties settle this issue soon, without going to trial.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat would be an expensive venture and it\u2019s pretty expensive for all of us taxpayers to have two separate lawyers for the town, one specifically to go after Pontillo,\u201d she said \u201cThe town board has said that they don\u2019t want to tear it down, which is very different than the information they have been saying all along privately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf that\u2019s the case, then the judge should give it to the Stafford Historic Society and let us fix it up. There are grants available. There are people in the town that really want to donate.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

(File photo) By Mike PettinellaFor Video News Service UPDATED \u2013 Oct. 18 at noon with additional comments from attorneys (in italics). The attorney representing the Town of Stafford in legal proceedings against James Pontillo, owner of the former Stafford Trading Post on Route 5, on Thursday says he needs to \u2026<\/p>\n

Continue reading<\/i><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":58126,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_seo_schema_type":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[10],"tags":[512,4515],"class_list":["post-58125","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-stafford","tag-james-pontillo","tag-stafford-trading-post"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p8eTP4-f7v","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":56618,"url":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2024\/09\/05\/genesee-county-stafford-attorneys-looking-for-james-pontillo-to-submit-scope-of-project-to-show-fire-code-compliance\/","url_meta":{"origin":58125,"position":0},"title":"GENESEE COUNTY\/Stafford\/Attorneys looking for James Pontillo to submit \u2018scope of project\u2019 to show fire code compliance","author":"aka","date":"September 5, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"File photo By Mike PettinellaFor Video News Service Attorneys for the Town of Stafford and for James Pontillo reached an agreement in Genesee County Supreme Court on Thursday afternoon that requires Pontillo to hire an architect to define the \u201cscope\u201d of a project to bring the 134-year-old former Stafford Trading\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Genesee County"","block_context":{"text":"Genesee County","link":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/category\/genesee-county\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/1000122025-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/1000122025-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/1000122025-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/1000122025-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/1000122025-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":58764,"url":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2024\/11\/07\/genesee-county-town-of-stafford-attorney-encouraged-after-latest-court-session-over-the-former-stafford-trading-post\/","url_meta":{"origin":58125,"position":1},"title":"GENESEE COUNTY\/Town of Stafford attorney \u2018encouraged\u2019 after latest court session over the former Stafford Trading Post","author":"aka","date":"November 7, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"(File photo) By Mike PettinellaFor Video News Service The dispute between the Town of Stafford and James Pontillo, owner of the former Stafford Trading Post at Routes 5 and 237, could be approaching its resolution. A settlement is within reach, said David Roach of DiMatteo Roach & Kelly of Warsaw,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Stafford"","block_context":{"text":"Stafford","link":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/category\/stafford\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/1000122025-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/1000122025-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/1000122025-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/1000122025-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/1000122025-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":55440,"url":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2024\/08\/05\/genesee-county-town-board-taking-pontillo-to-court-over-former-stafford-trading-post\/","url_meta":{"origin":58125,"position":2},"title":"GENESEE COUNTY\/Town Board taking Pontillo to court over former Stafford Trading Post","author":"aka","date":"August 5, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"By Mike PettinellaVideo News Service Just like the name of James Pontillo\u2019s limited liability company, the plight of the former Stafford Trading Post certainly is \u201cthe talk of the town.\u201d On Sunday afternoon, Pontillo invited Alecia Kaus, publisher of Video News Service, and this reporter to tour the inside of\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Genesee County"","block_context":{"text":"Genesee County","link":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/category\/genesee-county\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/20240804_171006-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C776&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/20240804_171006-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C776&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/20240804_171006-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C776&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/20240804_171006-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C776&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/20240804_171006-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C776&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":55825,"url":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2024\/08\/13\/genesee-county-pontillo-urges-stafford-town-board-to-heed-what-its-residents-are-saying\/","url_meta":{"origin":58125,"position":3},"title":"GENESEE COUNTY\/Pontillo urges Stafford Town Board to heed what its residents are saying","author":"aka","date":"August 13, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"James Pontillo and his wife, Laura (photo by Mike Pettinella) By Mike PettinellaFor Video News Service The people have spoken and now it\u2019s up to the Stafford Town Board to listen to them. That\u2019s the message conveyed at Monday night\u2019s town board meeting by James Pontillo, owner of the former\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Genesee County"","block_context":{"text":"Genesee County","link":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/category\/genesee-county\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/pontillo-8-12-24-b.jpg?fit=758%2C552&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/pontillo-8-12-24-b.jpg?fit=758%2C552&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/pontillo-8-12-24-b.jpg?fit=758%2C552&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/pontillo-8-12-24-b.jpg?fit=758%2C552&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":68167,"url":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2025\/09\/16\/genesee-county-stafford-pontillo-renews-building-permit-fines-remain-in-force\/","url_meta":{"origin":58125,"position":4},"title":"GENESEE COUNTY\/Stafford\/Pontillo renews building permit, fines remain in force","author":"aka","date":"September 16, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"By Mike PettinellaFor Video News Service James Pontillo has renewed a building permit issued by the Town of Stafford after being slapped with a stop work order on Tuesday morning. Pontillo said that a Genesee County sheriff\u2019s deputy and New York State trooper showed up with Town Code Enforcement Officer\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Genesee County"","block_context":{"text":"Genesee County","link":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/category\/genesee-county\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/20250916_140522-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C728&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/20250916_140522-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C728&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/20250916_140522-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C728&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/20250916_140522-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C728&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/20250916_140522-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C728&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":58936,"url":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2024\/11\/14\/genesee-county-attorney-stafford-town-board-has-hunted-pontillo-down-for-eight-years\/","url_meta":{"origin":58125,"position":5},"title":"GENESEE COUNTY\/Attorney: Stafford Town Board has \u2018hunted Pontillo down for eight years\u2019","author":"aka","date":"November 14, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"(File photo) Left-James Pontillo with wife Laura at a Town Board meeting earlier this year. (Right-Former Stafford Trading Post building) By Mike PettinellaFor Video News Service The lawyer for James Pontillo, owner of the former Stafford Trading Post at Routes 5 and 237, has come out on the offensive, claiming\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Stafford"","block_context":{"text":"Stafford","link":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/category\/stafford\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/stafford-pontillo-court.jpg?fit=1071%2C563&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/stafford-pontillo-court.jpg?fit=1071%2C563&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/stafford-pontillo-court.jpg?fit=1071%2C563&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/stafford-pontillo-court.jpg?fit=1071%2C563&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/stafford-pontillo-court.jpg?fit=1071%2C563&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/20240630_155413-1-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1662&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/58125","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=58125"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/58125\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":58142,"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/58125\/revisions\/58142"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/58126"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=58125"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=58125"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=58125"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}