SALAMANCA
Municipal Center nearly renovated
SALAMANCA — Voters going to the polls Tuesday in Ward 3 will cast ballots in the newly renovated courtroom at the Municipal Center.
The site is unchanged from previous elections except the former room used by volunteer firefighters for events has been transformed into a modern courtroom with access to the adjacent Police Department and secure prisoner areas.
City Clerk April Vecchiarella, who’s had a sneak peak at the planned decor, says, “It will be beautiful.” The interior furnishings are delayed, but city officials expect the room to be completed for a session of City Court on Nov. 17.
The City Council Wednesday approved a courtroom project change order for $5,600 and amended the budget to reflect the changes recommended by the city’s architect. The new contract will total $588,620. H&K Services of Leon is the contractor for the work.
During a brief session, the Council set new fees in a contract with Pomeroy Appraisal Associates of Syracuse: $2,600 this year to $3,100 in 2014. The city and the Seneca Nation of Indians split the fees.
Pomeroy annually considers all property sales recorded in the last year and adjusts annual land lease payments to the Senecas. Most of the city is located on the Seneca’s Allegany Territory.
The information is then passed to the Joint Leasing Commission — comprising city and Seneca appointees — which must approve the lease rolls by Dec. 1.
Lease payments are due to the city by Feb. 15 from residential and commercial leaseholders. Vecchiarella said the adjustment for this year was an increase of $2,600.
Also, the Council approved a purchase agreement with the city’s Industrial Development Agency for 18-20 Main St. The IDA recently purchased the former car dealership and obtained a 15-year mortgage with Cattaraugus County Bank.
The city will make monthly payments to the IDA until the mortgage is fully paid and at that time will take title to the site. The first payment approved is for $59,478, which includes taxes and six monthly mortgage payments of $8,217 each.
The city will use casino revenues for the payments.
The city and IDA together will determine use of the building, which now is partially occupied by the Salamanca Area Senior Center.
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