[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6570889,"mediaKeyId","3805906-f4d39f6f1ba1af6ffe70ea10a3a972a2","parentId",3805906,"title","Public commenters urge action on DSS staffing, tree removals and watershed protections","audioSeconds",718,"startMs",1460000,"endMs",2178000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3805906-f4d39f6f1ba1af6ffe70ea10a3a972a2&start=1460&end=2178","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3805906-f4d39f6f1ba1af6ffe70ea10a3a972a2/thumbnail_1460000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6570889/Cayuga-County/New-York/Public-commenters-urge-action-on-DSS-staffing-tree-removals-and-watershed-protections","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6570889-4a26eda78b91f9280d357b4d7017aefa/orig.mp4?Expires=1771175649&Signature=f3MRr2aHH4r5PQ~8FwY8RnNoiSSXQeBitg1gkGHUSVlvznkwNrW-tJh68~jAyOqbqwv7nThPRWE58ErJs6kBNMSkN8cqaf4G45IudUEyfMAiZJwSLqgTFWv3J-ic8JwjIaYyDcGnmrM4HzOVAw6Fxe~DWgWoL6u7Q65~L7qg7GCzuo8odKj4GFachBEaT9RPQfOxffLD3mrKZKsw~nhGwwRilXS8~tloyEUNLxTtwD26c4RTfU8sGyMO5Pyu1Dxl9pMns3v3Uw1q5m5emhVsymRBccH2l-TEpnILWECN04-vVAxSPFi~11hjm-2WLuSHgKi~0v3uX3b6al9ijD8Arw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Cayuga County, NY","date","2025-04-23T11:42:35Z","article","Several members of the public used the comment period at the Cayuga County legislative meeting to raise separate concerns about social services staffing levels, a local road/tree work affecting a homeowner’s privacy and daylighting calls for county support on watershed protections.

A commenter reading on behalf of senior caseworkers and supervisors at the county Department of Social Services described high caseloads in child-protective services (one claim that some workers have more than 50 CPS cases) and said foster-care and preventive units are understaffed; the speaker asked the legislature to consider sign-on bonuses, retention incentives and position reclassifications. The commenter said staff are burning out and the department’s ability to protect families is strained because of vacancies and overtime demands. The transcript records this as a public-comment appeal to the legislature rather than a staff presentation.

Another resident said crews working on a local road (Palsy Road) removed about eight trees adjacent to her property despite a request that certain trees be left for privacy and shade; she said she received no detailed written plan, expressed concern about shallow sewer lines and asked that the county provide a written plan and restore privacy plantings where possible.

Public speakers also urged county support for revisions to the Owasco Lake watershed rules and asked the legislature to pass a resolution supporting closure of the Seneca Meadows landfill; those themes were echoed later in a separate resolution that the legislature adopted opposing the landfill’s expansion.

Legislators did not respond to public comments during the meeting beyond routine procedural notes that the board does not comment during public comment; several items raised by speakers are addressed in committee reports or are subject to other county processes (for example, capital or public-works planning for the road-tree issue and personnel actions or budget decisions for DSS staffing).","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Cayuga County Legislature Meeting - April 22, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Public comment speakers raised concerns about Department of Social Services staffing shortages and resignations, a homeowner’s complaint about tree removal for a road project, and calls for county support for Owasco Lake watershed rule revisions and opposition to Seneca Meadows expansion.","taxTitle","Cayuga County, New York","taxId",68314,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6570894,"Small Business Development Center director outlines services and growth in Cayuga County",96,804000,900000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3805906-f4d39f6f1ba1af6ffe70ea10a3a972a2&start=804&end=900","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3805906-f4d39f6f1ba1af6ffe70ea10a3a972a2/thumbnail_804000.jpg","/articles/6570894/Cayuga-County/New-York/Small-Business-Development-Center-director-outlines-services-and-growth-in-Cayuga-County","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6570894-12988ef98ed10145d7cdd968e113fe42/orig.mp4?Expires=1771175649&Signature=glXJVptdeBJTs5L177xg~lD-2~MVm67xEY~8GaDtyHgiRncWMKRjlV8LRbVApHv4cHHkFGfx7dnpmvtGFEHOWp6b9hp~U8nSCNiYUtgaEtsqH4M8me5oBIe7KY9n-GjaUn-13~9YKP6TIU8FQMmSNSPbJFom0jj3bWQeOMSeisveOX0F3Rkhd58krHO5znIkngY7ncFphkRmfv0PQP~DwyiVUhGf1JrIcPlGo2YFmwIr~ZnFzAvjgTKtT03B5rDpoL6Bnai~BIsxZIPD-piMLQUN1jO4DE0ehGTlZDRpipG2IN2LhZaTY-Em3WYTZHVdFk4EGy31WppQOCWIqxCiog__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Robert Griffin, regional director for government, business and economic development with the Upstate New York Small Business Development Center, told the Cayuga County Legislature that the center provides no-cost, confidential advising to entrepreneurs and small-business owners across its eight-county region.

Griffin said the SBDC is grant-funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration, delivered through the SUNY Research Foundation, and operated locally by Onondaga Community College in partnership with Jefferson Community College. He said the center serves roughly 1,600–1,700 clients a year across the region and that the Cayuga County office has more than tripled local clients served since 2022; this year the local office expected to serve more than 110–120 clients in the county and to log more than 1,000 advising hours across the region.

Griffin described the SBDC’s services — business planning, lender readiness, access to capital, market and industry research, procurement guidance and financial modeling — and noted the center’s Research Network and government-technology procurement assistance. He said about 60–75% of the SBDC’s Cayuga County clients are located in the city of Auburn and that an advisor is available in Auburn four days a week at an office provided by the Chamber of Commerce at 2 State Street.

Griffin highlighted two local success stories: Simple Rose Coffee (named SBA Upstate New York District rural small business of the year) and Robin Long (named Cayuga County small business of the year by the center). He encouraged legislators to share the free services with constituents who are starting or expanding small businesses and noted the center documents economic impact — he cited last year’s figure of roughly $22 million in local investment leveraged by clients in the region.

The presentation was received with thanks from the chair and legislators and followed by routine committee business.","The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) presented to the legislature on the center’s no-cost advising, regional coverage, client volume and recent local successes, highlighting a local advisor stationed four days per week in Auburn.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6570897,"Cayuga County Legislature passes resolution opposing Seneca Meadows landfill expansion",515,4625000,5140000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3805906-f4d39f6f1ba1af6ffe70ea10a3a972a2&start=4625&end=5140","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3805906-f4d39f6f1ba1af6ffe70ea10a3a972a2/thumbnail_4625000.jpg","/articles/6570897/Cayuga-County/New-York/Cayuga-County-Legislature-passes-resolution-opposing-Seneca-Meadows-landfill-expansion","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6570897-f2d88ba848c2a61d8cd15a343d597747/orig.mp4?Expires=1771175649&Signature=NMtFsZdnKDgr1A3UMuhiJpbkQEY7RdzWXZzzyIe2dxR~KeOf9IJLb-WKvi3OELt3ro4gHywW0p9yAJjeK2LpNP8YaLhOV8pPmtf2JQ-g6lA3gnE~Cmyf5iZRiCmpgP-jASzPO3wTTr5MTUhuqZFUAQpuzINUxAR3HO2GM1g3y4mEpURPCStnnSMpBUg5wsEIVCMHKsATkIwiqLholGqDPagqdR6P6b-LkB3IapKYqr7ZgCkn6UAGxcGDYVJPszEEAZfFPekOS34zv0yA9rGqjiCfxCcThcl-6EhUDoXkFtrPT6vXkNE2b9MkgcogrVagTkATsYrZoSCIIJVo7K21dw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Cayuga County Legislature adopted a resolution opposing expansion of the Seneca Meadows landfill and asking New York State officials to review related practices and permit matters, the legislature recorded in a roll-call vote.

The resolution, introduced by legislators citing regional environmental and infrastructure concerns, asked the New York State Public Service Commission and the state Attorney General’s Office to conduct an independent audit of related billing practices and requested that copies of the resolution be sent to state lawmakers and county officials.

During discussion several legislators spoke in favor of the resolution citing potential impacts on water quality, increased truck traffic and damage to scenic and agricultural assets in the Finger Lakes region. Other legislators opposed moving the resolution, arguing the county has no ready plan to assume waste-disposal responsibilities or to absorb the cost of hauling trash to more distant facilities.

The roll-call vote recorded seven Yes votes, two No votes, one abstention and one absence (Stephanie DeVito excused). Votes recorded in the transcript: Ben Vitale — Aye; Tom Winslow — Aye; Bob Shea — Aye; Elaine Mcdav Coleman — Abstain; Hans Petcher — No; Mark Stroud — No; Heidi Nengel — Aye; Elaine Neely — Aye; Stephanie DeVito — Excused/absent; Brian Monroe — Aye; Jonathan (last name not specified) — Aye.

The resolution asks the legislature clerk to send copies to Gov. Kathy Hochul, the state Assembly and Senate leadership, state lawmakers identified in the text, county town supervisors and the New York State Association of Counties. The resolution passed and will be distributed to the listed state and local officials for any follow-up action at the state level.","After public comments and debate, the legislature approved a resolution opposing the proposed expansion of the Seneca Meadows landfill and requested state audits; the measure passed by roll call, with two No votes and one abstention.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":92,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6570902,"Legislature approves multiple contract, staffing and grant resolutions; sets public hearing on salary increases",1388,3752000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3805906-f4d39f6f1ba1af6ffe70ea10a3a972a2&start=3752&end=5140","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3805906-f4d39f6f1ba1af6ffe70ea10a3a972a2/thumbnail_3752000.jpg","/articles/6570902/Cayuga-County/New-York/Legislature-approves-multiple-contract-staffing-and-grant-resolutions-sets-public-hearing-on-salary-increases","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6570902-30b7faed2ecd30c77e941a5785e5f6f0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771175649&Signature=EwsmFm9fRScc7VnBE-UgLBSAhIl92S4VtuwT0zhcC4piAucIuT8Kn-UiU4jb6YetQ2au~fGD0Ys53JDmWTPwTCqZb0gmykdriE4U96-l0LXWqwxtti8xUyVzTtnM-v9yszmLyhsQZK1-UGiR4X-sktjPJTOH8wplLviHrLlx0wEb-gMZwhHaUfiCoUSsPUxU2iHZvGF4OKDjWmnUCXQMqKTKSnm~JrdLSoN-UTq~S6AKR9mG27N6M3o585fG0CvzeOWQR2nxnqH0e-SWs6hYWKey-enhDXAkQWUenTDXQqxcZK6zH32P3-4~tO3yCQZbsKc0EzhlGgNUcPu3BMwb5Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Cayuga County legislators on an evening session approved multiple bundled resolutions across Ways & Means, Health & Human Services, Planning, Public Works and Judicial/Public Safety committees and set a public hearing next month to consider a local law that would raise salaries for certain county officers.

The bulk of the meeting consisted of committee bundles the legislature moved and passed by voice vote. Approved items included assessment settlement authorizations in Ways & Means (properties on Grand Avenue, Genesee Street and a parcel in the town of Sennett), several contracts and grant agreements in Health & Human Services (including agreements with New York State Homes and Community Renewal, the state Department of Health drinking-water grant, a contract with the Finger Lakes SPCA, funding for summer camp for TANF-eligible families, and a counseling contract with Moravia Central School District), and multiple staffing fills for social services, public health and mental-health grant-funded positions.

Legislators also approved planning and parks contracts (including a three-year agreement with Friends of the Strawberry Island Nature Center and a municipal parks & recreation grant application) and public-works items such as renewed plan-design work with Collier and lease amendments for city court space. The legislature moved a package of judicial/public-safety grant acceptances and program agreements and approved a temporary change in the deputy sheriffs’ bargaining agreement to allow a 12-hour shift pilot for up to six months beginning May 1, 2025.

On government-operations items, the legislature set a public hearing for next month on a local law to provide a salary increase for certain county officers elected or appointed for a fixed term during their terms; because the public notice timetable required more lead time, the hearing was scheduled rather than a final vote on the local law.

Votes recorded by name appear where roll-call or abstention were taken. Health & Human Services item HH7 passed with one recorded abstention by Legislator Mulford. The most detailed roll-call occurred on a separate resolution opposing the expansion of the Seneca Meadows landfill (see related article). A resolution to initiate state-level action on New York State electric-billing practices also passed on voice vote.

The session included several recognitions — a proclamation declaring May 2025 as Mental Health Awareness Month and recognition of county employees and volunteers for emergency response — and public-comment topics before business, which included tree removals related to a local road project and concerns about Department of Social Services staffing (public comments summarized separately).

The legislature passed the bundled items and individual motions largely by voice vote or unanimous consent; where members requested roll call or recorded abstentions those are noted in the full meeting minutes and in the separate article about the Seneca Meadows resolution for the single roll-call recording.","The Cayuga County Legislature voted to approve a series of bundled contracts, grant renewals and position fills across departments and set a public hearing next month on a proposed local law to raise certain fixed-term county officers' salaries. A separate resolution opposing expansion at Seneca Meadows landfill passed by roll call.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Public commenters urge action on DSS staffing, tree removals and watershed protections

Small Business Development Center director outlines services and growth in Cayuga County

Cayuga County Legislature passes resolution opposing Seneca Meadows landfill expansion

Legislature approves multiple contract, staffing and grant resolutions; sets public hearing on salary increases