[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-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",[32,76,88,100],{"_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":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6511361,"mediaKeyId","5331673-28e864badbcf07596b00011ee2215627","parentId",5331673,"title","Seneca County Board approves budget amendments, personnel actions, grants and local law public hearing; tourism grant amended","audioSeconds",749,"startMs",3167000,"endMs",3916000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5331673-28e864badbcf07596b00011ee2215627&start=3167&end=3916","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5331673-28e864badbcf07596b00011ee2215627/thumbnail_3167000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6511361/New-York/Seneca-County-Board-approves-budget-amendments-personnel-actions-grants-and-local-law-public-hearing-tourism-grant-amended","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6511361-1cddbb16af90f3834cbc37904e11b23d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771183773&Signature=OYFBR1IAFGq-5tHHeLCv2rZI0GxuMmAZbGHhIhY5uU8C~oorzHrERS2ImqqqfpjGihCfSwxCFy2I83MiTxtBW5nVgHFnB2SJwxjdGj46F5gVGQL6WBFzbcjTm1alCWzLBdAW~Sjj1BpHYW~Szv7ZMv-iRHO-IRhxZxmZ-g5mV6oZfh6SE4eFzvL7YBNaaxBxUweaayUCMGV5RcI9NsbrmuoUBPLqJTTX5z-EjnIV3lMx9p2XJLpHpRG779VU51Z0RLRVByULqfQsem2iIqJrL93TPojQIRnUe~Xj-tQoEQaxYilxVi4g7P20KJ1SvDlfHGG7~pOqjUwOqncAzRmuSA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Seneca County, NY","date","2025-07-03T20:18:06Z","article","The Seneca County Board of Supervisors approved a block of routine and consent items and took separate action on several grants and appointments during the meeting.

Key actions approved (agenda numbers as presented at the meeting):

12 — Authorize amendments to the 2025 Seneca County budget. Outcome: approved.

13 — Workforce Development / Youth Bureau: Brightest Star recognition support for sixth-grade students. Outcome: approved.

14 — (text not specified in transcript). Outcome: approved.

15 — (text not specified in transcript). Outcome: approved.

16 — (text not specified in transcript). Outcome: approved.

17 — (text not specified in transcript). Outcome: approved.

18 — Introduced proposed Local Law C of 2025 (amending Local Law 2 of 2024 to authorize youths ages 12–13 to hunt deer with an adult licensed hunter); board set a public hearing for Aug. 12, 2025. Outcome: motion carried; public hearing scheduled.

19–24 — Supervisors moved and approved a consent block covering agenda items 19 through 24 (each item text not fully specified in the transcript). Outcome: approved as a block.

25 — Approve creation and filling of two part-time special patrol officer positions (court). Outcome: approved.

26 — Reclassify one full-time senior mental health clinical therapist to one full-time substance abuse counselor. Outcome: approved.

27 — Create/fill a part-time assistant public defender position. Outcome: approved.

28 — Approve creation/filling of Director of Temporary Assistance and Eligibility Services (Workforce Development). Outcome: approved.

29 — Creation/filling of intensive case manager position. Outcome: approved.

30 — Amend existing contracts with Wendell to satisfy terms and conditions of Environmental Facilities Corporation grants. Outcome: approved.

31 — Authorize rental contract with South Seneca Central School District to provide a deputy sheriff for extended school days and repairs. Outcome: approved.

32 — Declare surplus fuel tank and authorize its auction. Outcome: approved.

33 — Approve tourism promotion development grant funds for Seneca Lake Resorts for July 4 presentation. Outcome: approved.

34 — Tourism promotion development grant for Downtown Seneca Falls Christmas lights and It’s a Wonderful Life 5K: the board considered the request, then amended the grant award from $2,500 to $5,000 (citing policy category for capital improvements with more than five-year lifespan); Supervisor recorded an abstention on the final vote. Outcome: approved as amended; one abstention.

35 — (text not specified in transcript). Outcome: approved.

36 — Approve purchase of one Hewlett Packard VM server for Emergency Management Office in the amount of $24,482.74; funds from a state grant program noted. Outcome: approved.

37 — (special order of the day motion; text not specified). Outcome: approved.

Several personnel and position-creation resolutions (multiple agenda items) were approved by voice vote or consent; in most cases the transcript records only \"aye\" or that the motion carried. When the agenda text was not included in the available transcript, the board labelled the item number and the motion was approved without additional discussion recorded in the transcript.

No recorded roll-call tallies by named supervisor were provided in the transcript for most items; motions were seconded and carried by voice vote unless otherwise noted in the minutes. Where the transcript omitted motion text or details, this summary marks those items as \"not specified.\"","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Seneca County Board of Supervisors will hold their July Board Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Seneca County Board of Supervisors approved a set of budget amendments, personnel changes, grant awards and other routine measures at the meeting, and set a public hearing for an amended local hunting law.","taxTitle","Seneca, New York","taxId",53220,"location","New York","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6511366,"New NYSEG municipal relations manager introduces outreach plan as residents report low-voltage brownouts",110,2246000,2356000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5331673-28e864badbcf07596b00011ee2215627&start=2246&end=2356","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5331673-28e864badbcf07596b00011ee2215627/thumbnail_2246000.jpg","/articles/6511366/New-York/New-NYSEG-municipal-relations-manager-introduces-outreach-plan-as-residents-report-low-voltage-brownouts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6511366-9053d4e46c103f918041008f44e210c9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771134819&Signature=Xco2SKXvIfXw3XayBS2OjbdR2tV4p2XTQyLYCGSZvL0hQvFXt1Memf~HCpKVZNhtO7~s9Zm0U0oMo8ihTzp5t3m33yXAWMAqbQ5bjcU06BEyxbZaanqsToSf2Uaillu8R83zT-ukZTneRELbMlNULqct6aJ3k0~JWA~J-4Ii4DgmXKGgqlUHft1Yq-ZVB-qJQavuuGwvCQUYDs8CDbXkzWO-ceFOlCJ0Mhm6UH0DPmXw3RgYvvAXZGF2wU-Sjr~8prkXwzjHjSdqHsgx5oTkc1oyM4acseNaDUaz78fUMK0qN6wgawoiPmyETUD7KZ3wZenMM3LJ-VVMyfUrT6dDKQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Maureen Reester introduced herself to the board as NYSEG’s new municipal and community relations manager for Seneca, Cayuga, Wayne and Onondaga counties and said she will be the direct contact for local outages and constituent concerns.

Reester encouraged supervisors and residents to share contact information and said NYSEG is willing to set up meetings and community connection events to explain the company’s recently filed rate case with the New York State Public Service Commission and infrastructure upgrade plans.

A resident raised concerns about chronic low voltage and \"brownouts,\" saying primary wires and equipment serving parts of the area date to the 1940s and reporting measured voltages \"around 96, 97 volts per leg\" over a weekend. The resident asked supervisors to advocate to NYSEG for upgrades.

Reester acknowledged the issue and said she had just started in the job after the previous manager retired in April; she offered to collect the constituent’s account information and escalate the concern, and she said NYSEG publishes walk-in hours and community connection event schedules on its website. She also said NYSEG can meet with supervisors and municipalities to explain rate-plan details and proposed infrastructure investments.

Supervisor Partee described NYSEG’s community-connection events — staffed customer-service representatives available for one-on-one billing and program questions — and encouraged residents to use walk-in offices in Geneva or Auburn. Reester said NYSEG will work with municipalities to promote future events and pursue sites where they will reach more residents.

No formal county action on utility policy or infrastructure was taken at the meeting; Reester said NYSEG will follow up with supervisors about scheduling and constituent cases.

","Maureen Reester, NYSEG's new municipal and community relations manager covering Seneca County, introduced herself and offered to set up local meetings; residents reported low voltage and brownouts and asked the utility to pursue infrastructure upgrades tied to a pending rate case.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6511371,"Residents petition for \"rights of nature\" protections for Great Lakes; county hears algal bloom and wastewater concerns",2020,1794000,3814000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5331673-28e864badbcf07596b00011ee2215627&start=1794&end=3814","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5331673-28e864badbcf07596b00011ee2215627/thumbnail_1794000.jpg","/articles/6511371/New-York/Residents-petition-for-rights-of-nature-protections-for-Great-Lakes-county-hears-algal-bloom-and-wastewater-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6511371-be3c872926530361f97d92da9351c890/orig.mp4?Expires=1771183773&Signature=JO1YX2scH-ewUAY0Oeif0YMyudZuiTJ-FOfryypB40dwiFIATL537qnVUvSkBBlo8Qeh45nq-2crj-Jaro175RdflFK3JDP954P4YtlDm6Bwu7lFTKF11mxOYrYE9Lj8YOHhZWfa~lxDI0GRdX~aWcG2zHuFoYUNJcMECMqX4KdBScdXmlsgcIJhLqp5DyAONzBWxYxgSNImYY0YsceFLRBfsC4Kicml7qUHbm-fzQwi4vho8B8gPzJtmx1OsyyIhd6xKtsiW745DON1DigRSzOodOsJh3YH20kQP1mM5PjcGqBnE0RstDdwmS1RhRvKpdKR-PNlimPPOJuUdTNYAQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Anthony Del Plato, a Seneca Falls resident and local chef, told the Board of Supervisors he submitted a petition asking the county to support a legislative effort to recognize rights for waters and ecosystems, referencing an Assembly bill introduced by Assemblyman Patrick Burke on March 19, 2025.

Del Plato urged lawmakers to adopt a \"rights of nature\" framework that would, he said, give legal recognition and protection to watersheds and ecosystems. He cited peer-reviewed research and broader concerns about chemicals such as glyphosate and PFAS in food and water; those scientific claims were presented by Del Plato as the basis for his petition and were attributed to him in the meeting.

\"All New Yorkers are connected through our water, and so this bill protects us all,\" Del Plato said, quoting Assemblyman Burke as he described the proposed Great Lakes and State Waters Bill of Rights.

Another resident, Frank Plasquitz, told the board he supported Del Plato's petition and emphasized the county’s natural assets — including canals and the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge — as reasons to protect water resources.

Later in the meeting, a county staff member identified as Scott addressed supervisors about the first algal bloom the county had recorded this season. Scott said the earliest bloom this year appeared on Cuba Lake and that the county planned to begin public messaging on how to spot and report harmful algal blooms (HABs). He said blooms are more likely in patterns of hot weather followed by heavy rain.

Scott also explained regulatory responsibility for wastewater systems: local health departments regulate on-site systems (those of 1,000 gallons per day or less), while the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation regulates larger municipal wastewater treatment plants. He told supervisors that combined sewer systems and aging infrastructure can cause partially treated discharges during heavy rain, and that treatment plant upgrades and grants can reduce those events.

Supervisor Latini raised constituent complaints about visible material in Seneca Lake during heavy rainfall events; Scott said that in some instances overloaded plants can discharge material that may pose a risk on direct contact, and recommended the DEC’s \"know it, avoid it, report it\" guidance for HABs and discharges.

The board received the public comments and heard staff explanations; no formal policy change or vote on the petition was recorded at the meeting.","A petitioner urged the county to support a New York Assembly bill recognizing rights for the Great Lakes and state waters; residents and county staff discussed recent algal blooms and wastewater treatment discharges, and the county public health representative outlined regulatory responsibilities.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6511376,"STEPS highlights decade of resident-led health projects, seeks sustainability after Ovid fire",1111,561000,1672000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5331673-28e864badbcf07596b00011ee2215627&start=561&end=1672","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5331673-28e864badbcf07596b00011ee2215627/thumbnail_561000.jpg","/articles/6511376/New-York/STEPS-highlights-decade-of-resident-led-health-projects-seeks-sustainability-after-Ovid-fire","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6511376-033b5ffe23d9669f70dc66c8734adf7b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771183773&Signature=UajvvxE7SGgK3CfsSjfbNBqSX1V52m3LGln31w2~4onzknCp1z5ZXKjtYdaHaow6RLD4jzHOUNr05LM05rqhzc~DkzY1P~rGTDPbwrRp-AR1h8zmH~j7lOVK6T~6qpxeSFczGz5ESRyBjRjrAF8ENKwPapKmSsIoMOx7XQrYfgQ2Bw6bamRURe1NqmDkbSUMMjrsOORg5-Asr6FwLEmD4lQNnq17vy-u7gIt3TYo40yqM886ZmJ~KCmW0nPV~CBbCRmq7q5yycWg3u0lBMUdHNyPiUdKTNvSdej89JITtFdNu8Bew7XUwramj6xv3yOMRSyEu9dlnc~Ve4ZXkrJbJg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Theresa Lahr, project director of Seneca Towns Engaging People for Solutions (STEPS), told the Seneca County Board of Supervisors that the resident-led program has spent more than a decade running community health projects in the southern end of the county and is now working on a leadership transition and sustainability plan after a major fire in Ovid.

STEPS launched in December 2013 as part of the Greater Rochester Health Foundation’s Neighborhood Health Status Improvement initiative, a multi-phase grant program that, Lahr said, represents about $2,000,000 of investment over roughly 11 years. The project focuses on the towns of Covert, Lodi, Ovid and Romulus, covering about 166 square miles of South Seneca County, Lahr said, and supports small resident-driven efforts such as community festivals, micro-enterprise loans, book boxes and youth activities.

\"My name is Theresa Lahr, and I am the project director of Seneca Towns Engaging People for Solutions,\" Lahr told the board. She described STEPS’ approach as “asset-based community development,” which emphasizes resident leadership, local assets and small seed funding to help residents organize events or start micro-enterprises.

A short documentary clip shown during the presentation framed the larger grant program behind STEPS. \"It happens when you invest directly into people, places, and neighborhoods,\" said Hannah Castelli, identified in the clip as a program officer with the Greater Rochester Health Foundation, explaining the five-phase NHSI process that moves from resident engagement and asset mapping through sustainability and policy work.

Lahr said residents have completed more than 121 small health-promotion projects under STEPS and credited the program with helping communities respond quickly after a destructive fire in Ovid. She described how residents and partners used STEPS’ local relationships to stand up a temporary office, route donations and coordinate immediate needs for displaced people after the blaze.

Lahr said she will transition to a part-time advisory role and named Emily Hoffman as the incoming project leader; Dr. O'Keefe of Lodi is serving as community engagement coordinator and Deborah Putney as a technical advisor on asset-based approaches. Lahr also noted Pivotal Public Health Partnership is the formal grantee and that Pivotal’s executive director, Michelle Foster, has committed to keeping the project operating.

The presentation included a list of accomplishments and promoted an upcoming community meeting: a STEPS “Risers” community meeting scheduled for July 14 at the Ovid Fire Department, where residents and an evaluation coach, Alice Mann, will review progress and evaluation findings. Lahr emphasized STEPS’ participatory evaluation methods, including resident surveys, focus groups and direct observations.

Board members thanked Lahr for the briefing and acknowledged the role of partners and funders in sustaining the work. Lahr asked supervisors and attendees to spread the word about the July 14 meeting.

The board received the presentation; no formal action was recorded.","Project director Theresa Lahr told the Seneca County Board that Seneca Towns Engaging People for Solutions (STEPS) has run resident-driven health projects since 2013, funded through a Greater Rochester Health Foundation initiative; the program is shifting leadership and seeking sustainability after a large fire in Ovid.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Seneca County Board approves budget amendments, personnel actions, grants and local law public hearing; tourism grant amended

New NYSEG municipal relations manager introduces outreach plan as residents report low-voltage brownouts

Residents petition for "rights of nature" protections for Great Lakes; county hears algal bloom and wastewater concerns

STEPS highlights decade of resident-led health projects, seeks sustainability after Ovid fire