Tompkins Legislature OKs temporary purchase of Dutch Mill Road property after heated public debate over Board of Elections

The Tompkins County Legislature voted 9–5 on Aug. 5 to authorize purchase of property at 31 Dutch Mill Road in Lansing to serve as temporary swing space during the county’s center‑of‑government project.

The purchase authorization came after weeks of debate and extensive public comment criticizing the site’s accessibility. Legislator Lee Shurtleff introduced the measure; Legislator Greg Mezey moved an amendment that removed the Tompkins County Board of Elections from automatic placement at the Dutch Mill site and added a requirement that the legislature must later vote on which departments would occupy the property. That amendment passed 12–2; the final, amended purchase authorization passed 9–5.

The amendment also included a provision stating, in part, that “the Tompkins County Board of Elections will not be” among departments to be moved to the site; and that legislators will vote on specific placements before any relocations occur.

Why it matters

Legislators said the property would provide needed “swing space” while the county demolishes and rebuilds government buildings downtown — a process administrators say could take four to five years — and could deliver savings compared with multi‑year lease costs. Opponents said the Dutch Mill Road site, in an industrial corridor north of Ithaca, is not accessible by frequent public transit and would place services farther from many residents who rely on walking and bus connections.

What the meeting record shows

Public speakers displayed broad opposition to locating highly public offices at the Dutch Mill Road site. Mary Carol Lindbloom of the American Association of University Women said the site has “limited TCAT bus service” and urged keeping the Board of Elections in downtown Ithaca. Sally Grubb, speaking for the League of Women Voters of Tompkins County, said in‑person services are essential during elections and warned a split or remote office would complicate secure election operations.

Irene Weiser of the Town of Caroline called the resolution vague and said the county should publish criteria for which departments might move, then allow public comment. Andrea Champlin, statewide systems advocate at the Finger Lakes Independent Center, described mobility barriers at the site, including the absence of sidewalks and curb cuts at the nearby intersection.

Some speakers supported the purchase. Robert Lynch, an Enfield council member, told the legislature the Dutch Mill Road parcel offers convenient free parking for some rural residents and said elected officials should have debated the issue on the floor before a county news release announced a change in plans.

Legislators’ discussion and votes

Legislators who supported the amended purchase cited time pressures tied to the demolition schedule for three downtown buildings, the logistical need to move certain departments before IT servers are disconnected, and savings compared with multi‑year leasing. Legislator Deborah Dawson said the location was a relatively low price for usable swing space and emphasized the purchase was temporary.

Opponents, including Legislators Shawna Black, Travis Brooks, Veronica Pillar and Mike Sigler, said they could not support buying the property without publicly disclosing which departments would move and how access would be assured for transit‑dependent residents. Black and Brooks voted no on both the amendment and the final motion; Sigler and Veronica Pillar voted no on the final motion.

Roll call (final motion authorizing acquisition of 31 Dutch Mill Road) — recorded from meeting roll call: Shawna Black: no; Travis Brooks: no; Randy Brown: yes; Amanda Champion: yes; Deborah Dawson: yes; Rich John: no; Anne Korman: yes; Mike Lane: yes; Greg Mezey: yes; Dan Nolan: yes; Veronica Pillar: no; Lee Shurtleff: yes; Mike Sigler: no; Dan Klein: yes. Motion passed…