Casanova residents urge pause on county purchase of Reisman and Sighetty Halls, cite historic and safety concerns

Residents of Casanova told the Madison County Board of Supervisors during public comment that the county should pause its purchase of the Reisman and Sighetty Halls properties in the village and allow time for community-led planning and review.

Why it matters: The two buildings sit at the center of the village’s business and historic district, residents said. Locating a law-enforcement facility on the site, they argued, could change traffic patterns, affect property values and alter the character of the walkable historic core.

Multiple speakers addressed the board during the meeting’s public-comment period. Anne Ferguson of Waterbury Road told the board she sees a contradiction between the board’s recent resolution opposing state-level siting overreach and what she described as the county’s own overreach into village land use. “You either believe in home rule or you don't,” Ferguson said. She asked the board to call the New York attorney general and “pause the approval process, and allow the community to find alternate buyers and desirable uses.”

Other speakers reiterated concerns about scale and compatibility. Jean Smith, a longtime Casanova resident, said a modern sheriff’s operation belongs on a major road or in a less-dense area rather than within an historic residential district. Mark Smith, who described organizing a local grassroots coalition, asked for time to develop a shared vision and a public-private approach to reuse the college campus, saying the Reisman Building “is an integral part of the campus community. Its future use will have a major impact on the village's historic business district.”

Bill Bowen described residents’ frustration with notice and transparency, saying the public learned months after the initial transaction and has since circulated petitions urging a pause and more public hearings. Mayor Ruth Ann Loveless of Hamilton praised recent outreach by county leaders to municipal officials and thanked the county for meeting with area mayors.

Not all comments opposed the county action: Stanley Masic, a Casanova resident, said many in the village support locating the sheriff’s operation in the village and do not expect negative impacts on real estate or business.

What the board did not do: Speakers requested a formal pause or additional hearings; the transcript shows public comment and expressions of concern but does not record a board vote to pause or reverse the purchase during this meeting. The comments were entered into the record and county leaders acknowledged receipt.

Speakers (public comment): Anne Ferguson (Waterbury Road, Casanova), Jean Smith (Foreman Street, Casanova), Mark Smith (Link Lane Street, Casanova), Bill Bowen (Ridge Road, Casanova), Ruth Ann Loveless (mayor, Hamilton), Stanley Masic (Casanova resident), Maria DLC (Corwin Street, Casanova), and others.

Background: Commenters referenced the college campus context, surrounding senior-housing proposals, local historic sites and churches, and noted anecdotal reports from real-estate agents that some buyers had withdrawn offers after learning of the potential sheriff's use. Residents asked for transparency, impact studies and a public process to explore alternate community uses for the properties.

Next steps requested by residents: Public hearings, transparent timelines and impact studies; a temporary pause while local stakeholders organize a public-private reuse effort for the former college campus. The board did not record a vote on those requests during the session.