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Little Falls board approves ARC Herkimer pilot program, four-year fire pact and overrides tax levy limit
Summary
The Town Board of Little Falls on Oct. 15 approved a 20-year pilot for ARC Herkimer’s event center, adopted a four-year intermunicipal fire protection agreement with the City of Little Falls, and enacted Local Law 3-2024 to override New York’s property tax levy limit for 2025.
The Town Board of Little Falls on Oct. 15 voted to approve a 20-year pilot program for ARC Herkimer’s event center, accept a four-year intermunicipal emergency services agreement with the City of Little Falls, and adopt Local Law 3-2024 to override the state tax levy limit for 2025.
Supervisor Daniel Casler, the town supervisor, led the meeting after the board returned from an executive session; by roll-call votes the board passed the measures unanimously among members present (Councilmen Kirk Schwasnick, Kevin Sullivan and Mitch Soules; Councilman Anthony Viscomi was absent). The board recorded no action taken during the executive session.
The ARC Herkimer pilot program (Resolution #76) permits ARC Herkimer’s Event Center to proceed under a proposed 20-year pilot that begins at $10,000 in payments to the town and increases by 2.5% annually. The board also required a separate agreement in which ARC Herkimer agrees not to seek tax-exempt status for the golf course and event center and to continue paying taxes annually with the stated increases.
On the emergency services agreement (Resolution #77) the board accepted a City of Little Falls proposal for fire protection covering Jan. 1, 2025, through Dec. 31, 2028. The contract sets payments from the Town to the City of Little Falls at $74,444.67 for 2025; $76,305.79 for 2026; $78,213.43 for 2027; and $80,168.76 for 2028. The resolution authorizes the town supervisor to sign the agreement.
The board also enacted Local Law #3-2024 (Resolution #78) to override the limit on the amount of real property taxes that may be levied under General Municipal Law § 3-c. The local law cites subdivision 5 of GML § 3-c as authority, authorizes the town to adopt a 2025 budget with a levy in excess of the statutory limit and takes effect upon filing with the New York State Secretary of State.
Votes at a glance: Resolution #76 (ARC Herkimer pilot program) — adopted by roll call (Ayes: Casler, Schwasnick, Sullivan, Soules). Resolution #77 (2025–2028 intermunicipal emergency services agreement) — adopted by roll call (Ayes: Casler, Schwasnick, Sullivan, Soules). Resolution #78 (Local Law #3-2024 tax levy override) — adopted by roll call (Ayes: Casler, Schwasnick, Sullivan, Soules). Resolution numbers and outcomes were recorded in the official minutes.
Other board business that evening included rescinding a previously proposed indemnity resolution (Resolution #79), approving a $4,100 addendum for Barton & Loguidice related to ARC Herkimer (Resolution #83), and authorizing payment of general and highway bills (Resolutions #84 and #85). The board adopted the tentative 2025 budget as the preliminary budget and scheduled a public hearing for Nov. 12, 2024 (Resolution #86).
No public comments opposing the Local Law were recorded during the hearing on Oct. 15, according to the minutes. The board’s next regular meeting is scheduled for Nov. 12, 2024, immediately following the public hearing on the 2025 budget.
