JAMESTOWN-If you’re looking for a soap opera-like drama to play out as the city and the Village of Falconer fight over a parcel of land, you won’t see City Council President Gregory Rabb take part in it through the media.
Rabb told WNY News Now that, “I won’t put his city at risk by commenting on a case that could go to litigation.”
The comments come just days after Falconer Mayor James Rensel told residents he wouldn’t take money from taxpayers of another town or entity.
According to a Facebook page hosted by the Village of Falconer, the potential village lost is almost $70,000 if Jamestown annexes the land. Its school district would reportedly lose almost $155,000.
Jamestown councilman Tony Dolce told WNYNewsNow he wasn’t surprised by Rensel’s comments.
“His comments are nothing new. He has been saying that since the beginning of this process,” Dolce said. “I would expect that the town (of Ellicott) and village will vote against the proposed resolution and if the city decides to pass the proposal it will go to court for a final ruling as to the legality of the annexation.”
Dolce said the annexation won’t either help or hurt the city.
“Whether or not the annexation goes through, it will not make or break the city budget,” Dolce said. “It is just a recommendation that was initiated at the BPU board to help them with revenues and rate stabilization.”
“It was not initiated by the city council! We are simply exploring the possibility, feasibility and legality of the process.”