13WHAM Waste Watch

WASTE WATCH: Medley Developer Misses Deadline

Thu, 30 May 2013 17:18:36 -0400

Irondequoit, N.Y. – The developer of the Medley Centre in Irondequoit has missed an April milestone, in which he was supposed to show a $165 million investment in the project.

In response, the County of Monroe Industrial Development Agency, or COMIDA, sent Scott Congel a letter dated May 24, which states Congel’s company, Bersin Properties, has 30 business days to provide “satisfactory evidence.”

The milestone is built into a tax deal called a Payment in Lieu of Tax Agreement, or PILOT.

If Congel cannot prove he’s put $165 million into the project, a spokesperson for Monroe County says COMIDA, along with East Irondequoit Central School District and the Town of Irondequoit, can terminate the tax deal.

John Abbott, the deputy superintendent at the East Irondequoit, is not optimistic.

“It’s our feeling there has been no investment beyond what was invested a year ago,” he said.

Even last year’s investment, Abbott says, wasn’t enough.

Congel had to show a $90 million investment.

COMIDA accepted the numbers submitted, while the school district did not.

The school district subsequently tacked on a supplemental payment to the regular PILOT payment in January.

Abbott says Congel refused to pay that penalty fee.

Irondequoit’s town supervisor, Mary Joyce D’Aurizio, acknowledges how difficult it will be for Congel to prove he’s put $165 million into Medley, but worries there’s no one else willing to develop the property.

“If he walks away, we don’t get anything,” she said.

Congel has not missed a PILOT payment.

The New York State comptroller recently reported the PILOT agreement cost taxpayers $1.5 million dollars, but has not created one new job.

Congel, again, did not respond to a request for comment.

Waste Watch: TSA Wastes Money Storing Equipment

Mon, 20 May 2013 16:11:44 -0400

Rochester, N.Y. - The next time you're waiting in the security line at a crowded airport consider this: instead of being in use, thousands of security scanners and other devices worth $185 million dollars are sitting in a warehouse in Texas.

13Wham News learned taxpayers paid for these machines and are now paying to store them.

"TSA is wasting hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars by inefficiently deploying screening equipment," concludes a watchdog report obtained by 13Wham News.

The problem includes 17,000 pieces of security equipment sitting in a warehouse.

Some of it is brand new and some of it is obselete.

Rochester was one of the first airports to test "Rapid Scan" security scanners.

In spite of reassurances of privacy, travelers here gave a thumbs down to the revealing images they created.

"I know if I got up there, I would be extremely uncomfortable and unhappy," said Laurie Gately, a Rochester traveler.

The TSA later used software to obscure the images, but the scanners were eventually pulled from most of the nation's airports.

Thousands of them are now warehoused at the TSA Logistics Center in Dallas, and at three other locations.

The obsolete machines are stacked up next to brand new security scanners, explosive trace detectors and cargo scanners.

"It's real money taken from paychecks by Washington," said Tom Reed about the taxpayer money that was wasted. "There is no incentive for cost effective operation and there is no accountability."

John McCaffrey runs federal security operations in Rochester, Elmira and Syracuse where he was headed today.

"As terrorists progress, we need to change our technology," he explained regarding new machines that are quickly rendered obselete.

McCaffrey pointed to puffer machines which were designed to sniff out airport chemicals associated with bomb making.

McCaffrey said they were effective, so the terrorists turned to liquid explosives. "As technology improves, we need to deploy that type of equipment," he said.

Yet, the report is critical that these machines are not being sold or destroyed, but instead in a warehouse at a continued cost to taxpayers.

McCaffrey agrees with the assessment and suggested the RapidScan, for example, could "be made available to local sheriff departments to screen prisoners."

Yet, the warehouses are also filled with new technology that does not appear to be regularly audited.

For example, 85% of the pieces have been stored longer than six months and 35% for more than a year.

One piece has been in storage for six years which is half of its useful life.

In one case, the TSA admitted purchasing more machines than it needed upfront in order to get a discount.

The report says regular auditing could save taxpayers $800,000 a year in storage costs.

Here is the full report: http://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/5-9-2012-Joint-TSA-Staff-Report-FINAL.pdf

Waste Watch: Canandaigua Harbor Hotel

Thu, 16 May 2013 22:25:00 -0400

Canandaigua, N.Y. - The new Canandaigua Harbor Hotel project at Steamboat Landing has not moved forward on the schedule predicted by the owner, local businessman David Genecco. As recently as January, Genecco predicted an April start to construction at the waterfront site.

13 WHAM spent days trying to uncover the reasons for what appeared to be another delay in the long-anticipated project. Several city officials failed to return calls, while Genecco declined to answer a single question before abruptly terminating our phone call. A call to the number listed on the project website has gone unreturned for a week.

Thursday night, 13 WHAM received a call from Erik Rhodes, a project spokesman who wanted to clear up the confusion that has shrouded the project. Even city leaders lacked answers; Mayor Ellen Polimeni, who has communicated much more willingly than most people associated with this project, didn't know why David Genecco has failed to apply for the next round of project permits. Those include a demolition permit and a building permit.

"I'm hopeful he'll come to the city soon, and I'm hopeful construction will start during this building season," Mayor Polimeni said. "We're excited about this project. We think it will bring great development to the waterfront, and it's important to be patient." Polimeni said she hadn't spoken to Genecco in several weeks and couldn't explain why he hasn't applied for the permits that the city is all too ready to grant.

But Rhodes told 13 WHAM there are simple answers.

Before Genecco can apply for the next permits, Rhodes said the lending bank needs to perform a list of 41 due diligence items. That list includes basic documents, color photographs of the property, three years of tax returns from the principals involved, and more. Rhodes said the due diligence process will begin at the end of May and will require "90 to 120 days, through we're optimistic it could move more quickly than that." That means the due diligence process would be complete around September.

"The financing is in place," Rhodes said. "We understand that people want to see dirt moving, and so do we. We're close, and these next steps are not going to be difficult."

Rhodes could not say whether construction was likely to begin in the fall or winter, or whether the project is now likely to be pushed back until 2014. Mayor Polimeni indicated that the city would like to see ground moving during the traditional construction season, but that appears less likely with the new timeframe.

13 WHAM asked Rhodes why Genecco talked about an April groundbreaking back in January, knowing the lender would have to perform a lengthy due-diligence examination. "I can't speak for David on that, but I think he was probably being ambitious," Rhodes said. "He knows the good in this project and he's confident about getting started." Rhodes said that the lender has met Genecco, visited the site, and reviewed the plan.

But some local taxpayers have lost faith in the project. Cindy Wallace said that she's concerned Genecco hasn't received full clearance from a lender, and she's frustrated that Genecco routinely fails to answer questions about the project. "We feel like we can't get answers from anyone," Wallace said. "Communication has been terrible. We want to see development. Without it, we're not growing, and we're not expanding our tax base. It's been long enough. It's been years."

Wallace points to another concern: Genecco is responsible for a HUD loan on the project, and if he defaults, the city of Canandaigua -- and thus, city taxpayers -- are on the hook. The remaining balance on the loan is $1.2 million, and it's been the subject of confusion.

Mayor Polimeni wrote an essay for MPNnow.com in February and defended the project, writing, "No taxpayer dollars (are) at risk if there were to be a default."

But on Wednesday, she told 13 WHAM News something rather different. When we asked, "Are taxpayers on the hook if Mr. Genecco defaults?", Polimeni responded, "That's a hard question to answer, because there are so many what-ifs. But I'm confident that taxpayers wouldn't be on the hook because of what we've put in place."

She then referred us to city attorney Michele Smith, who told us that Canandaigua (and by extension, city taxpayers) could be on the hook if Genecco defaults. In that circumstance, Canandaigua would likely foreclose on the property, taking possession while also assuming the remaining balance of the loan. The city would then seek a new business developer to take on the site and the HUD loan. "We're not looking to be in the business of foreclosing," Smith said, explaining that the city remains hopeful that Genecco will successfully develop that section of the waterfront.

Rhodes conceded that taxpayers would be on the hook in the case of a default, but he said such a scenario is extremely unlikely. Rhodes said that Genecco could not have gotten this far without significant approvals from the state, local government, and the lender. "The money is there, and David is current on the loan," Rhodes said.

Ultimately, the Canandaigua Harbor Hotel is planned to be a larger version of the very successful Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel. The Watkins Glen hotel has 104 rooms; Canandaigua's would have roughly 150. The same builder is involved, and the same hotel manager has agreed to join the project as well. The project's website boasts of luxurious amenities, such as a spa, high-end dining, water sports, and 47 fractional ownership units. Those units are now for sale, and Rhodes said that once sold, they'll allow the project to operate essentially debt-free.

Here's how the fractional ownership units work: The owner gets possession of the unit for one week at a time, every sixth week. They can stay in the room, rent the room out, or exchange time by staying in a partner property of Resort Condominiums International. Rhodes predicted the units would sell out easily. He said that Genecco has received approval to begin marketing the units, but the sales process has yet to bear fruit because "people don't want to buy until they see dirt moving. Once that happens, the units will move. This is going to be spectacular."

But Rhodes understands that some taxpayers will doubt anything will happen until they see the ground finally move at the site still known as Steamboat Landing. Wallace hopes that's soon, but she's gotten used to delays. "We can't do much but wait," she said. "It feels like that's all we ever do on the Canandaigua waterfront."

Editor's note: This project is separate from the development plans across from Kershaw Park, known as the North Shore project. 13 WHAM News will be examining that project in future reports.

Waste Watch: Family Asking The State To Use Common Sense

Wed, 15 May 2013 18:19:00 -0400

Rochester, N.Y. - They have struggled with New York State for nearly three months regarding special equipment for their developmentally disabled sister.

Their argument has a twist. They want the state to spend less money, not more.

"When we have a chance to save (taxpayer) money, we are not going to take 'no' for an answer," said Doug Pease.

He said the back and forth started in February.

After he saw "Waste Watch" stories on 13Wham News, he enlisted our help.

Together we tried to get the state to listen to common sense.

At the center of the situation is Kim Henchen, a woman who values her independence.

She has cerebral palsy, yet lives on her own with the part time help of two service aids.

What her life is missing is a track system to help lift her in and out of her wheelchair.

"The track system makes it easier for us to lift her and put her in bed," said Marie, who is one of her aids.

There is a simple solution to this dilemma.

It's located in the house Kim shared with her mother.

'It's a lift system," said her brother Doug.

He demonstrated how the fabric lift chair moves via a track system affixed to the ceiling.

"She could be lifted at the door and then this track system would take her into her bedroom and it would place her in her bed," he explained.

A turning mechanism allows someone to guide her down the hall and into the bathroom.

The Parma house is also equipped with an automatic door opener.

When Kim's mother died in February, the family simply wanted to have the equipment moved to her new home.

There was just one problem.

"We were told to take the old systems and throw them away at the curb," said Pease.

"(That) does not make any sense at all because I'm guessing the two systems would probably be between $12 and $15-thousand dollars," he said.

Multiply that cost by two.

Medicaid funds paid for the first set of equipment.

It will also pay for a replacement.

It's all taxpayer money.

"I feel that it's a waste of money," said Kim Henchen.

Her family showed us mounds of paperwork representing three months fo calls and e-mails, but no resolution.

Until now.

After 13WHAM News made a few calls and enlisted the help of CP Rochester, Kim received a letter from the New York State Office For People With Developmental Disabilities granting her a waiver.

It allowed the equipment sitting idle in her mother's home to be moved and put to good use in her own.

"That makes sense to me," said Henchen.

"They work perfectly fine, the door opener is less than a year old and the track is three years old," said Pease.

Kim's family has also kept up the pressure with calls and e-mails.

Ultimately what makes sense to them and for taxpayers now makes sense to the state.

"We are very grateful for the services Kim has received over the years and we want to show that (by) saving money," said Pease.

Waste Watch: Gift Cards And Bonuses Paid For By Taxpayers

Mon, 13 May 2013 23:15:00 -0400

Rochester, N.Y. - There is no shortage of vehicles outside Rochester's Border Patrol office on Pattenwood Drive. They are mostly new, and there are too many to fit in the original lot.

David Gardner drives by often and questions the expense.

"There's a significant amount of vehicles, they've actually established a parking lot across the street and paved it," said Gardner. "So I do want to know."

After receiving similar e-mails from two viewers regarding the vehicles, 13WHAM News set out to investigate.

We learned not only has the Border Patrol office increased in size, agents are receiving bonuses of gift cards and extra vacation days totaling $2,500 dollars each as part of an incentive program.

"What are taxpayers getting for this money? We have some real concerns," said Kaelyn Rich of the ACLU.

On the two separate days when we staked out the vehicles on the lot, we counted 17 of them.

For several hours on each of the two days, none of them were moved.

We noted most were sport utility vehicles and inquired about their cost and utilization, but the Rochester office referred us to Buffalo.

A spokesman in Buffalo said he could not answer those questions for "national security" reasons.

Over the last 10 years border patrol staffing has gone from 17 to more than 40.

Taxpayers not only paid for salaries, but for bonuses including $100 gift cards to Home Depot and Macy's and extra vacation time - up to 40 hours per agent.

The total bill to taxpayers was an average of $2,500 per agent - which amounts to a total cost of $200,000 per year.

"The problem is they're getting these performance incentives for unofficial arrest quotas," said Rich. "We don't really have a port of entry in Rochester anymore. Does that really make sense?"

In 2004, the Border Patrol opened to police the coming and going of international travel tied to the fast ferry service between Rochester and Toronto.

The ferry soon folded, but border patrol stayed.

A year later, Border Patrol agent Adrian Cotsworth told 13WHAM News the mission was to "protect the border from illegal entries and from terrorists."

At the time, we were invited aboard their boat as they patrolled the shoreline of Lake Ontario.

That's when we also saw boats staffed by the Monroe County Sheriff's Department and Coast Guard.

The New York State Police also patrol the waterways.

Even though our cameras were invited to view operations up close in 2005, this year the border patrol would not respond to even basic questions regarding vehicles, operating expense or personnel, citing national security concerns.

"The public should not only know the budget for the border, but they should know what the goals are and whether they've met those goals," said United States Senator Charles Schumer of New York.

The regional Border Patrol office pointed out agents made more than 11 hundred arrests in Rochester last year alone.

That is an indication that the agents are needed here; however, most of the arrests didn't happen along Lake Ontario, but at the train and bus stations.

Critics charge agents are paid bonuses funded by tax dollars to aggressively screen and detain people because larger arrest numbers justify a larger budget.

"This use of arrest data to indicate there's a positive performance just allows (them) to justify their presence here," said KaeLyn Rich of the ACLU.

Her organization has videotaped several arrests and sued to get access to arrest reports through the Freedom of Information Act.

The data shows at least 300 cases of wrongful arrest and hundreds more of wrongful detention.

"In most cases they don't bring charges, but they don't have anything else to do," said Rich.

In less than 10 years, taxpayer spending on the U.S. Border Patrol has grown from $1.5 billion to $12 billion dollars.

Yet taxpayers have less information than ever about how the money is being spent.

"Keeping terrorists out of this country is really important," said Senator Schumer. "But just because you spend a dollar doesn't mean that's it's being spent wisely. I think this needs serious looking into."

Waste Watch: In Medley Centre, $1.5 Mill = Zero New Jobs

Thu, 09 May 2013 07:45:08 -0400

Albany/Irondequoit - A report by the New York State Comptroller says tax breaks given to the Medley Centre in Irondequoit -- netted zero new jobs in 2011.

A state audit shows a lack of evidence that the $1.5 million in tax breaks approved in 2009 had any positive economic impact on the community.

The town's supervisor says the developer needs to do more to prove he's serious about this project.

Irondequoit Town Supervisor Mary Joyce D’aurizio said, "The project is frustrating…we're really disappointed that that project hasn't moved forward the way that we had hoped…but we are confined to that pilot so you know when you look at that period of time when that pilot was signed and what's expected of it…people should be concerned.”

D'Aurizio says plans to put a performance space there are also still on the table.

The developer has been under pressure to turn the former mall into a mixed commercial and residential space.

Waste Watch: State Chooses Tax Rebates Over Tax Cuts

Mon, 06 May 2013 23:00:00 -0400

Rochester, NY - When New York State leaders decided that taxpayers should keep more of their money over the next three years, they made a choice that most economists agree is inefficient and more aimed at publicity than good government.

It's a simple choice: tax rebate or tax cut?

Beginning in 2014, most New York families will receive a tax rebate of $350 from the state.

The money will go to households that have at least one child and a combined income between $40,000 and $300,000. That's nearly 1.1 million families in the state that qualify, at an annual cost of $375 million.

Governor Cuomo touted the rebate as a way to help middle class families who "have been squeezed for a long time."

The rebate comes with bipartisan support. Democratic State Senator Ted O'Brien said, "I'm optimistic the middle class will see some tax relief." Republican State Senator Joe Robach added, "We were able to be fiscally responsible and help people to some degree all across the board."

But why wouldn't the state simply cut taxes? Why collect taxes and then send chunks of it back? Why not just collect less?

13WHAM News asked Governor Cuomo's office for a cost estimate for processing the checks and administering the rebate, but a spokesperson repeatedly declined to address it. Our estimates show that the postage alone for mailing the rebate checks will cost New York State $492,857 annually.

That's before the cost of running the rebate.

At the Center for Governmental Research in Rochester, Chief Economist Kent Gardner says it's not always fair to compare a tax cut to a tax rebate.

But if the goal is to let taxpayers keep more of their money, the choice should be a tax cut, not an annual rebate.

"If you're going to do a tax cut for the same group of people as opposed to collecting the money and then sending it back in a check, sure, let's just do a tax cut," Gardner explained. "Let's not go through this folderol of collecting the money and then turning it into a check, and then sending it right back."

Gardner points out that a payroll tax cut has a proven track record and would be a more efficient choice. He said that the parameters for who gets a rebate check this time around -- and who doesn't -- seem arbitrary.

"I think the parameters are largely a political consideration," Gardner said. "I don't think there's a lot of heavy-duty economic analysis behind the selection of the group that's going to get the rebate."

The final mark against the tax rebate is that it's going to be gone in three years, meaning families can't plan for it. Gardner says a permanent tax cut allows families to anticipate the savings; the tax rebates are not nearly as impactful.

Nonetheless, state lawmakers plan to pass out checks over the next three years, and if history is any guide, voters will see those images come campaign season.

Waste Watch: Building Costs Half A Million Dollars In Rent For 12 Employees

Thu, 02 May 2013 21:26:00 -0400

Rochester, N.Y. - It is a cost of working or visiting downtown.

Hilda Singleton park her car in a paid lot three times a week.

"The worst part is paying. Paying for parking and getting tickets when you don't pay," she said.

At two parking lots on West Main Street, bordering Plymouth Avenue, it is not only drivers who pay to park.

Monroe County taxpayers also pay. Even those who never set foot downtown.

"I think that is crazy," said Singleton who immediately wanted more information about why.

Monroe County leases the lots at a cost of over $600,000 a year.

The subcontractor who operates them does so at a loss of $410,000 a year. It's a loss taxpayers have absorbed since 1994.

"Every time the lease is renewed, the rent goes up ten percent," said Democratic County Legislator Paul Haney.

Haney said, "no one has ever given me any expalanation why the county is renting this property every year."

Democrats said if taxpayers crunched the numbers, they'd likely want to borrow a line from former candidate for governor Jimmy McMillan who formed his political platform on one idea, "Rent is too damn high."

Take the Wegmans building just down the street from the parking lots at 80 West Main Street.

Monroe County pays $490,000, nearly half a million dollars, for rent and utilities for this four story building. A dozen county employees work there.

"We've got 12 employees in there," said Haney. "If they want to pay $500,000, I'll sublet them my apartment!"

Haney suggested the employees could be moved several doors down to City Place. According to budget documents (general fund page 463), it is another building taxpayers subsidize for $1.6 million dollars.

A crew from 13WHAM News went inside City Place, but were not allowed past the security guard.

The first floor atrium is spacious and nearly empty. "Just security and maintenance on this floor," the guard explained.

"City Place is occupied, I believe at capacity," said Robert Franklin who is Monroe County's finance director.

He could not provide specifics, but Franklin said the math on these two buildings is more complicated than most people think.

That's because agencies, including the Office of Mental Health, Probation, and the Catholic Family Center, all have offices in City Place, rent free.

By subsidizing the rent, the county gets services they provide at a lower cost.

"Those program dollars can now be used towards specific program costs rather than occupancy," said Franklin. "The county is going to pay for that whether we pay the rent or we pay the contractor."

Franklin could not produce a cost-by-cost comparison, but he points out companies like Bausch and Lomb and Xerox are choosing to sell and lease back rather than own their buildings because it makes more financial sense.

And what about those parking lots?

Franklin said there's a strategic reason for owning the lots and that is to control future development in the West side of downtown.

Last year, lawmakers allowed the lease to automatically renew for another five years. That obligates taxpayers to cover losses totaling $2 million.

"That is just being flushed down the drain every year," said Haney. "It's just insane."

Waste Watch: Corrupt And Cashing In

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 14:55:00 -0400

Convicted felons are pocketing hundreds of thousand of your tax dollars year after year, and it’s all perfectly legal.

All it took was a little digging through the 13WHAM archives and a little more digging on line to find nine ex-cons being paid nearly half a million dollars a year.

One of them broke into a home and rifled through a woman’s underwear drawer. Another drove drunk and caused a collision that killed a cyclist.

They are public officials -teachers, cops, lawmakers who have all been convicted of crimes yet continue to collect their taxpayer funded pensions.

“The taxpayers are absolutely getting gouged,” said Greece resident and activist Charlie Hubbard.

Consider what’s happened in his town. Former Greece Police Chief Merritt Rahn lost his job, damaged his department, and went to prison for covering up crimes. Yet he still collects a $55,000 a year pension.

Gary Pignato - a former officer who was convicted of using his badge to coerce a woman into sex - collects more than $45,000 a year.

“The contributions to that contract by the taxpayers should stop right there. Everything should stop once there is a conviction,” said Hubbard.

In the Town of Greece, pension costs for all employees top $5 million a year, about nine percent of the total budget.

“Contracts have been all one-sided and there are no expectations on the part of the people receiving the money,” said Hubbard.

We had no problem finding plenty of examples.

Monroe County employee Robert Marone is in prison for taking kickbacks. He still collects a pension of $18,790 dollars a year.

Former Monroe County Sheriff’s Deputy James Telban went to prison for driving drunk while off-duty and causing a crash that killed a motorcyclist. His pension is $30,412.

$39,807 a year for former State Assemblyman Jerry Johnson who was convicted of breaking into a staffer’s home and rifling through her lingerie.

In 2009, Joseph Bruno was convicted of peddling his influence as a state senator. Yet he still collects $96,085 a year from taxpayers.

As head of the Monroe County Water Authority, John Stanwix was accused of steering contracts to his own company. He pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor and continues to collect a whopping $98,658 a year in his pension.

“If they commit a felony while on their job they should forfeit their pensions,” said NY Assemblyman Mark Johns (R/C) Fairport. Johns co-sponsored a bill that would do just that. A watered down version of it was enacted as part of the “Clean Up Albany Act.”

It allows the state to strip all or part of the pension of a convicted felon but only after a hearing conducted by the Attorney General. Those currently convicted of crimes would continue to receive their pensions.

Johns says that does not go far enough and has reintroduced his original bill. “I can’t believe this wasn’t already enacted into law,” he said adding “I’m going to do my best to make sure it does get enacted into law.”

Mike Mazzeo is President of the Locust Club and sees things a little differently. “It can become an excessive punishment,” he said.

He points out public employees earn their pension over 20 or more years of service. “You can be unfairly convicted of lower level crimes and yet bear the same excessive punishment that they use for the worst,” he said.

A 13WHAM investigation into pensions going to nine public officials convicted of crimes adds up to a staggering $455,844 a year. “It goes beyond getting gouged,” said Charlie Hubbard. “It should be part of every contract that if you are convicted of a crime you lose your pension.”

Any future changes to state law would likely not impact those who are already convicted and collecting. Over a lifetime those payments add up.

Former Rochester Police Chief Gordon Urlacher was convicted in 1991 of embezzling from taxpayers. But those taxpayers have since paid him more than a million dollars since.

Waste Watch: Tax Dollars Dumped Into Landfill Project

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 18:08:52 -0400

Arcadia, N.Y. --- It is a 13WHAM News Waste Watch Report that actually, literally, deals with waste. As in trash or garbage that a developer wanted to take in as part of a landfill project on a town owned site that used to serve as a landfill about 15 years ago.

That developer approached the Town of Arcadia in 2010 and just two weeks ago walked away from the proposed project that taxpayers had invested more than $172,000 in.

Town leaders spent that money on legal fees and engineering studies despite mounting resistance from residents. Town Supervisor Dick Colacino said the developer claims to have lost about a million dollars on the proposal.

"People might be upset with our board but we had to listen,” Colacino said in responding to public criticism. "We spent $172,000 unfortunately, I'm not really proud of it but I'm not ashamed of it either.”

The developer reportedly walked away citing concerns of noise and the potentially difficult state approval process that lay ahead. His plan was to buy a 161 acre parcel from the town and develop a landfill adjacent to the existing landfill that had long ago been capped.

Supervisor Colacino said the promise of more than a million dollars from the land purchase and the prospect of future tax revenue once construction was complete required board members to entertain this proposal.

“We would lower the town tax in both the town and the village 35%” said Colacino. "Government is big business really and you have to be willing to put some money up sometimes, I don't care what kind of a project it is, you have to spend money to have the opportunity to make money.”

Signs opposing this proposed landfill project sprouted up all over the town during ongoing discussions between the town and the developer.

"I have talked to tons of people and a lot of people out in Arcadia and I haven't heard one person come out in favor of this except several of the town board members,’ said Ron Holdraker, editor of the Times of Wayne County. "It's been nothing but an uphill battle for the town board and they just didn't listen.”

Holdraker covered developments in this project for more than two years and first broke the story about the developer walking away from the deal last week.

"They're still hoping that someone will come along and save the day but that's not going to happen,” said Holdraker. “They're going to have to explain to the taxpayers why they just spent $172,000 on something that isn't going to fly.”