Schuyler County Legislature to consider hires, grants, budgets Monday

The Schuyler County Legislature is scheduled to consider more than two dozen resolutions Monday (August 10) covering personnel hires, grant extensions, contracts, budget amendments and infrastructure work at its regular session.

Among the more significant proposals, Community Services would create and fill two less-than-full-time senior clinician positions at $41.36 an hour (Grade 14 under the CSEA contract) to provide required clinical supervision for licensed staff and trainees. The department also seeks authorization to create a full-time Assisted Outpatient Treatment Enhanced Voluntary Agreement coordinator position at $29.48 an hour (Grade 9) to improve coordination, evaluations and compliance with state Office of Mental Health standards.

A public hearing would be set for Sept. 14 at 6:30 p.m. in the Legislative Chambers on a proposal to use $76,049.11 from repair reserve funds for equipment upgrades in the Office for the Aging kitchen, based on the lowest quote from Singer Flihan LLC under a state contract.

 The legislature is also asked to appoint Michael L. Lausell as Democratic election commissioner, effective immediately, to fill a vacancy created by a July 21 resignation. The unexpired term runs through Dec. 31 at an annual salary of $25,989, following a party recommendation filed July 27.

Other business includes adopting state-set equalization rates for the 2027 county tax levy apportionment: Catharine and Montour at 95.00, Dix and Reading at 93.00, Cayuta at 65.00, Orange and Tyrone at 70.00, and Hector at 68.00.

 Budget actions would transfer $35,000 within Emergency Management accounts to cover additional personnel costs after a part-time position was converted to full time, and amend the Buildings and Grounds budget by $6,000 for higher-than-expected utilities at Seneca Harbor Park, offset by increased rental revenue. 

 Grant and contract items include extensions of two New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Domestic Terrorism Prevention grants totaling $172,413 each (no local share) for the Sheriff’s Department through Aug. 31, 2027; a $1,993 training agreement with SUNY Corning Community College for critical incident management; and an expert-witness contract with Independent Forensics of Illinois, LLC, at $325 per hour not to exceed $5,000 for the Public Defender.

 Additional agreements cover day-care services with Rainbow Junction’s Childcare Center of Dundee through May 2031; $20,000 (no local share) with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Schuyler County for a garden improvement and stress-reduction programs serving children with special needs; $2,000 for a sensory-friendly experience at the Italian American Festival; and speech therapy services with Wendy Y. Close for preschool children with disabilities.

The county would authorize a memorandum of understanding with Tompkins County for shared bus-stop use to expand transit (no cost, through April 2031), adopt an updated Coordinated Public Transportation-Human Services Transportation Plan, extend a state Department of State grant for safe swimming opportunities through September 2026, accept a proposal from MXI Environmental Services for the Aug. 15 Household Hazardous Waste Day, collaborate on a county Climate Adaptation Plan at no cost, and modify 2026 agricultural district enrollments to a net 171.66 acres after correcting prior parcel listings.

 Highway and purchasing items would authorize sealed-bid advertisements for on-call bridge, culvert and infrastructure repair contractors and for 2027-2029 solid-waste and recycling services, plus a multi-year printer/copier maintenance contract with Toshiba Business Solutions.

 The session is the county’s regular August meeting. All items are subject to discussion and vote by the full Legislature.

Second Amendment Legal Update, August 2026

A monthly update, prepared for the Schuyler County Chapter of S.C.O.P.E. NY, a statewide 501(c)4 organization dedicated to preserving the 2nd Amendment rights for the residents of New York State. For a complete copy of this month’s report, click here.

Schuyler, Yates Counties to hold hazardous waste event

On Saturday, August 15th, Schuyler County will be holding a household hazardous waste and electronics recycling day, where residents of Schuyler and Yates counties can dispose of materials free of charge, including:

Household Hazardous Waste: Things such as driveway sealer, pool chemicals, pesticides, paint and more.
Electronic Waste: Computers, hard drives, monitors, printers and fax machines, cell phones, laptops and more.

A full list of accepted items is available here.

The event will be held that Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to noon at the Schuyler County Shared Services Building at 910 S Decatur St. in Watkins Glen.

Pre-registration is required. Schuyler and Yates County residents can register here.

New York bans smart glasses in all courthouses starting July 20

New York state will prohibit smart glasses and other recording-enabled eyewear or headwear from all court facilities beginning Monday (July 20), including in certain Schuyler County offices, a move aimed at preventing secret recordings of proceedings that violate state law.

The statewide ban, announced in a July 1 memo from the New York Unified Court System, applies to more than 1,240 state, county, city, town and village courts. It covers any eyewear or headgear with cameras, microphones or other recording technology, including prescription smart glasses.

People entering court buildings with such devices must surrender them to uniformed court officers for safekeeping. The prohibition extends to everyone, including judges, staff, attorneys, litigants and visitors.

Signs announcing the ban have been posted at courthouses statewide, including in the New York Sixth Judicial District, which includes Schuyler County.

Schuyler County Attorney Steven Getman said the policy will directly affect county operations in Watkins Glen, where various county offices share space with the courthouse and the Sheriff’s Department lobby that houses the centralized arraignment court. All county buildings are also subject to a 2023 local law regulating photography, electronic recording and audio-visual recording in county facilities.

"This ban will require adjustments for our staff and anyone conducting business in our facilities," Getman said. "We share some buildings with the courts, so county employees and visitors to the Sheriff's Department or other offices will need to comply. It may mean additional planning for county proceedings or records access that might otherwise involve technology some now rely on."

The county’s local law, approved by the Schuyler County Legislature in January 2023, was drafted in consultation with the New York State Office of Court Administration. It aims to protect sensitive and confidential information in county facilities while exempting open meetings, courthouse steps, parks and other outdoor public spaces. Violations are classified as misdemeanors, with a permitting process available through the county administrator for authorized recordings.

Getman noted that while the change prioritizes the integrity of proceedings, local officials will work to minimize inconvenience.

"We support measures that protect the fairness and privacy of court processes," he said. "In a small county like Schuyler, where facilities are integrated, we'll coordinate closely with court officers to implement this smoothly and ensure public access isn't unduly restricted."

The ban seeks to enforce New York Civil Rights Law and court rules that already prohibit unauthorized recording in court facilities. Similar restrictions have been enacted in other states.

The rise of consumer smart glasses with discreet recording capabilities has heightened privacy concerns, prompting institutional responses nationwide.

Schuyler County Legislature Set to Consider Emergency Services Contract, School Officer Agreement, Comprehensive Plan Update

The Schuyler County Legislature is set to consider more than two dozen resolutions at its regular meeting Monday (July 13), including a five-year contract with Motorola Solutions for emergency services technology and an intermunicipal agreement for school resource officer services.

The agenda, reviewed by the Legislative Resolution Review Committee on July 8, includes items spanning public safety, personnel, budgeting, environmental planning and community recognitions. The full board is scheduled to meet July 13.

Top priorities include authorizing a five-year contract with Motorola Solutions for Emergency Services Flex Subscription services at a cost of $275,000, with a local share, to support local emergency operations. The resolution notes Motorola as a sole source provider.

Legislators will also weigh an agreement with the Watkins Glen Central School District for evening School Resource Officer services from the Sheriff’s Department, valued at $67,000 through June 30, 2027.

Other notable items include:

- Creating and filling a less-than-full-time Administrative Data Collector position in the Public Defender’s Office at $25.76 per hour to meet state indigent legal services data requirements.
- Authorizing bids for water treatment and cooling tower services for county buildings.
- Amending the county Timecard Policy to adjust approval deadlines.
- Multiple budget amendments for grant funding in public health, community services, veterans services and aging programs.
- Adopting the 2025-2035 Schuyler County Comprehensive Plan Update, along with related environmental quality review declarations.
- Recognizing August 2026 as National Shooting Sports Month and commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States.

The meeting is expected to include routine personnel, contract and policy matters alongside planning and recognition items. Full resolutions and supporting details are available through the county website.

Meetings of the Legislature are open and public. Public Participation time will be allowed after the opening of the official session for up to 30 minutes and at the completion of the agenda for up to 15 minutes.

Regular Meetings will be held in the Legislative Chambers at the County Office Building located at 105 Ninth Street, Watkins Glen at 6:30 p.m.

The Schuyler County Legislature is the county’s policy-making and appropriating body. It consists of eight part-time legislators elected from eight districts, each serving four-year staggered terms with term limits. Legislators represent county residents by establishing local laws, setting policy, and approving the county budget.

Second Amendment Legal Update, July 2026

A monthly update, prepared for the Schuyler County Chapter of S.C.O.P.E. NY, a statewide 501(c)4 organization dedicated to preserving the 2nd Amendment rights for the residents of New York State. For a complete copy of this month’s report, click here.

Residents Alerted to Essential Plan Health Insurance Changes, Scam Risks

Affected Schuyler County residents are urged to review their health coverage options and watch for scams as approximately 450,000 New Yorkers, including many in the Finger Lakes region, face the loss of low-cost Essential Plan insurance starting July 1.

The changes, driven by changes in federal law, will end Essential Plan eligibility for households with incomes above 200% of the federal poverty level. This affects single individuals earning roughly $31,920 to $39,900 annually, along with higher thresholds for larger households.

New York officials issued guidance Monday outlining the shifts and available resources.

Affected residents qualify for a special enrollment period through the New York State of Health marketplace and have until Sept. 1 to select new coverage. State and local officials emphasize acting promptly to avoid gaps in protection.

Marketplace plans under the Affordable Care Act typically carry higher premiums and costs than the Essential Plan, which featured $0 premiums, no deductibles and low copays. Costs could rise further as some federal subsidies expire.

Guidance details four main plan types available:

• Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs): Lower out-of-pocket costs but require referrals and limit non-emergency out-of-network care. • Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs): Broader provider networks and often no referrals, but higher costs.
• Exclusive Provider Organizations (EPOs): Limited networks with lower costs and no referrals, covering only emergencies out-of-network.
• Point of Service (POS) plans: Combine elements but usually require a primary care provider and referrals.

Consumers should verify that current doctors and prescriptions are covered, compare total costs including deductibles and premiums, and review star ratings (for quality) and metal levels (Bronze through Platinum, indicating cost-sharing).

For those unable to afford marketplace plans, options include hospital financial assistance programs, prescription assistance, discount cards and other resources.

Scam Warnings:

• Officials are stressing vigilance against fraud. Red flags include pressure to enroll immediately, requests for payment to "renew" coverage, promises of overly generous benefits, or demands for personal information without verified authorization.
• Only use New York State of Health-certified navigators, enrollment assistors, facilitated enrollers or local government representatives. Free help is available at nystateofhealth.ny.gov or by calling 1-855-355-5777. Government agencies do not charge fees to enroll or renew coverage.
• Residents suspecting scams can contact the Attorney General’s office or local law enforcement agencies.

Affected Schuyler County residents should visit the state marketplace promptly or reach out to local resources for personalized assistance during this transition.

Ovid's Historic "Three Bears" rededicated

WHAM-TV:

The Ovid community is celebrating a major milestone in a historic beautification project.

Originally built in 1845 and 1860, the Friends of the Three Bears building now serves as a community center for the community.

Since 2003, the village has been working to restore historic buildings.

They celebrated the installation of the historic marker on Sunday (May 31), honoring their efforts.

More on the Friends of the Three Bears here.

Schuyler County Urges Wear Purple for World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

Schuyler County officials are urging residents and county employees to wear purple Monday to mark World Elder Abuse Awareness Day and spotlight a problem that often remains hidden.

The Schuyler County Office for the Aging and Adult Protective Services invited the community to participate in the June 15, 2026, observance by “Going Purple for a Purpose.” The color symbolizes support for older adults and a commitment to preventing elder abuse.
In addition, the Schuyler County Legislature issued a resolution recognizing the day locally.

"It is our collective responsibility to provide for safe and secure communities and living environments for our seniors. and to encourage reporting of any suspected abuse, neglect and financial exploitation," the legislature stated.
Elder abuse affects millions of older adults annually and can include physical, emotional, sexual and financial abuse as well as neglect and exploitation. Many cases go unreported because victims may feel ashamed, fear retaliation or depend on their abuser.
Federal partners, including the Social Security Administration and Justice Department, are also marking the day with warnings about rising financial scams targeting seniors, such as government imposter fraud.
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is observed annually on June 15. The United Nations-recognized event aims to increase understanding of the cultural, social and economic factors involved in mistreatment of older persons.
Schuyler County’s call to action aligns with similar efforts across New York and the nation. County departments were specifically encouraged to participate to help raise awareness countywide.
Resources for reporting suspected abuse or seeking help are available through local Adult Protective Services and the Eldercare Locator. Officials emphasize that awareness is a key first step in protection.

Second Amendment Legal Update, June 2026

A monthly update, prepared for the Schuyler County Chapter of S.C.O.P.E. NY, a statewide 501(c)4 organization dedicated to preserving the 2nd Amendment rights for the residents of New York State. For a complete copy of this month’s report, click here.