“Our village has a great history that many of us share. It also has a tremendous future to be cultivated. … Our goal is to bring vibrancy back to Cassadaga, a community that works together to make our home the best that it can be today and for the future,” Abersold said at the beginning of his address.

Abersold thanked the voters of the community who elected him as mayor, as well as Jeff Frick, elected as Trustee, and Danna DuBois, re-elected as Trustee via write-ins. “Your strong turnout on election day signified a collective readiness for change and progress. We are honored by your trust and support,” Abersold said.

WEATHERING CHANGE

One of the first things Abersold will need to do as mayor is to fill the vacancies in the current village government. The Board will need to appoint a new trustee following the resignation of Bill Astry. The newly appointed member will serve through 2026, while the seat will be listed on the ballot for election in November.

Cassadaga Mayor Rudy Abersold, right, is pictured after taking the official oath of office, as administered by Clerk Annette McChesney, left. McChesney recently announced her resignation from the role of Village Clerk and Treasurer.

Additionally, Cassadaga is in need of a new Clerk and Treasurer following Annette McChesney’s resignation. McChesney announced her decision to resign from the role due to the added responsibilities of the job since she took over. McChesney stated in her letter of resignation, “This decision was not taken lightly nor has any bearing on the recent election results; the job duties of the Clerk Treasurer are the same no matter who is in charge. However, I have found that this position requires much more time than the originally stated two days a week.”

Among the additional responsibilities of the job include coordination and communication regarding the capital project to replace waterlines throughout the village, as well as “updates, upgrades and changes the new administration wants to implement.” McChesney stated the Village Clerk needs to devote more time to the job than she can offer at this time.

Regarding McChesney’s departure, Abersold said he will “deeply miss her presence” in the office and called her “a great asset” to the village. Abersold stated he accepted McChesney’s resignation “with sadness and great appreciation for her commitment to the village and the quality of her work.”

Abersold also said the clerk role should be more than a two-day per week position. He acknowledged the “ridiculous paperwork” required for short-term rental properties as yet another added responsibility to the Clerk’s office, as well as “outdated accounting practices” in the office.

The village will now be updating the job description and responsibilities of the clerk, while administrative systems are automated moving forward. The search for a new clerk is ongoing. Abersold said the Village will be working with municipal partners and services from Chautauqua County to meet short-term needs in the interim.

The Board will also need to appoint a new Department of Public Works Superintendent following the resignation of Sam Alaimo. The Department of Public Works has been the target of criticism from residents often in the past few years leading up to Alaimo’s resignation. The search for a new Department of Public Works Superintendent is also ongoing.

Other vacancies include the Deputy Clerk position, which was left vacant at the organizational meeting, as well as a seat on the Planning Board and an alternate for the Zoning Board of Appeals.

FOCUS ON COLLABORATION

Abersold said the new administration will be focused on “strengthening the infrastructure that supports our residents today and prepares us for the future.” He said the village is “committed to delivering the highest quality services to ensure the public safety of our residents and the efficiency of services including streets, sidewalks, parks, waterways, and more.”

So, how does that happen?

Abersold is starting by calling for a “thorough review of the Department of Public Works facilities and equipment.” Along with evaluating the DPW, Abersold also wants to look into shared services and consolidation to enhance savings for Cassadaga residents. Abersold referenced Chautauqua County Executive PJ Wendel’s government efficiency initiative in his address.

“Our goal is to streamline administrative functions and utilize municipal shared services to save our residents wasted taxpayer funds,” Abersold said.

Along with working with neighboring communities, Abersold expressed a desire to strengthen collaboration between the Village and several organizations within its limits, including Citizens for a Better Cassadaga, Cassadaga Lakes Association, and the Cassadaga Community Business Alliance. The new administration wants to enhance communication and collaboration between its residents and all of the organizations within the Village limits.

ON THE HORIZON

Cassadaga has several projects either ongoing or on the horizon, none bigger than the capital project replacing waterlines throughout the village. Abersold said in his address, “Nothing is more important than having the best water quality and delivery for residents and businesses.”

Abersold said the Village will be “actively seeking all available grants and interest-free funding” as the project proceeds. The Village has already secured a Water Infrastructure Improvement Act (WIIA) Grant of up to $5 million through the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation. Up to 60% of net project cost can be covered through the grant, and the Village received interest-free financing for another chunk of the project. Still, Abersold and the Board will continue to pursue additional grant funding to lessen the impact on water customers of the village.

“Preserving the charm of our village and managing its growth and financial viability requires outside public funding,” Abersold said in addressing the public. “We will need all your input to maintain the core strength and spirit of our village.”

The Village is also working with the Chautauqua County Planning Department on the Cassadaga Main Street Master Plan. The Village has formed a Steering Committee, comprised of residents and business owners, with the shared goal of enhancing curb appeal of Main Street, especially on the southern end.

Regarding the work of another committee in the village, the Zoning Re-Write Committee, Abersold objected to the previous administration’s decision to accept the new Zoning Laws at a meeting just days before the new administration took office. Abersold took issue with the Board not taking the County’s recommendations into consideration before approving the changes. “We intend to publicly address necessary amendments through the process recommended by the county Planning Department,” Abersold said.

The Village is also eyeing a grant with the Chautauqua County Partnership for Economic Growth for updates to the village’s ballfields and Cassadaga Beach. With so many opportunities for grants available and so many projects on the minds of the Village Board, more discussion will be had at upcoming meetings to contract with a grant writer on behalf of the Village.

Abersold concluded his address with another statement directed at the residents as a whole on behalf of the entire administration.

“We have hit the ground running and remain dedicated to keeping the wishes and needs of all residents at the forefront of our work. Your continued engagement and feedback are vital as we move forward together,” Abersold said. “Thank you again for your overwhelming support and for entrusting us with the future of our village.”