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Tampio, Pelletter spar over sheriff’s pact

HANOVER -- Community leaders went at each other during a recent Town Board meeting when discussing a contract for enhanced police protection from the Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office in the Town of Hanover and the Village of Silver Creek.

Village of Silver Creek Mayor Kathy Tampio addressed the Town Board during a public hearing on the town's preliminary budget for 2027. She voiced her objection to a 50-50 split of the total cost of the sheriff's contract, while Town of Hanover Supervisor Lou Pelletter defended the town's position.

Tampio spoke on behalf of all village of Silver Creek residents and taxpayers, highlighting that village residents are town taxpayers. She is a village resident, but also previously served as Town of Hanover Supervisor for eight years.

Tampio said Silver Creek is committed to paying for enhanced police protection, just not at the same cost as the town of Hanover. She highlighted several statistics in her address to the Town Board that show the town amounts to roughly two-thirds of the responses from the sheriff's office - approximately 400 each month - while the village is half that figure at roughly 200 each month.

Tampio also stated that the Silver Creek population served by the sheriff's patrol is approximately 2,600 residents, while the town population - including the village in its total - is roughly 6,800. Tampio feels that with roughly 33% of the incident reports coming from the village and only 38% of the total population served by the agreement being village residents, the village should not be paying 50% of the total cost of the contract. Instead, Tampio committed to 40% of the total cost.

"The village is committed to paying their fair share for this protection contract - at the rate of 40% of the total town contract cost," Tampio said. "I, once again, urge the Town Board - in fairness to your village taxpayers, that you amend this preliminary budget by amending the town share of the 2027 sheriff contract to 60% town and 40% village instead of the 50/50 share as proposed."

Tampio made the same request a year ago, but the Town Board said the amount was already budgeted for, so no adjustment was made. This year, Tampio provided plenty of notice to the Town Board that the Village of Silver Creek did not intend to pay an even split. Tampio highlighted that there is still time for the Town Board to consider her request, as the budget must be approved by Nov. 20.

"You have time to seriously consider this amendment request," Tampio said.

For the year 2026, the contract was approved by both municipalities at a total cost of $632,382, with quarterly payments split evenly between the Town of Hanover and the Village of Silver Creek. Tampio estimated the total cost this year to be $660,635, meaning a 50/50 split would amount to over $330,000 from each municipality. If the village paid 40% of the total amount, it would equate to $264,254, while the town would owe $396,381.

Last year, when the dispute between the Town and Village regarding enhanced police protection costs began, the Village eventually agreed to pay a 50% share, but only for one year of the contract, rather than two years as proposed. This year, if the Town holds firm on its stance again, the Village could choose not to approve the agreement.

Tampio also offered an alternative to a 60/40 split. Rather than sharing the cost as it does now – with the town paying the entire amount, then the village paying the town 50% of the total cost – Tampio suggested the entire cost be covered in the Town Budget, with tax revenue from the town covering the entire amount. Village residents pay a town-wide tax each year.

Before responding, Pelletter asked the Town Board if they had any comments. He then asked Tampio if she wanted him to respond.

Pelletter began, "I think I've been pretty good to the village." He highlighted the town's role in financing the Bay Creek Fire District merger, as well as hiring an engineer regarding the Main Street School building, which is now a senior living facility that will be open soon. The Town of Hanover also provides Code Enforcement services to the village through an intermunicipal agreement.

Pelletter then referenced discussions he had with the village in the past regarding the need for new equipment in the coming years, such as fire trucks and plow trucks. In those discussions, Pelletter pushed for cooperation between the two municipalities.

"The time has come," Pelletter said. "... We can work together on some of these issues."

Pelletter, the historian for the village, highlighted the past practices of previous village officials, stating that the village has sold off assets and has "no place to build." He highlighted declining population and deteriorating buildings that were built nearly a century ago, as well as high water bills for village residents including sizable debt service charges.

"I can't help you any more than I have, other than we can work together on some of these other projects. ... I'm willing to help on a bigger scale," Pelletter said, referring to shared services and intermunicipal agreements, like the sheriff's contract.

"The Village Board is going to have to take a look at this and see where you're going with your 2,600 residents. You've lost 1,000 people," Pelletter said. "That's what I have to say."

Tampio responded, "I appreciate the lecture." She later added that the village will "have to look at what you think your solutions are going forward."

Town Board member Ed Schintzius said every agreement between the Town of Hanover and the Village of Silver Creek should be looked into to see if it is fair for both sides, not just the sheriff's contract. Fellow Board member James Feldmann said the Town of Hanover should be looking into funding avenues for shared services and mergers on a large scale.

After more than 15 minutes of discussion, including Tampio's comments, the Town Board elected to hold off on approving the 2027 budget to allow for more discussion. Schintzius, Feldmann, and Aimee Rogers voted to table the budget until the next meeting. Pelletter voted against that resolution.