Business owner complains about taxes

SCHUYLER COUNTY--The Schuyler County Legislature started the new year with an unusual complaint during public comment time at the Monday, Jan. 9 meeting.
Vic Franzese, owner of the Glen Motor Inn, spoke during the public comment session for nearly 30 minutes about personal tax bill concerns between the village, the town, the county and himself.
He claimed the county was interfering with the town of Reading and he has been over-charged in the amount of over $100,000 for water, sewer and taxes.
"If I didn't pay the taxes, my land would be taken and I feel as though my constitutional rights are being violated," said Franzese.
Franzese sat with a folder in hand, listing several complaints over discrepancies regarding his water meter and bill. He believes he is not only being charged for village services he is not using, he said he is also being over-charged in the amount of $106,000 in accordance to his calculations.
In April of 2015, Franzese faced a water shut off, and although provided proof with copies of checks that the bill had been paid, he claims he had to pay the village bill again, resulting in a double payment. Franzese also claimed he has a sewer charge on his bill for a building that does not have plumbing, and that he only has 12 units on his property but was being charged for 14.
County Attorney Steven Getman responded, stating it was the county's responsibility for levying taxes and "it is highly inappropriate to discuss the merits of the case in a public forum." Officials also stated it was inappropriate to be threatening a lawsuit.
Franzese continued, stating, "I am just letting you know what is coming." Franzese also noted he was working with an attorney previously, but no longer had legal counsel.
After the public comments, the legislature continued with routine business:
Contract authorizations: All contracts were approved unanimously by the legislature.
• A 12-county Finger Lakes New York Interoperable Communications Consortium (FLRNYCC) emergency management agreement.
• A contract between the Probation Department and the Department of Social Services to provide mobility via the Mobile Work Crew to probationers needing transportation to work sites.
• An agreement with Catholic Charities in the amount of $5,075 for temporary housing for the homeless.
• Modification of District 3 boundaries by adding 1019.4 acres and removal of 25.75 acres in accordance to an eight-year review by the Schuyler County Agriculture and Farmland Protection Board
• AirBNB establishments will voluntarily report the collection and remittance of a four-percent occupancy tax to Schuyler County
Appointments: The legislature approved unanimously all one-year, two-year, three-year, four-year and no-term appointments.