Spencerport village merchants and businesses want a more business-friendly relationship with board

Members of the Spencerport Village Board heard concerns from many merchants and business owners during their regular meeting Wednesday, December 4.

Spencerport Area Chamber of Commerce President Jill Cordts made a presentation during the meeting and proposed that the Chamber board appoint a liaison to work with the village and town boards regarding issues with businesses in the community. She explained the Chamber is working to take on a greater advocacy roll for local business.

Mayor Joyce Lobene thanked Cordts for her presentation. “It’s time to start over, to create a better place for families to live and business to grow,” Mayor Lobene said.

She noted there are rules and regulations that need to be followed, but that the village will “strive to serve” the needs of the business community.

Lobene told Cordts the Village Board will consider the proposal.

Business owner Dan Goodison told the board he wanted to add an exclamation point to Cordts’ presentation. He said he spoke for the majority of Main Street business owners who have come to him with stories of struggles and frustrations they have faced working with the village to establish and grow their businesses.

“The public needs to understand … several meetings (among merchants) have already taken place,” Goodison told the board. “This shouldn’t be sugar-coated,” he said. “It hasn’t been easy to do business in this village.” He added later in the meeting that, “When Main Street works, the village works – no one expects no rules.”

Other business owners in attendance expressed concerns that interpretation of village laws and regulations often lead to difficulties and that the Architectural Review Board (ARB) has, at times, been a hindrance. Others said the village needs to do more to make sure business owners understand what they need to do to receive approvals and that the wait to be put on the agenda for various boards can be long.

Business owner Curt Kenyon told board members he sees there is a problem in the community.

“Business owners are frustrated with the process,” he said. “A liaison is a good start – something has to happen – we need a harmonious plan to develop this community.”
Trustee Carol Nellis-Ewell provided Kenyon with a copy of a document she drew up last May with her own proposals regarding the village and merchants working together harmoniously.

Earlier in the meeting she had told merchants, “everyone works in a spirit of continual improvement.”

During her report, Village Clerk Jacqueline Sullivan explained there are Architectural Review Board (ARB) packets available in the village office with information for business owners.

“I don’t know how the disconnect with the town happened. There are resources in the office for new businesses,” she said.

Sullivan explained that applications are filled out at the Town of Ogden offices, “It’s part of our inter-municipal agreement. Hopefully the town is using the same packet,” she said.

During his report, Electric Superintendent Owen McIntee reached out to business owners. He offered Cordts help with marketing the village’s electric, which provides low cost energy. “It’s a draw for business,” he said.

Trustees Gary Penders and Glenn Granger also expressed support for what merchants are proposing.

“It’s a good idea,” Trustee Granger said. “I will do what I can.”

12/8/13