Holley residents vote down firetruck, new court

Residents braved the elements on January 21 to cast their votes for two referendums in the Village of Holley.

The idea of implementing a village court system was voted down by an overwhelming 360 to 97 while the referendum for the purchase of new firetruck was vetoed by 272 to 187.

"I'm glad we had such a good turnout for the vote on such a stormy day," Mayor Dan Schiavone said. "We're pleased the residents are so involved on the issues since they have such a big impact on the village whether they passed or failed."

The new firetruck would have cost about $575,000 and the village had $300,000 earmarked for the purchase. Firefighters were looking to replace a 1979 ladder truck. The truck needs at least $100,000 in repairs, they said.

Schiavone said he didn't know where the fire department stands now that their purchase was vetoed. "I know they are disappointed and it's going back to the drawing board but I don't know what direction they're going to take," he said. Schiavone noted there are serious problems with the existing ladder truck. "I don't know what the solution will be at this point."

As for the court system, Schiavone said the board is responsible for passing the court system but he said at this time they had no intentions on taking further actions on that referendum.

The village was looking into their own court system as a way of keeping revenue generated by fines within the village limits. "Taxpayers fund the police system that funds the Town of Murray Court," he said.

Schiavone said that while the court system wouldn't have been a revenue generator for the village, it should have paid for itself.