The Falconer Central School Board of Education again discussed the potential annexation of a Board of Public Utilities Dow Street Substation which would likely impact school taxes. Stephen Penhollow, Falconer superintendent, and other board members attended a Dec. 30 public hearing regarding the annexation held at Jamestown High School. P-J photo by Jordan W. Patterson

The Falconer Central School Board of Education again heard discussion regarding the potential annexation of a city of Jamestown Board of Public Utilities Dow Street Substation that is located within the school district.

The city of Jamestown began a second annexation attempt of the BPU property that falls within the village of Falconer and the town of Ellicott in November. The Jamestown City Council approved resolutions to move forward with the annexation with council members voting 7 to 1 in favor at a November meeting.

Stephen Penhollow, Falconer Central School District superintendent, said a Jan. 6 meeting with state Sen. George Borrello, Jamestown Mayor Eddie Sundquist and Chautauqua County Executive PJ Wendel was held to discuss the current annexation process.

“We started conversations, which is something that we asked for when we attended the November city council meeting to look at areas of conversations versus litigation,” Penhollow said during a board of education meeting Tuesday. “I think we had a good initial meeting. Not a lot was put on paper at this point. I feel confident that conversation will be had. We will make every effort possible to listen to what the city and the BPU have to say.”

A public hearing was held on Dec. 30 at Jamestown High School with members of municipal boards from Jamestown, Ellicott and Falconer, who are involved in the potential annexation.

Penhollow and Todd Beckerink, Falconer school board president, both spoke during the public comment portion of the hearing. Both expressed their disapproval the potential move and shared their financial concerns if an annexation were to be approved.

“Falconer Central School has continued our partnership with the town of Ellicott and the village of Falconer to once again adamantly oppose this second annexation attempt by the Jamestown BPU and the city of Jamestown,” Penhollow said during the December hearing.

The BPU pays a total of $333,889 that includes $153,262 to the Falconer Central School District; $73,305 to Chautauqua County; $72,641 to the village of Falconer; and $34,681 to the town of Ellicott. The first attempt to annex the Dow Street substation ended in August when the Fourth Department Appellate Division Court dismissed the city’s petition on a technicality, stating the city’s original proceeding was untimely.

Penhollow indicated Tuesday that the school district, the town and the village will eventually make a “unified” decision regarding the annexation which happened in the past with the previous annexation attempt.

Both annexation attempts were brought forth under former Jamestown Mayor Sam Teresi’s administration. Teresi officially exited office at the end of 2019. Sundquist was sworn into the role Jan. 1, which has left Penhollow optimistic about the future of the current annexation attempt.

“We will wait and see, and hopefully good conversation will continue,” he said Tuesday.