LITTLE FALLS, N.Y. – The Little Falls Common Council met Tuesday, September 1, for its regular session, passing five of six resolutions on the agenda and introducing a proposed local law addressing claims against fire insurance proceeds.
Mayor Deborah Kaufman called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. in the Common Council Chambers, with City Clerk Kira M. Miller serving as secretary.
Aldermen Jonathan Shaffer, Michael Masi, Sally Casler, Mark Ruffing, Aaron Smith, Dan Carter, and Laura Eysaman were in attendance.
Riverside Industrial Parkway to Become Elroy Moore Parkway
The Council unanimously approved Resolution #56, renaming Riverside Industrial Parkway as Elroy Moore Parkway in honor of the longtime Feldmeier Equipment manager.
Moore, born in Little Falls in 1959, began his career at Cherry-Burrell at age 18 and has since worked as a grinder, welder, fabricator, shop foreman, and plant manager before becoming Feldmeier’s Director of Manufacturing, where he oversees five manufacturing locations.
The resolution credits Moore as a leading advocate for the establishment of the Riverside plant and its expansions, and for fighting to keep manufacturing jobs in Little Falls when others sought to relocate operations to more business-friendly states.
A certified copy of the resolution will be transmitted to Moore and to Feldmeier’s management.
Water Treatment System Rental Extended
Resolution #57 authorizes a second change order with Koester Associates, extending the City’s rental of a temporary membrane treatment system, UV disinfection system, and neutralization system at the Water Treatment Plant.
The 13-month extension runs from August 1, 2026, through August 31, 2027, with August 2026 provided at no charge due to earlier startup issues.
The change order adds $883,760 to the contract, bringing the total contract price to $3,559,333.75. City Engineer Wright-Pierce had requested the pricing as the City continues to evaluate longer-term treatment alternatives, including the potential purchase of membrane treatment equipment.
Fire and Building Code Update Tabled
Resolution #58, which would have introduced a proposed local law updating the City’s administration and enforcement of the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code and the State Energy Conservation Construction Code, was tabled after Alderman Jonathan Shaffer said he had not had sufficient time to review the document.
The proposed law, based on an updated model from the state Department of State, runs 46 pages and includes several sections still flagged for attorney review, including compensation provisions, penalty amounts, and due process language for placarding unsafe buildings.
A public hearing on the law had been slated for October 6; that hearing will need to be rescheduled once the Council takes the measure back up.
Fire Insurance Proceeds Law Introduced
The Council introduced Resolution #59, a proposed local law that would let the City establish procedures under New York State General Municipal Law 22 for claims against fire insurance proceeds where qualifying municipal liens exist.
Code Enforcement Officer Bianka Rico recommended the measure, writing in a memo to the Council that the issue came to her attention while dealing with a current fire-damaged property in the City.
The draft law, still subject to review by the City Attorney, would give the City a mechanism to require property owners to repair, restore, or demolish fire-damaged structures before insurance proceeds tied to municipal liens are released, rather than allowing damaged buildings to sit unresolved and become a public safety or financial burden on the City.
Standard Work Day Set for Retirement System Reporting
Resolution #60 established a seven-hour standard work day for the City Treasurer, City Clerk, and Codes Enforcer, all of whom are enrolled in the New York State and Local Retirement System. The three officials will keep a record of activities as required by the retirement system.
All resolutions except #58 passed unanimously.
Mayor’s Comments
Mayor Kaufman reported the combined cash position of the General Fund, Water and Sewer, and Golf funds at $2,824,171. The City has collected $4,173,837 in taxes so far this year, or 91% of the total, and remains current on accounts payable. The City is also renewing a temporary rollover Bond Anticipation Note while it awaits certification of its $3 million Deficit Financing bond from the state Office of the State Comptroller, with a November 30 deadline.
On development, the mayor noted that Ivy Garden is finishing its remodeling and taking pre-leasing applications, while the Snyder Apartments, Burrell Building, and Berkshire properties are at various stages of negotiation. The City has welcomed 18 new businesses over the past 18 months, including a dog grooming service that opened the same day as the meeting.
While one restaurant announced that it is closing, another is already working to take its place before the end of the year.
Kaufman also announced that the U.S. Department of the Interior has designated Moss Island a National Natural Landmark, making it the only such designation in New York State.
Other updates included helipad safety improvements, a rehabilitation project getting underway for the Burke Park bandstand in partnership with Feldmeier and Preserve our Past, plans to test reconnecting Moreland Park to city water this fall ahead of a possible 2027 reopening, a grant application for Swimming Pool upgrades, and progress on the City’s new ambulance transfer unit, which currently runs 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. with plans to expand.
The mayor closed with reminders about two upcoming festivals: the Garlic Festival on Saturday, September 13, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 410 Canal Place, and the Little Falls Cheese Festival on Saturday, October 3, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. along Main Street.
A recording of this meeting is not available on our YouTube channel as usual. Our cameraman was ill and unable to attend.
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