MAYVILLE – A motel in Falconer that is being used by the county for transitional and temporary housing continues to be a focal point for residents who oppose it being used for this purpose.

During the Chautauqua County Legislature meeting Wednesday, Falconer resident Kerry Chase, who oversees the Neighborhood Watch program, addressed lawmakers about the clientele at the motel.

Before Chase spoke, she submitted a petition with 156 signatures on it calling on political leaders to re-consider the transitional housing program located at the Budget Inn and the Quality Inn in Falconer.

“We strongly feel that Falconer lacks the resources to properly help the individuals in the program thrive. We have endured an increase in theft in our businesses and our residences for way to(o) long. We have lost two businesses in the village because of the activity coming from the Budget Inn. Our other businesses have been negatively impacted by patrons of the hotels. Our residents do not feel safe walking down our main streets. We have tolerated needles on our streets and parking lots, disorderly conduct, constant begging for money, lewd behavior, and an increase in law enforcement activity and medical assistance needed in our community,” the petition reads. “We the undersigned are concerned and angry citizens who urge our leaders to act now and move the transitional housing program and the code blue program out of Falconer, NY and into a location that better allows access to programs and resources to help program recipients improve their lives.”

In the petition was a small section for signers to write comments. Some of the comments include: “uncool activities,” “tired of being asked for money,” “save our village,” “grocery store harassment,” “frightened during the day,” and many more.

Most of the signatures were dated in September and October, before the fire at the Colony Motel which occurred on Oct. 24.

At the time of the fire, County Executive PJ Wendel stated that 15 people were displaced in the blaze. The Colony Motel was one of the few other motels that was used by Social Services for temporary and transitional housing.

Chase referenced the fire during her public address. “With the Colony burning, we are definitely seeing an increase,” she said.

Chase said loitering is particularly a problem. “We can’t walk down the streets anymore without being faced with people. They’re on the benches; they’re loitering and a lot of them have nothing else to do during the day,” she said.

She gave the example that she sees homeless people sleeping in the local library during the day.

At the same time, Chase said Falconer residents want to be of assistance. “We recognize this is not just a Falconer issue. This is everywhere,” she said.

Chase insists village residents care about the well-being of those who are living in the Budget Inn. “We want to be good neighbors. We care about what’s happening to them, but we want that to be reciprocated though,” she said.

Chase said she’s scheduled a meeting with the Department of Social Services at the end of the month. They’ve also sponsored clothing drives and will be working with the soup kitchen “so we can be better neighbors.”

After she spoke, Legislature Chairman Pierre Chagnon, R-Ellery, thanked Chase for her comments.