Wellsville business asks village board to annex a town property for company growth

A Wellsville business asked the village board Monday night to consider annexing a property in the town along the Bolivar Road. Wesley Fortney operates Combat Carpenters, a small business that currently leases space at the former Pfuntner car showroom on Railroad Avenue. Combat Carpenters is  a service-disabled veteran-owned business. Fortney said he wants to relocate his business to the former RMT-Lufkin building on Bolivar Road at the Florida Avenue intersection. The veteran told lawmakers the annexation "would keep a small business in the village." He added, "it's a perfect space for my operation." Combat Carpenters would lease 4,000 square feet in the metal building on the back side of the property. Fortney told the board "I think it makes sense for the village," noting it would expand the village tax base and utilize surplus electrical services that may dwindle with the loss of other manufacturing operations locally. Fortney said he would utilize an 800 amp service which would allow him to add many more machines. Annexing a parcel into the village is no easy task, which the veteran understands. Mayor Randy Shayler said the village would look in to the proposal. Fortney said the property is owned by Ellicott Development, which, he indicated, endorses the plan. While no action was taken, the village will examine the request. When Fortney concluded his statements, Shayler quipped, "anyone else wanna annex anything?"