Washington Road resident Michael Sardella stood before the Scotia Village Board of Trustees Wednesday, May 9, asking for change. Sardella, a member of the group Scotia Neighbors Against Predators, or SNAP, said he would like to see the village propose a law similar to the one that is making its way through the Schenectady County Legislature, which would ban registered sex offenders from living within 2,000 feet of schools, childcare facilities, public playgrounds, and public and private youth centers.
We are asking you to change our local codes and laws. It is our responsibility to protect our children — our No. 1 responsibility, said Sardella.
SNAP was formed in response to the decision made by Washington Road residents Bill and Lois Seyse to take in a convicted Level 3 sex offender. Richard R. Matthews III moved into the Seyse residence shortly after being charged with sexually assaulting three young children. Matthews is out on 10 years probation.
Sardella said he helped to collect 234 signatures from residents demanding a law to set guidelines for sex offenders.
`Ninety-five percent of those I asked to sign were immediately ready to sign,` said Sardella.
Jeff Parry of Washington Road said he too collected signatures and told the board that he only encountered four people unwilling to sign, two of whom were former mayors.
`Each person who signed wanted to talk for 20 to 30 minutes. People feel many strong emotions about the Seyse decision. I also found it so ironic that two former mayors would not support us,` said Parry.
Seyse is a former mayor of the village.
Stan Kubick lives next door to the Seyse family. Kubick moved into his home with his five young children not long before Matthews moved in. Kubick said his work as a contractor allows him to be in and out of his home during the day. Kubick said he feels uneasy when the children are outside playing and told the board he does not feel as though the children have been put at the forefront.
`I will be at every meeting, knocking at every door until something happens,` said Kubick.
Residents at the meeting said they have tried to contact Seyse to see if he can give them a timeline as to when Matthews may be leaving the residence, but have not received a response.
Seyse said in a recent interview that he respects the rights of his neighbors to petition.
`I understand their constitutional right to petition; however, I hope they can respect my rights to have this person living with me,` said Seyse.
Washington Road resident Phil Rankin said he feels that everyone deserves a second chance, and a law restricting proximity to children would actually help sex offenders avoid becoming repeat offenders.
`We are setting up people to fail by putting them in heavily populated areas with children, like Washington Road. We have to give convicted offenders an opportunity to have a second chance at success,` said Rankin.
Many Washington Road residents and members of SNAP have tied yellow `caution tape` ribbons to their trees to show support for stronger laws restricting the residency of sex offenders.
Alison Molumby of Washington Road and a SNAP member said the group is focusing on getting the village to pass a law that will apply to future similar situations.
`SNAP will be attending government meetings to illustrate our support for this proposed county legislation. SNAP strongly endorses the Legislature’s efforts to increase residency restrictions,` said Molumby.
Mayor Kris Kastberg said the board has not yet made any decision regarding establishing a local law about where registered sex offenders can reside.
`As a matter of fact, we are waiting to see if the county legislation is passed,` said Kastberg.“