The Ellery town board voted against a petition from The Salvation Army. Residents gather at the Ellery town hall. P-J photo by Jordan W. Patterson

BEMUS POINT — The search will continue for a new home for the Salvation Army’s Anew Center.

The Ellery Board voted Thursday against the Salvation Army’s petition to change a zoning law 3-2. With the rejection, the establishment of a New York state certified domestic violence support center and refuge was also declined.

The Salvation Army has been searching for 15 years to relocate its facility which is currently in the city of Jamestown. The board’s motion to approve the changes highlighted in the petition was denied 3-2. A motion to reject the petition was accepted 3-2. Arden Johnson, town supervisor, and councilman Mark Schlemmer and G. Craig Miller voted against the petition while councilmen David Wesp and John Cresanti voted in favor.

Schlemmer acknowledged the Salvation Army’s Anew Center need and current location’s need of upgrades but was ultimately against the change of the zoning law. He cited that as a councilman for the town he needed to properly represent Ellery Town residents.

Many of the of residents who attended the meeting inside the town building were against the establishment of the support center within the town because of fear. Some domestic violence survivors even spoke out against the creation of such a center because of the potential dangers that would follow.

Countering the residents who opposed the support center were also many people there in support. Again, some of those supporters were domestic violence survivors and called for the need of such a center.

“If we don’t, who will?” one resident said.

Attorney Adam Walters, who is representing The Salvation Army, expressed his disappointment in the decision against the petition, but remained optimistic.

“(It’s) disappointing obviously,” Walters told The Post-Journal. “We worked hard to address the concerns and at this point we are going to evaluate our options and decide on the best path forward.

“I wouldn’t say that this site is out,” he continued. “There are other options and we’re going to take a serious look at those and just go one step at a time.”

The Salvation Army’s proposed building would’ve allowed for 19 domestic violence victims to seek safe harbor at the town residence. Despite recent support from the town of Ellery Planning Board and the Chautauqua County Planning Board, the petition fell flat as the majority of the town councilmen voted against the proposal.

“At least they didn’t cheer,” said Jeremy Swanson, finance manager for The Salvation Army.

Swanson said in previous attempts to move the support center in different locations of the county residents cheered when their attempt was voted down. Swanson said he was disappointed and thought The Salvation Army’s team dispelled fears and concerns of moving the Anew center, but he admitted he was wrong.

“In the end, we just didn’t have the majority vote,” he said.