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GLOVERSVILLE - According to the Gloversville mayor, Johnstown Mayor Sarah Slingerland is using approval of sewer service for the proposed Walmart Supercenter as a bargaining chip in order to bring more revenue to her city.

Slingerland, however, vehemently denies such claims.

Gloversville Mayor Tim Hughes said Slingerland is holding the project up because she wants her city to be involved in a revenue-sharing agreement between Gloversville and the town of Johnstown.

At a Johnstown Common Council meeting Monday night, the council approved only one parcel of the town of Johnstown's request to allow sewer connections for eight parcels near the proposed Walmart site.

Leslie Senglaub, an attorney for Walmart, said without the approval of the other parcels, the project cannot move forward. She said she would recommend Walmart officials abandon the project.

Hughes said he spoke with Walmart officials, who he said indicated Slingerland is holding up the project because she wants the city to receive revenue from some of the parcels near the project.

"She has indicated she would bury this project if she didn't get some revenue from those parcels by the Fulton County Federal Credit Union," Hughes said. "There is this attitude of, the toys are mine and you can't have them. It's crazy."

Hughes called Slingerland's actions "extortion" and said Slingerland had years of opportunities to bring up any grievances she had with the project. He added Slingerland was invited to take part in the revenue-sharing agreement between Gloversville and the town of Johnstown but chose not to.

"We all but begged her. She had her opportunity to get involved," he said. "It's not like this is something that came up at the last minute. They've had five or six years. [The city of Johnstown] may think they are set for now, but their turn is coming."

Hughes said he is arranging meetings with Walmart officials in an attempt to put the pieces of the project back together.

"All we can do is try," he said. "We're making an effort. We'll do everything we can possibly do to get these approvals."

In a news release, Slingerland said it is not the intention of Johnstown officials to block the project.

"It is our opinion approval for seven additional parcels is not necessary for the successful completion of the Walmart Supercenter," Slingerland wrote. "The city of Johnstown has been a willing partner [with Gloversville] and has cooperated in the past ... to provide sewer services outside [city of Johnstown] boundaries."

Slingerland said this morning that Hughes' allegation of extortion is "extremely inaccurate."

"I do not want [the revenue-sharing agreement] inserted into the discussion," she said. "I think that clouds the issue. This discussion about revenue sharing should be moved off the table so it does not cloud the issue and make it impossible to move the project forward."

Slingerland said despite Senglaub's assertion that the project cannot move forward without approval of all the parcels, she and other city officials disagree.

"It is the obligation of [this city] to ... protect the interest of [our] taxpayers," she said in a statement. "At the same time, we recognize the importance of supporting our sister city ... and participating in promoting beneficial regional growth. [The resolution the Common Council passed] strikes that balance."

Slingerland added she knows Senglaub attended a Fulton County Planning Board meeting Tuesday, the day after the Johnstown Common Council meeting.

"It appears that she is still engaged in moving the project forward," Slingerland said.

Hughes said the loss of the proposed Walmart Supercenter would be devastating for the city. A number of city officials agreed.

"It looks like this could end the city of Gloversville as it stands," said 6th Ward Councilman Ray Hindes. "This is hugely disappointing. I think [city of Johnstown officials] had their own intentions to screw this up for us. They haven't wanted to work with us for years. Why would they want to now?"

Second Ward Councilman John Castiglione agreed, but said he is still hopeful the project may be revived.

"I have felt that the city of Johnstown may have been a thorn in our side on this project," he said. "But I have not given up on this."

Mayor-elect Dayton King said he was very disappointed by the decision of the Johnstown Common Council and said the Walmart Supercenter is not just important for the city, but for the whole county.

"I'd like to sit down with [Slingerland] and work together for the best interest of the county," he said. "[Gloversville] will grow when all of us grow together. This shouldn't be a power struggle."

King said the decision by the Johnstown Common Council appears to be short-sighted. Instead of each municipality looking out for only itself, he said, working together is important for everyone's survival.

"We need to work better together," he said.

Kayleigh Karutis covers Gloversville news. She can be reached at gloversville@leaderherald.com.