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Town Board Meeting Agenda - Tues., Sept. 7, 2010
Click for 9/7/10 Town Board Meeting Agenda.Special Election to Decide Size of Grand Island Government - August 2010
By Joelle LogueMon., August 16, 2010 . . .A special election will be held Thursday, September 23 from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. to consider decreasing the representation on the Town Board from four council members to two. A resolution was adopted Monday to hold the election in response to a petition for the submission of a proposition that was filed in the Town Clerk’s office July 22.
In accordance with the law, the election must be held within a certain time frame and therefore may not be held during the primary or regular election dates. Councilwoman Mary Cooke addressed the irony involved regarding the timing of the petition filing. While the proposition’s purpose is supposedly designed to save the taxpayers money, the consideration for downsizing is forcing the town to hold an extra costly election.
The polling place for the special election will be the Grand Island Fire Hall, 2275 Baseline Road and the proposition will read as follows:
Shall the representation on the Town Board be decreased from four (4) to two (2) council members in the Town of Grand Island, New York, such that the Town Board shall be comprised of the Supervisor and two (2) council members beginning on January 1, 2012.
The Town Board plans to hold a public meeting about the downsizing to answer any questions and concerns residents may have. Due to the wording of the proposition, the seats held by Councilmen Dick Crawford and Gary Roesch would be eliminated if the vote to downsize is affirmed due to the fact that council members can not be terminated in the middle of their terms. If there is a decision to downsize, Crawford and Roesch, whose terms are up at the end of 2011, would not be able to run again until the terms for Cooke and Billica are up.
Kevin Gaughan who has successfully campaigned to downsize five town boards including West Seneca, met with defeat Tuesday in trying to dissolve village governments. The Village of Sloan and the Village of Williamsville held elections to consider dissolving that layer of government altogether, but voters by a 4 to 1 and 5 to 1, margin, respectively, elected to keep them intact.
The Town Board set a public hearing for Tuesday, September 7 at 8 p.m. to consider the rezoning of business districts within the Town Center between Bedell Road and Webb Road. Currently there are several zone designations within the Central District. The rezoning would permit the many usages now permitted in various sections of the district to be permitted throughout the district. Thus, there would be one zoning classification to address all the usages now allowed.
A second public hearing will air a request to close the Jen Court cul-de-sac in River Meadows on September 11 from 3 p.m. to 1 a.m. for a block party.
A resolution to create lighting district No. 59 in Waterford Park Phase III was adopted with an annual, total charge of $1583.50 and a cost to property owners at $68.85 per year. A scheduled public hearing for Whitehaven Meadows (55 lots) was cancelled.
Approved was a Verizon cell tower revised site plan on Long Road. The Town Board agreed with a Planning Board suggestion directing Verizon to move the tower across the street on the Dunlop property, behind the building against the Thruway. No variances are needed and there are no wetland issues.
The Recreation Dept. was granted permission to purchase playground equipment for Ed Ball Park (a climber, slide, spring animals and swings) at a cost of $6079. The equipment is funded from a donation given earlier this year. Peter Pitts, a recreation attendant part time, was given a change in status to recreation attendant seasonal at a pay rate of $8.80 per hour effective August 16 through October 29.
In other business, the Board:
• Granted conditional approval of a preliminary plat for Grand Vue Park Subdivision – Section 6 that contains 17 lots (71 to 87) with the road bowed around the wetlands.
• Renewed a special use permit for the keeping of up to 10 animals on 50 acres by Cyrus Ardalan at 5345 East River Road.
• Renewed a special use for a natural gas/metering station for National Fuel Gas Supply Corp. at 1589 Stony Point Rd.
• Granted permission for the Recreation Dept. to purchase playground equipment for Ed Ball Park (a climber, slide, spring animals and swings) at a cost of $6079. The equipment is funded from a donation.
• Agreed to advertise for bids on the bituminous resurfacing of various town roads with a deadline of August 20 at 10 a.m.
• Referred to the Recreation Director, Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and Grand Island Police Dept. a request from Amy Stewart to hold a road race on October 30 at 9 a.m. to benefit Erie County Medical Center.
• Referred to the Town Board, Town Attorney, Town Engineer and Parks and Recreation Board, a request from David and Geraldine Stalica to approve an exchange of property on Baseline Rd. to provide for a building lot with dimensions required by the present zoning ordinance.
• Appointed Judy Tafelski to the position of assessor effective Aug. 1 at Grade 8, Step A.
National Airborne Day Proclaimed - August 2010
(left) Councilmen Gary Roesch and Dick Crawford, Supervisor Peter McMahon, Lt. Col. Kelly M. Carrigg (retired) and Joseph Synakowski, Councilwoman Mary Cooke and Councilman Ray Billica.
By Joelle Logue - Mary Stewart Photo
Mon., August 16, 2010 . . .A proclamation declaring August 16 National Airborne Day was received by Lt. Col. Kelly M. Carrigg (retired) and Joseph Synakowski of Grand Island’s Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9249. This year marks the 70th anniversary of the War Department’s authorization of the Parachute Test Platoon and in observation of the birth date, the town was presented an 82nd Airborne Division flag.
Grand Island is the final resting place for Medal of Honor recipient Pfc. Charles N. DeGlopper cited for his heroism while serving as a member of Company “C” in La Fiere, France where he died in action by drawing attention away from his battalion June 9, 1944. Carigg was one of the speakers present at the unveiling of the DeGlopper monument in France and she recently led several Island VFW members on a trip to France to visit the monument.
The Island is also the final resting place for Lt. Col. Terrance K. Crowe, trained Airborne Trooper serving with the 98th Division, who was killed by fire while part of offensive operations in Tal Afar, Iraq on June 7, 2005.
Free Rabies Clinic Announced - August 2010
A free rabies clinic for cats, dogs and ferrets is scheduled for Wednesday, August 25 from 1-4 p.m. at the SPCA, Ensminger Road in Tonawanda. The clinic will be conducted by the Erie County Department of Health, the Niagara Frontier Veterinary Society and the SPCA serving Erie County.Approved Town Board Meeting Minutes - Mon., Aug. 2, 2010
Click for 8/2/10 Town Board Meeting Minutes.Town Board Meeting Agenda - August 16, 2010
Click for 8/16/10 Town Board Meeting Agenda.Town Board/Hoyt square off about Vets Park Tower - July 2010
By Joelle LogueAssemblyman Sam Hoyt has publicly come out against the Town of Grand Island putting a Verizon tower in Veterans Park. He did so before the decision was made and again at a public meeting following the decision. The curious thing about his stance is that he never engaged the Town Board on the subject at all, not even fellow Democrats.
That doesn’t say Sam Hoyt isn’t versed on the situation. Citizens who spoke at the public hearings against the location contacted Hoyt to help them with their position. Apparently that was good enough for Hoyt who elected not to hear the Town Board’s view.
Insisting that the Veterans Park location is the least intrusive, Supervisor Peter McMahon said this tower site is further away from residential homes than the other sites considered. And, in fact, legally it is not on Veterans Park land but on the former Geis property adjacent to Veterans Park.
There is consensus from Town Board members that Hoyt is using this issue as a campaign re-election ploy that could backfire since there are, in fact, residents who do not object to a tower in/next to Veterans Park.
Approved Town Board Meeting Minutes - Mon., July 19, 2010
Click for 7/19/10 Town Board Meeting Minutes.Town Board Keeps Business Brief - July 2010
By Joelle Logue
Mon., August 2, 2010 . . .The Town Board spoke to the choir Monday, regular staff members and two reporters, during a brief meeting that had no residents in attendance. Thus, no one spoke during a public hearing to approve the closing of a road for a block party Saturday, August 28 with a rain date of August 29. Park Place will be closed between #106 and #132 to all traffic except emergency vehicles to accommodate the party between the hours of 1:30- 8 p.m.
Approved was a motion in support of finding outside funding to cover the costs of completing a Generic State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR) for all undeveloped land in the three business districts and manufacturing zones M-1 and M-2 except for hamlet zones.
The Town Board agreed to the release of restrictive covenants on parcels of property owned by J.S.J. Holdings on which the former Dunlop Building is located. In the late 90s the town, county and state applied for a HUD grant to fund converting the Dunlop Building into a senior center. The project fell through and the covenants are no longer required.
A public hearing has been set for 8 p.m., August 16 to consider creation of the Waterford Park Phase III Lighting District No. 59 in the Town. The estimated annual cost for the street lighting is $1,583.50 with an expected annual cost to property owners estimated at $68.85.
Another public hearing August 16 will air a preliminary plat approval for Whitehaven Meadows, a proposed single-family development, located off Whitehaven Road.
A bond resolution to cover the reconstruction and construction of various town roads including the 2010 proposed highway resurfacing program was authorized at an estimated maximum cost of $500,000. Serial bonds will be issued in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $500,000. The cost is consistent with the amount projected for the year 2010 in the proposed capital improvement plan.
Supervisor Peter McMahon was authorized to sign a contract with National Grid for lighting improvements at the Erie County Sheriff’s Dept. Substation and Grand Island Police Dept. Seventy percent of the cost will be covered by the Energy Conservation Program offered by National Grid. Rockwoods, the landlord, will cover the remaining 30 percent, $503.56.
A Feasibility Study with Cannon Design for the shared Transportation facility was authorized with $25,000 of the cost to be reimbursed by the Local Government Efficiency Grant Program. The balance will be paid from the General Fund.
In other business, the Board:
• Awarded a bid for Library lighting modifications to CIR Electrical Construction Corporation in the amount of $25,700.
• Renewed a special use permit for the keeping of two agricultural animals on 3.5 acres as requested by Patricia Burg of 3030 Stony Point Road.
• Approved the hiring of Barbara Johnson as an interim cook at the Golden Age Center to fill in for Maria Leszczak who is recovering from an injury.
• Announced that Paddles Up was a successful event with 215 people participating with 180 watercraft.
• Announced that Grand Island will send a team to the Battle of the Books competition at ECC South August 7.
Town Board Meeting Agenda - August 2, 2010
Click for 8/2/10 Town Board Meeting Agenda.Downsizing Town Board - July 2010
See "7/22/10 Buffalo News" story by Barbara O'Brien.See also "PRESS RELEASE"
Approved Town Board Meeting Minutes - Mon., July 6, 2010
Click for 7/6/10 Town Board Meeting Minutes.Town Approves Site Plans For Two Verizon Cell Towers - July 2010
By Joelle Logue
Mon., July 20, 2010 . . .Despite protests from several residents Monday night, the Town Board approved site plans for two cell towers – one in Veterans Park and one at Fix Road/West River.
The Veterans Park location (Sandy Beach cell site) was not the first choice for Verizon which had requested the site behind the Island Presbyterian Church. In the resolution approving the site, Veterans Park was described as the least intrusive of the many studied by the Town and one that met setback requirements. Two other locations (Huth Road and Garden Parkway) had 33 and 15 homes within five times the height of the tower, respectively.
According to Consultant Dr. William P. Johnson's report dated March 26, Verizon demonstrated a need for coverage in this area, that the Veterans Park location remedies the need, that the proposed height is the minimum height necessary and that the site will comply with all FCC emissions regulations. On June 21, the Town Board determined that the Veterans Park cell site would not result in any adverse environmental impacts and issued a negative declaration of environmental significance. On July 1 the Zoning Board approved the use variance thus clearing the last step for site plan approval.
However, there are a lot of unhappy people with the site including Craig Eddy who, with numerous papers in hand went through a litany of reasons why the Town Board should say no to the site. He claimed that by Verizon not getting their ideal location, coverage at the north end of the Island would have significant coverage gaps. The Veterans Park site is a half mile from the original site. He felt the Town’s duty was to protect the character of Veterans Park and argued against any wetlands reasons for deterrents to the Huth Road or Garden Parkway sites. Eddy emphasized that in addition to the residents of Grand Island being against the Veterans Park site (he had a petition with 600 names) so are public officials like Sam Hoyt and Antoine Thompson.
Bill McKibben also supported the Huth Road site over Veterans Park claiming that any coverage lapse caused by the not giving Verizon its first choice could result in a public hazard – the inability to call emergency numbers. It would also prevent Verizon from serving the optimal number of subscribers.
But Greg Nearpass, speaking on behalf of Verizon, said that Verizon would not have agreed to the alternate site if it was inadequate and that the Veterans Park site met its main objective in serving main transportation roadways. He felt coverage would be reliable from East River to the north, Stony Point to the east and Baseline to the west.
As for the Fix Road cell site, located in the Town’s R1A low density single family residential zoning district and enhanced environmental overlay district (north of Colosi’s property), Dan Oliveri argued that residents did not have enough input, dissemination of information was lacking, and that the Town should give residents more time to address the matter. Mary Oliveri accused Verizon about wanting towers just to make money and said she had read that four other telecommunications companies were already assigned to the Verizon tower. She pointedly said that the Town Board was not following the will of the taxpayers.
According to Dr. Johnson’s report of October 2008, Verizon Wireless has a need for coverage in this area, the proposed location fulfills that need, and that Verizon needed to be as close to the western edge of Town so as to minimize the cross-border interference into Canada.
The Town Board came to the conclusion that the Fix Rd./West River site was the least intrusive and that constructing the tower in the Enhanced Environmental District (EED) would prevent the EED from being subjected to a more intense use (i.e. residential development). A waiver of the setback requirement was allowed because the Town felt there would be no change to the character of the neighborhood nor be a detriment to nearby properties. With the exception of the Colosi residence, the nearest residence is more than five times the height of the proposed 125 ft. tower. Additionally, the tower will be significantly hidden. There were no feasible alternatives to the proposed setback waiver if the Town was going to achieve its goal of minimizing impact. Location is based on the north property line, residential homes along West River Road and wetland areas on the property. The setback waiver is not substantial and Russell and Patricia Colosi do not object to the location.
At the end of the meeting, Town Board members defended their decisions with regard to sites for the towers. Deliberation and research had gone on for months and although they realized not everyone would be happy with the decisions, including many members of the Conservation Commission, all were satisfied that the best possible determinations had been made.
The Town Board approved a work agreement with the NYS Dept. of Transportation Utility for a large culvert replacement under Grand Island Blvd. located between Whitehaven and Baseline roads. Because the town has a sanitary sewer manhole in the vicinity of the work, it is necessary to grant NYS authority to perform adjustment to the manhole and maintain said facility. There will be no cost to the Town for this work.
In other business, the Town Board:
• Agreed to advertise for bids on sedimentation basin upgrades for the Water Treatment Plant with bids to be open August 25, 2010 at 10 a.m.
• Approved a request from Ronald and Anna Gramza of 768 North Colony Road for the Town to abandon a turn around easement for snowplows on their property since the road is extended and there is no further need, all subject to approval of the Highway Superintendent and the filing of appropriate paperwork with the county.
• Set a public hearing for a block party request to close Park Place (106 to 132) on Friday, August 28 from 1:30-8 p.m.
• Approved Local Law #8 providing for a revised concept development plan for Whitehaven Farms/part of River Oaks PDD.
• Announced that a second gift of $500 was presented to the Commission for Conservation of the Environment on behalf of the Leon D. Carr Memorial Fund for a worthy Island environmental project.
Island Bridges Display Opens July 24th - 2010
"Grand Island Celebrates 75 Years of the Bridges" is the title of a photo display prepared by the Town of Grand Island Historic Preservation Advisory Board and the Grand Island Historical Society, opening on Saturday, July 24 at River Lea during the Paddles Up Niagara event.This year marks the 75th anniversary of the 1935 opening of the first Grand island bridge spans. Included are photos, news articles and memorabilia beginning in the early 1800s when a bridge to Grand Island was first mentioned, to photos of the deck replacement project happening now.
The display will move to Town Hall and the Grand Island Memorial Library later in the summer and fall.
