Previous Town Board News Pages
Town of Grand Island Website
Officer Sukmanowski Recognized - Feb 2012
Pictured left to right: GI Supervisor Mary Cooke; GI Police Officer Ed Niemann; GI Police Officer Peter Sukmanowski; Ginny Sukmanowski, Peter’s Mother; Kenneth Heist – Assistant Field Office Director, ICE/ERO Buffalo Field Office; GI Police Officer Chris Soluri.
Click left photo for larger view
GI Officer Peter Sukmanowski and Family Justice Center Director Mary Murphy.
Grand Island Police Officer Peter Sukmanowski was honored on February 9 at the Family Justice Center of Erie County Southtowns Family Center’s First Anniversary Celebration. Officer Sukmanowski received the Aasiya Hassan Heroism Award in recognition of his effort in helping a Grand Island victim of domestic violence.
Fishermen's Landing Updated Photos - Feb 2012
Bob Bialkowski Photos - Click photos for larger view
February 2012 . . . These air photos of Fishermen's Landing were taken on Thursday, February 9, 2012. The handicapped accessible fishing station was made possible through several grants received by the Town of Grand Island. Construction of the facilities was funded through the Niagara River Greenway Commission.Town Board Action
Proclamation Awarded To Eagle Scout - February 2012
From left: Gary Roesch, Dick Crawford, Mary Cooke, Tim Winder, Steve Winder, Theresa Winder, Ray Billica and Chris Aronica.
By Jodi RobinsonMon., February 6, 2012 . . .A proclamation was given to Tim Winder after he earned the rank of Eagle Scout at a Court of Honor on January 18, 2012. Tim's Eagle Scout Project was a redesign and rebuild of the landscaping, surrounding the Memorial Monument in DeGlopper Park. A total of 133 man-hours were put into the project involving 26 people. Tim is now working towards his Bronze Eagle Palm award.
Supervisor Mary Cooke appointed the following to the Special Districts Committee:
Chair, Town Engineer John Whitney
From Wastewater Department, Chief Plant Operator Ian James and Working Crew Chief Mike Braun.
From Water Department, Sr. Plant Operator Jim Dlugokinski and Working Crew Chief Don Hoover.
The Town Board liaisons are Supervisor Mary Cooke and Councilperson Ray Billica.
The following were appointed for the year 2012 to be liaisons between the Town Board and Advisory Boards:
Gary Roesch, Chair - Audit Committee; Chris Aronica, Councilman - Audit Committee
Gary Roesch - Economic Development
Dick Crawford - Environmental Conservation
Mary Cooke - Human Rights
Gary Roesch - Cable/Communication
Ray Billica - Traffic Safety
Dick Crawford - Library Trustees
Ray Billica - Architectural Review
Gary Roesch - Planning
Chris Aronica - Parks & Recreation
Mary Cooke - Historic Preservation
Gary Roesch - Executive Board of Golden Age Club
Gary Roesch - Safety
Dick Crawford - CERT
Town Advisory Board Appointments; Peter McKee-Zoning Board Chairman, Bill Borack-Board of Assessment Review, Joseph Scully-Cable & Communications, Paul Roeder-Cable & Communications, Kolby Smith-Board of Ethics, Alice Kowzan-Parks & Recreation and Ray Gress and Fran McMahon-Alternates, Parks & Recreation.
In other business, the Board:
•Approved the purchase of an equipment trailer by the Highway Department.
•Approved the renewal of a special use permit for Robert Mesmer, 2548 Love Road for a private airport/landing strip.
•Approved the site plan for an addition to L.D.C. Construction, 1920 Baseline Road
•Approved a request to split property of James Kaiser, 2397 Love Road.
•Approved the appointment of Nicole Gerber as Deputy Emergency Services Coordinator.
Island Re-Assessment Presentation - February 2012
The Town of Grand Island is hosting a presentation from the NYS Office of Real Property Tax Services with Thomas Halter, Real Property Analyst 2 and NYS Certified General Appraiser on the topic of the Island wide re-assessment due to begin in 2012. The presentation will take place in the meeting room of the GI Memorial Library located at 1715 Bedell Road, Grand Island on Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at 6:30 p.m. The public is invited to attend.
Town Board Proclamation & Appointee - January 2012
Center: Supervisor Mary Cooke presents the proclamation to Rev. Paul Nogaro.
Click photo for larger view - Jodi Robinson photo
By Jodi Robinson
Tue., January 17, 2012 . . .The Town Board presented a proclamation and congratulated Rev. Paul Nogaro and members of St. Stephen's Parish as they celebrate their Sesquicentennial year. Supervisor Cooke proclaimed Sunday, February 12, 2012 as Saint Stephen's Church 150th Anniversary Day. The parish will be celebrating from February through December, with various activites planned. Chris Aronica was appointed to fill the empty town board seat after a 3-1 vote by the Board. Supervisor Cooke was the lone no vote. At the public comment period, Dave Klock of Whitehaven Road brought up a water drainage issue in the area of Whitehaven and Stony Point roads. The Highway Department is currently looking into the problem.
The following items were adopted concerning the organization of the Town for the coming year.
•Adopted the Part Time Seasonal Salary Schedule, submitted by the town department heads.
•2012 Schedule of Planning Board Meetings
In other business, the Board:
•Adopted the following to various Advisory Boards,
Frederick Luhr - Board of Ethics
Dorothy Westhafer - Comm. for Conservation of the Environment and Chairwoman for 2012
Mary Sommer - Human Rights Commission
Frank Sturniolo - Chairman of Planning Board
•Authorize Gary Roesch to cast one vote for the Town at Assoc. of Towns Meeting.
•Approved the purchase of a mower for the Parks & Recreation Department.
Chris Aronica Appointed To Town Board - January 2012
At the January 17th meeting, the Grand Island Town Board appointed Chris Aronica to the Town Council seat vacated by the election of Mary Cooke to Supervisor. Chris is President of Aronica & Co. Brokerage Firm and is a registered Conservative. A life-long islander, and GIHS Class of 1979 graduate, he is married to Kyle and they have two children. Chris is "looking forward to serving the community I grew up in." His term lasts until Dec. 31, 2012. A special election will take place next fall to elect a councilperson.
Town Board Begins New Year At Odds - January 2012
By Jodi RobinsonMon., January 3, 2012 . . .It was an interesting beginning to the new year at the first Town Board meeting of 2012. Supervisor Mary Cooke made a motion to appoint Planning Board member Shelia Ferrentino to fill the vacancy of her council seat, and was seconded by Councilman Dick Crawford. Councilman Ray Billica interjected that he was under the impression that the appointment was still in the discussion phase and he wasn't ready to vote. Councilman Gary Roesch agreed noting that out of the 16 applicants for the position, all would make a great addition to the board, though "one candidate may be a touch better" than another. After a vote, the motion failed with Cooke and Crawford voting for and Billica and Roesch voting against. Gary Roesch then made a motion to appoint Mike Madigan but with no one to second it, the board is back to discussions.
The following items were adopted concerning the organization of the Town for the coming year.
•Appoint Hodgson Russ, LLP, Peter C. Godfrey, Esq. of Counsel as attorneys.
•Adopt the resolution regarding method of assessment for consolidated water districts, Town lighting districts and consolidated sewer districts.
•Designate the Bonadio Group as Audit Counselors.
•Designate Supervisor Mary Cooke as Budget Officer.
•Reappoint Douglas Learman as Code Enforcement Officer, Dan Linenfelser and Jacqueline McGinty as Code Enforcement Officer B part-time.
•Appoint Supervisor Cooke as the Liaison and Police Commissioner of the Grand Island Police Dept.
•Set the mileage at $.555 per mile for Town Officials when performing duties for the Town.
•Designate the Island Dispatch as official newspaper.
•Designate M & T, HSBC, MBIA Class, JP Morgan Chase Bank, Citizens Bank and First Niagara as depositories for the Town.
•Adopt Town Fee Schedule, Procurement Policy, salary schedule and The Rules and Procedures.
•Authorize the Supervisor to bond Town Personnel, set petty cash funds for departments, set the payroll date as every other Thursday and make payments to the designated utility and health insurance companies.
•Designate Town Attorney Peter Godfrey and Payroll Clerk Diane Nesbit as Harassment Complaint Officers.
•Appointment of Elizabeth Wilbert as Assistant to the Supervisor and Deputy Supervisor for 2012.
In other business, the Board:
•Approved motion to authorize Supervisor Mary Cooke to sign an agreement with Network Services for computer support for hardware and software related issues.
•Approved the reappointment of Town Clerk Pattie Frentzel to the positon of Registrar of Vital Statistics.
•Approved request of Highway Superintendent Jim Tomkins to place two town vehicles at auction.
Inauguration Of Town Officials - January 2012
From left: Town Justice Sybil Kennedy, Councilman Gary Roesch, Supervisor Mary Cooke, Hon. Russell Buscaglia, NYS Supreme Court, Town Clerk Patricia Frentzel and Councilman Richard Crawford
Click photo for larger view - Jodi Robinson photo
Newly elected Grand Island Town officials were sworn in by the Hon. Russell Buscaglia, NYS Supreme Court, at the Buffalo Launch Club on Sunday, January 1, 2012. They included Town Justice Sybil Kennedy, Councilman Gary Roesch, Supervisor Mary Cooke, Town Clerk Patricia Frentzel and Councilman Richard Crawford. Don Burns was a lively addition as Master of Ceremonies, at a very well attended inauguration ceremony.
