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Town Board News - JANUARY - JUNE 2008
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2nd Annual Kids Create Hope Walk Set For Grand Island - 2008
   Hundreds of Western New Yorkers will take to the pathways of Beaver Island State Park, Grand Island, on June 7, 2008, to raise money for pediatric cancer research at Roswell Park Cancer Institute. Rob Ray will serve as the honorary chairman of the Walk, which will be emceed by 97 Rock's Rob Lederman.
   The Kids Create Hope Walk is the premier event of the Kids Create Hope: Shane G. Ferguson, MD Pediatric Cancer Research Fund. This Fund was established by the family of Shane Ferguson, a Western New York pediatrician who passed away in September 2006 after a 3-year battle with pancreatic cancer. Kids Create Hope was established in association with Carly’s Club at Roswell Park to accomplish two goals: supporting pediatric cancer research and empowering children to be proactive, giving members of society.
   "During his illness, Shane often denounced the lack of funding to research his rare tumor. However, prior to his death, he requested that any money donated in his name should be given to pediatric cancer research," says Gail Ferguson, MD, Dr. Ferguson's wife. "His goal was to give young cancer patients the chance to optimize their futures."
   Participants will be treated to product giveaways, refreshments donated by local merchants, music, activities and the chance to meet Rob Ray, the popular Buffalo Sabres alumnus.

Town Board Workshop Meeting Agenda - Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Workshop Meeting - Wednesday, May 14, 2008 - 3:30p.m. - Re: Scenic Woods – Bicentennial Park

Town Board Meeting Agenda - Monday, May 5, 2008
Click for Town Board Agenda 5/5/08.

Town Board Meetings - 2008
   MEETING NOTICE
Grand Island Town Board
Workshop Meeting
Friday, April 25, 2008
3:30 p.m.
Re: Woods Creek Subdivision

   MEETING NOTICE
Grand Island Town Board
Workshop Meeting
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
3:30 p.m.
Re: ReZone 56+/- Acres W. of Golf Course Villas

   MEETING NOTICE
Grand Island Town Board
Workshop Meeting
Thursday, May 8, 2008
3:30 p.m.
Re: Verizon Cell Towers

Approved Town Board Meeting Minutes
Click for Approved Minutes April 7, 2008 Meeting.

Town Board Meeting Agenda - Monday, April 21, 2008
Click for Town Board Agenda 4/21/08.

Town Board Meeting - 2008
MEETING NOTICE
Grand Island Town Board
Workshop Meeting
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
3:30 p.m.
Re: Safety Manual

Approved Town Board Meeting Minutes
   Click for Approved Minutes March 17, 2008 Meeting.

Town Board Action - 2008
Short Agenda Makes For Quick Town Board Meeting - 2008
By Joelle Logue
      Monday, Apr. 6, 2008 . . .Just eight agenda items made for quick work during a 15-minute Town Board meeting Monday. The board renewed a preventive HVAC maintenance contract with M.J. Mechanical Services Inc. for Grand Island Town Hall at $3,869. Hourly rates for emergency service will be 18 percent below street rate or $75 per hour. A truck/mileage charge of $40 per call will prevail. The current contract expires May 31, 2008.
      The board re-bid the liquid sludge hauling contract for 2008 to Ball Toilet & Septic Services at $0.04799/gallon and accepted a bid of $12,595 from S.V. Moffett for a box seeder to be used by the Town Recreation Department for the athletic fields.
      Approved was the hiring of six part-time recreation attendants from April 8-25 for 19 hours a week and one part-time recreation attendant from April 8 to October at 19 hours a week. Two part-time seasonal maintenance personnel were approved for 40 hours a week effective April 8 and April 21. Also approved was the hiring of seven returning part-time recreation seasonal workers for 23 weeks (40 hours a week) effective April 28.
      A special use renewal for the two-story addition to the original building at Elderwood Senior Care at Riverwood was approved. Referred to the zoning officer for consultation with the town attorney was a special use renewal for a 4.27-acre pond excavation by James and Irene Daigler at 2343 Staley Road.
      The board referred to Supervisor Peter McMahon information from Audubon International regarding a seminar on “Achieving Sustainability in Your Community.” The supervisor will get more details on the seminar and decide if it could benefit Grand Island.
      Postponed was a presentation of a proclamation seeking a resolution to the Grand Island Bridge commuter tax that is severely impacting Grand Island businesses. It will be presented at a later date to the Economic Development Committee and the Chamber of Commerce both of which oppose the tolls for residents and businesspeople. The proclamation refers to the recent toll increase and the even greater hardship on residents. It requests that the NYS Thruway Authority, the NYS Legislature and Governor David Paterson come together to work out a resolution to the tax.
      The following announcements were made:
• An Open House on the final plan for Scenic Woods and Bicentennial Park will be held April 10 from 4-8 p.m. on the upper level of Town Hall. Residents are urged to stop by and see the plans firsthand.
• The Lions Club Spaghetti Dinner will be held Monday, April 14 at the Holiday Inn to benefit the annual Lions Club picnic and boat ride for children with special needs in July at the Buffalo Launch Club. The picnic marks the 50th anniversary of this special event for special people.
• Town Engineer John Whitney was saluted for three awards bestowed over the past several months. He was named the Public Works Leader of the Year from the NYS Chapter of the American Public Works Association (APWA), the Public Works Leader from the WNY Chapter of APWA, and was named Engineering Manager of the Year by the Erie-Niagara Chapter of the NYS Society of Professional Engineers.
• The Buckhorn Bike Trail grand opening is planned for 10 a.m. May 8. Watch for further details.

Town Board Meeting Agenda - Monday, April 7, 2008
Click for Town Board Agenda 4/7/08.

Town Board Commends DECA Students - 2008

(left) Cheryl Chamberlain, DECA Advisor, Courtney Papaj (NYS top ten Job Interview), Brittany Papaj (NYS top ten Job Interview), Courtney Justus (first place NYS Chapter Scrapbook), Ciara Morreale (NYS Top Ten Apparel and Accessories), Sara Kurpiewski (First Place NYS Prepared Public Speaking), Peter McMahon Town Supervisor.
Click photo for larger view
Grand Island High School DECA Club students were recognized with a proclamation read by Supervisor Peter A. McMahon during the Town Board portion of the joint Town Board/School Board meeting Monday night, April 1, 2008. The students were recognized for their continued achievements and their efforts in business competition at the regional and state levels of DECA.

Town Meeting - April 22, 2008
A Grand Island Town Board Workshop Meeting will be held 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 22, 2008 Re: Design & Performance Standards Code Review

Public Open House, Scenic Woods Master Plan - April 10, 2008
See Scenic Woods Master Plan for complete information on the public open house scheduled for April 10th from 4 to 8 p.m. at Town Hall. Residents are invited to stop in and look over the plan, talk with the planning committee, ask any questions and make comments.

MEETING NOTICE - March 2008
A Joint Grand Island Town Board/School Board Meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Monday, March 31, 2008 in the Grand Island High School Small Cafeteria.

Town Board Workshop Meeting Notice
    Grand Island Town Board Workshop Meetings - 3:30 p.m. - Re: Code Publishers
   Thursday, March 20, 2008
   Monday, March 31, 2008
   Tuesday, April 1, 2008
   Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Approved Town Board Meeting Minutes
Click for Approved Minutes March 3, 2008 Meeting.

Town Board Meeting Agenda - Monday, March 17, 2008
   Click for Town Board Agenda 3/17/08.

Town Board Action - 2008
Town Board Sets Public Hearings On Zoning Requests - 2008
By Joelle Logue
      Monday, Feb. 4, 2007 . . .The Town Board, Monday, scheduled three public hearings for 8 p.m. March 17. A re-zoning request by John Simon at 2038 Grand Island Blvd. involves changing 60 ft. of property from TCMR to B1 to allow for an addition to an existing building that is grandfathered for commercial use. Proposed use of the premises is an auto repair shop. This request was also referred to the Planning Board for review and recommendation.
   A second public hearing would consider rezoning of 56 acres on Whitehaven Road west of Golf Course Villas for River Oaks expansion.
   The third public hearing for March 17 is to consider final plat approval for 30 lots in Phase I of Waterford Subdivision. The Planning Board recommends approval and reports the only change to the plan is that ľ of an acre of wetlands has been created.
   Temporary modular offices were approved for American Pharmaceutical Partners, Inc. during the construction phase of a 3,000 ft. expansion. This project could take up to four years to complete.
   Site plan revisions to parking lot and landscaping improvements at Hot to Go Racing, 2600 Grand Island Blvd. were approved. Zoning Officer John McCarthy has agreed that 12 parking spaces are sufficient. There will be a dumpster in the rear and the parking lot will be patched. Conditional approval of 20 lots for final plat of Grand Park Vue Subdivision, Phase V was also approved. Lot configuration has not changed since Preliminary approval was granted.
   Denied was a site plan application for Phase VI construction of Hugill Storage at 2761 Bedell Road due to the fact that Building #13 had not been built thus requiring a different configuration to meet code.
   Special use renewals were granted to Glen Wallace at 917 North Colony Road for a bed and breakfast and to Carol Merckel at 2324 East River Road for keeping two agricultural animals.
   A resolution was adopted, in concert from resolutions from the Grand Island School Board and two neighboring town boards, in support of retaining School Resource Officers (SRO), a state program that allows for a NY State trooper to serve school districts with regard to safety issues. The resolution urges Governor Spitzer to rescind his decision to eliminate the SRO program and keep his promise to provide safe schools for students and staff.
   In other business, the board:
• Approved the hiring of Kathy Fratello as a part-time court clerk effective March 4.
• Accepted a bid from Viking-Clives in the amount of $29,720 for one new 2008 9 ft. insulated asphalt body and a second bid from Viking-Clives in the amount of $21,476 for one new 2008 9 ft. all-season dump box.
• Awarded the general contract for ORF Spray Wash System and Liner replacement to Nichols, Long & Moore in the amount of $604,920; and the electrical contract for the same to O’Connell Electric at $27,340.
• Approved the advertising for bids on a 60-inch seeder to be used at Veterans Park and additional park areas.
• Agreed to re-bid at a later date for one new 2008 10-inch salt spreader body as no bids were received.
• Agreed to award the sludge hauling contract to an interim company for 60 days if Ball Sanitation can not do the job to specifications.

Approved Town Board Meeting Minutes
Click for Approved Minutes February 4, 2008 Meeting.

Legal Notice - Sludge Hauling - March 2008
See "Legal Notice Sludge Hauling."

Town Board Workshop Meeting Notice
    Grand Island Town Board Workshop Meetings - 3:30 p.m. - Re: Code Publishers
   Wednesday, March 5, 2008
   Friday, March 7, 2008
   Monday, March 10, 2008
   Tuesday, March 18, 2008
   Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Town Board Meeting Agenda - Monday, March 3, 2008
Click for Town Board Agenda 3/3/08.

Town Board Workshop Meeting Notice
MEETING NOTICE
Grand Island Town Board Workshop Meeting - 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 11, 2008 - Re: Guest Speaker Carol McTague - NYSPSC
MEETING NOTICE
Grand Island Town Board Workshop Meeting - 7 p.m. Thursday, March 20, 2008 - Re: Guest Speaker John Fogerty from Time Warner

Town Board Meeting Notice
MEETING NOTICE
Grand Island Town Board Workshop Meetings - 3:30 p.m.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Friday, February 15, 2008
Monday, February 25, 2008
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Re: Town Code Book Recodification

Approved Town Board Meeting Minutes
Click for Approved Minutes January 22, 2008 Meeting.

Passport Day At Town Hall - 2008
   Town Clerk Patricia Frentzel annouces Passport Day at town hall, 2255 Baseline Road, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, February 9, 2008. See PASSPORT DAY for complete information.

Town Board Action - 2008
Library Hours Extended, Book Discussion Scheduled - 2008
By Joelle Logue
   During Monday’s Town Board meeting, Councilwoman Mary Cooke announced that the Grand Island Memorial Library, which had its hours of operation cut due to county budget cuts, will now be open longer. Hours will be extended on Tuesdays till 9 p.m. and the library will be open on Fridays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This is good news for the library patrons as the Grand Island Library is one of the most frequented libraries in the county system. Winter hours are now Monday and Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Thursdays from 1-9 p.m.
   The Library and local book club members will host a community discussion of "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee Tuesday, February 12 from 7-9 p.m. at the Library on Bedell Road. Refreshments will be served. The event is provided in part by funds from the National Endowment for the Arts. For those readers who would like a double dose of the book, "To Kill A Mockingbird" is currently on stage at Studio Arena Theatre.

Town Board Action - 2008
Town Board Does Quick Business With Short Agenda - 2008
By Joelle Logue
   Monday, Feb. 4, 2007 . . .Deputy Supervisor Dick Crawford led the Town Board meeting, Monday, in the absence of Supervisor Peter McMahon who was attending a conference out of town. Councilman Gary Roesch, attending a separate conference, was also absent from the meeting. It took less than 15 minutes to deal with an abbreviated agenda. The next Town Board meeting will not be held until March 3 due to the Association of Towns meeting scheduled for the third week in February.
   A letter requesting the town take a formal position on the removal of the Grand Island Bridge tolls, submitted by the Economic Development Advisory Board, was referred back to the Town Board for consideration. The letter asserted that the tolls create a competitive disadvantage for businesses located on the Island and adds to the cost of doing business. In addition, local businesses with multi-axle vehicles pay a higher cost to perform work off the Island. Other toll detriments mentioned were the unwillingness for consumers to wait in traffic to enter the Island and the inability to schedule appointments after 3 p.m. for fear of bridge traffic back-ups.
   A detrimental medical result of waiting in line to pay bridge tolls is the correlation of increased mortality and lung cancer with increased exposure to fine and ultra-fine particulate air pollution such as that created by diesel emissions. In citing this, the Economic Development Committee concluded that the majority of Isle residents are exposed to harmful emissions created by idling trucks, buses and automobiles awaiting passage across the bridges.
   In other business, the Town Board:
• Appointed Fred Luhr to the Board of Ethics for a four-year term set to expire Dec. 31, 2011.
• Appointed Gary McDannell to the Environmental Conservation Commission for the balance of a vacated term to expire Dec. 31, 2011.
• Authorized the highway superintendent to bid for one new 2008 salt spreader body and one new 2008 insulated asphalt dump body.
• Awarded the town’s liquid sludge hauling contract to Ball Toilet & Septic Services at a cost of $0.024 per gallon beginning March 1.
• Approved a public improvement permit for a sewer extension for Golf Villas lot #95.
• Accepted with regret the resignation of Chris Pennuto from the Environmental Conservation Commission.

Town/County
Tax Bills Mailed
   Town Clerk Patricia Frentzel announced that the 2008 Town/County Tax Bills have been mailed. If you have changed banks, have paid off your mortgage or do not have an escrow account and did not receive a tax bill, please contact the Town Clerk’s office at 773-9600 ext. 620 or 600. The office will be open extras hours on Saturday February 9 - 9am - 1pm, Thursday February 14 - 8am - 6pm and Friday February 15, 8am - 6pm. Checks should be made payable to Town Clerk. The last day to pay without penalty is February 15. Envelopes must show a legible postmark of February 15 to be accepted on time. Taxpayers should call the office for correct amounts for payments made February 16 and later. Payments can be made until June 30, 2008. After this date, payments must be sent to the County.
   ONLINE TAX RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS - SERVICE FEES APPLY :
   Click for "Tax Information 2008"
DEBIT CARDS ACCEPTED AT COUNTER - SERVICE FEES APPLY

Town Board Meeting Agenda - Monday, February 4, 2008
   Click for Town Board Agenda 2/4/08.

County Dept. of Emergency Services Requests Storm Damage Information - Jan. 2008
   Grand Island Supervisor Peter A. McMahon has released the following to Isledegrande.com.
   Erie County’s Department of Emergency Services is attempting to determine the total amount of damage resulting from Wednesday’s storm. The information is important to the efforts to have the Federal Government issue a disaster declaration which would make individual home owners eligible for Federal reimbursement of their damages. At this time, it is uncertain whether or not the damage total will reach the threshold necessary for the declaration.
   Grand Island residents are asked to call Town Hall at 773-9600, extension 616, on Monday or Tuesday, to report damage. "We will need the name, address, phone number, description of the damage and a rough estimate of the cost of repairs, Supervisor McMahon said. The total damage estimate will be forwarded to Erie County the first thing on Wednesday morning. If the total damage exceeds the threshold and the declaration is received, the Town of Grand Island will notify those residents who reported damage, with instructions on how to file a claim.
   No other information is available at this time, only that an effort is being made to determine if a declaration should be requested.

Supervisor's 2nd Update on Wind Storm - Jan. 2008
   Grand Island Supervisor Peter A. McMahon has released a second storm update to Isledegrande.com.
   The National Weather Bureau has just upgraded the winter storm advisory to a winter storm warning effective through 3 p.m. this afternoon. Snow and blowing snow are the main issues as we approach the noon hour.
   All roads are open except Oak Harbor. Large trees and two power poles w/ transformers are blocking the road. Grand Island Fire Co. crews are standing by waiting for National Grid crews.
   Electric power is being restored on a case by case basis. Individual and neighborhood outages still exist. There are no widespread power outages.
   Highway crews are actively engaged in snow and ice control having switched from tree and debris removal. These duties are likely to make up a majority of their work for the rest of the storm.
   The Emergency Operations Center, at Fire Headquarters, will remain open and crews will remain on standby for the rest of the afternoon.
   There are still approximately half a dozen houses that are either flooded or surrounded by water. The river level is at its second highest level in history. The peak of 11 feet above normal is 1 foot below the record of 12 feet.
   Town utilities (water & wastewater ) continue to operate normally.
   There will be no further email updates unless the situation changes.

Supervisor's Update on Wind Storm - Jan. 2008
   Grand Island Supervisor Peter A. McMahon has updated Isledegrande.com on the current situation with the wind storm for the Town of Grand Island.
   There are multiple trees & wires down. These incidents are being handled by a combination of the Highway Department, the Grand Island Fire Company and the various utilities. Currently there are large trees and two power poles, with transformers, down on Oak Harbor. There is another pole, with a transformer, down on West River near Whitehaven. Additional incidents of this nature continue to come in although the volume has slowed.
   The Town's Emergency Operations Center has been opened and staffed.
   There are various areas of the Island without electric service. They do not appear to be widespread and are somewhat intermittent.
   Programs at the Golden Age Center are cancelled for the day. Staff will remain to answer the phones. We will re-open if shelter facilities are needed.
   There is a significant amount of low land shoreline flooding in the south east and north east corners of the Island. In the south east, there is flooding on South Colony and North Colony. The houses on the river front between these two streets have been evacuated. On the north east corner, the flooding involves houses on the river side of East River Road in several locations.
   Our Water and Wastewater facilities are operating normally. We have placed an emergency generator at lift station #9 ( Melrose ) and will keep it in place through the end of the wind storm. We have delayed the switchover of another lift station from generator to shore power until the storm abates. Waste Water maintenance crews will seal manholes in areas where there is flooding if necessary.
   Parks crews will assist highway with tree removal if necessary.

Town Board Meeting Agenda - Monday, January 22, 2008
   Click for Town Board Agenda 1/22/08.

Town Consultants Present Scenic Woods/Bicentennial Park Plan - 2008
By Doug Landers
   Approximately 25 Island residents attended the public information meeting regarding the proposed master plan for the 203-acre Scenic Woods/Bicentennial Park held Tuesday January 15 in the Town Hall Courtroom. Town consultants presented their plan for the park and its possible features. Scenic Woods/Bicentennial Park is located along East River Road just south of Ransom Road.
   The primary access point to the park will be off of Sturbridge Lane and the proposed features include a trail at its starting point that will travel though the park running east to west. The trail will be comprised of fine stone referred to as “screenings.” This material compacts easily and will provide a surface that is ideal for walking, bicycling and wheelchairs. The park will be handicap accessible.
   There will be several side trails that will loop off of the main trail. They will feature seating and overlooks for the river and wetlands. The main trail will cross over wetlands in three places via boardwalks.
   The consultants also provided an update on what has been done so far, including an assessment of soil types, plant life, wildlife and wetlands delineations.
    The public raised various questions, including how close the park would be to residences. The proposed plan calls for one hundred feet. Homeowners then asked if two hundred feet would be possible. This is currently being investigated. Other public questions included concerns regarding various types of motorized traffic, parking and people loitering after dark.
   According to Grand Island Town Supervisor Peter McMahon, all of the questions and concerns are being considered. Any changes that can and should be made will be addressed at a subsequent meeting to be held in March. Once the plan is finalized, there will be a formal public hearing prior to adoption.

Town Board Action - 2008
Supervisor, Town Board Appoint - 2008
By Joelle Logue
   Monday, Jan. 7, 2007 . . .The following appointments were made during the reorganization meeting of the Town of Grand Island Tuesday.
   Supervisor Peter McMahon named the following committees:
Audit: Chair Mary Cooke, Gary Roesch.
Personnel Committee: Supervisor Peter McMahon, Dick Crawford.
Sidewalk & Bike Path Committee: Chair McMahon, Town Engineer John Whitney, Traffic Safety Advisory Board member Lawrence Kieffer, Councilwoman Mary Cooke, Highway Supt. Ray Dlugokinski, Planning Board Chair Peter Morelock, Recreation Director Linda Tufillaro.
    Special Districts: Chair McMahon (chair), Mary Cooke, John Whitney, Dan Moran and Don Hoover from Water, and Wayne Clinton and Mike Braun from Wastewater.
    Citizen Corps Council: Dorothy Bitner, Frank Brusino, Gregory Butcher, Hank Carroll, James T. Glass, Carol Jones, Nancy Koch, Richard Stoll, Stephen Stouter and Dan McMahon (ex-officio).
    Town Board liaisons: Cooke (Environmental Conservation Board, Historical Preservation and Human Rights), Gary Roesch (Economic Development, Planning Board and Communications & Cable/Communication, Golden Age Club and Safety Committee), Crawford (Traffic Safety Advisory Board, Library Trustees, Citizens Corps, Youth Board), Argy (Architectural Review Board, Community Enrichment and Parks & Recreation Board), McMahon (Long Range Planning Committee).
    Douglas Learman was re-appointed Code Enforcement Officer, Kevin Koch as Deputy Code Enforcement Officer and Michael Eisenhauer as Code Enforcement Officer B Part Time.
    Town Attorney Peter Godfrey and Diane Nesbitt were appointed Harassment Complaint Officers.
    Gregory Butcher was appointed Deputy Disaster Coordinator.
    Teddy Linenfelser was re-appointed Town Historian for 2008.
    It was announced that James Tomkins will continue as Deputy Highway Superintendent.
    Patricia Frentzel was reappointed Registrar of Vital Statistics for the Town for a four-year term set to expire Dec. 31, 2011.
    Advisory Board Appointments
• Architectural Review Board: Richard Szafran for a five-year term expiring Dec. 31, 2012.
• Cable/Communications: Dennis Dahl and Joan Droit reappointed to seven-year terms expiring Dec. 31, 2014.
• Commission for Conservation of the Environment: Paul Leuchner and James Tomkins reappointed for a five-year term expiring Dec. 31, 2012.
• Board of Ethics: Dennis Badame for a five year term expiring Dec. 31, 2012
• Economic Development: Robert Ratajczak and Bonnie Sciuk reappointed for three-year terms expiring Dec. 31, 2010.
• Historical Preservation Board: Curtis Nestark for a two-year term expiring Dec. 31, 2009 and Teddy Linenfelser for a one-year term expiring Dec. 31, 2008.
• Human Rights: Terry Franckowiak reappointed for a five-year term expiring Dec. 31, 2012.
• Library Trustees: Agnes Becker reappointed for a five-year term expiring Dec. 31, 2012.
• Parks & Recreation: Michael Dowd re-appointed for a five-year terms expiring Dec. 31, 2012.
• Planning Board: Frank Sturniolo reappointed for a seven-year term expiring Dec. 31, 2014, with Peter Morelock to chair the Planning Board for a two-year term expiring Dec. 31, 2009.
• Traffic Safety: Dorothy Bitner and M. Scott Morris re-appointed for three-year terms expiring Dec. 31, 2010.
• Zoning Board of Appeals: Betty Harris reappointed for a five-year term expiring Dec. 31, 2012, Robert Mesmer as an alternate for a one-year term expiring Dec. 31, 2008, and Peter McKee named chair of the Zoning Board for a two-year term expiring Dec. 31, 2009.

Town Board Action - 2008
Town Reorganizes For 2008
By Joelle Logue
   Monday, Jan. 7, 2007 . . .Peter McMahon began his 11th year as supervisor Monday during the town’s organization meeting and named Dick Crawford Jr. his deputy supervisor. Crawford began his 13th year as councilman. McMahon asked for and was granted a 30-day extension for filing the Supervisor’s Financial Report for the fiscal year 2007. He also appointed Elizabeth Zilbauer as his secretary for the year.
   The town board adopted methods of assessment for water, sewer and lighting. All net operation and maintenance costs shall be apportioned to the water consumption of each of the properties or parcels of land within the town sewer districts and be recovered as sewer rent. One hundred percent of capital costs will be apportioned against the assessed land valuation. Land where there is an accessible line frontage will have an annual tax of 80 cents per front foot in the area of the Consolidated Sewer District formerly known as Sewer District #4,. Land where there is an accessible line frontage shall bear an annual tax of 80 cents per front foot in the areas of the Consolidated Sewer District formerly known as Sewer District #4, except that lateral sewer lines installed by real property developers such front foot charges shall not apply. Also, a charge per frontage feet in said former Sewer District #4 or those connected in the East River lateral to be determined by the county. A user shall pay all wastewater treatment plant facility and sewer district lines and appurtenance costs assigned to operation and maintenance and to capital construction costs. A non-user shall pay only 100% of the capital construction costs of wastewater treatment plant facilities based upon the assessed land value of the non-user.
   The town board also took action on the following:
• Set mileage at 50.5 cents per mile for town officials and town employees performing duties for the town.
• Authorized membership at the NYS Association of Towns Meeting in New York City by those department heads and/or elected officials with necessary funds in the budget; and authorized the supervisor to cast one vote for the town at the meeting. The alternate delegate is yet to be determined.
• Renewed the town’s membership in the Association of Erie County Governments, NYS Government Finance Officers Association, State Association of Municipal Purchasing Officers (SAMPO), the New York Planning Federation and the Association of Towns of New York State.
• Adopted Rules and Procedures originally adopted Jan. 20, 1964 and amended January 18, 1988, May 19, 1997 and January 5, 2004.
• Set petty cash funds as follows – town clerk ($700), sewer and water ($150), town justices ($200), highway dept. ($125), recreation dept. ($100).
• Announced Town Hall hours as 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday from January 2008 to January 2009; closed on town designated holidays; special hours for tax collection to be announced.
• Set bond amounts for town personnel – supervisor ($250,000), town clerk ($250,000), deputy town clerks ($250,000), supervising accountant ($250,000), court clerks – town justices ($100,000), and a blanket bond for each other bonded employee ($5000).
• Designated the Island Dispatch as the official newspaper for the town.
• Designated M&T Trust Company, HSBC Bank, MBIA CLASS, JP Morgan Chase Bank. Citizens Bank, and First Niagara Commercial Bank as depositories for the town.
• Named Bonadio Group as audit counselors.
• Set the payroll date as every other Thursday, beginning Jan. 1.
• Set town board meetings for the first and third Mondays of each month at 8 p.m. unless it falls on a holiday in which case it will be held on Tuesday. Workshops will precede the meetings at 6:30 p.m. There is no meeting the third Monday in February due to the Association of Towns conference.
• Designated Supervisor Peter McMahon as budget officer for the town, and as police commissioner and town liaison for the Grand Island Police Dept.
• Agreed to retain the law firm of Hodgson, Russ, Andrews, Woods & Goodyear LLP, Peter C. Godfrey, Esq. Of Counsel as attorneys for the town.
• Adopted an investment and procurement policy and adopted a fee schedule for 2007.
Town Holidays Designated
   All town offices will be closed in observance of the following holidays, as set forth in the various union bargaining units:
Martin Luther King Day (Monday, Jan. 21), President’s Day (Monday, Feb. 18), Good Friday (1/2 day Friday, Mar. 21), Memorial Day (Monday, May 26), Independence Day (Friday, July 4), Labor Day (Monday, Sept. 1), Columbus Day (Monday, Oct. 13), Election Day (Nov. 4), Veterans Day (Thursday, Nov. 11), Thanksgiving and day after (Thursday & Friday, Nov. 27-28), Christmas Eve (Wednesday, Dec. 24 & Christmas Day, (Thursday Dec. 25), New Year’s (1/2 day Wednesday, Dec. 31) and (Thursday, Jan. 1).

Public Hearing To Air Architectural Review Board Duties - 2008
By Joelle Logue
    The Town Board will hold a public hearing at its next meeting, Tuesday, January 21 to hear comments on the proposed changes to the way the Architectural Review Board does business. Considered would be limiting permits referred to the Architectural Review Board and addressing the distance between structures when excessive similarity or dissimilarity arise. If passed this would allow developers with a planned development proposal to seek a single project permit rather than individual permits for each dwelling.
   Town Clerk Patricia Frentzel appointed Betty Lantz, Diane Darmofalski and Karen Cooney as deputy town clerks and Sally Kaiser as part time clerk. Also, Lantz was named a deputy registrar and Darmofalski, Cooney and Kaiser as sub registrars.
   Public Improvement permits for Golf Villas – Phase 2 (17 lots) were approved for the installation of sanitary sewer, storm sewer, water mains and silt fence for erosion control.
   Final restoration date for the East River Road Pump Station #3 replacement was extended from March 31 to June 30 due to delays caused by National Grid in relocating the power pole involved in the project.
   The Town Board adopted the Phase II Stormwater Management Plan to meet requirements of the EPA Phase II Stormwater Regulations.
   No public comments were submitted during the comment period.
In other business, the Town Board:
• Agreed to advertise for bids on a 2008 Ford Crown Victoria Police car with bids to be opened at 10 a.m. Friday, January 18.
• Authorized the advertisement of bids for 2008 sludge hauling that will be opened Jan. 11 at 10 a.m. - Authorized the supervisor to sign an acknowledgement with Isledegrande citing their donation of services to maintain 11 website domain names for the town’s use.
• Gave site plan approval to APP Pharmaceuticals for a one-story addition at 3159 Staley Road subject of any issuances of variances required by the Zoning Board of Appeals.
• Announced that an informational meeting regarding the mapping out of open space in Scenic Woods would take place Tuesday, Jan. 15 at 7 p.m. in the Town Hall. Drawings depicting the project can be viewed at the Library or on the Isledegrande website.

Computer, Textiles & Trees Recycling Day Saturday - 2008
By Joelle Logue
   The City of Buffalo and Erie County will sponsor a computer, textile and tree recycling day in the Buffalo Zoo Parking Lot (Jewett & Parkside), Saturday, January 12 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Household computer and electronic items being accepted include CPUs (hard drive), CRTs or monitors, keyboards and mice, printers, cell phones, rechargeable batteries, VCRs and DVD players. The cell phones will be donated to the Buffalo Zoo. Old clothes and textiles will be accepted and reused at AMVETS retail locations. Those unable to be reused will be recycled. Items turned in should not be soiled. Christmas trees may be recycled as well. Mulch from the trees may be taken home or left for composting. For more information, call 858-6996 or check online at recycle@erie.gov

Approved Town Board Meeting Minutes
Click for Approved Minutes December 3, 2007 Meeting.

Public Information Meeting - NYS Dept. of Transportation
Staley/GI Blvd. - Thursday, January 31
A Public Information Meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, January 31, 2008 in the Town Hall Court Room. Information will be presented regarding the NYS Dept. of Transportation's plans to re-construct the intersection of Staley Rd. and Grand Island Blvd. According to Supervisor Peter A. McMahon, this is a $2.7 million project designed to reduce congestion at the intersection. DOT will present the alternatives which have been considered and the preferred solution.

Town Board Meeting Schedule 2008
Click for Town Board Meeting Schedule 2008.
Click for Town Board S.E.Q.R. Workshop Schedule 2008.

Town Board Meeting Agenda - Monday, January 7, 2008
Click for Town Board Agenda 1/7/08.

Town Officials Installed - January 2008

(left) Councilmen Gary Roesch and Richard W. Crawford Jr., Supervisor Peter A. McMahon, Town Justice Sybil E. Kennedy, Installing Officer Justice Mark J. Frentzel, Town Clerk Patricia A. Frentzel, and Emcee Frank B. Pritchard.
Former Town Justice and longtime Island attorney Francis "Bud" Pritchard served as emcee for the town inauguration ceremonies held Tuesday, January 1, 2008 in the Golden Age Center, Whitehaven Road. Town Justice Mark Frentzel served as the installing officer.
First elected in November 1997, Supervisor Peter McMahon is serving his fourth term in that office. Approximately 150 people, including Michele Iannello, Erie County 10th Legislative Rep. and Antoine M. Thompson, NYS Senator 60th District, came out on New Year's Day to witness the swearing in ceremonies that were followed by a reception.

Town Board Meetings - January 2008
A Grand Island Town Board Workshop Meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday, January 15, 2008. Kevin Gaughn will give a presentation regarding Downsizing Government.
A Grand Island Town Board Workshop Meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, January 15, 2008 Re: Scenic Woods Information Meeting.

Town Inauguration - January 1, 2008
The Town of Grand Island will hold inauguration ceremonies of the newly elected town officials at noon, Tuesday, January 1, 2008 in the Grand Island Golden Age Center, Nike Base Park (3278 Whitehaven Road). Reception immediately following.
Officials elected on November 6, 2007 are Supervisor Peter A. McMahon, Councilman Richard W. Crawford Jr., Councilman Gary G. Roesch, Town Clerk Patricia A. Frentzel, and Town Justice Sybil E. Kennedy.