About 90 participants waded into Lake Erie on Sunday, January 7 for the 6th Annual Polar Bear Swim at Hideaway Bay. The water was 42°, 10° warmer than usual for January, but still mighty cold for the annual swim to benefit the Variety Club, Silver Creek Food Pantry, Silver Creek Rescue Squad and the Sunset Bay Volunteer Fire Department.

     The Evans Town Board met for its first regular meeting of 2007 on Wednesday, January 3. All members were present. During Privilege of the Floor, Bob Beck announced that this year’s Taste of Evans will be held on Sunday, July 15. He also reported that the Angola Volunteer Fire Department will be celebrating their 125th Anniversary the weekend of July 20 and 21 and the Southwestern Firemen’s Conference will be held at Lake Erie Beach Fire Hall during the first week of August. Councilman Michael Spence reported that the City of Buffalo is sponsoring a computer and textile recycling drop-offs at the Buffalo Zoo on Saturday, January 13 and that Christmas trees may be dropped off at the Evans Town Park for mulching. Christmas trees will also be picked up on your regular garbage day. Councilman Kathy Bartus congratulated Mark C. Hageman on becoming an Eagle Scout. Councilman Paul Cooper announced a seminar series he has been working on with Evans-Brant Chamber of Commerce President John Latimore and Friends of the Village, Inc, President Joan Houston that will provide information to small businesses on How to Survive WalMart (see additional info in Angola Village Board Highlights article, page 1 and Seminar article on page 3). Supervisor Catalino reported that a townwide re-valuation will be done this year. The Town has not be re-valuated since 1991. Councilman Karen Erickson added that there will be public meetings held to explain the reval process, answer questions and let the residents know what is happening. They also added that if anyone has any questions about what is happening in the Town, they should be sure to ask the PROPER people and get the facts, not to listen to and spread rumors. Councilman Erickson announced the receipt of grant funding, applied for by the Town of Evans on behalf of the Southtowns Enhancement Coalition that will allow the Coalition to become a 501-c3 non-profit organization and apply for its own grants to promote tourism in the 7 participating municipalities. In other matters, the Board: • Appointed Brad DiMartino and Douglas Czora to the position of “DETECTIVE” in the Town of Evans Police Department at the salary established pursuant to the Collective Bargaining • Appointed Thomas Crupe to the position of “POLICE OFFICER” in the Town of Evans Police Department at the salary established pursuant to the Collective Bargaining Agreement. • Adjusted the water account of Steven Payne because of a water problem. • Authorized payments to the following organizations to help defray operating costs for the year 2007 1) EVANS LITTLE CAGERS providing a youth basketball program, a sum not to exceed $1350.00; 2) EVANS SENIOR ARCHERY PROGRAM providing an archery program, a sum not to exceed $405.00; 3) EVANS BUDDY BASEBALL providing a league for handicapped individuals, a sum not to exceed $630.00; 4) EVANS YOUTH BASEBALL, Inc. providing a youth baseball program, a sum not to exceed $6,300.00; 5) EVANS YOUTH BASEBALL, Inc. providing a girls’ softball program, a sum not to exceed $1,440.00; 6) LAKESHORE YOUTH FOOTBALL, Inc., providing a youth football program, a sum not to exceed $5,500.00; and 7) LAKESHORE YOUTH SOCCER ASSOCIATION, providing a soccer program, a sum not to exceed $6,300.00. and FURTHER RESOLVED, that, in the sole discretion of the Supervisor, the Supervisor may make a condition of such contract and the payment of such funds to any such organization as the Supervisor may elect a satisfactory review of said Organization’s operating budget and presentment to the Town of vouchers regarding expenditures made by said Organization, and the filing with the Town of an inventory satisfactory to the Supervisor, of assets, equipment and supplies employed in, on or in connection with, said program, as well as a summary of disposition of such assets, equipment and supplies disposed of since the last payment made by the Town, detailing to whom such assets, equipment and supplies were transferred, the consideration for such transfer and the date or dates of the same, or the manner in which such assets, equipment and supplies were otherwise consumed. • Authorized payments to the following organizations to help defray operating costs for the year 2007 1) BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS IN DEVELOPMENT GOVERNMENT EDUCATION SERVICES (B.R.I.D.G.E.S.) providing, organizing and sponsoring post senior prom activities relative to the 2007 Lake Shore Central High School Senior Prom a sum not to exceed $225.00.; 2) ANGOLA PARK AND GAZEBO COMMITTEE, providing, organizing and sponsoring various concerts and cultural events held, generally, at the Angola Village Gazebo and surrounding park, a sum not to exceed $405.00. 3) EVANS ART GUILD, providing, organizing and sponsoring various activities and cultural events, including, but not limited to an art show or shows, a sum not to exceed $260.00; 4) KIDS DAY IN THE PARK, providing, organizing and sponsoring various activities and cultural events generally and commonly referred to as “Kids Day In The Park”, a sum not to exceed $180.00; and 5) LIONS CLUB OF THE TOWN OF EVANS, providing, organizing and sponsoring a Halloween parade, a sum not to exceed $405.00 • Approved the request of The Town of Evans Director of Community Development to attend the NY Rural Tourism Conference in Auburn, New York scheduled for January 11-12, 2007; and whereas, the Southtowns Community Enhancement Coalition has agreed to pay half of the registration fee and travel expenses (Total conference/travel cost estimated at $324.00) for the Town of Evans Director of Community Development to attend the rural tourism conference; and the Town of Evans agrees to pay half of the registration fee and travel expenses (estimated at $162.00) associated with the conference • Authorized Supervisor Catalino to sign any necessary agreements with ONE COMMUNICATIONS for procurement of Telephone service as recommended by Varo Technologies, subject to the approval of the Director of Finance and the Town Attorney. THIS RESOLUTION SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY. • Approved Refreshment Licenses for George P. William D/B/A Super Freeze Drive In; William Connors D/B/A Connors Hot Dog and William Connors D/B/A Connors Hot Dog Sturgeon Point • Approved Refreshment, Amusement & Live Band Licenses for Marie Mogavero D/B/A Meadowbrook Restaurant & Bar Inc; Paul Moore D/B/A American Legion Newcomb Long Post 928; J.J. Parks Pub Inc - Castaways Bar & Grill; Robert Jakubczak D/B/A Overseas Veterans of Evans, Inc. • Adjourned to: Wednesday, January 10, 2007 Work Session at 5:00pm and Wednesday, January 17, 2007, regular Town Board meeting at 7:30pm.

January 3, 2007

by Evelyn Eriksen

     Small Business Development Highlighted The village trustees reported on economic development opportunities to local businesses. Evans-Brant and Eden Chambers of Commerce, Friends of The Village, Inc. and the Evans Office of Community Development have joined under the direction of newly elected Councilman Paul Cooper and representation by Village Trustee John Wilson to offer seminars to assist small businesses acclimate to the change in the local environment (opportunities and challenges presented by the entrance of a national chain into our community). The series of four seminars begin January 18th at 7pm at the New Angola Theater. Interested persons and businesses are encouraged to contact the Evans-Brant Chamber of Commerce for reservations at 549-3221. The January 18th meeting will begin the series with a frank discussion lead by former Mayor of Springville Gary Eppolito regarding the impact WalMart has had on the Springville business community. The next meeting on January 25th will discuss research findings on the affects of big box retailing on specific industries, such as, hardware, lawn and garden, auto supplies, grocery, optical and pharmacy. This informative discussion will be lead by Frank DuQuette, President of DuQuette and Partners Advertising. A meeting on February 1 features Don Tomasulo, Director of FM sales for Entercom Broadcasting. He will discuss successful marketing strategies for small businesses. The last meeting in this series will be held February 8th and will be lead by James Gillan, President of Paragon Advertising. He will provide tips for selecting a niche for your product and developing a strategy for successfully reaching the people who will most benefit from your product or service. No matter what the future of local business challenges and changes, these seminars will assist in developing a solid foundation for local businesses to plan for opportunities and, to reach their markets effectively. All four free seminars will meet at the New Angola Theater at 7pm - 8:30pm. Thanks are extended from the coordinating groups to Claddagh Commission Inc. for use of the Theater. An in-depth program of mentoring and education is also being offered through the Evans-Brant and Eden Chambers of Commerce, and the Evans Office of Community Development. Participants will work for one year on developing their business and entrepreneurial needs. The program involves a commitment of two morning meetings a month. The training and development are facilitated by business professionals from the Evans-Brant and Eden Chambers, SCORE representatives, and business leaders. Please contact the Evans-Brant Chamber of Commerce at 549-3221, or the Eden Chamber of Commerce at 992-4799 for detailed information on this mentoring program. Committee and Department Head Reports Trustee Bill Houston remarked that the luminaries on Christmas Eve made the village a very pretty site. He attended the swearing in of Councilman Paul Cooper and remarked that the event was very nicely done. He created a motion to use $250 of Village public relations and economic development funds to sponsor the four Business Strategy Workshops/Seminars. The board approved his motion. Trustee Mike Stockman reports that the Depot Committee will meet on January 10th at the Congregational Church at 7pm. On the 11th he plans on discussing spending the grant for the Depot Park with Lori Szewczyk from the Office of Community Development. Trustee John Wilson reports that he, Trustees DiMartino and Stockman, as well as Mayor Frawley will travel by train to Albany for the NYCOM Winter Legislative Meeting for three days in February. Trustee Wilson will look into the possibility of a video record of the four upcoming series of Business Strategy Workshops/Seminars. He is also currently considering the water meter reader part time job applications. Trustee Jonica DiMartino highlighted the local business development seminars in her report. She said that this is a campaign promise already begun by Councilman Cooper; and early feedback from the business community is encouraging. Mayor Frawley reported that the Christmas decorations will be taken down on January 7th by the volunteers that helped to put them up. Attorney Andrew Yusick reports that information on general service agreement to release the village from maintaining the intake at the water plant has been forwarded to Town Attorney Grant Zajas. General Crew Chief Jeff Kaminski reports that work on hydrants will begin this Friday. Fire Commissioner Lynne Kaminski reports that the 1,800 feet of hose tested last month resulted in one length being bad due to a hole, and 16 couplings that need to be replaced. The Fire Commissioners will look into the possibilities of repair or replacement to find which alternative is most cost effective. The inventory process of the trucks and halls will take place in January. The Board will be given a list of equipment and goods which might need to be disposed of or recycled. The Fire Hall will celebrate its annual installation dinner on February 3rd. The Angola Fire Company will also host the Bottle and Can Drive lead by Band Director Eric Blodgett for the High School students. The bottle and can drive is scheduled for February 10th. Mrs. Kaminski also reports that Erie County will assist in changing the current call out on the minitor system to that of a text message on pagers. Text will also appear on large screens in the Fire Hall, and any call reports from Dispatch will be printed out at the station. She mentioned that Assistant Chief Kris Young is working out a three year equipment replacement plan for the fire company. Code Enforcement Supervisor Charles LaBarbera offered a list of code changes to the board. Discussion will continue on fees and requirements. One item of interest is the possibility of adding jail time to enforcement violations. Attorney Yusick explained that the addition of jail time to the fines will allow the judge to serve a warrant to appear, which will increase the ability of the Code Enforcement Office to apply consistent standards. These proposed changes will be brought forward as proposed local laws in this new year. Resolutions 1 Authorized the Village Clerk to publish an election notice. The next General Election of the Village of Angola will be held March 20th, 2007. The polling place for the single village election district is the Village Hall, located at 41 Commercial Street. The poll will be open from 12 o’clock noon to 9pm on March 20th. 2 Approved the extension of the www.villageofangola.org web site maintenance contract with Weaving A Website. Weaving A Website will continue to service and update the village web site at a cost of $1,400 for the year beginning November 1, 2006 through November 1, 2007. Concerning the web site, Village Clerk Linda Giancarlo expressed interest in learning how to maintain the site. Trustee DiMartino remarked that the Village Code Book will be added after it is updated. She also mentioned that the web address will be added to village signs, making the need for frequent updates more important in the future. The next scheduled Village Board meeting is January 16th at 8:30pm. The public is always invited to attend and participate.