Quinn to Host ‘State of Lake Erie’ Meeting

Highlights from the Town of Evans Board Meeting

Committee Reports Council member Michael Spence reports that over 250 children participated in the Egg Hunt held at the Evans Town Park on March 31st. He said that Clean Up Earth Day efforts will be published in the Town Crier and Penny Saver. Council member Kathy Bartus commended the exemplary work of our Evans Police Force in their many recent efforts. She especially thanked the questioning and pursuit of avenues by Detective Samuel DeJohn for his intrinsic work on the release and exoneration of Anthony Capozzi. Bartus also commended her cousin, Tom Marks, for his recent award, the Stanley Spisiak Conservationist of the Year Memorial Award, from the Erie County Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs. She thanked Mr. Marks for his work on chronic invasive species, and lobbying the local and federal government on water ecology issues. One more commendation went out to the Chamber of Commerce Business Awards winners. Clearly, there are many hardworking people deserving of recognition in Evans. Council member Paul Cooper reported as liaison to the fire departments that Angola has found a ladder truck which it hopes to purchase soon. The current aerial truck is out of duty. He also reports that advertisers and others interested in publishing announcements in the upcoming 125th anniversary program book for the Angola Volunteer Fire Department should contact Bob Beck. Cooper also reports that Friends of the Village President Joan Houston is seeking contributors and volunteers for the annual flower basket hanging in the village. Council member Karen Erickson reported that it was great fun to hold the Egg Hunt back in the Evans Town Park and thanked the Parks Department Crew for making the area as nice as it was. She commented that she overheard one young attendant complain to her mother that they had not brought their bathing suits! Town Clerk Carol Meissner reports receipts of $13, 214.55 for the month of March. Supervisor Catalino spoke for all members of the departments and the board when he asked Chief Ferguson to relay their collective thanks to the Evans Police Department for their excellent work. Catalino reported that Wendel Duscherer has been working for the past two years on the future merger of the Evans Water Department with Erie County Water. He said that through the transition the Parks Department will morph into a Department of Public Works. The total employees will eventually stabilize at around six full time employees. The projected $11 million repairs and updates to the water lines will come as part of the difference in rates to the residents. Current rates are $4.95 per thousand to the Evans Water Department, and $2.60 per thousand to Erie County. The Town projects that it can take the lower rate and make the upgrades without additional cost to residents. A public information session is scheduled for April 26th at 7 pm at the Town Hall on this topic. Twenty-six water lines and multiple easements, as wells as other details, will be discussed.

Communications Supervisor Catalino read a letter from Edward Carbeck regarding the Drive-In apparatus. Mr. Carbeck requested that a town agency coordinate efforts in the distribution of memorabilia, etc.. The Evans historical Society will coordinate efforts with interested persons. Catalino stated that a new Drive-In screen could cost $125,000. Here is the opportunity to take the old one and put it up on a suitable property. Catalino also outlined rectification of tax excess collected from Flexovit Corporation. A negotiated decision between Flexovit and representatives from the town, Lori Szewczyk and Jeanne Ebersole, resulted in yearly amends over six years to Flexovit, and not a lump sum payment. A letter from Sandra Brant, Planing Department Chairperson, requested that the board approve the negative SEQR findings on a minor subdivision at 8900 Lake Shore Road, the Orlando-Martin property. The board approved the creation of two parcels at that property. Another letter from Sandra Brant requested approval of a three parcel subdivision at the property of the estate of Paul Petro at 1579 Sturgeon Point Road and Versailles Plank. The board approved those subdivisions. The requests for both requests will be sent to Planning, Assessment, and Building Code offices in the town. In other communications Diana Cafferty requested and was approved to attend the 2007 Seminar of Tax Collecting Officers June 10- 13th in Syracuse, New York.

Resolutions • Reappointed Carmen Garozzo to the Economic Development Advisory Committee. The term expires December 31, 2007.

• Resolved to hire nineteen part time laborer/ gate guard/ night watchmen, to be called as needed at rates from $7.15 to $7.75 per hour.

• Resolved that the Town Board schedule a Public Hearing on May 2 at 7:50 pm for consideration of adopting of Proposed Local Law #3 of 2007. The Local Law would effect Firefighter and Volunteer Ambulance Worker Tax Exemption. Further resolved that the Town enter into an agreement with New York State under section 466-c of the tax code, which entitles local members of the volunteer forces to participate in these incentives. According to Cooper the incentive with one year of service is $200 in income credit and after 5 years increases to the possibility of 10% of property assessment up to a possible $3,000 value.

• Approved the appointment of Debra Wilson to position of part time clerk.

• Resolved to enter into a new agreement with Flexovit USA, Inc. for future reimbursement for overpayments to the municipalities of: Erie County, Lake Shore Central School District, and Town of Evans.

• Approved the Supervisor to sign into an agreement with Wendel Duscherer on behalf of the Town of Evans to fully implement a storm water management program by January 2008 at a cost not to exceed $20,000.

• Resolved to accept a proposal from SJB Services, Inc. for an amount not to exceed $3,500. for a new monitoring well, designated No. 1A. The new well monitoring is at the town landfill. The well must be in accordance with NYS DEC standards. This proposal was received through Wendel Duscherer.

• Resolved to urge Governor Eliot Spitzer and the Legislature to amend the “Middle Class STAR” proposal to eliminate unnecessary costs and layers in the program, and to instead implement it through New York State Income Tax credits. Other communities are drafting similar resolutions according to Diana Cafferty, Receiver of Taxes, and Jeanne Ebersole, Town Assessor.

• Authorized the Supervisor to sign an escrow account agreement with Wal-Mart Real Estate Business Trust. The account will hold $25,000, with the ability to be compensated further, for Wal-Mart to pay for studies and actual costs of Environmental Impact Studies (EIS) drafts, reviews, and final filings.

• Declared a Cannon Copier used in the Town Court as surplus equipment. There will be a work session on April 11th at 5 pm. The next regular board meeting will be held April 18th at 7:30 pm. The public is invited to attend all regular board meetings.

Highlights from the Village of Angola Board Meeting

by Evelyn Eriksen

     The Village of Angola Board met on April 2, 2007. County Legislator Bob Reynolds sat in the well attended visitors section during the entire board meeting, and, as usual, illuminated many of the issues Mayor Frawley and the Trustees have been working through. The main issues being: the impact Xspand has on holding continual liens on county properties, drainage, sewer, and water lines. The meeting was Trustee James Carlson’s first appearance on the 2007 Village Board. He is looking forward to a productive four year term. Mayor Frawley welcomed Mr. Carlson, as well as Deputy Mayor and reelected Trustee William Houston, to the new board. Communications Trustee Houston read a letter from Virginia Giguere, a postal worker in Plattsburg, NY. She attached a letter from a young town resident which touched her heart. The letter was originally a letter to Santa. Members of the board agreed that the letter, by Sandra Brown- Keefe, had an interesting perspective on blessings and appreciation.

Committee and Department Reports Trustee Houston said he appreciates the support of voters in moving progress forward for the next four years. Houston commented on the 2006 Water Quality Report which distilled down to the finding of very high water quality in the Village of Angola. He said the report states that Erie County operates under no variance or exceptions to water quality. At a recent meeting with the Erie County water Authority the Village put forward three main tasks the Authority must address. 1) Emergency generators need to be in place to be effective before the next unforeseen weather incident. Currently there are $25 million dollars on account for this unmet need. 2) They need to think seriously about placing gas wells at Sturgeon Point to supply their own electric. 3) Hook up the lines to Buffalo better. Buffalo has twice the capacity they need- they just need the power and the correct connections to the big lines. Trustee Houston attended the Erie County Fiscal Stability Board meeting March 26th. He has also attended the major local happenings these past two weeks- The Chamber of Commerce award dinner for Jack Kuebler, citizen of the year 2006, and a Walmart site plan review at Evans Center Fire Hall. He will attend a conference on the K&L Building on the 10th in the Evans Town Hall. A zoning and planning meeting given by Wendel Duscherer at the New Angola Theater is scheduled for May 8th at 6:45 pm. Trustee Mike Stockman reports that he, along with a small group including Trustee John Wilson, Angola Fire Chief Doug Streebel, and Disaster Coordinator and 2nd Chief Kris Young, will travel to Savannah, Georgia to look at a very promising candidate for the new ladder truck. A $5,000 refundable deposit was approved by the board to secure the truck purchase. Houston reports that this truck will replace a truck which is not up to code and is unusable as it stands. Stockman said that the funds for the purchase come out of the Fire Department’s equipment fund and does not include village funds. Fire Commissioners Lynne Kaminski and Jim Davis reported that Attorney Andrew Yusick was given the 17 point criteria the trucks must meet. Trustee John Wilson congratulated all on a well run election and said it was good to have James Carlson back- he recognized that Carlson is in a tough chair and a tough situation- to follow all the work done by former Trustee Jonica DiMartino. Wilson gave the Friends of the Library Report for Mr. Carlson: Tickets are available for the Ethnic Food Showcase April 22nd. Restaurants will create a minimum of 36 servings of each of their specialties for the buffet. A Chinese Auction is included in the event. Trustee James Carlson thanked the voters, and said that he is looking forward to working with everyone. Mayor “Hub” Frawley reiterated for the assembly the importance of Xspand’s role in getting property sold and used in the villages especially. The Erie County Control Board was informed about the complexities of the Xspand contract. He is concerned with the maintenance of the vacant property while the property is held. Legislator Reynolds commented that the Control Board would be meeting the next day regarding the Xspand contract, and that foreclosure is the argument right now. Frawley said the Control Board invited Angola to come back to participate in the discussion. There are 49 properties in the village in this situation. Legislator Reynolds said, in way of information, if the county were to recreate a program to collect back taxes, it would cost $800,000 just to get the program started, which is why this part of the collections has been outsourced to Xspand. Mayor Frawley said the objectives for the village were 1) the need to get the liens down, and 2) to move things up to auction. Police Chief Puckhaber reports 423 calls in the month of March. A total of 5,297 miles were logged on police vehicles for patrol. There were 33 traffic violations, 26 criminal arrests, and 31 police reports filed. The Department of Public Works reports a scheduled brush pick up for April 16- 20th in the village. Clerk Linda Giancarlo reports the receipt of $12,000 from the 1% tax incentive in Erie County. Her work on the code book update is nearly complete.

Resolutions • Authorized Mayor Frawley to execute signed easements for the School/Maple Street Waterline Project.

• Approved the execution of a site plan and boundary outline map for the Herman Park Enhancement Project.

• Approved the publication of an announcement to bidders for the School/Maple Street Waterline Project. The meeting was adjourned to a budget hearing on April 12th at 5:30 and a regular board meeting on Monday April 16th at 7:30 pm. The public is invited to attend all regular board meetings. The following web sites may be of interest: villageofangola.org, erie.gov, xspand.com

Post Office Extends Hours on “Tax Night” Mail Those Tax Forms Early and Beat The Rush!

TIPS for Tax Filers * On April 17, mail early in the day at any post office, station, branch or collection box. * If depositing returns in a collection box on Tuesday, April 17, double-check the pick-up schedule on the label. To ensure getting the April 17th postmark, please deposit returns before the last scheduled pick-up time. If you arrive later than that, you can visit one of our extended hour locations. * Stamped packages weighing more than 16 ounces must be presented in person to a post office clerk to comply with FAA regulations. * Affix the appropriate postage, especially since the item may weigh more than an ounce. Have a postal Sales and Service Associate weigh and rate the item for you. Tax agencies will not pay postage due and your short-paid return will be returned to sender - and you may miss the deadline (tip: 5 pages equals approximately one ounce). Furthermore, it is very important that your envelope has a return address. Items without a return address will be sent to the postal dead letter office for determination of the origin sender, delaying its return. * The USPS highly recommends getting the security of proof of mailing and proof of delivery of your tax returns -- use certified mail service ($2.40) with a return receipt ($1.85), plus the applicable postage.

Young Man’s Dream Comes True