It Appears Spring Is Finally Here!

Highlights from the Village of Angola Board Meeting

     The Angola Village Board held their meeting on Monday, April 16, 2007. Mayor Frawley and all trustees were in attendance. Mayor Frawley brought the meeting to order and asked if anyone in attendance would like to address the board. Sam Mogavero asked for a moment of silence in honor of those that had been shot earlier in the day at Virginia Tech. Mayor Frawley reported that on April 28^th there would be a hazardous household material pick-up in the Town of East Concord with additional pick-ups in May and June including one date for computers and household electronics. Mayor Frawley also reported that Senator Volker approved funding in the amount of $40,000 for an air compressor unit needed for to fill the personal air pacs the 7 fire companies serving the Town of Evans, Brant and Farnham use. Also, approved was $30,000 in funding to implement the stream bank stabilization project at Herman Park. Friends of the Village have requested donations to raise the $2,000 needed for flower baskets that hang on the light poles during the spring and summer months. Trustee Houston suggested that the Trustees personally contribute to the fund. Congressman Reynolds will be hosting a conference slated for September 12^th – 14^th for 390 CEO’s and Commercial Developers from all over the country to showcase the Western New York Region. Mayor Frawley and Trustee Houston plan on attending the conference. Other board members may decide to attend as the date draws nearer. On April 26^th the Erie County Association of Government will be hosting a meeting in Marilla that Mayor Frawley and Trustee Houston plan on attending. The demolition of the K&L building has received positive feedback from the State Office and Attorney. Demolition is expected to take place this summer. Some concerned citizens have pointed out approximately 8 sections of concrete sidewalk in front of the National Grid building that have been damaged by either installation of underground conduit or heavy equipment being driven over it. Trustee Houston has notified Nancy Shock of National Grid who promised to address the problem and make any necessary repairs. Trustee John Wilson would like to remind everyone that the Ethnic Food Festival to support the Angola Library will be held on April 22^nd. Local restaurants will be in providing the food. Trustee Wilson has also contacted CSX regarding the problems with the bridge. He has seen pieces of concrete that are approximately 3’x 5’ and 3’x 6’ that have fallen into the water. Right now he believes that as soon as enough man power can be assembled the problem will be repaired. Trustee Jim Carlson has received letters from concerned residents about sidewalks that have defects due to weather and the nearness of some trees and bushes. These sidewalks will be inspected and any problems will be addressed and repaired. He also reported that he would be attending a Village of Trustees Association meeting in Kenmore. Village Attorney Andrew Yusick stated that he had invited the counsel for Medicaid to come and view the problems at the Intercontinental Building on Commercial Street to see its real worth. [The Intercontinental building is a public safety issue needing extensive exterior repairs. The owner of the building, being elderly and in need of Medicaid, is unable to care for the building. Medicaid is involved because they believe the Intercontinental building has a significant monetary value.] Fire Commissioner Lynne Kaminski reported 9 fires in February and 4 in March. She also reported on the current department bills that are ready for payment. Code Enforcement Officer Chuck LaBarbera reported 13 rental inspections. He also stated that fire inspections would begin this month and asked for patience and cooperation and plans on having them complete before the next scheduled meeting. Planning Chairman Bill Harold is continuing to work with Goya on their expansion project. Chuck LaBarbera stated that site plan changes were being sent in “piece meal” and would like Goya to hold all requested material until it becomes complete and then send it in to be reviewed. There was some question raised about the location of the fire hydrants in relation to the loading docks on the property. It was pointed out that there were hydrants down the street and across the street but questions on whether or not any were located on the property itself were raised. Paul Cooper addressed the issue by assuring that once everything was in, the proper authorities including the fire chief would have a chance to review the site plan and determine what if any additional fire safety measures should be taken. In new business, a request for the rezoning of the Clark-Brant Garage located at 151 South Main Street was received. The present zoning is residential but the new zoning would not be addressed until the Goya project was complete so that the wrong classification would not be hastily decided. More attention to the activities permitted in certain classifications needs to be addressed and possibly revised. In other matters the Board, • Approved the adoption of the 2007 – 2008 budget. • Approved the water levy/clean up to taxes. The Board authorized the delinquent water account charges and property cleanup/stub searches be sent to Erie County Department of Taxation and Finance for collection on the 2007 Village Tax Bills. $11,013.79 water and $3,415.00 clean-up and one PVC Pipe installation of $282.24. • Approved the address for current building lot on Grove Street as follows: SBL#235.19-2-58 101 Grove Street Angola, New York 14006. The water account for this address will be I-5101. • Approved the Water Clerk to issue water shut offs per the attached list of delinquent water accounts unless paid in full by April 17, 2007. These residents have all been duly notified with plenty of time to respond and are scheduled for shut off due to non-payment of two or more water bills as per Village regulations. Total amount of delinquency id $3,110.66. • Approved the celebration of Municipal Clerks Week to be recognized the week of April 29^th through May 5^th, 2007 and further extended appreciation to our Municipal Clerk Linda Giancarlo, our Municipal Deputy Clerk, Michelle Warren and our Part-time Clerk, Karen Walczak and to all Municipal Clerks for the vital services they perform and the exemplary dedication to the communities they represent. • Approved an Amendment to correct administrative procedures of the Fireman’s Service Award Program. In accordance with Article 11-A of the New York State General Municipal Law,. The next meeting of the Village of Angola Board will be held on Monday, May 7^th at 7:30 pm.

Highlights from the Lake Shore School Board Meeting

     The Lake Shore School Board met on Tuesday, April 17, 2007 at the Lake Shore High School media center. Mr. Rabey, Lake Shore Superintendent, introduced Dawn Mirand, Principal of Highland Elementary. Mrs. Mirand was pleased to introduce the kindergarten teachers and students who were present to explain the “new kindergarten”. Each of the kindergarten teachers gave a short presentation of the different ways that science is integrated with math, reading, writing and art. The students performed a poem and two songs relating to Earth Day which has been expanded at Highland to encompass the entire month of April. Mr. Hornberger, a 5th grade teacher from Highland was also present. He explained the annual trip to Camp 7 Hills that the 5th grade class will take later in the year. This is an event that has taken place for 37 years and Mr. Hornberger has played a huge part in this event for the last 4 or 5 years. The trip is also supported by other staff members, PTG, food service and Evans Police Department. This year the students will spend the day there on June 13th and return on June 14th for an overnight stay until June 15th. Anyone who would like to come and visit for the day is more than welcome, there are plenty of activities, special visitors, cooking and cleaning for everyone. Highland will be hosting “Space Day” on May 3rd, 2007. NASA and Lockheed Martin have joined in promoting this event that is celebrated in 21 countries on 6 continents. The program was designed to keep interest in space and engineering. Highland school will be sent a poster from NASA that the faculty, staff and students will be able to sign. The poster will then be sent back to NASA so that it can be part of a space shuttle mission to take place later in the year. Upon the shuttle’s return, the poster will be an official article that has traveled into outer space and will be sent back to Highland where it will be framed and hung on the newly painted wall. These are just a few ways that elementary schools have integrated science into other areas of study and everyday life. The board and visitors were also treated to an outstanding performance on a Marimba, a percussion instrument, by Dan Ornowski the recipient of the Erie County Music Educators Scholarship. Dan started playing percussion instruments in the 5th grade and from the start his teachers saw something very special in his ability. He proceeded to make the All County Band by the 6th grade and by the 7th he was in the area All State Band and/or Orchestra. He is one of a very few who have been voted the top percussionist in the state for 2 consecutive years. His performance of “Yellow After the Rain” was truly outstanding. The Board recognized the casts of the Sr. High musical “Peter Pan” and the Middle School musical “Annie, Jr.” for their outstanding performances. Cast members and teachers from both productions were present to receive their award. Mr. Gardner and 3 students from the Middle School gave a presentation on a project that they worked on for the National Society of Professional Engineers. The Future City Regional Competition was held on January 26, 2007. Board member Carmen Garozzo also participated in this project that consisted of 3 major elements that had to be met by deadlines set by the NSPE. The 1st part of the project had the students designing a computer generated city that was able to provide everyday services for 150,000 people and still be profitable. In the 3 years that Lake Shore has taken part in this competition, this is only the 2nd time that the students were able to achieve this criteria. The 2nd part of the competition was to compose an essay about their city. This year’s topic was Fuel Cells and how they would be utilized in the future. The 3rd and final part of the process was to construct a model of their city. The presentations were made at Mount Saint Mary’s on January 27, 2007. Many of the schools who initially signed up to compete did not meet the deadlines and were eliminated. Presentation to the Board was made by the Senior High Art Department regarding their request to travel to Italy during Spring Break of 2008. Sanctioning by the Board was requested so that meetings relating to this vacation could be held on school property, the school rules would be enforceable and the art department would be able to integrate the information obtained in their teachings. Students interested in taking the trip can defray the cost with fund raisers and they must meet academic standards in order to participate. The trip will require a minimum of 25 students with the optimal number placed at 30 so that they can have their own tour bus and not have to share with another school. The trip is tentatively scheduled for April 11th through April 19th. Student Representative Castle, had students address the Board with events that they had put together through the year to keep the “spirit”. There were many successful fund raisers and some very creative activities that the students and teachers were able to take part in. Mr. Castle informed the board that this year’s committee would all be graduating in June and thanked them for all of their hard work this year. In Fiscal and Operational Matters the Board: • Approved the minutes of the March 20, 2007 Regular Board of Education Meeting. • Approved the LSCTA Supplemental Benefit Fund Monthly Report – March 2007 - $78,389.24 • Approved the Committee on Special Education & CPSE reports as attested. In Personnel Matters the Board: • Approved a medical leave for Connie Govenettio from her position as Elementary Education teacher, effective March 30, 2007, followed by an unpaid childcare leave for the remainder of the 2007-08 school year. • Approved the temporary appointment of Carolyn Williams in the area of Elementary Education (Grade 2), effective April 2, 2007. Ms. Williams will receive contract pay Step 1 – Bachelors, effective the date Mrs. Govenettio goes on unpaid leave. • Approved the temporary appointment of Cheryl Monaco in the area of Elementary Education (Grade 2), effective sometime in early May, 2007. • Approved the Middle School After-School Science and Social Studies appointments for the 2006-07 school year. • Accepted the resignation of Michael Mitri from his position as Special Education teacher, effective June 30, 2007. In Old Business the Board: • Approved the Second Reading of Policy #5661 – District Wellness Policy. • Did not approve the resolution that is in favor of legislation that will require local and state judges to mandate bail release requirements that include prohibition of the accused from interacting with a minor, for all crimes involving sexual harassment of children, child pornography and sexual abuse of children. In New Business the Board: • Approved the display of the Haudenosaunee [Seneca] Flag. • Approved the 2007-08 Budget Proposal for presentation to the district voters on May 5, 2007. • Adopted the 2007-08 Property Tax Report Card. • Approved the Art Department trip to Italy. • Accepted with regret the resignation of Carla Thompson (English Education) for the purpose of retirement effective June 30, 2007. Board Member Matthew Smith thanked Mrs. Thompson for the solid base she provided her students throughout the years and let her know that she impacted thousands of lives. In Other Business the Board: • Provided information that the joint municipalities meeting with the Lake Shore School Board, Town of Evans and Village of Angola scheduled for April 24, 2007 would have to be rescheduled for a later date due to conflicts in scheduling and the new date would be announced when decided. • New York State School Board Conference would be held in New York City from October 25-28, 2007. Board members will decide as the date draws nearer who will be attending. • On May 9, 2007 there will be a meeting at the E2CC BOCES Ormsby Center the new site for OSS [Out of School Suspension]during the 2007-08 school year. • On May 19, 2007 the 6th annual “Come Walk With Me” Family Walk-A-Thon will be held. All proceeds raised will help with funding for the Family Support Center. This is a 2 mile walk and anyone with questions can call 926-2296. • May 1, 2007 will be the last chance for parents to get the drug and alcohol training that is required if your child plans on attending the prom or homecoming dances. Classes must be complete before the purchase of tickets for these events. The Board recognized Mr. Schamberger from the Middle School who addressed the Board with information about “Rachel’s Challenge: Live Strong Day” which will take place on April 26, 2007. This is a full day of activities including 35 career guest speakers, games and live band. There is a drop off box for dvd’s, books and cd’s that will be donated to Hospice. School safety and reaching for goals will be some of the topics discussed. The next regularly scheduled Lake Shore School Board Meeting will be held on May 22. The next Board work session will be May 1, the Budget Hearing will be May 8 at 7pm, Annual District voting will be May 15.

Highlights from the Evans Town Board Meeting