On Saturday, September 22, 2007, the Town of Brant hosted the first Southtowns Energy Fair, an opportunity for residents of the Southtowns to learn about the "green" energy options that are available and how they can benefit the Earth and the "pocketbook". During the Energy Fair, Solar Liberty, a renewable energy technology company, announced that they would donate to the Town of Brant, for installation on the Highway Department garage, a $200,000 installed 30kw solar system. This system will help to offset the Highway Department’s electric bill by producing electric power from the sun.

Bill Henry, Brant’s Energy Committee Chair has been a long time advocate of renewable energy for residential use. Bill’s own home is equipped with renewable energy sources that provide him with "free" energy for his own use and an electric meter that, at times, runs backwards! After many conversations with Brant Supervisor Leonard K. Pero, the two decided that residents in the Southtowns deserve to have the opportunity to learn about energy savings without having to travel to Amherst, Williamsville and beyond to get the information. The Southtowns Energy Fair was organized with an impressive list of well-know speakers and local vendors. Presentations on solar systems, wind power, green legislation, tax credits and the future were given throughout the day.

Robert E. Knoer, an Environmental Law Attorney, discussed wind energy. Wind energy use is growing at approximately 25% each year. Wind energy is not necessarily appropriate in every location/every community but when the site is right it produces a clean, renewable energy that will help to increase our energy independence. In addition to a renewable power source, wind energy has also presented a need for new jobs, jobs that make the parts for the turbines. Mr. Knoer advised that we ask questions about wind power, its uses, benefits and future in our area and not just adopt the "us against them" mentality without knowing the facts. Conservation should be #1 on everyone’s mind.

Nathan Rizzo from Solar Liberty presented information about solar systems. There are two systems that are commonly used, the Battery Back-up System and the Grid Connected System. The Battery Back-up System supplies energy to the location, significantly reducing the electric bill. The Grid Connected System produces energy for the location and excess energy is sold back to the Grid for use by others. There are energy and tax incentives available. Each system is site specific, designed for the installation location.

Assemblyman Jack Quinn spoke of the "15 by 15" program, the proposed effort to achieve a 15% reduction in electricity usage by 2015. Finding alternative sources of energy (wind or solar power) and reducing the number of "energy guzzling" appliances, light bulbs and practices will go a long way to reducing our dependence on non-renewable sources of energy. Quinn also mentioned the idea of brining renewable energy jobs to the area – wind turbine manufacturing, a hydrogen engine manufacturing plant for automobiles.

Supervisor Pero concluded the day with information on the projects that are being investigated for the Brant and Farnham areas. An Energy Park in the Town on the site of the old landfill is being developed. Conestoga-Rovers and Associates (CRA) will be doing the feasibility study. Use of the methane gas produced by the capped landfill, wind turbines and solar systems are being considered for the Town’s brownfield area. The Energy Park will provide the Town with energy, increased revenue and a marketability for controlled development. It will provide residents with lower or eliminated Town taxes and lower energy costs. Supervisor Pero stated, "I don’t make decisions for a vote, I believe in our area, our home and am working for the future, a good, clean, green future."

The Angola Village Board met on Monday, September 17, 2007. Trustee Bill Houston was excused. He was representing the Village of Angola at a NYCOM (New York Conference of Mayors) meeting.

Sam Mogavero asked the Board to take the initiative and revive the practice that had been in place when Dorothy Rose was Town Supervisor of an area wide event calendar so that organizations would have a place to go when beginning to plan their events so that scheduling conflicts could be minimized. Mayor Hub Frawley stated that he had already discussed a similar idea with the Evans Brant Chamber of Commerce and the Chamber was looking into the feasibility of an area event calendar.

Mayor Frawley stated that a Village residence would be featured on an HGTV show called "If Walls Could Talk" that will be scheduled for broadcast in January.

Trustee Denise DeJohn has received several calls asking how long Village residents will be able to put out twigs and brush for pick up by the DPW. The last day for pick-up this year will be October 1, 2007.

Trustee John Wilson reported that the Angola Fire Department’s new Truck #6 is now in service.

Wilson also reported that at a recent N.E.S.T. meeting it was mentioned that down the road Niagara Generation would be offering chipping as a free service to towns and villages. They are using the chipped materials as a form of renewable energy.

Mayor Frawley stated that the last Cruise Night for 2007 will be a Super Cruise held on Thursday, September 27, 2007.

Village Attorney Andy Yusick reported that the paperwork needed from the State to complete the sale of the Water Plant should be out by the end of the month. There are several parties interested in the Intercontinental Building. The son of the owner has requested a copy of the release of the property from Medicaid.

Yusick had a meeting with Andy Visdek from the NYS State Department regarding the permit questions on 48 N. Main Street. If there are any questions about the decisions of the Code Enforcement Officer, the questions should be addressed to the State Department Review Board and not to the Village Board. It is the Village Board’s responsibility to approve the appointment of the Code Enforcement Officer and the State Department’s Review Board to resolve any disputed decisions.

Fire Commissioner Lynn Kaminski announced that the Fire Department’s old hose dryer is no longer used by the department and can be declared as surplus and sold.

Kaminski also asked the Village Board to begin working with the County Board of Elections to find a new location for the polling place that has been housed in Hall 2. With the additional equipment and security restrictions placed on the department by Homeland Security, after this year’s elections, it will no longer be feasible to use Hall 2 as a polling place.

Kaminski also invited everyone to attend the Rachel’s Legacy presentation that would be taking place on October 1 at the Middle School. Rachel’s Legacy is a continuation of Rachel’s Challenge a movement that was started after the Columbine School shooting as an anti-violence approach to school life. The presentation will be given by Darrell Scott, father of Rachel Scott and founder of Rachel’s Challenge and starts at 7pm.

In other matters, the Board:

• Set a Community Development Block Grant Public Hearing to be held at 8:00 P.M. Monday, October 15, 2007 at the Angola Village Hall, regarding the prospective projects for use of Community Development Block Grant Funds in the Village of Angola, and further authorized the Mayor to sign the 2008/2009 CDBG agreement.

• Tabled the application requests from Jill Barrett of "Citizens for Responsible Choices" for an Assemblage Permit for a parade in a "Take a Stand" program on Wednesday October 24th 2007 from 4-6PM and for the use of Centennial Park and the William G. Houston Gazebo, for their "Take a Stand" celebration.

• Authorized the Mayor to sign and execute a contract with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation for the Herman Park Stream Bank Stabilization Grant.

• Approved the hiring of Aaction Environmental LLC for air monitoring, reporting, etc. of the demolition of the K&L building located at 83- 87 North Main Street in the Village of Angola, New York as required by regulatory agencies. Amount not to exceed the fee of $7,700.00.

• Authorized Mayor Frawley to sign and execute a contract with Titan Wrecking & Environmental LLC, 262 Woodward Avenue, Kenmore, New York, 14217 for the Demolition and Restoration of 83-87 North Main Street.

• Adjourned, in memory of Jim Davis and Robert Beck Sr., to the next regular meeting on Monday, October 1 at 7:30pm with a CDBG workshop at 7:00pm. All are invited to attend.

The Village of Farnham Board of Trustees met on Tuesday, September 18, 2007.

Vi1lage Recreation Park Project — A second request will be submitted to Assemblyman Jack Quinn for Member Item Funding in the amount of $10,000 to be used to complete the Veteran’s Memorial Area Project.

At the October 16th Board meeting, considerations for CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) Funding for Phase II of the Recreation Park will be discussed at a Public Hearing.

The Southtowns Community Enhancement Coalition’s September meeting was hosted by the Town of Eden. Progress is being made with continued grant processing and strategic tourism planning.

The Farnham School Project — The Ontario Specialty Co. and Malcolm-Pirnie have submitted their final payment applications which are currently being processed. The balance of the $30,000 State Education Department (Sen. Volker funds) grant funds has been received. Village Attorney Bill Trask has finalized the transfer of the school property from ETCC (Erie Tax Certificate Corporation) to the Village of Farnham and is in the process of transferring title of the two adjacent SRPC (Southtowns Rural Preservation Company) parcels to the Village of Farnham.

Trustee Virginia Schilling reported that the tree near the State Park that has died will be taken care of by Kimble Nursery.

A meeting was held with Dean Messing regarding the Disaster Preparedness Plan. Trustee Schilling is the Assistant Disaster Coordinator for the Village of Farnham.

Trustee Tony Krtanjek reported that he would like to get the work crew from Gowanda Correctional one more time this year for clean up of some additional brush.

Some trappers have contacted Krtanjek about helping with the beaver/beaver dam problems that had been mentioned in the Town Crier. Discussions with the DEC are continuing to work on the problems.

The Board approved getting quotes for bulldozing work and the spreading of millings behind the Village hall. The cap on spending was set at $800.

A meeting was set up with Village Engineer Mark Burr regarding the differential pressure valve used in the Water Tower Meter Pit. Because of the difficulties the Village has been experiencing with the valve, consideration is being given to the older style altitude valve and the possibility of using the altitude valve again.

Also to be discussed with Mr. Burr will be the advisability of seeking Multi-Modal Funding for some major road repair/rebuilding in Farnham. Annual NYS CHIPS Funds are generally used for road repair. Farnham allows the annual CHIPS money to roll over for three years and then there is enough to do an overlay on our roads. If Mr. Burr finds our request/needs to warrant a full repair of some roads, we will be submitting a request to Senator Dale Volker and Assemblyman Jack Quinn for project money.

We will also be looking at the increasing need for more space for equipment/training/personnal in the Farnham Fire Department.

In other business, the Board:

• Re-scheduled the Public Hearing from September 18, 2007 to October 16 at 7:45 to hear comments regarding the property at 493 and 499 Detroit St. This property is slated for demolition as an unsafe (fire damaged) building as per Chapter 39-4 (E) of the Dangerous and Unsafe Building Law of the Village of Farnham.

• Scheduled a Public Hearing for the Village of Farnham 2008-2009 CDBG Project Application for October 16 at 8:00 pm. The Project Application is due October 29, 2007.

• Supported a Resolution to Oppose the Proposed New York State Windmill Siting Procedure.

Article X of the Public Service Law provides a streamlined siting permit procedure for certain power generation facilities and the law expired on December 31, 2002. Since January 1, 2003 power generation facilities have been sited via local zoning and state DEC review. There is currently a proposal by Governor Spitzer before the Legislature to renew and revise Article X of the Public Service Law that would also include the siting of windmills. This inclusion essentially eliminates local zoning control over windmills and has an impact on community host payments. The Village of Farnham, along with numerous municipalities throughout New York State, has undergone considerable time and expense to develop and implement windmill siting policies that best fit our community. The inclusion of the siting of windmills in Article X of the Public Service Law removes local control of our landscape and violates the principles of Home Rule that has been the guiding force of our State. The Village of Farnham Board of Trustees encourages any revision of Article X to address health and environmental issues for those who live and work near power generation facilities.

• Passed a Resolution to Support the SPCA of Erie County and Animal Alliance of Western New York’s application for a grant from Maddie’s Fund to support community wide collaborations for adoption guarantee organizations, traditional shelters, animal control agencies and private veterinarians working together to end the killing of healthy and treatable shelter dogs and cats..

• Authorized Receiver of Taxes Diana Cafferty to collect school taxes at the Village of Farnham Hall on September 28 from 4:30 pm to 7:00 pm to better serve our residents.

• Adjourned to the next meeting of the Board on October 16, 2007 at 7:30pm. All are invited to attend.

The Evans Town Board met in regular session on Wednesday, September 19, 2007. All members were present.

Tom Gorney asked if the street signs at Peach and Sycamore could be replaced because of the graffiti that was on them. Supervisor Robert Catalino asked that the Police Department look at the signs and report to Highway Superintendent Ed Michalski so that the signs could be taken care of.

Cheri Hahn asked if a date was set for the ground breaking of the Hike/Bike Path. The project is still on track but a specific date has not yet been set for the ground breaking.

Hahn also asked when the road barriers would be removed on the repairs on Old Lake Shore at Lake. The road work there is to be completed and a ribbon cutting ceremony is to be held during the coming week.

Hahn next asked about the progress on the change of speed limit on Dennis Road.

The Chaplain of the Women of the Moose from Moose Lodge 1614 thanked all the firefighters for their efforts in fighting the recent fire at the Moose Lodge.

Robert Catalano of Derby addressed the Board concerning Supervisor Catalino’s not allowing certain individuals (the Freeholders from the lawsuit) to speak during the Privilege of the Floor. Supervisor Catalino stated that the matter had been settled and during the past several months, no one had been denied access to the floor. Catalano stated that a Civil Liberties lawyer would be coming to the Town.

Councilman Michael Spence reported that on October 20, the Recreation Advisory Committee and the Parks Department will be holding "Halloween in the Park" at Evans Town Park from 4pm to 7pm. Many activities are being planned. The rain date will be October 27. More information will be available as we get closer to the date.

Councilman Paul Cooper, as Fire Department Liaison reported the sad events of the passing of two fire department members from Angola, Jim Davis and Robert Beck Sr. The Angola Fire Department retired their badges to honor their years of service.

Councilman Karen Erickson reported that it was wonderful to hear the many kind things that other police agencies had to say at the retirement party for Evans Police Chief Robert Furgeson.

In other matters, the Board:

• Referred the request for the repair and repaving to Applewood to the proper department heads.

• Referred the appeal of a FOIL request from Edward Schneider III to the Town Attorney. Town Attorney Grant Zajas stated that his original decision that the request had been to broad was still valid. Zajas asked, that in the spirit of cooperation, Schneider make an appointment with Chuck LaBarbera to identify what documents would be needed by Schneider for his case or Schneider should have his attorney contact Zajas to try to resolve the issue.

• Referred a letter from Sue and Peter Dutchess regarding a water bill, a letter from Jacqueline Sallaz requesting purchase of a section of Oakland Road and a letter from Jackie Morgano about a missing street sign at Harding and Oakland to the proper department heads.

• Approved the request from Diana Cafferty, Receiver of Taxes, for additional hours and the services of a police officer for tax collection on October 12 and October 15 from 4pm to 6:30pm.

• Approved the resolution that all delinquent water accounts in the amount of $33.00 or more not paid by October 9, 2007 will be relevied onto the 2008 County and Town Tax bills. WITH NO EXCEPTIONS. At the present time the outstanding amounts per water billing districts are as follows: District #1 $105,198.86, District #2 105,041.14, District #3 113,341.32 for a Total of $323,581.32

• Set October 17, 2007 at 7:50pm for a Public Hearing to elicit citizen input regarding the Town’s 2008-2009 Community Development Block Grant project proposals

• Tabled the requests from Lake Erie Beach Fire Department and the Angola Volunteer Fire Department for funds to help defray the costs of hosting the 2007 Southwestern Association of Volunteer Firemen’s 99th Convention and the new aerial ladder truck respectively pending further discussion to determine equitable funding for all area fire departments.

The meeting was adjourned in memory of Jim Davis and Robert Beck. The next Board meeting will be Wednesday, October 3, 2007 at 7:30pm. All are invited to attend.

The Lake Shore School Board met on Tuesday, September 18, 2007. All members were present.

Kathryn and Dan Manley addressed the Board regarding the possibility of the District providing transportation for their grandson to Canisius High School. State Law provides for a 15 mile cut off for transportation to schools outside the District. The School Board may have a resolution put to a referendum vote by District residents to change the cut off. The distance is determined from door to door. If there is one student in the District that is receiving transportation to a school, the District may provide a central pick-up point for other students to also attend the school even if their door to door distance is more than 15 miles.

Mrs. Manley stated that there are students currently being transported to Timon and Mt. Mercy, the Canisius students could ride the same bus and the additional distance the bus would have to travel would not be that far. District Superintendent Jeff Rabey stated that the District would look into the matter but it must be understood that increasing the cut-off distance could also mean the District would be responsible for providing transportation to private schools in Dunkirk for those residents who are sending their children to Catholic schools there.

When asked about having the students ride with Special Ed students whose route might take them close to Canisius, the Manleys were told that State Law does not allow the District to group students in that way. Special Ed students have special regulations.

There were additional parents in the audience whose children also attend Canisius High School and lent their support to the Manleys request for District transportation. They also stated that by providing transportation to the additional private schools, the District would be helping to attract new residents to the area.

The Board ended the discussion by saying they would have the Transportation Department look into the costs involved and consider the feasibility based on the results in the report. A resolution to extend the busing distance could be placed on the ballot for the elections in May.

The Board continued a discussion on the 485B Tax Incentive proposed by the Town of Evans. The incentive would be available for certain businesses that would be improving their facilities in the Town. The Town Board is reviewing the proposal and have asked the School Board to do the same. The School Board had questions concerning the cost to the District of the Tax Incentive. Members of the School Board were divided about whether the Incentive would be good for the District and the area. When polled by Board President Cindy Latimore, all members agreed that they were open to continued discussion on the issue. The Board will continue to do research and bring their findings back to the table for further discussion. Superintendent Rabey stated that an immediate decision was not necessary but it was wise for the Board to study the issue so that when and if the time came, an educated decision could be made.

Superintendent Rabey announced to the Board that the current enrollment of 3043 students is above what had been projected at the end of the school year.

In other matters, the Board:

• Approved the declaration of a list of equipment as useless.

• Approved the Committee on Special Education and Committee on Preschool Special Education reports

• Approved the revised list of Mentor Appointments for the 2007-2008 school year.

• Approved the "After School Social Studies" faculty, at the contractual rate, effective October 16, 2007

• Approved a medical leave for Susan Walterich from her position as Library Media Specialist, effective September 18, 2007, followed by an unpaid childcare leave upon the completion of her pregnancy related disability.

• Approved a medical leave for Christina Smaldino from her position as Elementary Education teacher, effective August 31, 2007, followed by an unpaid childcare leave upon the completion of her pregnancy related disability, effective September 25, 2007.

• Approved the temporary appointment of Leslie A. Grimaldi as a School Counselor, Step 1 - Masters, effective August 31, 2007.

• Approved Anna L. Agro as the pianist for the Senior High School Graduation ceremony in June 2007 and 2008, at $100 per ceremony. [This resolution was necessary so that the payment could be approved in a State Audit. All expenditures must pass the test of being by contract, policy or Board Action. This is Board Action.]

• Approved an unpaid medical leave for Sandy Lewis from her position as Classroom Aide, effective August 31, 2007.

• Approved the creation of a 1.0 FTE At-Risk/Family Support Center School Counselor position. This position supports the Board’s goal of increasing the graduation rate.

• Awarded the bid for roof repair to Grove Roofing. The bids were received earlier in the day and reviewed by Frank Nicotra. It was necessary to place this item on the agenda because time is of the essence with weather conditions being a prime consideration. The roofing will be a cap over existing flat roofs in the District. The money for the roofing is from the existing project money with no anticipated local taxpayer cost.

• Approved the part-time (0.7 FTE) appointment of Brian D. Dziewa as a School Psychologist, Step I — Masters, effective September 19, 2007.

• Approved the one-year probationary appointment of Kimberley Heath as a part-time Personal Care Aide for the district, effective September 6, 2007.

• Reestablished the Board of Education Policy Subcommittee - Jennifer Wackowski, Jill Barrett and Cindy Latimore

• Established a revolving Board of Education Recognition Award Subcommittee - members to meet before a work session and bring recognition nominations to the full Board for review/approval.

• The Safety Committee at the Middle School reports that the 10 walkie-talkies are working effectively. The Safety Committee does not need any additional units.

The next meeting of the School Board will be in a work session on October 2 when Sue Capell will present the UB Guidance Audit Report.