Wheatfield Board Extends Deadlines for Bids on Aquatic/Fitness Center

By Ralph Schwarz

Niagara Wheatfield Tribune, June 12, 2003

After receiving what they viewed as inadequate bids for the development of the proposed aquatic fitness and center, the Wheatfield town board voted unanimously last Monday to extend the deadline for the submission of proposals until Monday, June 30.

The decision came after the two prospective bidders, Wheatfield-based Calamar Enterprises and Toronto businessman Howard Hurst, submitted their respective proposals in a manner unsatisfactory to board members.

"We received two responses," said Supervisor Timothy Demler. "The unfortunate thing is that one was not specific in its response, since we need more details. And the other one was late."

According to Demler, the proposal submitted by Calamar failed to cover several specific aspects, which were set by the town in its initial request for bids, while the one submitted by Hurst missed the original June 2 deadline.

Board To Update Developers

"Both developers have contacted the town board and have asked for a meeting, although their [Requests for Proposal] have been more or less disqualified," Demler said, adding that the board intends to meet with the two bidders either this or next week.

"They need to have a parameter of what we are looking for," he said. "What we like to do is to sit down with both of them and outline what they included in their letters to us, what they didn't include, what we like them to include, and what type of basic numbers we are looking at."

The town intends to lease the $6 million facility from a private developer over a 20-year period. Earlier projections indicated such a private-public partnership could save the town an estimated $200,000 per year, since the respective developer would assume all responsibilities for upgrades and maintenance of the 70,000 square-foot center.

According to the design plans presented earlier this year, the two-story center will feature a 6-lane Olympic-size swimming pool; a 3-foot deep wading pool; a wellness center with a workout and fitness facility; two full-sized gymnasiums; a sauna; a therapy pool; a 30-seat whirlpool; and a 3-lane suspended running track on top of the gymnasium. Other amenities include an on-site daycare center and several meeting rooms that can be rented out to local groups or companies.

Marketing Rights Deadline Extended

In addition, the town board voted to extend the deadline concerning proposals for marketing and promotion rights for the aquatic center. According to Town Attorney Robert O'Toole, the town received only one response before the original June 2 deadline.

"I think we may do better if we re-advertise," he said.

Under the new deadline, prospective advertisers and corporate sponsors have time to submit their proposals until June 30, at 10 p.m.

Summer Programs added

Acting on a recommendation by Recreation Director Dan Rey, the board also voted to hire Niagara Wheatfield music teacher Christopher Piracciny at a $1 stipend to teach music lessons throughout the summer.

In his volunteer capacity with the Recreation Department, Piracciny will instruct Wheatfield students on how to play a variety of instruments.

"He has his classroom at the Niagara Wheatfield Senior High School, but he cannot be an employee of the school district [during the summer]," Rey said. "So we thought a good joining between the town and the school district would be for us to hire him for a $1 stipend to give lessons over the summer." Piracciny's volunteer work would provide a much-needed summer activity for area students, since the Niagara Wheatfield school district eliminated all summer programs due to budgetary constraints.

"I think it's a good idea that the Rec. Department is picking up some of these programs that are lacking," Demler said, acknowledging Rey's efforts. "This is just one of the many issues that town has cooperated with the school district," Rey said. "Actually, it was the school district who called and asked if we will do this."

Rey added that the Wheatfield Youth Center will also offer tutoring sessions for math and English throughout the summer.

"Again, this will make up in part for the absence of summer school programs," he said.

Developer Urged To Complete Lake

The board also passed a resolution ordering a developer to complete corrective work at a 19-acre lake off Witmer Road.

The resolution requires developer Dominic Piestrak to pump out water from Willow Lake to eliminate drainage and dirt problems affecting the neighboring residential properties. Despite a previous agreement with the town, the developer did not follow up on his promise to perform the corrections once the Southern Drainage project had been completed.

"It's no secret that the lake is not under construction," Demler said. "As a result of the Southern Drainage, the lake is operational and could be pumped down ... and even with taking the wet weather into account, I think there could have been a lot more done."

Although the developer has until July 7 to complete the correction, the resolution requires him to start pumping not later than next Monday. In the event that Piestrak is unable to complete the project within the set time frame, the town would assume the work and charge the contractor.

"The completion will be performed on his behalf," O'Toole said. "And after the completion of the work, he will receive the charge."

Demler added that the $90,000 performance bond the town holds from the developer would be used to cover the costs in case the town has to complete the corrections.

"We will have this lake completed by this summer, one way or the other," Demler said. "The message of this resolution is very clear: Get in there and start pumping, so we can get this job done once and for all." Other Business

In other business, the board voted

• To approve a special permission to the D.A.D. Drive Against Diabetes group to use the stage area at Fairmount Park on Aug. 30 for a one-day, all-day concert to benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation. The group will pay a $100 fee to the town to block out the rentals of any pavilions for that day.
• To recognize the Wheatfield Youth Events Committee as an official town committee.
• To award the contract for the construction of a storage building adjacent to the Wheatfield Community/Senior Center to Walter S. Johnson Building Co., as low bidder, for $108,500, with an alternate of $2,970.
• To instruct the director of the Wheatfield Community/Senior Center, Michele Werley, to report to the town of Wheatfield Town Board on a monthly basis.
• To adjust the rate of pay of Michele Werley to the laborer/clerk rate of pay of $12.02 per hour, retroactive to Jan. 1.
• To adjust the rate of pay of Deputy Town Clerk Sandie Bax by $.25 per hour, retroactive to Jan. 1.
• To hire Mark Michaelsen as a seasonal employee for the town's Sewer Department.
• To assign $900 to the town's highway and sewer departments to update the alarm system in the offices at the town garage.
• To deny the request for the easement encroachment on a Trails End property by a vote of 4-1 with Supervisor Demler casting the lone "no" vote.
• To approve the PIP application for the construction of a sanitary sewer extension on Hoover Road under the condition of five contingencies. The sewer will provide service to four single-family homes.
• To approve a grinder easement for Douglas and Therese Siegmann for their Errick Road property.
• To schedule a public hearing on a proposed amendment to the town of Wheatfield's Water Law, relating to charges for water meters and application fees, for Monday, June 30, at 7:15 p.m.
• To schedule a public hearing on a proposed amendment to the town of Wheatfield's Cellular Tower Law for Monday, June 30, at 7 p.m.
• To add Joshua Saratorri to active membership list of St. Johnsburg Fire Company.
• To pay bills as audited.

Announcements

• The town will hold will hold a Flag Day Street Dance outside the Wheatfield Community/Senior Center on Saturday, June 14, from 3 to 6 p.m. Free hot dogs and refreshments, compliments of the town board, will be served.
• The town will hold its annual Fourth of July fireworks display on Friday, July 4, at Oppenheim Park.
• The town's Highway Department will hold a household hazardous waste drop-off on Saturday, Aug. 2. Residents are encouraged to drop-off items like paint and insecticide cans at a designated collection area to be announced.

Next Meeting

The town board will hold its next meeting on Monday, June 30 at 7:30 p.m. Preceding the meeting will be an open work session at 6:45 p.m. followed by a public hearing on the proposed amendment to the town's Cellular Tower Law at 7 p.m. and the public hearing on the proposed amendment to the town's Water Law at 7:15 p.m.