Niagara Town Board approves cable contract,
hires first-ever full-time female police officer

by Ralph Schwarz
Niagara Wheatfield Tribune, May 20, 2004

The town of Niagara Town Board unanimously approved a multi-year cable television contract with Adelphia Cable Communications during last Tuesday's board meeting.

The franchise agreement will provide residents with cable communication services, while granting Adelphia the use of the town's right-of-way. Details on the contract were not released.

"Both sides were able to reach a very good agreement that will definitely benefit the town of Niagara residents," said Deputy Town Supervisor Marc Carpenter. Carpenter conducted the board meeting in place of Town Supervisor Steven Richards who was absent.

Town Councilman Lavern Haseley, who represented the town in the negotiations with Adelphia together with Town Manager Harvey Albond and Town Attorney Kevin Kearney, said that both parties did not encounter any major problems in reaching the agreement.

"It worked very smoothly, and that's what's important," Haseley said, noting that the new contract primarily covers rules and regulations. "It took quite a while to get it done, but we accomplished it."

"We believe the agreement will serve the town best as possible," said Vince Laurendi, a government relations person for Adelphia.

According to Laurendi, the existing cable system in the town of Niagara exceeds most state standards in regards to technology.

"I think the town has reaped some of the benefits of our grant services and franchise fees," he said, thanking the Town Board for its cooperation and understanding of Adelphia's situation during the nego-tiations.

The Town Board initiated negotiations with Adelphia after receiving $45,826 in February as part of a settlement regarding outstanding right-of-way fees owed to the town by the communications provider.

New Police Officer Hired

The Town Board made also history by hiring Kellie Cloutier as the town's first female full-time police officer.

"This is a dream come true," said Cloutier after the meeting. "It's my dream job."

Cloutier joined the town's Police Department on a part-time basis in December 2002, becoming the first-ever female officer of the department at that time.

"Officer Cloutier has distinguished herself as a very fine police officer," Carpenter said. "Giving her full-time status will make her a valuable asset to the town's Police Department."

According to town of Niagara Police Chief James Suitor, both Town Board and Police Department saw the benefits of having a female police officer.

"We realized that having a female officer would be extremely beneficial due to the nature of some of the calls we handle," he said.

The transfer of Cloutier from part-time to full-time status will fill a vacancy budgeted for in the 2004 town budget.

New Bingo Inspector Appointed

The Town Board also appointed Renee Granto as new bingo inspector. The life-long town of Niagara resident will succeed the late John Soro pending the approval of the Niagara County Board of Civil Services.

As bingo inspector, Granto will perform a number of tasks. These tasks include checking the rules and regulations of the various bingo halls in the town of Niagara; verifying that a valid bingo license is posted in each establishment, and counting the admission boards. She will also ensure that no children under 18 years attend a bingo hall without an adult and that no alcoholic beverages are being served.

Town Clerk Sylvia Virtuoso installed Granto as bingo inspector immediately following the meeting.

Other Business

In other business, the Town Board unanimously voted:

• To pay bills as properly audited and verified.
• To hire Patrick Barney and James Wyatt as temporary workers for the Water and Sewer Department at a rate of $8.50 per hour for a period not to exceed 12 weeks.
• To accept the liquor license renewal letter of Party Time Café, 3964 Lockport Road.
• To approve the 2004 agreement on the spending of town highway funds.
• To approve the junkyard license of Airport Auto Wrecking, 4401 Hyde Park Blvd.
• To approve a three-year contract with Self Funding Inc. for the administration of the town of Niagara workers' compensation program.
• To deny Cingular Wireless permission to utilize the water tower behind the town hall.
• To call for a special Town Board meeting on Wednesday, May 26, at 4 p.m. to amend the town's Zoning Ordinance.
• To approve the appointment of the 2004 recreation staff as presented by the recreation director and the recreation committee.
• To provide health care benefits, single and/or family coverage, to Town Attorney Robert Merino until Dec. 31 in exchange for his attendance at no charge to one Town Board work session, one Planning Board meeting and one Zoning Board meeting per month.
• To authorize payment in the amount of $22,913 to Troy and Banks Consultants LLC as per contract to obtain monies owned to the town of Niagara from Adelphia Cable Company.
• To purchase on Hewlett-Packard laser printer on state bid for the Police Department.
• To appoint David Elson and Mark Gwozdek as temporary employees for the Town Parks at a rate of $8.50 per hour for a period of 12 weeks; the employment will start when authorized by the town super-visor.
• To authorize any town board member to attend the American Water Works Association Conference of Town Officials on June 14.
• To approve the final plans for Piatkowski Riteway Meats Inc., 3555 Witmer Road, Tax Map No. 131. 09-2-15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 29, 30, 32.