Wheatfield approves annexation of
North Tonawanda property

by Ralph Schwarz
Niagara Wheatfield Tribune, May 20, 2004

The Wheatfield Town Board unanimously approved the annexation of a multi-acre riverfront property from the city of North Tonawanda during last Monday's board meeting.

The annexation put all of the property owned by Michael Anczok officially into the municipal boundary of Wheatfield. Previously, Anczok's River Road home lied in Wheatfield, while most of the adjacent vacant land remained within the city of North Tonawanda boundary lines.

According to Wheatfield Town Attorney Robert O'Toole, Anczok filed petitions with both municipalities to have the land completely transferred into the town's jurisdiction.

"The annexation will not have any negative impact on any of the jurisdictions," O'Toole said, adding that Anczok's residence is already connected to the Wheatfield water and sewer lines.

"It seems to be in the best interest of both [municipalities] to transfer jurisdiction because there is really some difficulty for the city of North Tonawanda to provide services," O'Toole said.

'Win-Win' Situation

North Tonawanda Alderwoman at-Large Cathy Schwandt called the transfer a good solution for both municipalities.

"As much as we want to keep it, it would cost us too much money to provide those services," she said. "And having the property sit there empty wouldn't bring us any money either. So it's a win-win for all."

Anczok plans to divide the property into three different lots for residential development. With the less expensive tax structure that exits in Wheatfield, the lots would become more affordable, thus attractive for potential buyers, officials noted.

O'Toole pointed out that no money will be exchanged between the two municipalities to compensate the city of North Tonawanda for the loss of taxable property.

"There will be no payments whatsoever," he said. "The town of Wheatfield isn't making any payment, nor is the city of North Tonawanda getting any payment."

Other Business

In other business, the Town Board unanimously voted:

• To authorize the town clerk to forward a petition to install a traffic light at the intersection of Sy Road and Niagara Falls Boulevard to the New York State Department of Transportation. The petition was submitted by Wheatfield residents to the Town Board.
• To approve a "pitch, hit and run" competition in conjunction with the Buffalo Bisons on Wednesday, July 28, at 9:30 a.m. at Fairmount Park. The competition is open to boys and girls age 7 and older.
• To approve the list of 17 seasonal employees, including 12 park guards and five umpires, for the Recreation Department as submitted.
• To approve the list of three seasonal employees for the Water Department as submitted.
• To approve the list of two seasonal employees for the Sewer Department as submitted.
• To approve the revised construction plans for the Eagle Chase subdivision under the condition of two contingencies. The subdivision consists of 50 single-family homes.
• To approve the PIP application for the construction of sanitary and storm sewers for Phase 1 of the Shawnee Hill subdivision under the condition of eight contingencies. This phase of the subdivision consists of 18 single-family homes.
• To approve the PIP application for the construction of a storm sewer for the Lange Estates subdivision under the condition of three contingencies.
• To approve the excavation and removal of 8,500 cubic yards of excess top soil from the Spice Creek subdivision under the condition of one contingency. Enough top soil must remain on site for a minimum of 5 inches of top soil on the entire individual house lots.
• To direct the town attorney to advise Dominic Piestrak to commence pumping Willow Lake by Monday, June 7, or action will be taken on the guarantee.
• To transfer budget item A1320.4 to budget item A6772.4 in the amount of $3,500.
• To approve a one-year contract with DVB in the amount of $2,150 and to pay two semi-annual installments of $1,075 for the maintenance of the air conditioning/heating systems in the six buildings owned by the town of Wheatfield.
• To approve the addition of Arthur Santangelo to the active membership list of the Bergholz Volunteer Fire Company.
• To approve the addition of Kevin Nunn to the active membership list of the Adams Fire Company.
• To schedule a public hearing for Monday, June 7, at 7 p.m. on a proposed local law that would require utility easements to be shown on all subdivision plat plans in the town of Wheatfield and the town engineer to verify the location of the easement prior to the issuance of any certificates of occupancy in an approved subdivision.
• To schedule a public hearing for Monday, June 7, at 7:15 p.m. on a proposed borrowing by Adams Fire Company for the purchase of two Chevrolet Tahoe firefighting vehicles.
• To modify the resolution passed by the Town Board on May 3 concerning the Settlers Run subdivision. The modification gives the Building Department the option to issue certificates of occupancy for said subdivision upon completion of two conditions.
• To make the determination, based upon prior environmental re-ports and updated traffic and drainage studies, that approval of the site plan for the Wheatfield Lakes subdivision is not likely to have any significant impact on the environment and that an updated environmental impact statement is not required.
• To approve the preliminary site plan of the Wheatfield Lakes PUB Part 3 subdivision as shown on the map labeled Plan B by the Town Board.
• To pay bills as presented and audited.

Announcement

The Town Board will hold a public hearing together with representatives from the state Department of Transportation on the Niagara Falls Boulevard reconstruction project on Monday, May 24, at 3:30 p.m. in the Wheatfield Community/Senior Center.

Next Meeting

The Town Board will host its next meeting on Monday, June 7, at 7:30 p.m. An open work session starting at 6:30 p.m. and two public hearings starting at 7 p.m. will precede the meeting.