Village Board gets an earful

Soluri back in action

by Joshua Maloni
Lewiston Porter Sentinel, June 26, 2004

At a village of Lewiston Board of Trustees meeting several years ago, resident Dan Venuto, unhappy with answers he received, exited the meeting, sat outside the Municipal Building and blasted music from a boom box in protest.

On Monday, Venuto came to the Board to complain about the music coming from the Waterstreet Landing area. He claims the noise level carries into his home.

Mayor Richard Soluri, back after a three-month health-related absence, was Venuto’s prime target. Venuto claimed his long-standing protest to the level of noise emanating from area venues has fallen on deaf ears.

“Nothing ever changes, nothing,” he yelled. “Why not change something?”

Soluri, explaining the noise ordinance and allotted hours of operation, said “there’s music; it’s allowed.”

A second resident, Butch Rayner, said he has to listen to “Order 47” all day long, thanks to the Silo Restaurant.

“The Silo spreads napkins like snowflakes,” he added.

Of Lewiston pubs, Rayner described the area as “a crummy bar town,” citing that as a reason for their lenient treatment by the Board.

“You guys are afraid to do anything about music,” he said.

The Board shifted its focus to other residents, briefly changing the subject. But, Venuto and Rayner revisited it a few moments later. Soluri suggested that the two men give the new owners of the Waterstreet Landing, established restaurateurs, time to adapt to the village’s style. Later in the meeting, Trustee Bill Geiben said, “The summer sounds of Lewiston are fantastic,” to which the other trustees said “Amen.”

In Other Board News

• After months of discussion, research and public outcry, the Board approved a motion to update the 1970 Master Plan at the request of the Master Plan Committee. The directive has not been updated since 1977.

“The Master Plan is really a guideline,” Soluri said. “Nevertheless, it has been almost 30 years.”

How that affects requests to build or rezone is uncertain, though Geiben said it might not be the right time for such requests.

The public will be afforded the opportunity to comment on the Master Plan before it is amended.

• Three motions to expand outdoor seating were approved. The Clarkson House can erect a patio/deck in the building’s front. Owner Frank Amendola said the expansion will be contained within the eatery’s property, and that it won’t be any larger than 420-square feet.

“It creates a better entrance,” he said, noting that it will also aid smokers, who currently sit on the concrete steps.

Meanwhile, the operators of the Steelhead and Park West were given permission to establish outdoor tables and chairs flush with their respective buildings.

New Bike Path?

• Lewiston Town Board Councilman John Ceretto asked the Village Board for support in creating a scenic bike path from Mohawk Street along the gorge up to Devil’s Hole in Niagara Falls. Ceretto is searching for support for the project, which has been backed by the Greater Lewiston Business and Professional Association and Niagara University. He’s also looking for funding, which was once provided for, courtesy of the New York Power Authority and state Sen. George Maziarz, but fell through with the changing of the Town Board.

“There’s a couple reasons why we should continue this, if the money is available,” Ceretto said. “One is for safety. When they re-did Lewiston Hill, when they did it at the beginning, it’s just unsafe to go up Lewiston Hill. They should have made it pedestrian-friendly or bike-friendly. I don’t know how many times I see young people walking up that hill or biking, and it’s dangerous.”

He added, “It connects the neighborhoods up above the hill so that it’s not like the Berlin Wall anymore, where residents above the area … will all be able to come down here and walk through the village.”

The Village Board supports Ceretto’s idea.

“John, we’re more than happy to write a letter of support,” Geiben said, stressing the need to ensure proper signage and safety measures for travelers. “We’re in favor of a bike path,” he said.

• New signs have been installed at crosswalks to remind drivers that pedestrians have the right of way.

• The Lewiston and Youngstown Garden clubs are sponsoring an “Open Garden Week” through June 30. Maps are available at various area locations, including Tops and Marketplace.

• The week of July 25 was designated as “Artpark Week in Lewiston,” in honor of the establishment’s 30th anniversary season.

• A motion to approve the membership of Larry Calbone to the Lewiston Fire Company No. 1 was approved.

• Upon his return, Soluri said, “Nice to see all you folks,” and that he was pleased to be back. He thanked the community well-wishers for their cards and thoughts.

• The meeting was trustee Joe Fruscione’s last. He decided not to run in last week’s election. He thanked the Board for their friendship and mentorship, and village residents for “eight great years.”

• The next board meeting will be Monday, July 19, at 6:30 p.m.