Oxbow approved

Budget passes with no increase

Story and photo by Joshua Maloni
Lewiston Porter Sentinel, April 30, 2005

The Village of Lewiston Board of Trustees approved “The Gardens at Oxbow” cluster development during a special meeting Wednesday. Developers for the proposed project will now seek environmental and county approval in preparation for a June groundbreaking.

The Historic Preservation Commission/Planning Board signed off on the project prior to the Village Board’s meeting. With nearly all loose ends tied up – save lighting – the Planning Board expressed satisfaction with the final proposal from developer George Grasser and engineer Richard Haight.

Both boards voted unanimously in favor of the project.

“I’m really happy that you’re here,” Mayor Richard Soluri told Grasser. “I think we’re fortunate that we have this opportunity.”

Trustee Bill Geiben echoed that sentiment.

“This project is a tremendous asset to the Village of Lewiston,” he said. “It’s a delightful project.”

It’s also a popular project, according to the development team, which said the number of interested buyers has reached 50 – including a former Niagara Falls mayor.

“It’s almost to the point where I have to put a revolving door on my office,” developer Paul Game said. “It will turn out to be a very nice project.”

The development will offer 23 homes – starting at $200,000 per – situated among ample (50 percent) green space on property bordering Mohawk Street and Oxbow Lane. Game Construction will handle project building.

Budget Remains the Same

Also on Wednesday, the Board of Trustees passed the budget for 2005-06 in the amount of $2,492,635. As Soluri pledged, the tax rate did not increase, staying fixed at $5.35 per thousand.

“The tax rate is the same as last year,” the mayor said. “Our goal was to reach the same tax rate.”

Despite increased municipal costs – primarily insurance – the board was able to achieve its desired end by reallocating funds, namely hiring part-time workers instead of full-time.

“For us to keep the same tax rate is pretty monumental,” Soluri said.

Academy Park Renovation

As spring and summer activities begin, Soluri indicated that the Lewiston Kiwanis Club has agreed to pay for renovations at Academy Park. The field was badly damaged during last summer’s Lewiston Kiwanis Peach Festival, and negotiations between the club and the board have been ongoing since.

The estimated cost to improve Academy Park is around $10,000.