Stoyell retires from commission

by Larry Austin
Lewiston Porter Sentinel, September 30, 2006

The Town of Lewiston Council accepted the resignation of a man described as the father of Lewiston recycling Monday.

At its Town Board meeting on Sept. 25, the board accepted with regret the retirement of John Stoyell from the Lewiston Environmental Commission. Stoyell served for 13 years as an environmental commission member, and is former Village of Lewiston assessor, village trustee, and mayor.

“You have just lost the conscience of Lewiston,” said Paulette Glasgow, a former town councilwoman. “He’s a phenomenal man. I hope the person that replaces him has the same environmental conscience as he had.”

James Allen, longtime chairman of the Environmental Commission, said Stoyell is not a typical member of the commission. Stoyell personally walks the properties that come before the commission for consideration.

“He’s been chased by dogs. He’s been chased by a few property owners wondering why he’s there, but he diligently does his job,” Allen said.

Stoyell is “the father of recycling in Lewiston,” Allen added.

“I just can’t say enough about his contributions, and the committee is truly going to miss John,” Allen said.

Civic Spirit

Lewiston is run by part-time elected officials and staff, said Town of Lewiston Supervisor Fred Newlin, “but one of the key elements of Lewiston being what it is, and how strong a community it’s been, is that we have some dedicated citizens who also take a keen interest. It doesn’t mean they run for office, but they know that they can help out in other ways, serving on charities, serving on advisory boards.”

Stoyell is “one of the best examples of that civic spirit,” Newlin said.

•Also at the meeting, David Brooks of Autumn Lane asked the board for help regarding the poor drainage in his subdivision, especially in wintertime. He said there is no way to get the water out and it sits until the middle of June. Brooks said the homeowners have tried to tackle the problem on their own initiative by draining the water to the street.

Newlin said the properties in the area are not town properties, and the town must have an easement signed to do drainage work there. Until easements are signed, the town can’t do anything, he said. He added that drainage was not properly accounted for when the subdivision was designed by the developer, and the town is left “holding the bag.”

The development went bankrupt before it was completely finished.

“You’re out there marching in hip waders,” Newlin said.

Town engineer Robert Lannon said a ditch to drain the water to Creek Road requires four easements. The town has received two, but two other neighbors have said no.

Lannon said a pipe with yard drains fixed to it would be in a town easement. A pipe would run down the property line with an easement a few feet on either side for installation and construction and a longer-term easement for maintenance.

•Newlin said escalating legal fees for the Niagara Power Coalition paid to the politically connected law firm of Harris Beach is “finally a fear or concern that is spreading to other members” of the coalition. The NPC has formed an ad hoc audit committee to look at legal budget, he said. The committee includes Newlin, Town of Niagara Town Supervisor Steve Richards, and Niagara-Wheatfield Business Director Kerin Dumphries.

Newlin said Harris Beach is doing legal work and the NPC is spending a lot of money, but “frankly not seeing a lot of results for it.”

•The board will go into negotiations with the Ransomville Fire Company for fire protection. Councilman Michael Johnson recommended a 5 percent increase over last year.

•Town offices will be closed Monday, Oct. 9, in observance of Columbus Day. The work session normally held on the second Monday of the month is re-scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 12, at 7 p.m. The next regular Town Board meeting is scheduled for Monday, Oct. 23, at 7 p.m.