New fees eyed for Town of Lewiston

by Alice E. Gerard
Lewiston Porter Sentinel, February 17, 2007

Library Director Ron Shaw visited the Town Board to present his first annual report on library operations.

The Town of Lewiston intends to look for more money for building permits after April 1.

It was decided at the Town Board’s Feb. 12 work session that, at the board’s Feb. 26 regular meeting, it would schedule a public hearing for 6:30 p.m. Monday, March 12, so that it can adopt two local laws to create a “more real world fee schedule,” said Town Supervisor Fred Newlin. “We want to make sure that current residents aren’t subsidizing new residents. Residents should be self-sufficient in terms of the costs that they impose upon the town.”

Newlin explained that a new fee schedule needs to be put into place to reflect increases in the costs of running a town, such as personnel and fire costs.

According to deputy town attorney David Bonello, “I think that it’s a fair schedule. It won’t deter any development. It won’t stop anyone from building a deck or putting a fence up. This will try to cover some of our costs. It’s in line.”

Another price that is due to be increased is the price to residents for purchasing additional recycling bins. The price will be raised from $6 to $7.15.

According to Newlin, the town clerk, Carol Brandon, “is asking to purchase 500 new bins. We need to replenish our supply for a total of $3,575. The current charge is another issue. We charge $6 right now. The new cost works out to $7.15 apiece.”

Town Councilman Sean Edwards said, “I think that $7.15 is fair. If a resident brings in a bin that was hit by a plow or just a plain old worn out bin, we replace them for free. This is for additional bins. I think that it’s fair to cover our costs at $7.15.

Library Annual Report

The Town Board also heard the annual report from Ronald Shaw, executive director of the Town of Lewiston Public Library. He said that the library’s hours have been increased by four hours, with the library being open at 10 a.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays, instead of noon. In addition, at the end of October, wireless Internet access became available at the library.

Shaw also announced, “We have received a check from Jean Gilbert in memory of her brother John Popkey. We intend to establish a genealogy room, to open during National Library Week from April 15-21.”

In other news, the town board approved the preliminary plat for the Hickory Stick Golf Club. According to Councilman Michael Johnson, the planning board recommended the approval of the preliminary plat with contingencies, including maintenance of the shellbark hickory trees.

Town Engineer Robert Lannon Jr., said that if anyone wants to take a look at the preliminary plat for the Hickory Stick Golf Club, it is available in his office. He commented that, “drainage is going to be much improved along Creek Road. All in all, I think that things are going very well.”

“We are now one step closer to getting that first shovel of dirt turned in the spring,” Newlin said.

In other business, the town board awarded a contract for construction of a town hall sign to Cooper Sign Company, located in Niagara Falls, which provided the low bid at $27,698.

Riverwalk Trees

The town board also discussed the trees that were to be planted at the Riverwalk development. “This is the fourth time that we’ve been speaking about these trees. The residents have been more than tolerant and more than patient,” said Councilman Sean Edwards. He explained that the trees were supposed to be planted in the spring of 2005.

Bonello said that the trees were a condition of approval for the subdivision, which has not been met. He suggested that the board hold some money in escrow to ensure that the trees are planted. “The best thing to do is to hold their feet to the fire. At what point are they going to do it?” Bonello said.

Newlin said, “They wanted a model home. They did not get a model permit. We did not give it to them. No builder permit is being issued until this issue is resolved.”

The town board voted to authorize Bonello and town attorney Joseph Leone, as well as town engineers to negotiate a date for when 20 eight-foot trees will be planted at the Riverwalk subdivision.