Lewiston Town Board OK’s environmental review for golf course

by Terry Duffy
Lewiston Porter Sentinel, April 28, 2007

Things are a moving and shaking over at Lewiston Town Hall. And it’s not from all those garbage trucks that rumble by on a daily basis.

Lewiston Town Board members – of late a rather productive crew – put the wheels in motion Monday to jump start one of the most anticipated construction projects below the hill, the Hickory Stick Golf Course, that multimillion dollar venture announced earlier by Seneca Management Corp. interests. “We’re in the final stretch for this,” said Town Engineer Robert Lannon to Supervisor Fred Newlin and the board as he reviewed the favorable endorsements received from the state Department of Environmental Conservation, Lewiston Environmental Commission and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to the wetlands concerns.

In response to a drainage question by Councilman Sean Edwards, Lannon said the wetlands plan will greatly alleviate long-existing problems along Creek Road and the Robert Moses out towards Pletcher Road through the creation of three lakes on the course, complete with islands and bird nesting sites. He said the plan will allow improved run-off on the course area, which also serves as a leadoff tributary to Four Mile Creek. Following that, Town Board members on a Newlin motion unanimously approved the SFEIS review, moving the project further toward reality. On May 12, the Niagara County Industrial development Agency is expected to move on a multimillion dollar package of PILOT incentives to the Senecas, which, once approved, will allow for a ground breaking this spring of the 251.37-acre course. A 2009 opening date is eyed.

The Gypsy Moths Return

Next up, Town Board members approved a plan to address what’s expected to be a significant gypsy moth problem this year in a 700-acre residential area above the hill on the escarpment. John Sharpe, who worked with the town on gypsy moth spraying in 1999 and 2000, told the board he envisions a major problem with gypsy moth caterpillars this year and their resulting damage to trees and property in the Lewiston Road-Military Road-Upper Mountain Road area, out east on the escarpment to Marywood Drive.

“In February I conducted an egg mass survey in this area,” Sharpe said. “Judging from the number of egg masses I counted, the population of the gypsy moth will increase considerably” in what he predicted will be a major return following a seven-year cycle. “If nature or the Town Board does not act … they will continue to increase next year.” He along with Newlin recommended the town take quick action on the gypsy moth spraying, which is expected to cost $49,000 to cover two sprayings.

“There’s no way the town can control this?” asked Councilman Mike Johnson.

“It’s an imminent concern,” replied Newlin, saying that the leaves will be sprouting on the trees in coming weeks and the town needs to take immediate action to get a spraying schedule under way. When asked by Councilman Al Bax on the doability of holding information sessions for the affected residents, Newlin replied, “There’s not enough time; the trees will be blooming by then.”

“The best interest of the community may be just to go ahead with the spraying,” piped in Councilman Ernie Palmer.

Soon following, board members went on to approve the spraying, which is expected to begin in mid-May and be done by DuFlo Spray Chemical Inc. Board members announced that a public hearing on the gypsy moth spraying will occur at the Thursday, May 3, Town Board work session beginning at 7 p.m.

Creek Road Speed Change

In more news of note from the Monday session, the board heard and endorsed a state Department of Transportation plan to lower the speed limits out on Creek Road. The plan, which follows a DOT traffic study requested by Newlin, will see the speed limit lowered from 50 mph to 45 mph on Creek from Ridge Road north to Pletcher Road. From Pletcher out past the Lew-Port campus to the town line on Creek near Destino’s, the speed limit will drop to 35 mph during school hours: Monday through Friday, from 7 to 9 a.m. and from 2 to 4 p.m.

“It will slow down the traffic and make it safer,” commented Lewiston Police Chief Ron Winkley, who said it’s intended to cover vehicles of all types, including carriers heading out to CWM Chemical Services on Balmer Road. Winkley said it will take effect as soon as the DOT signs go up, telling Johnson that Lewiston Police will be offering drivers some leeway at the onset in terms of enforcement.

“We’ll give them some discretion,” said Winkley, “for a little while anyway.”

Wrapping up, the board announced a public hearing will be held on Monday, May 7, at the New York Power Authority’s Niagara Power Vista on Lewiston Road, to review and accept the specifics contained in the NYPA settlement package with the town. The session begins at 1 p.m., and area residents are welcome to attend.