Budget hearing April 16

by Joshua Maloni
Lewiston Porter Sentinel, April 7, 2007

The Village of Lewiston Board of Trustees will unveil the proposed budget for 2007-08 at a public hearing on Monday, April 16, at 6 p.m. The meeting will take place in the Red Brick Municipal Building, 145 N. Fourth St.

The current budget is $2,707,347 – which is 11.8 percent higher than last year – and the tax rate is $5.98 per $1,000 of assessed valuation. Mayor Richard Soluri, last April, attributed the increase to a rise in the cost of living, the establishment of a Department of Public Works union, an increase in fire company incentives and expenses related to lawsuits.

Soluri said Monday that the budget figures presented in two weeks might be final.

Stella Banners Set to Wave

At the board’s monthly meeting, trustees agreed to write a letter of support backing Stella Niagara Education Park’s plan to hang 10 banners on utility poles in the village marking the school/peace site’s centennial.

“That should be a wonderful thing for everyone in the community,” Soluri said of the flags, which are red, and read: “A Century of Service, Education and Peace.”

“They’re colorful and attractive looking,” the mayor said.

For the use of each pole, Stella officials will need permission from the utility company utilizing the post.

News and Notes

•The board approved a request from Larry and Christine Kensinger to hold a “Bucket Brigade” fund-raiser on Saturday, May 26, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the intersection of Center Street and Portage Road. Funds will go toward the Christopher J. D’Angelis Memorial Scholarship Fund.

•St. John Lutheran Church’s Youth Group was granted permission to use the Academy Park band shell on Saturday, June 9, for a charity concert benefiting the American Cancer Society. The event will begin at noon.

•The Town of Lewiston will join with the village in celebrating Earth Day with a litter clean-up get-together on Saturday, April 21, at 9 a.m. The public is invited to participate in the spring cleaning. Participants will gather at the Red Brick Municipal Building and circle out across Lewiston to pick up trash.

Doughnuts and coffee will be served. To register, call the clerk’s office at 754-8271.

“May Clean Up Week” is slated for May 7-11 in the village. Residents are encouraged to put out large items for trash pick up during that time.