Update: Tuscarora Village is still rockin’

by Larry Austin
Niagara Wheatfield Tribune, June 21, 2007

Residents in the Tuscarora Village mobile home park paid another visit to Town of Niagara Hall Tuesday to tell the board that blasts at LaFarge Corp.’s quarry are worse than ever.

Monday’s blast from LaFarge Corp.’s quarry on Tuscarora Road “was the biggest rumble I’ve felt in two years,” said Sharon Ruth of Mohawk Parkway, representing the Tuscarora Village Homeowners Association.

What once were weekly blasts from the quarry are now twice weekly blasts.

This isn’t the first time the residents in the vicinity have visited the town officials to describe their ordeal. Fifteen attended the May 15 meeting, where Ruth said LaFarge is blasting at the loudest level, with one blast so strong it knocked a man and a toilet off its base.

Tuesday, Ruth said a blast Monday “was quite rough on some of our residents.” She said the man-made earthquake was so strong it caused her aquarium to “explode” and land on her cat, killing seven fish and injuring the cat.

Ruth said Tuesday her damage assessment at her two-year old home is $67,000.

The residents met last night at the Town of Niagara Community Center.

Town Supervisor Steve Richards told the residents at their May visit that though the town government is the closest to its residents, it has the least power in the matter, behind the state Department of Environmental Conservation and the federal government.

There is no reason LaFarge cannot blast at a lower charge, Richards said in May.

The quarry has been there since the 1930s.

Ruth thanked the board for their support of the association in the matter.

At its June 14 work session, the board heard a complaint from Judy Davis of Edgewood Drive, who resides next to a group home run by Opportunities Unlimited. Davis said she has started a petition, letting the town know of a problem on their cul de sac with employees of the group home parking on the road and creating a traffic hazard.

Suitor said at the June 7 work session that ticketing “seemed to quell” the problem, but Davis arrived June 14 to say the problem persists.

Richards suggested police officers patrol the area twice during a shift and tag every car that is illegally parked on Edgewood Drive. “I still say it’s the same people doing it,” Richards said.

The town has seen a fatal accident as a result of parking on the road, Suitor said, and takes the matter seriously.

“Apparently, they’re not friendly neighbors,” Suitor said of the group home.

“Tell me about it,” Davis responded. She said later that the neighborhood residents have tried to work with the group home, to little positive impact.

Suitor said the company has “ample off-road parking. I don’t know why they choose to park on the roadway.” He said the police will log the police presence and ticket accordingly.

Also at the meeting June 19 regular meeting:

•The board voted to set a public hearing for Tuesday, July 17, at 7 p.m. to discuss regulations and the town’s oversight of tow truck companies.

A proposed local law regulating charges by towing companies for police tows, such as those following accidents, would protect consumers, Richards said, and was considered only because of “greed among the tow truck operators.”

At the June 14 work session, Richards said the last straw occurred when a reservist just back from Iraq was “ripped off” for $200 after a short tow.

The law will only impact the gougers, Richards said. Approved town towing companies who conform to regulations would be on a towing list. Drivers are still free to request a tow from a company not on the police list, Richards noted, adding that “owner’s request always takes precedence.”

Tentative rates for a basic police tow would be $95 and $115 after 5 p.m. and on weekends, Richards said.

The matter will receive another airing at a July 12 work session.

•The board voted to hire Justin Palumbo as a part-time police officer in the Town of Niagara Police Department to replace James Ullery, who resigned. The board also hired Michael C. Rozyczko as court officer. At the request of TNPD Chief Jim Suitor, the board met in executive session on June 14 to discuss the hirings.

•Bob Herman, volunteer coordinator of the town’s Kids Fishing Day Experience, reported that the event, open to residents and non-residents alike, will take place Saturday, July 14.

•The board purchased a 72-inch lawn mower from Niagara Lawn and Garden, accepting the low bid of $8,740. The vote passed 4-0-1, with Richards abstaining. Niagara Lawn and Garden is owned by Michael Richards, son of the supervisor. The supervisor said he had no financial stake in the company or in the lawn mower purchase.

•The board accepted the low bid of $16,000 from D.V. Brown Associates for work to replace two rooftop cooling and heating units.