Year in Review

2007 shone for towns of Niagara and Wheatfield

by Susan Mikula Campbell
Niagara Wheatfield Tribune, December 27, 2007

Lots of good news focused on the towns of Niagara and Wheatfield this year, with the expectation of more for 2008.

Not that there weren’t some disappointments and some negative news, but from word of development at the Niagara Falls International Airport to quality of life improvements in the towns, 2007 was a year to remember.

Airport

The long-awaited new terminal for Niagara Falls International Airport won final approval in November by the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority. The $31 million project will enhance the airport’s ability to accept both cargo and passenger flights.

Development also will continue at the Niagara Falls Air Base where it was announced that the New York Air National Guard’s 107th Air Refueling Wing will become a C-130 airlift unit and partner for the Air Force Reserve’s 914th Airlift Wing.

Town of Niagara is working on reuse planning for the 22-acre former Army Reserve Center property on Porter Road.

“It’s going to change the economy of all of western Niagara County,” state Sen. George Maziarz predicted of the airport development.

Maziarz said there already is interest in the old Carborundum building on Walmore Road.

“As the airport continues to grow, it can only have a positive effect on our county and towns,” said County Legislator Dan Sklarski.

Wheatfield Councilman Gil Doucet said airport development would create jobs and hopefully stimulate the economy, both bringing in new business and stimulating existing businesses, such as at The Summit mall.

N-W School District

The Niagara-Wheatfield School District this fall unveiled the results of a $38 million construction project, much of it at the high school, where kudos continue to come in from students, staff and parents.

“I’m thrilled with it,” said Superintendent Judith H. Howard. “It actually came out better than I envisioned, and it was on time and under budget.”

Among the changes at the high school are a new six-room business classroom wing, a totally renovated cafeteria, a new glass corridor connecting the main wings and new sports fields, plus a new adult learning center and more parking.

The school community was saddened by the Nov. 26 death of Fred Barone, who spent 34 years as a teacher and administrator before retiring in 1991. Barone died just a few weeks after enthusiastically telling the school board about plans for the high school’s 50th anniversary celebration in 2008.

Elections

Incumbents were returned in most races in the towns and many of the candidates, including Town of Niagara Supervisor Steve Richards, who ran unopposed. Wheatfield Supervisor Tim Demler easily overcame his opponent.

Wheatfield is saying goodbye to Town Clerk DeEtte Ferchen, who decided to retire from the position she’s held since Jan. 1, 1972.

Boulevard Construction

The community was saddened by the deaths of Randall and Roseanne Burgio of Wheatfield on Sept. 4 after their vehicle strayed into the path of a tractor-trailer traveling in the opposite direction on Niagara Falls Boulevard and was spun into the path of a garbage truck. Their deaths and the serious injury of their two daughters brought renewed outcry for changes to make the busy roadway safer.

More than 140 people came to an information meeting in October at the Wheatfield Community Center, where state Department of Transportation representatives went over proposed changes, including a continuous two-way left turn lane dividing the streams of traffic. Unfortunately, DOT is not planning to begin construction until 2011.

Money and Taxes

Wheatfield Supervisor Tim Demler announced the average homeowner only will see a savings of about $2.50 in special district taxes in 2008, but the tax cut, although small, is his 13th in a row.

Town of Niagara also kept its belt tightened. Supervisor Steve Richards said the average homeowner would see an increase of only about 50 cents per month due to the 2008 budget.

Town of Niagara also moved this year to prevent price gouging by tow truck operators with a new towing law that affects any tows ordered by the police department.

Niagara-Wheatfield approved a 2007-08 budget in April that raised school taxes less than 1 percent.

Development

The Wheatfield Business Association celebrated its 40th anniversary, while business and housing continued to grow in the town.

ElderWood answered a need for independent living facilities for senior citizens with Crestwood Commons, a new patio home and apartment community located off Niagara Falls Boulevard in Wheatfield, across from the nursing home complex.

“I like everything about it,” said new resident Duane Parker, 70, a former Niagara County social worker.

Calamar opened a new 38,000 square-foot office building in its Woodlands Corporate Center East in Wheatfield.

After public opposition to the project, the proposed 250-home Hillcrest subdivision between Errick and Stieg roads in Wheatfield was withdrawn.

Wheatfield created a new zoning category called the Rural Neighborhood Business District, which would allow small business in areas such as Shawnee Road, but prevent larger commercial development. Earlier in the year, the town adopted a hiring policy that would require 30 percent local workers in any public contract.

In the Town of Niagara, residents of the Tuscarora Village took on LaFarge Corp. again, coming before the Town Board to report that blasting at the quarry is worse than ever.

Quality of Life

Wheatfield finished construction this year of a new $1.7 million youth center and gym behind Town Hall. The new building doubles the size of the youth center on Niagara Falls Boulevard and adds a 14,000 square foot gym.

“It’s a quality of life improvement. Our kids are going to have a place to play and socialize with friends,” said Councilman Doucet, adding that adults and senior citizens also can benefit from the gym.

County Legislator Bill Ross called the new facility “a tremendous step forward” by Demler and the Town Board.

Ross said that while he was campaigning door-to-door in Wheatfield, “People had nothing but good to say about the town. I didn’t hear one negative comment about the services the town extends to residents.”

In the Town of Niagara, Richards said the new summer concerts at town park were a rousing success. “It was beyond my wildest expectations, the number of people who came to enjoy that,” he said.

He also cited the continued success of the 2007 Electric Lights Parade on Nov. 10. This year, the parade saluted first responders and drew an estimated 7,500 to 10,000 people to Military Road.

The town also added a van service to transport seniors to the nutrition program at the Community Center.

Both towns held family picnics and the nearby Tuscarora Nation continued its Tuscarora Field Days for the 162nd year.