Chime in on TN budget

by Susan Mikula Campbell
Niagara Wheatfield Tribune, October 22, 2009

The Town of Niagara Town Board has scheduled a public hearing on its 2010 budget proposal for 4 p.m. Nov. 10 at Town Hall.

Board members are continuing to work on finding ways to trim the $7,967,838 budget presented by Supervisor Steven C. Richards earlier this month. While the budget is down $238,000 from the current 2009 budget, state changes and decreases in assessments mean it would cost the average homeowner an additional $27 per year in taxes. Richards said he would prefer to see no tax increase when the final budget is presented.

In other matters at Tuesday’s board meeting:

•The board approved the request of Richard Greenwalt of United Auto Foreign and Domestic Inc. to combine two lots – 2113 and 2115 Fashion Outlet Blvd. A special use permit, renewable annually, for a repair garage and vehicle sales lot at the site also was approved, with the restriction that it not exceed seven vehicles for sale at any one time on the property.

•Also approved was the request of Wegmans Food Market on Military Road to operate a single refrigerated tractor-trailer (for turkeys) at its property from Nov. 1 to 22, with the hours of operation restricted to 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

•The board approved a progress payment of $150,635.35 to CRA Engineers for the town’s Community Center project.

•The board decided to bypass town procurement policy and replace the public announcement/sound system in its meeting room through PDM Services at a cost of $3,920.

•The board approved the request of the New York Power Authority to connect one domestic and one fire service water line for a new office/warehouse to be located on the north side of Witmer Road.

•Also approved was the fourth quarter payment of $10,132.39 of Niagara Power Coalition dues.

•The request of Suzanne-Marie Fulle, LMT, of 7520 Colonial Drive Extension, to renew her special use permit for a licensed massage therapy business at her home was approved.