Residents to have say on Artpark

by Joshua Maloni

Village of Lewiston Mayor Terry Collesano announced a public forum on Artpark - specifically its "Tuesday in the Park" concert series - will take place Tuesday, Oct. 4. Assemblyman John Ceretto has called the meeting. It will run from 6 until 7:30 p.m. at the Red Brick Municipal Building, 145 N. Fourth St.

"It was the oath of this board that we would follow-through" on resident concerns, Collesano said at Monday's monthly board meeting. During Artpark's summer concert season, concerns were raised over crowd sizes, noise levels and weekly impact on traffic/roads and surrounding neighborhoods.

The mayor said the public meeting is a chance for residents to speak with local, county and state elected leaders, as well as members of Artpark's management and board of directors.

New Bed and Breakfast

The Village Board has scheduled a public hearing of its own, at 6 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 17, to discuss a request from Jim Puerner and Sandy Brillhart to operate a bed and breakfast in their home at 860 Onondaga St.

"I think that's what Lewiston is known for," Deputy Mayor Bruce Sutherland said of bed and breakfasts. "We could always use more of them."

Trustee Vic Eydt agreed and said the new business would be an asset to the village.

"I think it's great," he said. "They have the facility; they have the parking."

Sandy Brillhart said she's lived in the home for the better part of 60 years. She previously leased space out to a renter.

Ad Hoc Committee to Study Festivals

At the request of the Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce, Collesano has put together an ad hoc committee to study the impact of festivals - namely, the closing of Center Street - and report back to the Board of Trustees.

The mayor selected five people to serve on the committee: Rick Haight, chairman of the chamber's Lewiston advisory committee and a local business owner (Advanced Design Group); Village of Lewiston Police Commissioner Al Soluri; Chamber of Commerce President Jennifer Pauly; Lewiston Volunteer Fire Co. No. 1 Chief Kevin Macaulay; and Fourth Street resident Pat Walker.

"I tried to pick one person from each of the areas of concern," Collesano said.

He opted to create the committee to generate additional suggestions for his board to consider.

"I thought, 'Let's get more people involved,' " Collesano said.

He noted these volunteers would meet on their own and report back to trustees in a month or two.