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Porter Town Board opposes new lake levels plan

by jmaloni
Sat, Jun 16th 2012 02:55 am

by Alicia Wainwright

The Town of Porter held an informative regular Town Board meeting on Monday, June 11. Topics of interest included waterfront revitalization, waterline replacements, Lake Ontario water levels, and a lengthy recap of Founders' Day weekend at Porter on the Lake.

•Discussion was had on the grants status report.

Grant writer Bernie Rotella expressed interest in the town pursuing the Local Waterfront Revitalization Program as opposed to the Porter On The Lake Shoreline Stabilization Project.

"Right now the Town of Porter does not have an adopted and approved LWRP and apparently if we don't have one it's a jurisdiction of the state, so I'm looking for some direction from the board on which way you would like to go with that grant," said Rotella.

Board members took no action and intend to discuss the matter further.

•It was reported the town received communication from Niagara County Legislator Clyde Burmaster that the Porter On The Lake Greenway Project would be submitted to attorney Tom Burgasser and the Niagara County Ad Hoc Committee, with the following improvements under consideration: $98,000 in playground equipment; $40,000 in pavilion improvements; and $12,000 in Greenway signage, for a total of $150,000.

•On a separate item, the board heard that a DEC recycling grant for recycling totes would be available, with a 50 percent matching grant. No action was taken.

•The Porter Infrastructure Waterline Replacement Project also was discussed. Councilman Joe Fleckenstein was apprehensive of the project saying, "I don't want to be going into a grant that we can't afford."

•Board member caution was heard on another front as Councilman Larry White discussed the new International Joint Commission's proposed water management plan for Lake Ontario.

The new plan would allow the lake's water level to rise in the spring and fall. "This would have an adverse effect on the community and boating and homes along the lake and river," said White.

White made a resolution that the board is opposed to this new plan. The resolution was carried.

•Other news was a lengthy recap of Founders' Day Celebration Weekend at Porter On The Lake on June 1-3. Founders' Day Weekend was held in commemoration of the 200th birthday of the town.

It opened on Friday, June 1, at 5 p.m. Nearby Bandana's Bar and Grill served a variety of foods and spirits; and the Celtic Circle Ceilidh Band and several MacKenzie Highlanders performed at the main pavilion.

That evening, a U.S. flag that flew over the Capitol building, obtained through the office of Congresswoman Louise Slaughter, was raised by representatives of the U.S. Coast Guard Station Niagara. Lew-Port High School students, Jacey Diez and Kate Mieth, sang "The Star Spangled Banner." Following the opening ceremony, birthday cake was served to the community.

On Saturday, June 2, the park opened for a "Taste of Porter." North Country Catering and Bandana's Bar and Grill sold food at the event.

The day also saw "200 Years of Porter's History," a historical pageant written and directed by Karen Noonan. Other activities included children's games, a petting zoo, a bounce house, pony rides, and an ice cream social by Ashker's and disc jockey music by Nichols Sound.

The town's scavenger hunt saw three teams with perfect scores - the Robinson Family, Team Carbaty, and Team Grebke. Saturday night, The Jerry Andres Band played and fireworks lit up the skies.

An ecumenical prayer service led by Rev. Rex Stewart of First Presbyterian Church of Youngstown opened Sunday morning. Stewart gave a homily on "Challenges to Faith Then and Now" with history of churches in the community and the role the church played in the early development of the country. A complimentary breakfast followed, served by the Lions clubs of Youngstown and Ransomville.

During the afternoon, a guided walking tour took place in Youngstown, but rain and thunder prohibited the walking tour of Ransomville.

Supervisor Mert Wiepert commented that overall the event was "a well put-on weekend."

Wrapping up:

•The Town of Porter Recreation Commission reported it has hired adult supervisors for its summer program. Employment is from June 25 to Aug 10. A motion was carried to approve the appointments and set salaries at $8.53 per hour.

•The board approved a resolution to acknowledge that a statement of changes in cash balances and statements cash receipts of the tax collector, town clerk and town justices, as of Dec. 31, 2011, had been examined by the Town Board, and audited by Brown & Company LLP, CPA. Town Clerk Gail Zachary will now send these documents to the state comptroller and the United Court System.

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