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Let's Go Back for Aug. 15, 2014

by jmaloni

•Taken from the Aug. 15 Island Dispatch

Fri, Aug 22nd 2014 01:50 pm

40 Years Ago, Aug. 7, 1974

Town library approved

The Grand Island Town Board voted Mon., Aug 5 to adopt a resolution, which establishes a Town Library for Grand Island. Supervisor Griffin stated that the town would seek its charter for same by Jan. 1, 1975.

This is a formal action required since it was announced earlier that the present Memorial Library Board had determined to create a public library service for Island residents. The story of the town's efforts to provide library service has been running as a feature article in the Dispatch for several weeks (interrupted by the absence of the editor). The decision on the part of both the Memorial Library Board and the Town Board is a historic one and aimed at providing the best possible service to the townspeople.

30 Years Ago, Aug. 3, 1984

School Board expands bus area

The Grand Island School Board in a 4-2 vote at its recent meeting agreed to expand the district's bus area to include Glen Avon, Blackmon, West Park, Carl and Wark Park roads in the section northwest of Beaver Island Parkway.

The move is expected to allow dispensing with two school guards. One is scheduled to remain at Broadway and the parkway where the yellow and red traffic light still continues to blink.

The board at a special meeting Thursday, July 26, rejected the sole bid received from Frontier Insulation Company, to remove asbestos from the Kaegebein boiler room. The board at that session also rejected a recommendation to grant tenure to a middle school counselor James Mumm, but it was noted the decision would not be considered until the Aug. 27 School Board meeting.

20 Years Ago, Aug. 5, 1994

Town Board adopts revised master plan

The newest thing in town is the new Comprehensive Master Plan adopted unanimously Monday by the Town Board. It is the result of four years of intensive study and revision at numerous meetings of committees led by Councilman James R. Sharpe.

At least four public hearings were held to obtain public input prior to official approval of the plan.

"The plan, which has enjoyed broad public support, will now be the town's public policy guide for managing growth for the next two decades," Sharpe said.

The Town Board's planning coordinator and one of the driving forces behind the plan's adoption, he acknowledged that the comprehensive Plan Review Committee played a crucial role in developing the plan. "They brought representatives of the Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, Recreation Commission, Traffic Safety Board, Engineering Department and other local boards and agencies together with members of community neighborhood groups," he said.

10 Years Ago, Aug. 6, 2004

Mobile Auto Bureau marks 1st year on GI

One year ago, the Erie County Mobile Auto Bureau began making a weekly stop at the Grand Island Town Hall.

And with the first anniversary arriving, a celebration was held on Wednesday marking that milestone. Erie County Clerk David J. Swarts joined Town Supervisor Peter McMahon, Councilman Gary Roesch, Town Clerk Patricia Frentzel and Erie County Legislator Charles M. Swanick in marking this special occasion.

The mobile auto bureau is open every Wednesday, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., located just by the town clerk's office.

"I would like to thank the town of Grand Island for the support and in bringing this mobile auto bureau van to Grand Island," Swarts said.

He said that since this has been started, the Grand Island site, and three others have been received "extremely well."

"With four sites, we are having about 90 to 100 transactions a day," Swarts said.

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