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Village of Lewiston calls timeout on Center Street talk

by jmaloni
Tue, Nov 8th 2011 08:40 am

No discussion on possible recreation building

Trustees in the Village of Lewiston on Monday opted not to talk about festival suggestions submitted by Mayor Terry Collesano's ad hoc committee. Though Collesano asked to discuss the five-person panel's recommendations for when and how to close Center Street, his colleagues asked for more time to review the letter submitted last week.

The Village Board did speak with accountant Pat Brown of Brown & Co. He informed trustees of a need to raise the water rate from $2.80 per 100 cubic feet to $3.55, and the sewer rate from $3.95 per 100 cubic feet to $4.65, to offset cost increases from the Niagara County Water District and the Town of Lewiston Master Sewer District.

The proposed increases would take effect with the Jan. 1, 2012, billing. Brown said the average Village of Lewiston resident would pay about $25 more per year.

"Unfortunately, it's something we have to do," Collesano said. Before the board can take action, however, a public hearing must be held. That gathering is set for 6 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 21, at the Red Brick Municipal Building, 145 N. Fourth St.

Trustees took no action and offered no comment on the potential creation of a new recreation center, which could be built behind the Village Hall. No proposal has been officially submitted, nor would such a plan start out in front of the Village Board.

During the summer, members of the Village Board and Planning Board discussed adding a recreation center on the Lewiston Plateau by Artpark. Town of Lewiston Supervisor Steve Reiter suggested he could build one behind Town Hall or by the Lewiston Senior Center.

Gary Hall, president and CEO of Waste Technology Services on Lower River Road, has floated the idea of financing (at least in part) a recreation center behind the Red Brick in lieu of the addition he was granted permission to build at WTS.

The Village Board did award a contract to low-bidder Santo Candella to construct a restroom/comfort station at Marilyn Toohey Park (alongside the Red Brick). Candella's price is $26,899. Trustees said the project cost is covered by Greenway money contributed by the Town of Lewiston.

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