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Longtime Town of Niagara resident Fannie Scalzo is shown with family members. She was presented a certificate by the Town Board on Tuesday honoring her 100th birthday. (photo by Susan Mikula Campbell)
Longtime Town of Niagara resident Fannie Scalzo is shown with family members. She was presented a certificate by the Town Board on Tuesday honoring her 100th birthday. (photo by Susan Mikula Campbell)

Good news for Town of Niagara residents

by jmaloni
Sat, Jun 21st 2014 12:00 am

by Susan Mikula Campbell

Tuesday's Town of Niagara Town Board meeting brought lots of smiles and good news for residents.

It started out on a high note with the presentation of a certificate to longtime resident Fannie Scalzo honoring her 100th birthday on June 7. Most of Scalzo's descendants also live in the Town of Niagara.

"I believe she is our oldest living town resident," said Deputy Supervisor Sylvia Virtuoso.

In other matters:

•The town Highway Department will begin collecting leaves this fall for all residents, thanks to the purchase of a $32,236 leaf pickup machine.

"This is a service we've long wanted to bring to residents," said Bob Herman, highway superintendent.

For the past two years, the town has borrowed the Town of Lewiston's equipment to test the program in "pocket" areas, Herman said, and "it worked out very well."

Councilman Marc Carpenter was pleased the program will be able to go town-wide. He said his neighbors have been calling him for years about the need for a program.

"There's a tremendous amount of leaves if you live near a wooded area," he said.

In addition to the leaf machine, the board approved the purchase of a hot box for $23,880. This was a re-bid and came in $7,000 less than when originally bid, Herman said. The hot box keeps blacktop hot while road crews patch potholes, which is better than cold patch, because it lasts longer and stays in longer, he said.

Also on the highway front, the town has an excess of road millings leftover from recent road repairs. Town residents can buy the millings for $8 a ton picked up or $15 a ton delivered (in town only) with a 100-ton minimum purchase.

•Virtuoso, who also is chairwoman of the Town of Niagara Beautification Committee, made a point of thanking all involved in the purchase, placement, labor and maintenance of flower pots and hanging flower baskets in the town, including the town's highway and water departments, the Town of Niagara Business and Professional Association, Villani Lawn & Landscaping and Fashion Outlets of Niagara. Hanging baskets line Military Road and pots of flowers can be found at the cannon memorial, the entrance to the town park and from Homestead Avenue to Saunders Settlement Road. Flowers also were placed at the Allied Waste Services entrance on Packard Road in appreciation for funding that provided the leaf pickup machine and hot box.

"For me anyway, beautification is very important, because it welcomes everybody who comes to the town," Virtuoso said.

•The board approved a resolution to approve compensation for the deputy supervisor position at $12,000 (deputy supervisor stipend and budget officer stipend). Virtuoso, who is maintaining her position as town clerk, was appointed to handle town business as deputy supervisor after Supervisor Steve Richards resigned.

•The board approved the donation of two surplus 2006 Ford Crown Victoria police cars to Niagara Active Hose. The volunteer fire company plans to use the vehicles for fire company command staff to respond to emergencies and assist with traffic control and traffic management issues during emergency incidents. Both cars have high mileage and limited value, according to town officials.

•Stephen H. Roberts was appointed provisional superintendent of water and sewer maintenance upon the retirement of Edward Adamczyk effective June 28. Roberts, a certified machine equipment operator, must successfully complete the Civil Service exam for the superintendent position.

•The board approved $4,285 to Signlanguage for a new welcome sign at the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station entrance on Lockport Road. The previous sign was involved in an accident with a taxi. Insurance will fully cover the cost of the new sign.

•The final site plan for the Griffon Pub, 2470 Military Road, was approved.

•The board will have only one work session next month on July 10. The July 3 workshop meeting was eliminated due to the Fourth of July holiday. The next regular meeting will be July 15.

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