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Let's Go Back for March 15, 2013

by jmaloni
Fri, Mar 22nd 2013 02:30 pm

40 Years Ago, March 7, 1973

Developer questions Planning Board action

A request has recently been received by the Town of Grand Island for permission to erect a "high rise" complex to house the elderly on property along Baseline Road. The project has been proposed by the Lutheran Council of the Niagara Frontier and is aimed at providing housing for persons 62 years of age and older.

According to a statement by the Rev. L. W. Lautenschlager, "The building would be self-contained but must be located close to community facilities." He further stated that the site chosen across from St. Stephen R.C. Church "Is an excellent location as it is close to shopping areas, churches, all within walking distance."

At its formal meeting on Monday, Feb. 26, the Grand Island Planning Board unanimously recommended against the project, citing the fact that the plan presented by the developers does not meet the requirements of the town's zoning laws and ordinances. ...

At the present time, the (proposed) six-story building on a 3-1/2 acre site would limit the number to 64 apartment units ...

30 Years Ago, March 4, 1983

Legislator fights proposal for sludge

An interim report of the Erie County Sludge Management Committee has Legislator Charles M. Swanick up in arms over maps "which show that close to 85 percent" of the entire Island was selected for land-spreading of sewage sludge.

Grand Island residents and landowners have good reason to likewise question the possibility that the Island may be selected as a site for possible land-spreading of sewage treatment sludge.

What Swanick wants to know is: Where will the sludge for the proposed land-spreading here be coming from? Who will authorize land-spreading of sludge on the Island? What agency or group will oversee the land application of the sludge and perform the tests to ensure it is non-toxic?

And Swanick as well as Island taxpayers are asking: If a disaster should occur and toxic sludge be applied to the land here, who will take responsibility for this disaster? ....

20 Years Ago, March 12, 1993

Tentative teachers contract reached

Superintendent Paul Fields and Grand Island Teachers Association President Terry Swartz announced Wednesday that a tentative agreement has been reached in the negotiation process for a teachers' contract. The proposal was approved by the school board Monday night and was presented to the GTA Thursday afternoon for consideration. Negotiations began last April and teachers have been working without a contract since Sept. 1.

10 Years Ago, March 7, 2003

Town Board members listen to speaker

Last Wednesday, numerous members of the Grand Island Town Board as well a handful of Island residents were on hand to listen to Don Owens, who addressed the attendees in the Town Hall conference room on why sinking foundations occur, and why they affect homes.

Following an article that appeared in an early January edition of the Dispatch, approximately 36 concerned residents contacted Supervisor Peter McMahon after witnessing abnormal structural problems with their respective homes. This led to McMahon and board members carefully examining the issue. Eventually they sought outside help.

Upon learning of the town's circumstance, Owens, an employee of Earth Dimensions, agreed to share his expertise with the town. According to Owens, there are two causes of sinking foundations - K failure and vertical failure. ... Of the 36 affected houses on the Island, approximately 18 are experiencing K-failure while the other 50 percent are experiencing vertical failure. K-failure occurs due to horizontal pressure, which causes cellar wall damage. Vertical failure is associated with the drying out of the sub layer of clay under the house. ... Currently the town is awaiting word from the engineering department on what they should do, if anything, to prevent this from happening.

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