By Terry Duffy
Editor-in-Chief
Monday's Lewiston Town Board work session was another light one, with only a handful of items acted upon.
Among the Town Board actions:
•The town moved on submitting an application to the Niagara River Greenway Commission Host Committee to seek $700,000 in funding, for a park under consideration on 5.6 acres of land owned by the town on the lower river north of the Stella Preserve. Town grant writer Bernie Rotella said the funding would cover various costs to complete the project. Among the items discussed for the park at the board's March 12 session were a kayak launch, installation of pavilions, a paved area from lower River Road to the river's edge and making the park handicapped accessible.
The motion was approved for Greenway review at its June session.
Town Engineer Robert Lannon as well as Councilman Bill Geiben said the park project is in its initial stages. Lannon requested and was approved for a state environmental quality review Type 1 coordinated review, while Geiben commented that a host of SEQR reviews and approvals by various designated agencies was still to come.
"We're moving ahead with this, but we still have a lot of different agencies that we need to be in contact with for approval," said Geiben. "Once we get those all lined up for approval, then we'll move ahead with the various public information sessions, to let the public know what the needs of the park are.
"It's a work in progress; the park can be modified as we go along. And we'll be looking from input (from others)."
•The board also approved for a grant application, seeking an estimated $75,000 in Greenway Host Committee funding be submitted, covering an improvement project at Sanborn Park on the Sanborn Fire Company grounds.
Town Parks-Recreation Director Michael Dashineau, who is working on the application with Rotella, discussed its elements. Included would be installation of a handicapped-accessible pathway, 510 linear feet by six feet in width; the installation of three LED lights to allow for nighttime uses in the park; and completion of existing restroom facilities in a park storage building.
"These will make it more usable," said Dashineau of the upgrades to the restrooms that he described as cosmetic.
Geiben suggested that handicapped usable picnic tables also be included in the plan. The board approved for bids to be pursued for the project. Funding would included with the town's aforementioned application going before Greenway at its June meeting.
•The board approved a new local law covering Solar Energy System installations in the town. For details on the law, visit the town website,
www.townoflewiston.us.
•And the board approved the hire of Thomas Battaglia as a new part-time officer with the Lewiston Police Department. Battaglia, who replaces an existing LPD officer, began his service with the department on April 9.
