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Rotary Club hears from Whitney

Sat, Apr 25th 2020 07:00 am

By Michael J. Billoni

The Rotary Club of Grand Island held its first virtual meeting with a guest speaker on Wednesday evening. More than 30 members and guests were online to hear and see Town Supervisor John C. Whitney, P.E., speak about the current situation with COVID-19 and future town projects once a sense of normalcy begins.

Whitney said the town is following Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s declared state of emergency and only vital services are available handling emergencies. Whitney, who is in his office periodically, is available by phone (773-9600, ext. 616) or email at [email protected]. He also encouraged residents to visit the town website at www.grand-island.ny.us or its Facebook page at (The Town of Grand Island).

He said the Town Board is meeting virtually and the public can watch on its YouTube channel. He said all court action has ceased since the pandemic began and he “pities them when they come back, because those will be some very long Wednesday evenings in court.”

A big concern among Whitney and the Town Board members is what the “new normal” will be when they begin to return to Town Hall to tackle a mountain of issues, including what he referred to as “the 800-pound gorilla in the room”—"Project Olive,” Fantasy Island, and other proposed development projects.

“Fantasy Island is closed and will not come back,” he said. “I am working hard on contacting the owners of the land to ensure us on how they will protect it from vandals. I will not give up on that until we have an approved plan.”

In regard to the mammoth “Project Olive,” which most on the Island believe is going to be an Amazon warehouse and distribution center, Whitney said the proposed developer has funded the town to hire six top consultants who are presently evaluating the 2,202-page application submitted to the town on Feb. 21 from developer Trammell Crow through its attorneys.

“They will report back to the town on everything from the water system and lighting, sound, traffic and storm water drainage,” he explained.

Whitney said the Town Board is also discussing how and when it can reschedule a public hearing about “Project Olive.”

“Ultimately, the decision will be made by the Town Board, but I can tell you at this point I do not have enough information to say how I will vote. We are very preliminary at this stage,” he said in response to a question after his opening remarks.

Whitney also talked about the Memorial Day service held at the DeGlopper Memorial Park and said that, because of social distancing, it may be some type of virtual celebration. He said it is too early to make a decision about July 4 plans.

In regard to the proposed $50 million Southpointe housing project on the southwest corner of Baseline and Staley roads, and a project on a 65-acre property on the south side of Whitehaven Road at East River Road, neither project representative has submitted a formal proposal.

Whitney said the sidewalk project in the business section along Grand Island Boulevard from Webb Road to the plaza across from the Fantasy Island property is proceeding as planned, because it is considered an essential project. He also said he is in communication with Erie County about repairing some of the roads it operates in the town.

In regard to the sprawling proposed solar farms on the Island, Whitney said the board is looking into updating the town solar laws and will involve the public through upcoming virtual and live meetings.

Whitney said he was encouraged about the re-building of the Grand Island Rotary Gazebo on the Town Commons outside of Town Hall.

For more information on future Rotary Club meetings or membership, visit www.rotaryclubgi.org.

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