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Lewiston Town Board updated on 2023 activities

Fri, Mar 31st 2023 10:35 am

304 youths signed up for baseball, softball, T-ball programs

√ Board OKs agreements with DG Niagara LLC for solar facility

By Terry Duffy

Editor-in-Chief

At its monthly regular meeting, Lewiston Town Board members heard more on a few programs of interest as 2023 moves along.

First off, Melinda Olick, director of the Lewiston Senior Center, reported on a new community offering that’s expected to begin service soon.

“Starting in April on Wednesday, FeedMore Western New York is going to bring a mobile produce truck to the parking lot for people to buy produce,” she said.

The organization was created from the merger of FeedMore WNY and Meals on Wheels for Western New York. FeedMore Farm Market’s three food trucks travel to locations throughout the service area, including Niagara County, “to provide health, low-cost fruits and vegetables to individuals whom otherwise may not have access to such foods,” its website stated. “Any member of the community is welcome to visit our Farm Market! The Farm Market accepts cash, credit/debit cards and SNAP as payment. Fresh produce is available until sold out.”

Olick said the FeedMore mobile truck Farm Market would visit the Senior Center parking lot from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesdays beginning April 5, and continue weekly visits to the center for the balance of 2023. Lewiston seniors and residents are welcome to stop by and shop.

For more information on this offering, call the Senior Center at 716-754-2071, or visit the FeedMore website at www.feedmorewny.org/programs-services/farm-market/.

Also moving ahead for 2023 are a number of Recreation Department programs as the town continues its search for a new recreation director. Supervisor Steve Broderick said Clerk Nicole Short has been busy getting Lewiston’s summer rec programs organized.

“Nicole is our recreation clerk who is filling in admirably for our recreation director,” Broderick said.

He noted the Rec Department is active with a number of programs underway, including the recent “LEGO Night” at the Senior Center, the upcoming “More Game Night” Friday evening at the Senior Center, and the town’s first Easter egg hunt, which is Sunday, April 2, at Pletcher Road Park.

In other recreation news, the board approved four seasonal hires who will begin their employment with the town this upcoming week. Councilmen also approved a temporary stipend for Short as she continues her service as interim rec director.

Broderick said the town has 304 children signed up for its baseball, softball and T-ball programs for 2023, with 25 teams in planning.

“All coaches are good except for the majors – she needs one more,” he said.

The town announced 2023 schedules are now out, and the first day of practice is set for April 17, “God willing,” Broderick said. For more information, visit www.lewportsports.com or www.leaguelineup.com/welcome.asp?url=lewistonandporterya.

In other Town Board news:

•Councilman Bill Geiben, who attended the session via Zoom, said the town was in the process of filling vacancies on the Lewiston Environmental Commission following the recent passing of Chairman Jerry Wolfgang. The board then approved the appointments of Zach Collister as chairperson of the Environmental Commission; and Dr. Mark Gallo, a Niagara University biology professor, as a member.

•The Town Board approved a PILOT agreement (payment and lieu of taxes) and a community benefits agreement with DG Niagara LLC.

DG Niagara LLC, a subsidiary of Florida-based NextEra Resources, was approved earlier by the town to operate a new solar farm to be located on a 100-acre parcel at 2661 Ridge Road, south of Ransomville.

According to a report from Yahoo! Finance, DG Niagara LLC would operate two solar arrays at the site, with one producing 5 megawatts of AC power, and the other producing 7.5 watts of DC power.

The report stated, “Under the terms of the PILOT agreement, the town would receive a payment of $2,000 per kilowatt hour per year, with that amount increasing by 2% per year for a period of 15 years.

“The community benefit agreement would have the developers pay the Town of Lewiston $50,000 to use in any way to benefit the town to offset any impact the solar farm may have.”

•The board approved a $50,000 funds transfer to its environmental protection budget to cover the town’s portion of CWM legal fees paid by Niagara County.

•The board approved a property access request by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to trap for invasive pest in the town, including the Box Tree Moth and European Cherry Fruit Fly.

•The board approved Savannah Scoons as the newest member of the Upper Mountain Fire Co.

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