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Town of Lewiston Recreation Department to offer youth fishing program

Fri, Apr 30th 2021 11:00 am

New project includes equipment, training for young anglers

Board reiterates its opposition to TON asphalt facility

By Terry Duffy

Editor-in-Chief

As recreational activities continue to rebound from COVID-19 restrictions, Lewiston Town Board members learned more Monday of a new fishing program on Lewiston’s waterfront planned for children.

Recreation Director Michael Dashineau apprised Town Board members via Zoom of the project that, once underway, would see young anglers equipped with new start-up gear and introduced to the joys of fishing area waterways by the experts.

 “We looked into and started to create a new fishing program here in Lewiston,” Dashineau said as he sought the board’s support. “This is going to be a volunteer-based program. The money for the program itself is (already in the budget). We’re going to be purchasing tackle boxes and beginner fishing poles for any kids that register for the program.”

Dashineau said the Recreation Department has teamed up with charter captains who work the Niagara River to develop what he anticipates to be a six-week fishing program for kids.

“We’re working with a couple of the charter captains here in Lewiston. And Joe Oliverio, who sits on our Recreation Advisory Committee, came up with this nice, six-week program for the kids to introduce them to fishing on the river,” he said. “What we’d like to do is have six weeks of training courses for them, once a week, and safety courses, and allow them to go into the river and learn how to fish.”

Councilman Bill Geiben offered his support for the new youth fishing program. He said the Recreation Department has sufficient funding in its budget for the program and much effort has already been put into its planning.

“I think it’s an excellent program. I sat in a couple of times when they had their meetings and they’re enthusiastic,” he said.

For kids, “They’re going to have tackle boxes; they’re going to have different (poles and lures); they’re going to have literature; what fish they’re looking for this versus next week versus the following week. I’m excited (about this),” Geiben said.

He noted the first participants could look forward to having “new tackle boxes and equipment” as the program begins. As to its funding, he said that could come from Recreation Department programs that were not able to held due to COVID-19, but still had money available in the budget.

No board approval was required.

For more on the new offering, stay tuned to the Recreation Department’s Facebook page for updates, or call 716-754-8213.

In other news from the board session:

•Councilman John Jacoby presented a second resolution, seconded by Councilman Rob Morreale, reiterating the town’s stance on the asphalt facility being considered for Witmer Road. This followed an earlier resolution conveying the town’s opposition to the proposed facility.

 “The Town of Niagara Town Board opted to request that the New York State DEC pause any review of an interstate facility permit submitted by 4650 Witmer Road,” Jacoby said. “In addition, they’re (DEC) also requesting that the public comment period … be extended pending review of the process, and an earlier application by the Niagara County Planning Board, Town of Niagara Planning Board and Town of Niagara Town Board. …

“Rob and I are going to make this motion … that we essentially mirror what the Town of Niagara did (in stating its opposition).”

The resolution, also backed by Geiben, went on to be unanimously approved by the board.

At this writing, Town Attorney Al Bax was expected to finalize the town resolution for submission into the DEC record.

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