Town of Lewiston springs into summer: Parks projects, youth sports programs underway

By Terry Duffy

Editor-in-Chief

As spring shifts into summer and COVID-19 restrictions continue to ease, the Town of Lewiston – like many others – is getting into the action.

Newsmakers from Monday’s May regular meeting find the town continuing progress on the Kiwanis Park basketball and tennis courts renovations; a local Boy Scout will be working with the town historian on repairs and maintenance projects in Lewiston’s cemeteries; and the town’s baseball and softball programs, as well as its summer recreation offerings, are beginning to get into full swing.

“I talked with our Recreation Director (Mike Dashineau) and he says the baseball program is up and active, and moving along quite pleasantly,” Council member Bill Geiben told board members. “He decided not to have an opening day ceremony because of the COVID restrictions … so that’s not going to happen. The fishing derby registration will be up in the next week or so, which is quite exciting.

“The fishing tackle boxes have arrived already, the poles are coming soon.”

Geiben reported the Rec Department is still looking at adding staff for the summer season at its town parks. Openings currently exist at the Sanborn playground.

“Mike is still looking for a recreation staff member for the Sanborn area,” Geiben said. “He really hopes someone from that area would be available, rather than have someone driving out there every day from the other side of the town. So, if you know anyone who is looking for a job in recreation, a potential teacher … please have them go on the website, find an application, or call Mike Dashineau directly.”

For more information on job openings, visit the Lewiston Parks and Recreation page on Facebook, or the town website at www.townoflewiston.us/rcereation-department.

On a related note, the town was recently approved for $100,000 in funding by the Niagara River Greenway Commission for replacement equipment at the Sanborn playground, and up to $550,000 at Pletcher Road. The town is currently pursuing design work at both parks.

Supervisor Steve Broderick said work is likewise moving ahead on the Kiwanis Park tennis and basketball courts replacement project.

“If anybody hasn’t driven out to Kiwanis Park, they broke ground on the new basketball court, which I’m really excited about,” he said. “They put all the drainage in; they excavated the ground; and it’s going to be quite the layout. I’m really looking forward to that.”

Broderick said the tennis courts at Kiwanis would be closed for the next two weeks to allow for resurfacing while the project continues.

Still more construction news came from Engineer Robert Lannon, who said work on the Lower River Road Town Park across from the Lewiston Senior Center is moving ahead, with new curbs for the access road being the latest.

“I look at that park three to four times a week; it’s looking great,” Councilman John Jacoby said.

Broderick and board members urged residents to stop by and check out the progress.

In still more news from the meeting:

•The Town Board approved its residency requirements proposal covering town employees. It does not cover employees of the Lewiston Police Department or the town’s Water Pollution Control Center who operate under separate agreements.

Effective May 24, the measure states, “All other full-time employees of the Town of Lewiston must be residents of the Town of Lewiston or a contiguous municipality. Said contiguous municipalities include the Town of Porter, the Town of Cambria, Town of Wilson, Town of Niagara or Town of Wheatfield. Part-time, seasonal and temporary employees need not be residents of the Town of Lewiston.”

For more information, consult the town’s employee manual.

•The board approved a new salary schedule covering three van drivers for the Town of Lewiston Senior Center. The changes stem from adjustments in the state minimum wage that will increase again on Dec. 31. Under the schedule, salaries for the three will increase to $13.50 per hour.

Councilmen also approved the seasonal hiring of two employees for the Parks Department with one position still open.

•The town announced the appointment of Lewiston Realtor Michael Johnson to the Board of Assessment Review for 2021. Johnson, a former councilman, is expected to assist the board with its grievance hearings proceedings.

•The town announced it would hold a public hearing on a solar project being proposed for Townline Road by Kilmer Solar LLC. The hearing will take at 6 p.m. June 28 at Town Hall. Residents are invited to attend.

For more details, call the town clerk’s office at 716-754-8213.