Wheatfield changes dog, animal control policies

Got a stinky neighbor living under your back yard shed? Is there a stray dog running loose in your yard? Who do you call?

"We're out of the animal control business all together at this point," Wheatfield Supervisor Bob Cliffe told the Town Board at its regular meeting on Monday.

Previously, Wheatfield had dog control and animal control officers to take care of these types of problems. Contracts were not renewed at the board's reorganization meeting earlier this month in a move to help save the town money.

The board on Monday approved a three-year contract with the SPCA of Niagara for animal shelter and dog control, with an opt-out condition if the town is not happy with the service. Calls to the SPCA can be made 24/7, Cliffe said.

In the case of unwanted wild critters, such as skunks, calls to the town will be referred to Wild Critters of Niagara County or AWARE, or a list of privately-licensed operators. Names and phone numbers will be available on the town's website or by calling the town clerk's office.

Town Attorney Robert O'Toole said the changes could save the town at least $3,000.

A Shawnee Road resident asked about animals killed on the road, especially during the late spring and summer. In the past, the town's Highway Department has removed them. Cliffe said that technically that is a state road and a state problem, but Highway Superintendent Art Kroening will continue to provide removal services.

In other matters:

•The Drainage Committee will hold important meetings for residents on plans for drainage improvements for the coming year on Thursday, Feb. 3, at the Wheatfield Community Center. The meeting for residents of Willow Lake will be at 7 p.m. The meeting for residents of David Drive, Kenneth Court and Joann Circle will be at 8 p.m.

•Water/Sewer Supervisor Rich Donner asked that during cold and snowy weather, residents make sure fire hydrants are clear of snow. According to town law it is illegal to pile or plow snow within five feet of a hydrant. Violators can be fined $250 for a first offense and $500 to $1,000 for subsequent offenses.

•A preliminary plat map for the Whistling Straits subdivision, delayed from the last meeting, was approved after the developer agreed to deposit $25,000 into escrow in case the turning lane planned at Hoover and Lockport roads is not built or not adequate and a stoplight becomes needed.

•The board approved the town's Emergency Management Plan. O'Toole said the plan represented "a lot of work by a lot of people" and added, "I think people will see it as a model plan." Parts of the plan will be placed on the town's website. It deals with what the town should do in case of a major event or disaster, such as a plane crash or a weather event similar to the Blizzard of '77.

•A special meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 31, to give the board more time to review costs associated with Fairmont Park improvements.

The town finally received a state grant for the improvements. The grant amount is $350,000, which must be matched by the town either in cash or in-kind services. The board delayed voting on authorizing $7,500 to Wendel Duscherer Architects and Engineers to provide conceptual design and preliminary cost estimating until Monday to be sure that cost could be reimbursed through the grant. The improvements are expected to include either redesigning or rebuilding two restrooms to make them handicapped accessible and possible adding pathways, trees and exercise stations.

•The next regular Town Board meeting will be Feb. 14. A public hearing on proposed revisions to the town code concerning planned unit developments will be at 7 p.m. A public hearing on a proposed revision to the town's junkyard law will be at 7:15 p.m. The regular meeting will begin at 7:30 p.m.