Town to close bulk of JDP access road to vehicular traffic this winter

by Terry Duffy

With the Town of Lewiston operating for the most part in holiday mode, limited news of note gleaned from the recent Lewiston Town Board work session of Dec. 9 includes the following:

•The town Highway Department announced that the bulk of the Joseph Davis State Park access road between Lower River Road and Pletcher Road would close for the 2013-14 winter season. In recent winters, the town, which operates Joseph Davis State Park under an agreement with New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, had kept the JDP access road open to vehicular traffic with town highway plows maintaining the road.

This year, a limited portion of the JDP access from Lower River Road to the park's main entrance will be open and maintained by highway crews with the balance blocked off and open for casual use by the park's walkers, hikers and skiers, etc. Snowmobiling would not be permitted.

•With Town Clerk Carol Brandon's impending retirement, the Town Board, following some discussion and at the urging of Brandon, approved the appointment of Deputy Clerk Donna Garfinkle, effective Dec. 28.

•The Town Board approved an agreement with Del Camp Wireless where the town's Recreation Department vehicles will be equipped with GPS units on a trial basis. Approved at a cost not to exceed $999.95, the agreement calls for the GPS equipping and monthly monitoring services for three Rec Department vehicles. The pact allows for the better monitoring of department employees, especially during the summer months, according to Parks and Recreation Director Mike Dashineau.

•In related news, the Town Board approved the review of proposal from Verizon to consolidate some of the town's telephone services in an effort to save money. Town Finance Director Mike Johnson reported the proposal would involve the termination of some phones at Town Hall, upgrades to others, and consolidation of minutes.

•The Town Board approved a memorandum of understanding related to long-sought River Walk Drive drainage work, allowing for easements for expected storm sewer work. Town Attorney Mike Dowd reported a MOU had been reached, providing for the conveying of a paper street from developer Joe Deck to nearby private property owner Jerry Wolfgang, followed by a 20-foot easement and limited paving, to enable the expected work.

•And the board approved the scheduling of the final audit meeting for Friday, Dec. 27, at 2 p.m., and the reorganization meeting for Thursday, Jan. 2, 2014, at 6:30 p.m.