Village of Lewiston thanks Lions Club, sets sights on next phase of LWRP

By Joshua Maloni

GM/Managing Editor

The Village of Lewiston Board of Trustees and the Lewiston Community Lions Club held a joint check presentation prior to the start of Monday’s monthly civic meeting.

Mayor Anne Welch said, “The Lions Club has graciously donated a couple of our (new) benches. They look beautiful. They are at Fifth and Center streets.”

“And 11 trees,” Lion Rob Nichols added.

“And 11 trees, to be planted at Academy Park and along Center Street,” Welch said.

Two flowering trees also will be placed into the Lewiston Cemetery next to First Presbyterian Church.

Welch noted the Village of Lewiston has lost some trees due to emerald ash disease.

“It will be nice to have them replaced,” she said.

“We’re grateful that you’re going to replant those trees. … The benches are beautiful.”

The Lewiston Community Lions Club is planting these 11 trees as part of its almost $9,000 “Village of Trees” campaign.

Nichols said, “We’re working on some more projects for the Village of Lewiston, and we’re very thankful to have the Village of Lewiston as such good partners.”

Welch said, “They also donated to our playground outside, and they always step up in our community. We’re grateful to have them.”

The Lewiston Community Lions Club recently donated new benches to the Village of Lewiston. These resting areas are located at Center and South Fifth streets. (Photos courtesy of Lion Rob Nichols)

Village of Lewiston Mayor Anne Welch is shown with Lion Rob Nichols and Trustee Jim Fittante.

••••••••

Expanding LWRP

Trustees voted to approve a 25% local match required with a new Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP) application to the state. If received, funds could go toward new staircases on Water Street (including one from North First Street down to the parking lot), a waterfront pavilion, and bank stabilization.

The agenda noted, “the Village of Lewiston is seeking a grant for the Lewiston Landing Phase VI Project and intends to submit via the New York Consolidated Funding Application to the Local Waterfront Revitalization Program; and

“Whereas, the Village project cost estimate for the Lewiston Landing Phase 6 Project is $800,000 and;

“Whereas, the LWRP, through the NYS Department of State, is authorized to fund up to $600,000 of the project cost;

“Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Village authorizes and appropriates a minimum of 25% local match as required by the Local Waterfront Revitalization Grants Program. Under the LWRP, this local match must be at least 25% of the total project of $200,000. The maximum local share appropriated subject to any changes agreed to by the Mayor shall not exceed $200,000 pending receipt of an LWRP grant and available funding. The total estimated maximum grant is $600,000. The Mayor may increase this local match through the use of in-kind services without further approval from the Village.”

Engineer Mike Marino said, under a best-case scenario, funding would be announced at the end of this year, with bidding to follow next spring, then design, and possibly construction in spring 2026.

Moment of silence

Prior to the meeting, the board held a moment of silence for those injured at the recent Donald Trump rally wherein the former president was shot and wounded.

“There should never be violence of any sort, for any reason,” at political events, Welch said. “This country needs to come together. Hopefully, this will be the start of it.”