Town of Niagara supervisor looks back on successful first year

Guest Editorial by Town of Niagara Supervisor Sylvia Virtuoso

It has been a particularly good first year! We have all had a learning curve at the town, getting used to some new and different ways of doing things, but everyone has adapted well and, together, we have worked out many issues, celebrated successes, learned new things, made a few mistakes, and had our up and down days.

Our team and all of our partners at the Town of Niagara, myself, the Town Board, department heads, employees, our different boards, the outside teams (including attorneys, engineers, accountants, grants writers), Niagara County departments, Niagara Orleans Regional Land Improvement Corp., Gov. Hochul representatives, NYSDOT – to name a few – all work together in such a remarkable way to help us get to successful outcomes.

•We started out strong in the Building Department, also not making everyone happy, but now that everyone sees the outcome, hopefully you can agree to following the codes and cleaning up is beneficial to the town.

•The Police Department is all settled in their new home and working out well.

•Amazon is moving along nicely – they have been exceptionally good neighbors and very pleasant to work with; looking for a 2026 opening date.

•The reassessment process is moving along on time. In March, you will receive your new assessment letter.

•We have a new Dollar General – one of the nicest designs around – and looking forward to Tim Hortons right next door.

•The Business Liaison group that has formed came out running with exciting ideas for the business district. You will see new businesses and a welcome mural on Military Road soon. Exciting news!

•The park was full all summer with rentals, mini-golf, baseball and “Music Mania Mondays.” Looking forward to next year.

•The 2025 budget passed with a minimal tax increase.

•Halloween trunk-or-treat was a tremendous success, with over 1,200 visitors and over 30 participants distributing candy.

•Noel at Niagara was a beautiful, fun night, welcoming Santa, Sabretooth, the Grinch and Lighting up the Park.

•The senior program added beneficial programs and is looking forward to even more in 2025!

•Our newest endeavor, the text message launch for information and emergency messages, has been received quite well.

And the list grows daily!

•We are working on Hyde Park properties’ blight with grants partnered with Niagara County Economic Development, and working on junkyard property cleanup as well.

•Bri Estates, a new subdivision, is still being processed and, hopefully, we can get the senior housing project moving soon, as housing is indeed needed here.

It is hard to put into words how much work is done every day by so many people to keep this town a wonderful place to live, work and do business in. I can say this: I am extremely fortunate to have such an effective team, and it is so rewarding to hear a resident or business owner say, “Thank you,” or “Good job.” That is what it is all about, is our residents and businesses. We strive every day to make the Town of Niagara the best it can be.

A great big thank you to all!

 There are many things in the works for 2025. We look forward to another successful year with good health, happiness and prosperity for all!

On behalf of our Town of Niagara family, we wish you all a happy holiday and blessings for a happy New Year!