Grant to aid Town of Niagara in purchase of new ladder truck

Article and photo by Benjamin Joe

Senior Contributing Writer

The Niagara Active Hose Fire Co. has put an order in for a brand-new ladder truck that will be capable of reaching all five stories of the Amazon Robotics Fulfillment Center on Lockport Road, thanks to a $2 million grant from Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office.

Town of Niagara Supervisor Sylvia Virtuoso said she received a call earlier in the month from Hochul’s secretary.

Virtuoso had reached out to the governor’s office asking for any leads on grants, remembering a similar situation when the Fashion Outlets of Niagara had expanded, and the office being helpful.

“They were very helpful at sending me links for grants and everything,” Virtuoso said. “And then, to my surprise last week, the governor called me and said that she is well aware of how budget constraints are and how difficult it is to fund this equipment, and she was happy to grant us $2 million.”

The new specialty firefighting engine has been ordered, but will not be ready for a couple of years, Virtuoso said.

In other news

•Six structures in the Town of Niagara are a step closer to being taken down after Town of Niagara Council members voted unanimously to put to bid the demolition of 2920 Birch Ave., 6321 Edgewood Drive, 3002 Rhode Island Ave., 6701 Elsa Place, 4316 Military Road and 3488 Rhode Island Ave.

“They’re deplorable; they’re ready to fall down,” Virtuoso said, in part, after comments from councilmen Mike Lee and Johnny Parks. “We’ve reached out many, many times. Our attorneys have been with them. We called a hearing for each and every one of them. We’ve gone above and beyond allowing them to repair the properties, which they have not. Not whatsoever. So, they’re coming down.”

•Collin Durandetto, a Niagara-Wheatfield graduate, is set to become a part time police officer, pending completion of the Police Academy in February 2027.

Durandetto said he previously joined the U.S. Army and has since decided to become a policeman.

So far, things are off to a good start, and “I’m excited,” Durandetto said.