Ellicottville Dog Warden Seeks Shelter Options
Ellicottville Dog Warden Seeks Shelter Options
Town Board discusses stray dogs, EVGV matching grant, DRI application, among other things
Animal Control Officer Paul Timkey wants to continue in his job but recommended the town contract for placement services with the SPCA of Cattaraugus County, describing it as a "good deal for the town."
The Ellicottville Town Board, during its monthly meeting held Wednesday, August 18th, talked to Timkey about his experiences and said they would review terms of an SPCA contract with Town Attorney Kathleen Moriarty.
Timkey told the board he responds to calls about stray dogs and sometimes has to issue tickets when dog owners want their dogs to run free. "They would rather pay than keep their dogs contained," he said.
Most owners claim their dogs within a few hours, but it's unusual when nobody comes and those have likely been dumped, Timkey said. He has a small kennel to house a couple dogs but it's difficult to find long term arrangements for them. He said he gets little help from the foster programs because they are stretched too thin. Occasionally he must place strays with the SPCA but the town is charged. Without a contract, the fees can be steep, like the $1,600 billed for two stray pregnant dogs that gave birth to 14 pups. "I wish they were all happy endings," he added.
In other business, Supervisor Matthew J. McAndrew reported on several grant opportunities.
"Ellicottville is one of three priority projects" to obtain $5 million in funding for completion of the EVGV Trail, he said.
He said the Southern Tier Trail Association is working with the state Department of Transportation to obtain the federal TAP (Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside Program) grant and the Ralph Wilson Foundation is providing 20% in matching funds. The effort could connect to a proposed 80-mile bike trail between Buffalo, Salamanca, Olean and Hinsdale. The project will begin at the cemetery, Steelbound Brewery and Distillery, the Town Center, along Elizabeth Street and beyond to Holiday Valley.
"There's a good chance we are going to get this because the match is there," said Supervisor McAndrew.
The Board voted in favor of a supporting resolution, with Councilman Kenneth D. Hinman abstaining from the vote.
Supervisor McAndrew then reported that a planning team will hold its third meeting next week to draft the Downtown Revitalization Initiative grant application, due Sept. 15th, with a good chance that one of two $10 million awards could come to Ellicottville.
In other matters, Town Planner Gary Palumbo reported he will begin at the start of 2022 to draft several zoning updates. The list includes a reduction of the 100-foot buffer in the Conservation District, such as near the Routes 242 and 219, some limited development in the Agricultural-Residential District, regulations for cannabis for retail dispensaries and ons-site use, and an amendment for local regulation of microcell telecommunications.
"We have a really good section in our Zoning Ordinance for telecommunications towers, but now they're putting up small cell antennae to improve the quality of the signal," Palumbo said, noting the federal Telecommunications Act allows limited town regulation of microcell placement.
He said Verizon has installed eight small cell antennae without problems and has been willing to work with the town. A zoning update can be handled in-house. He recommended against entertaining an out-of-town law firm's recent proposal to update the town's zoning for telecommunications.
Palumbo said the Planning Board has completed the Elk Creek Subdivision review and is awaiting approval of the final engineering plans. In a related matter of business, the Board approved a resolution for an abandonment of a small section of the project's sewer, storm drainage, curbing and sanitary manhole to accommodate a cul-de-sac.
The Board also approved a motion for an assistant engineer position with the expense to be shared with the village. The position requires passage of the Civil Service exam administered by Cattaraugus County.
Zachary Carlson, an Olean native who recently earned his civil engineering degree from the University at Buffalo, was hired to fill the position and began work Monday. He was introduced by Supervisor McAndrew.
Carlson was expected to assist in the upcoming $5.3 million water system overhaul, which was to get underway in October).
"They have decided not to go forward ... they will be taken off that project," Supervisor McAndrew told the Board.
Board members expressed regrets that the HoliHuts homeowners would not be connecting to the community’s water system expansion. HOA officials had expressed hope to board members in July that they hoped to reverse their members' opposition to the hookup.
Palumbo said he recently received questions from HOA officials about fire protection and Councilman Steve Crowley commented that the crowded subdivision should have more fire hydrants and municipal water, but the town can't help if they won't grant an easement for the lines.
Supervisor McAndrew reported bids will be sought for partial asbestos abatement in the Town Center, to include the Engineering Department and several other areas. Also, the town will share the cost of remediating a portion of the building shared with the Cornell Cooperative Extension, including the conference room and new hallway. An earlier $40,000 bid was received for remediation of the entire Town Center.
The Board approved the Ellicottville Chamber of Commerce's request for use of the town soccer field for a Lacrosse tournament Sept. 24-26. The tournament will also take place in the Fireman's field and the Village Park.