Town Board Discusses Culvert Projects; Landscaping Maintenance
Town Board Discusses Culvert Projects; Landscaping Maintenance
photo / Jessica Schultz, ellicottvilleNOW
The Town Board of Ellicottville gathered on Wednesday, March 26th after a one week delay due to illness among Board members. Getting back to their regular routine, with all necessary members in attendance, Supervisor Matt McAndrew called the meeting to order. The Town Board took a moment of silence to honor the memory of Zach Golley, a beloved first responder and Ellicottville community member.
Discussions began with the Police Department, led by Officer in Charge Jim Bouchard. General complaints and offenses charged were made available to the Town Board. The report shares information regarding situations in both the Town and Village of Ellicottville. The Police Department has done well in handling current activity within the area and continues to serve the community to their fullest. The Board accepted the report, with their findings also being made available for the pubic on the official Town government website at www.ellicottvillegov.com under the Town March Agenda.
The Highway Department, directed by Mr. Scot Brumagin, began discussion with the ongoing needs within the Towns roadways. Updates have been made to address the Poverty Hill and Irish Hill culverts. They are currently being assessed, and it is hoped for their necessary improvements to begin with dates suggested for 2026 and 2027, one to follow the other.
The Crane Culvert Replacement project continues to make progress. A meeting was held on March 11th to discuss the upcoming stages, with the first reimbursement request submitted to the state. The latest developments include completed field work with the environmental screening still in progress. A preliminary design has been submitted and is awaiting approval, which is expected for April 2025. The final design is then expected to be prepared by the Fall of 2025, with bidding and construction to begin in early 2026.
Another project in the works is the Kruse Road Bridge Replacement. This project was also discussed on March 11th, with current updates now being available to the Town Board. The project schedule is expected as follows: field work has been completed with an environmental screening still in progress. A preliminary design has been completed and is also hoped to be approved by April 2025. Final designs will be expected by the Fall of 2025, opening bids in the beginning of 2026, with construction to follow early to mid-2026. The report went on to be approved by the Board.
With the hopes of both projects facing completion by mid-2026, the Town anticipates the addition of more efficient infrastructures.
The Planning Board, headed by Greg Keyser, followed with their monthly report to the Town Board. On February 24th, the Planning Board meeting was canceled, however they were able to continue with their March 6th Zoning Board of Appeals meeting. During this time the Town Cannabis Regulations regarding the 1-year moratorium set March 20, 2024 were discussed. They are continuing to gather information to develop drafted regulations regarding their next steps. The need for a Zoning Book update has been addressed and they are preparing for completion, with anticipation of issuing the new books once the Short-Term Rental amendment is complete. The Planning Board continues to work on the formation of a Comprehensive Plan Review Committee to further assist with the community’s future development. The Town Board accepted the Planning Board’s March Report.
The Engineering Department, led by Ben Gross, presented their monthly report to the Town Board. The current topic being discussed is the need to review potential bids regarding the Town Center Floor Resurfacing project as well as upcoming landscaping maintenance within the area. The Board will consider potential offers, then move on to the next stages of each respected project under the set agreements to be made. The report was accepted by the Board without issue.
A recent correspondence with the Town of Ellicottville included two letters by New York State Legislators. The Town of Ellicottville had reached out to Assembly Member Joe Sempolinski and 57th District Senator George M. Borrello. The topic which was discussed revolved around the opposition of the Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation (DBA: National Grid) rate hike. The Town of Ellicottville has been taking the initiative to refute the proposed increase to energy rates by the New York Power Authority. While the proposal has been paused, the initial plan would have called to triple the current rate for consumers. In their letters, both Assembly Member Sempolinski and Senator Borrello agreed against the drastic nature of this policy and applauded the Town of Ellicottville for voicing their concerns for their residents and community. With continuous legislative action and rejection against this proposal, the New York Power Authority will have to reconsider their next steps. These correspondences have also been made available to the public on the Town’s government website at www.ellicottvillegov.com.
With discussions coming to an end, the Town Board of Ellicottville was called to adjourn the evening’s meeting. The Board will reconvene next month on Wednesday, April 16, 2025 at 6:00pm.