Gowanda considers skateboarding park

by Karen Blake

     Providing area youngsters with a safe place to skateboard and rollerblade was a main topic of discussion for Village of Gowanda officials at the village board meeting Tuesday evening (Oct.14).

     With all agreeing it was a good idea, noting that there have been many requests for this, board members decided to submit the skateboard, rollerblading "park" as a project for the CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) funding. (A public hearing to get community input for the CDBG funds is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 21 at 6 p.m. at the Village Hall.)

     An estimated cost for a 125x100 foot skateboard/rollerblade project is around $100,000, according to village Trustee John Dedloff, who said the equipment is portable and could be moved in the future, possibly to the Peter Cooper site once it is cleaned up. Other possible places mentioned to put the skate park were an area behind the Center Street School, Creekside Park, other school property, and village sewer treatment plant property. St. John Park was not thought to be suitable as it is too near homes, and a site where the Creekside Restaurant building is to be demolished is probably too small.

     Superintendent of Public Works Mike Hutchinson noted that once built, there will be recurring expenses for maintenance, operation, and insurance. Dedloff said Evans, Hamburg and Orchard Park all have skateboard parks, and thought if neighboring communities of Perrysburg, Persia, Dayton and Collins could all share in the cost with the village, it would be affordable and something for youngsters from those communities as well.

     Trustee Kevin Eddy commented that "the kids really do want this."

     Trustee Barb Nephew voiced concern with plans to build a new play structure in St. John Park. She suggested combining the skate park and play structure projects for CDBG funding, scaling both plans down to start and then "building on" as they get more funding and do fundraising.

     Dedloff was concerned if each project is too small, they won't be used. He felt they could do both projects with CDBG funding and with support from area communities. There has been some indication, according to board members, that a play structure would probably not be funded by the CDBG grants.

     Dedloff said the Recreation Committee will be holding cook-outs every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Valu Home Center on Buffalo Street to raise funds for the play structure. He thanked the Slovenian Club for a donation for the play structure. Both projects and other youth and adult recreation will be discussed at the Recreation Committee meeting Thursday.

     The board set village Halloween "Trick or Treat" hours for 5:30 to 8 p.m. on Halloween, Friday, Oct. 31. The annual Kiddy Halloween Parade will begin at 5 p.m., starting off at the Municipal Parking Lot behind Art's store, and continuing down Main Street to the fire hall where there will be refreshments and judging of costumes.

     Deputy Mayor Barbara Nephew welcomed members of the Gowanda Boy Scout Troop No. 276. Scoutmaster Michael Crouse explained the Scouts were there as part of earning their merit badge for "Citizenship in the Community," stating the Scouts participate in many community events and projects. He said they are doing some fundraising to help the boys attend summer camp, etc. Also, they are looking for new members. Boys age 11 - 18 can contact Crouse or Assistant Scoutmaster Harold Robbins. Boys over 18 can help as adult Scouters.

     Gowanda Village Police reported 185 complaints, 56 traffic tickets, three DWI's, three auto accidents, two domestic violence incidents and 30 Penal Code incidents in September.

     The police department thanked Gowanda firemen and ambulance responders for their help in apprehending a suspect who burglarized a home on South Water Street recently.

     Trustee Dale DeCarlo said it was an unusual situation that was handled very professionally, stating they "treated the kid with respect," and "they can be proud how all the responders pulled together during this event."

     Village Clerk Kathy Mohawk said she had received a phone call from a Mr. Wright who had witnessed an accident near the railroad crossing, and who wanted to highly commend Police Officer Michelle Harshbarger for her "superb," professional and compassionate handling of the situation.

     In other business, the board discussed the upcoming DEC Zoar Valley public hearing Oct. 21 at the Gowanda American Legion at 7 p.m. Its purpose is to get input from area residents on what they want in a Zoar Valley Management Plan.

     Nephew said this was an important opportunity for the DEC to hear area concerns and ideas for environmental protection, recreational uses, public safety and access, forest lands and wildlife, lumbering, etc. in the Zoar Valley area. Trustee DeCarlo said if the Zoar area is opened up, area rescue people should have help from the state with money and training.

     Nephew commented on the recent Heritage Harvest Festival and House and Garden Tour weekend, noting the total cost to the village for the excellent event was $20.30! She said many people came from out of town and saw the village at its best. She said the village received a note from Alice Tshopp and Sue Torrance on behalf of the festival committee, thanking the village for its support of the successful event.

     Regarding the fall tree planting in the village, Nephew said 38 trees will be planted. Anyone interested in helping out, or village residents who would like a tree planted at their house should call the village office. The Boy Scouts offered to help. Nephew said as they grow up, they will see the trees they helped plant grow with them, and they will have helped the environment and [helped] to beautify the village.

     Nephew also noted a donation to Chang-Hu Park from Lloyd and Margaret Reeves and David and Nancy Steves in honor of Edna Campbell's 90th birthday.

     The board approved recommendations of village Building Inspector Gary Brecker to issue permits for an addition at 45 Frederick St., a demolition permit to Phil Palen for an abandoned house he recently bought at 340 Palmer St., and an appearance ticket to remove demolition debris from 375 Buffalo St.

     Brecker told the board the Family Dollar Store's temporary permit of occupancy is up, and recommended the village hold off granting a permanent permit until a number of outstanding issues are taken care of: drainage problems, landscaping, fence and gates, etc.

     The board also:

*     Gave notice to area residents that signs for garage sales, etc. are not allowed to be attached municipal property, utility poles, trees, etc. and violators will be cited.

*     Noted October is Fire Prevention Month and reminded people to check their smoke alarms.

*     Noted the VCR meeting is next Monday.

*     Will notify the Gowanda Chamber of Commerce that because of safety concerns, the village will remove the Gowanda banners from the business district. Village resident Myra Press told the board of a number of instances where the banner poles came loose in the wind, one narrowly missing hitting her car.

*     Approved a request from Immanual Lutheran Church to use Chang-Hu Park Sunday, Dec. 21 for a Living Nativity.

*     Authorized Cattaraugus County work crews with the Alternatives to Incarceration Program to work in Chang-Hu Park on Sunday, Oct. 26. The crews are available to work on community and area church or group projects.