Master Plan to include improvements

By Mary Pankow

     The Village of Gowanda Board of Trustees held a public hearing before their regular meeting June 22 for the express purpose of amending the Master Plan for the Town of Collins and Village of Gowanda, drawn up in 1999. Citing the need for improvements to St. John Park, an amendment to the Master Plan was necessary.

     When asked by resident Don Lazar what improvements are being considered, the board and grant writer Michelle Tow replied that the bathrooms in the Ruth Bareham building need attention and construction of a new play structure needs to be addressed.

     Tow commented further that the approval of this amendment maintains the Master Plan commitment to “preserve and enhance open (green) space.”

     After closing the public hearing, the board proceeded to approve amending the Master Plan. They also approved the negative declaration that stated there would be no adverse effects on St. John Park under the SEQR process.

     Additionally, the board authorized the mayor to move forward with the grant process. Tow will file an application for a matching grant for playground improvements with the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. (In-kind services will make up a portion of Gowanda’s matching component.)

     In an unrelated matter, Phil Palen read information regarding the care of trees. In essence, Palen emphasized the proper use of mulch and preventing injury to tree trunks.

     Mounding mulch around tree trunks is detrimental to the survival of the tree. When mulch is bunched up around the trunk, the trunk decays and organisms penetrate the wood and destroy it. Ideally, mulch should be placed away from the trunk and three to four inches over the root system.

     Palen also cautioned against whacking trunks with mowers or string trimmers as this also injures the tree, creating wounds that allow organisms to invade and possibly kill the tree.

In other matters, the board:

  •Appointed Mark Benton Recreation Director.
  •Approved the radiator repairs to the 1973 fire truck for between $2,000 and $2,600.
  •Announced that five or six more dugouts are needed for the firemen’s convention.
  •Announced that the Zoar Valley meeting on Tuesday, July 20 at 7 p.m. upstairs in the Municipal Building is open to the public.
  •Approved various budget transfers.
  •Learned that the annual audit by Fox & Company will begin Wednesday, June 23.
  •Amended the R & D Engineers contract in the amount of $10,000.
  •Announced that a public meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 29 at 7 p.m. with the state Departmentof Environmental Conservation and Department of Health regarding the former AVM site on Torrance Place. The meeting will be held upstairs in the Municipal Building.
  •Reported that the DOT determined that a stop light at the bottom of Sand Hill Road would not alleviate traffic problems; therefore, no light will be installed and the flashing light will remain in place.
  •Received $13,889.65 from Adeiphia for 2003 franchise fees.
  •Received $4,603.28 from National Fuel for utility tax.
  •Received $9,469 from FEMA for the Acquisition Project.
  •Received $736 from Cattaraugus County for the Gowanda Police Department Speed Enforcement Traffic Grant.
  •Received $4,702.45 from Erie County for mortgage tax.
  •Received $17.37 and $8.42 from Z-Tel Communications for gross receipts tax.
  •Received $166.20 from MCI for gross receipts tax.
  •Authorized the mayor to sign the 10-year agreement with Adeiphia Cable Company.
  •Approved the use of Chang-Hu Park by Gowanda Free Methodist Church for Vacation Bible School July 12 to 16 from 9 to 11:30 a.m.
  •Noted that last quarter’s water bills were estimated low.
  •Announced that a car show will take place on Saturday, July 10 from 2 to 8 p.m. along West Main Street from the traffic light to Chapel Street. Proceeds benefit the Gowanda Police Department DARE Program.

     The event will also feature a dunk tank, climbing wall, vendors, crafts and music.

  •Noted that the new sidewalk at Chang-Hu Park is finished.
  •Announced that on Wednesday, July 7 at 1 p.m., Glen Colton will perform at Summer Recreation. The event is also open to the public and takes place at Gowanda Middle School.

     The next Village of Gowanda Board meeting is Tuesday, July 13 at 7 p.m. in the Municipal Building. It will be preceded by a workshop beginning at 6 p.m.