by Mary Pankow

     As the March 14 Town of Perrysburg Board meeting got under way, Gowanda Village Trustee and liaison to the Recreation Commission Kevin Eddy and commission member Amy Fantaske gave a presentation on the Gowanda Recreation Program.

     Eddy began by giving an overview of the many activities offered to children in the Gowanda Central School District. Currently, roller skating and ice skating are attracting all ages and area adults enjoy the Sunday evening ballroom dancing lessons.

     The main thrust of the presentation, however, was focused on the summer recreation program.

     Last year, Eddy explained, 314 children participated in the program, and 81 of those youngsters were from Perrysburg. The kids were given breakfast, lunch and snacks, taught about nutrition and kayaking, played sports, watched the circus set up, and enjoyed other activities such as arts and crafts, Zoomobile visit, field day, Punt, Pass and Kick competition, and talent show, among other things. It was estimated that it costs $76.43 per child for summer recreation.

     The Village of Gowanda budgets for recreation and some revenue comes from municipalities whose children participate in the program. Eddy and others are attending area board meetings to ask for increased revenue to offset some of the rec program’s cost and lighten the burden on village taxpayers. (Those attending roller skating and ice skating pay $1 each, which is helping to make these self-sustaining programs.)

     The Town of Perrysburg budgets $750 for Gowanda Recreation. Eddy asked that the town council consider increasing this amount.

     Although the 2005 budget is already in place, Supervisor Myrton Sprague assured Eddy and Fantaske that the board will discuss increased funding when budget workshops begin in August.

     Councilman Dick Gabel noted what a good job Gowanda is doing with its rec program, and Councilman Lynn Varney expressed his surprise at finding out that almost 25 percent of the kids were from Perrysburg.

     In other matters, the board:

   •  Heard Building Inspector/Code Enforcement Officer Jim Pacanowski’s report that indicated no permits in February, but he is working on two building permits for March.
     Pacanowski also furnished the board with copies of local laws that Perrysburg should consider Establishing a local law “with bite” helps in defining code violations. The Planning Board has also been given copies to peruse.

   •  Was told by Dog Warden Kathy Hagner that six stray dogs were rounded up and reclaimed by their owners. She also stated that a rabies clinic will be held in May in Little Valley.

   •  Heard the justices’ report that noted the following cases: Justice Jonette Taber - eight vehicle and traffic, one penal law, four ag and markets, and two dismissed for $1,195; Justice Connie Johnson - 12 vehicle and traffic, nine penal law, two small claims, and three dismissed for $1,647.90.

   •  Heard two letters from residents opposing U.S. Energy gas well drilling and line extension. One letter claimed harassment by the company and the other suggested running the line extension down the middle of the road rather than alongside it.
     According to Highway Superintendent Charlie Leight, the Chiavetta well #1 is on hold until U.S. Energy obtains mineral rights from the Seneca Nation.
     No action was taken on the request from U.S. Energy for the 10,000-foot line extension proposed at the February meeting. Leight also stated that he would like to see the remedial work being done before the town approves any extension.
     It has been noted that some residents have had no problem with U.S. Energy or its subcontractors.

   •  Heard Highway Superintendent Leight’s report that noted repairs were done on the excavator; a number of repairs were needed on other vehicles as well. His crew has been cold patching and they hope to start trimming brush soon.
     As winter’s end nears, Perrysburg has tallied 192 inches of snow so far this season.
     Of particular note was the announcement that the highway crew has built a blacktop skidding unit and they just finished painting it. The board commended the men for their initiative.

   •  Read a letter from Budget Officer Cindy Lauer, who wrote that the Cattaraugus County Legislature is also facing a budget crisis and mulling ways to make up its deficit, including increasing property or sales tax, and turning maintenance of county roads over to the towns.
     Lauer requested that the board compose a letter on the matter and what steps may be possible. The board discussed ideas for the correspondence such as increasing sales tax (fairer than just affecting property owners), emphatically stating that taking on county roads would be too big a burden, and for legislators to take a long, hard look at the budget for “fat” that can be trimmed.

   •  Approved the signing of the Route 39 plowing contract for 2006-07 for 13.8 lane miles.

   •  Updated those present on the Versailles Water Project. A meeting was held with the Seneca Nation and possibilities for the 600 feet of pipeline from the Nation include installation in the right-of-way or going cross-lots. (Catherine Rees, senior water resources specialist, is assisting in the funding process.)
     It was also mentioned that for alignment of the water distribution system, a number of trees would need to be cut down (most are dead). The trees, approximately 10, would be replaced with sugar maples, indigenous to the area, if the property owner wishes. The trees would cost approximately $400 each.
     A permit is also needed for the project. The board subsequently approved the supervisor’s signing a notice of intent for the permit application for the contractor installing the water lines in Versailles to follow the storm water pollution prevention plan during the project.

   •  Noted that surveying for the Prospect Street Water Project is nearly complete.

   •  Announced that representatives from the City of Buffalo, including Common Council President David Franczyk, toured the JN Adam property recently and are somewhat confused as to whom owns what. The town was reassured that it would be provided with the property necessary to maintain the water system, but no correspondence from the city has been received. The supervisor is attempting to find out the status of the situation and the result of a meeting that took place between the city and the state on March 7.

   •  Approved the installation of a utility pole in Versailles Commons for lighting and electricity during events in the hamlet.

     The next Town of Perrysburg Board meeting is Monday, April 11 at 7 p.m. in the town hall.