Gowanda PennySaver / September 24, 2000

Persia applies for preservation grant

By Karen Blake

     Persia Town Clerk Joyce Taft told town council members at the Sept.14 meeting that an application for a Historical Preservation Grant for the Persia Town Hall had been submitted to the state by the end of August deadline.
     The town hall was built in 1916 as the Gowanda Bank Building, and was given to the town by the bank in 1966.
     The Historical Preservation Grant is under a program from the NYS Environmental Bond Act of 1993, and would be a "matching~grant totaling $35,586. The town's share, $17,793, could be made up of "in-kind" services and other things, reducing the actual money needed, Taft explained. She said she completed 67 pages for the grant application,and credited Town Historian Jean Hillis and Gowanda Village Trustee Barbara Nephew, as well as Gowanda Chamber of Commerce Director Bryan Bradley, "who all helped" to meet the deadline. Taft said she could not have done it without them.
     Taft said she also completed another 64-page application to have the town hall building listed on the state and national Register of Historic Places.
     Town Supervisor Tom Thrasher suggested that a Ietter of acknowledgment be sent to thank Hillis and Nephew for their part in completing the applications.
     Thrasher showed board members two possible designs for a sign for the Broadway Road cemetery. The board liked the 36 by 24-inch size sign with black lettering and details on a white background. The sign was designed byjean Fornas of Springville. The $350 cost will be covered by money from the cemetery grant.
     Town Assessor Bob Busekist informed the board he was "cutting back" on his work load for health reasons and would be resigning as assessor as of Jan. 1.
     Thrasher said he had received an impressive letter and resume from someone Busekist had recommended for the position.
     Taft said she "had enjoyed working with Busekist."
     Thrasher noted Busekist's accomplishments, including getting the system computerized and the town to 100 percentvaluation.

     In other business:
     * Taft announced the list of certified election inspectors for the November elections, stating that they need others, especially village residents. Anyone interested in working the elections can contact her or the Cattaraugus County Board of Elections Office.
     * Thrasher congratulated Gowanda Village Trustee Carol Sheibley on her national recognition for getting grants for the village.
     * The board authorized a letter of support to be sent to state Senator Pat McGee for Community Development funds for the Center Street School Re-use Project.
     * Heard the highway department report from Superintendent Richard Studley.
     The next Persia Town Board meeting is Thursday, Oct.12, at 7 p.m.