Island Dispatch, 1998-02-20

              Island DISPATCH  (716) 773-7676 February 20, 1998 650 .w-4 years "As the voice of Grand Island" "~^ g^JT"1" ' _____■___ ' Monday Nile Madness LARGE CHEESE PIZZA 4-95 (j|ZZfr.SUBS) Official Newspaper for the Town of Grand Island & the Grand Island School District 20 Pages Vol. 54 • No. 44 Town officials attend NYS Association of Towns training by Christopher Caile Grand Island Supervisor Peter McMahon, Town Justices Eric Reimann and Francis Pritchard as well as Court Clerk Sybil Kennedy were among 2,400 town officials who attended the 1998 Association of Towns of the State of New York's annual training school and meeting held in New York City Sunday through Wednesday. This year's meeting had over 140 sessions in 20 different areas of responsibility designed for supervisors, town board members, justices, assessors, town attorneys, town clerks, highway superintendents, planning and zoning officers as well as tax collectors. McMahon said his schedule was busy. He attended briefings and sessions on the Association's legislative resolutions and issues, Community Development Block Grants, the Erie Canal initiative, the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act, home rule, the impact of technology on government, financial reports and auditing responsibilities, sources of funding and grants, privatization and consolidation and local waterfront redevelopment. "I think the training was very helpful," he said. Pritchard noted on Monday that it was mandatory for judges to attend training sessions since there were constant changes in law and procedure that affect how they work. "If you didn't it tend them once or twice a year you wouldn't know what was going on. Basically the training is an update of new laws enacted that concern the justice court and also we revisit existing TOWN OFFICIALS IN NEW YORK CITY - For two and a half days this week Grand Island Supervisor Peter McMahon (right), Town Kices Francis Pritchard and Eric Reimann and Court Clerk Sybil Kennedy nded the New York Association of Towns 1998 Annual training and meeting held New York City. SUPERVISOR MCMAHON ATTENDS TRAINING - On Monday Supervisor Peter McMahon attended a training seminar at the New York Hilton Towers in New York City held by the New York Association of Towns. STAR explained by Jim Milne Grand Island Assessor Due to a letter sent out by Governor Patacki* s office, many people are confused by the dates involved in the STAR (School Tax Relief) Program. The Taxable Status Date is the final date for exemption applications and is June 1 for Grand Island. Although most of the State has a March 1 taxable status date, Erie County operates on a Charter that states that its towns have a June 1 taxable status date. We are currently taking applications for the Enhanced STAR Exemption; this applies to people who own their primary residence, are over 65, and have 'household income of less than $60,000. Applicants must bring in their 1997 federal tax form. They must also bring a proof of age (driver's license, birth certificate, etc.) and proof of residence (Driver's license, voter's registration card, etc.) The form is very short and takes only minutes to fill out If a Grand Islander currently receives the senior citizen's exemption, for household incomes under $26,900, they automatically get the star exemption. The Enhanced STAR Exemption originally was going to be phased in over four years, but Governor Patacki has stated that because of the State budget surplus he will ask the Legislature to make the Enhanced Star Exemption fully effective this year. This will mean, in most cases, qualifying Grand Islanders should save approximately $750 on this year's school tax. The basic STAR Exemption, which starts on June 1, 1999, will apply to all owners of primary residences. There are no age or income qualifications. We will mail Pax tribute planned A tribute to former Grand Island Supervisor and Councilman James Pax will be held on Friday, Feb. 20 at the Buffalo Launch Club from 7 to 9 p.m. Tickets may be purchased at the door for $25 per person or $45 per couple. Checks will be accepted and should be made payable to Tribute to James Pax. Motor Island sold to State by Christopher Caile At a news conference held at River Lea in Beaver Island State Park Thursday DEC Commissioner John P. Cahill speaking for Governor George Pataki said that the State has agreed to purchase Motor Island. "Motor Island is one of Western New York's richest fish and wildlife habitats," said Cahill. "I am delighted to announce that the Nature Conservancy has acquired the island on the State's behalf. At a later date the State will purchase the property from the Nature Conservancy using $250,000 in funds from the 1966 Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act" "This acquisition will help protect nursery areas for important fish species such as the muskellunge, and provide critical habitat for nesting colonial birds, including the only known successful great egret colony in upstate New York." Motor Island is part of a larger area known as the Strawberry Island/Motor Island Shallows, 400 acres of important shallow water habitat containing submerged aquatic plants that provide a critical environment for migratory birds. The acquisition of Motor Island will expand the scope of the area already a focal point of extensive State and Federal habitat restoration activities. The island will be managed by the DEC with assistance from the State Parks with facilities on nearby Beaver Island. "Governor George Pataki recognizes the value of open space and had made land conservation a cornerstone of his environmental record," said Cahill. "For the first time in our history, the State has a permanent, dedicated fund, the Environmental Protection Fund for open space conservation and the Bond Act that dedicates another ANNOUNCING THE PURCHASE OF MOTOR ISLAND - David Klein of the Nature Conservancy talks at a news conference on Tuesday held at River Lea in Beaver Island about purchasing Motor Island for the State. Standing at his left is DEC Commissioner John Cahill. Seated at left is Grand Island Councilman Dick Crawford and Supervisor Peter McMahon. Seated at right is Assemblyman Sam Hoyt POINTING OUT MOTOR ISLAND - Bob Terray of the Niagara Muskie Association standing on a dock at Beaver Island points out nearby Motor Island just purchased by the State. continued on page 16 continued on page 14 continued on page 14