Island Dispatch, 1992-12-18

              ISLAND DISPATCH Christmas Holiday Changes Dispatch Deadline Due to Christmas falling on Friday, Dec. 25, next week's Dispatch will be delivered Thursday, Dec. 24. All news is due Monday, Dec. 20 at 5 P.M. SERVING THE GRAND ISLAND COMMUNITY SINCE 1944 500 With The GRAND ISLAND NEWS GRAND ISLAND, NY (716) 773-7676 24 PAGES VOL. 49 • NO. 38 DEC. 18, 1992 Big Snowfall Allows For Big Snowman Last Friday after the hotkey game a few big kids went out in thTsnow to play, and between the hours of midnight and 4:30 A.M. created this monster of a snowman who reigned supreme until Tuesday when 52 degree temperatures made him a mere shadow of his former self. The Regency Drive creation's makers, Mark Dlugokinski, Joel Conti and John Fletcher, used beer botdes for eyes, bottle caps for eyes and resorted to a traditional carrot for his mouth. Christmas lights were strung across him so he would shine in the night for all to see. Photo by Barbl I arc Master Plan Update Ready For Consideration THE FIRST in a scries of meetings to discuss the final draft of the proposed master plan update was held at 7 P.M. last night (Thursday) in the Town Hall. Copies of the final draft were distributed Monday to the planning board for study. Scheduled for 9 A.M. January 9 in the Town Hall is a complete explanation of the revision by Saratoga Associates, consultants employed by the town to amend the 1970 plan for a total fee of $35,000. Changes in the current master plan were recommended by Councilman James Sharpc in May 1990. Originally, the schedule called for Phase 1 to be completed by December 31, 1992 and adoption of the update considered for approval June 30, 1991. Also to be considered in 1993 for possible approval is a master plan for the further development of Veterans Park and a town-wide parks, recreation and open space plan prepared by Kotz and Associates at a cost of $17,500. MEK Planners Weigh Condo Project DISCUSSION at the planning board meeting Monday included a condominium project proposed by James Chase of River Oaks Marina. The 32 units planned north of Holiday Inn would be located within the marina property which, according to a planning board spokesman, presently has no access on a public road. Length and height of the condominiums also must comply with town ordinances, Chase was advised. Apparently, zoning is not a problem. The developer agreed to re-work the project as now planned and resubmit it. In other business, the planning board agreed to recommend an exception to subdivision regulations be allowed to permit development of one lot in Eastern Oaks Estates subdivision south of Ransom Road. It also recommended denial of special use permit to allow a 40 unit campsite to operate at 3080 Grand Island Boulevard, noting the proposed use would be incompatible with the master plan and residential development in the area. Isle To Receive Recycling Grant GRAND Island is one of 12 communities to receive grants to cover part of the cost for equipment and vehicles purchased to put recycling programs in effect. According to an Albany news release, $1.7 million in grants from the Environmental Quality Bond Act will be distributed in the state for that purpose. The largest amount was $431,427 to Cheektowaga for recycling — — ,f c? trucks and waste handling equipment. Other Erie County towns to benefit from the funding are Kcnmore and the Town of Tonawanda. Mandatory recycling begins Jan. 1 in the town. A legal containing complete guidelines for proper recycling can be found elsewhere in this paper. MEK Weekend At A Glance FRIDAY BPW CHRISTMAS Raffle drawing OPEN FREE SWIM & GYM, noon to 3 P.M., high school SUNDAY CHRISTMAS PAGEANT, children of Emmanuel UM Church, 7 P.M. OPEN FAMILY SWIM, noon to 3 P.M., high school