Island Dispatch, 1995-06-09

              THE ISLAND DISPATCH "SELLING GRAND ISLAND EVERYDAY" \J^774-8484 Advertising • Graphics Brochures • Business Cards Invitations A Specialty Printing 773-7676 Juno 9, 7995 20 Pages 650 Viol. 52 • No. 10 DARE Graduates Deliver Important Message At Kaegebein The Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) Program held graduation for fifth graders at Kaegebein School Friday, June 2. Included was the recognition of essay winners and the performance of skits relating to the rejection of drugs and alcohol. Essay winners recognized by Deputy John Hillery, Legislator Chuck Swanick, Principal John Wiertel and Supervisor James Pax (pictured behind the essayists) were Neil Reddien, Rachael Fraser, Nina Parisi, Kristyn Dowd and Timothy York. Students in Mr. Lehman's class, who performed a very moving and message-filled skit, were invited by Swanick to perform their skit for the Erie County Legislature. Town Board Action THE TOWN Board Monday received a report from Fiddler & Co., accountants, outlining service they could provide concerning the proposed consolidation of town sewer and water districts. The purpose of the update would be to aid in evaluating the feasibility of consolidation. The board agreed to abolish the position of assistant engineer in the Wastewater (sewer) Department and create one of superintendent of that facility, appointing Robert Wendling, a long-time employee, to the new position. A pet sanitation law proposed by Council woman Mary S. Cooke was referred to the town attorney to prepare legal notices to be published prior to a public hearing. In other business, the board: • Referred to the planning board after a public hearing on an application for rezoning 1741 Baseline Road from M-l to Business 2 to allow operating a towing and repair business on Uie property. Also referred to the planners were requests for site plan approval of a $22 million addition to Fujisawa USA, Inc. facilities at 3139 Stalcy Road, conditional approval of Woodstream Meadows Section V and site plan approval for lowing service at 1741 Baseline Road. • Authorized the supervisor to contact Assemblyman Sam Hoyt about the flashing red lights on South Parkway opposite Kaegebein School. The town traffic advisory board recommends the lights flash only during school hours and that the sign note it is a school zone and 25mph speed must be observed when lights are flashing. • Referred to Town Clerk Nancy Samrany a complaint about an ice cream truck operating in the town, probably without a peddling permit. • Approved accepting a donation of acreage of land adjacent to Veterans Park from Grandson Geis. • Set June 19 for a public hearing to consider a sewer improvement project on East River Road near Stony Point Road. • Referred to Town Assessor Jim Milne a communication from Erie County Industrial Development Agency concerning payment in lieu of taxes for the 1995 Federal Storage of WNY, Inc. project. • Agreed to consider drafting a formal resolution regarding code responsibilities shared by Building Inspector Douglas M. Learman and Zoning Officer Samuel D. Long, specifically, those dealing with unlicensed vehicles and storage trailers. • Approved a landscaping plan for River Oaks Marina • Agreed to contact the County about lowering the speed on Grand Island Blvd. MEK Town Meetings: Tuesday, June 13: • Traffic Safety Adv. Board, Conference Room, 8 P.M. Monday, June 19: • Town Board, 8 P.M. Police Force To Remain At Seven THERE WILL be no change in the town board's 4-1 decision to reduce the town's part-time police force from 11 to seven officers. A motion made by Councilman James R. Sharpe Monday to suspend the layoff pending further discussion failed lo get a second from the board. However, Supervisor James H. Pax agreed to hold an open meeting Monday at 3:45 P.M. with Town Attorney Will Wiles to further discuss the matter. In a written opinion Monday, Wiles reported the board's previous action to lay off the last four part-time officers hired was a legal action. Also on Monday's agenda was a communication from Sandra K. Styka concerning the May 15 article notifying the board she has been retained by Patrick F. Dworak, one of the layoffs, to represent his "legal interest" in connection with downsizing of the police force. Styka, running for town peace justice, at one point in die meeting asked the audience for a show of hands, indicating Uiey wanted Pax to read her entire statement. But there was no raising of hands by anyone. Isle Water Supply In Good Shape A REPORT recently issued by the National Resources Defense Council concerning the town's water quality is misleading, the Grand Island Water Dept. and County Health Dept. said this week. Water Supt. John Martin explained the town water department, required to test 20 samples per month for bacteria, had two test positive for total coliform. These samples were then tested for E Coli, a fecal material indicator, but laboratory analysis found no fecal material present, he said. "All readings were negative," Martin said, explaining the department performs hundreds of tests each year to ensure high water quality for its customers. "The department continues to reach our goal of meeting and exceeding all state and federal water quality requirements. We are 100% in compliance," Martin said. "Quality water is the highest priority for our citizens," Supervisor James Pax added. MEK School Incumbents Win; Budget, Buses Pass JERI SCHOPP and Frank Cannata were re-elected to three-year terms as school trustees, Schopp with 1079 votes; Cannata with 1020. Challenger Ed Anderson gamed 452 votes. The budget passed with 904 votes; the bus proposition with 923. A total of 1,337 Islanders cast ballots with the majority voting between 6 and 9 P.M. according to District Clerk Nancy Sandford, who called the turnout about average. There were 123 new voters. Three years ago there were also three running for two seats, with Cannata receiving 892, Schopp 821, and challenger Larry Culp, 451 votes, with a total of 1160 ballots. Superintendent Paul Fields, commenting after Ruth Baker, honorary chairman, announced the the results, called them a "resounding endorsement of the direction in which the school district is beading." LFC Voters Reminded Of Eligibility TOWN CLERK Nancy Samrany reminds residents that in order to be eligible to vote, a person must be registered with the Board of Elections. Mail-in registration forms are available in the Town Clerk's office in Town Hall. Anyone with questions regarding voter registration, should please call the Town Clerk's office at 773- To encourage new voter enrollment, Samrany will be at the Grand Island High School on Monday, June 12 to register eligible students (those who will be 18 years old by November 8, the day after Election Day).