Island Dispatch, 1995-08-11

              THE ISLAND DISPATCH August 11,1995 20 Pages Vol. 52 • No. 18 650 Advertising . Gtophlc* Brochutes . Business Qord. hvttotton* A tfmkMj Mnltng 773-7676 ~~| The Playground Is Open CHILDREN played a role in the recent dedication of the new playground equipment at Sidway School. Members of the town board, school board, and public watched as Megan, Alison and Kurt Makowski, Joshua, Jared and Erik Billica and Buddy, Megan and Amanda Boss cut the ribbon to officially open the new equipment (above). Many area residents joined in to complete the project, such as Ray Billica (left center picture), the parent of a Sidway student who helped coordinate the construction. Others participating in the project included John Lexo (left) of Bore-It Construction, Sidway Principal Arlene Lewis, J.R. Tripi of J.R. Building & Remodeling, and project co-chairmen Deborah Boss and Grctchen Makowski. The grand opening completes Phase I and II of the Outdoor Fitness and Learning Center. Fund raising begins this month for Phase HI of the project, which includes the building of an amphitheater for special presentations and hands-on workshops. Photo by Barbl L»re WEATHER: • The Old Farmer's Almanac says: August 12-14: Sunny, warm. August 15-18: Mild, showers. Hearing To Air Water District Plan A PUBLIC hearing August 21 at 8 PM. will consider consolidating the town's nine water districts into one unit The town board Monday set the date to allow public input for the proposed plan which would also include the water storage and distribution district No. 1 and all extensions to it. If approved, the single district would assume and pay all .the indebtedness of each of the original existing districts. The legal notice of the hearing notes in part that "the town board has found that no substantial adverse environmental impact will be caused" by the consolidation and that it can be accomplished at no cost to the town. A study of the plan to combine all water districts into a single unit has determined the move would "stabilize water rates town-wide and lessen the tax burden on individual districts of any future capital costs for repairs and replacements," Supervisor James Pax said. "It would also reduce administrative costs," he said. MEK HUD Housing Proposed Here THE US Department of Housing and Urban Development is considering the development of a group home for the disabled at 3294 Staley Road. Tabled by the town board Monday for further information was the department's proposal to establish the home for six residents under Section 811 of the Supportive Housing program. According to the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, HUD must determine whether or not there is a need for such housing assistance, taking into consideration any applicable comprehensive housing affordability strategy. "An application may be approved only if this determination is in the affirmative," HUD informed the town. MEK Board Tables Police Issue A RECOMMENDATION made by Councilman James R. Sharpe that the town establish a police board of commissioners for the Island's part-time police force was again tabled by the town board Monday for further consideration. Sharpe requested the tabling to allow him to obtain more information about the proposal. If approved, it could result in abolishing the title of chief of police, usually conferred on the supervisor in office. The board also tabled action on a public improvement permit for Woodstream Meadows, waiving sidewalk requirements for a section of East River Road and appointing two persons to the parks and recreation advisory board. In other action, the board: • Renewed special use permits to allow keeping horses at 2413, 2423 and 3380 Staley Road and operating a kennel at 1988 Grand Island Blvd. • Awarded a $89,239 contract to tow bidder Amherst Paving for resurfacing various town roads. • Approved appointing Robert Sherwood as wastewater maintenance man. • Noted a rabies clinic will be held from 2-4 P.M. October 11 at Nike Base Park on Whitehaven Road. • Agreed with Councilwoman Marion P. Fabiano that the town should again participate in publishing the PTA school community calendar for 1995-96. • Authorized the supervisor to contact Niagara Mohawk's energy advisors to review the town's facilities and provide an energy audit with estimate of potential energy savings and conversion costs. MEK Town Meetings: Monday, August 14: • Planning Board, Conference Room, 8 P.M. Monday, August 21: • Town Board, 8 PM. Tuesday, August 22: • Cable TV Committee, Town Adm. Office, 8 P.M. • Env. Conserv. Committee, Conference Room, 7 PM.