Island Dispatch, 1996-05-10

              Island Dispatch taT^years "As the voice of Grand Island" --Shirt Laundry $1.20/S__irt *m Stone woktk or i tKrCUAMWI 2275 Grand laland Blvd. TOWN HAU. SQUARE "7a/_n_ Owned 4 Opmrmted- CALL 77KLEAN or 773-4114 May 10, 1996 650 20 Pages Vol. 53 • No. 03 From an eyesore to a park by Marion Klingel A TOWN beautification program is well underway on Whitehaven Road at Grand Island Boulevard. Supervisor James H. Pax Monday announced that the site of the former Bells Supermarket will be converted to a town park. The removal of the old asphalt parking lot and concrete foundation from the old supermarket site, which began on Tuesday, is being donated at no cost to the town by George Panepinto an Island resident and owner of Pinto Equipment Rental, Inc. "After the removal of the asphalt and concrete, our Highway Department under the direction of Highway Superintendent Norm Mrkall and Deputy Highway Superintendent Ray Dlugokinski will bring in till and topsoil, which is surplus material from other projects, and grade and seed the expanded town park," Pax said. He said, "In the future we will add trees and a sidewalk around the entire perimeter of the town triangular properly. Several garden clubs and service clubs have indicated they would like to become involved with plantings, flowers and rose bushes in die park." Pax said he would also like to see park benches be part of the park setting so that residents will be able to relax and enjoy die area. "I am hopeful thai die grass will be growing there by July 4th," he said. Pinto Equipment Rental, Inc. workers began removing the pavement from the old Bells parking lot Tuesday. The area will be grassed in for a town park. Shown are Pinto Equipment Rental. Inc. owner George Panepinto (left), Assistant Highway Superintendent Ray Dlugokinski, former Town Supervisor Bunny Luther, Highway Superintendent Norm Mrkall, and Town Supervisor James Pax. Photo by Barbl Lare Isle recycling cost reduced GRAND Island property owners will find the cost of at least one item on their next tax bills lower than the current rate. The Town Board Monday agreed to renew the contract with BFI at a decreased cost. The 1997-1998 extension provides a reduction as well as a credit for the balance of this year. "With this year's credit and rebate and the next two year contract reduction, we will be able to reduce the (solid wasterecycling) charge from $125 to $120 per household for the next two years thus stabilizing this service to our residents," Supervisor James 11. Pax said. The contract extension provides for a reduction of $750,000 based on the present 6,005 units for both years, he said, adding, "In addition to this we will receive a $3,000 monthly credit for the balance of this year and will increase our recycling rebate from $2 per ton to $10 per ton effective May 1." MEK Town gives green light to $8M Vets Park Project A CITIZEN-appointed ad hoc committee Monday was given the go-ahead by the Town Board to continue planning for a proposed $8 million recreational project in Veteran's Park on Bedell Road. In a resolution presented by Councilman Richard Crawford, Jr., the board agreed: "We, the Town Board of Grand Island support the Veteran's Park Recreational and Cultural Center Advisory Board to investigate, study and develop a private and public partnership to fund and design a community recreational complex." Although board approval was unanimous. Councilman James R. Sharpe indicated he had some concern about some of the planning divulged to the board at a recent workshop meeting. Questions by residents about the multi-million dollar project will be answered at a public information meeting at 8 p.m. May 21 in Kaegebein School. The plan was originally initiated by Russ Certo, a former Recreation Advisory Board member, ex- Buffalo Sabre Larry Playfair and Kelly Stessing. Certo last week disclosed to the Island Dispatch the three-member committee has been expanded to 11, including Bob Weaver, Dr. Paul Fields, Tony Brandisi, Joe Kronenwetter, Councilman Richard Crawford, Kristina Goodwin and Fayne Certo who, he said, would represent senior citizens. Inasmuch as current planning calls for financing part of the recreation facilities with slate and federal funding, some concern is heard about town about having to open the park project to mainlanders. A $4 million bond issue has also been mentioned as a part payment. MEK Town Board honors seniors; DOT backs funding application IN OBSERVANCE of Older American Month, the Town Board meeting was opened by a pledge to the flag led by members of the Golden Age Club. Presented by Town Clerk Nancy J. Samrany was a response from State Commissioner John Daly to the board's March 4 resolution in support of the Buck horn State Park restoration. Daly reported the state Department of Transportation has agreed to sponsor the Office of Parks and Recreation's application for CMAQ funding for the bikeway project. Councilwoman Mary S. Cooke reported a mock trial, open to the public, will be held by Town Youth Court Coordinator Dennis Albert at 7 p.m. June 18. Special use permits were renewed to allow five horses to be stabled on 71 acres at 2555 Staley Road and commercial recreation to be continued at the Fun Center at 2660 Grand Island Blvd. Among agenda items tabled for further consideration was Cellular One's request for approval to install an antenna on the town's unused water tower at 85 Carl Road and construction of an addition to the Highway Department garage. The board also: • Agreed to renew town insurance with Lawley Service, Inc. • Set a public hearing for May 20 to consider reconstruction of roofs at the wastewater treatment plant serving districts 1, 2, 3,4 and 5. • Agreed to advertise for a parttime van driver for the Golden Age Center at a rate of $5 per hour, not to exceed 19 hours per week. • Appointed Charles S. Lawrence 111 to the Environmental Conservation Committee. • Noted Dave Williams has applied for a position on the Cable Advisory Committee. • Accepted resignation of Wayne Anstett from that committee. • Agreed to employ Attorney Adam Walters to obtain information on easements under study by the Environmental Conservation Commission. MEKlingel