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Gowanda News / Saturday, October 25, 2014
TRICK-OR-TREATING HOURS
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WEEKEND FORECAST FRI SAT SUN 54o/47o 58o/49o 56o/46o Mostly cloudy with highs in the low 50’s
VOL 12 NO. 42
CREATING GOO
HOUSING PROJECT
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Sunny with highs in upper 50’s
Partly sunny with highs in the mid 50’s
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2014
Scarecrow contest award winners
PHOTO BY MARY PANKOW
HALLOWEEN PREPARATIONS — Carla Castellano decorates the front lawn of her Frederick Street, Gowanda, home for Halloween on Thursday afternoon. Many homes in the area are preparing for the Friday, Oct. 31 onslaught of trick-or-treaters. A number of communities are also holding parades, parties and costume contests for youngsters.
Budget discussions heavy in Collins By Richard Westlund NEWS CORRESPONDENT
The Collins Town Board spent over an hour Monday evening discussing and debating considerations on next year’s budget. It centered on how much of a raise in taxes would be necessary to maintain the status quo with upkeep, and how much is too much. Councilman Ken Martin made a strong case for limiting a tax increase. While others didn’t disagree completely, most were wary of getting too carried away with the idea, and getting into an unrecoverable fix with a questionable future. This question was intensified by the fact that the future dictates from Albany at this time seem unknowable. The town presently has a 2
percent tax cap but the question is what the case will be next year. Theoretically, if there's a reduction in the taxes this year, a continued tax cap could make it difficult to regain the necessary functions next year. The problem was centered on not taxing more than what is needed, but not being too freehanded as to put the town in a quandary of not being able to maintain itself. The board finally decided to meet again in two days to come to an agreement, which would allow them to meet their deadlines for a public hearing, where their final proposed budget could be presented to the public. There was also some continued discussion on the possibility of sponsoring an SRO officer at Gowanda Central School. The board felt, however, that they did not have
enough information or understanding at this time to make an intelligent decision. In other matters, the board: • Agreed to apply to the Erie County Community Block Grant for a Wheel Chair and Stair Lift replacement at the L.K. Painter Center, and for a contribution to the Rural Transit Van Program. • Agreed, with three yea votes, with Mary Clark and Mary Stelley voting nay, for the Town of Evans' five-year cost on their dispatch schedule for Collins. While the town will be saving money on the Evans' cost, Clark's and Stelley's objections were apparently not the number, but the way it was set up. • Resolved that with delinquent water charges in Collins amounting to $21,214.15, and $8,485 in administrative fees,
that these charges be included in the 2015 Town and Country Property Tax Levy. • Authorized the Justice Court to apply for JCAP grant for the purpose of heating and air conditioning in the court room and six chairs for the jury deliberation room. • Set a public hearing for Nov. 3 at 7:30 p.m. in the Collins Town Hall on the proposed contract with the Gowanda Village for the years 2015-16 and 2017 to supply fire protection to the Rosenburg Fire District No. 1. This includes payments of $20,141 in 2015, $20,342 in 2016 and $20,546 in 2017. The next regular meeting of the Collins Town Board will be on Monday, Nov. 3, at 7 p.m. in the Collins Town Hall. The next trash day will be Saturday, Oct. 25. There will be no trash day in November.
PHOTO BY MARY PANKOW
NUMBER-ONE WINNER — Gowanda Area Chamber of Commerce President Gary Patterson, right, presents a $50 gift certificate to Sue Trewer, who created the first-place prizewinning scarecrow. The Gowanda Area Chamber of Commerce offered gift certificates to area Chamber member businesses as awards for creating winning entries in the recent Gowanda Fall Festival Scarecrow Contest. Taking first place was Sue Trewer with "Leafy the Pumpkinman," which earned her a $50 gift certificate. The Gowanda Boosters took second place ($25 gift certificate) with their trio of jersey-outfitted "We've got spirit ... how about you?" scarecrows. The "Kiwanis Waitress" won the third-place prize of a $15 gift certificate for the Kiwanis Club. More photos on Page 2
Road question in attorney's hands By Megan Pankow-Walker NEWS CORRESPONDENT
At the regular meeting and public hearing of the Town of New Albion Town Board, held on Monday, Oct. 20, the board started the evening with public participation. The board was approached by a resident once again regarding whether or not the Franklin Street extension will be considered a road. The board responded that at this point they have been advised by the town attorney that until she is contacted by the resident’s attorney, no further
action will be taken. As stated at prior meetings regarding this subject, the town board agreed there is no question that the road to the gate (where residents take yard waste) is considered a road. Beyond that is where the issue lies. The resident was advised to speak to his attorney about the matter. Next, the board heard from Town Justice Shannon Goode, who gave the board a report stating he had submitted a voucher for error in computation, and also the amount of unclaimed bail funds that were turned over to the town. Code Enforcement Officer
Frank Watson reported next to the board, mentioning he has received a permit for a pole barn and has issued an appearance ticket for property maintenance. Councilman Michael Weishan mentioned he would like to see a maximum occupancy sign displayed in the room where meetings for the town and village are held. Watson said he will do the calculations and get a sign posted. In the Highway Department report, Superintendent of Highways Nathanial Widrig began with a list of completed items, including cold patch blacktopping, putting gravel down in
some places, taking scrap metal to the scrap yard, yielding about $3,200, and selling the 2008 Ford F550 for $18,600. Service is complete on the new truck and snow plows are being prepped for the coming snow season. Town Clerk Rose LaQuay, following the Highway Department report, requested a motion to transfer funds from highway savings to checking as per Treasurer Eugene Doucette’s request.
See “New Albion” on page A2
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
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OBITUARIES ............................................. SECT. A PAGE 9
CLASSIFIEDS ............................................. SECT. B PAGE 8
AROUND TOWN........................................ SECT. B PAGE 7
POLICE BLOTTER ..................................... SECT. B PAGE 5
LETTERS .................................................... SECT. A PAGE 4
REFLECTIONS ...........................................SECT SECT B PAGE 4
SPORTS............................................... SECT. B PAGES 1 – 3
PHOTO BY MARY PANKOW
THIRD-PLACE WINNER — Joan Greenlee, left, accepts the $15 gift certificate on behalf of the Gowanda Kiwanis Club from Gowanda Area Chamber of Commerce President Gary Patterson.
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