FREE! TAKE ONE! VOLUME 4 ISSUE 51
DECEMBER 18 - 24, 2015
The Official Newspaper
www.EllicottvilleTimes.com facebook/theEllicottvilleTimes
of the Village of Ellicottville, the Town of Ellicottville, Ellicottville Central Schools and the Towns of East Otto, Great Valley and Mansfield, New York
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Waiting for Snow
Holiday Valley opening Sunday, Dec. 20 Weather permitting. Snowmaking Friday on 10 slopes. For latest info, visit www.holidayvalley.com or www.facebook.com/holidayvalley
The snow’s taking its sweet old time hitting Western New York this season, but there are still plenty of things to enjoy while you’re waiting. In fact, you might even start some new traditions. When you head to the Village, you can’t help but catch the holiday spirit. Decorated store windows and festive streets in this picturesque setting will leave you wanting to belt out all your favorite Christmas carols. Take in the magic of the season by warming up at an outdoor fire pit with a cup of hot cocoa. Or indulge in some sweet treats and catch up with friends. Shopping anyone? Whether you need to do all of your shopping at once or just find that last minute gift, Ellicottville’s boutiques, gear shops and gourmet emporiums have everything you need. And hey—why not get something for yourself? You know you deserve it! Who’s hungry? The shorter days are a perfect excuse to start dinner early. Whether its pizza, steak, pasta or BBQ you crave, take a break and leave tonight’s dinner to the pros! Just because there’s no snow doesn’t mean you can’t have an outdoor adventure. Do some hiking or go for a run on numerous area trails. Take a stroll and check out the holiday light displays all over town. And who can’t use a little vacation break before the holidays? Take advantage of getaway deals at Holiday Valley, where you can relax at the spa, dine in or out and even splash around in an indoor/ outdoor swimming pool. The snow will be here, we promise, but until it arrives, get out and have some new kinds of fun!
Upcoming Events December 26 Rail Jam Holiday Valley December 31 New Year’s Eve Party & Torchlight Parade Holiday Valley
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January 3 Ski Day to Benefit Kids Escaping Drugs HoliMont
Village Wins $1.3 Million EFC Grant
By Jann Wiswall
The Village of Ellicottville has been awarded a $1.3 million grant from the Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) to
help offset the $5.3 million cost to build its new wastewater treatment plant, which is currently under construction. The award was announced by
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s office on Tuesday, Dec. 15. “This is absolutely great for the Village,” exclaimed Mayor Charles Coolidge. “It means there will be no increase in rates for our users and we will be able to considerably reduce our long-term debt.” The new plant, which was required under a consent order by the state, provides municipal sewer service to customers in the town and village of Ellicottville and to See EFC Grant page 10
By Alicia Dziak
Once again this year, Holiday Valley will be hosting Ski the Valley, a fundraiser to benefit the non-profit organization Aspire, which
provides programs and services designed to give children and adults with developmental disabilities opportunities to fully participate in their communities and bring them to
See Aspire page 2
January 8 World’s Largest Ski & Snowboard Lesson Holiday Valley January 10 Aspire Ski the Valley January 22-24 Winter Blues and Brews Ellicottville See Third in the East page 9
HoliMont Welcomes Stephanie Timblin New Marketing Director Eager to Sell Fun! By Jann Wiswall
“Who doesn’t want the chance to market fun?” asked Stephanie Timblin, HoliMont’s new marketing director, on her fifth day on the job. Timblin took the reins at HoliMont from Dash Hegeman, who has moved
west to join the staff at Taos Ski Valley. “Coming from the healthcare environment, this couldn’t be more different,” Timblin said, but “it’s a great change and almost an entire lifestyle change given that I now live See Timblin page 10
42DN Auction Exceeds Expectations More than 50 Percent Reserved
Aspire Ski the Valley Jan. 10 their “best potential.” Aspire’s Ski The Valley Event, presented by Independent Health, happens on Sunday, Jan. 10 from 12 to 6 p.m. at Holiday Valley’s Main Lodge. While this fundraiser features activities for skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts, there are plenty of fun options for everyone who attends, including tubing, live music, a basket raffle and great food. While the event spans six hours, those purchasing lift tickets can take to the slopes all day (8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., and
January 4-9 Canadian Friendship Week
By Jann Wiswall
A dozen or so potential buyers, realtors and observers gathered on Sunday, Dec. 13 at the entrance to the future 42 Degrees North (42DN) four-
season resort off Poverty Hill Road for an auction of 24 lots for future single-family homes. Going into the auction, Cash Cunningham of Cash Realty and Auctions, informed the assembled group that two of the lots had been sold in See 42DN page 13
New Hires Are Top Priority for Town By Jann Wiswall
The Town of Ellicottville’s board met Wednesday, Dec. 16 with a full agenda and several key staff positions to fill. Board member Steve Crowley reported that the interview committee to find a replacement for retiring Town Planner Carol Horowitz met
this week and will interview two of three companies that submitted proposals to perform the work. The committee is expecting one additional proposal for consideration. At last month’s board meeting, the board announced that it was reorganizing the highway department and had
created a new position of “Working Supervisor.” The position was offered to acting highway superintendent Loyd Hovey. At the same meeting, the board offered the job of highway superintendent to Mark Alianello. See Town Board page 10