Lewiston: Salada provides update on cameras; Jacoby marks final Town Board session

By Terry Duffy

Editor-in-Chief

Lewiston Police Department Chief Mike Salada informed the Town Board of the purpose of new roadside monitoring cameras being installed by the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office on four right-of-ways.

“Regarding the cameras …. I just wanted to clarify some things through this information going around,” he said at the Town Board meeting. “First off, they're owned by the (NCSO) company insurance department, but we will have access to them – and they're sharing it with local law enforcement. They are not shared to the state law with any federal agencies.”

“They don't track speed,” Salada continued. “They power watch and stop sign/stop lights, simply a plate reader that is used for investigative purposes. We've seen a lot of success with that over the years – the one on Second Street; some of the ones that are in surrounding neighborhoods.”

Salada said a plate reader assisted LPD last weekend with an illegal dumping complaint involving a vehicle on Porter Center Road. “We were able to identify the car and get the license plate off a plate reader in the Falls."

He noted the cameras are not used in any vehicle/traffic enforcement by LPD or other agencies.

Salada said the NCSO camera system was employed as part of the recent law enforcement investigations into the Brown University shooting.

“They're very good for investigative purposes, and we're not using them to issue citations or anything like that,” he said.

Also at the meeting:

•A public hearing was held to consider Local Law No. 3 of 2025. The law establishes a six-month moratorium on the processing of applications and approvals for mobile home parks, cemeteries and campgrounds by the Town of Lewiston. The intent is to provide adequate time for the board and town officials “to research and adopt new laws to more efficiently regulate applications for such uses” within the municipality.

The hearing saw no comments by visitors. Local Law No. 3 went on to be approved later in the session by a 4-0 vote. There were no comments by Supervisor Steve Broderick or attending board members. Council woman Sarah Waechter was absent due to a death in her family.

•Broderick announced the appointment of outgoing town clerk Amy Smith as his confidential secretary for 2026, and Natalie Safridi as the town’s new payroll specialist. Both appointments were approved and take effect Jan. 1. 2026. Broderick said they will join him and newly elected Town Clerk Tamara Burns and Councilman Bill Burg, along with reelected Councilman Rob Morreale, for swearing-in ceremonies Jan. 1 at Town Hall.

•Councilman John Jacoby announced Aaron Lilly, a 20-year member of the Lewiston Police Department and a fire company member, submitted his letter of resignation effective Dec. 31, citing personal reasons. Town Board members accepted Lilly’s letter “with regret.”

•The meeting closed with Jacoby acknowledging his final session on the Town Board. He has served on the Town Board since 2017.

“I thank my fellow board members and supervisor, all the people who work in the police office, the building department. … You’ve been more than kind; you’ve always treated me more like a friend than a board member. I appreciate this,” Jacoby said.

Broderick said Jacoby “got dragged into this by Rob Morreale. He missed a meeting and they volunteered him. To his surprise, he won. He’s been on the board for eight years. And you know we have a makeup of three Republicans (Broderick, Morreale, Jason Myers) two Democrats (Jacoby, Waechter). We have always gotten along. Unlike other parts of this country, we’ve always gotten along. We’ve always tried to do what’s best for the Town of Lewiston, and I want to thank John for that.

“John was always available to talk about issues, and work through them like adults should, and I really appreciate it.”

Jacoby is a retired member of the Niagara Falls Fire Department. He provided 33 years of service.