Lewiston Town Board has active session, as members OK fire co. recruitment assistance contract

New ad hoc committee formed to update comprehensive plan

By Terry Duffy

Editor-in-Chief

Monday’s work session was a busy one with the Lewiston Town Board, with fire company assistance and updates for the town’s comprehensive plan among the newsmakers.

Town Supervisor Steve Broderick led off with discussion of a new, state-mandated benefits assistance contract for Lewiston fire company members.

“This past year, we had negotiated a contract with the volunteer firemen. As part of that negotiation, an increase to their low-step state assistance program (SAP) from $700 to $1,000. That’s per year, per fireman,” he said. “And that goes into like a savings account. … After so many years, they get (it) in retirement. It’s an incentive to recruit and retain firemen, which is a major problem in the fire departments.”

Town Attorney Al Bax said the Lewiston fire service contact increase would bring an annual cost of $21,300 to the town, versus a $21,500 cost as proposed by the state. The cost is based on the average number of fire service members, which currently numbers 71 in the town, and agreements by the local companies. This includes members of Lewiston No. 2, Upper Mountain and Sanborn fire companies.

Bax said Lewiston No. 1 participates in what he called a defined benefits plan with the Village of Lewiston.

“The village participates in funding their program,” he said.

“The town, fire company and (the) village are going to enter (into) some discussion over the next couple of weeks, and it would appropriate to put that on the agenda to our next meeting.”

The town announced the new fire company service agreement will also be subject to a voter referendum. A special election on the measure will take place from noon to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 15, at Town Hall, 1375 Ridge Road. Voting is open to eligible residents.

On a motion presented by Broderick, seconded by Councilman John Jacoby, the contact was approved unanimously by the Town Board.

“This means a lot,” said Jacoby, formerly a member of the Niagara Falls Fire Department. “(If) you can somehow convince younger people to get on board early, it’ll mean quite a substantial thing for them when they leave the fire company. I’m so glad we’re doing it.”

Other news

•The board approved the naming of an ad hoc committee to work toward development of a new comprehensive plan for Lewiston.

“At a previous board meeting, we approved the hiring of Wendel (Duchscherer Architects and Engineers) to do a comprehensive plan. And the first step is making a comprehensive plan committee,” Broderick said.

He said he engaged with Councilwoman Sarah Waechter and Building/Code Enforcement Officer Tim Masters to develop an ad hoc committee that would be charged with the plan’s development. He proposed the following to serve as members: resident Steve Lyle; Jennifer Pauly, formerly with the Upward Niagara Chamber and current director of the Niagara Arts & Cultural Center in Niagara Falls; Henry Sandonato, retired DEC engineer; Dr. Mark Gallo of Niagara University; Masters; Ed Zimmerman, town building inspector; Waechter and Broderick.

“As of now, that is all I have to put on it,” Broderick said. “I am looking at one other person from Tim Masters’ recommendation of trying to get a farmer on their committee. Unfortunately, there’s not a lot of farmers anymore. A lot are retired, so we reached out to a retired farmer.”

Broderick said he expects the committee to meet with the Wendel reps once a month for five months as the plan develops.

“I would make that motion to include creating it, the ad hoc committee, and putting those individuals on that committee,” he said.

Jacoby seconded the motion.

“I appreciate you reaching out and giving me a heads-up on these people,” he said. “I had spoken with a couple of these people (who are) really anxious to do it, and it looks like it could work for me.

Broderick said Sandonato would serve as chair and Pauly as secretary. The measure went on to be approved 5-0 by the board.

•Broderick announced Town Engineer Rob Lannon of GHD Consulting is preparing a topographical study for the Morgan Farms subdivision in response to flooding concerns. Lannon was absent at Monday’s session but is expected to review the plan at the board’s next meeting on Sept. 22.

•The board approved the reappointment of Nicholas Fiutko as town assessor, and the naming of Andrew DeVantier as a part-time officer with the Lewiston Police Department.

•The board approved a motion by Councilman Rob Morreale for $2,486.45 in new lighting at the town water tank building. The green energy/efficiency project is expected to cost the town $671.34, with funds to come from the H-98 account. National Grid will pick up the balance. Also approved was a qualifying bid of $44,540 submitted by D and L Construction Supply for a new Town Hall storage building, with funding from the town’s H-97 account.

•Waechter presented a motion for the town to seek bids on improvements to the restrooms and the kitchen updates at the Lewiston Senior Center. She explained the senior center’s restrooms are currently out of ADA compliance, and updates to the center’s kitchen and equipment are overdue. Board members unanimously approved her requests.

•The session wrapped up with a request by Jim Faso of the Riverdale Cemetery Association. Faso is seeking town assistance to help the nonprofit group with various maintenance needs at the cemetery, including lawn care, snow plowing and equipment repairs.

Broderick and Morreale both voiced their support, but no board action was taken.

•Soon after, the board convened to executive session to discuss personnel matters. No action was taken.