Grand Island Town Commons to get power upgrade

By Karen Carr Keefe

Senior Contributing Writer

The Grand Island Town Board, at its Monday night meeting, approved a bid not to exceed $40,000 to upgrade the electrical service to the Town Commons area.

In the board’s workshop meeting, Supervisor Peter Marston said, “The Town Commons is never going to go anywhere without power. … In fact, we oftentimes start the town Christmas tree with a generator because we'll create a blow on the breaker. It’s that bad out there.”

The resolution that passed said that Park Trust and Agency funds will be used to fund the project, unless other outside funding becomes available.

The Town Board also:

•Authorized the supervisor to complete documentation for an $80,000 state grant for the Sandywoods Trail Project, which is off Huth Road.

•Accepted the proposal submitted by C & S Engineers Inc. for on-call grant writing services for the town, pending legal review of the contract.

•Approved authorization to advertise on March 6 for bids for the 2026 property maintenance bid contract, with bids to be opened April 15.

In the public comment section for agenda items, Cherrish Beals spoke in favor of the town renewing her special use permit to operate a bed-and-breakfast at 121 Amberwood Drive.

“We were able to rent 60 nights through our bed-and-breakfast last year to many people from all over the world,” Beals said.

She noted a lot of the guests have been people who either lived on the Island or were coming here to visit family, and they appreciate the option of having a place to stay on the Island, “since those choices are limited, especially the families that travel with children.”

Beals added, “We refer guests to Say Cheese, Brick Oven, Dick & Jenny's all the time, and Island Ship Center. So, we hope we’re generating the local economy’s business, and we've paid thousands of dollars in taxes, as well. So, we’re grateful for the opportunity to be able to provide accommodations to people to stay here on Grand Island to contribute to the local economy.”

In the public comment period after the agenda was complete, there were two speakers.

•Bill Daniels asked the Town Board to help him contact a state official about needed safety upgrades to the intersection of South Parkway and Broadway, where his granddaughter, Leah Mayer, was killed as she crossed the street on Sept. 11, 2024.

“I have been having trouble getting the state to do anything,” Daniels said.

He explained he has written letters, but has been unable to get a reply from Mark Mistretta, director of the Niagara Region of the state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. The parkway is a state-owned and -maintained road.

“So, I'm asking the board here, and Pete, to advocate for a highway design study.”

Daniels said a study by Jim Jones, a professional engineer, recommended a roundabout at that location. Daniels said roundabouts “have been known to reduce fatalities by 78%.”

He said an 11-year-old girl was fatally injured at that intersection 50 years ago, as well.

“My granddaughter was 13 when she was killed. So, since that time, there's now ice rinks available and more traffic,” Daniels said.

He asked the board to request Mistretta “to put in his budget the funds for a highway design study and funds for a possible roundabout, mini roundabout or for a four-way stop, before somebody else gets killed.”

•Christopher Buszka voiced a plea for officials not to raise taxes in excess of the rate of inflation.

“My comment today is simple, and it just deals with taxation,” he said.

“Everything starts with local government. So, thank you for the opportunity for me to be heard. If the rate of inflation is approximately 2.47% , and our taxes go up 5% after we do a reassessment, I just can’t see no end to a ballooning type taxation on our properties. So, I just ask that everybody please keep in mind every time we put in $1, just keep mind where it's coming from, and please stick to the 2.47% or the rate of inflation, because otherwise, I really can’t see expending more and more and more.”

In the Town Board workshop meeting:

•Marston said that he learned from Mistretta that the state is starting a program this spring to help residents deal with invasive species. Marston said West River Road residents will be able to get a permit to have vendors from a state-approved list remove invasive species of vegetation from in front of their houses.

•Council members Dan Kilmer and Rhonda Diehl attended the New York Association of Towns meeting and learned about an innovative way for the town to save money while generating energy to upload to the grid. This would involve siting battery storage facilities on town property and using the revenue to offset taxes, and the battery output to power town systems.

•It was announced that National Night Out will be held Tuesday, Aug. 4, in the Town Commons. This is a nationwide event that offers opportunities for children and adults to interact with local first responders. Last year, law enforcement agencies and the Grand Island Fire and Highway departments were on hand with their vehicles, trucks, plows and motorcycles. Local organizations, town advisory boards and businesses also participated.