Upward Niagara Chamber office/Welcome Center to get exterior renovation

Village of Lewiston approves fire contract, gets clean audit report

By Joshua Maloni

GM/Managing Editor

895 Center St., home to the Upward Niagara Chamber of Commerce, is set to receive an extensive exterior renovation.

On Monday, the Village of Lewiston Board of Trustees approved a motion authorizing the following modifications to the historic building, which doubles as a welcome center inside Academy Park:

√ A synthetic cedar shake roof similar to what’s in place at the Hennepin Park gazebo

√ Vinyl-clad wood windows to match existing windows

√ Replacement of the side door with an in-kind fiberglass door

√ Preservation of the original front door with necessary weatherproofing

√ Replacement of the screen door, without impacting visibility of the original door

These exterior changes were previously approved by both the Historic Preservation and Planning Commission boards.

Engineer Mike Marino of Nussbaumer & Clark said project construction work, expected to cost between $80,000 and $100,000, will be sent out to bid.

Funding will be provided by the Town of Lewiston, which is using proceeds from the sale of low-cost electricity – an amenity provided to the municipality by the New York Power Authority as part of its 2007 relicensing agreement.

The Town of Lewiston also is contributing funding to the village for enhancements to the Red Brick Municipal Building.

Following the meeting, Supervisor Steve Broderick said, “I am extremely happy that the town could help the village with the Chamber building and the Red Brick. When I visited the Chamber last winter, there was snow coming into the building under the door. The staff informed me that the windows were just as bad. And when I learned that all the electrical at Red Brick was old and outdated, I advised the office staff that it would be a perfect project for the town’s energy funds from NYPA. I’m just glad that the town is going to be able to help the village with both projects.”

Upward Niagara Chamber of Commerce President Amanda Haseley said, “We sincerely thank the Town of Lewiston and Village of Lewiston, especially Supervisor Broderick and Trustee (Tina) Coppins, for making these much-needed upgrades a reality. We’re proud to operate out of a historical building, and while we remain committed to preserving its character, these improvements will make a difference particularly during the winter months.”

Leaf collection & Center Street striping

Department of Public Works Superintendent Anthony Mang announced leaf pickup will begin Oct. 31, and continue until Dec. 6.

“Weather-dependent on Dec. 6, I may run an extra week,” he said.

Mang also announced, “We are working on striping some parking spaces on Center Street. So, if anyone sees us out and about on Center Street, that’s what we’re doing – trying to make the parking on Center a little bit more organized.”

The DPW is working with Trustee Jim Fittante, an architect, on the specific parking space dimensions.

“We’re trying to maximize the spaces, but still allow people to get in and out with decent access,” Mang said.

Portions already striped include areas in front of the Brickyard Pub & BBQ and Apple Granny Restaurant.

In other news

•Trustees approved a motion to approve their part of the fire protection services agreement with the Town of Lewiston. Treasurer Stephanie Longwell pointed out one particular change: “For so long as the Service Awards Program is in effect for the benefit of the Fire Company as adopted by the Village, the Town agrees to pay to the Village, each year, a sum equal to $300.00 multiplied by the number of vested firefighters of the Fire Company.”

The agreement can be downloaded and viewed HERE (PDF).

•The board granted a facilities use request made by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Downriver Post 7487 for use of Academy Park from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11, for the annual Veterans Day program. The observance ceremony begins at 11 a.m.

•Trustees also voted in favor of a motion approving the proposal submitted by Nussbaumer & Clark for village hall energy improvements – electrical service upgrades/professional engineering services.

•Prior to the board’s monthly meeting, the municipality received a clean audit report from Lumsden McCormick CPA.