Lewiston Town Board updated on Morgan Farms study

Board adopts $21.6 million budget, approves Model City Road project

By Terry Duffy

Editor-in-Chief

The Lewiston Town Board heard updates on sewer studies in Morgan Farms during its Monday work session.

Jeff Ritter, administrator of the town’s Water Pollution Control Center, discussed the findings of a recent smoke study on sewer lines in the neighborhood to gauge groundwater inflow/infiltration.

“We found a few things, but we still got to do some die testing; and we’re going to still so some investigation of the storm sewers,” Ritter said.

Town Engineer Rob Lannon of GHD Consulting said a separate Morgan Farms flow study on sewer performance during rain events is underway and would continue until mid-December.

“We’re seven weeks into a 12-week full monitoring period” that began Sept. 16,” Lannon said. “During that period of time, we have so far collected (data from) three distinct rain events. We got a few good ones in October.”

Lannon didn’t elaborate on the findings. He said the study will conclude Dec. 16.

In other news:

•The town voted unanimously to adopt its $21.6 million budget for 2026 on a motion from council members Sarah Waechter and John Jacoby. Supervisor Steve Broderick praised the work of budget director Jacqueline Agnello and town officials in budget development, complimenting all for the smooth process.

“I just want to say that I know how hard Jacque works on this. It’s a long process; I commend all the department heads,” he said. “It went off without a hitch. And I’m watching all these other towns have huge budget issues. I appreciate everything you do.”

•The board approved a revised contract for Alfonso Marra Bax, who recently changed his job title with Lewiston from “town attorney” to that of “attorney for the town.” Broderick said the contract, which took effect Nov. 3, will compensate Bax $3,622.27 per month for his work with the town. It continues to Dec. 31.

•The board approved a negative declaration and site plan for a Model City Road parcel to allow for construction of a small business development project.

Submitted by developer Ralph Grizanti of Newfane, the project would allow for commercial and light industrial development at an undisclosed Model City Road location. The site plan application calls for construction of two buildings on the now-vacant, unimproved land. Building No. 1 is proposed as a one-story structure of 6,624 square feet, 24.5 feet in height, with 10 parking spaces; building No. 2, also one story, would measure 2,300 square feet, be 17 feet in height, and include six parking spaces.

In his letter to the town, Grizanti, listed as owner/operator of R&R Garage Doors Corp. in Niagara Falls, said the first structure would be subleased to businesses or individuals on an as-needed square-foot basis. A second building would include his existing business operations, and leasable tenant space. A proposal for a third building at the site was withdrawn.

The measure was approved with Planning Board recommendations placed on the developer to abide by various town requirements covering small business/incubator projects.