DPW center stage at Village of Lewiston Board meeting

Could ‘Lewiston Louie’ be coming around next winter?

By Joshua Maloni

GM/Managing Editor

As snow has subsided in the Village of Lewiston, the Department of Public Works is shifting its attention to other projects.

First up, “We are going to be starting the Water Street water infrastructure project,” Superintendent Anthony Mang told trustees at Monday’s work session.

“Basically, we’re going to be transferring all services from the west side of the street to the east side of the street – getting all those residents off of the antiquated 4-inch line to the existing 6-inch line on the east side of the street,” he said. “We expect everybody to have better water quality, higher volume, better pressure – the whole thing – from that. It’s going to reduce outages, because that 4-inch line is in really bad shape.”

Start to finish, Mang said he expects the work to take about three weeks, depending on weather.

“The project’s going to result in some temporary water suspension for services on South Water Street,” Mang noted. “Notifications and dates for water outages are going to follow, once we dial everything in.”

Mang next shared, “The big pickup for the month of May, our weeklong big pickup, is going to start May 4 and go through the 8^th.”

Then, “We are going to be doing a fire hydrant inventory, inspection, and repair and replace program this summer,” Mang said. Residents “should be aware that they’re going to see us out and about flushing hydrants, exercising them, water in the front yards kind of scenario. It’s all part of our process to see which hydrants work; which ones don’t; which ones can be repaired; which ones need to be replaced. The flushing program, in general, promotes better water quality. You get more chlorine in your system, you get that dirty water out from behind these valves.”

Mang also shared, “Our stormwater annual progress report certification was due. I’m pleased to announce that it is ready for reviewing. Mayor (Anne) Welch will be signing that form today – at this meeting – so it's official for the MS4 stuff.”

MS4 stands for municipal separate storm sewer system.

Mang explained, “The Village of Lewiston works annually with the Storm Water Coalition to ensure that our local waterways are protected from illicit discharge,” which is defined as “any release into a storm drain system or waterway that is not composed entirely of stormwater, such as sewage, chemicals, oils or waste. They are a nonpermitted, often illegal, discharge of contaminates, which can result in heavy fines.”

“We have developed a plan to track down such illicit discharge if and when it's detected at our monitoring locations,” Mang said. “This (track-down) process is to prevent further contamination and to hold the persons responsible for the pollution accountable.

“We’re also going to be working on providing literature to the residents outlining ways that they can help prevent and report illicit discharge within the community. Currently, you can report illicit discharge to the Village of Lewiston Clerk's Office (by calling 716-754-8271) or by emailing superintendent@villageoflewiston.com.”

The 2025 annual report progress certification for the Village of Lewiston is available for viewing at the Red Brick Municipal Building, 145 N. Fourth St., and online at www.villageoflewistonny.gov.

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‘Lewiston Louie’???

Trustee Nick Conde suggested Lewiston tie into the popular prognostication made each winter by a certain famous groundhog.

“I just wanted to throw an idea by the board. … Every year I have the same idea, with the groundhog – we can get a groundhog,” he said. “Call him ‘Lewiston Louie.’ ”

Conde said he’s spoken with a local petting zoo about logistics. “We would own ‘Louie,’ but we’d have to support him,” at his new home.

Mang said native animals can’t be owned; a permit would be required.

Welch was less-than-enthusiastic.

“Not for nothing, but I watched it one time. The mayor that did it … picked up the groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, and he bit him right in the face! So, this mayor’s not getting bit!” she said.

When talk turned to “Lewiston Louie’s” wardrobe – perhaps a top hat and glasses – Welch told Conde, tongue-in-cheek, “That was a great idea – and we’ll wait for your next great idea!”

“I don’t want my picture taken with this animal hanging off my face!” Welch said, as the board laughed.

The clerk’s office suggested Conde check with the Upward Niagara Chamber of Commerce.

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Municipal aid

Trustees adopted a resolution urging Gov. Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature to make more unrestricted municipal aid available to municipalities.

“It’s giving us an extra $6,000 more in aid,” Welch said.

The adopted measure suggests such action would strengthen New York’s state-local partnership. It reads, in part,

“WHEREAS, Governor Kathy Hochul released her 30-day amendments to the Executive Budget, which include an additional $100 million in Temporary Municipal Assistance (TMA) to be allocated in the same manner as in the past two years; and

“WHEREAS, these additional investments reflect a recognition that New York’s strength begins in its cities, villages, and towns, and that a strong state-local partnership is essential to delivering the services, infrastructure, public safety, and quality of life that residents expect and deserve; and

“WHEREAS, local governments across New York continue to face mounting fiscal pressures driven by inflation, increased service demands, infrastructure needs, and rising operational costs, while striving to provide relief to taxpayers amid a rising cost of living; and

“WHEREAS, NYCOM Executive Director Barbara Van Epps, along with mayors from across the State, testified at the Local Government Joint Budget Hearing in Albany, advocating for increased unrestricted aid and a strengthened state-local partnership; and

“WHEREAS, the additional $100 million in TMA will offer meaningful assistance to many municipalities statewide, helping to address fiscal challenges and maintain essential services for residents;

“NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Village of Lewiston applauds Governor Hochul for recognizing the importance of investing in local governments and for reaffirming her commitment to strengthening New York’s cities and villages; and

“BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Village of Lewiston urges the New York State Legislature to include, at a minimum, this additional $100 million in Temporary Municipal Assistance in the adopted state budget; and

“BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Village of Lewiston calls upon the Governor and the State Legislature to develop a more permanent and predictable solution for unrestricted municipal aid to ensure long-term fiscal stability for New York’s local governments.”

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The Village of Lewiston Board also approved motions:

•Approving the Remembrance Committee’s request to close Center Street to host the Memorial Day Parade from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, May 25; and for use of Academy Park and the pavilion to host a luncheon from 1-4 p.m.

•Scheduling a public hearing for 6 p.m. Monday April 6, to adopt the 2026-27 budget.