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Unsafe buildings law has public support
Proposed changes that would add muscle to the town ordinance addressing unsafe buildings received support from one community group located in a neighborhood where the changes could do the most good.
The changes would replace the existing ordinance with a streamlined version, making it easier to address nuisance buildings and thereby maintaining a minimum quality of life.
For example, proposed changes would allow the town to consider demolishing buildings that are structurally sound if they become a nuisance or present other problems.
Stan Kaznowski, president of the Town Park Homeowners Associa- tion, urged the board to pass the changes.
Kaznowski noted that his group first approached Supervisor Dennis H. Gabryszak in 2003 to discuss a neighborhood preservation campaign. The twofold goal was to encourage property maintenance and inspire town officials to make changes to the building codes.
Board members last year accepted an invitation from the Town Park group to take a three-hour bus tour of the neighborhood during which time they saw a number of fire-damaged and abandoned structures.
"To your credit, you and the rest of this town board have lived up to that commitment, and we thank you," Kaznowski told Gabryszak. "Tonight our organization asks for one final action from the board: to complete this preservation initiative."
Kaznowski said that the revamped code will provide a "strong building block" on which to revitalize neighborhoods.
Members of the Cedargrove Neighborhood Action Committee asked that the law include provisions to ensure it isn't abused.
Andrew Kulyk, chairman of the Zoning Board of Appeals, also asked the town board to pass the changes.
Adding urgency to the need to initiate the changes was a letter sent to the town by the board of commissioners from the Pine Hill Fire District.
The commissioners' letter asks the town to address deficiencies in the current ordinance and remedy a "dangerous situation" presented by vacant and abandoned buildings.
The letter listed three structures- one each on Barbara Place, Pine Ridge Road and David Drive- of concern, but stated the number of dangerous buildings was not limited to those three.
Councilmember Alice Magierski said that the town petitions committee worked on the code for one year.
"It was reviewed very carefully to make sure that we recognized what we needed to do as a town to protect our citizens," Magierski said. "I think we've done a real good job."
In other matters on Monday, the Town Board:
Awarded an emergency snow re- moval bid for the 2006-07 winter season to Custom Topsoil, Inc. of Crabapple Lane.
Awarded a pre-hospital (ambulance) emergency services bid for 2007 to Rural/Metro Medical Services of Buffalo. The contract includes two one-year renewals for the years 2008 and 2009 at the option of the town.
Awarded a bid for one trailermounted brush chipper to Baschmann Services, Inc. of Elma at a cost of $28,887.
Approved a site plan and rezoning of 600 Doat Street to accommodate a plan by the Order of the Felician Sisters of St. Francis to convert the former Villa Maria Academy into an apartment complex for senior citizens.
Approved a parking lot expansion plan submitted by Richard Snowden for his Rick's Tally-Ho adult entertainment club, located at 5111 Genesee Street.
Retained the services of the engineering firm Nussbaumer & Clarke, Inc. at a cost of $12,000 for evaluation of a Rein Road bridge that carries traffic over Ellicott Creek. Officials from the New York State Department of Transportation found structural deficiencies with the bridge.
Requested the Erie County Water Authority to install a fire hydrant on the northwest corner of Transit Road and Genesee Street.
Authorized a renewal of a dead dog disposal agreement with the Town Of Lancaster for a period of three years, ending November 30, 2009. Cheektowaga will be paid $16 for each dead dog it disposes of for Lancaster.
Created the position of Senior Program Coordinator in the Department of Senior Services and provisionally appointed Sheryl Abel Neal to the post.
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