Our Hometown
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Newark Village Board The Newark Village Board rescheduled Tuesday's evening meeting to avoid conflict with the GOP caucus. The Board met at 4 p.m. in the third floor conference room. Public Hearings Public Hearings were held that dealt with the SEQR and Subdivision approval for the Craig Cameron (Southwinds Landing) subdivision in Newark's southside. The board unanimously approved both after a lengthy discussion that led to an adoption of a revised cost-sharing policy. The board agreed to reimburse developer Cameron in smaller phases (for water and sewer installations). Village attorney Art Williams cautioned that this could lead to problems with individual homebuilders wanting in on the village cost-sharing plan. Also approved was a community development loan in the amount of $25,000 to the Newark Veterinary Hospital, and a resolution to designate the village as lead agency for the Veterinary Hospital. In public comment, Frank Zappia and Belinda Bogan spoke to the board concerning Newarkfest. They listed concerns about the current set-up of Newarkfest, since it is no longer a Chamber of Commerce project. Zappia and Bogan admitted that their business, 'The Corner' restaurant lost income to the festival, but stressed that the main reason they were at the meeting was to ask questions pertaining to accountablity of Newarkfest Inc., a private non-profit entity. Among their concerns were, costs to the village for police and DPW overtime, electricity costs in Central Park, and possible liability for injuries to a Newark Police officer while on duty. While reminding that the board had given $1000 to Newarkfest this year, Zappia wondered if the board had set a precedent, pointing out that similiar festivals may want the same treatment. Robert Iocco of 615 Mason St. appeared before the board with a concern about open burning within the village. Iocco asked the board to consider a local ordinance that would allow only charcoal or propane cooking fires. He explained that a neighbor maintains an open pit fire on a regular basis allowing smoke to penetrate his residence, making it impossible to have windows open. After determining that they couldn't prohibit a 'cooking kettle' fire, Iocco was advised to contact the village health officer. Newark Developer Jim Homburger presented the board with a conceptual plan of what is proposed for Silver Hill Technology Park on Rt. 88 South. Homburger explained that the plan is for a 10- to 20-year timeframe and stressed that the light industrial and office space probably would be the first to be developed. Homburger also stressed that if the sites are 'shovel ready' that a big advantage will exist in convincing companies to locate here. "There is actually a shortage of ready-to-build sites and buildings that are suitable for light industrial." A board member asked Homburger what he thought about the empty buildings at the former Newark Developmental Center campus. He indicated that there are many problems with the those buildings including asbestos and other contaminants, as well as that they are old and unsuited for many uses. Homburger will return in July to ask the board for a go-ahead for referral to the planning and zoning boards. Permission was granted for the Veterans Council to hold a ceremony to re-name the East Avenue bridge the Newark Veterans Memorial Bridge on September 12 at 1:30 p.m. The board approved the hiring of a part-time administrative assistant to the operations manager. Sue Polakiewicz was hired for 16 hours per week at a rate of $9.25 per hour. A resolution was passed unanimously to compensate Jim Bridgeman, Operations Manager, for efforts extended in pursuit of community development, at a rate of $25 per hour, 80 hours maximum, not to exceed $2000. This money will come from community development funds. Uncontrolled dogs in Perkins Park, and other areas of Newark were discussed. It was decided by the board that an advertisement will be published reminding dog owners of village ordinance 52-6.F, prohibiting 'Defecating, urinating, digging, or otherwise damaging public or private property other than the property of the owner.' The next Village Board meeting will be July 20 at 7 p.m. in the village court room. Copyright © 1999 |
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