December 11th storm
- This storm brought significant flooding up through Parsons Pond and caused some downed trees. The Town Highway Department along with aid and equipment from Sheridan and Silver Creek worked to cleanup much of the damage caused by the storm by removing debris gathered at the streets, removing downed tree limbs, plowing sand, dredging the pond and redistributing sand back along the beach front.
- The Town has been discussing ideas on how to mitigate the flooding each of which will require funding.
Vactor truck
· The Town successfully bid on a Vactor truck which will be used to vacuum out the storm sewer lines which always get plugged with sand during storms. Prior to this a truck has been borrowed from another municipality. Funding for this is available via Federal Covid relief funds.
LED project
· The Town previously changed all streetlights over to LED and has just finished changing over their 7 buildings to LED in town. The town expects to break-even on this project within 14 months.
Sales Tax
· The Town’s sales tax revenue is up this year primarily because of people shopping from home due to Covid.
Covid Testing
· Chautauqua county got a supply of Covid test kits from the state and are distributing these to the Town and the village of Silver Creek. Rapid and PCR testing is still available on the Seneca Reservation. These tests are free.
Tax Collection
· Tax collection began today, and people have already been in pay. Taxes will be collected penalty free thru February 4, 2022. An ATM machine is now available in the Town building. Credit Cards are now accepted at the counter, over the phone and thru the PayGOV app. Credit cards can also be used to pay all bills (water, sewer, dog license bills, etc.) except for DEC hunting licenses.
Quiet Zone
· The Town has met with John McGowan from Hanford Bay who has been really pushing hard to get the Quiet Zone in place. The Town Board is concerned over its safety, but they are leaning toward allowing Hanford Bay to be a test case. Hanford Bay plans to move forward with this approach. They have raised money to pay for boarders that would need to go up and are getting professional drawings done. The Town’s concern for Sunset Bay is that they think it will disrupt emergency vehicles in and out of the Bay.
Parks
· Bicentennial Park (also referred to as King Rd Park) is going thru a renovation. They have been working on drainage, providing potable water, adding sewers, rebuilding the pavilion which will also house a kitchen, paving the parking lot and next year plan to add a playground. Much of the work is done and they’re hoping to finish up in the spring. Some local businesses have offered to pay for playground equipment. Entrance to the park is free. They require a deposit to use the park, but this is returned to you when you return the keys.
· Town Beach Park - The Town is working to replace the slide that was damaged in 2020. They are losing a couple of lifeguards and they have been in touch with Kelly for some recommended replacements. They are not currently adding cameras at the Town Beach, but this may be possible in the future.
· Water park - The Town is considering adding a water park in The Silver Creek village park. This is being spearheaded by Lou Pellitier and is expected to be paid for with Covid relief funds.
· Town Boat Launch - more parking has been added and they will be black topping more of the driveway. High resolution cameras with audio are also being added in response to reports of illicit activities. The launch rate will increase next year but will still be in line with the Hidden Harbor rates.
