BROCTON - Earnest efforts from CHRIC and overly generous donations from individuals and organizations have led the Brocton Arch Restoration Project to a highly anticipated official bid opening.
Sealed bids were officially opened on Sept. 4 and have been turned over to project engineer Andres Huertas of Systems & Engineering P.C. to review.
Because of the unique natures of the project's goal, only two bids were re-turned, but both bidders are experienced with historic preservation projects such as the Arch, according to Village Clerk Karen Ardillo.
"We only received two bids for this project, but that isn't abnormal since this is such a unique project. Most contractors are concerned with buildings, and solid structures, so this is typical for this type of project," Ardillo said.
She and the rest of the Board of Trustees for the Village of Brocton announced during their regular board meeting that they hope to be able to award a bid as early as their next meeting, on Sept. 19.
CHRIC has been instrumental in getting the project launched by facilitating the application and award of a $150,000 grant from The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and His-toric Preservation as part of the Rural Innovations Program.
With a matching dollar amount necessary to secure the award, countless community members, former residents, businesses and organizations stepped up to the plate to ensure the matching funds were in place to refurbish and relight the signature structure.
All preparation work has been done in-kind by Village of Brocton streets and electric crews so that the structure will be ready for its makeover. It's hoped that the new and improved arch will be ready to show off for the Town of Portland Bicentennial Celebration, beginning in April 2013.
In other matters, the board resolved to appoint Josephine Murphy as a part-time clerk/typist for the Village Office following the retirement of current clerk/-typist Susan Kozlowski.
Trustees serving on the office committee to appoint a replacement noted Wednesday that they received a large number of desirable applicants for the position.
Ardillo also reported to the board that her office has received over $269,000 in village taxes thus far, with a little under $28,000 remaining to be collected.
The board also resolved to grant a tax penalty dismissal for Gerald Jesiono-wski. Mayor Dave Hazelton explained that Jesionowski received someone else's tax bill in error and subsequently paid it. The error was discovered when the correct owner also paid the same bill. By the time the mistake was discovered and Jesion-owski's correct bill was generated and paid, a late penalty had taken effect.
Village Attorney Sam Drayo confirmed the board's legal right to dismiss the penalty in fairness to Jesionowski who did make a payment in good faith thinking the bill was in fact his.
There will be a large trash collection Saturday at the Village of Brocton Tool House on Highland Avenue from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Allen also updated board members on the progress of installing new sidewalks throughout the village and noted that Fay Street has been completed.
Trustee Art Donovan confirmed with Allen whether or not all residents who have asked to be placed on the list for sidewalk replacement have been officially added to the running list. He noted that he does have inquiries from the public about the progress of sidewalk replacement from time to time, and would like to be able to update them.
Allen and Ardillo both noted that all residents who have requested their address to be listed have been added.
Allen also inquired about the village's official website and asked when that page could be updated, noting that the information listed is at least five years or more out of date.
Ardillo answered that she has contacted technical representatives from DFT Communications which administers the website and they will be working with her to access the page, which will include things like board meeting minutes, general announcements such as large trash and brush pickup and hydrant flushing, as well as contact information for all village departments.
The next meeting will take place on Sept. 19 at 7 p.m.
