A motion by the Town Board to approve work by the Army Corps of Engineers at the former Lake Ontario Ordinance Works site was rescinded following a brief executive session during Monday’s Town Board work session.
The Army Corps had sent a letter to Supervisor Steven L. Reiter outlining a series of jobs that would eliminate imminent public safety hazards present at former Department of Defense-owned site. Work would include:
n Demolishing above ground structures including reinforced concrete, railings and wood tanks.
n Installing perimeter fencing, signage and steel gratings over pits.
n Characterizing water and sludge found in pits
n Transportation and disposal of non-hazardous debris
The letter asked the town to sign off on the work and forward a copy to Congresswoman Louise Slaughter, D-Fairport, and the Corps so a project schedule could be created.
The town originally voted to sign off on the letter but following an executive session, it revoked its decision.
“We pulled back the motion to approve the scope and referred it to the attorneys to make sure that we are signing off on the full extent of the work that needs to be done,” board member Alfonso Bax said.
The entities have discussed for years who is ultimately responsible for certain portions of the 7,500 acre site and Bax said the town is being diligent to ensure it is not signing onto or accepting liability for something it shouldn’t.
The work is being paid for with funds from the Office of Economic Adjustment, with the help of Slaughter.
Reiter said the site poses a danger to students who cut through it to get to and from Lewiston-Porter schools.
“Its a very dangerous situation, there is evidence children are riding four-wheelers or even walking through and if they fell in one of those pits you may never find them again,” Reiter said. “On top of that, we don’t really know what’s in the bottom of them.”
Reiter said following the meeting the attorney’s would asses the situation and make a decision on how to move forward.
Lewiston
LEWISTON: LOOW site work on hold for now
Board assessing Army Corps request to perform work
- Lewiston
-
-
Teacher likes this Apple at Lew-Port
Keeping up with technology is a problem almost everywhere. But in the classroom, a deficiency can cripple children as they move through their formative years into post-high school.
-
Drama continues for Lewiston recreation center
It appears the Village of Lewiston’s plan to put a referendum on the ballot concerning the construction of a potential recreation complex will not happen. At least not as village administrators planned.
-
Black History Month celebrated at Mount St. Mary's
February is Black History Month, and the administration at Mount St. Mary’s Hospital took time Thursday to honor some of its employees of color and their contributions.
-
Lewiston highway department saving green
If a Town of Lewiston Highway Department truck drives by, chances are it has been worked on by the in-house mechanics. That’s a given, considering the financial state of the town, the state and the nation. They just can’t afford to send them elsewhere.
-
Strong season leads to more town funds
Thanks to two unexpected sources, the Town of Lewiston has more money in its coffers.
-
Lewiston patrol car involved in crash
A Lewiston Police officer was not seriously hurt after his patrol car was struck by another vehicle as he was on his way to answer an alarm call.
-
Lewiston looking to add time to Joseph Davis lease
With greenway money potentially on the way for possible projects, members of the Joseph Davis State Park Local Development Corp. are ready to move forward with phase one of capital improvements.
-
‘Burning’ questions about Lewiston author's new book
Lewiston resident and accomplished author Norah Perez had a story floating around in the deep recesses of her mind. She just needed someone to take a gamble and allow her to publish it.
-
Group looking at numerous LOOW clean up options
The Lake Ontario Ordnance Works Restoration Advisory Board is looking at which clean up options are valid and which are impossible or illegal among seven possibilities given by the Army Corps of Engineers concerning the future of the Niagara Falls Storage Site remediation.
-
New chance for former Center Street establishment
The First & Last Chance Saloon could be back in business along Center Street.
- More Lewiston Headlines
-
Pop Music Superstar Whitney Houston Dies at 48
Police: Houston Found Dead in Her Hotel Room
Paul Suffers Narrow Loss to Romney in Maine
Recording Superstar Whitney Houston Dead at 48
Maine GOP Chairman Says Romney Wins Caucuses
Palin Brings Anti-Washington Message to CPAC
Obama Scraps Birth Control Mandate
US Airmen's Killer Sentenced to Life in Germany
Navy Names Ship for Gabrielle Giffords
Raw Video: Deadly Blasts in Syria
Romney Slams President Obama at CPAC
Gingrich: Pres. Obama 'waging War on Religion'
5 Killed in Wrong-way Crash on I-10 in La.
Uzbek Man Pleads Guilty in Plot to Kill Obama
Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs
Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal
$25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses
