<!--Matt Winterhalter--><table width="234" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" background="http://static.cnhi.zope.net/flashpromo/niagaragazette/images/byline_234x60.jpg" height="60"><tr><td><div align="center"><font size="3" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">By Matt Winterhalter</font><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><br /></font><font size="1" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><a href="mailto:matt.winterhalter@niagara-gazette.com">matt.winterhalter@niagara-gazette.com</a></font></div></td></tr></table>
With $10,000 more in sales tax revenue than was originally projected, the town board went on a little spending spree of sorts while adjusting 2010 budget numbers Monday night during a board worksession.
It meant good things for groups like the Historical Association of Lewiston. While the group had requested $10,000 from the town in 2010, it had only been granted $6,000, according to Supervisor Fred Newlin.
That changed Monday as Newlin said the group should be given the requested $10,000 — and now the town had the extra funds to do it.
“ ‘Freedom Crossing’ and other programs they have down there are a testament to their hard work,” Newlin said, later adding, “I think we should reward some good behavior. They have done a wonderful job fundraising.”
Board members agreed.
“Lewiston is one of the most historic towns in Niagara County, if not Western New York,” board member Ernest Palmer said before the board voted to increase the amount.
In addition, the Lewiston Council on the Arts was granted an extra $2,000 as were Jazz Fest organizers who were budget for $4,000 despite only requesting $2,000.
NIMAC, the group charged with keeping the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Base open, was also granted additional funds.
Originally requesting $5,000, the town had previously set aside $4,000 in 2010 town funds for the group. While Newlin wanted to increase the amount back up to $5,000, board member Sean Edwards thought $6,000 was a better amount considering NIMAC’s earlier efforts in saving the air base.
The board agreed and NIMAC was budget for $6,000 next year.
The board also restored an annual $5,000 payment to the town’s HART program which works with seniors and the disabled in the town. Originally, $2,000 had been budgeted.
Once again, the rest of the board was, well, on board.
“The benefit of that program is enormous,” board member Alfonso M. Bax said.
All town residents could benefit if board members agree to use a portion of the town’s signing bonus from the relicensing of the New York Power Authority to pay off the town’s refuse tax. Proposed by Newlin, such a move would save all residents $35 — their annual town refuse tax.
“We did it a couple years ago,” Newlin said.
Board members agreed to talk over such a move.
The board will hold a budget session at 2:30 p.m. Nov. 18 to go over any late changes. Newlin said the budget must be finalized by Nov. 20.
