Fox Valley Bridge project bid on its way in Ashford

Ashford Town Supervisor Chris Gerwitz said he wants to get the Fox Valley bridge project finished “as soon as possible, whatever it takes,” following the Ashford Town Board meeting on Dec. 14.

Two separate project designs will be sent out to bid in January, including a new design devised after Roy Pedersen from E & M Engineers and Surveyors, PC presented the specifications to the Ashford Board that the project must meet in order to comply with Federal Emergency Management Agency regulations.

The board will submit that design, which Gerwitz called “just about finished,” along with the original design that it submitted to FEMA last year, which would have to be re-approved if that project came in lower after the bids are received.

“Roy Pedersen met with Tim Engels at the Fox Valley bridge project and is going to propose to replace the pipe with pretty much the same thing, but a little bit wider,” Gerwitz explained, of the new design. “We want to get comments from Mark Burr from the county and then we’re going to send the bid out in January.”

Gerwitz confirmed that the bids will be received in January and opened at the Feb. 8 meeting so the project can begin “as soon as the weather breaks. Time will tell, but we really want to get it done by next year,” he added.

Gerwitz, along with Board Member Charlie Davis, met with Cynthia Anderson, chair of the Asset Revitalization Committee, regarding the needs of the town of Ashford and the West Valley Demonstration Project clean-up efforts.

“We’re still looking at details of that project; there are still some gray areas,” said Gerwitz. “She’s very interested in helping us out if funding becomes available.”

He added that the board wants to create committees to brainstorm ideas of how the site can be used in the future, including green energy initiatives.

“I haven’t got too many big ideas right at the moment, but once we get the money available, we’d like to maybe work with UB to do some site development and develop some green energy. We want to get a good rapport going with Cynthia, and she’s very receptive,” he said.

A concerned citizen sent a letter to the board requesting information on a grain dryer that has been constructed on Route 219. According to the letter, the citizen was concerned about the permanence of the dryer, and that its owners might “leave a real mess behind when they vacate.”

Board Member Beverley Hess, whose son Dwight owns the dryer, asked that the Right to Farm Law be adopted by the town of Ashford. Dwight Hess also attended the meeting to answer questions about his dryer and assured the board that he intends to hire locally for the project, boosting the area’s economy.

“The dryer will run for about three weeks after harvest to dry corn,” said Gerwitz. “There is going to be some noise, but it’s not a forever thing, or a 24-hour thing. In this case, the law didn’t really apply, and we think this operation is going to be a good thing in the long run.”

The board tabled the proposal to install solar panels on the roof of the community center. Incentives may become available from the New York State Department of Energy for municipalities to implement green energy initiatives, so the board decided to hold off on installing the panels until that time.

“I’m trying to save money for you guys here,” said Gerwitz. “I think it’s in our best interest to wait.”

In other board news:

• Engels contacted the Cattaraugus County Department of Public Works to express his concern over the safety of motorists traveling Peters and Edies roads. He suggested additional signage, which the board agreed to pursue, adding that more drastic measures may be undertaken if necessary.

• Board Member John Pfeffer inquired as to the status of the E911 emergency response house numbers that need to be installed. There are approximately 120 numbers left to distribute. The board members have emphasized the need to move forward on the project in order to ensure proper response for emergency personnel.

The year-end meeting, at which the books will be closed for the year, will take place on Dec. 28. An organizational meeting was set for Jan. 4 and the regular meeting will take place on Jan. 11. The state-mandated meeting to audit the books is set for Jan. 18. All of the above will take place at the community center at 7:30 p.m.