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Cassadaga’s Dale Drive project sent to Planning Board

Photo by Jimmy McCarthy Peter George, member of the Citizens for a Better Cassadaga organization, and George Spanos, county public facilities director, discuss a shoulder expansion project along Dale Drive in Cassadaga at a recent Public Facilities Committee meeting. On Thursday, the Audit and Control Committee tabled the request in order to get an advisory opinion from the Planning Board.

MAYVILLE — County funding for a road project in Cassadaga is on hold until the Planning Board gives its review.

County legislators on the Audit and Control Committee tabled a request to allocate funding and proceed with a proposed shoulder expansion project on both sides of Dale Drive. Public Facilities Committee members took no action on the request.

The project recently received $588,000 after the county submitted a request to the New York State Department of Transportation. A 20 percent local share — or $147,000 — is required, prompting county legislators to examine possible funding sources.

At the request of Chairman Pierre Chagnon, R-Bemus Point, committee members agreed to table the request since the project didn’t undergo review or recommendation from the Planning Board.

Possible sources to fund the project include capital reserve funding, which has around $1.3 million. Projects receiving capital funds usually go through review and ranking by the Planning Board.

“We should table it, refer it to the Planning Board and take action in June,” Chagnon said.

The project initiated when the Citizens for a Better Cassadaga set forth a complete streets initiative for the village, which included improved biking and walking opportunities around Cassadaga Lake. Members highlighted updates to Dale Drive to address safety concerns while improving recreational activities.

Peter George, member of the nonprofit civic group, told legislators at the meeting about the dangers of Dale Drive. He said it drew local advocacy groups to bring it to the forefront.

“It’s sort of the perfect storm of problems,” George said. “It’s a country road with high vehicle traffic. It’s in a recreation area so it gets walkers, runners and bikers. It has three blind curves. In almost all aspects it’s very dangerous.”

Charles Nazzaro, D-Jamestown, noted the Planning Board is in the process of ranking capital projects for 2018. He said he’d like to know where the Dale Drive shoulder expansion fits with other projects. Nazzaro acknowledged he’s not against the project, but he’d like to see a recommendation from the Planning Board.

George Borrello, R-Hanover, said the project fits the Chautauqua 20/20 Comprehensive Plan and improves recreational activity in the area. George Spanos, county public facilities director, said project design will begin this year once an agreement is finalized with the state. Construction could begin next year, he said.

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