Flood repair and clean up brought out the best in many Perrysburg residents
By JACKI COMELLO
OBSERVER Correspondent
PERRYSBURG - There was an attitude of gratitude at a recent meeting of the Perrysburg Town Board. Supervisor Dennis Stopen opened the meeting by thanking residents for caring enough to come out to the meetings and then went on to express his appreciation for the efforts shown since the August flood.
"Again, the board would like to thank all the volunteers from the fire department, the village staff, and independent people. I know that people have been down to Gowanda working and helping them and I think that deserves some recognition and appreciation," he said.
Stopen said the board plans to send a letter to the Gowanda High School and Middle School thanking them for providing space, desks and equipment for all of the disaster related activities.
Highway Superintendent Dan Stang said a bulldozer was donated to the town by Mike and Sue Wesley, owners of Wesley Excavating Service. Stang explained Wesley wanted to do something to help and since he couldn't come out personally, he found another way to pitch in.
"It's an extreme thank you to them and everyone else in town that's been helping out; the folks across the road, food and drinks, and everyone putting up with our noise late at night and early in the morning."
Stang addressed another situation involving activities working against the repair efforts. He reported that "road closed" signs have been coming up missing. According to Stang, removing these signs is not only a federal offense, but also dangerous and costly to the town.
"A sign and a post are like $125," he stated. "It's a temporary sign, but it might save a life."
A more in-depth discussion of pending repairs ensued with input from engineer Mark Alienello who recently attended a meeting run by SEMO.
"There's considerable damage to town roads and a little bit to the water system. The village had some issues with roads and storm drainage and sewers," he said.
Alienello emphasized the fact that even though the town will only have to contribute 12.5 percent toward the repair costs, it still remains to be seen where that money will come from.
"You certainly don't have 12.5 percent of the total damages you received in reserve at this point," he said. "So it's possible you'll have to borrow money or do something like that."
Budget Officer Cindy Lauer said there is about $91,000 available to get some projects under way.
As the process moves forward, the town will have to determine what projects will be repairs and what might be upgrades or remediation. While remediation may decrease the likelihood that a future disaster will take place, it will also increase the project cost, and possible the taxpayer's burden.
"We're going to have to make decisions on a project by project basis," Alienello said.
The board will meet again on Oct. 12 at 7 p.m.
