By ANN BELCHER
OBSERVER Correspondent
BROCTON - Members and leaders of the Fredonia Beaver Club helped the village of Brocton achieve a historic milestone.
Article Photos
OBSERVER Photo by Ann Belcher
Dave Ardillo, Lou Sinare and Bill Begier representing the Fredonia Beaver Club pledge a donation of $2,000 to Martha Smith, Chairwoman for Supporters of the Arch to be used towards the arch restoration project taking place in the Village of Brocton.
Bill Begier, Dave Ardillo and Lou Sinare attended the village board meeting to pledge their support in the amount of $2,000 to be put toward the Arch Restoration Project currently under way in Brocton. During the meeting, Mayor Dave Hazelton, along with Martha Smith, Supporters of the Arch chairwoman, also thanked the recent individuals and organizations who have donated to the Arch Restoration Project as well as Walk for the Arches, which will be held July 7.
Village Clerk, Karen Ardillo, who is Dave's sister in law noted "their donation of $2,000 has put us over the required amount of $25,000."
The clerk went on to comment that board members met recently with representatives from Systems & Engineering, P.C. of Buffalo who have been selected for the restoration project.
"They really consider it a privilege to be working on the arch, especially since it's such a unique and historic structure. They've really taken this project to heart and consider it an honor to work on it, which is more than we could ever ask for," stated Ardillo.
"They did bring blueprints in for us to see exactly what will be taking place and to show us the details, and it really sounds a lot easier than it is to accomplish. In their estimating process, they discovered that each one of the posts of the arch are actually not the same, so they will be trying to match the upper and lower posts of the arch and then splicing them to accommodate the lighting."
Ardillo added, "we expect to be able to go out for bid in August, when we will know more finalized numbers of what the project will actually cost. We are still continuing to take donations, especially since our grant award amounts to $150,000, our in-kind services pledged equal $25,000 and the amount to be raised as matching funds was $25,000. Anything exceeding the $25,000 will be used directly for the project, in case there are expenses above and beyond $200,000. The arch will definitely be ready for next year, and once the work is started, it won't be a lengthy process at all it's just that there is so much contained in all of the little details of this project since it has to be as close to the original as possible. And that's really what we want. Timing is everything in getting this finished, it's quite an ordeal, but well worth it."
The selected architecture firm was chosen based on their expertise with New York State Historic Preservation projects, according to Ardillo. Their prior experience is evidenced in the Niagara Sky Wheel at Clifton Hill, in Niagara Falls and other amusement rides at national theme parks; Shea's Performing Arts Center; GEICO's Western New York office buildings; as well as Letchworth State Park's Headquarters.
Recognized for their support were: Scott McFadden; Tim Gatto & Connie Wright; Leona & Arnold Tranquist; Leonard & David Aynardi; Thomas Kozlowski & Family in memory of Joyce Kozlowski; Ron & Bonnie Bradley; Bill & Vickie Maher; Zipping Star Class at the Portland Congregational Church; Al & Angela Valentin; George Catalano; Portland Congregational Church; Kenneth & Elsie Lee; Joan Latimer; Victoria West; Rosalie Risley in appreciation of Mayor Hazelton; Bill & Mary Ellen Westin; Roberta Harley; Judith Freling Reynolds of Orange, California; Ruth Neal; Mr. & Mrs. James L. Deakin; James M. Deakin; Mr.& Mrs. Andrew Deakin in memory of Harold & Caroline Deakin; Joyce Haines in honor of Inez Krohn's birthday; Jack & Susan Raymond; and Paul & Janet O'Dell.
Donors of D.J. Hixson-Abram's Walk for the Arches were also recognized: Lobell, Newman & Sam; Deb & Tim Buckley; Fredonia Memorial Squadron 59, Sons of the American Legion; Barb Buck; and Jon & Melissa Hamilton in memory of Vernet & Edna Robson.
