BROCTON - Things are moving right along for the Brocton/Portland Peerless Street Bridge project.
Portland Town Supervisor Dan Schrantz reported to his council last week that the project's engineer has indicated the proposed roadway will be staked out by the beginning of this week.
"They'll be staking the whole roadway and taking bore samples. We'll also be having Brocton Streets Department Head, Tom Allen digging for soil samples in the field where the roadway is proposed, completing blueprints and putting together a dollar amount estimate together for a steel arch versus a three-sided box culvert," stated Schrantz.
"Once that's completed then we'll be contacting Senator Catharine Young, Congressman Brian Higgins and Assemblyman Andy Goodell to see how they can assist us with any funding."
In other matters, council members were pleased to announce that Monday will be declared Brad Anderson Day in the Town of Portland. Town officials and Brad Anderson Recognition Committee members will be joined by the "Marmaduke" artist and his family and officials from the Village of Brocton to proclaim Brad Anderson Day, and dedicate the proposed site of a bronze rendition of the artist to be created by Don Sotile.
Many may notice a banner at the Town Offices, according to Schrantz, that will be hung for the event. Brocton and Portland will play host to Alumni Weekend and the Brocton/Portland Community Festival this weekend.
Portland Bicentennial Committee Chair, Dave Travis also reminds everyone that Fundraiser Community Calendars and Calendar spots will be sold at the Community Festival over the weekend in order to generate funds for the large-scale celebration planned for next year's town bicentennial.
Samples of the calendar will be available and spots will be sold to mark a name on a specific date honoring a birthday, anniversary, memorial, etc. Calendars will be printed this coming November to be ready for the start of next year. The council also approved a request by Travis to name Henry Link, Bicentennial Committee Vice Chair. The Bicentennial Celebration is expected to kick off in April and will culminate in July of 2013 in place of the Community Festival.
Councilman Al Valentin reported that the Brocton/Portland Historical Museum is open for summer hours, and that the digitizing of the former "Brocton Mirror" newspaper is nearing completion. A special display of Brad Anderson artwork will be on full display beginning this week, and the museum will be taking visitors during the Community Festival.
Bear Lake Road residents, Bill and Diane Moran, who were in attendance for an unrelated matter, lauded the opening of the museum and added "it's a great asset to the community and we're very glad it's there and open for visitors."
The couple also praised Highway Superintendent Chuck Kelley and his crew for their maintenance of Bear Lake Road and surrounding town roadways especially during seasonal conditions.
Council members have slated an Aug. 16 workshop to discuss re-valuation. The workshop will be held at 7 p.m. at the town office.
During the meeting, town council members resolved to extend a six month moratorium an additional three months on Sub Divisions within the Town of Portland. The extension will cover the original moratorium which expired on June 30.
The council will meet again on Aug. 8 at 7 p.m., the date that marked the end of the town's Centennial Celebration in 1913.
