BROCTON - Brocton is one step closer toward a relit arch welcoming traffic through its village.
During a recent village board meeting, officials recommended to accept the bid submitted by Buffalo Iron Works of East Aurora in the amount of $91,646 for the first three phases of the project. Phase four will consist of the lighting portion alone and will be awarded separately to a qualified electrical contract bidder. Official acceptance of the bid will take place once the project engineering firm, Systems & Engineering, PC has confirmed its review of the bid.
Members of the board give great credit to Chautauqua Home Rehabilitation and Improvement Corporation representatives for facilitating the application, award and bidding processes allowing Brocton to finally recognize the long awaited relighting and refurbishment of the structure. All work performed for the project will be subject to approval by the New York State Office of Parks and Historic Preservation, specified in the grant contract, due to the structure's national historic registry status.
With many eagerly awaiting work to begin on the project, including the numerous individuals, families and organizations who donated matching funds to get the project fully funded, the Portland Bicentennial Committee is looking toward a finished product to officially re-dedicate during its Bicentennial Celebration next year.
The board members also officially thanked and recognized two area young men, Bradley Belmondo and Chris Johnson, for their donation to the Arch Project, netted from funds raised by lemonade stand sales throughout the year.
Mayor Hazelton added, "We sincerely thank both of these kids for that."
In other matters, Bicentennial Committee Chair Dave Travis brought village trustees up to speed on the progress of the celebration fundraisers taking place this fall. Those fundraisers include: an Oct. 13 exclusive wine tasting at 21 Brix Winery from 7-9 p.m.; a Nov. 4 spaghetti dinner being served at the Brocton Legion from noon to 4 p.m.; and a month-long numbers-based lottery drawing for the month of November which will be awarded based on the New York Lottery numbers. Aside from the numerous activities that will make up the celebration, beginning in April of next year, the committee is anticipating not only the re-dedication of the Arch, but also a reenactment of the first Portland Town Board meeting.
Travis also asked the board to consider any community interest projects that Brocton Central's Interact Club could have involvement with this year. A co-advisor for the group, Travis typically works with town and village officials to involve the students, who represent Interact Club as an off-shoot of Rotary International. In previous years, Interact Club members have helped beautify the village, and pitch in funds for the arch project.
Village Clerk Karen Ardillo also reported to the trustees that several community members have inquired about how they could purchase sections of the electrical components from the arch, which are currently displayed in the Clerk's office.
Hazelton replied that it may be best to wait until the project has been completed, as there may be other pieces of the components that would have sentimental value.
