OBSERVER File Photo Pictured is the playground at Ryckman Park, located at Green and Fay streets in Brocton, after tree limbs fell on the equipment during a storm earlier this winter.

BROCTON — With spring approaching, the village of Brocton feels the sense of urgency to repair the playground at Ryckman Park that was damaged in a storm earlier this winter. The problem is the repairs will be much more costly than the Village was insured to cover.

Village Clerk Scott Jagoda stated nearly $45,000 of damage was caused, while the Village’s insurance policy only covers approximately $21,000 of the damage. He was not given a timeline on installation of the new equipment. Jagoda recently submitted a grant application to the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation seeking funding to replace the Ryckman Park playground equipment.

“Spring is just around the corner. We want to try to get that rolling and get everything put back up,” Jagoda said.

Also of note in the Village, an informational meeting regarding the upcoming April 8 eclipse will be held at the Brocton Central School Auditorium on March 12, beginning at 6 p.m.

Fire Chief Bill Hussey told the Brocton Town Board that an Emergency Coordinator from Chautauqua County will be on hand to discuss what to expect, with a member of the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office and a State Police Officer possibly in attendance, as well.

“We hope for the best, but prepare for the worst,” Hussey said of the eclipse.

Hussey noted that the Department is evaluating potential emergency shelters beginning the weekend leading up to the eclipse. Also of note, the Brocton Volunteer Fire Department responded to 43 calls in the month of January.

Highway Superintendent Ken Becker stated the Village battled two water main breaks on Central Avenue, seven days apart, located within a few feet of each other.

“Whatever we can do to push the water main along would be greatly appreciated,” Becker said. The Board later approved the purchase of multiple clamps to use to address water issues in the Village.

Former Brocton Village Trustee Dave Hazelton thanked the Town of Portland and the Village of Brocton crews for their efforts at the Haywood Heights development site, located atop the hill behind the Country Fair store. The area was first developed 32 years ago and is in the process of expanding, with approximately 10 new lots for new homes to be constructed in the near future.

Village Trustee Kari Doino also shared details from a recent meeting at the Lakeview Shock Incarceration Center with the Board. Doino noted that the facility houses 524 incarcerated individuals, with 260 correctional officers employed. More than half of the correctional officers are residents of Dunkirk or Fredonia. Of the 260 correctional officers, 70 are from Fredonia; 65 are from Dunkirk; 16 are Brocton residents; and 9 are Portland residents.

“That’s a lot of employees that support the local economy,” Brocton Mayor Craig Miller said.

The Village will also further explore enforcement of its local law regarding overnight parking on the street. Planning and Zoning Board mergers are also being further discussed.