HANOVER — While coordination of major projects makes plenty of sense, Hanover officials are currently dealing with one of the downfalls of working together.

Hanover is still awaiting approval from the state Department of Transportation to begin its water line project on Routes 5 and 20 at the same time as a proposed lane reduction from four lanes to three.

“We are ready to go out to bid, but we can’t go out to bid until the state DOT says that we can do the project at the same time they do the project going from four lanes to three lanes,” said Lou Pelletter, town supervisor.

Lou Pelletter said he has been alerted that the request has been received, but a response has not yet been given to the town. While the town could proceed on its own, with the DOT project moving forward, the town is hoping to avoid multiple disruptions to the area. National Fuel has also been alerted of the impending projects.

Pertaining to another project, board members approved a Road Cut Permit application to install a water and sewer line at 1292 Shore Drive, Silver Creek, located in Hanford Bay. The $2,000 bond has been paid by the builder, Frank Pagano, and the application was approved by the Highway and Water/Sewer Superintendents.

The town is also eyeing eight more homes to be rehabilitated through Chautauqua Home Rehabilitation and Improvement Corporation (CHRIC). Town Clerk Elizabeth VanCheri met with Josh Freifeld, executive director of CHRIC, who discussed a similar improvement program as last year, in which $492,500 worth of improvements were made to eight homes in the town of Hanover for low-to-moderate income households, with no charge to any of the clients receiving assistance. Freifeld and VanCheri are also optimistic that a historical site can be established at one of the town’s buildings on Central Avenue.

The town is also eyeing upgrades to the town park. A serving counter is set to be installed at the park, while Lou Pelletter will speak with a representative regarding playground equipment in the coming weeks. He noted that American Rescue Plan Act funds could be utilized to assist with purchasing of equipment.

The town authorized the donation of two 2024 boat launch passes to the Southtowns Walleye Association to be used as prizes for the 40th annual Walleye Derby Tournament. The town will receive a donation of a life preserver to be used at the town boat launch.

The town will be staffing the boat launch and the town Beach for the April 8 total solar eclipse. The town hall and court will be closed on April 8, with the regular meeting of the Town Board moved to April 9 at 7:30 p.m., with a workshop preceding the meeting at 6:30 p.m. at the town Hall.

Boat launch employees were appointed on a seasonal basis by the board, as well. Tom Breckon was appointed as manager, retroactive to March 12, at a rate of $17 per hour. Attendants James Koehler, Mike Brown, Jim Ralston, Duane Raffel and Randy Brunn were appointed effective March 25 at a rate of $16.25 per hour.

The board also appointed Cheryl Lilley as Zoning Board of Appeals secretary, effective April 1. The board also expects to take action on a revised code of ethics at its next meeting.

The town also officially received its grant funding from the Justice Court Assistance Program to digitize all court records. The grant was just shy of $30,000.

Highway Superintendent Peter Pelletter was also authorized to enter into a four-year shared services agreement between the town of Hanover and the state Department of Transportation, beginning April 1, through March 31, 2028. Peter Pelletter noted the agreement is “standard procedure.”

Peter Pelletter was also authorized to use the town’s F250 truck as a trade in toward the purchase of a new truck. The town is set to authorize the purchase of two new vehicles at a special meeting to be held April 2 at 2 p.m. at the town Hall.

The board also accepted a bid from TPS Supply Corp. for ultra low sulfur diesel fuel at $3.255 per gallon; all weather ultra low sulfur diesel fuel at $3.325 per gallon; and unleaded 87 octane gasoline at $2.715 per gallon for the Highway and Water/Sewer Departments. Hauling fees for all delivered fuel will be 40 cents, but fuel prices will fluctuate with the United Refining Daily Posted Rack Price. The bid was opened on March 20, and it was the only bid received by the town.

Peter Pelletter also stated that, weather permitting, the town will repair lawns damaged by snow plowing on April 15. If heavy rain or snowfall occurs on or around April 15, the date will be pushed back, but the work will still occur.

“When I’m sure that the snow is done, I’ll send a crew out to fix everybody’s lawn,” Peter Pelletter said. “… Just like every other year, we will take care of it.”