Artpark excavation reveals tainted soil [The Buffalo News, N.Y.]

Dec. 30--LEWISTON -- Small but unexpected amounts of lead contamination have been detected in soil being excavated for construction at Artpark, Town Supervisor Steven L. Reiter said Thursday.

Reiter said engineers determined that the low level of contamination was no threat to the environment and that precautions were being taken to contain it.

The supervisor, a former town highway superintendent, said he visited the construction site and was satisfied that the work was being done properly, with no threat to humans nor wildlife.

Nevertheless, he said, regional state parks director Mark W. Thomas promised to keep Lewiston town and village officials informed about the construction. The state has been upgrading Artpark's outdoor amphitheater and improving parking, access roads and support facilities.

In other business, the Town Board:

--Asked the Planning Board for a recommendation on a zoning change to permit the construction of a Tim Hortons restaurant at Saunders Settlement and Town Line roads in Sanborn, diagonally across the intersection from the Niagara County Community College campus.

--Appointed Travis Maggard and Matthew Grange as part-time officers in the Lewiston Police Department.

--Postponed consideration of a proposed ordinance that would require contractors working in Lewiston to register with the town to make sure they are covered by proper insurance for liability, workers' compensation and state disability insurance.

--Asked Town Attorney Michael

J. Dowd to review some proposed amendments to the town's agreement with Time Warner Cable for cable television service.

--Heard Reiter compliment town employees for "expanded town services in a great year for us," without exceeding the town budget.

--Set the board's reorganization meeting for 6 p. m. Jan. 9 in Town Hall, 1375 Ridge Road. It also set the board's first regular meeting in 2012 for 6 p. m. Jan. 23, and announced that the Zoning Board of Appeals will meet at 7 p. m. Jan. 12 and the Planning Board at 7 p. m. Jan. 19.

--Announced that town offices will be closed Monday in observance of the New Year's holiday.

rbaldwin@buffnews.com

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