[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6633546,"mediaKeyId","2664283-f5cc8a7f629c748edcf274fc4033041c","parentId",2664283,"title","Police seek two speed trailers; board weighs adding a scrolling message board at extra cost","audioSeconds",113,"startMs",1547000,"endMs",1660000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2664283-f5cc8a7f629c748edcf274fc4033041c&start=1547&end=1660","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2664283-f5cc8a7f629c748edcf274fc4033041c/thumbnail_1547000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6633546/Grand-Island/Erie-County/New-York/Police-seek-two-speed-trailers-board-weighs-adding-a-scrolling-message-board-at-extra-cost","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6633546-195ae783048452ca435a4929ee6694aa/orig.mp4?Expires=1771184920&Signature=KKEgqMwVpjExgenDH-X93ypKVnh~8QMQxlryCDf6PExwwls~7DoFjzEJa060WmigasYIaIspWt55osNBhOxIjLcwx0ePJrSitM-o4FezX8KWJzpXZRUv3S9Lp3WoRMnnmMmtBt~z4glHp0x9NX0CCt7ILzWK4yB9KXlsJ7ccC9x6r3TCap7nm-srzk7Ip01AThonWJFM27Cb3EQ~xQSH8~969P7jy8uBFyIO3oTKpEHn0VplXBW2Gp4YqlbJ3lVRtm~1vmWIKJZOJ9WqBhXWVvlztNIYBstZVPpTM~w0RGtFq-cpD06Jq4iPRr8DLrSWXsCekCo2WnBB2o982zWd5A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Grand Island, NY","date","2025-03-17T22:56:52.737Z","article","Grand Island police asked the town board to approve use of remaining technology grant funds to buy two trailer-mounted speed-display units, known as “scouts,” that also collect traffic-count data.

Staff said the police department has $18,906 remaining in a technology grant and had priced two standard scout units at roughly $17,671 each. The department also explored an alternative: one scout with an added scrolling message board that could display community messages (parade notices, road closures, etc.). Combining a speed unit and a message board would raise the price materially — staff cited a delta of roughly $18,227 (bringing one combined unit toward $25,000–$35,000 depending on configuration).

Board members discussed options: buy two standard scouts now, buy one combined speed-and-message unit plus one standard unit, or delay the message-board purchase to a future budget cycle. Staff said the message boards are “camera-ready” and could accept future camera or license-plate recognition hardware.

Members noted practical benefits: the scouts collect traffic counts and peak-hour data useful for local traffic studies; a roaming message board could also serve Highway, Fire and other departments for road-closed or emergency messaging. Several board members expressed support for obtaining two scouts now and exploring a shared message board in the next budget cycle. One member suggested asking Highway or the Fire Department to contribute funds if a message board is desired immediately.

No formal purchase ordinance was adopted at the workshop. Staff were directed to discuss purchasing options further with department heads, to check grant eligibility and to bring a purchase recommendation and procurement path (state contract vs. RFP) to a future meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Town Board Workshop #7 03/17/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Grand Island police asked the town board to use remaining technology grant funds to buy two speed-display trailers that also collect traffic-count data; the board discussed whether to upgrade one unit with a scrolling message board at an added cost.","taxTitle","Grand Island, Erie County, New York","taxId",54969,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6633550,"Resident presses town board for clearer trails process; board outlines budget and permitting steps",205,478000,683000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2664283-f5cc8a7f629c748edcf274fc4033041c&start=478&end=683","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2664283-f5cc8a7f629c748edcf274fc4033041c/thumbnail_478000.jpg","/articles/6633550/Grand-Island/Erie-County/New-York/Resident-presses-town-board-for-clearer-trails-process-board-outlines-budget-and-permitting-steps","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6633550-0884fbd8274893d8a6337ff96b74f135/orig.mp4?Expires=1771184920&Signature=Kh8H1-9yy-k9inEoOP8b8367itgik0I7ZeJLTw38Uu-eELmIR-7yDmjLpDOHYMDDnu82eiKq7PF4zWZehFKq8L7mcVgRz25N45QvQDbPMwDE5-Ex3-z4ypcllHvT4JqxZ94yvfqbc5NN4BOeSwKR380QsOI1ku7l6drHBvpbb3TMZZc3lC5jEgphYE1LLbc3B5ZssHWyCCo3BjrCV~JRhJYuJqxwRZTHpxS~zK~cRgfeymTU6dVP1yvlHk~iiyy78MZjL6~6cjNwjlKIreP2~dYKnznKSv3Eq9NcgzDwGaOD-1NaR4QO4DTyOb8BbiLZTy8HD73MjerJ4ne1yQUMew__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A resident raised concerns at the Grand Island Town Board workshop about proposed trails near several neighborhoods and asked how and when neighbors would be notified if the town or others build trails on town land.

The resident, identified in the meeting as Eli, said neighbors in several subdivisions want advance notice and clarity on the approval process. Eli asked whether trails could be built at staff direction or whether the board would review and approve them. He reported community questions about privacy, drainage, buffer planting and eventual maintenance costs.

Town Supervisor Pete and staff described the approvals and budget process for town-built trails. Board members said trails on undeveloped town land could sometimes be installed quickly using wood-chip surfacing, but where trails would pass near existing homes the town would likely need engineered, paved paths with drainage, living buffers and other features — a design that would substantially increase cost.

Staff estimated a full trail build in a residential area could cost “hundreds of thousands” of dollars; one staff comment estimated a planning-level cost that was discussed as roughly $5,600 in the meeting transcript as an example of how even small segments can add up in cost when engineered surfacing, drainage and privacy buffers are required. Board members said such a project would normally be proposed during the town’s budget season, placed in a department budget request (typically Parks & Recreation), and require an approved budget, engineering, and a public bidding process before construction.

Board members identified two primary public-notice paths: (1) comprehensive planning and related public hearings, where proposed trails and maps may be discussed; and (2) any budget or contract awards, which are placed on board agendas and published in the town’s normal channels. The board said a project of the scale described could not “sneak up” on neighbors without appearing across multiple public agendas and hearings.

Parks staff also told the resident that in some limited circumstances — for truly undeveloped town property with no adjacent homes — a simpler wood-chip route might be feasible and implemented with less cost. However, for trails adjacent to residential properties the town would likely pursue a permanent, engineered solution with associated public review.

Board members said they would keep the resident informed if trail planning reached the point of a formal budget request or contract and offered to contact Eli directly if the issue advanced during their terms of office. The board also noted that residents can monitor published agendas and the comprehensive-plan process for earlier notice of proposed trail work.

The resident said many neighbors oppose heavy spending on the project and that turnout and opinions could change over time; board members responded that any such project would require majority board approval and formal budget authority before work could proceed.","A Grand Island resident asked when and how the town would notify neighbors and approve proposed trails. Board members said trail construction on town land would require public processes, engineering and budget approval, and could take months or years; they recommended monitoring agendas and the comprehensive plan for notices.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6633555,"Town board delays site-plan approval after DOT opposes driveway onto Grand Island Boulevard",120,185000,305000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2664283-f5cc8a7f629c748edcf274fc4033041c&start=185&end=305","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2664283-f5cc8a7f629c748edcf274fc4033041c/thumbnail_185000.jpg","/articles/6633555/Grand-Island/Erie-County/New-York/Town-board-delays-site-plan-approval-after-DOT-opposes-driveway-onto-Grand-Island-Boulevard","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6633555-b827bb5a56f4f765b377c2f77c4ceb60/orig.mp4?Expires=1771184920&Signature=dkxhXNjiiyHssMRjkJ82t~rxik05lKWR4YZ23OlPuj1PH1qMqn~iiYewb7Tg41o9jQOu8mCPvjbhMF8Km2QZsNUL6YvkwMygFYPvuBxzjOBlq8ehvSaimSHPVK5P28u~nf-nbN14jtbml7HGnSm728zKYznMfx8B6Nw1wtWoW49kqMCdId2IDrQFNulWdY6FTnTwE1pV7bcbPWCnMKLTmrH~8dYdwpC9cdJM6W5kvCyOlTWPG~PjAMBPxfYh3jhqvSKJV5138KpoDr1q0Mjlh0IDzCy8Sa~336T7GrGRImvSU1aVARamZFcatmhXi9W3SaiZDnQhkj19EoHDTiganw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Grand Island Town Board on Wednesday left a site-plan approval on the table after the county Department of Transportation told town staff it would not allow a driveway connecting the proposed development directly to Grand Island Boulevard.

The site plan had been recommended for approval by the planning board, but town planning staff told the board the DOT letter — received during SEQR/coordinator review — indicated DOT “does not want the driveway to Grand Island Boulevard” and that traffic should use the Dell/Bridal connection instead. Planning staff said the applicant was not aware of DOT’s position until that evening.

That position, staff said, could force a modification of the site plan if the applicant cannot obtain DOT permission. Board members debated whether to approve the plan now with a condition requiring all outside permits, or to table the item so the applicant and the town can work with DOT to resolve access. One member argued for tabling until an alternate Bridal (Dell) access is submitted, noting that DOT’s refusal could eliminate the proposed Grand Island Boulevard entrance entirely. Another member said the town could also communicate with DOT on the applicant’s behalf.

Planning staff recommended leaving the matter on the table while the applicant pursues potential changes and DOT discussions. The board did not adopt a formal resolution approving the site plan at the workshop.

The discussion cited nearby examples where commercial properties have boulevard access, and members questioned DOT’s rationale. Staff repeatedly emphasized the approval would be conditioned on obtaining external permits when required and that an unresolved DOT position could require future site-plan modification.

The board and staff agreed to continue work between the applicant and DOT and indicated they would bring the item back to a future meeting once access had been clarified or altered.

No formal vote to approve the site plan was recorded at the workshop; the item was left pending further coordination between the applicant, town planning staff and DOT.","A planning-board-recommended site plan that included a driveway onto Grand Island Boulevard was tabled after an Erie County Department of Transportation review said it would not permit the boulevard access. Board members asked the applicant and staff to work with DOT before taking further action.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Police seek two speed trailers; board weighs adding a scrolling message board at extra cost

Resident presses town board for clearer trails process; board outlines budget and permitting steps

Town board delays site-plan approval after DOT opposes driveway onto Grand Island Boulevard