[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-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",[32,74,86,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_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":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6573720,"mediaKeyId","3156932-501612b1344fb7bce67857a7a45f31ac","parentId",3156932,"title","Parks staff shortages slow operations; advisory board weighs geese control, shelter and storage updates at Nike Base","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",3377150,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3156932-501612b1344fb7bce67857a7a45f31ac&start=3377&end=3377","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3156932-501612b1344fb7bce67857a7a45f31ac/thumbnail_3377150.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6573720/Grand-Island/Erie-County/New-York/Parks-staff-shortages-slow-operations-advisory-board-weighs-geese-control-shelter-and-storage-updates-at-Nike-Base","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6573720-35dc6c8c4bb9ae77d5e8a4e1943dcb94/orig.mp4?Expires=1775967678&Signature=YzR22U1~yNJIfG3xKo~IPMHa16kd4we8C1ROTZ-ByuvNFGj7Lh~Hxbg6mBaVpw5l~w09LBgtPilqBRyMMfB0LszH6tnAAPIsM9nupBqgzKTDMnx1sjpElJdsjvfofLmvYIdjrEbAH-3bO3h6t3b5U4Yxmh8vlYwIZIOgYhJo~gm0hts6UJ9gBKnXXGy9yNz553IN3rHDgRofC1ld9qTBO3XdbFU7gfb4nOwa0N0kfo5l2y6juhXOkiGVbGkoKp4EksB4wWKCQTK4-ndb8JqyS3yiwTEsl9rqpm-4SfV7GI~GFZSVKN8aPcRIXzdnAjl5pNhNLE9RcIenwCASMH3kNQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Grand Island, NY","date","2025-04-30T14:20:25.463Z","article","Parks staff told the advisory board that ongoing workforce shortages are constraining routine maintenance, geese management and seasonal field preparation.

Parks staff reported two returning seasonal workers and two new hires this year, but said overall the department still lacks the number of employees it had previously. “We have 2 kids coming back from last year and 1 is only because his internship fell through… we have 2 new employees coming in,” a staff speaker said, adding that one new hire is a high‑school student and will not be available for the full season. Staff and board members described how limited weekday staffing makes time‑intensive geese‑control options, such as a dedicated dog handler, difficult to sustain.

Joe Menard and other staff said the town no longer has a dog handler for 2025 and that while Tonawanda’s program has reduced employee sick time there, the local staffing workload made it infeasible this season. The board discussed alternatives such as using a drone or a gator vehicle for short, intermittent goose‑deterrence operations and the idea of hiring a part‑time employee who could perform geese‑control work and light maintenance duties.

On facilities, staff updated the board on work at the Nike base: site work and drainage for a new picnic shelter are complete; the contractor has the shelter steel and the job is expected to be finished in time for summer once weather and roofing work are complete. The town also plans to install three color‑matched storage sheds to replace metal pads in the parking lot; one shed will serve soccer, one will serve the recreation program and a third will be for Parks staff equipment.

Staff also noted several community events: a May 7 guided walk at Betts Park; a Greenway community engagement meeting on April 30; and a native‑plant sale May 9 at the community center (Nike Base). Advisory members discussed outreach and seasonal field prep needs and agreed to continue evaluating staffing models and temporary measures to address goose problems while recruiting more seasonal employees.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","4/28/2025 Parks & Recreation Advisory Board","oneSentenceSummary","Advisory members heard staffing shortages are constraining field preparation and geese-removal efforts; updates included progress on a picnic shelter at Nike Base, new storage sheds and an upcoming native plant sale and community events.","taxTitle","Grand Island, Erie County, New York","taxId",54969,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6573725,"Grand Island drainage project stalls amid engineering capacity shortfalls and bidding delays",141,3115180,3256180,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3156932-501612b1344fb7bce67857a7a45f31ac&start=3115&end=3256","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3156932-501612b1344fb7bce67857a7a45f31ac/thumbnail_3115180.jpg","/articles/6573725/Grand-Island/Erie-County/New-York/Grand-Island-drainage-project-stalls-amid-engineering-capacity-shortfalls-and-bidding-delays","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6573725-b0228cf2883b7445ae34f18f69f43f45/orig.mp4?Expires=1775967678&Signature=Wxyn16l7NCJgObghxGIABfSkCUfprovkkpvuTFIKXgRnb-RlpB8f0Eq6IEGsj-9liR62H~hohQTZNFS5deayoUnoIYf~IPqv2Y4H5W0-zWuqH9fHELFb3YAi8sHnbHnqGilwtq8pIdIEDmXssEY~V6zpERWSQRk34WnG4zpbs5vi0Sb31dooR35y8WN0bcwtL1t9pE8PHogbh0AbyaLameKQl3eX0OL11jcI7~fqKst1v8GIfEkfjb3GPlg~M22uaZ~XLdAamMoBzAQ9YsTHBIlqvsjshzOwjQN6eHbxaIa0r57zcKNdTFjLHG8PgakIW4vfTdvqTEcFnfBHHgvBfQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Advisory members heard that limited engineering capacity and staff turnover have delayed a drainage project that had previously been scheduled to go to bid.

Tom and other speakers described a timeline in which the town had hoped to have bid documents ready before a senior engineering employee retired; that work was not completed and the town is now relying on the recently retired staffer to return part time to help train new hires and finish project packages. “Lynn is back now, and we hired somebody new. I don't know when they're gonna start it. The last I heard was potentially mid May,” Tom said.

Board members said the delay affects grant timelines and construction plans: they had previously expected to bid the project in February and begin work in late summer. Tom said the town could contract professional services to prepare bid packages but cautioned that using contract dollars will reduce in‑kind engineering contribution the town originally planned to pledge toward grant matches.

Advisory members and staff discussed whether engineering should prepare the RFP internally or hire outside services; speakers emphasized that the town’s limited staff and competing priorities have created a bottleneck. Tom said the town has recently hired a new engineer who will provide project management support but may not be fully onboard in time to meet older deadlines.

There were no votes. Staff said they will continue to try to complete bid packages internally with Lynn assisting part time while also evaluating whether to engage outside professional services if grant windows or deadlines require it.","Advisory members were told the town's engineering department lacks capacity to finalize an RFP for a long‑planned drainage project; retired engineer Lynn has returned part time to assist, but staff shortages and grant timing complicate a summer construction target.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_46":92,"_48":93,"_50":94,"_52":95,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":96,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":97,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6573728,"Advisory board hears update on parks master plan, GIS mapping and grant opportunities",255,2117680,2373540,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3156932-501612b1344fb7bce67857a7a45f31ac&start=2117&end=2373","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3156932-501612b1344fb7bce67857a7a45f31ac/thumbnail_2117680.jpg","/articles/6573728/Grand-Island/Erie-County/New-York/Advisory-board-hears-update-on-parks-master-plan-GIS-mapping-and-grant-opportunities","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6573728-8edc971bef2e6928bc74fdc0d2a9687c/orig.mp4?Expires=1775967678&Signature=hsSP8ElCkIBsmB8pnEKVVvBN3fRyD7hgaz2DC83QyHGsSjFH2yfsBGtwalQ87R6Oqk5vjMCQ37yHxjUJllsBwvWGPKpNLxs6-YQT85wa88mn8Jx~0SlLCyQKm-IGv0CiI50zXjlVFiLWLMr4CtaoseC~muoJOf33Bb2xpp7BVQFuFLmreVpj5uLryU2iocd7EBJY2eTP2muj2c1q9z-p1ipLJX47dx9j1QNKieljy9gQ2u9IoAHSDk8Y44RG9VpnIvdhGvYNCbG4esAovzjekgDll7NpSoDHo8u-vFoNiGDB94eS2-DJSiBOWirkQUm8vZ0C2hmNhhi~l29LTCbO8w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Consultants working on the town’s parks and recreation master plan presented a condensed summary of several older planning documents and demographic materials, and staff reported progress toward an interactive GIS mapping system that town planners and the public can use.

Mike from La Bella and planning staff compiled elements of the master plan, waterfront LWRP, marketing work and past recreation/open-space studies into a roughly 20-page summary intended to make the town’s long-term goals easier to review. Advisory members said the condensed packet will help them identify grant opportunities and prioritize projects.

Michelle and Sam described a GIS-based mapping effort intended to put layered data about Town of Grand Island resources on a publicly accessible platform. Staff said the consultant will set up an Esri cloud account to host interactive maps, with the intention that the town will eventually maintain public access. The mapping work includes photo pop-ups and layers for environmental districts and land‑use overlays; staff said sensitive cultural information gathered during character interviews could remain private while other layers are public.

The board also received a briefing on possible grant windows. Members noted the state executive budget proposed capital funding for community centers and that the town has a grant writer and a locally funded grant researcher in place to help identify and prepare applications. Elaine O’Neil was named as assisting in grant research and outreach. Board members said some grant opportunities have short timelines and that project readiness (site measurements, cost estimates, permits) constrains the town’s ability to apply in the near term.

The advisory board did not act on any funding requests during the meeting. Staff said they will notify the board when mapping is publicly accessible and when specific grant opportunities that match project readiness become available.","Consultants condensed the town’s planning documents into a shorter master‑plan summary; staff are creating public GIS maps and monitoring several grant windows including state capital funds for community centers.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_46":104,"_48":105,"_50":106,"_52":107,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":108,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":109,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6573733,"Grand Island advisory board presses for clarity on town commons ice rink, creek piping and power connection",1267,114789,1382000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3156932-501612b1344fb7bce67857a7a45f31ac&start=114&end=1382","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3156932-501612b1344fb7bce67857a7a45f31ac/thumbnail_114789.jpg","/articles/6573733/Grand-Island/Erie-County/New-York/Grand-Island-advisory-board-presses-for-clarity-on-town-commons-ice-rink-creek-piping-and-power-connection","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6573733-f80d587748147fb7a0295f824fb33b97/orig.mp4?Expires=1775967678&Signature=g3DM7EwAI~B7vNG84Q9GBB6-jZI19hB4MijE-PXEpy2tZHVa8yBb9u3VVggsgHUud70YR0b0UvkoUHA3rrbzyLYX74qEExVaPU~HgLQQWlxO0WLVbioczJyiNfI6euUVILUGQJ1BslH8udmMRmjHkGSzE5vDQvRKMcHXuYZ25-vPHtxDxxcYDQEIoMzRgMbJjpY7l1Bt18IeGI-3x8F1ssmee7lUbW3omt7-78SZ0Jx1kl-B~xXruJ0HuXvv-llNCmB5DvOWt4MsQBRo~juNel5Mw1rk5DSp-338pfdD9Oii8nVLCVYJu18N6~f7S19oaa6H-MwML3dBQ8qhkoFjrg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Advisory members of the Grand Island Parks & Recreation advisory board pressed town officials Monday for a clear timeline to pipe a creek—often called a ditch—and to secure electrical service needed for a proposed ice rink at the town commons.

The group discussed a long-running plan first drafted in 1997 and urged the town board to authorize engineering and permitting work. “We are not going anywhere yet,” an advisory member said, describing the board’s current lack of authorization for permitting and construction. Town liaison Tom said the next practical step is to wait for National Grid to complete an open service ticket and provide a cost estimate: “As soon as we get response from National Grid, I will be too,” Tom said.

Board members framed the work as two linked tasks: piping the ditch so it no longer fills with cattails or traps garbage, and establishing electrical service for an ice rink and possibly future amenities such as a band shell and heated restrooms. Participants noted prior studies and letters from state agencies are several years old and that updated information is required before engineering files permits. Sam, a staff member, told the group that engineering needs finalized measurements and a defined scope to prepare permit applications and cost estimates.

Members and staff discussed the hydraulic and permitting implications of piping the channel. One advisory member argued the invert (the pipe elevation) issue was misunderstood and that if the pipe ties into the existing culvert the system would drain to the culvert as designed. Others cautioned that state agency review remains necessary: the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers previously issued letters addressing jurisdiction and that those formal determinations are several years old.

On electric service, staff said National Grid has opened a ticket to assess a new service and would identify where a line could be drawn from. Staff and advisory members reported prior experience in town projects where National Grid took roughly two months to respond after an on-site visit; they warned any timeline should account for that delay. The board also discussed estimating electrical load: speakers said rink equipment typically requires several hundred amps of service and that any plan should account for future needs so the town does not under-provision the line.

Advisory members sought clearer direction from the town board about how far to pipe the ditch now versus in later phases. Tom said engineering will not start permitting until the town board directs them to proceed and identifies funding or budget placement. The board agreed to put the ditch/piping topic on the advisory board’s next agenda to prepare a concise set of options and “three stake” site points for National Grid and engineering to evaluate.

The conversation also noted ancillary approvals that may be needed, including DEC review and potential Army Corps involvement if work exceeds certain thresholds. Speakers said prior DEC letters suggested the channel was non-jurisdictional, but those letters are four to five years old and will need confirmation. Tom summarized the immediate next steps as: (1) get the National Grid site visit and cost estimate; (2) finalize measurements and a schematic so engineering can prepare permit filings; and (3) have the town board authorize permitting and budget placement.

The advisory board did not take any formal votes. Members said they would provide a concise set of preferred locations for the rink and piping at a future meeting so National Grid and engineering can produce cost and feasibility figures.","Advisory members urged the town board and engineering staff to move from planning to action on piping a long-troubled creek/ditch and getting power to a proposed ice rink, while National Grid estimates and state permitting remain outstanding.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Parks staff shortages slow operations; advisory board weighs geese control, shelter and storage updates at Nike Base

Grand Island drainage project stalls amid engineering capacity shortfalls and bidding delays

Advisory board hears update on parks master plan, GIS mapping and grant opportunities

Grand Island advisory board presses for clarity on town commons ice rink, creek piping and power connection