[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_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",6466215,"mediaKeyId","5825506-c994a4f1fee9e78749766d624a7cea7c","parentId",5825506,"title","Parks board asks town to request National Grid study for Town Commons electric service to support ice rink","audioSeconds",494,"startMs",200000,"endMs",694000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5825506-c994a4f1fee9e78749766d624a7cea7c&start=200&end=694","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5825506-c994a4f1fee9e78749766d624a7cea7c/thumbnail_200000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6466215/Grand-Island/Erie-County/New-York/Parks-board-asks-town-to-request-National-Grid-study-for-Town-Commons-electric-service-to-support-ice-rink","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6466215-bc5fc85622ce2899e0ada718ff7921a6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771175501&Signature=lnZdwItP-CgY~KMhg0GVJBshAbtdYlyQpKiuKrsz3L1RybSFIex232qWodQi3whcktmj0IgKw7oK4jGsxX6SRFDGfDau2z4wjjZv6cq4a2Fwx-bMsLQLCQ6pH1zOdWGjGLV8HrZvX01e0SbHebPFpeqkudzdKVMu2tfM3efmRcQro0p3efUfKA0ChyH0ZylCS9hIejst-IcaDBJ-pTfRqJqPAnDoYs7Un0VuaQUSLpWnNksbZ~e~CMSXwgUJtA28VYxaSZEGfUsCz2kg5U783dOvNNUtvVyHnVwyC4xlM6Cy4yJNXX5R20A5FW7rSGpamRRqppe9xBzRTt-Po3bt7g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Grand Island, NY","date","2025-09-24T16:03:55.433Z","article","The Grand Island Parks and Recreation Advisory Board voted to ask the Town Board to submit a formal request to National Grid to extend electric service to the Town Commons, a step board members said is needed to determine costs and allow pursuit of fundraising for a movable ice rink and other commons upgrades.

Board members said the proposed ice surface would be a seasonal, movable rink for public skating — not a full hockey facility — and that electricity to the commons is a precondition for fundraising or installation. The board discussed prior informal outreach to National Grid and said no formal town-level application for service had been filed. At the meeting the board directed staff to place a request on the Town Board workshop agenda and voted to ask the Town Board to make a formal request to National Grid for service to the Town Commons.

Board members described utility routing options discussed informally: a likely service feed could come from Whitehaven, with National Grid crossing the boulevard and dropping a service box near the commons, after which the town would be responsible for trenching or distribution from that box to final connections. Members said upgrading Town Commons electric service is also linked to other planned infrastructure such as electric-vehicle chargers at Town Hall and future event power needs.

Members raised implementation questions including who would pay for the mainline work, timing for National Grid responses, and whether a single service could be arranged to serve both the Town Hall upgrades and commons needs. Several speakers urged a formal, written request rather than continued informal contacts. The board agreed to place that request on the Town Board agenda so the town can get a written cost response from National Grid and allow the advisory board to pursue grant or private funding.

Votes at a glance
- Motion to approve the August meeting minutes: passed (voice vote: “Aye”).
- Motion to ask the Town Board to make a formal request to National Grid to bring electric service to Town Commons (from Whitehaven) to accommodate future ice-rink and other commons upgrades: motion made and seconded; board recorded a voice vote in favor (“Aye”) and the motion passed.

Board members stressed that a formal National Grid cost estimate is needed before the advisory board can pursue outside funding. The board also discussed related permitting and sequencing: creek rehabilitation and drainage work are under state review and separate from the utility request, while electrical service is a town/National Grid matter that the board said the Town Board should pursue promptly.

Ending
The advisory board asked staff to forward the board’s request to the Town Board for placement on the next workshop agenda and to follow up with National Grid and Town Hall staff about known utility routing options. The board indicated it will resume discussion of an ice rink after the town obtains a formal cost estimate for extending service.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","9/22/2025 Parks & Recreation Advisory Board","oneSentenceSummary","The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board voted to ask the Town Board to submit a formal request to National Grid to bring electric service to Town Commons so the town can assess costs and pursue funding for a movable ice rink and other commons upgrades.","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},6466201,"Advisory board raises geese nuisance at parks; discusses deterrent options and next steps",286,5248000,5534000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5825506-c994a4f1fee9e78749766d624a7cea7c&start=5248&end=5534","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5825506-c994a4f1fee9e78749766d624a7cea7c/thumbnail_5248000.jpg","/articles/6466201/Grand-Island/Erie-County/New-York/Advisory-board-raises-geese-nuisance-at-parks-discusses-deterrent-options-and-next-steps","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6466201-04c2ef00ff59820bfcf184e7068628c1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771175501&Signature=ULxLEju9NCcDj3MeYWxAsHAsFy1qLwZnLTi-6qbXBuyO8Qulr55Qf2Y0LJkCU6pC8UbVnINSRhkI0WL855kvCno0k2PYjYf1H~X7zQVQsOxVmOUNC0SxRStPufwbx3-tr4tCha3BR4GfNQygrhZvsodqYuHAsTbDklLQDlToV-vGNigLOOIj7RivTgA4ZfJAkVEk3JbjEokCm4aDUui624Pz8H5TwPLJvqZtXgvOMm7n5MaxguJa4CcQO5DB2ZuNRyj-6-WCApsawmDMeO2o9t5RuUQOWGwbVZBMEB88DL0upRpxHelQBsesnWu--IhMqbnoL~qU8Sudq8tNhG4eOw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Advisory board members raised recurring problems with Canada geese fouling playgrounds and ballfields at town parks and discussed possible deterrents and next steps.

Several members said geese droppings are pervasive at the new playground and other park areas, posing sanitation and maintenance burdens. Members discussed deterrent options used by other municipalities: trained dogs under handler control, contracted trapping or harassment services, robotic deterrents, habitat modification, and, where permitted, lethal removal under state nuisance rules. Members said the DEC allows certain actions under a nuisance permit and that removal or harassment often requires a formal town-level authorization and an identified contact or contractor.

The board asked staff to research vendors and contracts (including costs and insurance), check whether any local companies would provide trained dogs or robotic deterrents, and confirm DEC permitting requirements for nonlethal and lethal options. One member noted prior local attempts to secure contractors had failed because firms were too far away or unresponsive.

Ending
Staff will report back with vendor options, cost estimates and permitting steps; the board emphasized that a practical, maintainable deterrent is needed to keep playgrounds and fields sanitary and usable.","Board members reported goose droppings on playgrounds and fields and discussed deterrent options including trained dogs, robotic devices, trapping, and state nuisance permits; they asked staff to explore solutions and Town Board permissions.",{"_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},6466206,"Board updates: Veterans Park splash pad, Sandywood Path bridges donation and park upgrades move forward",446,1186000,1632000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5825506-c994a4f1fee9e78749766d624a7cea7c&start=1186&end=1632","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5825506-c994a4f1fee9e78749766d624a7cea7c/thumbnail_1186000.jpg","/articles/6466206/Grand-Island/Erie-County/New-York/Board-updates-Veterans-Park-splash-pad-Sandywood-Path-bridges-donation-and-park-upgrades-move-forward","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6466206-2be9dba98d06c29d4f505b8ab06797f4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771175501&Signature=onK4aaDrdh0peq1Ll1qwjCN7tAzDhrqy7pxlMU8jB4~hCoBwbyxNtDcfifw9VZyxvzsMHqVGrpcOQq3t9Lw2eq63q1geYmyd9~wg842D4QJFSl19v~D61CUS5-wGTuFf72sSqNFWi-cVgaP1tBj85DW2m50cSaeG9NbvTXfxvUnp6ylROFeA5WPq~yvsUMxag4oM0snET2WlKz7IAV21PVtsCi5evOb5~fLt7Bu38LEaQAqqcF7tCjSxMI~rg29ECDKiLuCaLMh5V-EoJOA-Y1mcVN~0NcF3HWGJsUs49bI~m4DjV6PDI902~jPmlf1EdS4Sr7MAL2qj3bsLhKjdzw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board received updates on several park projects that board members said are advancing at different speeds.

Sandywood Path bridges: Joe and other members reported that two bridges for the Sandywood Path were ordered after a donor church committed funds and that the trust fund contribution will cover a significant portion of the work. Board discussion included differing recollections of the cost: one member said the two bridges were about $180,000; another mentioned $80,000 and a figure of $107,000 as what had been provided. Members agreed the donation was substantial and would allow installation of the wetland-spanning bridges to connect Hughes Road/Sandy Beach to Veterans Park.

Veterans Park splash pad and playground: Board members said soil testing and a preliminary site design for a splash pad near the volleyball-court/restroom area are complete; the splash pad is in the capital project list but timing and full funding remain to be determined. Members discussed technical choices — recirculating (requires testing/staffing) versus fresh-water systems (higher water and treatment costs) — and noted sewer and water impacts will factor into final design and operating costs.

Park upgrades and drainage: Members said the bid package for a park drainage/upgrade project has been submitted to the state for approval as part of the grant process; once state approval is received the town will advertise for bids and begin construction. Members suggested removing the item from future advisory-board agendas while it is in state review, but requested staff continue to report progress.

Ending
Board members said the playground, Sandywood Path bridges and splash pad remain on the capital list and will proceed when funding and permits are in place. Members asked staff to track state approvals for the drainage grant and to report timelines as bids are awarded and construction scheduling is set.","Board members reported progress on Veterans Park improvements including a planned splash pad (site and testing done), a donated pair of bridges for the Sandywood Path, and a grant-funded playground bid package submitted to state authorities.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6466211,"Advisory board presses for explicit senior-services language in community-center promotional materials ahead of referendum",2051,1916000,3967000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5825506-c994a4f1fee9e78749766d624a7cea7c&start=1916&end=3967","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5825506-c994a4f1fee9e78749766d624a7cea7c/thumbnail_1916000.jpg","/articles/6466211/Grand-Island/Erie-County/New-York/Advisory-board-presses-for-explicit-senior-services-language-in-community-center-promotional-materials-ahead-of-referendum","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6466211-21b78286bc0b738f8be45a3c0f608f9b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771175501&Signature=dI6uDMbA3u4VhyDhFLO1A0mBgz8TAqQfiUl24AVx4rLfUtCc03YRiHG3uNkDaYFyRHDKVgjz2iscownexnaZSWuE4hjnqF7TqsMSbd1d8B0EiaQ3Dc7orJfRBb6mmLD3qLlEj6u~irtXFb3n5VJ0CIm8Un2mRGHyCFfJYjTkOx2nG52d2pKeFJbuTJMqyer0RFxZKwKdND2VeXfifAtWYXIEtaSYPDekr~pOxdFKHjfdhahFUu6LOCKD0EZvyEQZiBsFEqszGMchmzKO1Ic5w9DujDmEi9hjqd96JHfJ2yxEx2Z5XcHmGfHBpc5M6EcT9YSlwDCLqyEVYrdjG6EvCQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Members of the Grand Island Parks and Recreation Advisory Board spent an extended part of the meeting debating the proposed Town Commons / community-center promotional plan and whether it adequately accommodates senior services and the Golden Age Center’s needs.

Several board members said the draft plan presented publicly and drafted by consultants (LaBella) lacked a clear senior-services component. They warned that without an explicit note or “box” on promotional materials saying the proposed building includes space for senior activities, the project could lose support from older voters. The board agreed it wants at least a generic, honest statement on promotional materials — for example, “multiuse space with room for senior activities” — so advocates can promote the proposal as benefiting older residents as well as youth and athletics.

Board members described practical limits to immediately providing a full commercial kitchen and sewer hookup on day one. Members said a phased approach would be acceptable: a multiuse activity room and other spaces in phase one, with a future kitchen and sewer hookup as a later phase if funding allows; in the interim, Meals-on-Wheels and county food services could supply meals to seniors. Members said that distinction — activity space now, full kitchen/sewer as a later phase — needs to be explicit so voters are not misled.

The advisory board also discussed the project’s timeline and the tight schedule for referendum materials. Some members said the town procured LaBella under a separate Town Board contract and that the advisory board had been left out of certain design iterations. Board members asked staff to contact LaBella and the Town Board and requested that the Town Board direct LaBella to include a clear senior-services bullet on the promotional packet due Oct. 1.

Ending
Advisory board members resolved to press the Town Board and consultants for a revised promotional packet that includes an explicit senior-services statement. Board leadership said they would call Town Board members and LaBella to request the change immediately; the advisory board said it will withhold full support if the packet does not reflect a senior-services commitment.","Advisory board members told staff and the Town Board that LaBella promotional materials for a proposed community center must explicitly show space for senior activities to secure senior support before a November vote.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Parks board asks town to request National Grid study for Town Commons electric service to support ice rink

Advisory board raises geese nuisance at parks; discusses deterrent options and next steps

Board updates: Veterans Park splash pad, Sandywood Path bridges donation and park upgrades move forward

Advisory board presses for explicit senior-services language in community-center promotional materials ahead of referendum