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ELLERY – Maple Springs residents are asking the Ellery Town Board for help with speeding vehicles in the area.
Residents addressed the board recently regarding vehicles driving too fast on the roads in the area. The residents said they are concerned for the safety of the children and are worried an accident will happen. The board can apply to the state to reduce the speed limit in that area, ask the county Sheriff's office and New York State Police to increase a patrol presence in Maple Springs and use a speed trailer to monitor vehicles' speed.
Maple Springs residents decided to first contact the Sheriff's Office and State Police to request additional patrols in the neighborhood.
Pastor Greg Buzzanco of Triumphant Life Church addressed the board with detailed information as to what the church wants to do with property it owns on Beck Road that has prompted several town residents to raise concerns to the Town Board in recent months. Buzzanco requested a special use public hearing be scheduled for September. Board members said they would prefer to have a special use request application along with all the proper documentation and information to review before scheduling the public hearing. Mark Schlemmer, town board member, said the requested information can be emailed to the board prior to September’s meeting for their review and then, during the September meeting, the public hearing could be scheduled.
They want to provide Bible study to kids in a rural church setting, bringing in children from their other churches located in Erie and Jamestown for services and retreats. Buzzanco indicated their primary goal is to train leaders. They would like to, occasionally, have church services under a tent. Eventually, a permanent structure may be built on the property large enough to provide Bible study for 40 to 70 kids. A Special Use Permit will also be needed because the property size is 60 acres, and the church plans to utilize all 60 acres.
Greg Wozneak, who owns property in the area, asked the board for clarification regarding what activities are permitted on the property without the special use permit. Neil Robinson, town attorney, said allowed activities depend on how the church is using the property.
Anne Golley, town zoning officer, and Larry Anderson, town supervisor, said they met the church in June, with church members saying they want to have church services, school and a training center at the 4200 Beck Road site.
Cherrie Clark, Ellery historian, raised concerns regarding the grave sites of two Revolutionary War soldiers buried in the Red Bird Cemetery, which was the site of a Patriot Marker dedication earlier this year. The cemetery is located near Red Bird Corners on Route 380, near what is referred to as Towerville.
Clark said two patriots do not have markers, one patriot does not have a stone and one grave stone is badly damaged. Clark has sent an application to the Veteran’s Administration to see if they will provide bronze markers for these patriots at no charge. Clark said if the Veteran’s Administration can’t provide the bronze markers, she will approach the board to see if the town can help with providing a stone for the one grave site. Clark also provided quotes of $1,200 from Riles & Wooley and $875 from Powers-Present & Sixbey for one of the grave stones.
Clark is also completing paperwork for a Revolutionary War Patriot sign for Lewis Cemetery and assisting with the Revolutionary War Patriot sign for Fluvanna Cemetery.