LaMonaco asks city for assistance with sidewalk repair

CITY OF TONAWANDA - The city’s sidewalks took precedent at this week’s council meeting. City Engineer Jason LaMonaco is looking for an extra $10,000 to work on the project.

The sidewalks are rated on a scale of one to 10, with 10 being the worst. The problem with the system in place is that when someone sends a written complaint it must be addressed regardless of the need. Usually these complaints are considered a four or a five, while the nine’s and 10’s don’t get addressed.

“Realistically we are not focusing on the worst sidewalks, we are focusing on people who write letters,” said LaMonaco.

Council President Carl Zeisz wanted to look for a more permanent solution to this problem for the city.

“We’re gonna end up turning the sidewalks over in blocks and sections, because if we wait until they are fixed we are never going to get rid of them,” said Zeisz.

LaMonaco suggested that once a sidewalk is fixed the home owner will own it and it will become their responsibility. He said this may deter people from making a request when the need isn’t really there yet.

If LaMonaco receives the extra $10,000, he said he will be able to address all the written concerns as well as the sidewalks that are considered to be 10’s and some of the nine’s.

Zeisz added the council will discuss the matter before making a decision.

The possibility of opening up Luksin Drive was taken off the table due to feedback from residents.

”I walked up and down over the holiday weekend,” First Ward Council Member Heather Little said. “The majority of people did not want it open, they like it closed off.”

She raised concern regarding children crossing the street and the speed that people would drive at if it was opened up.

LaManacao, as a former resident, echoed the concern, “I Like the fact that it was cut off and there wasn’t the through traffic.”

In other city news:

• The sale of Little League drive was the subject of some controversy at Tuesday’s meeting. Zeisz announced the council would go into executive session to discuss ongoing negotiations with Natale Corp.

Chair of the City Democratic committee, Gayle Syposs, argued that the discussion should happen in regular session according to the Open Meetings Law.

City Attorney Ronald C. Trabucco assured her the law states that the city is allowed to go into executive session when discussing appointing or removing personnel or a corporation.

• The next City of Tonawanda Council Meeting will take place at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 18 in city hall, at 200 Niagara St., City of Tonawanda.