— — The City of North Tonawanda on Tuesday moved to create a first-time homebuyers tax exemption that could save those who qualify as much as 50 percent off their annual property taxes the year after they move in.

The five-year exemption is for newly constructed or improved properties purchased by first-time buyers who meet certain income requirements. Such buyers would be eligible for an exemption of 50 percent of their home’s taxable value for the first year of ownership. The credit would reduce by 10 percent for five years until the owners were at the normal tax level.

The Common Council approved the law Tuesday, though it must be scheduled for a public hearing and officially enacted before becoming available.

Also on Tuesday, the council accepted a low bid for a firm to begin a 12-week economic viability study regarding the vacant city marina at 1000 River Road.

Applied Technology & Management submitted the cheapest proposal, at roughly $86,000, beating out more expensive proposals submitted by Bergmann Associates and TVGA Consultants among the four competing firms.

The council had budgeted roughly $100,000 to make structural repairs to the marina in this year’s spending plan, though Mayor Rob Ortt decided shortly after taking office to instead spend most of the money on an economic study into what can likely be done with the picturesque harbor and clubhouse on the Niagara River. Four proposals were returned April 29.

Lumber City Development Corp. Executive Director Jim Sullivan said one good reason for doing a study is that the resulting plan for the marina (including cost estimates and project scopes) will make earning grant money to implement it easier.

“The whole point is that’s why we’re doing this,” he said. “Like other studies we’ve done, it allows us to apply for these grants.”

He said the budgeted money may go further in the long-term once the study is complete, providing a “professional approach” but also admitted the climate for available grants afterward isn’t yet entirely clear.

Money available on a competitive basis from groups like the Environmental Protection Agency, Department of State and other sources is sometimes administered by the state and used in conjunction with state grant sources. While Albany stagnates without a budget, much remains to be seen.

“You can go after federal and state (money) but typically you piggy back. You really don’t know where we stand with the state,” he said.

Included in the proposal by Applied Technology & Management are six tasks, including a market survey and data collection, field research, site survey, feasibility report, conceptual plan and detailed financial analysis.

Also at Tuesday’s meeting, the council accepted unanimously a request from North Tonawanda Catholic School for a permit to throw a final Mass and family picnic June 11. The council approved the request to close a portion of Vandervoort Street between Robinson and Keil streets to hold the event. The picnic will take place from 6 to 8:30 p.m. for the school’s alumni and school families just weeks after the Buffalo Catholic Diocese announced the school’s closure on June 30. NT Catholic has an operating deficit of more than $100,000.

Second Ward Councilman Rich Andres, himself a former NT Catholic student, asked the council to prepare a proclamation thanking the school for its many years of service to the community.