By Neale Gulley
The Tonawanda News
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The North Tonawanda Common Council enacted a three year moratorium on citywide property reassessments at Tuesday’s regular meeting.
“I think it’s a move in the right direction,” Mayor Rob Ortt, who counts the moratorium among his campaign promises, said. “And I think it’s a strong signal to residents that (officials) realize the economic realities out there.”
The moratorium officially begins Jan. 1, 2011 and continues through Dec. 31, 2013.
A letter by Ortt to the council says at that time the city would have the opportunity to extend the moratorium or set a time for a citywide reassessment.
On the other end of the taxation spectrum, the city is also currently engaged in the annual In Rem proceeding against property owners who owe significant back taxes.
City Attorney Shawn Nickerson reported to the council that the city has recouped $274,000 in back taxes this year, through payment arrangements and payments in full.
Ortt said that figure represents about 20 or 25 individual properties to avoid the auction block in the fall. One of them, K&T Properties at 899 Erie Ave., was acknowledged at the meeting as having paid all back city, school and county taxes.
Also at Tuesday’s meeting Pamela Hogan was transferred from senior center coordinator to the newly created position of recreation department and senior center coordinator.
The move represents a roughly $8,000 per year pay raise for Hogan, but also represents a savings of more than $40,000 in salary and benefits from eliminating last year one position in the department.
“When it was determined that Pam was the senior person as well as the most qualified we drew up specs to combine the positions. She dove in head first and from everything I’ve heard so far she’s doing a great job,” Ortt said.
Hogan officially applied for the job of recreation supervisor this spring, representing a promotion to coordinator of programs in both divisions.
On the development front, the council approved nine change order requests to the newly constructed Buffalo Bolt light industrial park, increasing the original contract price from $783,415 to $821,271.
The changes represent adjustments in labor and materials associated with the project. The most expensive single change order appears to be associated with the rising price of asphalt, $15,000 as per the 2010 Department of Transportation asphalt pricing index.
Also regarding development, City Engineer Dale Marshal issued an environmental impact assessment on demolition of the former incinerator building at 795 Walck Road. The city found that there were no adverse environmental effects to the demolition.
Regarding other matters, Nickerson approved final passage of a law allowing residents in the recently updated flood-zone designation map to purchase flood insurance.
Also at Tuesday’s council meeting, The Lighthouse Baptist Church, 383 Wheatfield St., was approved to hold the annual 5K race and fun walk on Sept. 11. The fun walk begins at 1:15 p.m. at the corner of Evans and Bryant streets and continues south to Wheatfield Street and left on Wheatfield ending at the church. The 5K race starts at 2 p.m. at the corner of Evans and Bryant streets and continues through Robinson and Niagara streets and on to Sweeney and Oliver streets and back to Wheatfield street.
The council approved road closures or police escorts where appropriate.
