Montour wants to eliminate parking on west Genesee Street

May 05, 2009 at 03:10 pm by Observer-Review


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Montour wants to eliminate parking on west Genesee Street

MONTOUR FALLS—The Montour Falls village board decided it wants a stop sign at the Genesee Street/Main Street intersection, no parking on the west side of Genesee Street from Steuben Street to Cook Street and 30 minute parking in front of the falls.
The changes to the proposed street use came about after a public hearing that two people attended, Monday, May 4. The village board initially wanted to make parking in front of the falls 15 minutes and eliminate parking on the west side of Genesee Street, south from the falls. Because changes were made to the proposal, the village set another public hearing for the June 1 meeting.
Mayor Donna Kelley cited safety concerns for the initial change of eliminating parking on part of Genesee Street. She said that just the other day a girl had darted out from between two cars. At the time, Kelley said there were cars on both sides of Genesee Street and it left little room to maneuver. Fire Chief Tom Carson said it is also hard to get fire trucks down the street.
Joan Argetsinger, resident, said a more open street would encourage speeding south down Genesee Street where there is no stop sign. She added it could push parking to the north end of the street where it is already hazardous. Argetsinger also said it would leave less parking for weddings and the Parish House. She said she did like the suggestion of a stop sign.
“I would think safety would be first on everybody’s list,” said Kelley, reiterating the incident with the child. She added the Parish is busy at night when the other streets are open, like Main Street and the east side of Genesee Street. Kelley estimated eliminating parking would only get rid of three to four parking spots, though John King, resident, said it would be close to six.
Carson said his suggestion was eliminating traffic along Genesee Street, from Steuben to Cook Streets, and putting in the stop sign at the T-intersection of Genesee Street and Main Street, making it a full three-way stop.
King said 15 minute parking was too short a time for in front of the falls.
“They need somewhere to park. It seems unwelcoming to tourists,” said King, suggesting one to two hour parking. Trustee Philip Gillemot added the time should be longer, especially if it gives the visitor a chance to walk down Main Street.
“Thirty minutes seems more than adequate,” said Trustee Jim Howell. The board agreed to pursue making it 30 minute parking.
Kelley added she wanted to put signage up directing people to use the municipal lot on Genesee Street. The board agreed to incorporate signs directing people to the parking lot into the changes.
In other business:
• The board also set a public hearing for the water/sewer rate increase for the June 1 meeting. Clerk Suzanne Casselberry said the water rate increase is 90 cents per 1,000 gallons and the sewer rate increase is 5 cents per 1,000 gallons.
• Jim Kurtz asked the board if the village would sell him a .1 acre of land next to his property. Kurtz explained he wanted it so he could provide the easement for his neighbor’s driveway, but still leave room for himself to expand. The triangular piece of property is also next to the sewer plant. Kurtz said it was a stand alone piece that is not being used. Kelley said the village would need to identify the parcel and speak with Village Attorney Rob Halpin. Howell said he wanted to look at the parcel of land.
• The board voted to deny a request for a freestanding boat lift at the marina dock. Kelley said the board had denied a similar request two years ago.
• All of the street resurfacing projects were approved. Howell added he wondered why Ayers Street was not on the list. Kelley said the village would get Greg Mathews, county highway superintendent, to find out what it would cost to work on that street. Howell explained he visited many of the streets listed to see how much in need of work they were.
• The board agreed to declare a 2004 tractor surplus to be sold. The village’s 1997 John Deere tractor was also on the agenda to become surplus, and a new Kubota tractor would be purchased. The new tractor would have been used by the highway department and at the sewer plant. Howell said if one tractor was going to be used by both departments then it would need to be cleaned after every use at the sewer plant. He argued that instead the village should just keep the John Deere tractor, which is already being used at the sewer plant, and purchase the Kubota. Kelley added that the purchase of the new tractor was factored into the budget.
• Work to restore Mike Barra’s driveway to its former state will be put on the highway department’s work list. Kelley said Barra had sent a letter to the board wanting $1,400 to do the work himself after the driveway was not restored the first time. She explained that the village’s work on a water-main break ended up tearing up Barra’s driveway. She said it would be paved and put back to its previous state, but the village cannot give him the money to do it himself.
• Kelley said the rain garden outside the village hall will be planted by the 4-H Saturday, May 16 at 10 a.m.
The next regular board meeting is Monday, May 18 at 7 p.m.
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