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VOLUME 1 ISSUE 7
SEPTEMBER 9 - 15, 2016
The Official Newspaper
of the Village of Springville, NY Springville-Griffith Institute Central Schools
Oktoberfest Brings Germany to Springville
By Colleen Mahoney
still think out of the box … this is a great opportunity to try some different craft beers.” In addition to the German feast, Fireman’s Park will be filled with music from local favorites. From 2:30 - 5 p.m., the Springville Jazz Orchestra
will play in the beer hall, while Mike Nugent entertains guests in the bar area until 5:30 p.m. Joe Wagner will take over in the bar area at 6 p.m., playing until 10 p.m. In the beer hall, See Oktoberfest page 4
History, Tradition Make Springville Country Club ‘Friendliest’ in WNY
Colleen Mahoney
In its current location, Springville Country Club is a haven for golf players, boasting 18 holes on 112 acres overlooking Zoar Valley and the Cattaraugus Creek. But before they set up holes and hazards, the land was known as Cascade Park. Having gotten its name from the waterfall -- or cascade --
into the creek, the park was a hot spot for visitors from Buffalo, who took the Buffalo, Rochester and Pittsburgh Railway to Springville. Cascade Park included two picnic pavilions, tennis courts, a dance hall and views of the creek banks. In the early 1900s, it became a destination for visitors, with special trains of 10 coaches making the trip
daily. “People enjoyed spending the day at the park … the train would drop them off and they’d be there all day,” Golf Professional Dave Thomas said. “They used to wander down to the creek … they took Lover’s Lane, a path in the woods.” Cascade Park was operated See Springville CC page 3
The Town of Concord Planning Board had a discussion about solar panels at its Sept. 6 meeting. The discussion came after town residents had been approached by solar companies looking to erect panels on their property. Board member James Jozwiak reported on a training he attended as part of the fire department regarding solar panels. Solar Liberty conducted the training, which centered around how to extinguish a fire with solar panels present. Jozwiak reported that the panels are guaranteed to hold in winds up to 110 MPH, and that they cannot be installed to blanket an entire roof. For commercial buildings, there needs to be space around the panels big enough for people to walk around. Residential roofs have to have access for utility workers. Chairman Lawrence Kelly explained that in mid-spring, residents approached the town board regarding the legality of solar panels in the town; currently, there are no laws or codes in the town for solar panels. “The town board put a moratorium … I think six months … on solar panels,” Kelly explained, “to give it time to decide what they want to do.” Kelly said the discussion was very preliminary and the board hasn’t yet decided if it wants to allow solar panels.
Friday, Sept. 9 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the practice fields behind Springville High School See SGI sports page 2
Sept. 14 Night Lights, Griffis Sculpture Park
Currently, the planning board is collecting information and talking with other towns that have passed laws on the energy resource. “We have to get a base map to work from … and put everything together,” planning board member Karl Lux said. The planning board is anticipating the town board will come back to them with recommendations on what other towns are doing, and what they’d like to do. Kelly likened solar panels to wind turbines, for which the planning board also worked on creating codes and laws. Lux agreed, adding that there was a lot of discussion during that time. Moving forward, the plan is to gather as much information as possible and create a plan from there. There was no action taken on the topic. The planning board will next meet Oct. 4 at 7 p.m. in the town hall court room, 86 Franklin St., Springville.
Sept. 16 Gowanda Harley Bike Night, Kissing Bridge Sept. 17 Fall Artisan Fair Granny’s Boot Antiques Springville Sept. 24 Oktoberfest, Fireman’s Park Sept. 24 Autumn Challenge, Sprague Brook Sept. 25 Women’s Fashion Show, presented by Bertrand Chaffee Hospital Sept. 30 SGI Homecoming Parade Oct. 1 SES Color Run
SGI Approves Sodexo Contract
By Colleen Mahoney
Welcome Back and Pre-Game Celebration!
Sept. 11 8 in the Rough Trail Run, Sprague Brook
© 2016 Ellicottville Times / Keystone Designers Inc.
By Colleen Mahoney
Back for the 11th year, the Springville Area Chamber of Commerce’s biggest annual event, Oktoberfest, is only two weeks away – on Saturday, Sept. 24. Village residents and visitors can enjoy a day and evening of live music, traditional German food, craft beer and local wines from Merritt Winery and Ellicottville Winery. The Springville Meat Shoppe will provide bratwurst and bratburgers, other offerings include Spar’s Hungarian and Augsburg sausage, homemade sauerkraut, German potato salad and pretzel sliders. “We try to do everything as traditionally as possible” said Jeanne Ellis, co-chair of the Oktoberfest committee, “but
Concord Planning Upcoming Events Board Discusses Springville Solar Panels Area
The Springville-Griffith Institute Central School Board of Education has approved a one-year contract with Sodexo Food Service to provide cafeteria food for students. The decision came after a special meeting on Sept. 1. The new contract is for the 2016-17 school year with the option to extend for another four years. The board held discussions on contracting with a new provider before deciding to work with Sodexo again. Business Administrator Maureen Lee explained that the price of lunches increased, sending the district on a search for another provider. Lunches themselves increased $0.10,
but the administrative fee increase was close to $6,000. Lee explained that the district pays based on the number of lunches sold in a month, noting that Sodexo is one of the “key players” in the food service provider industry. In 2015-16, the district paid $38,000; with the increase, Lee anticipates the fees to be $48,000. “That’s a significant increase … you can sustain it for this year, but it’s going to start to eat away the fund balance,” Lee said. She noted that the district has seen a decline in the purchase of lunches, but that is beginning to stabilize at the elementary school level. The district also receives subsidies
for the number of free and reduced lunches provided. The board approved the contract in a 5-0 vote; board members Michael Connors and Garret English were not in attendance. The Springville-Griffith Institute Board of Education will next meet on Sept. 12 at 7 p.m., in the High School library and media center.
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