THE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE VILLAGE OF ELLICOTTVILLE AND THE TOWNS OF ELLICOTTVILLE, GREAT VALLEY AND MANSFIELD,
VOLUME 2 ISSUE 16 FREE
NY
www.EllicottvilleTimes.com
JUNE 21-27, 2013
Canoe or Kayak Area’s Scenic Waters Glimpse Eagles, Ospreys and Other Wildlife It’s beginning to feel like summer. Finally. The temperatures are warming up and so is the water. It’s time to grab the paddles and jump in. Here are some of the best places to take your canoe or kayak to cool off this season. Allegheny River: One of the best sections of this river to float is from the Kinzua Dam down to Warren, Pa. This portion of river is 6.5 miles of great scenery and gentle flow. This float makes for a relaxing day since it requires very little thinking because of the lack of big rocks or rapids. This also makes it very beginner friendly for anyone new to the sport. This section follows PA Route 59 through the Allegheny National Forest. The potential is high for viewing eagles, ospreys, and other wildlife, including the occasional black bear or whitetail deer crossing the river. Allegheny Outfitters is located in Warren, Pa., and offers boat rentals along with a shuttle service for this float. They also offer options for longer floats to locations further down river. Clarion River: The Clarion River is another watershed that runs through portions of the Allegheny National Forest. The closest option for this river is from Ridgeway, Pa., down to Portland Mills boat ramp. This section is roughly 8.5 miles with nothing but forest along its banks. There is very little development along this section and is also another great float for viewing wildlife. Many birds of prey, deer and turkey frequent this area. The Clarion is a much smaller river compared to the Allegheny, so you may have to pay attention for some rocks and shallow gravel bars depending on how
© 2013 KEYSTONE DESIGNERS
By Brian Minich
While Visiting, Make Time to Explore Ellicottville’s Scenic Waterways
See Canoe or Kayak page 4
Finnegan’s Wake
A Fundraiser for the Jefferson Street Cemetery By Stephanie Keis Timblin
raise funds for the continued restoration of the Jefferson Street cemetery. The cemetery was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2012 through the dedicated efforts of the committee. Established in 1817, the cemetery was the first to serve the Village of Ellicottville and contains over 400 burial plots, several of which are considered “paupers graves.” The committee plans to purchase a monument to honor those laid to rest without stones or markers. “Finnegan’s Wake” is an Irish ballad that became a music hall tradition in the 1850s. The song “Finnegan’s Wake” is known to be a staple of the Irish folk music group The Dubliners, and was most recently recorded by Irish-American Celtic punk band the Dropkick Murphy’s. In the traditional version, Tim Finnegan is born “with a love for the liquor,” falls from a Gail Carucci, Bob McCarthy, and Mary Elizabeth ladder, breaks his skull and is thought to be dead. The mourners at his wake become rowdy and Dunbar at the Jefferson Street Cemetery.
In cooperation with the Ellicottville Rotary and the volunteer members of the Jefferson Street Cemetery Restoration and Preservation project, led by local philanthropist Robert McCarthy, a truly unique and Irish whiskeyinfused fundraiser will be held on Friday, July 19 at the Gin Mill, in downtown Ellicottville, to
Photo by Jennie Acklin
See Finnegan’s Wake page 3
New Summer Music Festival Lineup Get ready for Friday, July 5 of the Ellicottville Summer Music Festival with a completely different event than Ellicottville has ever hosted before. The Mountain of Laughs “ A HILL-
arious Event” sponsored by the Lucille Ball Comedy Festival has just added two new acts and an MC to their already stellar lineup. The star comedian Tammy Pescatelli, winner of Comedy Central’s Stand-up Showdown and finalist on NBC’s Last Comic Standing 2, will be headliner for the “Mountain of Laughs” evening. Considered by her national following as “the kind of woman you wish was your sister or best friend,” Tammy has borrowed from her rich Italian upbringing in Cleveland, to share advice on everything from drinking tips to ways of keeping you grounded … all the while making sure the laughs are coming from good clean humor. See Festival Lineup page 5
Great Valley Assessments Accurate After Revaluation
By Jann Wiswall
In 2011, the Town of Great Valley received the results of a revaluation of property assessments of all parcels in the municipality. The last revaluation had not been done since at least 1954 when records started being kept. Great Valley’s board had
been advised for decades by the town’s assessors, county officials and others to undertake the long-overdue revaluation. Although they can be grueling, expensive and time-consuming, revaluations are important to ensure that taxpayers are not paying more or less than their share
of municipal, county, fire department and school taxes. Unfortunately, they also can be unpopular among taxpayers who fear an increase in taxes. The board ultimately realized that the benefits far outweighed the risks. The result of the revaluation, See GV Assessments page 7
Ellicottville Reviews East Tank Town’s EQ Rate Remains at 100 Percent By Jann Wiswall
The Town of Ellicottville’s Board was encouraged Wednesday evening by a presentation from Dennis Fisher, Customer Relationship Manager of the State’s Office of Real Property Tax Services (ORPTS). Fisher reported that the town once more has a 100 percent Equalization (EQ) Rate for 2013-14. The EQ rate is a measure used by the state to ensure that municipalities
assess properties at full market value in order to equitably distribute school and county taxes. A 100 percent EQ rate is the gold standard of EQ rates. In addition to the presentation from ORPTS, the board was updated on a number of projects by Supervisor John Burrell. Burrell reported that the new courtroom at the Extension Service Building is nearing completion and renovations
of the auditorium are going smoothly. The budget will not allow for complete renovation of the restrooms in the building, however Burrell is pursuing outside funding in order to make those and other potential renovations. Burrell also reported that he had received a letter from the Teamsters giving notice that the union intends to amend its bargaining agreement by the See Town East Tank page 8
Mansfield Reviews Town Insurance Policy Reappoints Assessor
By Jann Wiswall
Annual reviews of municipal insurance policies may sound dull, but when a municipality has had a fire and experienced firsthand a major insurance settlement, you can be sure that the new policy will cover every base. That was the primary task
for the Mansfield Town Board and answering questions and at its Monday, June 17 meeting, making recommendations in which has been dealing with response to questions from the aftermath of the Town the board, Town Supervisor Highway Garage fire since last Bob Keis and acting Highway October. Superintendent Brad Hurley. Evans Agency agent Jeff The policy covers all Miller walked the board municipally owned buildings through the entire policy and vehicles, employee for nearly two hours, asking See Mansfield Town Board page 8