THE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE VILLAGE OF ELLICOTTVILLE AND THE TOWNS OF ELLICOTTVILLE, GREAT VALLEY AND MANSFIELD,
VOLUME 2 ISSUE 10 FREE
NY
www.EllicottvilleTimes.com
MAY 10-16, 2013
Nannen Arboretum Fundraiser/Garden Party Set for August 17 By Jann Wiswall
© 2013 KEYSTONE DESIGNERS
The Town of Ellicottville and the Nannen Arboretum Society are in the midst of planning what promises to be a grand garden party at Ellicottville’s grandest garden! The Nannen Arboretum, a non-profit entity, which is cared for by an all-volunteer committee of dedicated master gardeners and interested others, is in desperate need of funds to keep up with maintenance of the 8-acre park since funding was pulled by the state in 2011. Under the leadership of the park’s new owner — the Town of Ellicottville — a fundraiser has been scheduled for Saturday, August 17, with proceeds going to support what many refer to as the “crown jewel” of Ellicottville. While plans are still preliminary, Ellicottville Town Supervisor John Burrell said there are many activities already in the works for this day and evening-long event. The centerpiece of the event will be the Andrew Phelan Memorial Croquet Tournament. Phelan, an attorney and Ellicottville fixture, who passed away on February 20, 2013, held a memorable annual croquet party at his and wife Barbara’s home for many years. The Arboretum tournament, which is being coordinated by their son, Sean Phelan, “seemed a fitting tribute to Andy, whose impact on the community will be felt for decades to come,” said Burrell. The tournament, which will take place on the large soccer field next to the Fire Station across Fillmore Street from the Extension Service Building/ Arboretum, will be open to people of all ages. Burrell imagines players dressed in traditional white outfits filling the area during the afternoon, and then strolling over to the Arboretum where food (including a pig roast), iced See Arboretum Fundraiser page 2
Tips Up Café Announces New Staff, New Look Reopens Friday, May 10 By Jann Wiswall
More than a few Ellicottville residents are probably suffering some pretty strong cravings for a pesto pizza from Tips Up Café, so they’ll be thrilled to know that the restaurant is reopening
for dinner and carry out on Friday, May 10. Tips Up has been closed for renovations for a couple of weeks now, but that’s not all that owners Judy and Ken Roush are ready to announce. The biggest news is that Ken is planning a gradual retirement and is turning over his job to their son Anton. Anton, an Ellicottville Central School graduate who has a business management degree from West Virginia University, will be involved in both front- and back-of-house operations. Over the course of the next year or so, Ken (as well as Judy, who is not retiring) will be teaching Anton everything he knows, but Anton will be adding a fresh perspective from his several years of working in restaurants in northern California. “We’ll be making some subtle changes to the
ECS 2013-14 Budget Highlights Include Investments in Technology & Curriculum
By Mark J. Ward, Superintendent of Schools
The following article is reprinted with permission from the May 2013 issue of the Ellicottville Central School newsletter. For additional information, including detailed, estimated revenues and expenses, see the full newsletter at www.ellicottvillecentral.com.
The board of education and administration have spent nearly four months developing a sound spending plan for district voters to consider. With the increasing costs associated
with operating a school, we are constantly looking at ways to strike a balance between needs and affordability. We have worked very hard to maintain programs, provide opportunities and support the educational needs of our students. The district has invested a great deal of “resources” in upgrades involving technology throughout the school building. We have replaced 15-yearold wiring and equipment
throughout the building and have created a wireless learning environment for our students. Upwards of 150 new computers will be purchased that will meet the new standards required for testing in New York State. Additional funds are being used to buy textbooks, learning materials and curriculum work as we begin to fully implement new Core Curriculum. BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS: See ECS Budget page 6
Special School Board Meeting Good Times’ Coming Your Way to Authorize BOCES Contract See Tips Up page 9
By Jann Wiswall
Recreation Facility Provides Family Fun BY
EVA POTTER
Ellicottville is filled with year round outdoor adventure opportunities, and sports enthusiasts will soon have another option with the opening of a new recreation facility in Olean aimed at
active family and adult entertainment. Shannon Barie, marketing manager for Good Times of Olean, said the facility has been in the planning stages for over two years. West Long and Todd Scott, owners of Good Times, have conducted extensive research and have involved community leaders, business owners as well as the general public in developing the facility to meet the community’s needs. The partners have also met with regional chambers of commerce to cross promote events and activities in the entire Enchanted Mountain region to encourage local engagement and tourism. The $7 million facility promises to provide be a great complement to hiking, biking, swimming and all the other outdoor activities the region offers — especially on rainy days. No more children whining, “I’m so bored!” Now See Good Times page 2
The ECS Board of Directors held a special meeting on Tuesday, May 7 to approve a contract with Erie 1 BOCES to authorize the Western New York Regional Information Center to furnish “computer services to the District … for an amount not to exceed $115,843.20 and authorizes 60 monthly payments to be made to Erie 1 BOCES in the amount not to exceed $1,930.72.” The special meeting was called in order to approve the contract during this school year so that state aid on about $55,000 of the contract can be reimbursed to ECS during the 2013-14 school year. In other business, ECS Superintendent Mark Ward
invited School Nurse Kim Watt to explain to the board some policy changes her office recommends. Watt explained that she has received clarification from the state regarding requirements for sports physicals. As has always been true, all student athletes must have a physical from their regular physicians each year to clear them to play — those physicals stay in effect for 12 months. In the past, the school also has conducted basic physicals for all student athletes. The state, however, does not require a school physical in addition to the doctor’s physical. Going forward, Watt said she will be communicating to all parents and students to
remind them to schedule their regular physicals. Without the appropriate paperwork on file with the nurse’s office, students may not begin practice. To make things as convenient as possible, Watt will be posting all related instructions and downloadable forms on the nurse’s office website. In addition, Watt will be in the office for the entire week before new sports seasons start to receive and check off required paperwork. Watt also will be posting forms related to children with allergies and other known conditions, including parents’ instructions for emergency care. She also will remind parents to keep her office See BOCES Contract page 5