By RICK MILLER
Olean Star
LITTLE VALLEY — Joseph E. Higgins of Allegany was recognized by Cattaraugus County lawmakers Wednesday for his contributions over 34 years on the Industrial Development Agency board of directors.
Higgins, 89, who resigned from the IDA board on July 22, was succeeded by farmer Assemblyman Joseph Giglio of Gowanda, who was apppointed by legislators last month.
Legislature Chairman Andrew Burr, R-Gowanda, said Higgins “demonstrated unwavering loyalty not only to the IDA, but to the community as a whole, serving on the Olean Chamber of Commerce, Allegany Central School Board and the Allegheny River Trail Advisory Committee.”
Higgins was instrumental in developing the Allegheny River Valley Trail starting in 1992 with the concept of a trail along the river connecting Olean and Allegany. Six years later, the 5.6-mile trail opened to the public. It has grown since then.
Higgins was also a pillar of the business community, Burr said. The Higgins family owned Abbott Welding Supply in Olean for decades.
Higgins thanked legislators and said he enjoyed his service on the IDA board and said Giglio will be a great asset to the board.
He said the county legislature played a big part in the largest project the IDA ever granted tax breaks to — the Great Lakes Cheese plant in Franklinville. County lawmakers provided $8 million to run water and sewer lines from the village of Franklinville to the new plant on Route 16.
Higgins also took the opportunity to relay to county lawmakers something that has bugged him for years.
There are many county signs that read End of 35 MPH Zone, Higgins said. He suggested just putting a 55 MPH sign at the spot where the 35 MPH zone ends. “Why wouldn’t it just say 55?” he asked.
Kellie Roberts, executive director of the SPCA of Cattaraugus County, gave a brief report to legislators on the animal shelter on Route 16 in Olean. Last year the SPCA announced the start of a $6 million fundraising goal to rebuild the 40-year-old shelter.
The SPCA requested $155,000 in the 2027 county budget for its operations, she said.
Roberts said about $450,000 has been raised over the past year. So far the focus has been on major gifts. With the addition of new SPCA board members with skills in marketing and fundraising, efforts to expand the capital campaign will start to ramp up.
A few legislators asked questions regarding proposed contracts to municipalities and not responding to some complaints.
Roberts replied that contracts are being sent to towns for their review.
She also said that there are times when the shelter is full and cannot take any more dogs or cats. The SPCA has reduced the length of stay for dogs and uses more volunteers to foster animals. More animals are being served faster, Roberts added.
She had a suggestion to towns where animal control officers pick up stray dogs: Put a photo of the dog on the town’s website.
During the meeting, legislators approved the sale of County Road 32, also known as Depot Street in EWest Valley to the Town of Ashford. A condition of the transfer is the payment of $45,000 to the town. The funds came from the legislature’s contingent fund.
A five-year contract was approved with the state’s Unified Court System at $203,767 a year for cleaning and maintenance of county court facilities.
Legislators set a public hearing for Oct. 14, on a local law to set boating and camping fees at the county-operated Onoville Marina Park on the Allegheny Reservoir.
The new fees — daily, weekly and seasonal — will be effective Jan. 1, 2027. The new fee schedule is available on the county’s website cattco.org.
A contract was approved with ConceptPrint, Nyak, NY, for printing 30,000 copies of the 2026 Amish Trail brochure for $10,777.
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