Cattaraugus County Planning Board elects Andrea Mellon as new chairman

By RICK MILLER

Olean Star

LITTLE VALLEY — Andrea Mellon of Ashford has been elected chairman of the Cattaraugus County Planning Board.

Mellon was vice chairman when longtime chairman Charles Couture of West Valley died March 27. She was elected chairman by the board at the May 30 meeting.

Paul Mager of Little Valley was elected vice chairman, Michael Zaprowski of Salamanca was elected secretary and Dan Newbury of Carrollton was elected assistant secretary.

The board also seated two new members, Mike Higgins of Allegany and Terry Hahn of Franklinville.

The board reviewed a proposed expansion at Mystic Waters Campground in the town of Carrollton, but expressed concern that it appears to lie within a floodplain. 

Board members withheld approval and suggested the Carrollton Town Board consult with the state Department of Environmental Conservation.

Some of the features of the proposed expansion at Mystic Waters include a bathhouse, swimming area with sand beach, a five A-frame POD, 12 cabins and 12 sites for recreational vehicles. Also, a fenced dog park and a walking and biking trail along Tuna Creek are included.

Mystic Waters needs site plan approval and a special use permit from the Carrollton Town Board in order to proceed with the expansion.

Crystal Abers, director of the Department of Economic Development, Planning and Tourism, reported thatb the state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation is considering nominating the Nies Block in Salamanca as an historic building on the National Register of Historic Places. The state’s Consolidated Funding Application program is accepting new applications next month and the Nies Block is expected to be one of the candidates.

Abers said the county Planning Department is also looking to update the county’s Comprehensive Plan including a housing study.

Abers also reported that the county operated Onoville Park Marina opened late this year due to high water levels in the Allegheny Reservoir. Some campsites were under water and new restroom facilities hadn’t been wired yet.

The marina, which has docks for nearly 400 boats, opened about 10 days late.