By RICK MILLER
Olean Star
OLEAN — Mayor Bill Aiello on Tuesday announced the formation of the Olean Homelessness Task Force, a group of 14 community groups and agencies to help city officials deal with the issue some see as a growing problem.
The group’s first meeting is scheduled for Oct. 16.
“Homelessness is a complex issue that a community needs to contend with in a professional and compassionate manner,” Aiello said in a prepared statement.
“I am looking forward to meeting with this group of professionals and believe our collaboration will lead us to a series of strategies and solutions that will benefit both those who struggle with homelessness and the community at large,” Aiello said.
The groups have been asked to send one member each to serve on the task force, Aiello said. They include: Casa-Trinity, Cattaraugus County Department of Community Services, Cattaraugus County Department of Social Services, City of Olean Code Enforcement, City of Olean Common Council, City of Olean Fire Department, City of Olean Police Department, Connecting Communities in Action, Genesis House, Greater Olean Area Churches, Olean City School District, Olean General Hospital, St. Bonaventure University and SUNY JCC–Cattaraugus Campus.
The Common Council established the Homelessness Task Force in order to promote and protect the public health, safety, and welfare of the people of the City of Olean and surrounding communities, and to prepare for and maintain flexibility to take proactive, preventative, and mitigative measures to minimize the adverse impact that homelessness within the city may cause.
During Tuesday’s Common Council meeting, Alderwoman Jennifer Forney, R-Ward 3, said the community has resources to help individuals and families who are homeless. “We need to make them aware of these resources,” she added.
Alderwoman Sonja McCall, D-Ward 4, said the task force was needed because of what seems to be a growing number of homeless people. One person she knew found themself homeless after being evicted from their apartment.
Others, McCall said, find themself homeless due to mental health issues, addiction and poverty.
Council President John Crawford, D-Ward 5, who along with McCall had proposed the Homelessness Task Force over the summer, said he’d like to see a sensible program in place to deal with the homeless.
Aiello said that during the summer, he began to see people hanging around North Union Street and in Lincoln Park who were not from the city. “There are more people coming into the city,” the mayor said after the Common Council meeting.
By selecting organizations that currently deal with the homeless, Aiello said he’s hoping to find the root cause for the recent increase
“Why are they coming to Olean?” Aiello asked. “We want to be very sensitive. What is the answer? What can we do better?”
Crawford congratulated Aiello for appointing the groups and agencies who deal with the homeless. “We wanted to see the players at the table,” he added.
Last week, Crawford said he’d come across what appeared to be a small homeless encampment behind the Pines Nursing Home. He notified police.
Others have reported tents along the dikes from time to time as well. Some people are also believed to be living in side yards and back yards with permission from homeowners. Others move from a couch in one house to a couch in another.
In Salamanca and Jamestown over the summer, police removed people living in tents on public and private property. That is what sparked the discussion among Olean aldermen.
One woman who said her name was Sonja spoke about her concerns about the homeless during the public comment session of the meeting. “The come on my property and smoke and drink and leave things,” said the South Union Street resident.
“The park (Lincoln) here is crazy,” she said. “It would be good if they (Council) can do something to address the situation.”
Aldermen voted unanimously to transfer $30,000 from the Water Fund Contingency account and $76,714 from a Municipal Building HVAC account to pay for costs associated with reservoir cleaning, inspection and mixer installation.
Aiello said a diver would be used to do the cleaning instead of an underwater robot as was initially proposed. A video will be made of the reservoir inspection.
In other news, the mayor issued a proclamation declaring October National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Aiello also thanked members of the Olean Professional Firefighters who wore special Breast Cancer Awareness Month shirts in honor of those who have fought the disease.
