By RICK MILLER
Olean Star
OLEAN — A proposed parking ban on 12th Street was postponed indefinitely by the Olean Common Council Tuesday following residents’ concerns that a total ban was unnecessary.
Council President John Crawford, D-Ward 5 and Alderman Vernon Robinson Jr., had proposed a weekday parking ban on 12th Street between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. in a bid to increase safety during opening and dismissal at nearby Washington West Elementary School.
During Tuesday’s Committee of the Whole, both council members said they had received several calls from 12th Street residents who said they would face parking problems under the proposed ban. The problem is mostly limited to the 200 block of 12th Street, Crawford said.
Robinson said initial acceptance of the proposed parking ban turned sour when those people affected by the ban started making phone calls. “I’m not opposed to moving it (ban) to the 200 block, but it creates an issue in the 100 block and 300 block.” Residents were also afraid that without parking along 12th Street, more motorists would speed down the street, he said.
Crawford said he “didn’t have any problem” with limiting the 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekday ban to the 200 block of 12th Street, but that a vote would have to be delayed until next month because of the change.
Prior to the regular meeting, several residents spoke during the public comment to ask that the council reconsider the parking ban due to a lack of off-street parking.
Some of those who spoke blamed some of the problems from a commercial business parking vehicles on the street in the 100 block. It adds to the traffic congestion and impedes school buses and ambulances that frequent the street. Some complained of semis on the street that is flagged for local deliveries only.
The council is expected to take up the issue again in about two weeks, with the limited weekday parking ban covering the 200 block on 12th Street only.
Aldermen approved a resolution Robinson sponsored asking the state Department of Transportation to repair potholes in eastbound and westbound lanes of Interstate 86 between exit 24 in Allegany and exit 25 at Buffalo Street in Olean.
“It looks like a minefield,” Robinson said of the pavement that is excessively pot-marked in the driving lane in both directions. The pot holes need to be fixed permanently.
“It really is unsafe,” said Councilwoman Sonya McCall, D-Ward 4. She suggested the city seek similar resolutions of support from the towns of Allegany and Hinsdale.
Alderman David Anastasia, D-Ward 7, said copies of the resolution should be sent to regional and local DOT offices and to elected state representatives.
Aldermen backpedaled on a plan to create a historic monument from the Roosevelt-Higgins oak tree in Lincoln Park.
After discussing plans to remove all but 10-12 feet of the tree for a memorial that would include the likenesses of Roosevelt, the 26th president and Higgins, then governor of New York, alderman expressed concern over possible vandalism of the monument, then voted to remove the entire tree and give it to the historical society.
The council also agreed to save portions of the tree that could be made into park benches.
Mayor Bill Aiello said he met last week with Steve Teachman, president of the Olean Historical and Preservation Society, and representatives of National Grid, which has trimmed the tree for the city over the years and suggested it be removed due to rot.
National Grid said it could leave the bottom 10-12 feet of the tree which could then be carved. Cutting it at the base would stop the decay and preserve the tree for carving and display, the mayor said. “The key is to get it down before it comes down.”
Crawford acknowledged the concept of carving the monument in place, but expressed concern over possible vandalism. The project could be carried out at the society’s nearby Carriage House, which was part of the Higgins estate.
The mayor said he was told by National Grid that if the bottom 10-12 feet of the tree were not removed at ground level and the monument carved in place, it might last for another 20 years. By removing it at the base, it would last longer, he said he was told. If removed at the base, it could be re-installed at the site.
Crawford said the tree would no longer be a problem once it is fully removed and donated to the historical society, which could then carve it off-site.
The resolution to leave the bottom 10-12 feet of the tree for a monument was postponed indefinitely by the council.
Teachman, historical society president, said Wednesday he was “very frustrated and disappointed the council could find a way to work with us to save the bottom part of the tree. It would be a landmark for our city.”
Teachman expressed thanks for the city saving parts of the tree for benches and other memorabilia, including a 4-foot section for the Higgins museum.
He added: “I guess they don’t care much about history.”
The council appeared receptive to Teachman’s initial overture to save the bottom part of the historic tree for a memorial carving by Eric Jones. It appeared on track for approval Tuesday until vandalism issues were raised by aldermen.
Teachman said the vandalism issue could be resolved by putting up a plexiglass shield or other enclosure.
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