By RICK MILLER
Olean Star
The Olean Common Council voted 6-1 to approve a $2.1 million bond to build a new inclusive playground and other new features including a dog park at Marcus Park at Tuesday’s meeting.
The 3.5-acre city park at North 15th and West Sullivan streets will get a new inclusive playground, thanks to a $600,000 grant from InTandem. The city has also received $1.2 million in state grants for the playground.
The playground will also get new ADA compliant restrooms, a picnic area with tables, grills and a new shelter, youth ballfield, fenced dog park and a shared use path to connect with the Allegheny River Valley Trail. The project will include trees for shade in the picnic area and fenced dog park measuring 200 feet by 106 feet.
Alderman David Anastasia, D-Ward 7, voted no, saying he thought the city was $500,000 short. Mayor Bill Aiello said the city’s share now is about $200,000.
Ward 6 Alderman Vernon Jordan Jr., proposed the park’s upgrading.
The Marcus Park project first received a $500,000 grant from the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation in 2023. In December 2024, the Western New York Council of Economic Development announced another $750,000 grant.
The underutilized public space space at Marcus Field was last used for an adult softball league. It will be repurposed as a youth softball field.
Aldermen voted unanimously to approve a $977,158 bond for reconstruction work on the swimming pool at the William O. Smith Recreation Center.
The cost will be paid for from a state grant for rehabilitation of municipal swimming pools, according to the mayor. The city fronts the cost of the reconstruction and awaits reimbursement from the state.
The work was prompted by the failure of the sand filter system and the deterioration of the original pipes recirculating water in the city pool. The pool may be ready for swimming later in the season.
Currently, a splash pad is being installed next to the pool area.
Following a brief executive session, the council voted 7-0 to appoint James Sprague as the new director of Public Works. He succeeds Ben Slotman. In brief remarks, Sprague said he looked forward to the challenge and would begin work on Monday.
The council also approved by a 6-1 vote with Alderman Lawrence Bennion Jr. voting no, a resolution stipulating that sales tax projections be limited to 98% of sales tax receipts received during the previous calendar year.
This was in reaction to a projected $1 million shortfall in sales tax receipts this year due to a too rosy projection at budget time last year. The mayor announced the shortfall earlier this year along with efforts to control expenses including permission for purchases and overtime.
Aldermen also approved a resolution requiring the city’s financial books be closed out by Sept. 1.
Alderman Sonya McCall, D-Ward 4, was the only councilman to vote against moving the public comment portion from the beginning to the end of the meeting.
The mayor also presented commendations to members of the Olean Special Olympics team headed by Dr. Karl Case.
IN OTHER ACTION, aldermen:
- Voted to transfer $76,714 into a new capital fund
For water reservoir cleaning and inspection.Amend the city code to increase the daily peddlers fee from $12 to $20.
Transferred $4,694 remaining in the First Time Homebuyer account to the Louis Magnano Fund.
Declared the month of April to be Fair Housing Month.
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All Rights Reserved. Star News LLC. Eric M. Firkel.
