By RICK MILLER
Olean Star
OLEAN — The Olean Common Council failed Tuesday to override a veto by Mayor Bill Aiello of a resolution passed earlier this month to remove decorative lights strung across North Union Street that are currently unworkable.
Three aldermen, Joseph Kearny, R-Ward 2; John Crawford, D-Ward 5, and David Anastasia voted to override the veto, while Lawrence Bennion Jr., R-Ward 1; Sonya McCall, D-Ward 4 and Council President Vernon Robinson Jr., I-Ward 6, voted to uphold the mayor’s veto.
With that 3-3 vote, the mayor’s veto of the resolution to immediately remove the unworking lights on North Union Street was upheld. It would have taken five votes to override the veto.
Prior to the vote, Robinson said it was “a waste of time and money” to try to utilize the existing lights, which are residential grade. Recent testing showed five of the 17 strings of lights did not work.
The council president said he wants the city to work to find an alternate solution. He reminded the aldermen that there is no warranty on the lights and they are subject to pending litigation. “They were a bad investment,” he said. The city should move forward.
“The merchants want to see lights that work,” McCall stated. Later, she said it was unfortunate the council was unable to override the veto. I believe the city residents and businesses deserve better.”
Bennion said five members voted to take the lights down. “I don’t want to continue to put money into them. Let’s start new. Get something that works with a warranty.”
Public Works Director James Sprague said he was also looking into lights that could be installed on the same light poles that illuminate North Union Street to light sidewalk areas.
On another issue, the council approved union contracts for city patrolmen and command officials.
The council met in executive session before the regular meeting where the contracts were reviewed. No details of the contract were disclosed at the meeting.
Aiello also said two new patrolmen who recently completed the Alfred State College Police Academy are in week five of their 13-week field training.
In addition, Aiello said, the city has been notified of a $2 million federal grant through Community Oriented Police Services (COPS) to fully fund six new policemen for five years.
The mayor thanked Police Chief Ronald Richardson for his role in applying for the funding. “It’s a wonderful thing,” he added.
Aldermen awarded a contract for the renovation of the Municipal Building elevator to Bison Elevator Services Inc., and created a $119,065 capital fund from $35,057 in stimulus funds and $84,007 from an Oak Hill Park fund to pay for it.
The council also approved several resolutions related to design and construction inspection work at the Cattaraugus County — Olean Airport in the town of Ischua. The Federal Aviation Administration and New York State Department of Transportation pay 95% of the costs. Cattaraugus County generally pays the city’s portion of the airport projects.
C & S Companies, Buffalo, was chosen to design a new security gate. C&S Engineers was selected to design an Automated Weather Observing System, a Terminal Building septic improvement project, a parking and lighting project and an apron rehabilitation project.
Aldermen also approved a resolution asking the state Department of Environmental Conservation for an extension of a contract for an EV charging station, and to ask National Grid to extend a power line to the site.
The mayor declared October and November Local Manufacturing Months in Olean and praised the partnership between the Cattaraugus-Allegany Dream It Do It and local manufacturers for its role in preparing for the future local workforce needs.
Manufacturers will be hosting tours throughout the period to acquaint local high school students with their operations.
