Unconfirmed members of Olean Zoning Board of Appeals confirmed by aldermen

By RICK MILLER

Olean Star

OLEAN — In a short meeting Tuesday, the Olean Common Council confirmed several mayoral appointments to the Zoning Board of Appeals.

Five of the six were reappointments of Zoning Board of Appeals members, although none of their terms had expired. The other was an appointment to the board.

Members Otto Tertinek, Kelly Sweet, William Eaton, Steven Rogers and James Rucinski were reappointed to seven-year terms. 

Council President Vernon Robinson Jr., D-Ward 6, cast a no vote on Rogers’ appointment. Aldermen Lawrence Bennion Jr., R-Ward 1, and Jessica Forney, R-Ward 3, were absent.

Robinson said the appointments made by former Mayor Bill Aiello had not previously been confirmed by the council. The appointments were made individually so the council didn’t have to vote on everyone at once, he said. 

“The council was basically making these appointments legal on paper despite some serving for months now,” Robinson told the Olean Star.

The council also voted 5-0 to confirm a new member to the Zoning Board of Appeals, Linda Edstrom to a seven-year term.

There was no word on whether board members James Dwaileebe and Thomas Enright would be reappointed. 

In other action, aldermen amended the city code to prohibit parking on the southeast corner of North Ninth Street at its intersection with Washington Street for a distance of 20 feet.

Alderwoman Sonya McCall, D-Ward 4, reminded her colleagues that The Shops on Union were having a Ladies Night Out Thursday (Feb. 12) from 5-8 p.m.

The stores are looking to bring more people downtown to shop, McCall said. The store will be offering drinks, treats, specials and more. Each store will be offering something unique. 

Participating stores include: For Crafts Sake, Christie’s Boutique, The Hatch Cafe, The Paper Factory, Kaleidoscope Boutique and Gallery, Armond’s Olean Wellness Store, Eatery and Jason Clemons Salon.