Town of Newstead adopts Code changes, fire contract

Newstead Town Board members voted to approve some code changes, adopt a fire contract for the northeast portion of the Town, and approved a site plan during their meeting Monday night.

In unanimous votes, the Board amended the Uniform Construction Codes to update a static reference to tables contained in the Fire Code of New York State and to govern parking garages as defined in a newly created Section 150-19.  The Board also unanimously adopted Local Law No. 4 of the Year 2020, “2020 Amendments to the Unsafe Buildings Law of the Town of Newstead.”  The law removes a static, now inaccurate reference to the Property Maintenance Code of New York State, now stating that the provision of the amended chapter will be in addition to, and in furtherance of, the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code.  No residents had appeared at previous public hearings on these changes to comment.

Fire contract

The fire contract for the Newstead Response Zone 2 with the Newstead Fire Company Inc for 2021-2022 was approved by the Board.

No one appeared to speak at a previously held public hearing on the Fire and Emergency Services Contracts with the Newstead Fire Company, Inc. for a two-year period commencing on January 1, 2021 and terminating on December 31, 2022.  The contract provides that payments in each year under the Fire and Emergency Services Contract will be $30,600 for 2021and $30,212 for 2022 for the northeast portion of the Town.

Supervisor David L. Cummings stated during that public hearing that the Akron Fire Company and Village of Akron had been approached relative to that contract, but the Town had not received information they requested from the Akron Fire Company prior to the hearing, and the Newstead Fire Company was ready to accept the contract as written.

Site Plan approval

A site plan application from Niagara Specialty Metals to construct a 32,400 sq. ft. building addition at the southwest corner of the property at 12600 Clarence Center Road, and a 732 sq. ft. building addition on the east side of the property was approved.  The plan including regrading the area around the new additions, providing a new septic system and water service was approved.

Supervisor David Cummings read a letter from a neighbor to the project expressing concerns over existing noise and odors coming from the existing facility during a public hearing prior to the Board’s regular meeting.  Board members noted that odors were not from this company.  Another Jackson Street resident presented a petition with 27 signatures noting that the signers were not against the request site plan approval, but were a request for Niagara Specialty Metals to mitigate “loud manufacturing noises,” after 9 p.m.  The presenter of the petition asked that installation of a sound wall be considered as part of the expansion project.

The President of the company indicated the expansion will result in quieter operation with less vibration and noise. As saws are moved into the new addition and a new, larger quieter mill is install.  He also indicated he would look into other sound abatement options.

Public Hearing set

Board members set a public hearing on a site plan/special use permit request from Arrowhead Timberlodge LLC for construction of a 175 kW Solar Development in the R-A zoning district at 12292 Clarence Center Road to provide utility savings to the Arrowhead Golf Course, Clubhouse and The Sterling banquet facility in the Town of Newstead.  The hearing will be held at 7:25 p.m. on December 14.

Other approvals

Board members approved a lateral restriction hardship request for 4466 Ayers Road. Temporary Special Use Permits – Review for 2021 Home-Based Business in RA Zone were approved for WNY Woodworks, 12050 McNeeley, custom woodworking shop; Tonawanda General Concrete 12509 Stage, concrete contracting; United Technology Services, 12884 Nice Rd., lab/computer equipment repair; Ret Rescue Rx 7429 Sandhill, on-line pharmacy-pet meds.

Temporary Special Use Permits – Review for 2021 – Used Auto Sales – C2 Zone were approved for Champion Auto Locators, 11678 Main, Dealer’s Choice, 11520 Main, and Smith Auto Sales & Service 11372 Main, used auto sales; and for M. Shields Enterprises LLC, 12690 Main, used auto equipment, sales, repair and storage.

Building permits

Board members received a report of building permits issued from November 6 to November 19 which incudes a roof at 13409 Bloomingdale Rd., new deck at 11313 Miland Rd., roof at 43 Golden Pond Est., single family residence at 7178 Sandhill Road.