Ellicottville Village Board Reviews IT Grant, Park Upgrades, Lawn Sign Violations, and Seasonal Projects
Ellicottville Village Board Reviews IT Grant, Park Upgrades, Lawn Sign Violations, and Seasonal Projects
From IT upgrades and holiday preparations to park improvements and code enforcement concerns, the Ellicottville Village Board addressed a wide range of community issues at its November meeting.
The Ellicottville Village Board covered a full slate of updates at its November meeting, ranging from infrastructure projects and seasonal maintenance to grant opportunities and long-term planning discussions. Department heads and trustees reported steady progress across multiple fronts, including IT improvements, holiday beautification efforts, parks projects, and code enforcement concerns, while the mayor shared updates on state funding applications and ongoing municipal initiatives. Highlights from the meeting are as follows:
Planner Greg Keyser updated the Board on an IT grant he is pursuing on behalf of both the Town and Village. The proposal would fund a combined study to better integrate the various applications and computers currently in use between the two entities. Correspondence has been sent to three current IT vendors, asking for a feasibility study which will guide the next steps. If awarded, the grant would provide $40,000 ($20,000 each to the Town and Village) to move forward with needed upgrades.
Engineer Ben Gross reported that new front doors for the Town/Village Hall are ready and will be installed as soon as they arrive.
Department of Public Works Superintendent Mark Chudy reported that the holiday lights and banners have been installed around the village. He also noted that the wooden holiday cutouts that decorate the front lawn of the 1887 Building each winter received a refresh at BOCES before being placed, just in time for the holiday season.
Trustee Sean Lowes reported that the new dugouts at the village park are coming along; however, due to the time of year, further progress may be limited until spring. Chudy agreed that the project may be on hold through the winter months.
Lowes also raised concerns about an increase in lawn signs being placed around the village in violation of local ordinance. Board members and staff have noticed more signs appearing in recent weeks. The issue will be addressed by code enforcement, with follow-up planned.
Ongoing refuse concerns in Hughey Alley were brought to the Board’s attention. Inappropriate items, including a toilet, have recently been placed in the alley. It was stated at the meeting that the Village is not responsible for handling private business refuse. The Board agreed that more stringent action from Village code and zoning officials is needed and will occur.
Village Clerk Amy Hayward reported that the Board discussed and agreed to remove shrubs along Trillium Way. The work will be handled by the DPW. Hayward is also working on submitting a Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation grant. If awarded, the grant would provide between $10,000 and $25,000, which the Village is proposing to use to convert the old ice skating rink at the Village Park into multiple pickleball courts.
Mayor Burrell noted that applications for the state’s DRI/NY Forward programs have been submitted, and the Village is now waiting for its presentation date.
The Board revisited a tabled request from the Alley Katz group regarding overgrown shrubs and a rhododendron tree in front of Town Hall. A new proposal calls for removing the old shrubs while maintaining the tree. The Board agreed this was a good solution, and the Alley Katz have been notified that they may proceed.
Under New Business, discussion took place regarding the need to fill a vacant fifth seat on the Planning Board. Without a fifth member, the Board cannot reach a quorum if one member is absent. Mayor Burrell also posed a broader question for future discussion: whether it might be time to consider merging the Planning and Zoning Boards, as some smaller municipalities have done. He emphasized that he was not formally proposing the change at this time, but simply raising it for consideration.
The mayor also suggested installing a green directional sign along Route 219 at the entrance to the Wastewater Treatment Plant, reading “Zach Golley WWT Plant.” Chudy noted that such a sign may require NYS Department of Transportation approval. He will look into that, and the County could fabricate the sign if approved. The Board was in agreement with the idea.
One Board trustee asked about the status of new parking signs to better identify the new lot location on Mill Street, an item discussed at prior meetings. Suggested sign locations include the corners of Martha & Jefferson and Martha & Mill. Chudy will determine whether those signs require DOT approval before moving forward.
The next regular meeting of the Ellicottville Village Board is scheduled for Tuesday, December 16, 2025 at 6:00pm at Town Hall. The public is encouraged to attend. For additional information, go to villageofellicottvilleny.gov.
