Village of Ellicottville Receives NYCOM Achievement Award
Village of Ellicottville Receives NYCOM Achievement Award
Ellicottville recognized by NY State Conference of Mayors for innovative “Dig Once” project
ALBANY - The New York State Conference of Mayors (NYCOM) has selected the Village of Ellicottville as a winner of NYCOM’s Local Government Achievement Award for 2025. This award recognizes the Village for its innovative “Dig Once” Project.
In commenting on the award, NYCOM President RuthAnn Loveless stated, “Ellicottville’s Dig Once Project is a strong example of smart, coordinated planning that leads to long-term cost savings and improved public services. By proactively aligning infrastructure upgrades, the Village demonstrated forward-thinking leadership that other municipalities can learn from. I congratulate Mayor Burrell, Deputy Mayor Doug Bush, the dedicated members of the Village Board, and Village Clerk/Manager Amy Hayward for this achievement.”
The “Dig Once” Project emerged from the Village’s commitment to minimizing disruption and maximizing efficiently by coordinating utility upgrades beneath the same trench whenever possible. The project brought together multiple municipalities such as agencies and utility providers to align improvements in water, sewer, village parking and streetscape infrastructure, reducing repeated excavation and saving taxpayer dollars over time.
Mayor Burrell attributed the success of the project “to inter-municipal cooperation with Cattaraugus County and Town of Ellicottville.” Partnerships from the private sector such as Barton & LoGuidice and JD Northrup Construction also provided valuable insight and collaboration throughout.
In addition to lower long-term costs, the initiative has enhanced the reliability of services, improved the Village’s aesthetics, and positioned Ellicottville for future development without the burden of redundant construction. It serves as a model for how rural communities can modernize infrastructure while maintaining their charm and fiscal responsibility.
The award will be presented on May 29th at NYCOM’s Annual Meeting in Bolton Landing. NYCOM represents 578 cities and villages in New York State and has been in existence since 1910.