Published: October 26, 2009 09:38 pm      

VILLAGE OF LEWISTON: Soluri's sendoff includes Silo vote

Richard Soluri’s final meeting as mayor of the Village of Lewiston featured a vote on a controversial caboose, a group of thankful pet owners and their dogs and well wishes from many of the people who worked with him throughout the years.

Soluri announced last month his intention to step down as mayor following more than 15 years on the job.

In one of his final actions as a village official, Soluri on Monday joined two members of the town board in granting approval for an agreement that will allow the owner of the Silo Restaurant to place a railroad caboose at Lewiston Landing as part of an expansion project.

A long-time advocate for various improvement efforts at the Silo site over the years, Soluri said he believes bringing the caboose to Lewiston will not only benefit the village financially but add to the attractiveness of the community’s waterfront.

“I don’t have to apologize for the way I feel about this project because we have offered so much for the entire community at that area,” Soluri said.

The caboose in question once stood near the former site of Ted Mars Delicatessen off Hyde Park Boulevard in Niagara Falls. The 1890s-era wooden caboose was purchased by Silo owner Alan Hastings who wants to move it onto the restaurant property for use as an ice cream stand. On Monday, the board agreed in a 3-2 vote to approve a development plan for the addition. Joining Soluri in support of the effort were board members Michael Marra and William Geiben. While the caboose proposal has drawn criticism from some residents who expressed concern about its potential to detract from the view of the waterfront, both Marra and Geiben said they do not believe obstruction will be an issue and the project will have more positive than negative results.

“I think it’s going to bring more people to the Village of Lewiston,” Marra siad.

Board members Terry Collesano and Ron Winkley voted against the proposal. Collesano expressed concerns about the village’s handling of it, saying he believes the restaurant owner should have requested a variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals before being allowed to move forward. Winkley commended Hastings for abiding by the village’s requests and adjusting his plans to make them less intrusive on the waterfront, but said he could not support the project because he still believes it will hurt the view.

“I just don’t see that fitting there,” he said.

Laurie Finn, a North Water Street resident who attended Monday’s meeting, agreed. Finn also questioned the board’s decision to alter an existing agreement that requires the restaurant owner to make annual payments to the village. Finn said she does not believe the amounts covered under the new deal will bring enough money into the village to justify the changes to the community’s view of the river.

“I don’t think the village is getting enough in return for giving up that much space,” she said.

Soluri said the Silo owner paid the village $7,600 in rent last year. Under the new deal, he said Hastings will be expected to make payments totaling $8,000 in 2010, $9,000 in 2011 and $10,000 in 2012.

Following Monday’s vote by the board, Hasting’s said he’s waiting for the new rental agreement to be signed, but is hopeful to be able to move the caboose into place later this year. He believes the caboose will offer a new feel to the restaurant.

“It’s going to be a relief to be able to have an uncluttered space to offer to the customers,” Hastings said.

Also on Monday, several representatives from the Lewiston Dog Owners Group brought their dogs with them into village hall to thank Soluri and the board for their support for a plan to develop a dog park in the village. The proposed park would provide local dog owners with an area where they could allow their pets to enjoy the outdoors without being attached to leashes. Village officials are looking to develop one on the eastern corner of the Lewiston Plateau area.

“These guys are some of the guys who are going to be benefiting from your very wise decision,” said LDOG member Molly Chamberlain.

When the dogs and their owners were finished thanking Soluri, the board members, department heads and village employees who worked with him throughout the years took their turn.

Treasurer Anne Welch choked back tears while saying her final farewell.

“It’s been great working with you,” she said. “I’m going to miss you and your sense of humor.”

Board members and other department heads generally agreed that the village will not be quite the same without Soluri as its mayor. Several credited Soluri with guiding the successful development along Center Street and for always promoting the village with a sense of great pride.

“I must say that your heart is with the village and it’s shown over the years,” Collesano said.

“Lewiston changed when you came,” Winkley added. “Lewiston will be missing you when you leave.”

Soluri thanked the other members of the board and commended the village department heads and employees for putting up with him and helping him look good throughout the years. He encouraged them to continue to have pride in the village.

“That’s really what I tried to impart,” Soluri said. “We have a great community. The community will be better if you work harder and really care about what you’re doing.”

He also thanked the many local volunteers and volunteer organizations for helping him by doing a lot of thankless and important work within the village. And all those who stopped him to say thanks during his many tours of the village.  “There isn’t a day when I walked up Center Street that I didn’t get a hug,” Soluri said.

“Usually elected leaders, nobody likes them. I’m proud to say that I think most everybody does care about me.”