Maybe Niagara Falls will get LED lights after all.
Three weeks after an angst-ridden episode where Mayor Robert Restaino failed to raise a quorum for a special session of the City Council, the deadline-specific action item is back on the dais after it turns out that National Grid deadline was not so firm after all.
The project, to add LED lighting throughout the city, together with other technology as a part of the light delivery system. The plan is pending council approval, to enter into a purchase and sale agreement and licensing agreement with National Grid.
These documents had been reviewed and placed before the council on May 17th with a deadline for approval being May 24th. The council had no scheduled meeting before that deadline on May 24th.
Council Chairperson David Zajac had a previous engagement on the day of the special meeting. Councilpersons Dontae Myles and Vincent Cauley didn’t attend. No action could be taken without a quorum present.
The Executive Office began conversations with National Grid with the hope of extending the deal with the same terms and conditions of the previous agreement. After some discussion National Grid agreed to extend the deadline date 30 days from May 24th with the same terms and conditions.
Mayor Restaino says in a statement “We are pleased that National Grid has agreed to extend the former agreement with the same terms and conditions and with their continued partnership on this important project for our city.”
A National Grid Representative says, “National Grid is continuing to work with the city of Niagara Falls to successfully complete the purchase and conversion of their street light assets.”
Because the city council’s next meeting is not until June 28, which is a date after the 30-day extension, the administration has reached out to council members to schedule a meeting for approval of the agreement with National Grid prior to the current deadline.
Myles remains skeptical of the plan.
“It’s ironic this extension happened the day after our meeting and he also wants to add managing Sal Maglie,” Myles said.
“I’m wondering why he’s putting it on a special meeting and not allowing us to have input.”
Myles understanding was the project will require additional city workers to maintain the system which would come online during the next 4-year mayoral term.
Myles said he would favor converting the lights but not purchasing the lights because as he sees it “we can’t handle what we got.”
The release announcing the project came from Aaron Ferguson, the fourth public information officer of the Restaino administration.
Myles and crew have to forget their differences with the mayor and get on the Led lighting program . Led will bring us up to date , lower our bills , give us a brighter , safer city .
More importantly the parents of Gaskill students have not been directly engaged to discuss this matter and it's been almost a month now.
Patchy rain nearby, with a high of 50 and low of 32 degrees. Overcast for the morning, patchy rain nearby in the afternoon, clear for the evening, overcast overnight.
Thanks for covering this event. Maybe next time I will send you a drone picture of all 200 of us, and you can then post that.
Does anyone know the proper process in Niagara Falls, NY for getting bulk trash or debris removed from a private yard? I’m trying to figure out who handles it and what steps residents are supposed to follow.
I would say organize a group of people to address the property you are concerned about and bring it to the curb on May 9, the annual Niagara Beautification Commission cleanup. Casella will pick it up.
53° and Clear
