Boil Water Order lifted in Fredonia for village water customers...
The boil water order for customers of the village of Fredonia's Water System has been lifted. However... residents are still being asked to conserve water to keep the treatment system stable. The Chautauqua County Health Department, and the village jointly announced the lifting of the order about mid-morning Tuesday... noting that turbidity in the distribution system has returned to acceptable levels and two consecutive days of testing indicate that the water throughout the distribution system is safe for drinking, cooking, making ice, and making coffee -- among others. While turbidity levels at the treatment plant are currently in acceptable ranges... officials say a large increase in demand could disrupt the balance that has recently been restored to water treatment plant operations. Ways to conserve water include: taking shorter showers... turning off the water while shaving, washing up, brushing teeth, and washing dishes... do not water lawns and flowers... and, run only full loads in the dishwasher and washing machine. For more information... contact the county Health Department at 753-4481... or the village of Fredonia at 679-2307.
Emergency repair project on large portion of East Second Street in Jamestown completed!...
It took just over a week to complete... but, emergency repairs and paving has been finished on East Second Street in Jamestown. That from City Council Public Works Committee Chairman Randy Daversa during his report at Monday night's Council work session. Daversa says he and other committee members are happy to see the project completed... to get the road to 2026... when a complete reconstruction of the road will be done. Daversa says the westbound driving lane was completely milled and paved... and, the worst spots on the eastbound side were milled and paved. The state... and it's contractor on the repair work brought in a milling machine to help get the old and broken up pavement taken up so new pavement and patchwork could be put in. He says it's a "welcomed sight." The multi-million dollar reconstruction project includes a nearly 3-mile section of East Second Street in the city from Foote Avenue to the city line with Falconer. The project, expected to be substantially complete by the end of 2026, will involve milling and paving, traffic signal upgrades, drainage improvements, and pedestrian enhancements.
Another Air Quality Health Advisory in place for region...
The State Department of Environmental Conservaiton has issued another Air Quality Health Advisory for all of Western and Central New York for today. The advisory runs now until 11 p.m. tonight... and is due to "fine particulate matter" from the on-going wildfires in Canada. The DEC has included both Chautauqua and Cattaraugus Counties in the advisory... and, DEC Meteorologists are predicting levels of pollution, either ozone or fine particulate matter, to exceed an Air Quality Index value of 100. The AQI was created as an easy way to correlate levels of different pollutants to one scale, with a higher AQI value indicating a greater health concern. They are urging the very young and very old... along with those with respiratory issues... to refrain from being outside for any extended period of time.
Ecklund says city moving ahead on new hirings to fill positions at city hall and BPU...
There's been some turn-over in Jamestown city government... and, it's continuing at city hall and at the Board of Public Utilities. That from Jamestown Mayor Kim Ecklund... who says she's still working on whittling down the number of candidates for the fire chief's position... left vacant with the retirement of Matt Coon in early May. In addition... Ecklund says the BPU has begun looking at candidates for General Manager Dave Leathers position once he retires in early 2026. She adds they also have a new senior planner and code enforcement officer coming by the end of July. As for Fire Chief... Ecklund says they have a very capable interim with Battalion Fire Chief Ryan Rousch. She says part of the problem with filling that right now is finding someone either living in the city of Jamestown... or able to move here soon. Ecklund says the BPU has at least 8 or 9 candidates to replace Leathers... who announced his retirement this past February. It will take effect after the first of the new year in 2026. He began working in the BPU's Electric Division in December of 2005... and, he later became a Deputy GM... then Interim GM. He was formally appointed to the GM's post in March of 2008.
County Fair begins today...
While we're in the north county... the 144th edition of the Chautauqua County Fair got underway with the traditional civil-war cannon shot at the fairgrounds in Dunkirk. Several dignitaries were on hand for the opening ceremonies on a sunny, warm and muggy morning. Among them was State Senator George Borrello of Sunset Bay... who was originally from nearby Fredonia... and, says it's a great event that's all about "4-H, it's agriculture, it's about highlighting what we do best here." As the ranking member of the State Senate's Agriculture Committee... Borrello added that he works hard to preserve the traditions and the economic driver that agriculture is in New York state. Dignitaries also included Fredonia Mayor Mike Ferguson... former County Legislator Brian Abram -- representing Congressman Nick Langworthy... and a representive for State Assemblyman Andrew Molitor.
