• Information from the Town of Clarence regarding Flight #3407 Plane Crash in Clarence Center, NY
• From the Town of Clarence, Thank you

• 2009 Take Back the Bike Path 5K Run - August 7th

2009 Annual Winterfest is scheduled for February 8, 2009 at the Clarence Town Park - 10405 Main Street- 12-5 pm
For information contact the Youth Bureau at 407-2162 - information on the Chili/Chowder cook off.

As one part of the Winterfet,plans are being finalized for the Second Annual Lions Club Winterfest Chili / Chowder Cook-Off. Last year over 250 residents braved the bitterly cold temps to sample the area fire company’s chili and the chowder made by several local non-profits. This year we will be in the large pavilion which will provide better shelter and hopefully more warmth.

We are looking for all non-profit groups willing to take the cook-off challenge and join in the fun. The competition is divided into two categories and winner is decided by people’s choice. For a nominal donation residents are encouraged to come and sample the cuisine and vote for their favorite organization.

All proceeds to benefit local Lions Club Charities. Additional Info from Cook-off Chairman Tim Pazda.

Thanks,

Tim Pazda
984-3245

Free Rabies Clinic - Conducted by Erie County Health Dept. in association with the Niagara Frontier Veterinary Society and the Erie County SPCA

For Dogs, Cats and Ferrets: Clarence Highway Department - 6185 Goodrich Road - Wednesday - August 27, 2008- 5:00-7:00pm

LOST - A Cannon Camera at the Main Street Town Park near the Sledding Hill. Please call the Supervisor's Office at 741-8930 if you have information or found the camera. This camera means a lot to the owner, especially the pictures that are still on it.

As of January 10th at 10:00 am - The Town of Clarence has approximately 199 customers still without power.

NYSEG is continuing to restore power in Clarence, but due to isolated incidents there may be 50-100 customers out until Friday, January 11, 2008. This is primarily in the Harris Hill, Sheridan, Main Street and Transit area due to downed wires and poles and backyard service.

If anyone is still without power and having difficulties, please contact the Town of Clarence, Town Hall at 741-8930.

Highway Superintendent Ted Donner and his Department will be working on picking up the brush from the storm, weather permitting. Please do not include other debris with your brush when moving it to the curb. Do not block fire hydrants or put the brush in the road.

The Town of Clarence will celebrate the arrival of the Bicentennial year with fireworks on New Years' Eve, Monday, December 31 at Town Place Park on Goodrich Road at 6:00.

There is also an effort being made to have the fire companies sound their sirens and the churches ring their bells at midnight to ring in the Bicentennial year.

The committee hopes the fireworks will allow families and individuals to begin their New Year celebration in a festive manner. Their will be parking in the parks. We will have parks security assist with parking and fire police assisting on the roads after the fireworks.

Click here to view animals available for adoption

The Town of Clarence received a notice from Erie County stating - Erie County residents can now recycle computer equipment and other household electronics at no cost through Goodwill Industries of Western New York, thanks to a new collaboration in which Goodwill, Electronic Recycling Technologies of Buffalo and the Erie County Department of Environment & Planning are partners. Items will be accepted year-round at ten Goodwill locations.

The following is a list of acceptable equipment for recycling: computers, laptops, monitors, flat panel monitors, televisions, keyboards, printers, scanners, copiers, fax machines, stereo equipment, electronic games, dpas, IPods, cell phones, digital cameras and cables & cords. All hard drives received will be overwritten and erased or ground and smelted. Not data or software will be left on any hard drive.
Microwaves and fluorescent tubes or ballasts cannot be accepted for recycling.

Goodwill's vision is of a community where individuals with barriers to independence are empowered to change their lives through work. The new recycling program will keep materials out of landfills and while providing an employment opportunity for individuals with disabilities and disadvantages. Electronic Recycling Technologies, the largest computer recycler in Western New York, will recycle all the electronics in full compliance with all NYS Department of Environmental conservation regulations. This program is for households only. Call 854-3494 for further information.

Councilman Joseph Weiss announced at the May 23rd Clarence Town Board Meeting that he is personally offering a $1,000.00 reward for information leading to the apprehension of those responsible for vandalism discovered at Meadowlakes Park and other parks the weekend of May 18, 2007. Anyone that has information regarding these incidents is asked to contact the New York State Police at 759-6831 or the Supervisor's office at 741-8930.

We encourage you to please report any incident involving damage of Town property or property in your neighborhood to the Supervisor's Office at 741-8930, the NYS Police at 759-6831 or the Erie County Sheriff's Office at 662-5150.

The Town would like to thank the NYS Police and the Erie County Sheriff's Office for their assistance in this and other incidents that have occurred with people vandalizing Town property. At the same time we need to reach out to residents and parents to also help. During the last major vandalism event the police agencies worked very hard but did not receive the cooperation from the families. Vandalism ultimately costs taxpayers hundreds to thousands of dollars each year.

The Town of Clarence, with the assistance of a grant from Assemblyman Michael Cole, has taken delivery of an Emergency Mobile Shelter Trailer. After the October 2006 storm Supervisor Hallock worked with the Town's Disaster Coordinator to look at ways to improve emergency shelter needs. During the storm, shelter was provided at the High School and later moved to the Harris Hill Volunteer Fire Company. Due to complications with the Red Cross, the Town was not provided with adequate cots and other necessary items.

It was identified in the disaster response critique that emergency provisions should be purchased and be transportable. The trailer is now on site and ready for use

The trailer is equipped with oversized army cots, special needs cots, blankets, pillows, first aid kit, safety vests and 3-4 day personal hygiene kits. The Town Board is also looking to purchase a generator for the Senior Center and make that their main shelter location. The trailer allows the Town to easily move the supplies in case the shelter would have to be set up in another location.

On March 8, 2007, the Town of Clarence officially established the Town of Clarence Youth Bureau, formerly the Youth Department. After meeting the requirements of the New York State Office of Children and Family Services, the Clarence Youth Bureau becomes the 106th Youth Bureau in New York State. The administrative structure of Youth Bureau's strengthen the community's ability to provide services and supports to its youth. Working in partnership with fellow government agencies, private not-for-profits, civic groups, the school district, religious organizations, as well as parents and young people themselves; Youth Bureaus can and do make a positive difference in the lives of youth.

The Basic STAR Exemption does not have to be renewed from year to year. (RP425)

The Enhanced STAR Exemption applicants must renew yearly and have the option of renewing with the Assessor's office (Renewal forms are mailed out) or filing the Income Verification form which allows NYS to verify income from the NYS tax return. (RP425)

The Low Income Aged Exemption must also be renewed yearly. Renewal forms are mailed and all applicants must provide all proof of income statements from the previous year. (RP467)

For a Veteran's Exemption use form (RP458).

You can obtain further information on the Assessor's page of this web site.

• Holiday Craft Project flyer
• Parent "Time Out" flyer

Click here to read storm news & updates

Due to the Construction at the Middle School the Town of Clarence, Recreation Department will not be offering Adult Recreation Programs this year. Children's activities are listed under the Recreation Department.

Rural Transit Service, Inc., a non-for-profit transportation service that provides rides for elderly, disabled and low income people for medical and health services is actively seeking to recruit two new Board members from the community. A legal background would be helpful, but not necessary.

Rural Transit is located at 5635 Goodrich Road in Clarence Center. Rural Transit provided over 17,000 trips or 189,500 miles in the 17 town Southern and Northeastern Erie County service area in 2005.

The Board of Directors meets the second Tuesday of each month at 5:30 pm in Orchard Park.
Meetings last approximately one hour.
There are no meetings in the summer months (June - August) and December.

Please contact Executive Director Brenda Henderson at 472 6065 for a Board member packet or information.

The Clarence Arboretum Committee held a "Thank you" event on May 25th to acknowledge NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Grants that have furthered the development of the Arboretum. Senator Mary Lou Rath and the late Assemblywoman Sandra Lee Wirth were instrumental in securing funding for trees in the Town of Clarence. Two trees are being planted in recognition of their efforts.

Click here to view photos of the event

Senator Rath arranges a public meeting to discuss the findings and the Thruway's plan for the Williamsville Toll Barrier. The meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 24th at 6:30 pm at Gleasner Hall, Erie Community College, North Campus at Main and Youngs Road.

Click here to view schedule

Click here to view schedule

Preliminary Auditions will be held on Tuesday, May 2nd and Thursday, May 4th beginning at 5:00 p.m. in the at Clarence High School, 9625 Main Street. Final Competition will be held on Wednesday, June 7th beginning at 5:00 pm in the Clarence High School Auditorium.

Registration: The registration deadline is Friday, April 28, 2006. Pre-registration is mandatory. Participants must be Clarence residents and at least 5 years old as of January 1, 2006. Contestants can audition individually or in a group of up to 4. They will audition by singing the National Anthem in its original form only.

For additional information, contact the Clarence Youth Department at 407-2162 or Chuck Eckert at 759-1111.

Clarence Day in the Park website: www.clarencedayinthepark.com

No - 2116       (Not in favor of a district)
Yes - 1783      (In favor of a district)

On March 28, 2006, the Town Board offered the voters a chance to decide if they would like a garbage district. This option was turned down by 333 votes.

Residents will continue to contract with the garbage vendor on their own. The Town Board is disappointed for those residents that did want to save not only money, but the town roads, same day garbage pickup in neighborhoods and the general safety of the residents. The cost of unlimited garbage pickup for the year 2007 would have been $160.00 including two recycling bins, weekly pickup of white goods and bulky items.

Thank you all who came out to vote, it was nice to see Democracy at work. Thank you everyone who worked on this referendum.

The Great American Cleanup 2006 - May 6, 2006. Forms are available at the Town Hall in the Supervisor's office or by calling James Pavel in City Hall at 851-4370.

Millions of residents across the country are taking part in this springtime campaign to clean up and beautify communities all across America. The Great American Cleanup is brought to you by Keep Western New York in partnership with Keep America Beautiful, Inc., the State of New York, National Sponsors, state and local sponsors. This is a great program for various groups to participate in as well as individuals. They would like the forms returned by April 1st.

There will be a Referendum to establish a Refuse/Garbage District in the Town of Clarence on Tuesday, March 28, 2006, from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Clarence Town Hall.

A Public Information Meeting will take place at the Clarence Town Hall, One Town Place on Monday, March 20, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. to provide information to the owners of taxable, real property in the Town of Clarence regarding the proposed Clarence Refuse/Garbage District. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend.

More information »

The annual Town of Clarence "Day in the Park" is scheduled for July 1, 2006. At last year's event, we had over 10,000 people enjoying the family activities, music, food, fireworks and fun. Many volunteer organizations including the Clarence Rotary, Clarence Hollow Association, Sports groups, Clarence Jaycee's and Fire Companies participated.

If you are interested in participating or have any questions about this year's festivities, please contact Chuck Eckert at 759 1111 or at chuck@chuckeckert.com.

Click here to see photos of last year's event.

Thanks to the Clarence Chamber of Commerce and to the Town of Clarence Youth and Recreation for a fun filled winter celebration.

Click here to view photos of this event.

The American Planning Association recently announced the recipients of the 2006 National Planning and AICP Planning Pioneer Awards, which recognize the role of outstanding individual contributions and cutting-edge achievements in the planning field and how these efforts help create communities of lasting value.

Clarence has been recognized for its involvement in the Amherst and Clarence Youth Planning Project which was developed in accordance with New York State Learning Standards. This youth planning project shows how seamlessly planning and community development can be incorporated into existing curriculums at all grade levels. With the towns about to embark on the update of their comprehensive plans, officials wanted to encourage students to participate in the planning process. By linking the classroom component to the ongoing planning effort, students and teachers were presented with exciting opportunities to apply classroom knowledge to real-life situations.

Award recipients will be honored at a special awards luncheon April 25, 2006, at APA’s 2006 National Planning Conference in San Antonio, Texas.

Click here for poster

The Clarence Clubhouse Renovation Committee is working on restoring the lights to the original look. Under the photo section of the website are two pictures of the new lights. Currently, three grand chandeliers and five triples are now hung in the clubhouse. The radiance that these new lights are presenting at the clubhouse is amazing. We have almost met our goal of light adoptions however there are still a few left that need adopting. Donations are greatly appreciated. We are requesting donations from any individuals or groups that are interested in adopting a light. It is a great way for a group or individual to honor or remember someone special. Donations for this project will be recognized on a permanent plaque displayed at the Clarence Town Park Clubhouse. We invite everyone to stop by the clubhouse to see the transformation and progress. For more information on adopting a light, please contact Linda Dugan @ 634-8866.

If you would like to review the plan or have any questions on it please contact the Planning & Zoning Department at 741-8933 or email jcallahan@clarence.ny.us, jhartz@clarence.ny.us. Comments will be accepted until January 18, 2006.

The Town Clerk's office will begin taking reservations for the Town Park Pavilions on March 1, 2006 from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm. Please note that there is a fee for the use of pavilions starting March 1, 2005. The Large Pavilion is $75.00, Small and Lakeside Pavilions are $20.00 and the remainder are $30.00. This is a non-refundable user fee. Cash or checks made payable to the Town Clerk. For more information please contact the Town Clerk's office at 741-8938.

The Saturday recreation programs begin on Saturday, December 3rd. See the attached flyers for time and other events in December:

Parent "Time Out"
Holiday Craft Project
Saturday Youth Recreation Programs

View election results

Clarence Volunteer Fire Company was one of the sites in Clarence collecting donations for the victims of Katrina. Residents of Clarence and neighboring towns poured in with donations of clothing, diapers, toys and money. Medical supplies were also donated by area Physicians. People dropping off items stayed to help store and load the items. Two of the trucks used to transport the items were donated by Wargo Enterprises and Perry's Ice Cream. Thank you to the Clarence Community and all of the generous people that helped and donated for the victims of Katrina. See the photo section for just a few of the pictures...

CONTACT: Dick Rich (716) 631-9777
Grant Loomis (Sen. Rath) (716) 633-0331

www.walkthevillages.com

Walking program will promote both fitness and commerce:

People in the communities of Akron, Clarence, Kenmore, and Williamsville are getting ready to 'Walk the Villages.' State Senator Mary Lou Rath (R-C-I, Williamsville) is sponsoring the program which starts June first and runs through the fall. Walk the Villages will encourage people living in and around the 'villages' of Akron, Clarence, Kenmore, and Williamsville to get walking in their own community and also explore the other neighborhoods on foot.

"Walk the Villages is a great way to get people moving to help promote a healthy lifestyle," said Senator Rath. "Walking is one of the most effective and easiest ways to get or stay in shape. In addition to fitness, Walk the Villages will encourage people to walk around their neighboring communities to see all they have to offer."

All walkers must pick up a Walk the Villages program booklet, which is available at several participating merchants in all four villages. The first 500 participants will also receive a pedometers donated by Independent Health. Pedometers are available at the Akron, Kenmore and Williamsville village halls or Clarence Town Hall. Participants will also be eligible for prize giveaways by visiting village merchants and businesses. People who walk all four villages will be entered to win one of five grand prizes. All award winners will be announced at a wrap-up event set for October 22, 2005 at one o'clock at 5500 Main Street, Williamsville.

"Small business is critical to the vitality of each of our villages," said Dick Rich, Walk the Villages General Coordinator. "These village merchants rely heavily on foot traffic, especially for first time businesses. That's why it's a natural fit to promote both walking and commerce."

Senator Rath is the program's honorary chair. Program volunteers include:
General Coordinator, Dick Rich of Williamsville; Health and Fitness Chair, Tom Haney of the Village Glen in Williamsville; Akron coordinators, Will Griffin, Ed Hackbush, Dona Doll; Clarence coordinators, Bob Lenz, Rob Schofield; Kenmore coordinators, Kathleen Johnson, Pat Mang; Williamsville coordinators, Kathy Behan, Ron Daniels, Trey Measer. With support from:
Mayor Ray Perkins, Village of Akron; Supervisor Kathy Hallock, Town of Clarence; Mayor John Beaumont, Village of Kenmore; Mayor Ray Hazlett, Village of Williamsville; Adam Campbell, Grant Loomis, Sharon Rich, Office of Sen. Mary Lou Rath.

Independent Health, Amtrak, Asa Ransom House, Bert's Bikes, Hampton Inn Williamsville, and the Village Glen Tennis & Fitness Club are helping to sponsor this program.

Click here to view photos of this event.

Erie County Sheriff's Detective Alan Rozansky is bringing his years of experience as narcotics investigation to take on crime in Clarence. We will need the help of residents! The policemen are only as good as their information, so Detective Rozansky is willing to give informants cash through the Crime Stoppers Program. For good information that leads to an arrest, informants can be paid up to $1,000.00.

Detective Rozansky hopes to break some unsolved cases in Clarence like our Meadowlakes Park fire last summer. Informants will remain anonymous, even when they collect their money, because their name is never asked for.

The Crime Stoppers program began in Erie County in 1989. Richard Murphy, a retired City of Buffalo police officer, helped bring the program to the area and is now the chairman. Murphy reported that the organization typically awards approximately $5,000 each year to informants.

If you know a person who has committed a felony crime, call the Crime Stopper anonymous Tip-Line at 856-5600.
Greater Buffalo Metropolitan Crime Stoppers, Inc.

In a nineteen-week period (Nov. 1, 2004 to March 15, 2005) we removed 136 antlerless deer from the area of Clarence in the no deer hunting zone bounded in the North by Greiner, the South by the Thruway (note this includes a small portion of the Town of Lancaster), the East by Ransom, and the West by Transit.

There were 73 volunteers assigned to 26 nuisance permits. Another 49 volunteers were not assigned due to the lack of more nuisance permits.

This year we donated about 3725 lbs. of ground venison to the Food Bank of WNY. Combining this with the total for the previous three permit seasons of about 15,220 lbs., this comes to about 18,950 lbs. of ground venison for the four years of the program. At 4 servings per lb., this equates to almost 75,800 servings of fresh protein rich meat to needy families for the four seasons!!

Of the 136 (note: 2 deer were not marked as to gender)deer removed this season, 97 (72.6%) were females and 37 (27.6%) were males. Of the females 64 (66%) were adults and 33 (34%) were young. One-fourth of the males were adults that had dropped their antlers and three-fourths were button bucks.

The cost to the Town this year was approximately $4575. This includes the processing cost and for my time and travel. (This year the processing cost was $25 per deer, an increase of $5 per deer).

The total cost for the four years of the program is about $18,475. Which when divided by the total number of deer removed in these four years (697 deer) results in a cost of almost $26.50 per deer!

I’m not sure why we didn’t do as well this season as in previous years, but we did have some very key volunteers who were not able to do as much this season as in the past. We also seemed to have a lot of foul weather on weekends this season. Also some of the volunteers may have become not as enthusiastic as they were in the past, and the deer in this zone seem to be getting smarter. I believe we are having a good impact in reducing the deer herd to a manageable size in this no-hunting zone of Clarence.

Based on conversation we’ve had with the DEC, they promised an aerial survey of this area in February or March of 2006. After that we should have a better handle how well we are doing

Respectfully Submitted

John Jondle
Deer Mgmt. Coordinator