The Cassadaga Fire Department was awarded a FEMA Assistance To Firefighters Grant totaling $176,848.11. The grant writing was done in-house.
“We are celebrating that award. … We’re very happy about that,” said Village Trustee Danna DuBois, a member of the Fire Department.
DuBois said with the additional funding, the Department will be purchasing 19 sets of turnout gear, new air packs, and a new piece of equipment to locate a downed firefighter inside of a structure.
The Department must provide proof of purchase orders, submit requests for payment, and update the status of the grant funding for the next two years.
In other news in the Village of Cassadaga, Village Trustee Cindy Flaherty received approval from the Board to submit an application for the County 3% Bed Tax Grant. The Village will contribute $2,800, while the grant would cover the other $2,800 to apply to $5,600 of improvements in the Village.
Among the improvements includes new park signs, a solar powered light, and another mural on a village building similar to the Welcome to Cassadaga mural, with a speed limit reminder incorporated in the design.
The Village also reported an improvement regarding speeding issues due to placement of electronic speed limit signs the Village purchased last year.
The Cassadaga Beach program surpassed 3,000 guests again this year, with nine more guests than last year. No accidents were reported for the season. Flaherty, who oversees the Beach program, stated every lifeguard the Village employed this season expressed an interest in returning in the future.
“Congratulations on a fantastic Beach season. Everything I hear is positive,” DuBois said to Flaherty.
The Bathhouse at the Beach project is moving forward after the Board’s approval of a payment of $1,994.54 to National Grid for relocating and installing electricity at the new structure. Installation of a new man door at the Fire Department will also be completed soon. No action was taken at the recent meeting regarding a future water project in the Village.
The Village also elected to not make any changes to its Agricultural District. Also of note, the Village’s New York Forward Committee is set to meet in the coming weeks to discuss future plans.