Churchville residents’ Article 78 against
Star of the West Milling Company dismissed

An Article 78, filed by residents of the Village of Churchville was dismissed on a technicality following a May 23 court hearing, resident Larry Powell said. The petition was dismissed because the Star of the West Milling Company wasn’t included as a respondent on the Article 78.

The Article 78 was filed by residents seeking to halt the proposed construction of eight, 110-foot grain silos on Star of the West's property, within the village limits. A group of citizens was concerned that no application was submitted to the code enforcement officer or the planning board for either the construction, or the necessary height variances for the proposed silos. He also said a State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR) negative declaration was issued on unsubstantiated information.

Powell, and the others who submitted the Article 78, feel the variance was granted outside of the law. "We wanted the variance rescinded and want the process done the right way … the way it’s supposed to go."

The next step in the process for the construction of the silos, Powell said, is for Star of the West officials to go before the planning board and make their presentations.

"We’re looking to get the village residents to come to the meetings and let our elected officials know we don’t want this project," he said. "The owners of the company don’t live in the village so they won’t have to live with the results of the construction."

Powell said residents need to show up at the meeting and show by their presence that they are concerned about their property and their lives.

Francois Lachance, manager of the milling company, said the issues of noise, safety and traffic have been brought up and addressed. He said he realizes the height issue is a concern. "That’s hard for me to address because the proposed silos are only 25 feet taller than the existing structures … that’s less than two car lengths," he said. "We need to hold more grain and it’s cheaper to build up than out."

The proposed silos will be 110 feet compared to the present 85 feet tall structures

Lachance acknowledged the construction of new silos probably wouldn’t generate new jobs at the plant but it will help the farmer who needs to market their product. "We need to help the Western New York farmer who plants the wheat to maximize their profits," he said. "We’re indirectly creating new jobs by helping the agricultural community."

Last year, Lachance said, Star of the West purchased more than two million bushels of wheat. "That’s close to six million dollars worth of wheat and that money probably went back into the local community," he said.

The Star of the West will likely be presenting their proposal to the planning board at the July 10 meeting, Lachance said.