Holley looking to many improvements in 2003

The new year will bring many changes to the Village of Holley – from small scale "face-lift" projects to major street renovations.

"The single biggest thing for Holley is the Route 31 renovation project by the DOT," Mayor Dan Schiavone said. Following the village’s installation and renovation of its sewer lines the state will come through and lay down new road surface, straighten out the road curve that winds through the village, decrease the grade on the blind drive by Bennett's Corners and connect Frisbee Terrace to Geddes Street.

The village’s public square will also undergo renovations. "We’re going to redo the landscaping, install more historic lighting and install simulated Medina Sandstone in the square," Schiavone said.

Shiavone said a lot of improvements were made to the village’s public square in 2002 with the help of a grant for a façade painting program. "Business owners were given $500 toward paint and materials if they would supply the labor to upgrade their facades," he said. "A volunteer force, spearheaded by Laurie Passarell, ended up coming through and provided the labor for the painting."

The village’s own building was part of the renovation project. The front of the building was removed and replaced and new window lettering was added, he said.

The project, which will take two years, will be a "great inconvenience," the mayor said but he added it would be well worth it once it is wrapped up. "The funding is in place for the project and it will be spread out over so many years it won’t have a huge impact on taxpayers," he added.

In the parks and recreation department, Schiavone said the village would be holding a "Name the Pond" contest. The contest will be open to Holley Elementary students. "The kids will submit names for our pond and the village board will pick one of them," he said.

Schiavone also credited area students for their help with cleaning up the park last year. "They cleaned, removed brush and garbage and painted flowers," he said.

The village recently added a second pavilion to its canal side park. The pavilion is accessible by the wooden pedestrian bridge.

A new sign that will welcome them to the village will greet boaters visiting Holley this summer. The sign also features a sign of the village businesses, trails and park attractions. "We also received a grant from GO-ART! to put together another summer concert series," he said.