Historical structures report for mill receives funding
by JILL SCHMELZER Reporter

The Village of Williamsville has received a $7,000 grant for costs associated with a historic structures report for the Williamsville Water Mill.

The Village Board purchased the mill in 2005 for a total of $450,000 from the mortgage holder, M&T Bank, to ensure that the mill remains a part of the community.

The project is funded by Preserve New York, a grant program of the Preservation League of New York State and the New York State Council on the Arts.

Bero Architecture, located in Rochester, will conduct the structural report in accordance with standards developed by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.

According to a document provided by the village, the report is intended to research and summarize the architectural and historical significance of the mill; determine the period of significance toward which restoration efforts should be directed; document the building's construction history using historical, physical and pictorial evidence; analyze the current physical condition of the building; and make recommendations for the preservation, rehabilitation and restoration of the property.

The total cost of the report is $15,000, which has been approved by the Preservation League. The remaining $8,000 will be taken out of the $50,000 grant that was awarded to the village by Assemblyman Jim Hayes, R-Amherst.

"This is the detail needed to move forward with the mill," said Trustee Brian Geary.

In other business: the Village Board adopted an amendment to the building code stating subdivision of lots will fall under exceptional development. The board has entered the second stage of outlining the new guidelines. Prior to the approval of the public hearing, no section of the code prohibited the subdivision of lots into two or more parcels.

This means, contractors looking to subdivide a lot must now receive approval by the Village Board.

A public hearing will be held at 7:35 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 10 to discuss a proposed curb cut for an exit driveway from the rear of 5590 Main St., in Williamsville onto East Spring Street.

The next board meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 25 in Village Hall.