Williamsville
Village receives $4,200 tree grant
by JILL SCHMELZER Reporter

The Village of Williamsville has been awarded a $4,200 Community Forestry Grant for street tree planting, maintenance and inventory following the destruction of the October storm.

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation awarded the monies to municipalities in Western New York to assist in the restoration of trees, according to a statement issued by the DEC.

The grant stipulates that the money must be used for street tree maintenance for damaged tree pruning or other management activities intended to enhance a tree's survival. It can also be put toward street tree planting or inventory.

Trustee Basil Piazza said the money will be used in the village for maintenance and planting of new trees because inventory has already been taken in the village of the damaged as well as thriving plant life.

In other business:

Winterfest will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 11 in Glen Park. Department of Public Works employees have cleared brush from the trails for snow shoes, sledding and other festivities.

The event will be held with or without snow. If the ground is green, the trail will be used for nature walks, and a petting zoo will be provided.

"The event will be great with or without snow," said Trustee Bea Slick.

Winterfest is sponsored by the Youth and Recreation Committee.

Piazza suggested the village adopt a vehicle "no idle" policy, in order to reduce human exposure to vehicle engine exhaust and to reduce emission of greenhouse gasses in Williamsville.

Village attorneys are reviewing the policy, and more information will be provided at the next board meeting, which will be held at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 12 in Village Hall, 5565 Main St., in Williamsville.