February 5, 2015
Homer pursues Main Street upgrades
HOMER — The village is considering erecting a clock as part of a project to help beautify Main Street.
The village would use grant funds to install the clock, which would be similar to the one erected in the fall in the village of Marathon.
Homer and Marathon were each awarded a $200,000 New York Main Street grant in 2013 to rejuvenate sections of the village centers, Ann Hotchkin, program manager with Thoma Development Consultants, said.
Thoma Development Consultants helped both municipalities secure the grants.
As part of the grant, each municipality received $15,000 to beautify streets, Hotchkin said. Of the total grant to each village, $170,000 was marked for construction projects while an additional $15,000 paid for the administration of the funds.
Marathon used its $15,000 to erect a clock on the village green in the fall. Homer must use its funds before the end of the year when the grant expires, she said.
It was coincidental that the two villages considered a clock, Hotchkin said.
A Homer clock would likely use up all the funds, with some incidental costs to have Homer village employees install the timepiece, Hotchkin said.
The Homer village board discussed erecting a clock at its Tuesday night meeting.
The clock would have two faces and stand about 12 feet high, Mayor Genevieve Suits said.
Suits suggested the clock be placed in front of the newly renovated Sherman Block at 19-23 N. Main St.
Developer Tom Niederhofer has done a great deal for the community by renovating that property on N. Main Street, the former Homer Laundry & Cleaners site, into five new store fronts, Suits said at the meeting.
The village board agreed it was a good spot as long as short, blooming trees that are set to be replanted in the right of way do not obstruct the view of the clock.
National Grid would have to be consulted before a location is chosen and plans finalized, Suits said.
The board did not vote on the project Tuesday.
The renovation of the former laundry site was one of five projects in Homer that had building and renovation costs funded by grants, Hotchkin said.
Each developer had to cover at least 25 percent of the cost of their project but the municipalities do not have to contribute to the projects, she said.
Niederhofer was awarded $38,000 to erect a wheelchair-accessible ramp across the front of the building, Hotchkin said.
Funds for other developers went to Renee Neiderman, who was awarded $58,500 to renovate apartments in the upper floors of 1-3 N. Main St., David Yaman, who was awarded $38,000 to convert a garage behind 12 S. Main St. into a commercial space and Jon Saraceno, who was awarded $10,800 for roof repairs at 17 S. Main St. Roland “Frog” Fragnoli received $24,200 to make repairs to the facade of Homer Men & Boys store, Hotchkin said.
Eight projects were awarded funds from the grant for renovations in Marathon, she said.
The Peck Memorial Library at24 Main St. received $10,000, ScottRiley of Riley’s Cafe at 8 Main St. received $22,000 and the Marathon Health Center at 20 E. Main St. received $18,700, Hotchkin said.
Sharon Toussaint received $50,000 for the Three Bear Inn renovations at 3 Broome St., Generations Hair Nails Tanning salon at 33 E. Main St. received $45,000 and a project to improve a storefront at 1 Broome St. that was formerly a Chinese restaurant received $10,000. Glen Anderson received $40,000 for a renovation at a rental income property at 2 E. Main St., while village Street Superintendent Floyd Parker received $20,000 for work at another rental income property at 17 W. Main St.
The grant funds were available for residential income properties, but not for single-family homes, Hotchkin said.
Village department heads can be eligible for the grant funds after obtaining a conflict of interest waiver, she said. The waiver requires a public disclosure that the employee would like to participate in the program, an attorney must conclude the participation does not violate any local law and the grant issuer must be informed.
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