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  • Francis Hogenkamp

    Board of Directors Executive B oard: President: Mary Brummer, DVM, Orchard Park Veterinarian, Orchard Park Veterinary Medical Center (Retired) mbrummer@ecattrail.org Vice-President: Gary Koeppel , Orchard Park Praxair, Associate Director of Pipeline Engineering (Retired) gkoeppel@ecattrail.org ​ Treasurer: John Landi , Orc hard Park Business Data and Analytics Manager at Chiampou Travis Besaw & Kershner LLP jlandi@ecattrail.org ​ Secretary: Gerald Reger , Hamburg CPA, Sole Proprietor – Professional Accounting and Consulting Services (Retired) Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo – Chief Financial Officer/Chief Administrative Officer (Retired) Dopkins & Company, LLP – Partner (Retired) jreger@ecattrail.org ​ Directors: Robert Ballard , Town of Boston Past Vice President: WNY Snowmobile Club of Boston rballard@ecattrail.org ​ Michael Conway , Orchard Park Past Executive Director: Mahoning Valley and Adirondack Economic Development Corporations mconway@ecattrail.org ​ Murray Covello , Orchard Park Praxair – Global Supply Systems Leader (Retired) Past Board Member and Board Chair of Greater Buffalo Chapter of American Red Cross (Retired) mcovello@ecattrail.org Paul Cramer , Orchard Park Managing Director: Broadcast Solutions, Veritone, Inc. pcramer@ecattrail.org ​ Tom Grogan , Orchard Park (Retired) Brock, Schechter, & Polakoff, LLP CPAs tgrogan@ecattrail.org ​ Howy Holmes , Orchard Park President, Friends of Birdsong Highway Contractor (Retired) hholmes@ecattrail.org 716-983-3605 ​ Kathleen McCrone , Orchard Park Marketing and Account Management (Retired) kmccrone@ecattrail.org ​ Antonio Miceli, Orchard Park Senior Project Manager – Buffalo Construction Consultants, Inc. amiceli@ecattrail.org ​ Dale Morris , East Aurora Director of Geographic Information Services (Retired) Erie County Department of Environmental Planning dmorris@ecattrail.org ​ Steve Musso , East Aurora FinPro- COO (retired) Past Board Member and Treasurer of The Graycliff Conservancy (Re tired) smusso@ecattrail.org ​ Lisa Rood , Boston Former Town of Boston Supervisor Current Chair of Boston Zoning Board Consultant for Older Adult Programs - Hamburg United Methodist Church lrood@ecattrail.org Jeff Sellers , West Falls Five Star Bank, Real Estate and Facilities Manager jsellers@ecattrail.org Jim Slominski , Orchard Park Appeals Officer, Internal Revenue Service (Retired) Trustee of WNY Railroad Historical Society Railroad Historian for ECRT jslominski@ecattrail.org ​ Deborah Stellrecht , West Falls Finance and Website Manager, St. George Church, West Falls Communications/I T Support, Highmark BCBS of WNY (Retired) dstellrecht@ecattrail.org ​ Dorothea Wattles , Colden Educator – Orchard Park Schools dwattles@ecattrail.org Lauren Weber , Orchard Park Attorney, Phillips Lytle LLP lweber@ecattrail.org ​ Marc Romanowsk i , Orchard Park Partner, Rupp Baase Pfalzgraf Cunningham LLC Environmental/Brownfields, Land/Use Zoning, Energy, Municipal, Administrative and Litigation Attorney mromanowski@ecattrail.org ​ Francis Hogenkamp , Orchard Park Optician, Owner & Administrator of Hogenkamp Optics in Orchard Park Orchard Park Village Board member for 20+ years Major fundraiser for restoration of the Orchard Park BR & P Train Depot fhogenkamp@ecattrail.org ​ Director s Emeritus: ​ Rick LeFeber , Cattaraugus County Executive Director Cattaraugus LDC (Pat McGee Trail) cldc@netsync.net Deb Fenn , Aurora Communications executive and history teacher. (Retired) ECRT Past President dfenn@ecattrail.org

  • Steve Williams

    Steve Williams As we turn our thoughts to ones of gratitude during the holiday season, ECRT feels especially grateful for the hard work and positive energy that so many of our volunteers have contributed this past year. And Steve Williams, a resident of Orchard Park, is one of them. You may have seen or spoken with him at the Orchard Fresh Farmer’s Markets last summer, enthusiastically engaging with the public on behalf of ECRT.​ “This past summer volunteering at the Orchard Park farmers market was a great experience to reach out to neighbors and share our mission to make ECRT a reality,” Steve reports. “The response was overwhelmingly positive with great anticipation by all.” Steve believes that joining the Orchard Park Friends of ECRT allows him to connect with nature and support his community. He wants to make his love for bike riding and the outdoors safer and better for everyone.​ Connecting with nature Steve boasts a lifelong enjoyment of the outdoors. As a young boy on Long Island, he would ride his bike to meet friends, play in the woods, travel to baseball games and deliver newspapers. And he’s still riding locally and in Florida, Boston and everywhere in between. Today every member of his family always had a bike—and they still do! Supporting the community ​ Steve’s career in banking allowed him to work in NYC, Wilmington DE, and Buffalo. In 1988, he moved to Orchard Park, with his wife Theresa, and their two sons, Chris and Dan. While raising their family, Steve was also an Odyssey of the Mind coach and a Quaker Marching Band dad. Now that Steve is retired, he has more time to spend with family and friends. “As time flies by, my childhood, school, career, marriage, parenting, and now growing older, I want to be outside and enjoy nature even more,” says Steve. “OP is a beautiful place to raise a family and enjoy the outdoors. As a grandparent, I look forward to one day riding/walking the trail with my grandson, Lucas!” Thanks, Steve, for all you do for your family, the community, and for ECRT! December 1, 2019 Written by: Deb Fenn Previous Next < Back Home About Explore FAQs Latest News Join Us Contact Search Events Photos More © 2024 Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail, Inc. Board Member Login

  • Robert Ballard

    Board of Directors Executive B oard: President: Mary Brummer, DVM, Orchard Park Veterinarian, Orchard Park Veterinary Medical Center (Retired) mbrummer@ecattrail.org Vice-President: Gary Koeppel , Orchard Park Praxair, Associate Director of Pipeline Engineering (Retired) gkoeppel@ecattrail.org ​ Treasurer: John Landi , Orc hard Park Business Data and Analytics Manager at Chiampou Travis Besaw & Kershner LLP jlandi@ecattrail.org ​ Secretary: Gerald Reger , Hamburg CPA, Sole Proprietor – Professional Accounting and Consulting Services (Retired) Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo – Chief Financial Officer/Chief Administrative Officer (Retired) Dopkins & Company, LLP – Partner (Retired) jreger@ecattrail.org ​ Directors: Robert Ballard , Town of Boston Past Vice President: WNY Snowmobile Club of Boston rballard@ecattrail.org ​ Michael Conway , Orchard Park Past Executive Director: Mahoning Valley and Adirondack Economic Development Corporations mconway@ecattrail.org ​ Murray Covello , Orchard Park Praxair – Global Supply Systems Leader (Retired) Past Board Member and Board Chair of Greater Buffalo Chapter of American Red Cross (Retired) mcovello@ecattrail.org Paul Cramer , Orchard Park Managing Director: Broadcast Solutions, Veritone, Inc. pcramer@ecattrail.org ​ Tom Grogan , Orchard Park (Retired) Brock, Schechter, & Polakoff, LLP CPAs tgrogan@ecattrail.org ​ Howy Holmes , Orchard Park President, Friends of Birdsong Highway Contractor (Retired) hholmes@ecattrail.org 716-983-3605 ​ Kathleen McCrone , Orchard Park Marketing and Account Management (Retired) kmccrone@ecattrail.org ​ Antonio Miceli, Orchard Park Senior Project Manager – Buffalo Construction Consultants, Inc. amiceli@ecattrail.org ​ Dale Morris , East Aurora Director of Geographic Information Services (Retired) Erie County Department of Environmental Planning dmorris@ecattrail.org ​ Steve Musso , East Aurora FinPro- COO (retired) Past Board Member and Treasurer of The Graycliff Conservancy (Re tired) smusso@ecattrail.org ​ Lisa Rood , Boston Former Town of Boston Supervisor Current Chair of Boston Zoning Board Consultant for Older Adult Programs - Hamburg United Methodist Church lrood@ecattrail.org Jeff Sellers , West Falls Five Star Bank, Real Estate and Facilities Manager jsellers@ecattrail.org Jim Slominski , Orchard Park Appeals Officer, Internal Revenue Service (Retired) Trustee of WNY Railroad Historical Society Railroad Historian for ECRT jslominski@ecattrail.org ​ Deborah Stellrecht , West Falls Finance and Website Manager, St. George Church, West Falls Communications/I T Support, Highmark BCBS of WNY (Retired) dstellrecht@ecattrail.org ​ Dorothea Wattles , Colden Educator – Orchard Park Schools dwattles@ecattrail.org Lauren Weber , Orchard Park Attorney, Phillips Lytle LLP lweber@ecattrail.org ​ Marc Romanowsk i , Orchard Park Partner, Rupp Baase Pfalzgraf Cunningham LLC Environmental/Brownfields, Land/Use Zoning, Energy, Municipal, Administrative and Litigation Attorney mromanowski@ecattrail.org ​ Francis Hogenkamp , Orchard Park Optician, Owner & Administrator of Hogenkamp Optics in Orchard Park Orchard Park Village Board member for 20+ years Major fundraiser for restoration of the Orchard Park BR & P Train Depot fhogenkamp@ecattrail.org ​ Director s Emeritus: ​ Rick LeFeber , Cattaraugus County Executive Director Cattaraugus LDC (Pat McGee Trail) cldc@netsync.net Deb Fenn , Aurora Communications executive and history teacher. (Retired) ECRT Past President dfenn@ecattrail.org

  • Trail Neighbors | ecattrail.org

    Trail Neighbors "Without this trail, my son would not have learned to inline skate at such an early age, nor bicycled on his own over to his grandmother's house, who lives near the other end of the trail. Without this trail my neighbor and I wouldn't have taken up our early morning walks. Without this trail people wouldn't be able to link up as quickly or easily or safely with other trails in communities next to ours." - Kristine Poelzer, Former Trail Opponent ​ If you live adjacent to the proposed trail, chances are you have questions and concerns. Rest assured, trails make better neighbors than trains! ​Numerous studies have shown that trails do not negatively affect property values or safety. Here are just a few studies: Rails-to-Trails Conservancy: Trail Benefits Report University of Nebraska at Omaha: Trail Neighbors Study Rails-to-Trails Conservancy: Safety Study of 372 Trails Rails-to-Trails Conservancy: Economic Impact Study Trail Neighbors: Before and After the Trail​ ​ As part of our community outreach initiative, it is our goal to address your questions and concerns. Many of you enthusiastically support the proposed trail conversion, including several property owners adjacent to the trail who are eager to begin using it. However, if you have concerns, here are answers to frequently asked questions: ​ 01 Doesn't the railroad want to abandon the corridor? Why are you interfering? Can't we just let them abandon it? Abandonment is a technical term used by the Surface Transportation Board. It refers to abandonment of rail service fro m the line, not abandonment of the railroad's ownership of the line. If the Surface Transportation Board allows a rail line to be abandoned, the railroad still owns it until it officially liquidates the property through a real property sale. In 1983, Congress enacted legis lation aimed at preserving our nation's disappearing rail infrastructure through railbanking and interim trail use. This legislation allows railroads to transfer title and easements to a private or public organization to use the line as an interim trail. At the same time, the corridor is preserved should there ever need to reinstate rail traffic in the future. 02 Can't I buy the rail property behind my house or have the railroad deed it to me? A railroad's core business and primary source of revenue is moving goods from Point A to Point B. Railroads are not in the real estate business. Like any business though, a railroad will desire to liquidate and divest underutilized assets, however it is impractical and financially prohibitive for a railroad to engage in hundreds of real property transactions each time it wishes to divest a line. Additionally, Congressional enacted legislation is aimed at railbanking unused rail corridors to preserve our nation's valuable infrastructure for future use. If a railroad sells part of the line, the corridor is forever broken. Moreover, it is unrealistic to think that each of the hundreds of landowners bordering the line would be interested in purchasing it. Therefore, the railroad would still be left with ownership interests in an underutilized asset. Even if the railroad deeded the property to all adjacent landowners, some would not want it. Therefore, railroads often desire to divest a line via one transaction: either through railbanking or sale to a utility company. 03 What effect will a trail have on my property value? Numerous studies show that trails have neutral to positive effects on neighboring property values. Some realtors have reported that homes near trails sell faster and at a premium vs. those homes that are not located near the trail. You can read one such study here . Trails are among the top five amenities homebuyers look for when deciding where to move. Homes near trails sell faster, and home values increase the closer they are to the trail. 04 What about safety? Won't a trail invite criminals into my yard? ​Trails have excellent safety records. Statistics show that trails have significantly lower crime rates than the communities they are located in. In fact, a utilized trail is less of a "crime magnet" than an abandoned rail corridor. Consider that criminals and vandals are more likely to use an abandon rail corridor as a "dark alley" or escape route vs. a trail that is actively used by citizens with eyes, ears, and cell phones. You can read a study on the safety record of 372 trails here . The ECRT trail will be open from dawn to dusk. Signage with rules and a local telephone contact number will be posted along the trail. Besides employing a proven volunteer "neighborhood watch/patrol", the ECRT will coordinate with local police and first responders to ensure community safety is maintained and concerns are addressed. ECRT will work with adjacent property owners to ensure privacy and safety. Design, good trail management and regulation enforcement can mitigate privacy and safety concerns. ​ Who will police the trail? ​ Just as the local authorities would respond to an emergency on the corridor now, they will in the future as well. Moreover, the trail will also have the benefit of having more eyes, ears, and cellphones on the corridor than it does now. Besides employing a proven volunteer "neighborhood watch/patrol", the ECRT will coordinate with local police and first responders to ensure community safety is maintained and concerns are addressed. Trail surface conditions will allow access by first responders when necessary. ​ ​ 05 06 What about liability? The New York State General Obligations Law, Recreational Use Statute § 9-103, removes liability from use of the trail for recreational purposes. Moreover, homeowners are not liable to a trespasser or anyone who entered an adjacent property without permission. Additionally, ECRT has purchased our own comprehensive insurance program for the trail system. ​ ​ 07 What's this going to cost? Will my taxes go up? ​ The trail may be funded by a combination of private endowments, and/or appropriated State and Federal grants. These grants are earmarked for trail development and recreation and will be spent elsewhere if not spent on this trail, therefore use of thes e grants will not add to your tax burden. Additionally, converting the rail corridor to a trail will not create a significant loss of tax revenue for the communities through which the trail passes. Due to the age of the rail corridor, tax assessments are very low. Most communities have their portion of the line assessed for only a few thousand dollars: the equivalent tax revenue from one single family home. Increases in home values and additional sales tax revenue from trail visitors will help offset any minor losses. 08 ​What about noise and snowmobiles? A trail is a much better neighbor than a train. While many neighbors can remember being awoken at 2 am by a passing freight train, a trail is much quieter than a train. In some areas, snowmobiles may only be permitted to use the trail under low power as a way for local residents to access connecting snowmobile trails, but not for through travel. Consider that if snowmobiles are allowed on portions of the trail, they are strictly regulated. NYS requires that snowmobiles adhere to specific decibel restrictions (often quieter than your neighbor's snowblower). Additionally, snowmobiles must have at least 6 inches of snow on top of frozen ground to travel. This limits the days in the year to which they can travel to only a dozen or so. Note, based on feedback from the Erie County Federation of Snowmobile Clubs, and community feedback, it has been determined that snowmobiling will not be a permitted trail activity in the Village and Town of Orchard Park. 09 ​Will ATVs and dirt bikes be allowed on the corridor? No. These types of motorized vehicles are prohibited. 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  • Bernie Young | ecattrail.org

    Bernie Young Bernie Young is a country guy, through and through. He has lived in East Concord with his wife, Jeanette, for the past 50 years. Apart from his 4 children, 13 grandchildren and 7 great-grands, what Bernie loves most in this world is his abiding connection to nature and ‘the great outdoors'. ​ As Bernie welcomed me into his home, he invited me to have a seat in what is certainly his favorite room; a place that serves as both a dining area and his beloved trophy room. Proudly displayed on the walls above our heads as we chatted were beautifully mounted turkeys and deer. (One buck, he noted, boasted a rack listed in the New York State record books “with a score of 145!”) ​ A carpenter by trade, Bernie was founder and sole owner of Young Construction for most of his working life. Generally working alone, he remodeled numerous interior spaces over the years and, with a hired hand or two, constructed several home additions.​ Now retired, Bernie spends much of his time outdoors. He continues to cut his own firewood and he built a small cabin on a parcel of wooded property he owns on Springville-Boston Road. There, he hunts and fishes and simply enjoys his time with nature. Bernie also proudly serves on the board of directors of Springville Field and Stream. The organization’s recent fundraiser, a “Golf and Shoot”, involved competing trap-shooting teams followed by a round of golf at Concord Crest , dinner and prizes. Proceeds benefitted the Springville Trout Pond project, an endeavor Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail has been affiliated with this past year, creating an ADA accessible connection from the pond to the trail. ​ In his spare time, Bernie is one of ECRT’s valued, hard-working volunteers .Using an ATV four-wheeler and a tow-behind mower, he does a meticulous job maintaining the trail from Genesee Road to Old Glenwood. He also walks the trail frequently. For Bernie, the trail is a much-loved place he gladly takes care of and truly cares for; a place where he can commune with nature very close to home. More volunteers

  • Photos | ecattrail.org

    Photos Home About Explore FAQs Latest News Join Us Contact Search Events Photos More © 2024 Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail, Inc. Board Member Login

  • Volunteer Archive | ecattrail.org

    Volunteer Spotlight Archives Steve Williams Dave Stahley Carol & Tim Goff Lisa Rood Jim Cielencki ​ Bill Krebs WNY Snowmobile Club of Boston Jason Engel Harry James Robin Frey ​ Mary Brummer ​ Jim Slominski ​ Howy Holmes ​ Jim and Cynthia Page ​ Karen Parysek ​ Larry and Gretel Laing ​ Tim and Lisa Scheidel ​

  • About Us

    Our Board of Directors Future Trail Home About Explore FAQs Latest News Join Us Contact Search Events Photos More © 2024 Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail, Inc. Board Member Login

  • Francis Hogenkamp

    < Back Francis Hogenkamp ​ Previous Next Home About Explore FAQs Latest News Join Us Contact Search Events Photos More © 2024 Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail, Inc. Board Member Login

  • General Questions | ecattrail.org

    General Questions What is Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail and what is their role? ​ ​ E rie Cattaraugus Rail Trail (ECRT) is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit volunteer organization formed in 2009 to develop and manage the 27-mile Buffalo & Pittsburgh rail line into a linear park for multiple recreational and educational activities. ECRT is seeking volunteers, supporters, and institutional funding to help make this happen. ECRT goals are: ​ Historic preservation of former railroad corridor for adaptive reuse Build closer, stronger connections within and across communities Improve community well-being Provide a safe place for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy quiet outdoor recreation To encourage economic and community development that is compatible with the rural character of the communities hosting the trail, through trail-related activitie s What is happening along the BP&R rail corridor? ​ I n 2018, the Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail non-profit organization (ECRT, Inc.) signed a 49-year railbanking lease agreement (with four-10 year extensions) with the Buffalo and Pittsburgh Railroad (B&PRR). Railbanking is a federal program that maintains the railroads federal right-of-way while allowing for interim trail use in lieu of rail traffic for an interim period. Under the terms of the lease agreement, and the federal rail banking program, ECRT was selected as the local trail manager to build a multi-use trail on the 27-mile rail line. ECRT is looking forward to working with local communities to make the necessary safety and aesthetic improvements to the right of way and bring the communities trail vision to a reality. Why did B&PRR want to stop rail traffic? The Buffalo & Pittsburg Railroad filed a request with the Federal Surface Transportation Board (STB) in September, 2008 to formally cease freight operations for an indeterminate amount of time. During the summer of 2009, A&K Railroad Materials removed the rails and ties. The bridges and culverts remain in place. B&PRR chose to cease rail traffic on the section between Orchard Park and West Valley because it had more challenging grades and crossings than an alternate route through East Aurora. In addition, there was a lack of business along the Orchard Park to West Valley section of railway. However, the STB and B&PRR still see the corridor as a strategic piece of infrastructure and it was determined that the corridor not be allowed to disintegrate or turn forever wild. B&PRR requested to federally railbank the corridor for interim trail use, so they could have the option to reactivate rail service in the future as needed. B&PRR and the STB selected ECRT to be the local trail manager to build this multi-use recreational trail. What happens to real property values adjacent to rail-trails? ​ T here is a great deal of evidence from existing rail-trails that property values either remain the same or increase. Often, buyers seek homes along these corridors for their recreational value. Trails are among the top five amenities homebuyers look for when deciding where to move. Homes near trails sell faster, and home values increase the closer they are to the trail. What about liability on the trail? ​ Trail use is preempted from liability due to The Recreational Use Statute of the NYS General Obligations Law. Additionally, ECRT has purchased and maintai ns a comprehensive insurance program for non-recreational liability. Adjacent homeowners have no increased liability or responsibilities. Will the rail-trail be safe? What about my privacy? ​ The trail will be open from dawn to dusk. A well-maintained, community managed trail is safer than an abandoned railroad corridor. Signage with rules and a local telephone contact number will be posted along the trail. Besides employing a proven volunteer "neighborhood watch/patrol", the ECRT will coordinate with local police and first responders to ensure community safety is maintained and concerns are addressed. Trail surface conditions will allow access by first responders when necessary. Trail users are responsible for their own safety. ECRT will work with adjacent property owners to ensure privacy and safety. Design, good trail management and regulation enforcement can mitigate privacy and safety concerns. When will it open and who gets to use it? ​ E CRT is just beginning the design effort, which could take up to a year to complete. We are estimating the entire trail could take anywhere from 5-10 years to complete. The Springville Pop Warner Trail is currently in use and is a model for our ECRT trail development vision. The remaining trail will be built in sections as community funding and planning is completed. Announcements will be made as soon as other sections are ready for public use. Plans for the 27-mile rail trail include conducting a series of meetings with local governments, community residents, adjacent neighbors and other stakeholders along the corridor to encourage community involvement in design, construction and various uses for the trail. Funding will be sought to produce a community-specific, clear visioning plan, which will be integral to the trails development. Outdoor enthusiast, including bikers, hikers, horseback riders, cross-country skiers, bird-watchers, and snowmobilers are envisioned to have access. However, every use may not be allowed on every segment of the trail. ATVs and dirt bikes – considered “wheeled motorized vehicles” will not be permitted on the rail-trail. I'm interested in supporting Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail. What can I do to help? ​ ​ Become A Member, donate or become a volunteer. Where can I visit a local trail? ​ In addition to the Springville Pop Warner trail section of ECRT, other regional trails you can visit include: Ch autauqua Rails to Trails, the Allegheny River Valley Trail, the Cattaraugus Pat McGee Trail, the Genesee Valley Greenway, the Tonawanda Rail Trail, Clarence-Akron-Newstead Bike Path, and Lancaster’s Heritage Trail. 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  • Jim Slominski | ecattrail.org

    Jim Slominski ECRT relies on board member Jim Slominski for his deep knowledge and dedication to preserving railroad history. A current trustee of the Western New York Railroad Historical Society and chair of the Orchard Park Depot Committee, Jim became involved with ECRT due to a primary interest in preserving the integrity of the former Buffalo-Pittsburg Railroad right-of-way. He recalls what happened in Hamburg when the Buffalo & Susquehanna line was discontinued: “The right-of-way was completely obliterated. Today, you’d be hard pressed to find any intact sections of original corridor.” A lifelong resident of Orchard Park, from a very early age, Jim grew up near train tracks. “I was fascinated with anything that had to do with trains. When we lived on Liberty Drive off Taylor Road, I could watch trains come and go from our family room.” The Orchard Park Depot Committee was formed by like-minded railroad buffs in 1980 with a common desire to restore the depot and its storied surroundings. Jim joined in 1981 and has been an active member ever since. The hard work of restoration began in the early 1980s when then depot owner, Ed Burke, expressed interest in donating the site to the organization. In the decades following, everything from new wiring and plumbing to exterior restoration projects were undertaken with support from generous individual donations and from the efforts of local legislators. Most recently, Scott Bieler, CEO of West Herr Automotive Group, provided funds enabling significant renovations to both the interior and exterior of the site. The depot is now dedicated to his family. One very large project remains: restoring and retiling the roof, a project that could cost up to $1,000,000. “We also need to find a company with the skills and the will to undertake this hands-on, labor-intensive project.” Jim graduated from Canisius College with a degree in accounting. Prior to graduation, he participated in a work-study cooperative program with the IRS. Upon graduation, he began a 34-year career with the IRS advancing from a revenue agent to that of an appeals officer and finally as a liaison to the Congressional Joint Committee on Taxation. During the course of his career, Jim was a member of the IRS instructor cadre, worked closely with the IRS litigation division, served on a number of task forces and authored various training books and procedural manuals. An ECRT board member since 2012, Jim is delighted with the trail’s noticeable, significant progress over the past four years or so. “I can’t wait for the new section to open up connecting the trail to the depot. It will have an enormous, positive effect on the Village. You’ll see people using the trail on a regular basis to come to the Village to visit the library, to shop or to attend events. I predict we’ll see a lot more interest in and activity around depot which, of course, we welcome!” The Orchard Park Depot Committee is always looking for people interested in volunteering. “My wish list would include new members willing to help with events and interact with visitors to the depot. And if you have a background in construction, maintenance or any of the trades, we’d welcome your time, skills and support!” More volunteers

  • Howy Holmes

    < Back Howy Holmes ​ Previous Next Home About Explore FAQs Latest News Join Us Contact Search Events Photos More © 2024 Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail, Inc. Board Member Login

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