April 1, 2021 – The Town of Ashford has implemented a new safety precaution to help alert residents of emergency situations within the town. CodeRED, a high‐speed emergency mass notification service, has started to help keep people in the community informed of important situations within Ashford.

The CodeRED System can send emergency public safety messages and important public notifications to residents within Ashford. The town can send notifications to either all residents or just in a specific area of the town where an alert is needed.

… After hearing from residents that the town needed better communication, Pfeffer looked into ways to fix communication issues between the town and the residents. The town at the time also received $200,000 in regulatory and community support from the Department of Energy, which was to be used for things that would have an impact on the town because the Western New York Nuclear Service Center was there. With the funding, the town was able to purchase a five‐year subscription to CodeRED. Link to article

March 26, 2021 – Members of West Valley Citizens Task Force are expressing concern over the U.S. Department of Energy’s plans for the open‐air demolition of the main process plant at the West Valley Demonstration Project.

Two local members of the CTF, formed in 1996 as a watchdog for the cleanup of the former plant that reprocessed spent nuclear fuel, said that the community is also concerned that radioactivity could escape during demolition.

CTF members asked for more information from the DOE at Wednesday’s meeting to be able to judge whether the DOE’s demolition plans are sufficient. Link to article

March 25, 2021 – On Saturday, March 20, 17 supporters of the extension of the Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail gathered in Springville to experience a completed trail. Deb Fenn, the president of the Erie Cattaraugus County Rail Trail, explained that the majority of the walkers were from Orchard Park and are part of the founder’s club, which meant that they had donated at least one thousand dollars. She said, “I’m so very glad that you could all be with us on the first day of spring. We’re very grateful for your clear and generous contributions.”

…. At the Springville Community Trout Pond, which is adjacent to the trail, Jason Engel, the project manager for the Springville Field and Stream trout pond renovation project, spoke about the project. He said that eventually five thousand fish could be raised in the hatchery annually, and that a concrete pier with wheelchair access will be constructed for fishing. He said, “We’re going to make a better habitat for the fish.” He also talked about the upcoming Earth Day celebration, which will take place at the trout pond on April 24. Several local businesses and organizations will be involved with the event, including The West Valley Demonstration Project, The Springville Chamber of Commerce and the Springville Moose Club. … Link to article

March 19, 2021 – … Richard D. Johnson, 54, of Hopewell, Va., was charged at 10 a.m. Monday with fourth‐degree criminal possession of a handgun, a class A misdemeanor. The charge stems from a search of a tractor‐trailer at the West Valley Demonstration Project by the West Valley Protective Force Security Police, during which officers allegedly discovered an unregistered handgun. Johnson was turned over to the Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office, processed and released with a ticket to appear in court at a later date. Link to article

March 18, 2021 – The Ashford Town Board, at its March 10 meeting, heard updates from New York State Energy Research and Development Agency West Valley Program Director Paul Bembia regarding upcoming culvert repairs and the solar farm project.

Bembia reported culvert repair will take place on Rock Springs Road this year by the Cattaraugus County Department of Public Works through NYSERDA property. Regarding the solar farm project on the West Valley Nuclear Site property, Bembia reported NYSERDA has completed the process for the solar farm and all aspects moving forward would need to be addressed by TOA, attorneys or the solar company. Construction on the solar farm project is planned to start in the spring. Link to article