By Town Supervisor Patrick Casilio
The Clarence Bee, Jan. 9, 2025
A winter without snow
A day without snow is simply that – a day without snow. Typically, our town clears measurable snowfall about 25 times a year. But like last year, even as surrounding areas are buried in snow, we begin the new year with bare ground. No snow also means less salting, translating into significant savings for our town – a small silver lining to our unseasonably mild start to winter.
Highway department shines again
I often share how exceptional our town employees are, and they’ve once again demonstrated their dedication. Recently, through the Highway Mutual Aid system, our plow trucks were dispatched to assist the Town of Hamburg, which faced a massive 4-foot snowstorm. Equipped with next-generation tire chains – a tried-and-true solution with a modern twist – our crews worked tirelessly during a nearly 24-hour shift to clear Hamburg’s roads.
This isn’t the first time our highway department has stepped up to assist neighbors in need. A few years ago, when Lancaster was buried under 7 feet of snow, Transit Road was completely shut down. Our team ensured that Central Avenue, from Broadway to Genesee, remained passable through relentless plowing during an extended shift. Similarly, during Cheektowaga’s historic snowstorm, residents applauded our snowblower clearing their residential streets – a testament to the spirit of teamwork and community support our highway department displays for all to see.
Looking ahead, Highway Superintendent James Dussing continues to enhance our snow removal capabilities. Last year, during heavy snowfall, almost all of our trucks got stuck. In response, Superintendent Dussing procured next-generation tire chains, enabling our trucks to tackle feet of snow rather than mere inches. These advancements mean faster and more efficient snow removal, minimizing the need for slower equipment like wheel loaders. Thank you to our highway department and employees for your unwavering commitment to keeping our roads safe – both here and across the county.
Preparing for emergencies
Emergency preparedness remains a top priority. Town Emergency Manager David Baumler recently convened a meeting with me, Superintendent Dussing and our local fire companies to ensure we’re ready for any snow emergencies. Our senior center and its dedicated volunteers stand prepared to assist if needed for our warming center. Plans include additional equipment placement and procedures for housing stranded motorists, often from out of town or out of state. In such cases, individuals will spend time in our warming center before being moved to local accommodations. Here’s hoping for a mild winter that spares us from having to implement these plans.
Remembering Robert Lenz
Our community recently lost a pillar of dedication and service. Robert Lenz, a tireless advocate for our town whose contributions spanned decades, passed away last week. Bob came from a family of restaurateurs who made Clarence the place to be for fine dining. His dad, Herman, owned the Red Mill, and his Uncle Richard the Coachman’s Inn. He opened the historic Asa Ransom House in 1975 which, along with its overnight accommodations, made it the place to be when visiting Clarence. Bob worked tirelessly to promote our town’s attractions alongside Elaine Wolfe. Together, they created a brochure showcasing our community’s charm, distributing it at travel agencies and rest stops statewide.
Bob was also a passionate volunteer, supporting the farmers market, our history museum and many other local organizations. His legacy of service and commitment will be deeply missed. Please keep Bob and his family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.