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Douglas Street

Power outage reported in Douglas Street area after transformer blows

By Howard B. Owens

A transformer has blown in the area of 11 Douglas St., Batavia.

Power is out in the area.

National Grid has been notified.

No ETA on repairs nor how many customers are without power.

UPDATE 1:33 p.m.: A dozen customers are without power, according to National Grid. ETA for repair is 4 p.m.

Residents of Douglas Street raise issue of new parking enforcement with city council

By Howard B. Owens

Residents on Douglas Street in the city are confused about a seemingly new effort by a code enforcement officer to ticket them for parking, at least partially, on the grass.

That's illegal, but some residents spoke at Monday's city council meeting and said they've been doing it for years, if not decades, and never a peep before from city officials.

“(The city) is telling us that what a parkway is, is grass…or stone (between the road and sidewalk),” Barbara Shephard said. “And we can’t park in that parkway at all? We have to park in the road? It’s ridiculous.”

After a lengthy discussion that sometimes got heated, the council agreed to consider the matter at a future council conference meeting.

During the discussion, one resident was gaveled down by Council President Marianne Clattenburg.

According to WBTA:

“Leave it alone – now. And if you don’t: at the next meeting, I’m gonna be here,” Shephard sternly told the council. “Oh yeah. I’m gonna be here again, and I’ll be here all the time. Leave them alone, you understand?” Shephard’s stern delivery prompted Council President Marianne Clattenburg to ask Police Chief Randy Baker whether Shephard’s statements constituted a threat. When the Chief replied that they did, Clattenburg banged her gavel and cut Shephard off.

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