FRANKLINVILLE – Senator Young announced Friday that a $50,000 state grant was secured to build a new boat launch at Case Lake.
The new launch is named the William Weller Memorial Boat Launch in honor of the late Cattaraugus County Legislator William Weller. Weller lived in Franklinville and represented the community on the Legislature from 2011 until his death in 2016. Prior to joining the Legislature, he served as the Town of Franklinville Highway Superintendent for 35 years.
“Bill loved Franklinville and he devoted his life to public service, first as Franklinville Highway Superintendent and later as a member of the Legislature,” Young said. “Bill loved the outdoors, hunting and fishing. It is wonderful that we remember him in this way. I was honored to be able to secure this funding to build the William Weller Memorial Boat Launch.”
When Weller passed away in 2016, Cattaraugus County Legislator Robert Brenton (R-Franklinville) was appointed to represent the community.
Brenton thanked Young for supporting the project.
“We are very, very appreciative of everything Senator Young has done for our community,” Brenton said. “I think Case Lake is a diamond in the rough. We want to uncover it and this boat launch will help do that.”
The new boat launch will allow canoeists, kayakers and others with small boats, to launch directly from an aluminum dock onto Case Lake via a system of rollers. Similar launches are in use along the Allegheny River in Portville and Allegany.
“The boat launches along the Allegheny River have greatly increased the number of canoeists and kayakers on the water,” Young said. “Case Lake is beautiful, but underutilized. This new boat launch will make it easier for local residents, as well as tourists, to access the lake and enjoy its natural surroundings.”
The project will also include a parking area and a driveway.
