Pothole Repair Plans Stall after Niagara Falls City Council Vote Deadlock

Efforts to address Niagara Falls’ growing pothole problem have hit a major roadblock after the City Council failed to approve a plan involving outside contractors and overtime work for city crews.

Mayor Robert Restaino had proposed hiring Patch Management Inc. to deploy its "Pothole Killer" truck along city streets using 100 tons of asphalt patch material to fill the numerous potholes plaguing local roads. The $99,600 proposal also included funding for overtime hours for the Department of Public Works (DPW) street crew to supplement the effort with traditional hot asphalt patching, which is considered a more durable repair method.

However, the plan was narrowly defeated in a 2-2 council vote. Council Members Donta Myles and Brian Archie opposed the spending, questioning the need to fund both the "Pothole Killer" operation and additional DPW overtime, which would have cost another $100,870 from the city’s Tribal Revenue reserves.

“I support filling potholes — just not paying twice to do it,” Archie said.

Myles echoed the concerns, adding that he did not see a justification for the proposed overtime.

Council Chair James Perry and Council Member Traci Bax voted in favor of the plan, but with Council Member David Zajac absent due to a family emergency, the proposal failed to secure a majority.

Mayor Restaino warned that without additional resources, many potholes would remain unrepaired. He explained that the DPW road crew will soon shift their focus to major street repaving projects as part of the city’s spring and summer construction schedule, which will cover improvements on 20 to 25 streets.

“We have one street crew doing everything," Restaino said. "Once they’re tied up with road construction, pothole repairs will come to a halt.”

Despite the mayor’s concerns, Archie remained unconvinced.

“If the pothole killer isn’t effective enough, why are we paying for it at all?” he said.

Restaino indicated he may bring the proposal back for reconsideration at the next council meeting.

City's Pothole Repair Plans Stall after Niagara Falls City Council Vote Deadlock