Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Town of Amherst public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
11 issues in public safety
Fire Protection District Contracts
Resolution 2026-896 sets up the 2027 fire protection districts, which fund the town's volunteer fire companies through the tax levy. Firefighter appointments for Getzville and Swormville companies are also on the agenda.
Pedestrian crossing for Casey Middle School students
Kids walking from Laurel Lane and Emerald Trail to Casey Middle School have no controlled crossing of Casey Road and must detour 375 feet east to Young's Road, which lacks crosswalk striping and ADA ramps. The board's unanimous support sends the request to Erie County, which owns the road.
Unbuilt Auden Apartments trailway crossing on North Forest Road
The approved site plan promised a pedestrian connection to the Alec Creek Trailway, but only the sidewalk and a landing were built — no crosswalk or RRFB — leaving people crossing a 35-mph county road with marginal stopping sight distance. The board ordered speed counts before referring it to the county.
Town E-Bike and E-Scooter Regulations
Town officials discussed ongoing public input for new regulations regarding electric bicycles and e-scooters. The board decided to keep public comments open and delay any final voting decision until November 30 to gather more feedback from local cyclists and residents.
North Amherst Fire Company Storage Building
The North Amherst Fire Company is looking to build an 80x60-foot storage building for trucks. The board approved the project with conditions to ensure the building's exterior matches the area's rural aesthetic.
Demolition of Abandoned Property at 790 Dodge Road
The town is moving forward with demolishing a severely damaged and abandoned property on Dodge Road that has become a haven for squatters, rodents, and fire hazards.
Proposed Changes to Town Board Rules of Order
The Town Board reviewed its upcoming schedule of over 80 resolutions, transitioning to a new software system called Civic Plus that temporarily altered standard numbering formats.
Battery Energy Storage System Regulations
Residents and firefighters raised severe safety, fire hazard, and toxic smoke concerns regarding utility-scale battery energy storage systems, prompting the board to enact strict safety standards and 500-foot setbacks.
Board Vacancy and Candidate Interviews
The commission is interviewing candidates to fill an open spot on the historic preservation board.
Repeal of Local Freedom of Information Law
The town board initiated proceedings to repeal its local Freedom of Information law in favor of relying entirely on New York State Public Officers Law and town administrative policy, drawing questions from residents about transparency.
Town Employee Residency Preference Local Law
Residents and town officials debated a local law establishing a hiring residency preference for town employees. Following public input, the board officially adopted the measure.