Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Town of Amherst public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
15 issues
Tree preservation code amendment (Chapter 179)
The town is considering changes to its tree code, which governs tree removal and preservation requirements for developments and homeowners. Details will be presented at the evening meeting.
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.
Senior Center boiler replacement
A change order for the senior center boiler project — keeping the heat on at a facility seniors rely on.
2026 Community Development Action Plan
The town's annual plan for federal community development funding — typically supporting housing, infrastructure, and services for lower-income residents.
Pending Town Landmark Nominations
Three resolutions would designate local properties as landmarks, adding protections for the town's historic buildings.
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.
Palmdale Drive and Neighborhood Speeding & Cut-Through Traffic
Residents on Aegean Avenue and Waterway Lane report speeding and non-compliant stop behavior, but federal warrant data — speeds and volumes — fell short on both streets, and the town still lacks a policy for speed humps, which the highway department opposes for snow removal.
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.
High Park/Main Street right-turn-on-red sight distance
A resident reports cars creeping past the stop bar can't see Main Street traffic because of a brick wall, trees and a curve. The town can't act on a state road, so it referred the issue to NYSDOT.
2027 Town Budget and Tax Levy Increase
The town board is reviewing the proposed 2027 town budget and capital improvement program, along with a local law to override the tax levy limit if necessary. These financial plans will guide municipal spending and public investments for the upcoming year.
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.
Senior Center Operational Policies and Restrictions
The town addressed temporary inconveniences at the senior center caused by canopy painting and parking lot maintenance happening right during early voting. Staff and senior center members are actively helping guide voters around the construction.
2190-2200 Wehrle Drive Multi-Family Development Variances
Young Development sought four area variances for setbacks and parcel size to split their 270-unit multi-family project into two financing phases. The site plan and building designs remain unchanged, featuring extensive landscaping and townhome-style units.
Proposed Lodging Occupancy Tax Request to State Legislature
The town established a 2.5% bed tax on short-term lodging to generate revenue for capital improvements and general town services.
2027-2032 Capital Improvement Program
The town reviewed its multi-million dollar capital plan focused heavily on essential infrastructure like wastewater treatment and highway paving.