Term limits
Eight years is the max
by JESSICA L. FINCH Associate Editor

Eight years. That is all the time future council members, supervisors, clerks and highway superintendents will be allowed to serve consecutively.

The Amherst Town Board adopted a resolution on Monday that changes local law to impose term limits to two four-year terms. A grandfather amendment was included that would not put term limits on any current official.

The vote was 6-1 with Council Member William A. O'Loughlin Jr. casting the no vote.

With no seats open in the November 2006 election, those first affected could be the winners of the 2007 election when three seats can be contested.

"(Officials) start with a passion for doing something for the public, but what happens after a few terms is they start working on their next agenda, not the citizens'," Supervisor Satish Mohan said.

He added, what can't be done in eight years, can't be done in 20.

Council Member Shelly Schratz said capping term limits is a way to move the town forward.

"Everywhere you go in Western New York is the same message: 'we need change,'" she said. "If we don't take a stand, we won't move in the direction of change."

Schratz added that she hopes young people will run for positions and hopefully endorsements will be more meaningful than just always for the incumbent.

Only four residents spoke during the public hearing prior to the board's vote. Nick Paolini, president of the CSEA chapter representing Amherst, spoke against the proposal.

"The voters should decide," he said. "That's how you get rid of somebody."

He said, as democracy states, the residents should have the right to vote for their representatives. Paolini also asked that the local law be put to the residents' vote by a referendum in the next election.

Town attorney Tom Jones said the board cannot put this local law change to a referendum.

O'Loughlin, who cast the only no vote, said he truly believed the voters should have the right to decide.

He added that last year four council members were up for election and two were voted back into office.

"The voters last year term limited two of the members," he said.

Mohan and Deputy Supervisor Deborah Bruch Bucki are currently serving their first terms. Council Member Bill Kindel has been in office since 1996 and served from 1982-1990; Michael McGuire has been in office since 1992; O'Loughlin was elected in 2004; Schratz took office in 2002 and Dan Ward served from 1988-89, then as supervisor from 1990-93 and was elected council member in 1998.

In other town board news: the board adopted a resolution, 7-0, to purchase totes in response to the growing rodent problem in town.

"The Town had 55 reports last month and my office gets three to four complaints each day," Mohan said. "There is evidence this problem is getting more serious."

He added the problem started as soon as Buffalo bought totes and rats moved into the suburbs.

An amendment was made to the resolution calling for funds be

used from the environmental fund and also from the 2007 taxes.

A various number of totes in 45, 65 and 95 gallons will be purchased. Mohan said a bid for hauling will also be needed to equip the trucks. The estimated cost is $3,000 but will not be charged to the town.

Other first ring suburbs have combated their rodent problem.

The Village of Kenmore and Town of Tonawanda have both purchased and are distributing totes. The Village of Williamsville plans to address the issue at the next meeting on Aug. 28. The Town of Cheektowaga passed a local law requiring the use of specified garbage cans, with lids.

The next work session will be held at 3 p.m. Monday, Aug. 28 in the council members conference room. The next board meeting will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 7 and is scheduled to end by 11:30 p.m.

The start times have changed in response to a resolution calling for the restoration of order in town board meetings. Visit the Town of Amherst Web site for the agenda www.amherst.ny.us.

e-mail: jfinch@beenews.com