Improvement plans to address flooding
by JESSICA L. FINCH Associate Editor

After presenting the proposed Capital Improvements Projects for the 2007 budget process at a recent work session, Planning Director Rick Gillert said the list has already changed. Some of the added projects will address the flooding issue in Town.

Still not finalized, the CIPs will need approval based on the budget and available funding. Gillert said following the presentation Supervisor Satish Mohan had asked that flooding issues be addressed in the coming year.

CIPs are not routine maintenance projects and focus on remedial and town-wide efforts.

Throughout the summer, with many heavy rainstorms recorded, residents came to Town Board meetings asking when a solution would be found. Sewer systems not able to handle the heavy downpour backed water into roads, houses and lawns.

Town Engineer Jeffrey S. Burroughs said projects are part of a larger list and moved up the list based on health, safety and funding.

"Say the Ransom Creek project, that is out in the future because of the cost of the project," he said.

Burroughs added that urgent projects are taken care of but funding, whether the project is bonded or paid for by tax dollars, also is taken into consideration.

"Flooding projects were not moved back," he said about adaptations being made to the list.

The second draft of the 2007-2012 supervisor's recommended capital improvement program includes waterline replacements, improvements to sanitary and storm systems and replacement of grit collectors.

A $19 million flood control project at Ransom Creek is scheduled for 2011 and will include the construction of a flood control project to provide 25-year storm protection for chronic flooding in the Random Oaks area.

Funding is expected to come through federal or state aid and a sanitary sewer district bond.

If the program is adopted in its current state, which is subject to change, will include the following projects:

+ Waterline replacements (in various pipe sizes) will take place on Hopkins Road, between North French Road and Dodge Road; Schimwood and Mountbleu; Ransom Oaks Drive, Ginger Court and Oak Hill Court; Campbell Boulevard between North French and Schoelles Road; Chestnut Ridge Road between Willow Ridge Drive and Sweet Home Road; and Homecrest Drive.

+ Sanitary and storm improvements will be made at LeBrun Road and LeBrun Circle; Windermere Boulevard along the west side; Harding, McKinley and Caesar; Wehrle Drive as part of Erie County's reconstruction project from the village line to Transit Road; Callodine Avenue from Main Street to Oxford Avenue; Allenhurst Road from Kenmore Avenue to Oxford Road, install storm sewers on Getzville Road; Eggert Road and continued replacement

along North French Road from Crosspoint Parkway east to Millersport Highway.

For the Town of Amherst proof has been in the photographs shown to the Town Board by distraught residents. There are serious flooding problems that exist in the town and appear every time a considerable amount of rain is measured.

The projects can begin as soon as 2007 but others are scheduled for as late as 2012 in this round of CIPs. A total of 89 projects are recommended ranging in cost from $19 million to $15,000 and total $79,443,025 million.

In Gillert's first presentation he said 33 projects would be started and funded in 2007 for $16.8 million.

Projects can be paid for through tax, bonds, surpluses, funds, aid and private or other sources. Many of the projects are through the highway and engineering departments.

The Town Board adopts the final program following submissions from departments, which are reviewed by the CIP Committee before a public hearing is held.

A complete list of the CIP draft is available through the Amherst Planning Department located on the first floor of Town Hall.

e-mail: jfinch@beenews.com