Sweeps taking place in town, village

Sweep number two of the three-step cleanup effort in the Town of Amherst began this week.

Residents who still have debris in their yards must place it at the curb in the town's right-of-way, insuring that it is not blocking the roadway nor fire hydrants.

Also taking place during phase two is the removal of hanging or leaning branches which are considered a hazard. That is part of the approximately $20 million contract with DRC Emergency Services.

This step, reimbursed by FEMA, is not considered a pruning action but instead a safety measure. Eventually the town, through Erie County, will have an arborist assess the damaged trees on town roads to determine if any need to be removed.

At Monday's work session, Supervisor Satish Mohan reiterated that the town cannot go down the 91 private streets in Amherst to clear brush. Residents and businesses on those streets must place the debris on a public town road where it can be picked up.

Council Member Shelly Schratz sponsored a resolution to request FEMA to allow the town "right of entry" onto those roads to do cleanup and be reimbursed. The paperwork was set to be filed on Tuesday.

Residents who have questions can call the Highway Department at 631-5990.

In the Village of Williamsville, leaf pickup will take place during one sweep. The Department of Public Works has started the sweep on the south side of the village beginning at South Union Road and will continue to the north side. Leaf pickup will continue weather permitting.

Crew Chief Michael Parker asked residents to separate their leaves from large tree debris, and he encouraged people to bag them.

Anyone who misses the sweep can still bag leaves for pickup.

The Village of Williamsville has teamed with Erie County Cooperative Director Sharon Webber to present a seminar from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 11 at the Williamsville Meeting House, 5658 Main St., on the assessment and repair of storm-damaged trees.

For more information, call Village Hall at 632-4120, ext. 3006.

Also the parking ban that has been in effect since the Oct. 12-13 storm has been lifted.