Amherst Town Board members want street names to be significant
by JESSICA L. FINCH Associate Editor

During Monday’s work session, the Amherst Town Board revisited a September resolution that gave the board the authority to name new subdivision streets.

Council Member Dan Ward’s Sept. 19 resolution shifted naming authority from the Planning Board to the Town Board and instructed that names with significance to Amherst be selected.

According to the resolution, it is the policy of the town “to

name, designate or commemorate all public buildings, facilities, streets, highways, bridges, parks, landmarks and public works and places of all and any kind if at all, only with the names of persons or organizations that have substantial connection to the history of the Town of Amherst.”

Gary Black, assistant director of the Planning Department, presented the proposed procedure to the board on how to legally name a street under the new guidelines.

“According to fire control, the name has to be consistent with the 911 system. There can be no duplicates, neither the name or sound of the name,” he said. “It creates a fire safety issue.”

In addition to checking the proposed street name with the fire control office, the name also has to be approved by the U.S. Post Office.

In the past, subdivision developers submitted names they would like used in their subdivision. Black said the new policy would allow them to choose from a preapproved list of 50-100 names that had been submitted by the Amherst Museum.

This would ensure that the name have a significant tie to the town.

He informed the board that the review process can be lengthy, and this debate has already put three projects on hold. Black’s request to grant permission for those projects to move ahead with their own names was held until Monday’s meeting. The Town Board was not in

total agreement of the procedure and plans to discuss the process further.

Council Member Bill Kindel said that although he liked the concept he thought because the developers were spending a lot of money on their projects that the board should speak with them about the procedure.

Planning Director Rick Gillert agreed, pointing out that marketing is very important to subdivision developers, who often choose a theme when naming their streets.

A resolution mapping out the details is expected to be drafted.

“This is very significant to the future of our town,” said Supervisor Satish Mohan.

In another matter, the board called a special meeting to amend a recent resolution that lowered the temperature of all town buildings to 68 degrees during the day. Due to complaints, the board approved a new temperature setting of 70 degrees.

The next Town Board meeting will be at 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 18 at Town Hall, 5583 Main St., Williamsville. Visit the Web site www.amherst.ny.us for agenda information.

e-mail: jfinch@beenews.com