Town Board's plan would save green space
Residents might vote in November
by JESSICA L. FINCH Associate Editor

Council Member Bill Kindel says he has the support he needs to pass a resolution creating a committee for consideration of a November referendum on protecting green space.

Should the resolution be approved at the Feb. 5 Amherst Town Board meeting, it would put the committee on an aggressive schedule to report back to the Town Board in 120 days.

The committee would investigate the community's interest in voting on a referendum that would allow bonding for open space throughout Amherst.

Kindel said initial focus was on North Amherst, but he now wants to include Eggertsville, Snyder, Willow Ridge and Williamsville.

Following Monday's work session, where he received the support of at least four board members, Kindel reported that the committee would act as the investigation phase of the proposal to move toward a referendum.

Amherst has been assisted by the Town of Clarence, which passed a similar referendum in 2002. The bond resolution was for $12.5 million to preserve open space. Clarence Supervisor Kathy Hallock said representatives of Amherst sought advice on moving forward with their own referendum.

"We had to do a lot of education," she said about meeting with residents to explain the referendum.

Although there are benefits to holding the referendum, such as being a more attractive grant candidate if the measure passes, Hallock said she suggests the town wait.

"It's too soon to put on the ballot this year," she said.

Should the residents of Amherst be asked to vote on such a referendum they would be deciding if the Town Board would be allowed to move forward, using bonded money, when green spaces become available.

Kindel said acquired pieces would be used for various purposes, including agricultural and recreation. Flood control would also be considered in purchases, he said.

Comptroller Frank Belliotti said once money is bonded it has to be spent in a certain period of time. Residents would be impacted by money being spent on the interest of the bond.

He added that the referendum is considered a betterment for the town in an effort to save green space. In most cases, municipalities are not in the land-buying business.

The total amount the Town of Amherst would be seeking on the referendum has not been announced.