Rodent committee has not met

Last week's Bee Editorial regarding inactive committees struck a chord with me. Over one year ago I met with Supervisor Satish Mohan and a Town Council member regarding an active rat's nest in my neighbor's yard. Fast forward one year. I now own two bait boxes and a rat trap, and my neighbor owns two bait boxes. Last week we caught a 7-inch rat in our trap and last night our trap was set off but the rat escaped. It has not been unusual to see a rat in our landscaped yard in daylight hours.

In 2005 the Town of Amherst received upwards of 400 calls regarding rats - 400 homes times four neighbors each, is 1,600 residents with a rodent issue.

I and two neighbors have been on the Rodent Committee now for one year. We were expecting an active committee. I was told there were funds allocated to work with. Multiple times I phoned the senior refuse officer and council member to inquire as to when there would be a meeting. We were anxious to get started to try to tackle our town's rodent problem.

Then the finger-pointing began. It was up to the refuse officer to schedule it. No, it was up to the council member to schedule it. No, we couldn't meet until we had a liaison from the Town Board. After that was secured, the finger pointing began again. Three months later I finally gave up. There has not been a meeting at all. In fact, the Rodent Committee hasn't met since [former supervisor] Susan Grelick was in office.

It is a shame that members of this committee have resigned because they were disgusted. It's hard to believe that we have community members willing to volunteer their time to increase the quality of life in Amherst but nobody cares.

Lora Allen Clifford Heights

Amherst