Preserve town's fading green space

The Amherst Town Board should put the green space plan on the November ballot so the citizens can make the decision.

This plan was carefully crafted by the professional Planning Department with input from the volunteers on Amherst Conservation Advisory Council. No plan is ever perfect, but adjustments can be made as the plan is put into effect.

Perennial naysayers are trying to pick holes in the plan with the usual comments of "delay for more information," "knee-jerk," "too early," etc. If anything it is almost too late. It is high time that some action is taken to preserve our fast disappearing green space. Anyone interested in information should have gone to the Amherst Conservation Advisory Council meetings that are open to the public for viewing and commenting.

In Stephen Hunt's letter to the editor in the Aug. 15 edition, he claims a plethora of new taxes by covering the green space with more industrial building. He fails to take into consideration the costs to the town for new highways, sewers, water mains, drainage culverts, and flood control measures, which may require bonds in excess of the $13 million proposed bond. Do we need a bunch of more office buildings when there are "for lease" signs on empty building all over Amherst. Is it possible that Mr. Hunt is eyeing the potential profits? The banks know that there will be floods in northern Amherst, and therefore require property owners to buy flood insurance.

The Bee poll was biased in stating that the bond issue would raise taxes by 2 percent. This is a well known political scare tactic used by anyone who opposes anything. There are no facts to verify a 2 percent tax increase. I believe the figure is based on an off-the-cuff remark by Dr. Satish Mohan, who opposes the plan.

Robert J. Collins

Harlem Road

Snyder