Open space, golf course bonds will be on ballot
by JESSICA L. FINCH Associate Editor

It's now up to the voters to decide.

The Amherst Town Board approved a resolution on Sept. 4 that would put the proposal for a $12 million bond on the Nov. 6 ballot. If approved by voters, the money would be used to purchase open space within the town.

Spearheaded by Council Member Bill Kindel, his proposal was met with opposition, some requesting he remove his motion.

Their pleas weren't received as the board voted 6-1 in support of the the proposal. According to the Town's Web site, Council Member Shelly Schratz was the only member to vote against putting the item on the election ballot.

"I believe, of the speakers who appeared, the clear majority wanted to have it on the ballot," Kindel said. "The opposition was primarily developers, about 90 percent."

Kindel added, the issue the developers have isn't so much with Amherst but that this idea will spread to communities that have undeveloped space, such as the Southtowns.

Opposers have said that guidelines exist that protect open space and require town board approval for rezoning, so bonding millions is a waste. In response, Kindel said this is another safeguard, and with 80 percent of Amherst developed, those guidelines have provided much protection.

A week prior to the board's vote, Buffalo Niagara Association of Realtors, Sustainable Amherst and other business associations gathered to speak against the proposal. They claim the bond would be a waste of taxpayers money and has not been thoroughly reviewed.

If approved, a program would be implemented to decide which parcels the town will buy as they become available.

Kindel also said the funds could be used for pocket parks and creating more green space in urban areas of the town.

Also during the Sept. 4 meeting the board voted, 6-1, to request voter approval for a $3.1 million bond for repairs to the town owned Audubon Golf Course. Council Member Dan Ward cast the no vote.

Council Member Shelly Schratz sponsored the resolution, saying this decision has been a long time coming.

"The arguments have been going on for years," she said, adding the debate between selling it and putting the money into maintaining it started years ago.

The golf course needs a new irrigation system, overall improvements and a driving range may be included.

Schratz said the improvements should attract more golfers and that would payback the bond.

"We don't take care of what we have," she said about the course deteriorating.

The third proposal on the ballot is a proposed local law that would require the deputy supervisor be chosen from the town board. If approved by the voters the law will go into affect, as the board has already approved it.

When Supervisor Satish Mohan named Roy Wixson, an attorney in the Village of Williamsville, as deputy supervisor, months of debate from the board and residents ensued. The proposed change in the local law stemmed from arguments over the interpretation of the appointment.

Voters will also decide on three board members, a town clerk, a town justice and a highway superintendent on Nov. 6. County legislators and executive will also be on the ballot.

e-mail: jfinch@beenews.com