State of the town 'robust, strong'
SATISH MOHAN Amherst Supervisor
All post-October 2006 disaster tasks have been completed, except for the felling of trees. We are waiting for the spring season to watch their revival before we make decisions on felling. To date we have spent $17.6 million.

Our 2008 budget increased by 2 percent to $115.8 million. All of the 2008 budget increase was caused by rising personnel costs. If we continue the past trend, our budget will grow by 46 percent to $170 million in 2020.

Looking at our nation's state of economy, I will propose that we freeze the budget at the current level for two years. Council Member Guy Marlette suggested this action; I am hoping other council members will rise to the occasion.

During 2007, our total taxable assessed value increased by $83 million to $7 billion. Construction activity in 2007 was valued at $149 million, milder than in previous years. Single-family homes took the biggest hit, while multi-family residences increased by more than $15 million.

In 2007, we approved 33 new projects worth $176 million. Of these, five were residential projects and 21 commercial projects. The projects included 225 student housing units.

Our infrastructure is aging. We will spend $1.3 million on the sanitary sewer treatment plant, $1.3 million on rehabbing the broken sewer lines, and $1.9 million for replacing five weaker sections of water supply lines.

A townwide drainage plan is in progress. In 2008, we will install a sluice gate on Ditch 26-B and build two detention ponds. We will also replace the Rambling Road bridge to relieve flooding in Ransom Oaks.

To help the situation with sinking homes, we earlier reduced the assessments of 287 seriously damaged homes by $14.3 million. Last year the state legislated a five-year graduated tax abatement on the cost of renovation.

Statistics on crimes showed a mixed trend in 2007. Drug-related incidents dropped by 15 percent, firearm incidents by 15 percent, burglaries by 26 percent, rape cases by 45 percent and property crimes by 9 percent. Two types of crimes went up: violent crimes by 6 percent and robberies by 48 percent.

In order to retain young Western New Yorkers at home, we are working on starting co-op programs between UB and local industry. Students will work full time in industry in between their semesters. Several of these students will end up getting permanent jobs. We will also work on establishing such co-op programs with other colleges.

Amherst does not have a cultural center, while UB has a top-class Center for the Arts. We are working with the University to open this center to Amherst residents. Nonacademic and popular cultural programs could be offered at this UB center to the town residents.

Amherst continues to be one of the safest cities in America. We have excellent youth services, senior services and recreation programs. We have a fund balance of $12 million in our treasury. I want to assure my fellow Amherstonians that today the town's financial status is robust, and the state of their Town of Amherst is strong. During my tenure as your supervisor, I will keep working diligently, honestly and selflessly to make the state of your town stronger.