Laser fences would alert drivers to deer/animals
by JESSICA L. FINCH Associate Editor

In the black of night, a driver's headlights illuminate a deer's small eyes, leaving only seconds to react. Often it's too late, as deer-vehicle accidents remain a problem in town.

Several programs, some controversial, have been implemented to control the deer population and reduce accidents.

In a continued effort to address the problem, Council Member Deborah Bruch Bucki presented a new idea at Monday's Town Board meeting.

She would like the town to consider installing laser fences, sensors or other equipment that would aim to prevent deer-vehicle accidents.

"The Town of Amherst has grappled for decades with minimizing the number of deer-vehicle accidents along its roads and highways," Bucki said.

The laser fences, as featured on CBS News in January, alert oncoming drivers when the area between two poles has been breached, and a light alerts approaching drivers.

Police Chief John Askey is in support of looking into the new devices. His department has been charged with handling the bait-and-shoot program for years, and he said he would rather have his officers policing, instead of hunting.

"I think it's a good idea, especially for the southeast part of town where it's heavily populated," he said, specifically naming Youngs Road and Wehrle Drive.

He said that pocket areas, where deer are known to travel across streets, would be good places to put the laser polls.

The Town Board voted to send the resolution to the Deer Adaptive Management Committee, the Planning Department and the Police Department to investigate whether, and, if so, where, the town should install laser fences, sensors or other equipment.

According to the CBS News report, such fences were installed in Marshall, Minn., which has reported a 50 percent decrease in deer-vehicle accidents.

Fort Dix, N.J., installed roadway sensors that flash and sound whistles audible to deer. That region has also reported a decreased number of accidents.

Jason Engel, of the Planning Department, said there were 335 deer-vehicle accidents in the town in 2007 - down from 546 in 2003, about a 38 percent reduction in the four years.

He said with the current management plan, the goal is to reduce the 2008 accident numbers to 250-275.

Engel said he is familiar with the laser devices but could not comment at this time whether he would recommend them. He said consideration has to be given to the cost and time needed to maintain such a device, especially with the wintry weather that hits Amherst and could affect the devices.

The worst spots in town for accidents are Youngs Road between Sheridan Drive and Klein Roads and portions of Hopkins Road, Wehrle Drive and North French Road.

The resolution requests the committee and departments involved report their findings by May 31.

The board also approved a resolution to investigate the December asbestos scare at the Waste Water Treatment Plant.

The resolution was sponsored by Council Member Dan Ward, who said the Town Board has a responsibility to protect and review the incident.

Employees were exposed to asbestos, but no health concerns were determined.

Ward said the incident was the result of "supervisory negligence," and he wants the issue investigated further.

Supervisor Satish Mohan informed the board an investigation was completed, pointing to a stack of papers at his place. He said the report is being bound and would be available to the board members to review shortly.

In a brief summary, Mohan said the level of asbestos found was not a concern.

"The Amherst Town Board wants to make sure this never happens again and that those responsible for this incident are disciplined," Ward said.

His resolution requests a copy of the Public Employees Safety and Health Bureau investigation, a copy of the internal investigation done by the Engineering Department, any proposed discipline being contemplated by the supervisor against the persons allegedly responsible for the incident, a schedule or list of all asbestos locations within Town of Amherst buildings and facilities, a public report of the incident, and an explanation as to why the Town Board was not made aware of it before reading it in a newspaper.

Council Member Dr. Barry Weinstein voted against the resolution, saying it was inappropriate and too vague.

In other matters:

• Golf fee increases were approved for the 2008 season. The changes range from $1-$2. The board again discussed the issue of making improvements to its courses. The concern is that golfers will eventually stop paying the increases without seeing any improvements in the condition of the courses.

• Ward's resolution, "Amherst Industrial Development Agency Clawback of Tax Abatements," was approved. In the resolution the board directs the Amherst Industrial Development Agency to immediately change its policy to employ "clawbacks," or a recoupment of abated tax revenue, in the event companies granted such tax breaks by the AIDA, in exchange for development and job creation, fail to meet their job creation targets.

• Parking changes were approved on Cranburne Lane, from Sheridan Drive to Sedgemoor Court. Parking will be allowed on one side only from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The change is supposed to alleviate a congestion problem on the narrow roadway.

The next regular Town Board meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Monday, April 7 at Amherst Town Hall, 5583 Main St., Williamsville. Visit www.amherst.ny.us for information.