City Council approves fall construction

Amherst City Council decided fall is the best time for infrastructure and road construction at the proposed The Preserve at Quarry Lakes subdivision.

Members passed on second reading as emergency legislation with suspension of Council rules an ordinance approving a subdivider’s agreement with Cambred Development II LLC.

“My reasoning for that is I had really put it out there and put to task the members of Cambred LLC,” said Council member Joe Miller. “I got my answers back. People who came to me from Quarry Lakes haven’t come back. The weather is starting to turn into fall.

“As a good faith with our builders, I would like to see them get a jump on bad weather. I was a big critic of them and they have done what I asked. Emergency legislation, I think, would give them a good jump on this.”

Amherst Mayor Mark Costilow said the project is a good development.

“It’s a good subdividers agreement,” Costilow said. “I think it would be good for all of us if we get the infrastructure and roads laid sooner rather than later.”

Ward 4 Council member Jennifer Wasilk said safety of work crews and of the roads weighed in on her decision.

And at-large Council member Phil Van Treuren said representatives of the developers made themselves available to the Council and to community members without failing to answer questions and to work through issues, so he supported the project going forward.

In other Amherst business:

Honor safety forces

Miller thanked the many law enforcement agencies available to honor the memory and “to pay respects to our fallen neighbor and friend to us — Kenny Velez. I think it shows how law enforcement is, how tough it is. With just one sad act, we could lose one of our law enforcement personnel.”

Council committee topics

On Oct. 3, the Council will meet in committees to discuss Design Review Board guidelines for the Downtown Historic District, to add sewer access to three lots on North Quarry Road and to discuss underage sale and use of alcohol.

Also, until 4 p.m. Oct. 14, the city accepts applications for police officers, Safety Service Director John Jeffreys said.

State Route 58 progress

In addition, By the end of next week the state Route 58 project will receive a final coat of paving. This week, workers are completing fulldepth repairs, Costilow said.

Sidewalk repair program

The sidewalk repair program inquiries found most of downtown and Ward 3 needed sidewalk reconstruction. But that cost $300,000, Costilow said.

Instead, the city will focus on Milan Avenue, Cleveland Street and Washington Street, he said. Those three cost from $25,000 to $28,000.

“It’s in the hands of the law director,” Costilow said. “This is our first step in replacing sidewalks that are needed.”