Amherst, N.Y. (WBEN) - The Amherst Concerned Citizens group took its petition signed by over 4,500 residents Amherst Town Clerk's office on Wednesday, which they say could force a public vote on the issuing an $11 million bond to fund the MusicalFare Theatre, part of the town's ambitious Central Park project.
"This is the first time a permissive referendum has been served on the town board," said Andrea Morgante in front of the Amherst Town Hall on Main Street.
"The town has become united. Amherst residents are tired of the wasteful spending and unnecessary irresponsible projects that have been foisted upon us. This permissive referendum sends a clear message to the five board members that we are relevant, and are not a small minority within the community as the town board has portrayed us. This isn't Supervisor [Bran] Kulpa's town. This is our town."
Morgante notes it was a rather difficult effort to get the 2,526 required signatures, having endured the rather unpleasant April weather in addition to some businesses requesting they leave the premises when collecting. However, they remain firm in their belief that this 30-year contract the town has with the theatre is burdensome to taxpayers, citing that their children and grandchildren will be paying for this for years to come.
"We're not against MusicalFare. No, we're not. All we're saying is let us decide if we want to give them the bond. The voters, not five board members," added Morgante.
According to the citizens, the town now has five days to initiate court proceedings. If an objection is filed, the court has 20 days to rule on the objection. The proposition for the approval of the resolution shall be submitted at a special town election to be held between 90-105 days after the filing. If the town board voluntarily rescinds their resolution, no referendum will be needed.
The Amherst Central Park project, which is where the town wants to build the theatre, is looking to turn the former Westwood Country Club into a recreational space for residents. The project has been highly contested between neighbors, who claim that Amherst officials went through with the project without proper public input.
"I think what we should probably do is something that makes sense financially, perhaps return it to a golf course and make it make it a park and expand on that idea, make it just a really beautiful space. We're basically stuck with the property now, the people really didn't have a voice in buying it, but now we have it and we should we should use it," notes Amherst resident Dennis Hoban.
