AMHERST, N.Y. — A group of neighbors in the Town of Amherst says it has enough signatures to force a town-wide vote on a borrowing measure approved by the town last month.
Amherst Concerned Citizens handed in a reported 4,574 signatures with their petition to the Town Clerk on Wednesday.
They hope to force a referendum vote for an $11 million bond resolution to fund the construction of a new MusicalFare Theatre.
"We want to thank all the Amherst residents and all the volunteers of the Amherst concerned citizens group for participating in this endeavor," said Andrea Morgante, handing over the stack of papers to the clerk's office.
Morgante and others believe the town board failed to consider dissenting public opinions when its five members unanimously approved the resolution on March 25.
Since then, the group has been knocking on doors and visiting businesses for the past 27 days getting signatures to try and force more input via referendum.
"It was a lot of work but it was worth it," Dennis Hoban said.
The borrowing is part of the town's larger multi-use Amherst Central Park project. Section 3 involves the construction of a new space for MusicalFare along Sheridan Avenue, which is currently located on the Daemen University campus.
As part of its agreement to lease the property, MusicalFare would reimburse the town $3,333,333 of what is borrowed.
Still, Morgante and 'Amherst Concerned Citizens' believe that Amherst might be better off waiting, citing the town's recent 11.4% tax increase, its ongoing property reassessment, and various projects like the Boulevard Mall and Royal Parkway which are already burdening taxpayers.
"The people want their voice back and we're not going to stop and we're not going to be confrontational and troublemakers we are connecting people to people," former Amherst town board member Shelly Schratz added.
Amherst Town Supervisor Chief of Staff Joe McMahon told 2 On Your Side on Wednesday that the town would not be providing comment until the petitions had been reviewed.
The town has five days to review the signatures, after which time McMahon said the town will comment. Challenges are allowed.
Morgante said if they reach the threshold needed for signatures after that the town will have a certain number of days to schedule a vote.
"We're asking them to serve us, no special interest, listen to what the residents want," Morgante said.
If a majority of Amherst residents vote in favor of the bond resolution once it goes to referendum, members of Amherst Concerned Citizens told 2 On Your Side Wednesday it would respect that decision.
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