Amherst, New York Development News
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7/6/2026 Amherst Town Board - Regular Meeting
Published: Jul 6, 2026
Senior Center Club Representative Criticizes Administration for Changes Impacting Senior Activities
Resident Garin Bella, representing the Pino Club of the Amherst Senior Center, expressed strong opposition to recent changes implemented by the center's administration. He argued that for 25 years, the club provided social time for seniors without issue, but the current administration has turned a formerly 'classy' center into a 'laughingstock.' Bella believes these changes violate the 14th Amendment by denying seniors legal activities they enjoy. He questioned the 'gain and loss' of these changes, stating seniors were 'tossed under the bus' and not considered the priority. He contrasted the current approach with past incidents where issues were handled by calling police or temporarily shutting down facilities, rather than implementing current measures which he feels are overly restrictive and create a negative atmosphere.
Resident Points Out Lack of Flag at Basset Park During National Anthem and Microphone Placement Issues
Resident Charice Sperry commented on the Buffalo Wind Ensemble concert on Independence Day at Basset Park, praising the rendition of the national anthem. However, she noted the conspicuous absence of a flag at Basset Park during the anthem, calling it a 'shameful oversight.' Sperry also observed the ongoing issue of speakers needing to be prompted to move closer to the microphone, suggesting the placement of microphones and podiums is illogical and potentially contributing to sound problems. She recommended fixing the sound issue by potentially adding more microphones.
Clarification on Energy Use from Battery Storage Systems: Grid Support vs. Private Use
Council Member Marinucci inquired whether private BESS installations could be used by commercial entities for their own power needs during grid outages, or if the energy would always be fed back into the grid. Assistant Planning Director Greg Dion stated he did not have a definitive answer but understood the primary model involves purchasing energy at low rates and selling it back to the grid. Council Member Kavanagh clarified that this arbitrage model allows companies to profit by selling back to the grid, and the grid then distributes power as needed, rather than the company retaining it for exclusive use. This highlights the primary role of BESS in grid support and energy market participation rather than direct private backup power during outages.
Board Members Seek Assurances of Efficient Review Process for Energy Storage Projects
Council Member Kavanagh expressed frustration regarding potential delays in project approvals due to legacy rules and asked for assurances that the proposed battery energy storage system (BESS) regulations would not add significant time to the review process. The planning staff stated their desire to review and approve projects within a 90-day timeframe, indicating that the proposed standards are predictable and written down, and that developers have been consulted. They believe the regulations will not add substantial time. Council Member Marinucci echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the need for predictability and the importance of not delaying projects unnecessarily. The board acknowledged the need for energy storage solutions but stressed that the process should be efficient.
Proposed Regulations for Battery Energy Storage Systems Include Robust Safety Measures
During the discussion on battery energy storage systems (BESS), Council Member Kavanagh inquired about fire hazards, to which staff responded that while past incidents occurred with older technology, newer systems are safer due to design changes and the implementation of a battery management system (BMS). The International Building Code has also been updated to include enhanced safety measures. The town's proposed ordinance includes significant setbacks from residential areas (500 ft, reducible with hazard analysis), roadways (100 ft), and requires an emergency management plan, an enclosed fence, and high-impact screening to mitigate risks. An acoustical analysis is also mandated, and air quality assessments are required near sensitive uses. A decommissioning plan is part of the ordinance to ensure proper site restoration after the BESS lifespan. The town is taking an incremental approach by limiting initial installations to industrial and R&D districts.
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The Amherst News archive
6/22/2026 Town Board - Work Session
6/22/2026 Amherst Town Board - Regular Meeting
6/18/2026 Planning Board Meeting
6/16/2026 Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting
June 16, 2026 - Board of Education Mtg.
6/16/2026 Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting
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