ARE YOU OPEN MINDED?????

Take note of today's article in the Buffalo News below, regarding the development of our Master Plan. Supervisor Smith is asking for volunteers, and we hope that you will answer his call. Let us know if you do! We hope that he's really sincere in asking for our assistance; after all, ARRG members can be "OPEN-MINDED" too!


Citizen input sought as state grant propels master plan
By Melanie D. Larsen SUBURBAN CORRESPONDENT (Buffalo News)
Updated: 02/11/08 6:48 AM

The Town of Alden is moving forward with an update of its master plan, thanks to funding from the state’s community development block grant fund.

While only certain municipalities are awarded the grant funds each year based on need and the merits of a proposed project, Town Supervisor Ronald L. Smith said, the town was awarded a $45,000 grant, and it will use $15,000 from the town’s matching fund.

The $15,000 from the town, Smith said, has “minimally” increased taxes from the 2008 budget and is budgeted for 2009.

With the grant funding now in place, Smith said, the town is able to begin putting out requests for proposals to find a planning consultant to help the town with a blueprint to govern decisions about planning and development.

In addition, Smith said, the town will ask residents to serve on a community planning committee.

“We are looking at a citizen-participation plan where we can meet and where the public can come in and give input about what the future of Alden should look like in about 20 years — 2029,” Smith said. “We want people who can have an open mind and think about others’ opinions in the Town of Alden.”

Bill Weber, a member of the Town Board who also serves on the Economic Development Committee, said the town wants about 11 people for the planning committee and will be advertising the positions in the near future.

According to Weber, the group will consist of citizen volunteers, as well as two board members and Town Engineer Mike Metzger.

Smith said the committee will look at not only the aesthetics of the town, but at issues the town has discussed, such as the town’s Right to Farm Law and the future of commercial and industrial development.

“Nothing is on the table in either the town or the village,” Smith said of the possibility of another big-box proposal similar to the town’s recent struggle with proposed Wal-Mart developer Frank Russo. “Russo could come back at any point. He has that ability; the ball is really in his court.”