Speed limit change planned on Crittenden Road
Newstead Town Board members learned at their meeting Monday night that their request for a speed reduction on Crittenden Road, between NY Route 5 (Main Road) and the Akron Village line, will result in a reduction on part of that section of Crittenden.
A letter from Regional Traffic Engineer Brian P. Kirby, P.E. Regional Traffic Engineer reported on a study of operating speeds, crash data, traffic volumes, roadside development and roadway geometry along that section of Crittenden Road. The findings indicated that there is a lack of crash history attributed to excessive speeding in the area and a speed change is not indicated. He did note his concern with the large change in the speed limit on Crittenden Road at the Newstead/Akron boundary where the speed limit changes from 55 MPH to 30 mph and approved a 45 MPH buffer speed limit from the village line to a point 0.4 +/- miles south of the village line. The Erie County Department of Public Works will install the required signs.
Kirby reported that the study, showed that 23 percent of motorists on that section of Crittenden exceed the existing 55 MPH speed limit, 61 percent exceed 50 MPH and 98 percent exceeded 45 MPH. He shared that experience has shown that if there is no apparent reason for driving at a reduced speed, the posting of signs with an arbitrarily lower speed limit does not result in voluntary compliance by the majority of drivers. “Thus the lower speed limit results in larger speed differentials which can make the road less safe.”
Change in Use
Board members approved a change in use application from Jason Abounader/Akron Bloom, LLC to operate a business engaged in process, packaging, and labeling of cannabis flower for distribution to NYS licensed dispensaries at 12264 Main Road. They also approved a change in use application for Christopher Casacci/Sunshine Solutions & Group V Real Estate, Inc. to operate a microbusiness to grow hemp/cannabis with light manufacturing of these products at 11358 Main Street. Both applications were the subject of public hearings prior to the board’s regular meeting. No one appeared with negative comments on the proposed change of use for either application.
Subdivision approved
A Conditional approval of a proposed subdivision at the southwest corner of Clarence Center and Barnum Road was approved. CMK Builders, Inc is required to include drainage improvements consisting of a swale and dry detention pond to maintain water o the parcel and a swale running along the western boundary of the parcel. The 4-lot major subdivision was approved conditioned on easements approved by the Town Attorney
Bike Path
The Erie County Sheriff’s Department liaison to the Town Board reported that enforcement on the bike path currently includes deputies with motorcycles on the path. “They have their lights flashing,” the deputy told the Board, stating that they are visible to those using the path. They are currently stopping and advising those operating any form of motorized vehicle on the path.
Other Action
Board members awarded a masonry wall project at the Joint Municipal Facility to improve safety for employees to Qualprax Masonry Company at a cost of $28,371.66; Authorized the execution of an easement on Clarence Center Road and approved the Eagle Scout project for Nathan Geiger for Little Libraries.
Permits
A Building Permit Report from April 29 to May 9, 2025 showed permits issued for a roof at 103 Golden Pond Est., roof, windows and siding at 11087 Miland Rd., an entrance replacing Bilko doors at 13502 Bloomingdale Rd., a water guard drainage and sump pump at 12274 Buckwheat Rd., installation of an egress window at 12353 Clarence Ct. Rd., a pole barn at 11646 Howe Rd., and a gas line form home to pool at 5910 Cummings Rd.
In Memoriam
Supervisor Dawn Izydorczak concluded the meeting pausing to remember Linda Shoe, the mother of Councilman Joe Dugan; Michael Ross, owner and operator of Ross Funeral Home of Akron; and Jane Downey, former member of the Newstead Planning Board and bass drum player with the Akron Community Band.