Residents press town board to finish Pleasant Parkway and speed-up delayed infrastructure bids
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Summary
Multiple residents at the July 22 meeting urged the Cheektowaga Town Board to proceed quickly with a long‑promised reconstruction of Pleasant Parkway and other delayed infrastructure projects, arguing bids were issued late and work risked being pushed into next year.
Several residents used the public‑comment period July 22 to press the Cheektowaga Town Board for faster progress on a long‑promised reconstruction of Pleasant Parkway and on other delayed drainage and paving projects.
Background and residents’ claims: speakers said Pleasant Parkway was placed on the town’s capital list in 2024 and that work began with utility and surface preparations last fall, leaving a “patchwork” of asphalt, potholes and temporary plates. Two residents who identified themselves as longtime Pleasant Parkway homeowners said last year's funding and early‑season work did not continue and urged the board to proceed this construction season rather than delaying until after the November election.
Public concerns: speakers asked whether the full scope of the originally described project (sidewalks, curbs, easements and tree work) remains funded and whether the town plans to advertise and award bids in time for contractors to complete work before winter conditions. One resident noted safety concerns, saying “I have to go basically two miles an hour … so that I don't break a rim” and that the street condition creates a risk to children and cars.
Town board and staff response: Council members and staff said funds for multiple projects were discussed in early 2025 and that a combination of budget timing and administrative steps delayed some bid publications. Board members said the town will prioritize completing projects that have active funding sources; they also agreed to hold a capital projects planning session after Labor Day to finalize priorities and timing for 2026 and to make sure projects are bid early in the year going forward.
Related items on the agenda: board members and the highway superintendent discussed several bid notices and drainage projects on the evening’s agenda (Ivanhoe, Seal/Trudy/Jane drives, Beal Drive and others). Some notices to bidders were approved; others were debated, postponed or defeated in roll‑call votes. Multiple board members urged greater clarity about which projects are intended for 2025 versus 2026 and asked staff to attach the detailed street lists and engineering scope (the 2‑84 template or equivalent) to resolutions authorizing work.
Highway department remarks: the highway superintendent told the board that crews are being trained and that some drainage and receiver work has been handled in‑house, but that full‑depth reconstruction and larger trench work often require contractor crews or specialized shoring equipment. The superintendent said some projects can be staged (trench, temporary road restore, then full paving next season) to avoid leaving streets in unusable condition over winter.
What happens next: board members agreed to hold a capital planning session in the fall, asked staff to include clear scope and schedule detail in bid documents and to coordinate notice‑to‑bidders schedules so award and construction timing can meet the board’s priorities. Several board members urged staff to return with a clear 2‑84 agreement (or equivalent summary) tying authorized funds to specific streets before the board finalizes approvals.
Ending: Residents who spoke said they will continue to monitor the schedule and urged the board not to push the work past the current construction season if the town has the funding to proceed.
Speakers (selected): Lisonbee Williams (Pleasant Parkway resident), Janice Irish (Pleasant Parkway resident), Lewis Irish (Pleasant Parkway resident), Dan Collender (resident commenting on town debt), multiple town board members and the highway superintendent.
