Gaughan targets Grand Island for downsizing

Kevin Gaughan is adding Grand Island to the list of communities that will vote on downsizing.

Gaughan plans to submit petitions today requiring a public referendum on reducing the five-member Town Board by two seats.

He said he has visited more than 1,000 homes on Grand Island.

"I learned that residents there are eager to join our effort to reduce government and begin to grow our community and economy once again," Gaughan said.

He said the number of signatures required to force a downsizing vote is 353. He plans to submit 1,078 signatures.

Last year, residents in West Seneca, Evans, Orchard Park, Alden and Hamburg voted to reduce the size of their town boards from five to three. Evans and West Seneca started operating this year with a supervisor and two board members.

Gaughan also has headed the efforts that will result in votes this year to dissolve the village governments in Williamsville, Sloan, and Farnham.