Cheektowaga · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Town of Cheektowaga public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Tadio Parkway Speed Limits
The board revisited lowering town speed limits from 30 to 25 mph but reached no decision. Members split on enforcement versus signage, discussed road diets, and flagged problem roads like William Street and Cleveland Drive.
Fire Training Facility
The town is giving land off Walden Avenue to the Fire Chiefs Mutual Aid Organization for a privately funded training facility serving all ten town fire companies. Construction could start next summer, improving in-service training without costing taxpayers.
Police Department Expansion and Community Advisory Council
The board approved a $14,419.59 grant-funded drone for search-and-rescue and crash response. One resident argued the money would be better spent on proven measures like lighting and fencing.
Ambulance Services Code Amendment
Local Law No. 8 of 2026 would update the town code governing ambulance services and the EMS Board, following a September public hearing.
Borden Road neighbor privacy dispute
A homeowner sought to top his six-foot fence with mesh screening because, he said, a next-door neighbor has photographed and filmed his daughter and teenage grandson for two years. The board granted the variance with a condition keeping the screen 35 feet back from the street corner.
Expansion of Flock Automated License Plate Reader Cameras
Residents presented FOIL'd event logs showing former officers retained access, joke hotlists tracking co-workers, and disabled multi-factor authentication, after three officers were suspended for misusing the system to stalk a town employee. Speakers demanded the cameras come down, an independent audit, and a local ALPR law; Supervisor Nowak said the board must seriously consider the system's future in 2027.
Library roof asbestos survey concerns
Library caretaker Eric Zemborski said he can't get the asbestos survey for the upcoming roof replacement despite being told it exists, and worries about material staged near the public park while staff remain in the building.
Ethics and Censure Resolution for Councilmember Pilarski
Residents and council members debated a resolution to censure Deputy Supervisor Brian Pilarski following reports that he failed to file IRS Form 990 nonprofit forms for the Seneca-Babcock Community Association.
Town Police Cooperation with Federal Immigration Enforcement (ICE)
Residents and activists pressed the town board to end local police collaboration with ICE, citing civil rights concerns and recent federal enforcement actions. Counter-speakers defended police cooperation with federal agencies to ensure public safety.
Walden Galleria Mall Security and Crime Concerns
Residents raised safety concerns regarding incidents at the Walden Galleria Mall, prompting town officials to report on recent walkthroughs, security measures, and multi-agency cooperation.
Youth Mental Health and Online Safety Initiative
The board established youth mental health, online safety, and preventative education as municipal priorities to support adolescents and position the town for state grant funding.
Police Shooting
A Cheektowaga police officer shot and killed a man in Buffalo, sparking major questions about local law enforcement accountability. It's a high-profile incident that's got everyone talking about how police operate outside their town lines.