Protect Village Life

The Friends of the Village of Williamsville is a grassroots organization, made of village residents, concerned about protecting our community for the future. The goal of our organization is to inform residents of the Village about the value of living in our community and the potential loss of services that make our neighborhoods so special.

So mark you calendars for August 17th from 12 noon to 9 PM at Village Hall.

If you are going to be out of town the day of the vote you can submit an absentee ballot. You can pick them up at Village Hall or you click on the link below to print and send in to Village Hall.

If you would like a yard sign, please contact email us at protectvillagelife@gmail.com or by calling 632-3128 or 430-1216.

We want to extend a BIG thank you to all residents who have displayed a yard sign supporting our group and the village.

We look forward to meeting every resident and sharing the experiences that make the Village of Williamsville a wonderful community to live in.

If residents would like to make a donation, they can send a check to "Friends of the Village of Williamsville", 287 Mill Street, Williamsville, NY 14221. All donations will be used to purchase yard signs, circulate literature to residents, and provide transportation to residents in need on the day of the vote.

Village of Williamsville Committees

Each of these committees consists of volunteers, residents form the village who want to make a difference in our community. If the village dissolves, these committees will no longer exist. It is with support from the village government that these committees continue to better our quality of life and provide events for the residents of the village.

Plans, designs, plants, and maintains various village gardens, including Village Hall, Island Park, Garrison Park, Lehigh Valley Memory Trail, the triangle at Main and Evans, and the hanging baskets on Main Street. Performs seasonal maintenance and clears gardens at the end of the season. Selects a garden club to plant and maintain gardens at the Meeting House. Currently planning potential gardens at South Long Park.

Required by NYS Village Law. Offers relief to the strict interpretation of Zoning Ordinance of the Village of Williamsville. Hears zoning variance requests.

Hosts events in the Meeting House, such as free movies and concerts, an annual "Welcome to Williamsville" for new residents, seminars for senior residents, and others. Maintains the Meeting House and oversees the rental of the facility to community members and groups.

Oversees the maintenance and improvement of Glen Park. Dedicated to fostering a clean, safe, enjoyable environment through water quality, landscaping and nature education initiatives that enhance the quality of life in the village. Works to protect the historic character of the park, its natural beauty and its sense of community. Hosts gardening/weeding days, as well as the pumpkin carving party in the fall.

Monitors and approves any changes or updates to 11 designated landmarks sites in the village, including the mill, Meeting House, SS Peter & Paul, Roneker Building, Glen Park, Williamsville Cemetery, and more. Names new historic sites in the village.

Reviews various traffic and safety concerns, including requests by residents or groups for stop signs, parking restrictions, etc.

Assists the village in designing a restoration plan for the Mill. Locates and secures grant funding. Addresses all of the conditions placed on the funding received by NYS (including picking a date of historical significance).

Coordinates with emergency officials at all levels of government to assess needs in the emergency system. Assists village residents with special needs in the event of an emergency. Educates residents about disaster preparedness and trains them in basic response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations.

Oversees Island Park, Garrison Park, South Long Park, and Lehigh Memory Trail. Advises the Village Board with respect to park operations, concerns, and improvements. Makes recommendations to correct safety issues in parks. Observes and discusses resident use for the purpose of understanding what residents want and need in the parks. Improvements include Garrison playground replacement, South Long tennis court resurfacing, Island Park swing set, and numerous others. Future projects include replacing wading pools, resurfacing walking paths, and restroom facilities at Garrison and South Long Parks.

Reviews planning and architectural proposals concerning commercial properties in the village. Passes resolutions to accept or deny a plan under specified conditions.

Coordinates the Annual Garden Walk, Committee Appreciation Picnic for all village volunteers, music in the parks, Antique Auto Show and Parade, and Santa at the Mill. Works with the Williamsville Business Association to promote their events, such as Evening in the Village. All events are free to the community.

Maintains the tree census for the village, including right of way and park trees. Responds to resident requests for right-of-way trees, tree damage, and removal. Sponsors the annual Arbor Day Observance in the village, distributes seedlings and tree care information. Coordinates two annual plantings of bare root trees throughout the village. Plants over 100 tree per year in the village.

Organizes events for children, including Winterfest, Easter Egg Hunt, Sports Day and Fun Run, Movies in the Park, Street Hockey Tournament, Halloween Parade, and Holiday Tree Lighting and Caroling in the Park.

May 22 – Farmer’s Market at the Mill: Open May through October. Local farmers and artisans offer fruits, vegetables, cheese, flowers, baked goods, wine, pasta, sausages, jams and jellies, honey, handmade soaps, and so much more. Grab a fresh coffee and catch up on all the village happenings. Free children's activities and live entertainment on the steps of the mill.

May 29 – Street Hockey Tournament: Held behind village hall, children ages 5-13 can sharpen their hockey skills and enjoy the camaraderie of friends. Participants receive a commemorative t-shirt and lunch, as well as awards for the winning teams. Sponsored by the Village Youth & Recreation Committee.

May 31 - Memorial Day Parade: The parade starts at Williamsville South High School and marches down Main Street to Los Robles Street.

June 23 - Strawberry Festival: Enjoy clowns, face painting, raffles, and fresh strawberry sundaes. Other refreshments are available.

June 26 – Sports Day and Fun Run: Get the kids out for a great day of exercise and fun! An event filled with fun, healthy activities to get families moving. Participate in several stations designed to keep children on their feet, then walk or run the Lehigh Memory Trail. Healthy snacks and drinks will be provided. Sponsored by the Village Youth & Recreation Committee.

June 30- Glen Falls Photo Contest Deadline: To enter click on the link to the right and print form Entry Form

July 13-16 – Old Home Days: A popular celebration to honor a century-old community tradition. Events include a parade, fishing derby, amusement rides, carnival games, food, beer tent, music and family entertainment.

July 24- Art Exhibition and Award Ceremony of Glen Falls Photo Contest: Noll Nature Center in Glen Park

August 8 – Taste of Williamsville: Local restaurants offer their best culinary delights. Free children's activities and headliner entertainment is available during the event. Don't forget to enter your best recipe for the pie baking contest. Held on Island Park.

August 20 – Movies In the Park: Bring a blanket and picnic to Island Park and enjoy the show. Children's movies are shown on the big screen at dusk. Popcorn, ice cream, and beverages are available for purchase. Sponsored by the Village Youth & Recreation Committee.

A fun-filled day of winter activities for the whole family, including hayrides, a petting zoo, snowshoeing, sledding, and refreshments. Sponsored by the Village Youth & Recreation Committee.

Located on Island Park. Children of all ages are welcome to gather eggs and visit with the Easter Bunny. Chocolate bunnies await those who find golden eggs. Sponsored by the Village Youth & Recreation Committee.

Visit with the members of the village tree board to learn about tree care and planting. Receive seedlings to plant in your own yard.

Stroll along Main Street. Sample delicious goodies from local restaurants and shop at the welcoming Main Street stores. Entertainment abounds at Town Hall and throughout the village. Sponsored by the Williamsville Business Association.

Enjoy a stroll through the village and pick up gardening tips as you tour resident's gardens, open to the public. Village merchants hold sidewalk sales. Sponsored by the Village Special Events Committee.

Watch as cars cruise down Main Street. Then take a closer look at your favorites and enjoy a tasty treat or lunch on the island. Volunteers from the village will enjoy an appreciation picnic as well.

Bring a lawn chair and enjoy a warm night listening to local musicians play throughout the summer on Island Park.

Grab your carving tools and a pumpkin to create a masterpiece for Halloween. Refreshments and pumpkins provided by the Glen Park Joint Board.

Dress in your best costume and win a prize during the costume contest. Then parade through the streets of the village to Island Park where you will enjoy cider and donuts at the pavilion. Sponsored by the Village Youth & Recreation Committee.

Spend an afternoon wandering the village. Visit with Santa at the mill, decorate a cookie, build a gingerbread house, paint an ornament for your tree, enjoy a winter story at the library, and so much more. Sponsored by the Village Special Events committee.

Village Taxes… worth every cent.

The Williamsville Citizen Study Group conducted an extensive study, comparing taxes in the Village of Williamsville and taxes in the town.

Based on a comparison of 109 properties in the Village of Williamsville with 109 properties in the Town of Amherst, on average a village resident pays $170 more than a town resident.

The additional cost is NOT the payroll of the Mayor and the Trustees. The Mayor and Trustees earn a small salary for the job they do. They account for 0.4% of the total village budget. They do NOT receive health insurance and do NOT collect a pension. Eliminating the Mayor and Trustees will save at best pennies on your tax bill.

The real costs, 50% or more, are associated with water, sewer services and garbage collection.

This information is from a study conducted by the Williamsville Citizen Study Group. For more information, please visit their website: www.willvillstudy.com

They will be hosting a meeting on May 2 at the Meeting House (5658 Main St.) for all village residents.