Hamlin residents overflow town hall for public hearing

The town came to the town hall Monday night forcing officials to reschedule a meeting planned to allow public comment on a proposed rental-housing complex in Hamlin.

The meeting has been rescheduled for Thursday, December 18 at 7 p.m. and will be held at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, 3747 Brick Schoolhouse Road.

Nearly 300 people showed up at the town hall to share their feelings on a proposed development to be built on a portion of 135 acres of land off Lake Road West Fork. The development proposed by the DeMarco Group calls for 24 senior citizen apartments and 25 single-family rental houses.

Dane Emens, Hamlin Planning Board chairperson, said town officials didn't anticipate such a large turnout.

"We tried to put everyone in the gym, which holds about 150," said Emens. "There was no way we could hold the meeting. We weren't 20 people over, we were closer to 150 people over."

Mike Marchetti, Brick Schoolhouse Road resident and Burke Hardware manager, was instrumental in getting the impressive turnout. Marchetti worked to publicize the meeting through newspapers and via direct mail.

"I feel like Hamlin, as small as it is, does not need more subsidized rental property," said Marchetti. He added that residents are concerned with what this proposed development would do to the town's tax base and are worried about drainage issues that may arise.

At the upcoming meeting residents will be able to speak their minds after listening to a presentation from the developers. Emens said he hopes that residents will be open to hearing what the developers will say and ask informed questions.

Marchetti predicts another huge turnout.

"I think people are angry and they are going to get the word out to more people," said Marchetti.