Grand Island is the latest town targeted for downsizing.

Civic activist Kevin Gaughan filed petitions Thursday afternoon seeking a referendum to reduce the size of the Grand Island Town Board to three from five members.

He said he has received a good reception collecting signatures on Grand Island, in contrast to the opposition from residents elsewhere facing votes to dissolve their villages.

“In some measure, it’s interesting to see [that] the spirit with which some village government officials are resisting change is having the effect of increasing support among town folks,” he said.

Gaughan filed petitions in June to dissolve the governments in three Erie County villages. Williamsville and Sloan will hold referendums Aug. 17, while Farnham residents will vote Sept. 28.

He said the Grand Island petitions were filed Thursday to allow the referendum to be held sometime between Sept. 22 and Oct. 4.

“I’ve come to learn no matter how hard we try to encourage public servants to place these votes on Election Day, they consistently refuse,” he said.

But Grand Island Supervisor Peter McMahon said he was hoping the downsizing vote could be taken Sept. 14, Primary Day.

“If we can do it that way, it saves money,” said McMahon, who estimated a special election would cost $6,000.

In some special referendums, McMahon said, the town has reduced voting hours and consolidated balloting to three or four polling places, instead of all 15. Reducing voting hours and polling places has drawn criticism in other communities that have held downsizing votes.

McMahon also noted that issues have arisen in some towns that have already downsized their boards to three members. These include discussion of town issues between two board members, since that would constitute a quorum and be subject to public-meetings laws.

“It would make it difficult for two of us to get together to discuss town business,” he said, adding, “I think we’re fixing something that may not be broken.”

The five members of Grand Island’s Town Board, he added, divvy up the duties, and two fewer board members would mean more work for the remaining three.

As soon as the petitions are certified, the Town Board will decide how to proceed, he said.

bobrien@buffnews.comnull