Amherst Bicentennial

Susan Grelick served as the first woman elected Town of Amherst Supervisor from 1997 through 2005 and served as the first woman elected Town of Amherst Town Clerk from 1992 through 1996. During her tenure as Amherst Supervisor, Amherst created its first State Park an 80+ acre park in the center of Williamsville. Amherst built a four-rink ice recreational center, a new state of the art Senior Center, created the Amherst Memorial Hill Grove (a living memorial of a grove of 120 oak trees in groups of 9 and 11 dedicated to the victims and heroes of 9/11). Susan was instrumental in preventing the Williamsville Library from closing during the Erie County, New York Budget Crisis. As Supervisor she initiated the Town’s first Vision Summits that were used to help define the town’s comprehensive masterplan. During her tenure, North Amherst and Clearfield Recreation Centers received major renovations, ten parks were created, a 2.2 mile extension of the bike path was constructed and the Neighborhood News meetings she initiated received record turnouts. When she was Supervisor, Amherst was rated one of the best places to live by Money Magazine, was named the safest town in the United States seven out of her nine years as Supervisor, and had the highest bond rating of any municipality in Western New York. Susan founded the Town of Amherst Diversity Coalition, Amherst International Festival, Celebrate Amherst Arts, Supervisor’s Youth Council, Amherst Women’s Interclub Council, Amherst Conservation, Parks and Recreation Foundation, the Amherst MLK Birthday Celebration, Ice and Golf Oversight Comiittees, an Intermunicipal Parks and Trails Committee, a Pesticide Reduction Committee, a Labor/Management Board, and the annual Town of Amherst September 11th Remembrance Ceremonies at the Amherst Memorial Hill Grove Well known for her strong commitment to public service, Susan has been involved with various community organizations in Amherst and throughout Western New York. She served on the Amherst Bicentennial Commission, as President of the Amherst Youth Foundation, President of the Buffalo Amherst Business and Professional Women’s Association, President of the Amherst Dance Club and as the 2008 Chairperson of the Girls’ Town of Italy 45th Anniversary Event. She also served on the Board of Directors of the Buffalo Niagara Heritage Village, the Board of Directors of the YMCA of Greater Buffalo, UB Alumni Association, University at Buffalo School of Management Alumni Board, Erie County Industrial Development Agency, Buffalo & Erie County Historical Society, and served as Vice President of Finance of the Amherst Symphony Orchestra Association. She was also a member of Amherst Quota Club, Amherst Zonta Club and Williamsville Rotary. View all posts by susangrelick