Public hearing to be held regarding relocation of Amigone Funeral Home

TONAWANDA - A crematorium run by the Amigone funeral home on Sheridan Drive is looking to move their location to 55 Cooper Ave., Town of Tonawanda. There will be a public hearing on the matter at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 7, in the Legislative Chambers, fourth floor of Old County Hall, 92 Franklin St., Buffalo.

Legislator Kevin Hardwick said the move makes a lot of sense, going from the residential neighborhood it’s in now to the more industrial area they are planning on moving it to.

“This is the sort of thing that should have been done a long time ago,” said Hardwick.

People in the neighborhood have been complaining about the crematorium for over a decade. Hardwick said they worry about the smoke, ash and the smell that it creates.

“It seems to be coming to a nice resolution and it’s been a long simmering dispute,” said Hardwick.

Legislator Lynn Marinelli said that after testing was done it has been proven safe and within standards but understands the concern in the area.

“This proposal appears to be a win-win situation, and the public hearing will help fulfill the New York State standards on the crematory proposal,” said Legislator Marinelli.

Marinelli and Hardwick said Amigone has been pushing this.

“It’s something we proposed to the attorney general to make the neighborhood happy. It’s something we didn’t have to do, but the neighborhood expressed a concern,” said Anthony Amigone, president of Amigone funeral home. “We are just trying to do the right thing,”

The new location on Cooper would need to become a cemetery district as per state law a crematory must be located in one.

“The regulations have changed in the past twenty years,” said Hardwick. “Funeral businesses can no longer operate crematoriums. Amigone was grand-fathered in from when they built it and are hoping to carry that with them to the new location.”

The counties role is limited Hardwick said they create the cemetery district but the crematory move needs to be approved by the New York State Cemetery board.

“I’m hoping that residents and state agencies will get behind this, because if not we will be right back at square one sometime early next year and Amigone will reopen its crematory in its present location,” said Hardwick.

Those who cannot make the public hearing and want to submit written testimony or who have questions can contact Legislature Clerk Robert L. Graber at 858-8527 or at robert.graber@erie.gov.

For additional information, please contact Legislator Hardwick at 858-8672 or email kevin.hardwick@erie.gov.