Issue 3 · Thursday, October 29, 2026
By Scott
Hey there, Lancaster. Clocks fall back this Sunday, Nov 1, so enjoy the extra hour of sleep.
In today's Lancaster Lowdown:
The Town of Lancaster's proposed 2027 budget, and what it could mean for your tax bill
Chipotle's Transit Road site gets its site-work permit
Why the Town Hall front steps are torn up
Lancaster Police put out their first annual report
What the Lancaster Town Board decided on Oct 19, plus Election Day facts
Halloween weekend and things to do
Update on the pool hall: Last week we reported that the Depew Village Board approved a site plan for a Bison Billiards pool hall at 6199 Transit Rd. That location is off. The owner told us, "Unfortunately, Bison Billiards will not be building their second location at 6199 Transit Rd, Depew, NY. We were investigating that option, but it fell through." He added, "We really love that area for our next location, and are working diligently to make our second location happen."
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Town Budget
WHAT THE TOWN WANTS TO SPEND IN 2027
Town of Lancaster wants to spend $2.2 million more in 2027.
Warning: this story contains government budgets, big numbers and percentages. Side effects may include drowsiness. Read it anyway: your Town tax bill could change. I'll break it down so you don't have to read all 159 pages of the 2027 tentative budget.
The short version. The Town of Lancaster is proposing to spend $46.0 million in 2027, about $2.2 million more than this year's budget (a 4.9% increase). Four increases stand out:
$1.0 million more for pensions for Town workers (a 33% increase)
$640,000 more for wages (a 3.8% increase)
$246,000 more for road salt and chemicals (a 66% increase)
$210,000 more for the garbage contract (a 6.7% increase)
How the Town would pay for it:
About $1.4 million more from property taxes (a 5.0% increase)
About $1.7 million more from sales tax (a 21% increase), including about $500,000 from a new hotel room tax
About $200,000 more from other sources (a 4.1% increase)
That's more than enough to cover the increased budget, so the Town would use $1.1 million less of its savings than it planned to this year.
Then there's the reassessment. The Town updated every property's value, and the town's total taxable value jumped 67.9%, from $4.2 billion to $7.1 billion. To collect its taxes from that much bigger total, the Town would cut its property tax rate by more than a third everywhere: 37% outside the villages, 39% in the Village of Lancaster and 44% in the Village of Depew. Don't let those big numbers fool you. The Town is still collecting more money overall from property taxes to cover the increase in spending.
There's a lot more in the full story. Inside:
When and where to speak up before the final vote
What the Town's example home would pay next year in each part of town, and why Depew's example comes out ahead
Why pension costs jumped (a 33% increase), and the state rule change behind it
Where the new hotel tax money comes from, and how much the Town has left in savings
Tables showing where every dollar comes from and where it goes
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Every Thursday I send a free email with what the Lancaster and Depew boards decided, what's opening and what to do this weekend. I'm Scott, and I live here.
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Open for Business
OPENINGS, CLOSINGS AND WHAT'S BEING BUILT
The lot at 4839 Transit Rd. Photo: Lancaster Lowdown, Oct 2026
Chipotle's Transit Road site got its site-work permit. Last week we called it a possible Chipotle. On Oct 19, the Lancaster Town Board voted 5-0 to grant a permit for the site work at 4839 Transit Rd.: "all pavement, landscaping and improvements required for the new Chipotle restaurant according to approved plans."
Where it stands: This permit covers the lot work, not the building. The record doesn't say when work starts or when the restaurant would open. See the site on Google Maps →
Source: Lancaster Town Board minutes (Oct 19, p. 803).
Town Hall, 21 Central Ave. Photo: Lancaster Lowdown, Oct 2026
Why the Town Hall front steps are torn up. In August, the Lancaster Town Board hired The Peyton Barlow Co. of Buffalo to rebuild the staircase and sidewalk at the front entrance of Town Hall and the Lancaster Opera House, 21 Central Ave. The contract is for up to $292,600. Peyton Barlow was the lowest of three bidders, and the vote was 5-0.
In 2024, New York's NY Forward program awarded $1.2 million to improve the Opera House and Town Hall, inside and out. The Lancaster Town Board charged the steps contract to the same budget line it uses for that grant.
Where it stands: The Town hasn't posted a finish date. See it on Google Maps →
Sources: Lancaster Town Board minutes (Aug 3, p. 575; Oct 19, p. 809); Governor's office NY Forward announcement (May 20, 2024).
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Police Report
PART 1 OF 7
Lancaster Police put out their first annual report. Here's a snapshot of the department.
The Lancaster Police Department has published its first annual report, a 42-page look at 2025. The report covers many parts of the department's work that year, so we're taking it in seven parts over the next seven issues, starting with an overview of the department.
The Lancaster Town Board created the department in 1932. The Village of Lancaster had its own police department, with a first documented chief in 1920, and the two merged in 2003 (p. 2). The department covers the Town of Lancaster, including the Village of Lancaster (the Village of Depew has its own police department and is not covered here unless noted). It has been accredited by the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services since September 2017. Accreditation is voluntary, and it requires a department to meet set standards for how it's run, how it operates and how it trains (pp. 2, 6).
2025 staffing levels (p. 8):
Role | People |
|---|---|
Police officers | |
Chief, assistant chief and 2 captains | 4 |
Patrol lieutenants | 7 |
Detective lieutenant and detectives | 8 |
Patrol officers (including 3 school resource officers) | 35 |
Officers, total | 54 (my math, based on p. 8) |
Dispatch | |
Dispatchers (including 1 senior dispatcher) | 13 |
Support staff | |
Administrative assistants | 4 |
Part-time evidence officer | 1 |
Everyone on the chart | 72 (my math, based on p. 8) |
On duty at any time: at least 6 officers on day shift, 7 in the afternoon and 5 overnight (6 overnight on Fridays and Saturdays), plus 2 dispatchers, a number the report says can drop to one (p. 9).
The year in two numbers: 24,598 police calls and 463 arrests (p. 28).
Out in the community: at least 71 events and visits (my math), including 8 preschool and daycare talks, 9 school talks, 7 station tours, 6 concerts, 6 parades, 3 trick-or-treat events and National Night Out (p. 12). Officers also took 45 high school students on ride-alongs over 4 days.
Next week, Part 2: The dispatch center takes about 80 phone calls a day, on 911 and the non-emergency line. We'll show you which days and hours keep the dispatch center busiest. Any guesses which day is the busiest?
Sources: Lancaster Police Department 2025 Annual Report (Town of Lancaster Document Center, dated Oct 19, 2026), pages 2, 6, 8, 9, 12 and 28. Depew: Village of Depew Police Department (village website, read Oct 27, 2026).
How I did this: The 71 events is my count from the report's list of 2025 community events (p. 12). Items with a number count as that number (7 station tours = 7). Items without one count as 1, including "Misc. Community Relation Details", so the real total is likely higher. Ride-alongs count as 4 days. The officer total (54) and the total for everyone on the chart (72: 54 officers, 13 dispatchers, 5 support staff) are my sums of the staffing chart (p. 8). The chief's letter in the same report says 55 sworn officers (p. 2), and the report doesn't explain the difference, so we used the chart, which lists every role. Spot an error? Write to [email protected].
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Town Hall
WHAT YOUR TOWN AND VILLAGE BOARDS DECIDED, AND WHAT'S NEXT
DECIDED
Salvatore's patio, on probation again (Lancaster Town Board, Oct 19, 5-0): Salvatore's Italian Prime Restaurant, 6461 Transit Rd., got a second six-month trial renewal of its outdoor patio permit, through April 18, 2027. The board's resolution cites violations of the permit but doesn't say what they were. One of the conditions going forward: no amplified sound may be played to the patio.
E-bike rules adopted (Lancaster Town Board, Oct 19, 5-0): the new bike, e-bike and e-scooter rules apply in the town outside the Villages of Lancaster and Depew and take effect once the law is filed with the New York Secretary of State. Issue 2 of the Lancaster Lowdown has the details. One rule we didn't mention then: e-bikes and e-scooters will need a bell, horn or other warning sound.
Historic windows (Lancaster Village Board, Oct 19, 4-0): in a special meeting, the board overruled the Village's Historic Preservation Commission and directed it to approve vinyl replacement windows already installed at a house on Broadway. The house is on the National Register of Historic Places. The owner said wood windows would cost more than three times as much as the vinyl ones he had installed, and that he hadn't received the historic district's rules before the windows went in.
Opera House lights (Lancaster Town Board, Oct 19, 5-0): Foxwire of Grand Island will put in new Opera House lighting, for up to $324,388, paid from the Town's New York Forward grant. Foxwire was the lowest of three bidders. The Town hasn't posted a start date.
Opera House sound, round two (Lancaster Town Board, Oct 19, 5-0): the board rejected every bid for the Opera House's new sound and projection equipment, saying the project needs "a substantial change" in scope. The job covers designing, supplying and installing new audio and projection equipment. New bids are due Mon, Nov 9, at 10 AM.
Cemetery waterline (Lancaster Town Board, Oct 19, 5-0): DJM Contracting of Eden, NY, will do phase 1 of the Cemetery Waterline project, for up to $942,975. It was the lowest of five bids. The Town's resolution doesn't say when or where the work will be done.
IN THE WORKS
Salvatore pavilion: ground was broken Oct 20 on a pavilion near the clocktower in the middle of Cayuga Creek Park, the Lancaster Bee reported. Mayor Bill Schroeder told the Bee it gives the village "a permanent stage" for performers, with plans for a smaller concert series, movie nights and a kids' night. Russell J. Salvatore has committed $200,000 and the Village of Lancaster $100,000, and the pavilion will carry Salvatore's name, according to the Bee. No total cost or finish date has been announced. See Cayuga Creek Park on Google Maps →
Culver's: the Lancaster Town Planning Board had the environmental review for the Culver's at the former Rite Aid, William and Transit, on its Oct 21 agenda. Results come when those minutes post.
Stony Brook Legendary Lights: the Lancaster Town Board held a public hearing Oct 19 on a special event permit for Stony Brook Legendary Lights and reserved its decision. Three people spoke against it and two spoke in favor.
Sources: Lancaster Town Board minutes (Oct 19), Lancaster Village Board minutes (Oct 19), Lancaster Bee (Oct 21).
COMING UP
Thu, Oct 29 to Sun, Nov 1 · Early voting
Thu and Fri noon to 9 PM, Sat and Sun 9 AM to 5 PM. The Town of Lancaster's site is the Depew Municipal Building, 85 Manitou St, but you can vote at any Erie County early voting site.
Mon, Nov 2, 7 PM · Lancaster Town Board
Town Hall, 21 Central Ave. The public hearing on the proposed 2027 budget is at 7:05 PM (see our top story).
Tue, Nov 3 · Election Day
Polls are open 6 AM to 9 PM.
Find your polling place (Erie County Board of Elections, "Poll Location") →
Wed, Nov 4, 7 PM · Lancaster Town Planning Board
Town Hall, 21 Central Ave.
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The Report
FROM THE VILLAGE
CONDITIONS
🌅 SUNRISE 7:45 AM · 🌇 SUNSET 6:11 PM
☀️ DAYLIGHT 10 HRS 26 MIN
🌙 MOONRISE 8:41 PM · MOONSET 12:12 PM
🌖 MOON Waning Gibbous 84%
🍃 AIR QUALITY 🟡 Moderate (AQI 69, Buffalo, Wed 6 PM)
FORECAST
Thu: 🌥️ Increasing clouds and breezy, high 75, gusts to 38 mph. 🌧️ Showers likely at night, low 44
Fri: ☀️ Mostly sunny, high 58, low 34
Sat (Halloween): 🎃 Mostly sunny, high 59. Mostly cloudy at night, low 39
PETS LOOKING FOR A HOME: Hazelnut is a pit bull mix, about 3, who has been waiting for a home since September 2025. Her nicknames include "Hazelpig," and she needs to be the only pet in the house. Winnie is a young, mellow brown tabby who's good with kids and other cats. Both are with the City of Buffalo Animal Shelter.
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Get the Lancaster Lowdown in your inbox
Every Thursday I send a free email with what the Lancaster and Depew boards decided, what's opening and what to do this weekend. I'm Scott, and I live here.
Happenings
WORTH LEAVING THE HOUSE FOR
🎈 family-friendly · FREE no cost to go
THIS WEEK · THU OCT 29 TO WED NOV 4
THU - SAT, OCT 29 - 31 | Beautification Planting & Spruce Up FREE
Downtown village business district, Thu 5 to 7PM, Fri and Sat 10AM to 2PM
lend a hand
🎈 FRI, OCT 30 | Halloween at the Lancaster Fire Hall
6:30PM
Costume contest with prizes, plus donuts, cider and candy, hosted by the Lancaster Ladies Auxiliary.
costumes on
FRI, OCT 30 | Cami Clune live
Fattey Beer Co., 1 W Main St, 7 to 10PM
The singer from NBC's The Voice plays country, rock and pop.
see the show
🎈 SAT, OCT 31 | Trick or Treat in the Village FREE
W Main St and Central Ave, noon to 2PM
Trick-or-treating at participating businesses, face painting and a touch-a-truck, from the Lancaster Village Merchant Association.
grab a costume
🎈 SAT, OCT 31 | Trick-or-treat hours FREE
6 to 8:30PM, set by the Lancaster Town Board, with the Lancaster and Depew mayors on board
porch lights on
PLAN AHEAD
SAT, NOV 7 | Brews for the Boys
Fattey Beer Co., 1 W Main St at 5PM
$1 from every draft beer goes to the Lancaster Legends 10U baseball team, plus 50/50 and basket raffles.
raise a glass
SAT, NOV 7 | Meat Raffle for the Boys & Girls Club
Our Lady of Pompeii, 129 Laverack Ave, doors 6PM, first spin 7PM
$15 a seat or $100 for a table of 8.
event details
SAT, NOV 7 | The BroFish: Hootie & Darius Rucker Tribute
Lancaster Opera House, 21 Central Ave at 7:30PM · Tickets $35
only wanna be with you
TUE, NOV 17 | Holiday Countdown Sign Craft
Lancaster Public Library, 5466 Broadway, 6:30 to 7:30PM
details and sign-up
Event details come from each event's own page. Times and prices can change, so check the link before you go. Know of something we missed? Send it to [email protected].
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Thanks for reading! Let's chat again next Thursday.
Scott
Lancaster Lowdown
Every Thursday you get a free edition of Lancaster Lowdown. It's put together by Scott, a Lancaster neighbor who does the moon math, reports on meetings, and tracks down the best things to do so you don't have to. Free, every week.
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