SHERMAN – Sherman officials are having preliminary discussions about ways to decrease speeding and parking throughout the village.

During a recent board meeting, Colleen Meeder, Sherman mayor, said she had attended a Safe Streets event hosted by Erie County. The Community Development Block Grant money available for safe streets can be used to improve sidewalks, but cannot be used for trail improvement, she said.

There are challenges in working with multiple agencies because the suggested practices to reduce traffic speed beyond the posted speed to a targeted speed of 20 to 25 mph in a village often conflict with the agency’s internal policies, she said.

This is why permits are required and early coordination in planning is necessary before implementation, Meeder said. Hamburg’s design is an awarded example of a state truck route going through downtown.

“The CREDC funded conceptual design focuses on Main Street, however the village of Sherman is aware of other concerns of traffic speed and parking throughout the village,” Meeder said. “For a short residential street, Mill Street connecting Route 76 and Sherman-Clymer Road is heavily transited by fast moving trucks and a concern to young families. There are several suggested methods for restricting the speed, however each takes time and resources.”

Meeder also noted that the kiosk on Route 76, where visitors enter Sherman, is now complete. Also, she noted that insurance rates for the village are increasing. She asked board members to approve the insurance proposal from Joe Niezgoda of WNY Insurance Agency for HCC insurance effective June 1 to June 1, 2027, without Terrorism Coverage. The payment to WNY Insurance is not to exceed $34,000, with the added cyber liability coverage not to exceed $3,000, she said.

Meeder reminded those present of several upcoming events, including Sherman Days 2026 from July 31 to Sunday, Aug. 2,the Music Festival on the second Saturday in September, Night at the Museum on Thursday, Sept. 24 and the Annual Tractor Parade on Saturday, Sept. 2.

Meeder told trustees that Sherman Days has a special designation.

“The village has listed Sherman Days as a Special Event covered by the village of Sherman’s insurance,” she said.

She asked that a resolution approving and permitting the consumption of alcoholic beverages during Sherman Days be accepted.

“This is a temporary exception to open containers within the Village of Sherman during the community’s annual celebration,” she said.

Meeder also asked trustees to approve a resolution to accept the closure of Creekside Lane during Sherman Days for the festivities around Edmunds Park and the closure of Miller Street from Park Street to Main Street on Saturday, August 1 for vendors and games. Trustees approved both resolutions.

In a related matter, trustees approved the closure of Creekside Lane for parking and festivities around Edmunds Park for the Music Festival in September and to permit the consumption of alcoholic beverages during the event.

“This exception to open containers within the village is a temporary exception for the community’s annual music festival,” Meeder said.