Tonawanda – Today, May 7, 2021, New York State Senator Sean Ryan and Assemblyman Bill Conrad introduced legislation that would allow for the relocation of any crematory or crematorium operated by a funeral home pending the approval of local authorities, provided it is relocated in the same jurisdiction in which it was approved.

This legislation would allow Amigone Funeral Home on Sheridan Drive in the Town of Tonawanda to relocate its Sheridan Park Crematory to a non-residential area. Current state law prohibits the construction of new combination funeral home-crematories, as well as the relocation of those, like Amigone’s, that opened prior to the establishment of this law.

The controversial crematory, which was closed from 2012 to 2018 for violating state clean air laws, was again shut down for four months after its pollution control system failed in September 2020, releasing black smoke into their air for more than an hour. In January, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) allowed Amigone Funeral Home to resume operations at the crematory.

Senator Sean Ryan said, “Residents of Tonawanda have complained for years about odors and soot emanating from the Amigone crematory, and it’s clear that the changes that allowed it to reopen in 2018 have not solved these problems. The recent measures required of Amigone by the DEC created a helpful temporary failsafe against emergencies, but a permanent solution is needed. This legislation would give the Amigone company a chance to do right by their community and implement a permanent solution to this ongoing problem. By relocating the crematory to an industrial area, they will be able to continue to operate while protecting the health and safety of Tonawanda residents.”

Assemblyman Bill Conrad said, “As a Tonawanda Town Board member, I saw how terribly disappointed Amigone’s neighbors were when the crematory resumed operations in 2018. For six years, they felt the relief they’d been begging for – relief from the sickening smells, smoke and ashes that have plagued their lives for so long. Residents still report being unable to open the windows to their homes or enjoy their yards. Even with the DEC’s regulations, these citizens live with the constant and well-justified anxiety that the nuisance created by the crematory will continue or, as it has in the past, get worse. They feel as though their complaints have been invalidated and ignored. Meanwhile, the Amigone family has expressed a willingness in the past to move the crematory to a non-residential area. I believe the state owes it both the neighbors and this long-standing business in the town to facilitate a relocation. That, to me, would be a win-win.”

Tonawanda Town Supervisor Joe Emminger said, “Over a decade ago the Town Board, working with the Amigones, attempted to move the crematory and were halted due, in part, to the laws of New York State that prohibited the relocation of a crematory operated by a funeral home. With the piece of legislation proposed by Senator Ryan and Assemblyman Conrad, the residents in the neighborhood surrounding the Amigone Crematory will be able to once again go outside and enjoy the surroundings in their backyards with their neighbors – something they haven't been able to do for decades. Thank you, Senator Ryan and Assemblyman Conrad, for what you are attempting to do. The Tonawanda Town Board fully supports their efforts and will do whatever we can to make sure it passes and becomes law.”

Tonawanda Town Councilwoman Shannon Patch said, “When I saw thick clouds of black smoke coming from the crematory last September, I knew something was not right. I am here with the residents to once again say, this is not OK in our town. And look, small and local businesses are important to me. That’s why I support this bill. It will allow the crematory to move to a more appropriate location, and I thank Senator Ryan and Assemblyman Conrad for getting involved and going to bat for us.”