The Town of Newstead is located in the north eastern portion of Erie county. The Towns borders are Genesee County (Towns of Pembroke and Alabama and the Tonawanda Indian Reservation) to the east, Niagara County (Town of Royalton and Tonawanda Indian Reservation) to the north, Town of Clarence to the West and Town of Alden to the south. It is rural in character and has the Village of Akron in the center of the town. While being rural in character, it has a full range of amenities within reach.

During the past few decades the Town of Newstead has struggled with its identity. While being an agriculture and rural community, it is striving to provide services to its residents and grow at a controlled rate.A decade ago, the Town Board took several measures to help guide the future of the Town. It developed its first Town Master Plan, bought vacant land through grant money for future use, started to expand the water districts and purchased the rights to various abandoned railroads in our Town.

The railroad property has enhanced the Town in several ways. Some of the property was used by the Village to enhance electric service to the Village. The railroad property from the Village easterly has a bikepath used by the entire community. This year that path is extending to the Town of Clarence.The Town started to look at cooperative ventures with the other municipalities and businesses to enhance our community. Creation of a Town sewer district to promote industry in the Town was a step in this direction. This changed a vacant quarry into a very active commercial business. While this type of working together has been limited, the Town is meeting with the Village on sewer and water service to the Town.

We have formed a Town wide refuse district, set up ditching and conservation boards to be involved with the continuing manicure of the Town's development. We have an active Library committee researching the possibility of a new library in our community.Our Town highway department maintains all town roads in a superb manner. Our Town has roads maintained by Erie County, New York State and the Town. We plow several roads for the County in the Winter season. The highway department helps in the Town wide ditching program.The Town government has continued to do a good job maintaining services, enhancing life of its residents and keeping taxes in check.