CAZENOVIA — The Madison County General Election will be held on Nov. 7, 2023, from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
In the Town of Cazenovia, the office of town supervisor and two town board seats are up for election.
The Cazenovia Town Board is the executive head of the town and consists of the town supervisor and four councilpersons. Each town councilor is responsible for acting as a liaison to the town board concerning specific areas of government/interest.
The board typically meets on the second Monday of each month at 7:30 p.m. in the Gothic Cottage at 7 Albany St.
Town Councilor Kyle Reger (Republican) is running unopposed for the position of town supervisor.
Three candidates — Town Councilor Jimmy Golub (Democratic and Strong Community), Sheila Fallon (Republican), and Mark Braiman (Libertarian) — are running for the two seats on the board.
The town supervisor and town councilors serve four-year terms.
Each of the candidates responded to the same three questions from the Cazenovia Republican. Their responses (max of 300 words total) are printed below.
For information on how to vote in the Nov. 7 election, visit madisoncounty.ny.gov/1547/Board-of-Elections.
To learn more about the Cazenovia Town Board, visit towncazenovia.digitaltowpath.org.
Kyle Reger for town supervisor
Occupation:
Cazenovia Town Council member, sales executive, small business owner
How will your experience serve you in local government?
It has been a privilege to serve as a Cazenovia Town Council member. Over the last four years, I have had the opportunity to engage with countless aspects of our town government. This experience has afforded me an in-depth understanding of the intricate workings of our municipality. Just as in my business career, I recognize that success is predicated on building relationships, working collaboratively to create positive solutions and being an effective problem solver. My work with the Town has given me insight into the challenges that we face, as well as the many strengths and resources we collectively possess.
What do you think are the biggest challenges in your community? What are your ideas for addressing these challenges?
The closure of Cazenovia College presents a tremendous challenge for our community. There has been significant collaboration between the stakeholders, the Village, CACDA, CPF, residents, etc. to repurpose the campus. As innovative solutions are explored, priority needs to be given to economic development while preserving the unique character that defines Cazenovia.
As we consider the growth of commercial and housing development, we will require infrastructure improvements, specifically with our Water Pollution Control Facility. The DEC has imposed more stringent limits on our treatment plant to protect the environment, which will require significant upgrades to meet their standards. We will work together with the stakeholders and the Village to create a solution that will factor in potential growth needs, while managing the costs of the project over the coming years. While we manage our development, we also need to work to preserve and protect the natural resources that make Cazenovia a special place to live, such as our lake and farmlands.
All the multifaceted issues we face will be more effectively navigated with greater community engagement and communication.
I would be honored to serve as Town Supervisor and am committed to working together for the continuous improvement of our community.
Mark Braiman for town councilor
Occupation:
Chemistry professor (emeritus) at Syracuse University; part-time professional singer with the Syracuse Opera Chorus
How will your experience serve you in local government?
My entire 35-year scientific career has been focused on chemical and biochemical utilization of solar energy. I can contribute critical thinking about local discussions on all types of green energy. In response to a 2006 column by former Cazenovia Republican editor Willie Kiernan, I offered a proposal for using hydropower energy stored in Cazenovia Lake for school buses. Kiernan never published it, but I used this proposal in my teaching PHY 398, the capstone course in the Syracuse University program on Energy and Its Impacts, as an example of the kind of creativity and critical analysis needed. My old suggestion may be timely, with the school district pondering the possible charging source for electric buses.
I have been active for four years in planning the Society for New Music’s Cazenovia Counterpoint festival, particularly in bringing paid musical performers to the Saturday Farmer’s Markets over the past three years.
What do you think are the biggest challenges in your community?
Building sustainable and affordable new houses in the face of the upcoming state-imposed ban on natural gas hookups and propane tank installations.
Improving safety and utility of the roads surrounding Cazenovia Lake for pedestrians and bicyclists.
What are your ideas for addressing these challenges?
The town council should take a strong stand in opposition to the unsafe and unsustainable statewide ban on natural gas and propane use for winter heating of single-family homes, while still endorsing the value of ground-loop heat pump installations. The council should petition the legislature to allow local opt-out. If they won’t, we should try to make this element of the housing code locally unenforceable, perhaps by eliminating the paid position of codes enforcement officer and assigning that responsibility to a town councilor. I would volunteer.
The town council should request the county board of supervisors to widen the shoulders of county-controlled roads surrounding the lake (East, West, and North Lake roads).
Sheila Fallon for town councilor
Occupation:
Attorney
How will your experience serve you in local government?
I love the Town of Cazenovia where I have lived most of my life. I have practiced law for many years and have learned to listen, problem solve and advocate for people. I will work hard in cooperation with others to advance the interests of the town.
What do you think are the biggest challenges in your community?
I believe the biggest challenge in the community is the future of the Cazenovia College Property. Even though this is not within the jurisdiction of the Town, what happens to the property will affect the entire town.
New development throughout the town can pose conflicts and issues related to planning and zoning.
The lake is our greatest asset. The health of the lake is an ongoing challenge.
What are your ideas for addressing these challenges?
The eventual acquisition and development of the Cazenovia College properties should be based not only on a rational economic return for the buyer, but also on the benefit afforded to the entire Cazenovia community. This will be difficult as there are many stakeholders and ideas. The town board should continue to be in open communication with the mayor, the village board, and all stakeholders including the affected residents.
A town councilor should be familiar with planning and zoning and apply that knowledge with continual reference to the comprehensive plan. I understand my obligation would be to carefully study any zoning law or amendment before enacting it to make sure it is in accordance with the plan. My concern when it comes to planning and zoning would be to make sure that any changes will not negatively affect residents’ use and enjoyment of their property.
The Town should continue to work collaboratively with the Cazenovia Lake Association and all stakeholders to make sure the lake receives the appropriate treatment and is as healthy as possible.
Sheila Fallon
Jimmy Golub for town councilor
Occupation:
Farmer
How will your experience serve you in local government?
My time on the town board has been both a humbling and a learning experience. The last eight years have taught me how to be an effective board team member who can get important things done.
As a farmer, my strong work ethic and focus on setting and achieving goals have served me well in helping to solve many of the issues that the town faces. Given that agriculture is so important to Cazenovia, I am proud to bring my perspective as a farmer to the board. However, as a board member representing everyone in the town, I have focused on what is best for the entire community.
What do you think are the biggest challenges in your community? What are your ideas for addressing these challenges?
Being town liaison to the Cazenovia Lake Association, I have learned much about the issues that affect the lake. Invasive weeds are probably the major challenge. If Hydrilla, an invasive species more impactful than milfoil, were to be introduced, it would be catastrophic for our lake ecology. In concert with the vllage, the bard should pass an ordinance that would require every boat to be inspected before being launched into the lake. If a boat is always kept on the lake, nothing will change. However, having a washing station for boats that have been on other lakes would decrease the possibility of introducing new invasive species like Hydrilla into our lake. The town, village and lake association are seriously studying this proposal and I hope something will be in place before the next boating season.
Another challenge for the town is to become more energy self-sufficient. Placing a 2-megawatt solar array behind our highway garage, the site of an old dump that can never be used for anything else, would produce electricity sufficient for all of the town’s needs as well as for one to 200 homes.
