The village of North Syracuse is brainstorming projects for a community development grant. Residents will have the opportunity to share their ideas for what they think the money should be used for at a public hearing March 12.
The village’s board of trustees discussed the grant at its Feb. 12 meeting. Mayor Mark Atkinson explained that in order to apply for Onondaga County’s Community Development Block Grant, the village must submit its new five-year plan. The village will receive $30,000 per year for five years.
Atkinson said he was pleased with the success of the 2010 five-year plan, which draws to a close this year. He said while the grant is smaller than it has been in years past, the funds can be used to “piggyback” onto other project funding in the village.
“We’ve used that money in the past in conjunction with Save the Rain at Centerville Park and Streetscape,” Atkinson said.
Atkinson called the five-year plan a “roadmap” for what projects the village wants to take on, adding that the plan’s scope need not be limited to the projects outlined for the community development grant.
Trustee Fred Fergerson said he thought the outgoing plan was “asymmetrical,” as it focused heavily on developing the northern part of the village.
“I would like to see it spread from the center … toward the south,” Fergerson said.
Village engineer Amy Franco said the county’s Community Development Division determines which areas of the village are eligible for the grant, limiting use of that money in certain areas.
Franco said she hoped to finalize the plan after the public hearing, as the deadline for the grant application is March 23.
The public hearing will be held at 6:29 p.m. Thursday, March 12, at the North Syracuse Community Center, which is located at 700 S. Bay Road.
Firefighters needed
The board of trustees isn’t the only village entity seeking help from the public. Fire Chief Tim Ellis said the North Syracuse Fire Department is in need of volunteers.
“We are actively looking for firefighters. There’s a huge generation gap,” Ellis said, noting the department’s numerous 20-year veterans and firefighters who have only been there for one to three years.
Ellis said retention of younger volunteers is a “global issue” for fire departments, and he asked the board of trustees to assist in the recruitment effort by reaching out to their neighbors. He said the department only added one volunteer last year.
To learn more or to apply to become a volunteer firefighter, visit northsyracusefire.com.
Kitchen renovation delayed
Due to fire safety and legal concerns, village employees will have to wait a bit longer for a new kitchen. The board of trustees tabled a vote on a request for proposal of $8,860 to renovate the kitchen at the village hall.
Trustee Gary Butterfield took issue with the identical language of the two quotes the village received from two different bidders. He also questioned whether the village could find a third bidder.
“We had such an awful time [getting these two],” Town Clerk Dianne Kufel said. “It’s such a small job.”
“You may never get a third bid,” Atkinson said.
Trustee Paul Linnertz expressed concerns about the possibility of a fire in the new kitchen.
“I am not in favor of having a stovetop unit in there,” Linnertz said. “It’s a recipe for disaster.”
Linnertz said the sliding pocket door the village plans to install in the renovated kitchen would not contain a fire from spreading into the rest of the village hall.
Atkinson said he believed the new kitchen’s plans were up to code, but he withdrew his motion to approve the renovations pending more discussion and legal review of the two quotes.
