During the Cazenovia Town Board meeting on Monday May 9, a number of new appointments were made. Town councilors named the official town engineer and approved the addition of four residents to the town’s boards and committees, filling vacant seats.

The decision on an official town engineer was made after an executive session of the Cazenovia Town Board. A resolution was passed officially approving the firm Dunn and Sgromo Engineering as the town engineers. Started in 1973, Dunn and Sgromo Engineers have become an established firm offering clients civil and environmental engineering services, as well as feasibility studies, field observations and construction administration.

The most important aspect of the collaboration will be the presence of engineer John Dunkle at Cazenovia Planning Board meetings and work sessions, when necessary. Dunkle will advise board members and applicants on proper proceedings for development. If needed, the firm will provide additional assistance to project candidates, such as drafting blueprints or property reports, at the cost of applicants.

Heeding the Cazenovia Town Councilors’ call, a number of area residents submitted applications to fill vacancies on the town’s zoning board of appeals, planning board and the Cazenovia Advisory Conservation Commission.

Councilor Kristi Andersen praised the newly appointed members. “These are important positions to fill and I think we have found some good people,” she said.

Louis Orbach was appointed to the town of Cazenovia Zoning Board of Appeals. Orbach graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Michigan Law School in 1993. He worked as a litigation attorney at a firm in Washington D.C. before coming to Syracuse, where he is currently employed as a member of Bond Schoeneck & King, PLLC.

“Volunteerism is critical to maintaining a vibrant, responsive local government,” said Orbach. “I look forward to engaging with others and contributing to community vitality through service on the Zoning Board of Appeals.”

Thomas Pratt was named to the town of Cazenovia Planning Board. Pratt, a former member of both CACC and the planning board, was inducted once again for a seven-year term. Pratt received his master’s degree in architecture from SUNY Buffalo and started his own architecture firm, Thomas R. Pratt Architect, P.C, in 1993. “This is a way for me to both exercise my skills and give back to the community. It’s interesting from both an architectural perspective and a personal standpoint to see what is happening in the town, and be a part of the process,” he said.

Paul J. Curtin, Jr., was named to CACC. Curtin graduated Cum Laude from Marist College in 1972 and earned a juris doctor degree from the New England School of Law in 1976. A current partner at the Schulman, Curtin & Grunder, P.C, he is also the president of the board of trustees for the New York Military Academy.

“This is, in my judgment, a form of community service; giving back to the community,” said Curtin. “With my land use regulation and development background, I thought it would be helpful to offer that to CACC and to the community, relative to any future projects or future developments that may be undertaken.”

Eric Lints was also appointed to CACC. Having graduated from Roger Williams University in 1995 with a bachelor of architecture degree, Lints received a master’s degree in professional studies of construction management from SUNY ESF in 2009. He is currently employed as a construction manager at C&S Companies in Syracuse and as an adjunct lecturer at Cazenovia College’s Department of Interior Design.

“I believe volunteering your time for a charity or community organization is a moral imperative,” said Lints. “I am interested in preservation and sustainability as well as fostering controlled growth in Cazenovia. I love Cazenovia and its residents and hope to give back to the community to the best of my ability.”

More information on town committees and boards is accessible online at townofcazenovia.org. The Cazenovia Town Board regularly meets the second Monday of every month, the planning board meets the first Thursday of each month and the zoning board of appeals meets the fourth Monday of each month. All meetings are held at 7:30 p.m. in the Cazenovia Town Office at the Gothic Cottage, 7 Albany St.