At the village board’s monthly meeting on Aug. 19, Trustee Nick Kochan volunteered to lay the groundwork for a tree commission to assess the village’s arboriculture.
Once in place, the commission would involve village residents in efforts to inventory the village’s trees and identify their various species. Kochan models the plan after learning how the village of Fayetteville benefits from its tree commission
“I hope that residents would bring some fresh vision and input to the process,” Kochan said.
He also suggested that Cornell Cooperative Extension could contribute to the commission’s endeavors. Kochan’s first task is to address the village planning board regarding the commission.
“I think it’s a great idea,” said Mayor Gary White. “We do consult an arborist, and we already have a little bit of a [tree] replacement program in effect.” But a commission, he said, could offer a more well-rounded approach.
“Having a tree commission could help us stretch our dollars when it comes to getting grants and so forth,” Kochan said.
Field Days damage
After the Washington Park lawn was damaged during the last weekend on July by amusement ride equipment during the American Legion Post 188 Field Days, White asked trustees to consider assessing park-usage fees and/or issuing performance bonds to presenters of major events in village parks.
“There was significant damage to Washington Park because of all the rain we’d had,” White said. “They tore up the park quite a bit, so this is probably something which merits some discussion.”
Kochan suggested that the village require a deposit of “some small bond” from promoters using large pieces of equipment in village parks.
Trustee Bob Gaetano, the board’s liaison with the department of public works, said he would speak with DPW Superintendent Bill Asmus about the condition of Washington Park. “We’re overdue to take a look at this issue,” Gaetano said. “And I’ll talk to Bill about establishing a rate.”
Village Attorney John Langey suggested creating categories of uses. “For minor events — a string quartet concert, for instance — no bond would be required,” he said, “but a bond could be required for larger events such as a circus which would be a heavy use.”
Trustee Dennis Hebert agreed. “Heavy equipment is what causes the damage,” he noted. “Concerts and car shows are less likely to cause serious damage to the park.”
Gaetano wants residents to have the ability to use the parks free of charge. Hebert said it was important to distinguish between private use and commercial enterprises such as the field days.
Seven accidents in July
Liverpool Police Chief Don Morris informed the village board at its Aug. 19 meeting that officers issued 135 citations for violations of the state’s vehicle and traffic laws during July.
In addition one arrest was made for driving while intoxicated and seven traffic accidents were investigated. Two parking tickets were issued.
Officers made 241 residential checks during the month responding to 322 complaints or calls for service. The LPD arrested 27 persons last month on 30 criminal charges.
Morris also reported that the LPD was working in conjunction with the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office to address complaints about illicit drug sales in the village.
At the end of this month, Morris will mark his one-year anniversary as the LPD’s part-time police chief. He had served as Liverpool’s chief from 1999 to 2007 before he becoming chief of the East Syracuse Police Department. On Aug. 31, 2012, he was hired here part-time to replace outgoing Chief Bill Becker. In January, the villages of Liverpool and East Syracuse signed a shared-services agreement that allows Morris to continue as chief in East Syracuse while helming the LPD part time.
