From the supervisor: A look back at the past year
BY Jim Lanning
Skaneateles Town Supervisor
The end of the year has come and I find myself reflecting on the journey. We have been very busy throughout the year and I hope that you have felt well represented.
My grandfather use to say that “At the end of your term you should have everyone a little sore with you to know that you have done a good job.” We have tried to listen to all sides and encourage a spirit of compromise.
Some people are firm in their opinion and refuse to bend. That is part of our political process.
I have tried to keep the community informed of our activities through these articles, Facebook, and other means.
The response has been overwhelming. Many have felt free to voice their opinions both in favor and in opposition to various initiatives that have come before the Town board. I appreciate that feedback very much. Politics can be spirited, but for me it is never personal.
We have several bold initiatives in the que for 2017.
Most of these projects are aimed at lowering municipal costs and ultimately reducing the tax burden for our residents.
The first project is our solar farm at the transfer station.
The site scored the highest feasibility rating out of the 23 communities involved. We hope to break ground in late spring.
We will update you all as soon as we know more.
Other changes are coming to the transfer station in 2017.
Our current contract will be expiring soon and we are preparing a bid package for the next few years.
We will be increasing the number of items that can go into the single stream recycling. We will also be setting up a bailer for corrugated cardboard.
There is a stable lucrative market for this commodity that will help us offset the costs of running the facility. The cardboard currently fills up our containers and causes us to incur hauling costs more frequently.
I appreciate resident’s efforts at recycling. I have reduced my household trash down to one bag per week and my recycling volume is much larger than that. Will you join me in the 1 bag of trash per week challenge?
LED street lights are replacing the antiquated high pressure sodium lights all across this country. New tariffs from the Public Service Commission have encouraged and made this transition possible.
We are conducting research in the field and this will be a priority for me in 2017.
Austin Park has several projects planned to improve the existing facilities and efficiency. The transfer of ownership from the village is pending. We will be engaging the public on future programs and initiatives. Please get involved.
Being your Town Supervisor has been a tremendous honor. Many residents have contacted me to give advice, warnings, and a little praise. I welcome the constructive criticism as well. I want to do the best that I can for this community that I love. This dance that we call politics is a dance that I enjoy tremendously. What we see at the federal level does not have to happen here.
We are one community!
Happy New Year!
