According to a 2015 Nielsen survey, some of the most popular New Year’s resolutions among Americans are “to stay fit and healthy, to lose weight” and “to spend less [and] save more.” While on a considerably larger scale, the goals of local government leaders are to keep the northern towns and villages healthy and fiscally responsible.
Read on for your municipality’s New Year’s resolutions:
Town of Cicero
Incoming Supervisor Mark Venesky said he has several goals for the first year of his term.
“We resolve to implement the first comprehensive health and safety program for the town of Cicero,” Venesky said. “The added benefit will be to substantially reduce our cost, specifically that of our disability insurance premium, which currently exceeds $430,000 annually.”
In addition, Venesky said the town will re-negotiate its contracts with highway and police employees, address sanitary sewer deficiencies in Brewerton and explore opportunities for consolidation and grants. The town will also look to bring the benefits of regional economic opportunities home to Cicero.
“While being mindful of our quality of life, we resolve to focus on responsible growth and business development for the purpose of reducing the tax burden on our homeowners and increasing needed town revenues and jobs,” Venesky said. “We will do this in part by capitalizing on the economic opportunities that the Raceway Park being constructed in the town of Hastings will bring to our town and this region.”
Town Councilor Mike Becallo said he plans to “continue to be a strong advocate and watchdog for Cicero taxpayers and small businesses.”
“As your elected councilor, I will continue to work to decrease town spending, reduce town taxes, foster a business-friendly environment and pave our roads without resorting to borrowing money,” Becallo said. “The money that the town borrows is not ‘free money,’ but is money that actually needs to be paid back someday. I ask my fellow town board members to work with me to accomplish these important goals.”
Town of Clay
Supervisor Damian Ulatowski’s goal is to make the town of Clay a little greener in 2016.
“We will be expanding our footprint in the town community garden this year, adding a greenhouse and expanding number of garden plots available to residents,” Ulatowski said. “Additionally, due to the success of our solar project the town will also look to expand those facilities by embracing the emerging technology.”
Ulatowski said the town is also looking into “efficiency programs to ensure that we are getting the best possible cost for the varied programs and services that are provided to town residents.”
Town of Salina
In Salina, Supervisor Mark Nicotra listed the following goals for 2016:
- Continued infrastructure improvements.
- Further cooperation between municipalities.
- Continued robust discussion on the future of I-81.
Village of North Syracuse
Now that he’s more than six months into his term, Mayor Gary Butterfield has been working diligently on making North Syracuse a “walkable” village. He said he plans to continue that work in 2016.
“North Syracuse has two projects coming up in the spring: finishing sidewalks on Chestnut Street and renovations to Lonergan Park on Route 11,” he said. “A new sign at Lonergan Park is going up soon, which will help us get information to our residents.”
In addition to making road improvements on Chestnut and Church streets, Butterfield encourages residents to take advantage of the village parks by walking and biking and urges people to shop at local businesses.
“We are a village,” Butterfield said. “Let’s take care of one another.”
Trustee Diane Browning shared her New Year’s resolution as well.
“My goal for 2016 is to work with the employees to continue providing and enhancing the services our residents are accustomed to and deserve,” she said. “We are fortunate to have departments who are dedicated to helping families afford and enjoy life living in a suburb. Our police, fire, department of public works, parks and recreation, etc., as well as administration are ‘on the job’ to protect and serve the public. We will be here to represent and work for our neighbors.”
