By Kate Hill
Staff Writer
2019 is a local election year.
The offices on the ballot are for Madison County city and town leaders, county court judge, and 6th JD justice of the Supreme Court.
The General Election will be held on Nov. 5, with polls open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Madison County will offer early voting at the Board of Elections office, Bldg 4 first floor, 138 N Court St, Wampsville NY 13163. To view the dates and times, visit madisoncounty.ny.gov.
In Cazenovia, the office of town supervisor (4 year term) and two town board seats (4 year terms) are up for election.
Incumbent Town Supervisor Bill Zupan is running unopposed.
Three candidates — incumbent Jimmy Golub (Democratic), Timothy Hunt (Republican) and Kyle Reger (Republican) — are running for the two board seats.
On Oct. 22, the League of Women Voters of Cazenovia held a candidate forum at the Cazenovia Public Library to introduce voters to the candidates in the contested election.
Opening statements
HUNT
Hunt introduced himself by stating that he grew up in the hamlet of New Woodstock, where he resides to this day.
He attended SUNY Oswego, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in economics, political science and philosophy, before returning to the Town of Cazenovia to raise his family.
Hunt has been involved in Cazenovia town government for 22 years. He was first elected to the board in 1997. After serving the town for a decade, he took a couple of years off before returning as highway superintend — a position he held for ten years.
He currently works as the general manager at a John Deere Construction and Forestry dealership.
“I’ve missed the Town of Cazenovia and I want to get back involved,” Hunt said. “When I look at politics and I look at government, I don’t like what I see, but when I look at town government and I look at what we do here, I love what I see. I love that we work together as a community. We all have different opinions . . . but we all get along and we all figure out how to do it, and we do it because we care.”
GOLUB
Golub noted that since his election to the board in 2015, the town has initialed and completed a number of important projects, including the Town of Cazenovia/Town of Nelson Route 20 Water District Improvements project; the Fenner St. sidewalk project, the Delphi Falls Park; the purchase of a weed harvester, and two separate lake treatments.
The candidate added that he hopes to remain on the board to see two projects come to fruition: the proposed solar array at the highway garage and the historic renovation of the Gothic Cottage.
Golub also noted that he has farmed in Cazenovia for the past 35 years and that he worked as an artificial inseminator of dairy cows in the area for over 30 years.
“A large percentage of the acreage in our town is farmland,” he said. “Because of this, farmers pay plenty of taxes in this town. Farms represent an integral part of our history and our landscape. It’s important to have some farm representation on this board . . . [My service on the board] has given me a new appreciation for what it takes to run a town. Maybe I’m crazy, but I want to do this for another four years. I’m asking for your vote.”
REGER
Reger — who grew up in town and now lives there with his family — describes himself as a “product of Cazenovia.”
According to the candidate, he feels “a calling” to give back to the community and to the people who supported him throughout his entire life.
“I’ve gone and knocked on hundreds and hundreds of doors, really getting into the issues that people have, because I think that’s where I can really understand [their] true needs,” he said. “[I’ve taken those ideas] and I’ve gone and met with all the different boards . . . to get a good understanding of what their needs are, so that when we circle back on all these things, we can put action plans together that will help our whole community to be better.”
The future of the Cazenovia Wastewater Treatment Plant
HUNT
Hunt provided an overview of the history of the plant, noting that the town took over the facility from the county about three or four years ago to ensure that it was properly managed and maintained and that it could handle the growth of the community.
Hunt also noted that the town brought in Jim Cunningham, an outside contractor, to operate the plant.
“He does a fabulous job,” Hunt said. “In [bringing him in] we found some additional capacity and we found some ways to operate [the plant] that allowed us to hopefully extend the lifespan of that facility. Obviously, there is always capital planning going on to make sure that we can replace it when the time comes.”
GOLUB
Golub added to Hunt’s overview by clarifying that the town’s takeover of the facility had no impact on residents, in terms of taxes.
He also noted that while Cunningham has done “an amazing job” keeping the plant going, the 50-year-old facility probably was not designed to last as long as it has.
“One of these days we are going to have to do something,” he said. “I don’t think this is going to happen in this term, but I think over the next ten years or so we are going to have to do something to replace this facility.”
REGER
Reger stated that because the town is such an attractive place to live, he believes it will continue to grow. As a result, he said, it is important to be forward thinking with respect to the impact of such growth on the existing infrastructure.
“Whatever the issue is, we have to bring in the experts from that field to really . . . have a true understanding of all the different angles and options,” he said. “That way, we can all make the best decisions moving forward . . . It’s important that we keep an eye on [the facility] and plan for [the future].”
Party politics in town government
GOLUB
Golub stated that he does not believe partisanship exists in the town government.
“It doesn’t even cross my mind that [Councilor Race] is a Republican,” he said. “If we were to have a discussion on national politics, I don’t think there is much that we could agree [on], but it doesn’t matter; it doesn’t come into play here.”
REGER
Reger echoed Golub’s sentiments and stated that party politics should play no role in town decisions whatsoever.
“Whatever the situation is, [we should] gather the information; analyze it; get all the experts to look at every possible angle; and make the best choice for our community,” he said.
HUNT
Hunt stated that one of the great things about town government is that there is no place for party politics.
“The joke in the highway garage always used to be ‘There isn’t a Republican or Democratic way to plow a road,’” he said.
The candidate went on to acknowledge that, within the town, there are differing philosophies (e.g., pro-growth vs. anti-growth) with respect to what is best for the community.
“One of the things that this community has done so well when we talk about some of these really weighty issues is . . . that we take all of those different ideas and we can find a middle ground,” Hunt said. “We’ve been able to keep our community unique; we’ve been able to keep it desirable; and we’ve been able to accommodate a lot of different views over the years.”
Gothic Cottage renovations
REGER
Reger expressed his belief that historic buildings like the Gothic Cottage contribute greatly to the town’s quaintness and overall essence, and therefore are worth preserving.
“We really need to not only preserve the look of these buildings, but also the meaning behind [them] and the people that served this community and built the [town] to make it look the way that it does.”
HUNT
Hunt described the Gothic Cottage’s unique history, noting that it was slated to be torn down to make way for a parking lot until it was purchased and donated to the town by Anna Oakman for use as a town office building.
According to Hunt, it was during his term as town supervisor that he realized the town offices would either have to be relocated or the building would have to be renovated. It was at that time, he said, that the town began setting aside money for some kind of town hall project.
“The conversation has been going on since 2004, as to where the town office should reside and what it should look like,” he said. “All sorts of options have been looked at . . . I think, at this point, the discussion has been settled. The best thing to do is to renovate the gothic cottage, stay there, preserve that building, that history, and make it workable for the future . . . that [decision] came from collaborating with many, many people over a long period of time, and the town has tucked away the money to be able to do that, so it’s going to be a pretty amazing thing.”
GOLUB
Golub commented that the building, in its current state, is not particularly well suited for its current uses.
“The best way to preserve this building is to use it, and if we are going to use it, we need to have it be useable,” he said. “Right now the meeting room is not really conducive for meetings, there isn’t enough space for records; and there are a lot of things that need to be updated, like the handicap accessibility . . . It needs a lot of work, but we have the money to do this. We’ve put it aside; it’s not going to cost the taxpayers — a little bit, but not that much.”
Golub also commented that, according to Ted Bartlett — chairman of the Village of Cazenovia Historic Preservation/Architectural Advisory Review Committee — the building has an unusually well preserved interior and is one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in the northeast.
Fifth-generation cellular network technology (5G)
HUNT
Hunt explained that while the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will retain control of many aspects of the 5G deployment, the town is taking action to safeguard its right to regulate certain aspects, like the aesthetics and placement of the cells.
“Anything that we can reasonably or legally control, we have already taken steps [to do so,]” he said. “A model law has been drafted and there is a public hearing slated for it. That’s one of the things that our town has been great at — being proactive in looking at all of those issues.”
GOLUB
“We need to move into the 21st century and 5G is part of that,” Golub said.
The candidate praised Town Attorney John Langey for “thinking things through” and for drafting the 5G local law protecting the town’s rights to regulate the cell aesthetics and (to a certain extent) placement.
REGER
Reger stated that he has repeatedly heard concerns from residents regarding the potential impacts of 5G on public health.
To better understand these concerns and the FCC guidelines, he reached out to several experts, including the telecommunications company in charge of the upcoming 5G deployment in the Syracuse area and the principal engineer from Verizon in Syracuse.
“These guys are great,” Reger said. “They offer educational services and they are asking right now to come to our community. They’ve already worked with the village and now it’s going to be in front of the town, so they can come educate those people. [I think it’s] so important to give the public the opportunity to meet with these people because this is going to be the future.”
Reger noted that he also contacted a particle physicist at Syracuse University to gain a better understanding of the science behind 5G.
Improving recycling
GOLUB
“I don’t have any plans to improve recycling,” said Golub. “It would be nice if the transfer station was open more than two days, that makes it tough, but honestly, I haven’t given it that much thought.”
REGER
Reger, who has worked in the packaging industry for 21 years, stated that he is very passionate about the issue of recycling.
“It makes my stomach turn when I go to the transfer station and you can’t recycle ¾ of what you used to at the recycling center,” he said. “ . . . It is not a choice, it’s a necessity that we have to start looking at this,” he said.
Reger went on to state that although recycling is wrapped up in a global market, there are a number of ways to look into reducing waste.
To learn more about the “back end” of recycling and how the community can facilitate the process, the candidate met with the deputy director of the county landfill on Buyea Road.
Reger also emphasized the importance of focusing on the “front end” of recycling and supporting initiatives aimed at creating reusable, recyclable and biodegradable products.
“Those are the ideas that . . . are going to make a huge difference not only for our area, but also for our country and our world,” he said.
HUNT
Hunt noted that Cazenovia’s transfer station is a state-of-the-art, county-run operation. He also mentioned that Cazenovia is a “climate smart community” and that there have been conversations in the past about the possibility of exploring municipal pickup/service.
“That was really the only issue that has come up that would impact the town itself,” Hunt said. “There’s very little we can do once it gets through to the county, and I know they are constantly working on ways that they can continue to do [better].”
Making solar and other energy efficient equipment available to homeowners
REGER
Reger commented that his brother has been involved in residential solar and geothermal projects throughout the Cazenovia area.
“[Renewable energy sources] are the wave of the future,” he said. “It’s critical that we take a look at [the rules and regulations in place] . . . Common sense has to prevail. If there are great options that are available and that homeowners want, then there is a tremendous amount of grant money and state money . . . to make it easier for homeowners to buy this equipment . . . I think it’s very important that we facilitate that and make it as easy as possible, because it’s a great way to use our natural resources.”
HUNT
Hunt stated his opinion that the town has done a very good job looking at both the potential benefits and costs of solar projects, and that it has developed thoughtful laws to ensure that such projects are done properly with consideration for the placement, aesthetic and eventual disposal of the solar arrays.
GOLUB
Golub stated that he met with the town attorney and zoning officer to discuss reducing the obstacles facing residents interested in installing solar on their houses.
“It just seems like we are putting up roadblocks instead of making it easier for people [to put up solar],” Golub said.
He suggested that the town consider adopting the standard law put out by Chris Carrick, the energy program manager at the Central New York Regional Planning and Development Board.
Golub also stated that he would object to the use of vast acreage of prime agricultural land for solar farms.
“If somebody wants to put it on their roof, that’s great, but we don’t want to put a thousand acres into solar,” he said.
Addressing agricultural production issues
HUNT
Hunt stated that the greatest challenges, in terms of agricultural production, are milk prices and crop values.
He also expressed his concern that large, industrial operations have almost entirely replaced family farms in the Cazenovia area.
“It’s not really something that the town has any control over,” he said. “We are a right-to-farm community. Certainly, everybody has a right to do those things, to work their land in a reasonable and responsible way — the town has ensured that. [However,] the trends that are happening are global and something that the town is not really going to be able to impact.”
Additionally, Hunt praised the town for crafting legislation that has helped the community to better define the line between agricultural and non-agricultural activities.
GOLUB
Golub asserted that the face of agriculture has ben changing for decades, and that while there is not much the town can do about the global prices of agricultural products, there are things that can be done on a local level to support farmers and help them diversify.
He also added that the town has benefited enormously from the influx of Amish families, who have breathed new life into a number of area farms.
REGER
“What we are seeing with the advancements of technology — and with people really looking . . . to use those technologies to streamline and automate everything — is that you either need to be a very small player in the game or you need to be a mass producer,” Reger said. “There’s really not much in between. We see that with farming, but we also see that with all different types of manufacturing.”
Reger concluded that the best way for the town to support its farmers is to work with them, to help them diversify, and to listen closely to their needs.
Extending sewers around the lake
GOLUB
The candidate stated that he believes it is time to reconsider the idea of extending sewers around the lake, but also added that such a project could only proceed with the support of all of the stakeholders in the area.
REGER
Reger agreed that the town would require the support of the homeowners to move forward with such a project. He also stressed the importance of understanding the impacts of drainage and runoff on the lake’s health and exploring exactly what benefits the sewer system would bring.
He also advised the town to stay up to date on the ongoing state-funded research into harmful algae blooms.
HUNT
Hunt first clarified that the creation of a sewer district around the lake would require the approval of 51 percent of homeowners. He then stated that, if the support were there, he would encourage the town to look into the project.
In the meantime, he said, the town should investigate options for improving the existing septic systems or more strictly regulating waste disposal around the lake.
“I don’t think this is an either/or [situation],” he said. “I don’t think it’s ‘we have sewers or we don’t have sewers.’ What we have is a lake that we need to keep healthy and protected . . . There are [lots of studies] that show that effluent is getting into the lake, so what we need to do is figure out how to stop that. Maybe sewers aren’t necessary the first step in that journey, but I think there are steps we have to take to start taking care of that lake.”
Closing statements
REGER
Reger stressed the importance of working together and drawing upon the unique talents and expertise of Cazenovia’s residents.
“[I ask] you to vote for me because of my character . . . and the intensity and energy that I’m going to bring; the resources that I have from my 21 years in business from all over the northeast that I will be able to tap into and bring to our community; but most importantly, I want you to know the integrity that I will bring to this role and that . . . I strongly feel this town can be a model community for our whole area,” Reger concluded.
GOLUB
Golub expressed his love for his town, highlighting its natural beauty and farmland, the quaintness of its downtown, its safety, and the community’ dedication to supporting each other during times of need.
“It’s an honor to be able to serve this community,” he said. “I’ve worked hard for you and I’ve taken this responsibility seriously. I’ve listened to your concerns, and I think I’ve had an open mind and been accessible. I’m proud of what I’ve brought to the table on this board, and I proud to be a member of this community, and I hope that I have earned your vote for another four years.”
HUNT
“I had one desire when I got out of college, and that was to work for my community and raise a family,” Hunt said. “I got to do that in one of the best places on earth . . . I think I have the experience, the knowledge and the work ethic to take this community further into the future, and I would appreciate your vote on November 5.”
