By Jason Klaiber
Staff Writer
Bill Brazill is seeking to earn re-election as mayor of Minoa in March of 2020.
Elected in 2016, Brazill had been a village trustee for the preceding 14 years, with 12 spent as deputy mayor
under Dick Donovan.
“He really set me up well to be successful as the next mayor when he finally retired in 2016,” Brazill said.
“He kept me involved in everything.”
At the start of his incumbency, Brazill took up Donovan’s responsibility of overlooking the Cleanwater
Educational Research Facility program at the village’s wastewater treatment plant on Kalin Drive, which allows
East Syracuse-Minoa Central High School students to learn with hands-on experience and SUNY ESF
graduate students to conduct experimentation for their theses.
“A few years down the road, we’re going to produce some great environmental engineers out of this area,”
Brazill said.
Brazill said he has helped the village make headway in the realm of energy efficiency.
In 2017, the village was one of four municipalities—along with DeWitt, Canastota and Marcellus—to receive
a $100,000 non-matching grant from New York State Energy Research and Development Authority
(NYSERDA) for progress related to clean energy.
The goals the village achieved included the enactment of an energy use tracking policy, the adoption of the
New York State Unified Solar Permit, the deployment of a natural gas pickup truck and the conversion of the
community’s street lights to LED technology.
With the grant, the village installed energy-sufficient and cost-effective pumps and controls at the treatment
plant.
Under Brazill, the village used about half a million dollars in grants to upgrade the pole barn in Lewis Park to
make it a facility that can be used throughout the year.
The 59th annual Syracuse Bavarian Oktoberfest, for example, was held at the barn this past fall.
Brazill also points to the “Pizza with the Mayor” events that he started after getting elected as crucial to
resolving issues in the village.
“It gives the residents of Minoa an opportunity to sit down and have a meeting with me,” Brazill said, “I’ve
met so many people.”
He said that this way allows people to relay complaints, constructive criticism and updates in a relaxed
setting.
Special guests at these events have included Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon and the county’s
sheriff Gene Conway.
These events are hosted and sponsored by Trappers II Pizza & Pub on North Main Street the last
Wednesday of every month.
Brazill said his involvement with the New York Conference of Mayors for close to 20 years has also helped
him learn how to lead the village.
From 2002 to 2013, he had also been the village’s fire commissioner.
He served as the village justice from 1991 until 2001.
In 2002, he was the recipient of the General Douglas MacArthur Youth Award. The award is given by the
Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of New York for service to the youth of New York
State.
In 2006, he was the recipient of the George Rees Memorial Award for dedication to the youth of the ESM
community.
In 2016, he was the recipient of the ESM Wall of Distinction Award. The award is given to distinguished
alumni, staff and community members of the ESM School District who serve as role models for students and
demonstrate the importance of making a contribution to their community or field of work.
Brazill has also been a member of various committees around the area.
“I’m proud of all these things I’ve done,” Brazill said. “Of course, I couldn’t have done it without having the
great support system of my board and all the employees that work for this village. I’m ready to continue on and
keep making Minoa as great as we can make it.”
For those running for mayor, the deadline for submitting signatures to the village office at 240 N. Main St. is
Feb. 11, 2020. Petitions can be picked up starting on New Year’s Eve.
