By Jason Klaiber
Staff Writer
The Manlius Town Board welcomed its new members and re-elected councilors during the annual organizational meeting held on Jan. 2.
The board went around one member at a time as each councilor announced their goals for the coming year.
Councilor Heather Allison Waters thanked those in attendance and said she appreciated the support for the reconfigured board.
Her goals for 2020 included community engagement, which she said connects closely to the comprehensive planning process.
“We encourage the town to engage with us in all the ways that are already possible, and we will open other channels of communication,” Waters said.
Councilor John Deer said the board’s intention to livestream meetings will make it easier for people to be involved in town matters, since they would be able to watch from home or catch up later in the week.
He said the addition of a 15-minute open podium session before each meeting will allow people opportunities to address the town board with concerns, comments and questions.
“I’m really hoping that by taking [these] steps, we work to build a more personal relationship between the board and the residents,” Deer said.
Councilor Elaine Denton said she plans for the town board to consider how each decision it makes impacts the environment.
“I will be working with my other town board members, town employees and residents on initiatives that will move the town of Manlius towards becoming a clean energy community,” she said.
Councilor Katelyn Kriesel said she hopes to bring more solar energy and renewable energy resources to the town while enhancing economic development, creating more jobs and making “more vibrant communities.”
Councilor Sara Bollinger said her main goal is to focus on customer service in the town so that interactions between the board and the residents are “meaningful and convenient.”
Councilor Karen Green said the town remains in a “very good place” due to “the dedication and the hard work” of the individuals that have served as board members over the years.
Town Supervisor Ed Theobald said the board will continue representing the town’s residents and taxpayers.
He said he plans to assist the newly elected board members in adjusting to their duties as well.
The municipal officials were sworn in during a ceremony prior to the meeting.
The board appointed Kyran Kelly as the town’s zoning board of appeals chairman; Joseph Lupia as the planning board chairman; Baldwin, Sutphen & Frateschi as the law firm representing the town; Miller Engineering as the town engineer; Matthew Dunn as town accountant; Garam Group as the provider of town information technology services; Maureen Buckland as the police department accreditation manager; Allison Weber as the town marriage officer and town records officer; Ann Oot as the town safety coordinator; Barbara Rivette as the town historian; and Green as deputy supervisor.
Additionally the board approved the Manlius Historical Society and insurance contracts as well as town official salaries and updated rules of decorum at public meetings, which can be read in full by downloading the Jan. 2 meeting document in the agenda center on townofmanlius.org.
The board also designated holidays for the town.
Bollinger was appointed chairperson for the budget and finance, fire and EMS, personnel and employee relations and town codification committees and liaison to the Village of Fayetteville.
Green was named chairperson for the community and Economic development/chamber of commerce, recreation/community events, deer management and police committees and liaison to the Critical Response Committee.
Denton was named chairperson for professional services.
Deer was named chairperson for technology and liaison to the Village of Minoa.
Waters was named liaison to the Tree Commission and Comprehensive Plan Committee.
Kriesel was named liaison to the Sustainability Committee and the Village of Manlius.
