By Kate Hill
Staff Writer
During the Jan. 14 Village of Manlius Board of Trustees meeting, Mayor Paul Whorrall introduced four Eagle Hill Middle School students who are working to enhance the walkability and safety of the Town of Manlius.
Eighth graders Jillian Hack, Carly Hack, Ava Dardis and Samantha Roddy are spearheading an initiative to add a sidewalk from Eagle Hill Middle School — located on Enders Road in the Town of Manlius — to Route 92.
The students attended the Jan. 14 meeting to request the board’s feedback and support.
Previously, the student activists met with Whorrall; Manlius Fire Chief Jansen Casscles; Manlius Town Supervisor Edmond J. Theobald; one of the newly elected town councilors; the Fayetteville-Manlius School District superintendent and board of education; NYS Assemblyman Al Stirpe; a number of parents;, and several of the owners of the buildings along the proposed stretch of sidewalk.
“They really did a great job putting [together the] presentation that they are taking to the town,” Whorrall said. “ . . . And they really did their homework on everything that they needed — statistics, costs and all that stuff — to put this project through . . . [They] did this all on [their] own. This wasn’t something that a teacher put together.”
According to Whorrall, the students approached him to ask whether the village would be willing to assist the town with the maintenance of the proposed sidewalk.
“It’s in the town, so we don’t have a really big say in it, [but] because the town doesn’t have the equipment for sidewalk maintenance and we do, [they asked if we would] be able to help,” he said. “I said that, like other things we do, we are always willing to help out. We would probably have to sit down with the town . . . and come up with a contract covering what the expenses for us would be to do that.”
Following the mayor’s introduction, the students expressed their dedication to the project and their gratitude to all of the individuals who have offered support and assistance so far.
They also addressed the board’s questions about potential funding sources for the project.
“That’s going to be the hardest part,” said Trustee Hank Chapman. “The town can’t pay for sidewalks, unfortunately.”
The students reported that they are pursuing a grant opportunity through the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) that would provide 98 percent of the necessary funds.
Administrator/Clerk-Treasurer Martha Dygert said the remaining two percent could potentially be covered through “in-kind services.”
“If you can get one of the municipal entities . . . to commit a little bit of manpower to assist with the project, that always counts as a match, so that counts towards the project total costs,” she said. “So it wouldn’t be the outlay of cash, it would just be labor, which you will need to install sidewalks.”
Several members of the board and Casscles expressed their support for the project.
“Certainly, through the eyes of the fire service, any time we keep pedestrians out of the way of moving vehicles . . . that’s a good thing,” Casscles said. “This is a heavy lift. It’s a tremendous undertaking, so good for you . . . I’m sure your folks are proud; they should be.”
Daddy Daughter Dance
The Village of Manlius Recreation Department will present the annual Daddy Daughter Dance on Feb. 7 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Manlius Village Centre auditorium.
The popular event — which consistently sells out — is open to fathers or father figures and their daughters ages 3 and up.
“It’s one of the best events that we offer,” Whorrall said. “It’s [really] something to see and it’s just so much fun . . . The [young ladies and dads] have a ball.”
The event features decorations, flowers, a disco ball, a DJ, dancing, food, cupcakes, crafts and a photographer.
According to Recreation Director Benita Rodriguez, additional helpers are needed for this year’s dance.
To volunteer, contact Rodriguez at [email protected] or 315-682-7887.
Tickets to the event are limited. To register, visit manliusvillage.org.
Registration is not official until payment is received. Drop-off or mail payments to 1 Arkie Albanese Ave, Manlius, NY 13104.
Manlius village board meetings are held the second Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m. at the Manlius Village Centre, 1 Arkie Albanese Avenue, Manlius.
For more information, visit manliusvillage.org or call the Clerk’s Office at 315-682-9171.
