By Phil Blackwell

If all goes as planned for its proponents, more than 400 new homes and high-end apartments will get constructed on land adjacent to Interstate 81 in the town of Cicero.

Developers from United Group of Homes, a company based in Troy, made a presentation on this large project to the Cicero Town Board during its Aug. 12 special meeting.

What is proposed is a multifaceted project that would first build approximately 220 houses and residences, followed at a later date by 180 apartment units designed for high- to middle-income seniors.

The land is located behind the current location of Lincoln, Central, Fairview and Gray Avenue, which is situated behind Niagara Car Wash and Used Car King.

Objections to the project were raised by several board members, including Councilor Michael Becallo, who said that traffic on that part of Route 11 is already quite heavy and difficult for residents to navigate through.

“This is going to be awful for the current residents,” said Becallo.

Addressing these concerns, developers said that they were open to building access roads to the nearby Wegmans and Walmart plazas, along with installing traffic signals, and hope to submit further plans to the Cicero Planning Board in the month ahead.

Also on the agenda

Meanwhile, the board gave final approval to the contract for the $1.092 million Darlene’s Brook project involving construction, culvert repair and stream channel cleaning over East Circle Drive.

The contract went to Slate Hill Constructors, from Warners, who submitted the low bid on July 16.

Concurrent to that resolution was approval of a supplemental agreement where the town received an extra boost of funding from New York State and Onondaga County for Darlene’s Brook.

With construction bids coming in over budget, the town managed to receive $1.248 million, more than the $1.129 million originally slated.

Supervisor Bill Meyer said it was a credit to the work of town engineer Kate Fiorello to secure that extra funding that will help cover the Darlene’s Brook costs.

The town and the Cicero Police Benevolent Association reached a settlement on a contract grievance the PBA had issued challenging the town’s use of non-unit part-time officers at the Cicero Court.

This grievance had gone to binding arbitration, where no monetary relief was given to PBA and leading to a further grievance hearing on July 21 where all the terms were worked out.

“I’m just glad we finally got it settled,” said Councilor Judy Boyke.

At the same time, the police department was approved to receive 15 new tasers to replace the five that the department previous used and were worn out.

AXON, the manufacturer, has a five-year contract with the town that costs $4,810 in the first year and $4.590 in the remaining four years.

Board members also approved a resolution asking Onondaga County to improve traffic conditions at the intersection of South Bay and Whiting roads, where many serious automobile accidents have taken place in recent years.