CAZENOVIA — On Nov. 6, the Cazenovia Town Board authorized the town supervisor to execute and process an application for a $20,000 New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) grant to assist with the purchase of a boat washing station for Cazenovia Lake.
According to the resolution adopted by the board, the town has an intermunicipal agreement with the Village of Cazenovia to assist with the costs associated with the Lakeside Park boat launch. The agreement calls for the enforcement of regulations pertaining to the lake, such as the visual inspection of boats before they are launched into the lake.
The resolution explains that the Cazenovia Lake Watershed Council is increasingly concerned about the potential inadvertent introduction of new invasive species into the lake when boats are launched.
“The Council is confident a boat washing station would be an enhancement to the current program,” the resolution states.
The DEC grant program is known as the “2023 Aquatic Invasive Species Watercraft Spread Prevention – Stewards – Boat Decontamination Program.”
During his report, Supervisor Bill Zupan announced that the town was informed verbally that it has been awarded a $500,000 State and Municipal Facilities Program (SAM) grant through Assemblyman Al Stirpe’s office.
A portion of the funds will be used for capital costs at the Mt. Pleasant Water District for additional water storage and system upgrades. Another portion will be used for an influent screening system and a small building at the water pollution control facility. The remainder may be used to purchase a boat washing station if the town is not awarded the DEC grant for that project.
“We broke it [down] to $180,000 for Mt. Pleasant, $300,000 for the wastewater pollution control facility, and $20,000 for a boat washing station,” said Zupan.
The supervisor explained that the town can only use one grant to purchase the boat washing station.
“We don’t know if we are going to get the DEC grant,” he said. “We know we are going to get the Stirpe grant, but we are going to be waiting probably six to eight months before we get the letter, and we can’t use the money until we get the letter.”
He added that it will be the board’s responsibility to make the final determination on how the SAM grant is broken up.
“[If we get the DEC grant], we could move the $20,000 to either Mt. Pleasant or the water pollution control facility,” Zupan said. “. . . We are going to have to get more specific with the numbers later.”
The DEC grant application was due on Nov. 1, but there is no telling when the awards will be announced, according to Zupan.
Town of Cazenovia Comprehensive Plan 2030
During his report, Councilor Kyle Reger updated the board on an Oct. 24 public outreach meeting on the Town of Cazenovia Comprehensive Plan 2030 update.
The updating process was initiated in May 2023 by a committee of town residents with the assistance of land use planning consultants from Environmental Design & Research.
The Town of Cazenovia Comprehensive Plan draft vision statement is as follows:
“Preserve and enhance the unique characteristics of the Cazenovia community, which reflect a composition of distinctive natural, cultural, historic, and scenic resources. Encourage sustainable economic growth and climate action while maintaining an inviting and equitable atmosphere for all to experience Cazenovia’s historic village, magnificent lake, quaint hamlet, and productive agrarian landscape.”
The plan is guided by the following themes: livable built environment, harmony with nature, resilient economy, healthy community, responsible regionalism, and interwoven equity.
During the public meeting, community members were invited to share ideas and feedback to guide the development of the goals and strategies in the plan, which is intended to provide a roadmap for the future of the Town of Cazenovia and to facilitate the day-to-day decisions of local officials and residents. The materials presented at the meeting are available at caztownplan2030.org.
A community survey is also linked on the website for the public to provide further input.
The survey, which must be completed by Dec. 1, 2023, aims to gather input from community members about overall values and the community’s changing needs for the future. The information will help inform the community-wide vision, goals, and strategies of the comprehensive plan.
Reger announced that a card was mailed to every household in the town earlier that day with a QR code linked to the online survey.
Questions about the survey or the comprehensive plan can be directed to [email protected].
“If anyone has any trouble, we will certainly make other accommodations, and you can reach out to me through the town office,” said Reger.
The draft plan is expected to be completed by spring 2024.
“It’s the vision of our town moving forward, so it’s really important that we get as much public input as possible,” Reger said.
At the end of his report, Reger thanked Zupan for the considerable amount of time he has dedicated over the last several months to helping him prepare to take over the office of town supervisor.
“Beyond just inviting me to [different] meetings, he has taken countless hours to meet with me and to answer endless phone calls,” Reger said. “Really, I think it speaks to his character. I will forever be grateful. . . . His council has been invaluable to me.”
For more information on the Town of Cazenovia, visit towncazenovia.digitaltowpath.org or call the town office at 315-655-9213.
