By Ashley M. Casey

Staff Writer

While the Cicero Town Board cannot interfere with the Cicero Planning Board’s decision-making process, the town board passed a resolution Oct. 12 to ask the planning board to consider a list of safety concerns before approving the site plan for a housing project on Island Road.

The Island Hollow affordable housing project, which has been proposed by Two Plus Four Construction, consists of 94 units: one 36-unit apartment complex for seniors, 35 two-bedroom townhouses and 23 three-bedroom townhouses. While not subsidized housing, Island Hollow units would be rented out below the market rate.

“I want to be clear about Island Hollow or any project in the town of Cicero that our major concern — our overwhelming concern — is for the safety of all of the residents in this town,” Supervisor Mark Venesky said. “I’m not interested in the size of people’s pocketbooks, I’m not interested in all the other things that could go along with it.”

The town board’s resolution asks the planning board to consider the following:

• Pedestrian safety

• Fire safety

• Lack of public transportation

• Proximity to high-tension power lines

The board’s resolution noted that Island Road has no sidewalks or streetlights and has narrow shoulders.

“The nearest convenience store or shopping facility is three miles away with no sidewalks, forcing pedestrians to walk long distances in unlit roadways to purchase even the most basic of necessities,” the resolution read.

“We’re going to put senior citizens — God bless them — out in the middle of nowhere with no conveniences and no bus services available,” Venesky said.

As for fire safety, Venesky said the Cicero Fire Department is concerned that there might not be enough water available to extinguish a fire. He said there are 2,153 gallons per minute available at the proposed Island Hollow site; ideally, the CFD would like to have 3,700 gallons per minute.

Since the site is three miles from the nearest Centro bus line on Route 11, bus service will not be available.

“Furthermore, Centro said that because the project is located more than three-quarters of a mile from the major bus route, Call-a-Bus service would not be available for disabled residents,” the resolution read.

The site, Venesky said, is surrounded by industrial properties and National Grid will be installing high-tension power lines, which could be an “attractive nuisance” to children who might think the megawatt power poles are there for climbing and playing.

The town board isn’t the only entity with concerns about the Island Hollow Project. A group of Cicero residents opposed to the project presented a petition to the town board, Planning Board Chair Bob Smith and Director of Code Enforcement Richard Hooper. As of the Oct. 12 town board meeting, 143 residents had signed. As of press time, 187 people had signed the online version of the petition at change.org.

Among the petitioners’ concerns are:

• Additional costs for schools, public safety, utilities and other public services without a corresponding increase in the tax base to cover these costs

• Devaluation of property

• Increased traffic and crime

Les Matteson, one of the petition organizers, spoke about his concerns at the public input period.

“Ninety-five percent of [our concerns] is exactly what you brought up — safety issues. It’s just not the place for it,” Matteson said.

Matteson said Island Hollow would increase the strain on residents’ school taxes. He said it costs the North Syracuse Central School District $15,000 per year to educate one student. He said if even 10 students moved into Island Hollow, that would be $150,000 more in annual school costs.

“They are going to be paying as a private developer approximately $114,000 total taxes,” Matteson said. “The town gets $80,000; the school gets $34,000. That puts the district in the hole per year just for 10 kids $66,000. Do the math.”

Town Councilor Dick Cushman estimated that there could be 50 students in Island Hollow.

“Multiply your numbers by five,” Cushman told Matteson.

Matteson said there has been little information available about the Island Hollow project, so he wanted to get the word out.

“Nobody — not a one of us — [is] against the seniors,” Matteson said. “And we’re really not against the project itself except it is not the place to put it, out in a swamp.”

Another resident, Debbie Joss, said the Onondaga County Department of Transportation’s July 14 traffic study of Island Road was insufficient and she would like to see it redone now that school bus traffic is on the roads.

“They did it one day — July 14 — during supposedly peak times,” Joss said. “But you have to remember July 14 is in the middle of the summer; there’s a lot of people on vacation. There’s also no school buses running.”

Matteson and other residents criticized the planning board for not letting residents speak about their concerns.

“You cannot speak at these meetings,” Matteson said.

Resident Tim Murphy suggested the planning board meetings should be recorded for transparency, and former supervisor Judy Boyke said the planning board should allow public input.

“The minutes are never timely and it’s hard to find them,” Boyke said. “The planning board needs to have a little bit of observation to make it public-friendly and taxpayer-friendly.”

Resident Tom Beaulieu, who once served on the planning board, said that board used to allow public comments.

While many municipal boards such as the Cicero Town Board allow public comments, New York State Open Meetings Law does not address public input. Boards are welcome to allow comments, but are not required by law to do so. Residents are welcome to speak at public hearings, and Venesky suggested Cicero residents with concerns should write a letter to the planning board.

Board votes to override tax cap

After releasing 2017’s preliminary budget last week, the town board also voted Oct. 12 to override the state-mandated tax cap, which is 0.68 percent for 2017. Venesky said he, along with councilors Vern Conway and Dick Cushman, promised during his 2015 campaign to stop borrowing money.

“We are not going to saddle each other as neighbors with a debt that has been incurred … in years past,” Venesky said.

Resident Judy Boyke asked how much the town has in reserve to offset a tax increase.

“I’m not the comptroller. I’m not an accountant,” Venesky said. “But we are using some. We had a good year. We managed the fund balance and we are going to use some money.”

Venesky estimated that the town increased its fund balance by more than $200,000, but said he did not have the exact number in front of him.

“You talk about borrowing. [You blame] previous administrations — you did vote for all of these increases and borrowing for the highway,” Boyke said.

Venesky admitted that he did vote to borrow money for the highway department as a town councilor, but he is now the supervisor.

“It doesn’t matter — you voted on it,” Boyke said.

“So what’s your point?” Venesky said.

There was no board discussion and the vote passed 4-1. Councilor Mike Becallo cast the sole dissenting vote.