The Winter 2021 Town of DeWitt newsletter is arriving in mailboxes this week with a focus on continuing to build community in the face of the challenges and changes of the pandemic and its economic fallout.
“Due to the shortfall – and additional expenses – associated with the COVID-19 virus, we were faced with a $2 million budget deficit and negative fund balances at the close of 2020. Thanks to the efforts of staff and our budget committee, our final budget for 2021 represents a tax increase of only 2% and we remain under New York State’s tax cap” noted Town of DeWitt Supervisor Ed Michalenko.
He added, “We’ve been able to meet the challenges and changes required by the pandemic by working closely together, by knowing that regardless of circumstances our job is to continue to serve the community and continue to meet the needs of the people who pay the bills, who pay our salaries.”
The newsletter highlights on-going major projects and programs in the town; the 2.6 Megawatt Solar Array at the site of the former town landfill now online, the significant progress of Elevating Erie, in-house management training, an all new website set to launch in February, the expansion of Fiddlers Green Park, two all new playgrounds, Water System infrastructure improvements, and a sewer consolidation and system offset plan are among the myriad of projects completed or on-going despite the challenges of the virus.
The Town also completed Phase 2 of the Willis Carrier Park recreation facility. Carrier Park now includes two all new turf infields for youth baseball and all levels of Fastpitch softball. Staff is booking games, practices, and tournaments now for 2021. Three all-inclusive basketball courts and a children’s playground were also completed at Carrier Park. The basketball courts are lighted and feature fully adjustable backboards and rims so children and adults in wheelchairs can also play. The playground, the only one of its kind in the CNY region, is specially designed for children of all ages and abilities, including those with special needs.
“Folks don’t realize tournaments hosted at Carrier Park keep our 28+ town hotels busy and generate economic opportunities for retail, restaurants, entertainment, and gas not only for the Town of DeWitt, but for Onondaga County and the CNY region,” commented Michalenko.
