National Grid unveils non-wires alternative facility in Cicero

By ANDrEW WELLivEr

National Grid and Convergent Energy and Power recently came together to unveil their solar-plusstorage non-wire alternative power facility in Cicero. NWA Pine Grove is owned and operated by Convergent Energy and Power of New York City.

The facility provides near real-time response when called upon by National Grid to support its customers in the Cicero area. The grand opening was on June 6 at the facility located at 6256 Island Road.

Representatives from both National Grid and CEG were in attendance to see the opening.

CEG sought to build the facility after National Grid noted that there was a high demand from their customers in the Cicero area. The demand comes from an increase in energy consumption over the warm summer months.

Rudy Wynter, the National Grid president in New York, wanted to appeal to their customers while creating reliable, clean energy through their fossil-free vision.

“We needed to find a more reliable and inexpensive method for our customers,” he said.

National Grid maintains its clean energy initiative through their delivery of electricity and natural gas serving more than 20,000,000 people through New York and Massachusetts.

The solar array covers 55 acres near Northern Boulevard with the ability to expand if necessary.

According to information provided by National Grid there are 37,341 photovoltaic solar cells covering the installation.

The solar array can produce 10 MW (AC)/15.3 MW (DC) of electricity.

The battery storage system can store 10 MW, providing 40 MWh of electricity.

NWA Pine Grove is one of the largest solar-plus- l From page 1 professional experience included recruiting and talent acquisition, project supervision and budget management. At Bryant University in Smithfield, R.I., she doublemajored in marketing and communication.

Among Ciotti’s community activities are Big Brothers/Big Sister and the Junior Leagues of both Worcester, Mass. and Syracuse where she serves as treasurer. She also supports her husband’s work as vice president of Liverpool Little League.

Some the issues important to the Democrat are “preserving the walkability and safety of our community, improving the current infrastructure and better connecting the community about village activities -- fairs, concerts, holiday events, parades, etc. through our website, social media and village mailings.”

Ciotti hopes to contribute to the village’s future.

“I’ve been lucky to live in several cities across the Northeast,” she said, “however nothing beats the village. I am happy storage NWAs in the United States and one of the first in North America

Also according to National Grid, a non-wires alternative removes or defers the need to construct or upgrade components of a distribution and/or transmission system.

The photovoltaic cells take in sunlight and convert it into electricity.

The electricity is then stored into batteries in the facility which are discharged during peak times of energy consumption throughout the Cicero area to meet the demand.

CEG works with National Grid to determine when the peak times are so they know when to discharge their batteries.

The batteries take the energy and discharge 5MW per 4 hours, but they can discharge more if needed.

Chief Operating Officer of CEG Frank Genova understands the importance of cooperation and the building of this facility.

“A great partner like to say that the village of Liverpool is my home for life.”

Dennis Hebert andreW Welliver

As an incumbent trustee who has served nearly 13 years on the village board, Republican Dennis Hebert boasts a boatload of experience.

The 76-year-old recently retired financial planner grew up in Eastwood before attending Onondaga Community College and the University of Bridgeport in Connecticut. He received a master’s from the American College and continued his education at the College for Financial Planning in Colorado.

He and his wife, Judi, moved into the village in 2004. They have a daughter and family in the village and a son and family in Tennessee.

Before becoming a trustee, Hebert served on the zoning and planning boards. As a trustee, his current responsibilities are liaison to the codes department, zoning board and the planning board.

National Grid and convergent Energy and Power came together to unveil their solarplus-storage non-wire alternative power facility in cicero.

National Grid helps us take on this monumental task. This is a truly remarkable achievement, and we are proud,” Genova said.

According to the developers, the new energy facility is customer-centric and intelligent. The appeal of a facility like this takes away from the surplus of wires that run through a typical power substation.

Onondaga County Ex- ecutive Ryan McMahon was pleased to see this facility built and to see how clean and compact it looked.

“Think about the neighborhoods and not having to see the wires,” he said.

National Grid has heard a demand to create affordable energy for every customer they have.

With that demand, National Grid looks to build

Although he hopes to win re-election, Hebert insists that he will not run again. “This will be my last term of office,” he said.

Hebert serves as trustee emeritus and current treasurer for the OCC Foundation Board; trustee and treasurer for Onondaga Historical Association; past VP and current treasurer of the Historical Association of Greater Liverpool.

“My wife and I served as the landscapers of the Liverpool Willow Museum and were named Volunteer Couple of the Year in 2023,” he said.

Hebert echoes traffic concerns cited by almost all of this year’s village candidates.

“We face challenges with large truck traffic, maintenance of state and county roads as well as continued business expansion,” he said. Over recent years, “We have maintained a budget without an increase in tax rate and must continue to meet that challenge.” ryan miller relationships to meet those demands.

A political newcomer, Ryan Miller was nominated by the village Republican caucus on April 27 to run for the seat being vacated by mayoral candidate Christina Fadden.

“We are a company focused on networking, talent, and our customers,” Wynter said. For more information on this facility and both National Grid and CEG, visit their websites to find out more about the facility and their energy initiatives.

Miller, 39, is a native of Gowanda in Western New York. He started work for Lockheed Martin 15 years ago as a computer engineer and now he’s a senior systems engineer. He relocated to Liverpool in 2017.

Having earned a master’s degree in cybersecurity from Syracuse University, Miller later became certified as an information systems security professional.

“I’m sure that my experience in technology can benefit village government as we move to more cloud-based systems,” Miller said. He pledged to “continue the transition already started to more modern methods of data use to improve village services.”

Miller is a recreational sailor and a member of the Onondaga Yacht Club. After winning the trust of the club’s membership and board, Miller said he was honored to recently have been elected to the office of commodore.

“If elected as trustee,” Miller said, “my goal would be to maintain the village as a wonderful place to live and shop focusing on our residential areas by providing effective municipal services.”

sunshine Horses hosts open house

Sunshine Horses will host its annual open house from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 17. Located at 3721 Verplank Road in the town of Clay, this is an opportunity for the community to tour the facilities, meet the volunteers who care for the herd, learn more about their mission and get to know some of Sunshine’s rescue horses who are waiting for their forever home.

“We are excited to invite the community to the farm in a safe environment,” said Jan Lower, event committee member. “Sunshine Horses is one of the largest Standardbred rescue and adoption groups in New York state and we look forward to hosting an event that

N. Syracuse

l From page 1

After working for the village’s department of public works for 31 years, Wilmer retired in 2015. He worked with the Complete Streets and Sign committees and was serving on the Village Planning Board until he was elected to the board of trustees in July 2019.

Wilmer volunteers an- will help foster greater understanding of this important work.” nually with the Family Festival Committee, the Holiday Parade and the Earth Day Clean Up event.

The family-friendly event kicks off with the Strawberry Short Cake Run—a 4K race. There will be food catered by Phoenix Sports Restaurant, raffle baskets, hay and buggy rides, equine demonstrations and more. And let’s not forget—there will be horses! Learn how to adopt, sponsor and volunteer.

Proceeds from the day will go to support Sunshine’s commitment to rescuing, rehabilitating, and retraining all horses in our care while they await adoption into loving homes.

To learn more about Sunshine Horses visit sunshinehorses.org.

He is a member of the Sons of American Legion Squadron #0787 in Cicero. He is an executive board member of the Lake Forest Sportsman Club in Brewerton.

Wilmer enjoys the outdoors; his hobbies include camping, fishing, hunting, and snowmobiling.

Submitted photoS l From page 1 Micron velopment, which frustrated several members of both boards.

Proceeds from the day will go to support sunshine’s commitment to rescuing, rehabilitating, and retraining all horses in our care while they await adoption into loving homes.

“The president of the United States came to this town to discuss this project with more detail than is in this application,” said Deputy Supervisor Joseph Bick, who served as chairman of the hearing.

“I understand the frustration,” Davis said. “Anything that would be depicted would be speculation until all the due diligence is done.”

“I look forward to having firm plans to review rather than generic [plans],” planning board Chairman Russ Brown pointedly told Davis.

“So does everyone at the county,” Davis responded, “because that means this project is proceeding.”

After members of both boards were finished with their questions, about 15 members of the public weighed in. A few residents used the opportunity to voice their support or displeasure with the project, but most came to ask questions regarding how the project would impact their individual homes and neighborhoods. The town board’s vote to close the hearing passed by a vote of five to two, with councilors David Hess and Eugene Young expressing their wish to keep the hearing open until more information could be provided by OCIDA.

The planning board will make a recommendation on the zone change at its June 14 meeting and then it will go back to the town board for a final decision at a date to be determined.

Mitchell said if the zone change passes and an application comes before the planning board, “I can assure you that this board will be concerned and thorough.”

Lois B. Dann

Former teacher, assistant principal

On the morning of Friday, May 26, 2023, Lois B. Dann peacefully left the struggles of this world behind- to surely be joyfully welcomed into heaven.

Lois was born on June 17, 1934, in Maryland, N.Y., to Reverend Gerald and Mrs. Josephine Boyce. She was the firstborn of three daughters - a role she would fulfill beautifully throughout her life, as her sisters would attest.

Being a minister’s family, they moved several times within the state as the girls were growing up. Some of the church locations were: Rochester, Ogdensburg, Lisbon, Hopkinton and Syracuse. Lois graduated from high school in Patchogue, as salutatorian of her class. She went on to SUNY Cortland where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in elementary education, graduating Summa Cum Laude. Eventually she completed her master’s degree there, as well as a School Administration Certification.

Most of her teaching career was spent at State Street Elementary in Skaneateles, teaching grade 4. She also spent time in the role of assistant principal of the middle school there. She loved her profession, and those special memories stayed with her longer than others, speaking of ‘the kids’ often- decades after she retired. She

Griffin Carter Crowley brought joy to everyone

Our precious angel, Griffin Carter Crowley, passed away peacefully May 20, 2023 surrounded in love with his family at Yale New Haven Hospital. Griffin was born on March 30, 2023 as the youngest of three boys. Although Griffin was only 7 weeks old, he was immensely loved and brought so much joy to everyone’s life he touched.

Griffin is survived by his parents, Daniel and Catherine (Youle) Crowley, his brothers, Brooks Crowley (1) and Harrison Crowley (3); along with his maternal grandparents, Jeffrey and Catherine Youle; paternal grandparents, Leo and Claudia Crowley; his aunts and uncles, Joshua Youle and Catalina Jaramillo, Kara and Gareth Bunney-Youle, Matthew Crowley and Sarah Binstok; and his cousin, Sofia Youle Jaramillo.

A private family service was held on Thursday, May 25, in New Canaan, CT, where Griffin lived his short, beautiful life

Obituaries

was well respected by all she worked with, and kindly shared her wisdom mentoring teachers newer to the school.

The cornerstones of Lois’ life were faith, family, education and music. She was a very active church member her entire life. She had a beautiful voice and was a choir member at each church she attended. She was also active in many committees, women’s circles, book and bible studies, etc., sometimes as chairperson or leader. For many years she worked at the annual Skaneateles United Methodist Antique Show, at least one year serving as chairperson. She also volunteered with Laker Limo, Meals on Wheels and the John D. Barrow Art Gallery. She was a member of Travel Club and a member of the Singing Seniors of Skaneateles. She was a very loving and involved grandmother, taking part in raising both of her granddaughters.

In 1985 (at church!) Lois met and married the love of her life, Duane R. Dann. This was the beginning of a well-deserved, happy, and full “second chapter” of life for her. They enjoyed traveling, which included two trips across the country, stopping for many interesting adventures along the way - making memories of a lifetime. Church continued to be a big part of their lives. Lois even took on the role of pastor’s wife for a time (and choir member of course) when Duane was called to be the pastor of the UMC in New Hope.

Other activities they enjoyed together were attending Syracuse Symphony concerts, plays at the Merry Go Round Playhouse, trips to the Adirondacks, visits to family members around the country (including California and Hawaii), summer trips to the family camp on the St. Lawrence River and the annual Dann Family reunion. They were also active members of the Seniors of Skaneateles and the Seniors of Niles groups.

In addition to her parents, Lois was pre-deceased by one of her sisters, Constance Waterbury of Latham, N.Y.

Lois is survived by: husband: Duane R. Dann; children: Gerald E. Goodrich (Denise) of Camillus; Carolyn S. Goodrich of Skaneateles Falls; sister: Katharine Phillippi (Ken) of Petaluma, CA; step-children: Richard Dann (Dawn), of Syracuse; Christopher (Gigi) Dann, of Gainesville, VA; Jonathan Dann (Anna), of Dayton, OH; grandchildren: Melissa (Michael) Folino of Fairport, N.Y.; Lauren (Lawrence) Poole of North Syracuse; step-grandchildren: Ricky Dann; Nicole Dann; Olivia Dann; Iliana Dann; nieces: Sandra (Richard) Chevrette of Troy, N.Y.; Laurie Hallowell of Camillus; Meta (Jose) of Petaluma, CA; nephew: Edward Lanning (Jean) of Hillsville, VA; and her beloved grandcat: Earl Gray Folino (who formerly lived with Lois and Duane and brought years of joy to their lives.)

CNYSPCA PET OF THE WEEK tanner

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Lois’ family would like to extend sincere thanks for the excellent, loving care provided to her at Finger Lakes Center for Living (Interlaken) in Auburn for the past several years and The Athenaeum of Skaneateles, where she was a resident for two years prior to FLCL. Services where held on May 31.

If desired, donations in Lois’ name can be made to:

Skaneateles United Methodist Church, 26 Jordan St, Skaneateles, NY 13152 Or Midlakes/New Hope United Methodist Church, 3703 State Rt. 41A, Moravia, NY 13118.

To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.