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Scouting for Food
Town considers funding options for Local Scouts BSA troop supports the community through boat washing station By kate Hill Staff Writer
In advance of the holiday season, Cazenovia’s Scouts BSA Troop 18 is serving the community through its annual Scouting for Food project. On Oct. 28, the Scouts left plastic and paper bags at local homes, encouraging residents to fill the bags with non-perishable food items. The bags were picked up a week later, sorted, and donated to CazCares food pantry and clothing closet and The Mustard Seed in Georgetown. “Food banks across Central New York are reporting record demands for food assistance, and our Scouts are answering the call,” said Ramona Persaud, a member of the Troop 18 Scouting for Food Committee. The troop collected 2,381 food items, including canned fruit, vegetables, and meats, as well as pasta, baby food, and peanut butter. According to Persaud, about 10 percent went to the Mustard Seed; the bulk went to CazCares. Scouting for Food is an ongoing annual program of the BSA that was started in 1985 by the Greater Saint Louis Area
Public input on comprehensive plan welcome By Kate Hill Staff Writer
Submitted photo
Recently, Cazenovia’s Scouts BSA Troop 18 collected 2,381 food items for CazCares and The Mustard Seed through its annual Scouting for Food project. Council and is organized at the local level. Troop 18 has been organizing the project for over two decades. “It engages Scouts to implement the Scout slogan of ‘Do a good turn daily,’” said Persaud. “Through the Scout Oath, Scouts commit to ‘help people at all times.’ Scouting for Food is one way the Scouts of Troop 18 fulfill that com-
mitment and help their community. More importantly, it helps our youth develop an understanding of the needs of others. The Scouts experience the generosity of others and the impact of teamwork for the benefit of our community.” Troop 18 is a linked troop that includes both boys and girls. The troop, which is led by scoutmasters Colleen Combs and
Donald Arnold, currently has 16 boys and 12 girls ages 11-17. The Scouts meet on Thursdays from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Lewis Loyster Memorial Lodge, 8 Riverside Dr., Cazenovia. “Our troop camps yearround, and yes, even in the winter,” said Persaud. For more information on Scouts and Scouting, visit beascout.scouting. org.
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 confi-
dent 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 exTown l Page 2
Uncertified results of Cazenovia, Nelson, and Fenner elections announced By kate hill Staff writer
On Nov. 7, residents of the Towns of Cazenovia, Nelson, and Fenner went to the polls to cast their votes in their local 2023 general elections. After the polls closed, the Madison County Board of Elections posted the general election uncertified results on its website. The vote totals reported online are as of Wednesday, Nov. 8 at 12:33 a.m. On Nov. 10, Madison County Democratic Commissioner Laura Martino said there were still absentee and affidavit ballots that have not been counted in Cazenovia and Nelson. “We may receive mail-in ballots from overseas up until Nov 20, as long as they are postmarked on or before election day,” she said. “All results are unofficial at this time; final certification is due to the state on or before Dec.2. We expect to certify before then.”
Uncertified results Cazenovia
In Cazenovia, voters elected Town Councilor Kyle Reger (Republican) to the office of town supervisor. They also voted incumbent Town Councilor Jimmy Golub (Democratic, Strong Community) and Sheila Fallon (Republican) to the town board. The town supervisor and town councilors serve four-year terms. Reger, who ran unopposed, received 1,163 votes. “I am thrilled to have been elected as the town supervisor,” said Reger, who will also sit on the Madison County Board of Supervisors. “I am honored to serve the
community that I love and where I had the privilege to grow up. I am excited to work together for the betterment of Cazenovia.” Reger will take the reins from Bill Zupan (Democratic), who decided not to seek reelection after ten years as Cazenovia’s supervisor. Prior to holding the supervisor position, Zupan sat on the town board for several years and on the zoning board of appeals for over 20 years. “I put my time in, and I felt it was time to move on because I wanted to do some traveling,” Zupan said. “I felt that if I travel, I can’t give my all to the town or the county, so I made the decision not to run again. I think the town board will do [just] fine under Kyle’s leadership. I enjoyed my time as town supervisor. It kept me active [in the community], and hopefully people think I did a decent job.” Golub received 996 votes and Fallon received 950 to beat out the third candidate, Mark Braiman (Libertarian), who received 242 votes. “I am humbled and grateful for the opportunity to serve the people of the Town of Cazenovia,” said Fallon. “I thank Mark for his interest in the town and hope he remains vocal about the issues he feels are important. I congratulate Jimmy and look forward to working with him and the entire town board to preserve and enhance the quality of life in Cazenovia.” Golub extended his gratitude to Zupan for his decades of service to the town. “Bill is a wealth of knowledge, and although we didn’t always agree, we always respected each other’s point of view,” Golub said. “We take for granted how well-run Cazenovia is, with all its staff. I credit our supervisor for leading the way. I will lean on Bill when I have questions. I’m really looking forward to this new board. I’ve al-
ready spoken with councilor-elect Sheila Fallon and think she will be a great addition to our board. I also think Kyle Reger will do a masterful job picking up the reins from Supervisor Zupan. Kyle has excellent communication skills and work ethic, and he never ceases to impress me. I’m so grateful for all the support I’ve gotten to represent this town. I think this board has what it takes to [deal with] the challenges we will face over the next four years. Thank you, Cazenovia!” The Cazenovia Town Board typically meets on the second Monday of each month at 7:30 p.m. in the Gothic Cottage at 7 Albany St. For more information, visit towncazenovia.digitaltowpath.org.
Nelson
In Nelson, voters reelected Supervisor James J. Cunningham (Republican, Liberty) and Highway Superintendent Joseph E. Deyo Jr. (Republican, Liberty), who both ran unopposed and will serve twoyear terms. Cunningham received 425 votes and Deyo received 423 votes. Christine N. Jaquez (Liberty) ran unopposed for a four-year term as town clerk and received 308 votes. Based on the results reported as of press time, incumbent town councilors John E. Laubscher (Republican, Liberty) and John J. LaGorga (Liberty) secured their seats on the town board for another four-year term. Laubscher received 280 votes and LaGorga received 237, narrowly beating Virginia Kleinklaus (Democratic, Strong Community), who received 234, and Nancy Demyttenaere (Democratic, Strong Community), who received 231. “At this point, it is too close to call,” said LaGorga on Nov. 10. “I’m hoping to
serve another four years, but no matter the outcome, I appreciate the support and I will continue to be an active member of the Town of Nelson.” In the event that the outcome of the Nelson Town Board race has changed once the election results have been certified, the Cazenovia Republican will print a followup. Nelson Town Board meetings are typically held on the second Thursday of the month at 6:30 p.m. in the town office at 4085 Nelson Rd., Cazenovia. To learn more about the Nelson Town Board, visit townofnelson-ny.com.
Fenner
In Fenner, Town Supervisor Dave Jones, Town Clerk Lisa Dolan, Highway Superintendent Robbie Conklin, and Town Councilors William Wester and Adam Pushlar all ran unopposed as Republicans and were reelected. Jones received 185 votes, Dolan 190, Conklin 188, Wester 174, and Pushlar 186. The town supervisor, highway superintendent, and clerk positions are all twoyear terms. Town councilors serve fouryear terms. “Although it was an uncontested race, it is an honor to serve the town that I grew up in, raised our family in, and run our business in,” said Jones. “It has been humbling to serve as supervisor for the last 10 years. It is very enjoyable to work with an engaged town board and an excellent and hard-working town clerk and highway superintendent.” Fenner Town Board meetings are typically held on the second Wednesday of each month at 8 p.m. at 3151 Fenner East Rd., Cazenovia. To learn more about the town board, visit townoffenner.com.
Volume 214, Number 46 The Cazenovia Republican is published weekly by Eagle News. Office of Publication: 35 Albany St., Second Floor, Cazenovia, NY 13035. Periodical Postage Paid at Cazenovia, NY 13035, USPS 095-260. POSTMASTER: Send change of address to Cazenovia Republican, 2501 James St., Suite 100, Syracuse, NY 13206.
sports: Woolbert runs to 40th at state meet.
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opinion: College hoops still matters.
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Obituaries ���������������� 15
Editorial ��������������������� 6
PennySaver ���������������� 8
letters ������������������������ 6
Sports ����������������������� 14