Mike LaFlair – 2nd Ward Councilor

For the past year, F.O.C.U.S. Greater Syracuse has conducted a community-wide study on what our community can do to retain and engage the aging Boomer population. As the wealthiest, most active, most educated and strongest consumers of all generations, Boomers make significant contributions to our community, both social and economic benefits. The aging Boomer population — those born between 1946 and 1964 — make up more than 30% of Onondaga County’s population. Over the next 15 years, as more and more Boomers reach 65, our aging population will continue to grow and have a significant impact on our community. “We knew that we, as a community, needed to be innovative and proactive in order to retain this wealthy, productive and active group in our community,” says Charlotte “Chuckie” Holstein, executive director of F.O.C.U.S. Greater Syracuse. “We turned to the citizens to hear their ideas on what Central New York can do to keep them here.”

The comprehensive study and report was completed with extensive research and community outreach and can be accessed here: http://www.focussyracuse.org/wp-content/uploads/Shaping-an-Age-Friend-CNY_completew.pdf

The Camillus Police Department is requesting the assistance of our citizens to keep our roadways safe during the upcoming winter months. In order to ensure safe roadways and to assist the Camillus Highway Department with their excellent snow removal efforts, Camillus Police Officers will be enforcing the winter parking ordinance.

The Town of Camillus ordinance states that, “No motor vehicle or other vehicles of any kind shall be allowed or permitted to park on any town road or on property owned by the Town of Camillus between the hours of 1:00 AM to 6:00 AM from December 1st to April 1st of the next succeeding year.”

Each violation of this ordinance is declared to be a traffic infraction punishable by a fine of not lessthan twenty five dollars ($25.00) for the first offense and by a fine of not lessthan twenty five dollars ($25.00) for each subsequent offense, Plus Towing Charges.

For information regarding Winter Parking Regulations for the Village of Camillus please call

(315) 672-3484.

For further information please contact the Camillus Police at (315) 487-0102.

Comptroller Antonacci announces another initiative as part of transparency project. Robert E. Antonacci II CPA, Onondaga County Comptroller, announced today “Checkbook Onondaga” has been added to the Project Sunshine initiative started by his office. Project Sunshine was created almost four years ago by Mr. Antonacci in an effort to provide to the citizens of Onondaga County a review of County Travel, select Claims and New Hires by the County. “Checkbook Onondaga is a very nice addition to our Project Sunshine in that it allows taxpayers to see what basically amounts to the checkbook and the spending on a weekly basis by Onondaga County government. It is essentially our check run on a weekly basis and includes all vendor checks written by County government.” Mr. Antonacci said certain items would not be included in “Checkbook Onondaga” which include the entire payroll and any Social Services program expenses including Medicaid. You can view the first two check runs at the following link:
http://www.ongov.net/comptroller/ProjectSunshine-CheckbookOnondaga.html.

Here is the Agenda for Tuesday’s ZBA meeting. There is only one item on the agenda and it is in the 2nd Ward:

PUBLIC HEARING
HD Development of Maryland, Inc. TM#: 017.-04-48.2
(017.-04-02.1 & 017.-04-48.3)
3756 Milton Ave.
Camillus, New York 13031

Area Variance: to allow off premises identity signs on the on premises, increase permitted height from 25’ to 30’ and to increase the number of free-standing signs from one to two as well as to increase the permitted size from 150 sqft to 200 sqft.

Here is the agenda for Tuesday’s meeting:

PUBLIC HEARING (S)

1. Consider amending the Camillus Municipal Code, Chapter 34-Fences, §34.7-Exceptions, the purpose of which is to allow a fence in the front yard of the property located at 121 Stockton Place, TM#: 049.-04-01.0. (Per Councilor Steve James)

NEW BUSINESS

1. Approve the contribution of $100 to the 2015 After the Ball Party for the Marcellus Central High School which is sponsored by the Senior Class and SADD (Students Against Drunk Drivers).

The only item on the agenda is
New Business:

3504 W Genesee St/ Kevin Kane TM # 047.-06-10.0
Amended Site Plan
(façade modification)

I recently attended the Town of Camillus/West Genesee Hall of Fame seventh annual induction ceremony. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. and the awards ceremony will begin at 7 p.m. The Hall of Fame was established to honor people who meet the following criteria:

Recognizable and respected member of the Town of Camillus and/or West Genesee School District community, either past or present, that has made a significant impact in the areas of sports and/or recreation.

This is truly a very unique and special tribute as this isn’t just about athletes or a specific school. Its focus is on community, our community. In addition to athletes, he inductees (both past and present) represent coaches, volunteers and boosters. Each inductee receives a plaque and a second plaque is permanently placed in the hallway at the Town of Camillus Municipal Building. This year’s class includes: Roger Garcia, O. Thomas Johnson, Thomas E. Nims, Bill Prusinowski, Ike Sisson and James Sleeper. My sincerest congratulations to the awardees and their families.

Saturday, November 22, 2014. The Caravan departs at 10:30 from the Centro offices at Cortland & Tallman Avenue in Syracuse. It will travel from there to Camillus ending at the Camillus Fire Department. This event is held to honor and remember victims of drunk and drugged driving crashes and to remind all drivers of the dangers of driving while impaired.

In preparation of the upcoming 200th anniversary of the Erie Canal, the Camillus Erie Canal Society will be placing a mural on the former Tarsons Pool Supply Building at 3660 Milton Avenue, to celebrate this milestone in our nation’s history and to commemorate the important role Camillus played in its development. The Camillus Canal Park is the midway point of the Erie Canal and attracts nearly 200,000 visitors each year. It is the only area on the entire canal with a working adequate.

The Town Board recently approved the 2015 Budget and I am extremely happy to announce that the General Town Tax rate will be decreased by .7%. This has always been a challenge as each year brings increases in some costs that are beyond are control. For instance, this year we saw increases in health care (12.5%), this also includes a 1.1% increase with associated fees for the President’s Affordable Care Act, and Medicare for retiree’s (a staggering 39%). In order to help offset these unfunded increases we utilized $150,000 from our reserve fund. If at anytime anyone has suggestions or ideas on how we can continue this trend I am always open to discuss. As we move forward I will stay diligently focused on our costs.