Jarrett Merkel

The Village Board needs to schedule a date for the September meeting due to Labor Day Weekend. The annual 9/11 Memorial Service at Memorial Park was discussed. An update on College Campus was presented. The Village Board scheduled a work session on August 25th. A public hearing at September's meeting to amend the zoning map of the Village of Cazenovia to add the former Cazenovia College core campus to the Historic Preservation Overly District was approved. A deer task force was started. The board was requested to be more informed and involved in the choosing of planning board members. The statistics from 07/01/2025 through 07/31/2025 for police department were presented. The board approved to hire James Gallup as a part-time police officer. Concerns regarding trash pickup, mowing, detention basin maintenance and HVAC noise at Burke Meadows were discussed. Cazenovia was recertified by NYS as a Pro-Housing Community for 2025. The potential for a cooperative effort with HPC to expand the existing village historic district was discussed.

The meeting included discussions and actions on several key areas. The board addressed amending Chapter 45, Alarms, of the Village Code, and heard public comments. Appointments for 2025 were approved, including various commissioners and committee members. A resolution was passed regarding the official meeting day and time, newspaper, depositories, and mileage. The board discussed the Cazenovia College update, including plans for reuse of the property. The board approved Trustee Kathy Hahn as Climate Smart Coordinator. The board also approved the DEC non-agricultural, non- point planning grant. The board approved the expenditure of $52,495.89 from the Fire Capital Account for the purchase of air compressor. Reports were presented on DPW, Courts, Cazenovia Lake Association, and Police activity. The board approved the bills, a budget amendment, a sign request for the Cazenovia Public Library annual sale, and the Limestone Creek Hunt Parade. The board approved to ratify and approve a one-time modification of existing polices to permit a transfer of accumulated sick time hours from Clerk Susan Dady and Chief Michael Hayes to the credit of Officer Brooke Bodley.

The Village of Cazenovia Board of Trustees meeting covered several topics including updates on negotiations regarding 9 Fresh and the Sellers of Cazenovia College, and details about the upcoming Village election and School Budget Vote. The board discussed the Village's fiscal year-end recap, noting a cash reserve of 17%. They approved the use of the park and streets for the annual Cazenovia Dan Sutton Race and other 4th of July events, as well as the Cazenovia Public Library's Teddy Bear Parade. Lauren Lines presented a report on the Mill Street Dam project, Creekside Park, and Lakeland Park. Trustee Tait discussed tree maintenance, Joint Youth Rec, boat launch enforcement, and the Lake Association's public hearing. Trustee Bell reported on street maintenance, cemetery upkeep, and seasonal crosswalk signs. Trustee Lutter provided updates on ongoing investigations, call reports, traffic violations, and community engagement. The board also discussed false alarms and scheduled a public hearing for proposed changes to the zoning law on alarms. They passed a resolution of appreciation for Deputy Mayor Thomas Tait, approved music in the park and the Cazenovia Library's Truck-A-Paloosa, and allocated funds for the Chittenango Creek dam removal project.

The meeting included the appointment of Cindy Bell to the Village Board. The board approved the transfer of funds from this year's capital lines into their respective capital reserve accounts, and the payment of the end of FY bills. They also approved the Village year-end fiscal statement and final revenues and expenditures report for 2024-25 FY. A bid for the old ladder truck from the Morristown, NY fire department was accepted. Four upcoming sign requests were approved. The board then moved into and out of an executive session for a personnel matter.

The board discussed and approved the 2025-2026 budget, the Day of Prayer service on May 1st at Memorial Park, the Chamber of Commerce's request to hold the Farmer's Market in Memorial Park from April to October, and the June 28, 2025 Caz Pride Fest Parade.