Dear Resident,

Two years have passed and I have completed my first term as Supervisor.  I thought I’d take this opportunity to summarize our efforts, highlight some of the Town Board’s accomplishments, and identify some ongoing areas of focus for the future.  For the first time in over two decades we lowered Town property taxes in 2009 by three percent.  Again we balanced the budget and set no tax increase for 2010.  Many thanks go to the budget committee, in particular, Kerry Mannion, Ken Andrews and John Curulla.  Our challenge to hold the line on taxes will be more difficult than ever as labor, pension, healthcare, and general expenses continue to rise.   We brought forth a referendum to consolidate the Tax Receiver and Town Clerk offices, which voters supported by a two to one margin. Taxpayers will realize a savings of $50,000 per year effective this January.  DeWitt also hosted a Government Modernization Forum to improve efficiencies and lower costs. We also obtained two cooperative grants for evaluating possibilities in sharing resources with the Village of East Syracuse.

Town Board meetings are now open to the public; residents are invited to present their concerns at the beginning of each meeting.  We also instituted the policy of beginning each Board meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance.  Travelling Town Board Meetings and informational meetings were conducted in the East Syracuse Fire Department Station No. 2, Park Hill School, the Village of East Syracuse Municipal building and Jamesville Elementary School in order to get closer to residents and allow greater public participation.  We hope to do the same in 2010.  When I took office four union contracts were expired.  Since, we have settled three CSEA contracts; workers were granted a 3% raise for 3 years with no changes to benefits.  To date, our police are working without a contract. 

I also want to thank Mayor Matthew Driscoll and ESM Superintendent Dr. Donna DeSiato for their role in settling the eight year dispute with the City of Syracuse over the Airport.  We came to an agreement that established a framework for creating a Regional Airport Authority.  Over two-thirds of the airport is located in the Town of Dewitt and ESM School district.  The number one concern I held for the taxpaying resident was the ability of an authority to acquire even more land tax-free and/or establish a profit-making venture that would strain Town resources and services without contributing to the tax base.  The airport already contains several businesses unrelated to air travel.  As a result of our year and a half negotiations, we protected long term taxpayer interests by maintaining revenue via PILOT agreements to the Town ($150,000 for 7 years, and $120,000 thereafter) and ESM ($270,000 for 7 years, and $220,000 thereafter). Most importantly, we retained the right to set agreements with any enterprise conducting for-profit business unrelated to public transportation such as that of an office park or shipping industry.  In addition, the Town Board will appoint one Authority Board of Director.

Several Environmental issues came to the fore and we acted accordingly.  The proposal to build a coal gasification plant at the abandoned Alpha Portland Cement Plant in Jamesville was stopped; however, we are working with the property owner to develop a long-term plan for reclamation and redevelopment of the blighted industrial facility.   We applied and were denied a 2.5 million dollar RESTORE NY grant to demolish and cleanup the site.  We will continue to pursue opportunities to develop a green mixed business and residential community.  We worked with the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), City of Syracuse Hancock Airport, and C&S Engineers to resolve the problem of fugitive odors emanating into the Collamer neighborhood from holding ponds storing airplane de-icing fluids.   In addition, Vicki Baker and I visited the DEC Commissioner in Albany and obtained air testing for the Jamesville and Boulder Heights neighborhoods.  We also lobbied for continued off-site monitoring of the incinerator with the County Legislature, Health Department and DEC.  Further, we spoke and filed public comments with DEC that requested greater safeguards for DeWitt residents from Incinerator emissions.  On another front, we are still working with National Grid and others to cleanup several dumping grounds along utility rights-of-way.

The Town completed its Comprehensive Plan and updated the zoning code for the first time in 50 years.  We have established a long range Comprehensive Planning Committee and will continue in outgoing years to refine and fulfill the Comprehensive plan.  An architectural design zoning overlay district was enacted for the hamlet of Jamesville.  The vision is to promote cottage industry business and the look of a New England mill town. A Sustainability Committee and Tree Commission were put in place to protect resources and provide for future generations.  It is my goal this year to establish a conservation overlay district protecting wetlands and flood plains from encroachment and further development.  We are currently developing an alternate energy code for solar and wind power systems.  Special thanks to Assembly woman Joan Christensen for a two-hundred and fifty thousand dollar grant that will put solar panels and a new roof on Town Hall this Summer.

The Town is aggressively pursuing expansion of our Park system.  The Wegman’s trail is under construction.  Fiddler’s Green Park at Butternut Creek was dedicated this Fall thanks to the Fiddlers Green Park Association, Hanson Quarries, Kinsella Companies, the Boy Scouts and Town Highway Department among others.  We recently acquired 30 acres of green space between Maple Drive and Route 481, and are currently seeking other land donations.  We are grateful to the Carrier Corporation, which is in the process of donating Carrier Park to the Town.  County Legislator Mark Stancyzk and Brian Donnelly of DOT have secured us a $50,000 highway grant to construct road access and parking for Carrier Park.  Verizon has also agreed to donate the Roby Avenue Extension, which will also provide public access to Carrier Park in Park Hill.

On the business front, DeWitt organized its first Syracuse Nationals Event in order to welcome out-of town guests, promote local hotels and business, and provide residents a venue for recreational viewing of antique and classic automobiles. A contract was negotiated with Verizon that allows FIOS television and internet service.  The agreement provides an equal playing field, competition with Time-Warner, and thus, lower prices for residents.  We differ from neighboring Townships in that DeWitt’s contract is open to third-party vendors, and future competition.  Negotiations for an agreement to demolish and redevelop the dilapidated Howard Johnson’s on Carrier Circle are ongoing.  The current economic climate has not helped the situation, but Kerry Mannion and I are committed to bringing the competing property owners together and fostering a deal.  Magma announcing the close of the New Venture Gear facility was devastating.  The Town negotiated a step-down tax settlement that saved hundreds of thousands in tax dollars and tens of thousands in legal fees. 

The Town Board implemented a policy of noticing nearby residents and posting project notice signs so that neighbors are aware of pending proposals affecting their neighborhood.  The Jamesville sewer project is moving forward and construction will begin soon thanks to NYS Senator Dave Valesky, Jill Harvey of USDA, and a grant from Rural Development.  The grant will lower costs about 60 dollars per year per household.  We are committed to seek other funding opportunities to offset home owner costs.  The Park Hill revitalization project is ongoing and will take several more years to complete.  Each project will improve infrastructure and enhance property values into the future. 

As you can see, DeWitt is an active community, and we’ve been busy these past two years.  My thanks go out to the Town Board for their support, the Department Heads and staff for implementation, and legal counsel for their direction.  But most of all I thank the residents of DeWitt, and wish them health, happiness and peace in the coming years.

Sincerely,

Ed Michalenko, Ph.D, Town of DeWitt Supervisor

5400 Butternut Dr.
East Syracuse, New York  13057-8509

Town Hall Hours: Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Phone: (315) 446- 3910 ext. 5
Fax: (315) 449-0620
Email: supervisor@townofdewitt.com