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BOE increases substitute bus driver pay rate By kate hill Staff writer On Sept. 12, the Cazenovia Central School District Board of Education (CCSD BOE) adopted an updated substitute bus driver rate of $24 per hour with the goal of remaining competitive with other area districts. According to the adopted resolution, the district has had trouble obtaining substitute bus drivers for $18 per hour. The resolution explains that when individuals inquire with the transportation department about employment as a substitute bus driver and are informed of the $18 per hour rate, they often end up going to another district that offers a higher wage. “Currently, the District has four substitute bus drivers, therefore, it sometimes becomes necessary for a mechanic or the Director of Transportation to drive a route,” the resolution states. “This leaves the department short-staffed should a bus break down or if an emergency occurs.” Later in the meeting, Superintendent Chris DiFulvio stated that the district could also use additional substitute teachers. “That’s something that we need to look into,” he said.
Heather Schuss, assistant public relations coordinator
On Tuesday, Sept. 6, students in the Cazenovia Central School District made their way to school for the first day of the 2022-2023 academic year. The staff returned to school for Opening Day the week prior to the students’ arrival.
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The Republican’s email address has changed! All correspondence can be sent to cazenoviarepublican@eaglenewsonline.com
Investigators say tests show fentanyl in county judge candidate’s system By kate Hill Staff Writer
In a Sept. 7 press release, the Madison County Sheriff ’s Office announced that a toxicology report shows Bradley Moses had fentanyl, Delta-9 Carboxy THC (marijuana), and alcohol in his system the night deputies responded to an emergency at his residence in late July. Moses, who is running for Madison County Court Judge in the Nov. 8 election, offered his resignation from his position as Madison County assistant district attorney shortly af-
ter the incident. According to reports from the sheriff ’s office, deputies and the Cazenovia Area Volunteer Ambulance Corps were dispatched to Moses’ lake house in the Town of Nelson on July 30, 2022, at approximately 8:55 p.m. regarding a possible overdose incident. Deputies said that upon arrival at the scene, they found two subjects — one who was identified as Moses — unconscious and gasping for air. Both individuals were administered multiple doses of Narcan and transported to Syracuse area hospitals for
treatment. According to the sheriff ’s office, witnesses advised the responders that the two victims had ingested a substance believed to be cocaine prior to becoming unconscious and unresponsive. The sheriff ’s office also said deputies recovered a sample of the substance believed to be cocaine during the execution of a search warrant. The sample field tested positive for fentanyl. As part of the sheriff ’s office’s investigation into the incident, a search warrant for Moses’ blood toxicology was executed.
The toxicology report was received on Sept. 7, the press release said. In a now-deleted statement on his campaign website, bradmoses.com, Moses recounted that after returning home from a golf tournament on the evening of Saturday, July 30, he lost consciousness and was taken to a Syracuse emergency room, where, after several tests, it was determined that he had acute kidney failure caused by severe dehydration as a result of high alcohol consumption coupled with the hot weather. Moses has acknowledged his “unhealthy rela-
tionship with alcohol” and, according to investigators, admitted to using marijuana on July 30, but he has repeatedly asserted that he had no illegal drugs in his system. “In a clear rush to judgment, it is evident party leaders and those seeking their own political advantage are comfortable with ignoring the facts,” Moses said in an Aug. 30 statement. “After threatening to harm me and my family, politicians and party leaders have embarked on a campaign of misinformation, mistruths and are defaming me in the
public and media. The fact is a toxicology screen performed at the hospital showed no illegal drugs in my system. Judges need to be fair and impartial. Willingness to disregard facts, making rash judgments for political gain, and being controlled by political leaders is not what we need from our Judges. I am on the ballot because of my qualifications and experience. None of that has changed and I still remain the most qualified to serve as county judge.” The Cazenovia Republican reached out to Moses Candidate l Page 3
Village board approves purchase of new ladder truck, schedules public hearing By kate Hill Staff Writer
On Sept. 6, the Village of Cazenovia Board of Trustees approved the purchase of a new ladder truck for the Cazenovia Fire Department. According to Fire Chief Shain Emerson, who was present at the board meeting, his department has spent months working with manufacturers to replicate the department’s current 1999 ladder truck. The price of the new truck is $1,555,970. “For reference, that’s a
little over $600,000 in inflation since 1999 when we purchased the one we have now,” said Emerson. The chief also stated that if the purchase was not approved that night, the price of the truck would increase by $52,000 in about a week’s time. According to Village Mayor Kurt Wheeler, the new truck will be delivered at the beginning of the fiscal year 2024, at which time the village will start making payments. “The good news is that it gives us another year and a half to accumulate more funds in the capital
reserve fund,” said Wheeler. “[In our] present plan, we’ll have enough money in the capital reserve fund to pay for this, so we won’t have to bond for it, but it’s been a heavy lift.” Wheeler added that although the truck costs a large sum of money, it is a very important piece of equipment. Once the village has declared the 1999 ladder truck surplus, the apparatus will be put up for auction, likely through Auctions International. “Whatever comes in from that will go back into the capital reserve fund for
the next piece of equipment,” said Wheeler.
In other news
The board also set a public hearing for Oct. 3 at 7 p.m. to receive input on a potential grant to improve two parcels within the village — 99 Albany St. (the former Napa store) and 103 Albany St. (former gas station). Lauren Lines, executive director of the Cazenovia Area Community Development Association, informed the board that she is in the process of applying for funding through the Restore New York grant
program, which encourages community development and neighborhood growth through the elimination and redevelopment of blighted structures. “The village can apply for funds to redevelop a vacant or abandoned property and then subgrant the money to a developer to redevelop the property,” said Lines. Lines added that she and Wheeler met with a local developer who currently has a contract on the property (99 and 103 Albany St.) “It seems to be moving forward,” Lines said. “He
has an architect on board creating a conceptual plan that we will need for the Oct. 11 deadline.” According to Lines, a public hearing is another requirement of the grant application. The planning board will also need to issue a letter stating that the developer’s plan is consistent with village ordinances. The Village of Cazenovia Board of Trustees typically meets on the first Monday of each month at 7 p.m. in the Village Municipal Building, 90 Albany St.
Volume 213, Number 37 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 news: Girls soccer Lakers win weekend tournament.
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Business: H. Grey Supply Co. expands into former J.D. Hunter/home space.
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Calendar ������������������ 12 Editorial ��������������������� 6 history ������������������������ 7 letters ������������������������ 7
Obituaries ������������������ 5 PennySaver ���������������� 8 Sports ������������������ 14-15