Revised school budget prepared for re-vote
Makes significant cuts for 2025-26 school year
By kate hill Staff writer
The Cazenovia Central School District
(CCSD) has prepared a revised 2025-26 budget proposal to be put before eligible voters on Tuesday, June 17.
The $39,617,418 spending proposal
calls for a tax levy increase at the district’s calculated tax levy limit of 3.14 percent and the use of $1,641,005 from the district’s fund balance (i.e., savings account).
Voters rejected CCSD’s original $40,446,980 expenditure budget proposal on May 20. The plan included a 6.77 percent tax levy increase and $1,641,005 of appropriated fund balance.
Because the proposed tax levy increase
exceeded CCSD’s calculated tax levy limit, the budget required approval by a supermajority of voters — 60 percent or more — to pass; however, only 52 percent voted in favor of the original proposal.
The revised budget proposal will require only a simple majority vote — 50 percent plus one — for authorization.
On the budget re-vote date, the polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the
middle school auxiliary gym.
When its original budget proposal failed, the district faced a $829,562 gap between expenditures and revenue for the 2025-26 school year. To address this budget shortfall, CCSD has put substantial cuts and changes in place for the 2025-26 school year.
Some of the reductions in staff, pro-
New doctor joins St. Joseph’s Physicians Primary Care
By kate hill Staff writer
St. Joseph’s Physicians Primary Care recently welcomed Cassandra Cheung, MD, to its Cazenovia office.
Cheung is a recent graduate of St. Joseph’s Family Medicine Residency, the largest family medicine residency pro -
gram in the northeast.
During her residency, she was one of a select few senior residents voted by their peers into the position of chief resident.
The primary role of a chief resident is to help facilitate communication between residents and the program’s administrators and faculty.
“I was often acting as
a representative for the voice of my fellow residents, advocating for our medical education,” said Cheung. “Responsibilities also included peer mediation and administrative duties.”
According to the St. Joseph’s Health website, Cheung is certified by the American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM), a
Scouts, American Legion prepare for flag retirement ceremony
Flag
By kate hill Staff writer
Members of Scouting America Troops 18 Boys & Girls (B&G) and American Legion Post 88 invite the community to join them on National Flag Day as they honor retired United States flags during a ceremony at The Maples farm in Cazenovia.
The event is scheduled for Saturday, June 14, at 3 p.m.
Flag Day is a holiday commemorating the adoption of the flag of the US on June 14, 1777, by resolution of the Continental Congress.
The US Flag Code stipulates, “The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no
not-for-profit, private organization that provides independent assessments of qualifying family physicians. Established by physicians, ABFM Board Certification is a voluntary credential that exceeds state medical licensure requirements.
“There are many aspects of family medicine that I love,” said Cheung. “Primary care physicians are able to care for patients of all ages, see en -
tire families, and address a broad scope of medical issues. What inspires me the most is the ability to work with a patient through all stages of life. It is a privilege to have that type of continuity, the opportunity to get to know my patients over time and develop a trusting patient-physician relationship. I hope to become a reliable part of their support system
Restricted watercraft regulations adopted Public weighs in on regulating short-term rentals
By kate hill Staff writer
On June 9, the Cazenovia Town Board adopted a local law amending the town code “with respect to regulating the docking, mooring, and launching of certain restricted watercraft on and in Cazenovia Lake.”
The proposed local law was originally introduced during the board’s March 10 meeting. On or about March 11, it was referred to the Madison County Planning Department, which made its recommendation and returned it to the town for local determination. A public hearing was conducted on April 14.
As a result of the public hearing and written comments received by the town, the board decided to revise the proposed local law to provide better clarification and direction.
The board introduced the amended version on May 12.
According to the town, the proposed regulations are designed to provide protections for the quality of the lake waters and to control excessive motorized boat traffic to protect users of the lake while balancing the rights of property owners to enjoy their property and use the lake in a reasonable manner.
The following types of vessels are listed as “restricted watercraft” applicable to the law: boats containing or utilizing a combustion-style engine or electric/battery-powered engine for propulsion; motorized sailboats; and barges — powered or unpowered/with or without engines — that can be transported and used for commercial or personal purposes. Before adopting the proposed local law, the board held a well-attended public hearing on the revised version.
Cazenovia Lake Association (CLA) board members Bob Crichton, Dave Tyler, Linda McHugh, and Dave Miller, along with multiple town residents, commended the town board for its efforts and expressed their support for the proposed local law.
Village resident Fritz Koennecke said he believes the law will make the lake safer and protect it from many of the risks the community has been trying to mitigate over the past few years.
Bob Kukenberger, who lives on the west side of the lake, thanked the board for its hard work. He also voiced his concern regarding the impact of the bubblers/aerators used by some lakefront property owners to prevent ice formation around their seawalls or permanent docks in winter.
“If it continues the way it is continuing, eventually we are going to have an island of ice in the middle of the lake and no ice around the edges,” he said. “. . . I’m going to be working on writing a letter to the [Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC)], because we think it might be a state issue, not a local town issue.” He added that he is an advocate of educating lakefront property owners on alternative ways to protect their docks and seawalls.
One of the speakers, who has a 75-foot easement on the west side of the lake, said she is in favor of limiting the launching locations for restricted watercraft to approved sites to avoid the introduction of invasive species; however, she questions whether the town has the authority under New York State law to pass its proposed regulations. She also said she is opposed to the idea of allowing easement holders to have fewer restricted watercraft than property owners, noting that she believes the restriction significantly reduces the value of her easement. She also requested that the board include deeded lake access rights in its proposed rule that any permission granted by a lakefront property owner to another person for the temporary mooring of a restricted watercraft shall be limited to no longer than seven consecutive days.
Barb Arnold, a co-owner of a lakefront property, commented that the number of boats allowed per lakefront property is a “little restrictive,” but she supports most of the local law.
The adopted local law is posted on the town website.
“We’ve now brought the [local law] to an approval, and the board can now get that program started,” John Langey, attorney for the Town of Cazenovia, said during his report. “You can make adjustments to it as you see fit, as we have done with other laws in the past.”
Home of The Kogut Family
SUBMitteD PHOtO
St. Joseph’s Physicians Primary Care — Cazenovia recently added Cassandra Cheung, MD, to its team of family medicine physicians.
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SUBMitteD PHOtO
On
Day, Scouting america troops 18 Boys & Girls and american legion Post 88 will respectfully retire torn, faded, frayed, or otherwise damaged United States flags during a ceremony at the Maples farm in Cazenovia.
longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.”
Cazenovia’s upcoming ceremony will respectfully retire torn, faded, frayed, or otherwise damaged natural fiber flags collected by the Legion and prepared for disposal by the Scouts.
“We will be burning the flags because that is the proper way to honor and retire flags that are tattered and torn,” said Michael Basla, owner of The Maples.
The American Legion Color Guard will present the colors, Basla will cook hot dogs, and the Cazenovia Fire Department will be on site for safety purposes.
Basla is a retired US Air Force lieutenant general who served on active duty for nearly 36 years. He is also the co-founder of Madison County Distillery, which sits on his 80-acre farm property.
“I volunteered to host this on the farm as a patriotic citizen,” Basla said.
“In the past, I have gone to Bishop Grimes High School on Flag Day and talked to the students about
proper respect for our flag and walked them through raising and retiring the colors. . . . This means a lot to the Scouts, the American Legion, and me.”
The legion has been collecting flags ready for retirement in a drop-off box in front of its post at 26 Chenango St. In addition, Former post commander Gene Gisson has been finding and collecting improperly disposed of flags.
“All those flags then come to our lodge on Riverside Drive,” said Troop 18G Scoutmaster Colleen Combs. “Unfortunately, many of the flags are nylon, so they are not able to be burned because of environmental considerations. With all these flags, we respectfully deconstruct them into four pieces, one of which [is] the field with the stars. Once the nylon flags have been dismantled, they are no longer considered a US flag and may be disposed of. All the cotton flags are officially folded in preparation for this retirement ceremony, which the scouts have been looking forward to.”
Combs noted that Art Western, a future Troop 18B scoutmaster, is cur-
rently spearheading a project to reuse the stars from the flags.
According to Combs, the Scouts held a practice flag retirement ceremony during their December campout to ensure they are prepared for the Flag Day event.
“We take this responsibility very seriously,” she said. “What I personally find really great about the work that we are doing with the ceremony — and Scouts in general — is that no matter what their differences are, all these Scouts come together to work towards a common end. . . . I would love to see the community of Cazenovia come together for this ceremony, as we know that now more than ever, we could use unity, peace, and understanding.”
Post 88 is the chartered organization for Troop 18B and Troop 18G, which function as a cohesive unit in many ways.
A chartered organization is a community-based group, religious institution, or service club whose objectives and mission align with those of Scouting America. A chartered organization partners with Scouting America to deliver the
Scouting program to young people in the community.
“We feel really lucky to have such a mutually supportive relationship and collaborate with them throughout the year,” said Combs. “This ceremony is one of the many great things that have come from our partnership. At every meeting, we say the Scout Oath, which says that we will do our duty to God and our country. And this definitely falls under that. We feel it’s very important to show up for the Memorial Day parade and honor those who have served. The Scout Law outlines 12 tenets that Scouts strive to attain. The last one is ‘A Scout is reverent.’ I am always amazed when even the youngest and most rambunctious of our troop stands in complete silence when we are at events like the Memorial Day parade; it’s pretty inspiring.”
The Maples farm is located at 2412 Rt. 20 East.
Troops 18 B&G belong to the Leatherstocking Council of Scouting America. For more information, visit leatherstockingcouncil.org.
For Post 88 updates, search “American Legion Post 88 Cazenovia NY” on Facebook.
OuR vOiCE
Life saver
According to the American Red Cross, May was Trauma Awareness Month, which the organization says is a powerful reminder that emergencies can happen at any time and that it’s the blood already on the shelves that saves lives when every second counts.
As we enter the summer season, the Red Cross reminds people that while this may be a time when many are focused on relaxing, maybe enjoying some time off or traveling for vacation, emergencies do not take a holiday.
The American Red Cross urges donors to keep the blood supply top of mind and help save lives by making an appointment to give blood or platelets.
According to the Red Cross, immediate access to blood products is a key part of summer safety.
With millions of Americans expected to travel and engage in water sports, boating, camping and other outdoor activities the risk of accidents increases.
Though it can be a busy time, making and keeping blood donation appointments remains a critical priority, according to the Red Cross.
Type O blood donors and those giving platelets are essential right now to meet the needs of hospitals.
By visiting RedCrossBlood.org, potential donors can learn about local blood drives as well as others taking place in the Central New York region over the next few months.
One such opportunity also serves as a way to help honor the memory and legacy of a local man who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country.
The Cpl. Kyle Schneider Memorial Blood Drive returns this summer, offering multiple ways for the community to honor a local hero who gave his life serving his country in Afghanistan.
Schneider, whose family hails from Baldwinsville, was a U.S. Marine who dedicated his life to serving his nation and community, and is remembered through this meaningful tribute that saves lives while preserving his legacy of service.
According to Schneider’s mother, Lorie, her son was a universal donor and in every sense of the phrase, he gave everything he could in service to his country, and she encourages others to support this effort while also honoring the memory of her son.
According to the Red Cross, approximately 29,000 units of red blood cells are needed every day in the U. S. and nearly 5,000 units of platelets and 6,500 units of plasma are needed daily in the U.S. and nearly 16 million blood component s are transfused each year in the U.S.
Sickle cell disease affects 90,000 to 100,000 people in the U.S. About 1,000 babies are born with the disease each year. Sickle cell patient s can require blood transfusion s throughout their lives.
The average red blood cell transfusion is approximately three units and a single car accident victim can require as many as 100 units of blood as a frame of reference.
Blood and platelets cannot be manufactured; they can only come from volunteer donors and the blood typ e most often requested by hospitals is type O and one donation can help save more than one life.
According to the American Cancer Society, more than 1.8 million people are expected to be diagnosed with cancer in 2020. Many of them will need blood, sometimes daily, during their chemotherapy treatmen t
Each year, an estimated 6.8 million people in the U.S. donate blood and 13.6 million units of whole blood and red blood cells are collected in the U.S. in a year.
About 45% of people in the U.S. have Group O (positive or negative) blood; the proportion is higher among Hispanics (57%) and African Americans (51%).
Type O negative red cells can be given to patients of all blood types. Because only 7% of people in the U.S. are type O negative, it’s always in great demand and often in short supply.
Type AB plasma can be transfused to patients of all blood types. Since only 4% of people in the U.S. have type AB blood, this plasma is usually in short supply.
Red blood cells must be used within 42 days or less and platelets must be used within just five days, the Red Cross said.
A few things to keep in mind according to the Red Cross as far as eligibility to donate is concerned include for whole blood donations this can be done every 56 days up to six times per year and donors must be in good health and 16 in most states and weigh at least 110 pounds.
For platelet donations this can be once every seven days up to 24 times per year and also requires donors be feeling well and most states require donors to be at least 17 and weigh at least 110 pounds.
For more information visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS.
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GaP yeaR DReaMS
I think I need a “gap year.” You know, time away to be…well, less grumpy, stressed, outraged, disappointed ….wondering how things got to be this way. Seeking some light in a blue funk.
What I would do during this hiatus from my disconnected life is a tantalizing question.
First, I would make a list of the things that I would not do.
1. I would not shop for, store what I shopped for or prepare meals every day. Maybe once in a while when the spirit moves me, but every day? Yikes.
2. I would not agonize over the way the house looks. I don’t live in a magazine; it’s more like a yellowing old newspaper than Good Housekeeping.
3. I would not say yes to every ask for my time or my treasure. I would be clear that I am not open for business.
4. I will not unload the dishwasher or cart laundry up and down two flights of stairs and then figure out where to put the clean clothes that I’ve folded….not a chance.
5. I would not stay home. I would not miss my favorite TV programs, “All Creatures Great and Small” and “Call the Midwife”… or reruns of “St. Elsewhere” and “Law and Order.”
So what would I do? I think I would order in a lot, or sample the cooking of eateries within a reasonable number of miles. Then there are no dishes to wash and put away. I would ignore all worrisome thoughts about nutrition and just go for what tastes good. If I ordered groceries delivered, I would find someone to put them away. I would hire someone to wash all my windows, sort and reorganize my closets and weed the garden. I would pack a lunch with peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and lemonade and take off to explore roads I had never been on.
I would dress as I feel; this would mean mostly jeans and sweaters, fully cognizant that how one dresses can indicate a level of respect. I will have
Glory to Ukraine
To the editor:
Putin just restored Stalin — Stalin! — to a place of honor in a Moscow metro station. The statue he erected in a subway station this month portrays the Dear Leader crowned with laurels by grateful youth. It occurred to me why Putin would go out of his way to honor Stalin at this time. Stalin murdered Ukrainians. A lot of them. So Putin, the butcher of Ukraine in our time, honors yesteryear’s butcher of Ukraine. Blood calls out to blood.
Makes perfect sense.
Stalin’s butchery of Ukrainians — millions of them — took place during 1932-33 by means of a man-made famine: a famine Stalin engineered. Ukrainians call this act of mass murder — likely killing more Ukrainians than the Holocaust did Jews — the “Holodomor,” a term derived from the Ukrainian words for hunger (holod) and extermination (mor).
Stalin’s purpose was to break the back of peasant resistance to his policy of collectivization — the expropriation of peasant farms and their merger into state farms, and subsequent proletarianization of the independent farmers into poorly paid state farm workers. This extinguished the class of private Ukrainian farmers and, with them, the heart of an independent Ukrainian culture.
So many starved to death that broad swathes of rural Ukraine were depopulated. One reason the eastern region of Ukraine (known as the “Donbas”) has tended in modern times to be oriented towards Russian culture is that, once the Ukrainian villagers were dead, Stalin sent thousands of Russians south to repopulate this region.
And so — all honor to the Ukrainian-killer. So says Putin. I say: Glory to Ukraine. Slava Ukraini.
This is the evil which has invaded Ukraine. Stalinist evil. It must be defeated.
BaRRy M. SChReiBMan CazenOvia
Clarification
To the Editor:
The letter that I sent to the Cazenovia Republican, printed on June 4, was sent as a member of the community and a mom of two Caz grads and not as a member of the school district or on behalf of the teachers at the school. WenDy eveRhaRD erieville
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Ramblings from the empty nest ann Ferro Gap
respectful clothing at the ready should the need occur. The shoe thing is something else. Like many, I love shoes, however, gravity and the fallout from an overactive fork have left me needing, more than preferring, high top sneakers rather than stilettoes.
I would find and use services that qualify as self-care, even pampering, things like massages, hair care, mani-pedis, without feeling a gigantic guilt trip based on my acute awareness that there are people starving in other parts of the world or any of the other problems worldwide or local that keep me up at night. This is basically the same reason why I save the clean clothes out of dryer to fold while I am watching TV. Makes the time in front of the TV not feel so wasted.
I would continue to support all of the rescue groups that care for abused, discarded and unwanted cats, dogs and all of God’s creatures without voices. Once you hear their voices, you will understand.
I would engage in conversations about whatever topic without fear that I would offend someone. In this gap year, no one will be the so touchy, so fragile, the “if you don’t agree with me, you are toast” people. Gosh, how many times have people sidled up to me and in sotto voce told me that they agree with something I wrote, but were afraid to say it out loud for fear of being shunned or, in today’s parlance, cancelled.
In many ways, this gap year is a fantasy configured from snippets of memories of the 1950s and ’60s. I was as busy then, but I had more energy, not much hurt and, if it did, it went away. There was a sense that I was a part of something, a commonality, things shared and agreed on, people who didn’t assume that their view was the only view, a time when you could have conversations, discussions, even arguments without rancor. There was a something that united us. People argued over
The future of the college
To the editor:
Since the announcement of the closing of Cazenovia College late in 2022, there has been a thoughtful and robust planning process that culminated in the recent strategic plan adopted unanimously by the village board of trustees. With a lot of conversation recently about the campus, I thought it would be helpful to summarize what has been achieved over the past 2.5 years.
With the announcement of the college closure, the Cazenovia Area Community Development Association (CACDA), the Cazenovia Preservation Foundation (CPF), and the village partnered in order to gather community input. Workshops were held with local planning professionals and stakeholder groups to help guide the next steps. A website was created, (futureofcazenovia. org) which allowed community members to ask questions and provide ideas for future campus uses. Individuals with specific ideas were invited to a community forum to present their ideas and receive feedback. CACDA initiated a survey to determine what goods and services residents would like to have available locally.
After gathering the community input, the next step was to bring in a consultant to develop a comprehensive strategic plan for the campus. CACDA helped the village to secure $212,000 in state and federal grants to complete this work. MRB Group was retained and spent just over a year developing the plan which includes a market analysis, housing analysis, detailed architectural and engineering reviews, building condition reports for campus buildings, historic building review, a parking analysis, detailed analysis of public use buildings including the athletic center and theater, specific recommendations for zoning, and a site plan. A link to the full plan is available on the village website.
This completed plan is a critical resource for developers with interest in the campus or a portion of the campus. I’m pleased with the progress made over the past 2.5 years and I am confident that this hard work will lead to a positive redevelopment outcome.
lauRen lineS CaCDa exeCUtive DireCtOr
Editor’s note: As a longstanding policy of Eagle Newspapers, we don’t print election related letters a week before an election. For letters concerning the Cazenovia Village Board election, please visit eaglenewsonline.com.
Years Ago in History
By CinDy Bell tOBey
95 years ago – June 12, 1930
The Hook & Ladder fire company is practicing hard for the ladder contest which will be one of the features when Cazenovia and New Woodstock Volunteer Fire Departments will join hands for the entertainment of the annual convention of the Madison County Volunteer Firemen’s Association at Cazenovia.
The largest program that has ever been arranged for the convention is in the making. The annual banquet, with nationally and state known figures will be served the night of the 27th to formally open the convention.
The second day, Saturday, will be given over to contest and entertainment. The first event will start at 9 o’clock in the farm of the ladder race.
It consists of running 50 feet with a ladder, placing it and scaling it to the top rung. The first prize will be the Jay Ferrier trophy cup with $10 for the second prize.
The parade, the picturesque feature of the convention with its uniformed companies, bands, and fire apparatus, will move at 1 o’clock.
Following the parade there will be five outboard motor races on Cazenovia Lake as an extra added feature.
The dinner will be served at 7:30 o’clock at Shore Acres and will be followed by dancing. Chief among the guests that have been invited are Governor Franklin D. Roosevelt and former Governor Alfred E. Smith.
80 years ago – June 14, 1945
The American people have lived off the fat of the land but in these months of war the fat and lean have gradually disappeared from the counters of Madison county stores.
In Cazenovia word passes from friend to friend about treasure troves of food which have just come in. “Hurry down to the store” says someone. “They just got a piece of beef in and if you rush you may be in time to get some.”
Most of the time the meat cutters at local markets have meat cases empty of all meats, except cold meat loaves and a few frankfurters and some fish.
To fill in the vacant places occasionally vegetables are put on display there.
Chicken and eggs are substitutes for meats, but they too are getting difficult to obtain.
When such rare items as bananas come into local stores they are snapped up so quickly that the supply disappears as if by magic.
65 years ago – June 9, 1960
Official Sesquicentennial Headquarters, located in the Sayles Building on Albany Street, will be open Fridays and Saturdays from now until the Sesqui Weekend.
The Sesqui Committee has discovered the following historical information on Cazenovia, found in the Gazetteer of State of New York, written by Horatio Gatio Spafford, M.S., published in Albany in 1813: In 1810 Cazenovia Village, then larger than Syracuse, had 500 inhabitants, 69 houses, 5 stores, 2 carding machines, 2 trip hammers, a brewery, 2 pot-asheries, 2 tanneries, a post office, and a handsome Presbyterian Meeting House.
40 years ago – June 12, 1985
High renovation costs have spurred the Cazenovia College Board of Trustees to change plans for the Cazenovia Opera House on Lincklaen St. Renovations to create a mini-theater and classrooms in the old building have been canceled, though college officials said that the exterior rehabilitation of the building will be done as planned.
That work will include the replacement of the roof, replacement of bricks where needed and painting.
In addition, interior rehabilitation, such as the replastering of walls and ceilings and painting, will be done.
A $7,500 pledge for the Cazenovia Preservation Foundation for the exterior work on the building will be partially used to fund the renovation of the exterior.
Gap Year
baseball but didn’t forswear speaking to someone who disagreed with them. It wasn’t that there weren’t pressures or life’s problems then. I guess that you felt that you had roadmaps, play books, values on which to lean when dealing with those problems.
And thinking whether I could have written this in the 1960s? Probably not. Now there are too many options, too many choices to knit into your life, to weave questions without answers.
In 1960 we had one phone and it was a party line. Now we
Proposed short-term rentals regulations
have six phones in the house and two cell phones … the latter’s power equivalent to something we couldn’t even imagine. Maybe that is why we often think of that time as simpler, because it was. We lived with the technology that existed. Our lives were lived in arenas that existed outside of the forces of big technology. We used it. It did not use us.
Today, the technology offers too many options, too varied a field of choices, a far greater need to find the truth in all of this, with values that are conflicted by the overabundance of just about everything.
The one thing I wouldn’t be able to do in my gap year … fit into the clothing I wore in the
The board also held a public hearing regarding a proposed local law to amend the town code by adding a new chapter regulating short-term rentals.
Introduced during the board’s May 12 meeting, the proposed legislation states that the town board has determined that short-term, transient rentals can, in some instances, be incompatible with the sense of privacy, community, and ambience of residential neighborhoods and have the potential to create a threat to public health, safety, and well-being. The board has also recognized that short-term rentals can attract visitors to the town and provide an additional source of income to residents.
“To address the balancing of the issues of community harmony and the deleterious impacts of such uses (including noise, traffic, parking, and other impacts), the town formed a committee of various stakeholders, including property owners, zoning, planning and other town officials to study the potential for regulating these uses,” the proposed local law states. “Accordingly, the board wishes to provide regulations to protect against adverse effects of this use while allowing such uses under appropriate circumstances.”
During the public hearing, East Road resident Pat Carmeli thanked the town for considering new legislation that would enable her to run an Airbnb.
Carmeli said she rented a small cabin on her property through Airbnb from around 2018 until she received a cease and desist order this year and removed the cabin from Airbnb.
“I ceased to get the income that I was starting to actually rely on,” she said. “. . . The Airbnb has been a nice additional income to help me keep my 10-acre property in good shape, and it’s been a nice way to welcome guests to the Cazenovia area. Most of the people I’ve hosted have been friends or family of residents coming for things like weddings, graduations, and sometimes funerals. [They have been] lovely people. They are not partygoers here to upset the quiet calm of Cazenovia. . . . When people come, they are not just coming to stay in my little cabin; they are going to the restaurants, they are going to the shops, and very often they are just falling in love with Cazenovia.”
She added that she is not opposed to regulation, and she is against people coming into communities and buying homes to turn them into Airbnbs.
John Knutsen, who is looking to rent his investment property on Ridge Road, also said he is in favor of the proposed local law.
He proposed changing the quiet hours for guests from 11 p.m. through 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. through 7 a.m., and he suggested potentially limiting the number of short-term rental permits available in the town. He also addressed the proposed rule that the contact person responsible for acting on the owners’ behalf to remedy any violation must be within one hour’s driving time from the rental. He suggested reducing the driving time limit to 15 minutes. Additionally, he inquired about the regulation restricting occupancy to two people per bedroom and 12 people per unit.
“I’m just wondering what defines a person; is there an age on that?” he asked. “. . . If you have a family of five with three kids, now they can’t rent a two-bedroom because they are going to exceed that [limit].”
The proposed local law is posted on the “Laws - Newly Proposed” page of the town website. It is also available for
wild hippie ’60s, even though I was only mildly hip, now mostly.
In my fantasy gap year, I would sit on my porch, hoping to hear the joy of children at play, neighbors chatting, lives being lived in homes they love. I would savor the moments, listening for that something for which I was searching. In all honesty, I think I would be satisfied with a gap week, even a day.
Ann Ferro is a mother, a grandmother and a retired social studies teacher. While still figuring out what she wants to be when she grows up, she lives in Marcellus with lots of books, a spouse and a large orange cat.
viewing at the town office.
“We are going to have to meet again and talk about some of the comments that we have heard and see what can be incorporated to make it an even better law,” Langey said during his attorney’s report.
According to Supervisor Kyle Reger, the proposed local law will potentially be reintroduced at next month’s regular board meeting. town supports village’s grant application for the Mill Street Dam Removal Project
Later in the meeting, the board authorized Reger to execute a letter to the DEC Office of Water Resources in support of the Environmental Bond Act grant application submitted by the Village of Cazenovia for the Mill Street Dam Removal Project.
The letter explains that due to more frequent, unprecedented storm events, a unique flooding situation is occurring at the confluence of Chittenango Creek and Cazenovia Lake.
“Under normal circumstances, water flows out of the south end of the lake into a canal [that] feeds into Chittenango Creek,” the letter states. “During strong storm events, the direction of flow changes and water ‘back flows’ into the lake. These flooding incidents bring unneeded nutrients, phosphorus, sediment, and potential pollutants into the lake, which worsens weed and algae growth, including harmful algae blooms.”
The dam is owned and operated by the Canal Corporation.
According to the letter, a preliminary engineering study has determined that removing the Mill Street dam, which is just downstream and no longer serves a purpose, would nearly eliminate this increasingly frequent flooding and back flow issue.
The dam removal and associated stream restoration are expected to eliminate nearly all back flows, restore natural creek processes and ecological functions, improve water quality, and provide upstream and downstream passage and habitat access for resident fish and aquatic species.
“This project will have a very positive, significant impact on the ecosystem of Cazenovia Lake and Chittenango Creek,” the letter states.
Message from Cla President Dave Miller
During the second public comment period, Miller stated that, to his knowledge, Madison County still has $10,000 grants available for homeowners seeking to replace failing septic systems.
“It has been a bad spring for [septic systems] because of the amount of water,” he said. “We are seeing significant algae blooms happening, and the only conclusion that the lake association has made is that it’s from additional runoff. Whether that is from [septic systems] or just normal life, we aren’t sure, but the more people who replace failing [septic systems], the better. This is a program that many people on the lake and Chittenango Creek can take advantage of.”
Reger will hold his next monthly office hours on Sunday, June 29, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the town offices. Community members are invited to sit down with him and discuss any town issues.
The 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 on the Town of Cazenovia, visit towncazenovia.digitaltowpath.org or call the town offices at 315-655-9213.
l From page 1 Town
PENNY SAVER
PENNY SAVER
howard Mosher, 75
retired from Bristol Myers Squibb
Howard Mosher, 75, of Killingworth, Connecticut passed away on April 30, 2025.
He was born on July 28, 1949, grew up in Cazenovia and was a graduate of Cazenovia High School in 1967.
Howard was employed at Bristol Myers Squibb for 50 years until his retirement in 2009 as supervisor of animal sciences. He then joined the Johnson Control team and JLL, where he continued to work at BMS.
While at the Wallingford location
Howard felt one of his greatest achievements was being able to be a member of the team that opened the location as well as being present for its closing. Howard enjoyed his time with Edstrom while he was working with the team.
He was a mentor to many young men as the leader of a 4-H group in Cazenovia during his early years.
Howard and his wife enjoyed cake decorating but his favorite hobby was photography. He was also an active member of the Masons.
He is survived by his sister, Alberta Prockup of Liverpool; his brother, Bill Mosher of Cazenovia; his daughter, Tina (Terry) Davis of Killingworth, CT; his son, Kenneth Mosher of Chittenango; four grandsons, Nathaniel Mosher of Chittenango, Evan Mosher of Chittenango, Nathan Davis of Florida and Terry Davis, Jr. of Virginia; one granddaughter, Amanda Johnson of Arkansas and by three great-grandchildren. Howard also enjoyed a multitude of family members and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents Dudley and Evelyn Mosher; his
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BENEDICT TREE REMOVAL
wife, Sandra Gleason Mosher; daughter, Michele Olsson; son, Paul Anthony Mosher and by a granddaughter, Savannah Mosher
The family would like to thank Middlesex Home Health Care and Lower Valley Care Advocates for the care and compassion they showed Howard in his final days.
Family and friends are invited to attend a memorial service at Michael E. Brown Funeral Services, 2333 Fenner Road in Cazenovia at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 14.
Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery in Cazenovia. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in his honor to American Cancer Society online at donate.cancer.org.
Condolences for the Mosher family may be left at michaelebrownfuneralservices.com.
howard Mosher
SPORTS
Caz, Chittenango track athletes battle in state qualifier
By Phil BlaCkWell
Championship seasons for track and field teams at Cazenovia and Chittenango would largely conclude with their athletes part of the Section III state qualifying meet at Cicero-North Syracuse High School. And the girls Lakers had quite a good meet on Thursday led by the
Cazenovia
duo of Susie Pittman and Alyssa Wardell, already a qualifier in this weekend’s state meet at Middletown in the pole vault, Pittman won here in Class C as the only athlete to clear 10 feet.
Wardell, in the fiveevent pentathlon, only finished fourth in Class C with 2,822 points due to the high quality of the
field, but that was still above the state qualifying standard of 2,536.
Cazenovia’s 4x800 relay team of Maura Phillips, Maeve McGreevy, Olivia Ruddy and Lily Kogut were second in 10:04.90 to Tully;’s 9:58.64.
Pittman, Audie Spring, Izzy Stromer-Galley and Caroline Mehlbaum took third in the 4x100 in
50.87 seconds just missing the state qualifying standard of 50.64. In the 4x400 Pittman, Mehlbaum, Ava Eno and Anna Reksc were third in 4:15.71.
Abbie Comeau ran the 2,000 steeplechase in 7:45.82 to fourth place. McGreevy went 1:11.68 in the 400 hurdles for eighth place as StromerGalley as ninth in the
100-meter dash in 14.07 seconds.
Chittenango featured Natalie DiGennaro taking third place in the 2,000 steeplechase going 7:59.70. Ava McLean ran 3,000 meters in 11:41.36 to finish seventh in Class B. Going first in the boys meet, Cazenovia nearly wonthe Class C 4x100 as Eliot Comeau, Finn
Artisans presenting Marna Bell in June
Marna Bell is an award-winning American photographer whose work centers around nostalgia and reclaiming memories through parallels of light and shadow.
Bell’s images represent semi-fictionalized narratives, taking form between what’s real and what’s imagined.
Bell was raised in Brooklyn and she has returned there both physically and figuratively throughout her career. In this fantasy world of the past, she finds excitement and escape. Her work has been featured in international publications, solo and group exhibitions in museums and galleries, including Clarion State College, the Everson Museum of Art in Syracuse, Munson Williams Proctor Arts Inst., Utica and the Schweinfurth Memorial Art Center in Auburn.
She received a New York State Council of the Arts Grant and a Ruth and Harold Chenven Foundation award, and has been featured in Black and White magazine.
Her book, “Hudson Past/Perfect” is in Howard Greenberg’s Gallery in New York City.
Bell received a BFA from Pratt Institute and an MFA from Syracuse University in painting.
Bell’s work takes you on soothing and imaginative paths.
Guests are welcome for a reception Friday, June 6 from 5 to 7 p.m. This is free and
open to the public. Light refreshments will be served. For more information visit cazenoviaar -
tisans.co m , call 315-655-2225 or stop by 39 Albany St.
Cazenovia Rowing Club plans pancake breakfast July 4
The Cazenovia Rowing Club will be hosting its annual pancake breakfast on July 4 in Lakeland Park from 8 a.m. until 11 a.m.
The cost of the breakfast is $10 for adults, $6 for children and $30 for a family of four, two adults and two children.
“Our pancake breakfast has become a Fourth of July tradition for so many families in Cazenovia,” Carlie Hanson, the club’s president, said. The breakfast consists of sausage, plain, blueberry, and glutenfree pancakes, coffee, and juice.
grams, and services are outlined in a message on the district website titled “Significant cuts after initial budget proposal fails.”
In the message, Superintendent Chris DiFulvio remarked that CCSD has been operating with a constrained budget for many years, and it has aimed to make necessary reductions responsibly, seeking to preserve as much as possible of the programs and services that define the district.
“While these are challenging and regrettable changes for our students, staff, and community, they become necessary when the district lacks sufficient funds to continue all existing positions, programs, and services,” DiFulvio added on June 3. “These measures were enacted to align with the financial realities after the initial budget outcome and enable the district to proceed with the revote on June 17. The administration has connected with [staff who] are impacted, [and] the district is still working diligently on what to expect from these reductions for next school year.” According to the district message, the cuts include reducing several full-time positions, including administrative, instructional, and support staff roles, as well as eliminating numerous stipends for department leaders, building leaders, curriculum chairs, athletics and coaches, and club advisors.
An assistant principal and a support staff person will be eliminated, and the district will shift from a centralized to a building-specific registration system. A dedicated communications person will be cut, and external BOCES communication services will be discontinued, resulting in
Attendees will also have an opportunity to try out a rowing machine and enter raffles for items donated by local businesses. Proceeds from the event will go towards the maintenance of boats and other equipment to help keep the crews safe while on
reduced website and social media updates, the cessation of print newsletters and annual calendars, and a lack of dedicated crisis communications support.
Honors classes in social studies and English 9, English 10, and Global I will no longer be offered. Elective arts courses, such as music theory, guitar I/II, comic book illustration, digital art, and creative crafts, may not be offered or may have reduced sections, resulting in larger studio art sections. Additionally, library hours will be reduced, and high school reading labs and academic intervention services will be cut.
Extracurricular offerings and athletic programs will also be impacted. According to the district, a significant number of high school and middle school clubs will be cut, including popular options such as Caz Creates, Caz Crew, library club, Project CAFE, book club, various art and environmental clubs, and Family, Career and Community Leaders of America.
Several junior varsity teams — football, boys’ soccer, girls’ soccer, field hockey, girls’ lacrosse, baseball — and numerous coaching positions will be eliminated, and some 7th- and 8th-grade teams will be consolidated. Operational changes will also affect team travel, access to facilities, and competition schedules across multiple sports.
“When faced with these unavoidable decisions, we had to prioritize, which often meant looking at programs with the newest or smallest participation numbers, particularly in clubs,” DiFulvio said in the message. “For athletics, the goal was to preserve as many athletic programs as possible, ensuring students still have pathways to participate as they progress through their school years. . . .
the water.
“This is our only fundraising event of the year,” Hanson said. “We truly appreciate all of the support the community has shown us over the 20 years we have been running this event.”
Every reduction we’ve made was incredibly difficult, and there are no programs the district wants to cut — that is why we [originally] went out over the tax cap. The district is doing its best to preserve what we can with the new reality.”
CCSD announced its revised budget proposal in a June 2 message on its website.
The message states that the district aims to preserve programs, positions, and services and protect against additional cuts beyond those already established.
“Our overall goal was to identify concrete ways to optimize resources and generate revenue, while maintaining a wellrounded education for all our students,” DiFulvio said.
The message explains that CCSD maintains a consistent, comprehensive yearly budget review involving a thorough examination of internal efficiencies, including staffing levels, scheduling gaps, Chromebook repair costs, technology subscriptions, and fostering in-house professional development.
“Some financial assessments led to reductions in club allocations and stipends,” the message states. “To further mitigate cuts and generate revenue, the district is pursuing various external options, including selling property, facility use fees, district mergers, advertising, and seeking emergency funding.”
Leading up to the re-vote date, district residents will receive school budget postcards providing details about the revised budget.
CCSD has also invited the community to a revised budget public hearing on Tuesday, June 10, at 6:30 p.m. in the high school auditorium.
Information on the revised budget
Worthington, Charlie Compeau and Wyatt Scott went 43.69 seconds just behind Canastota’s 43.57, but both beat the state qualifying standard of 43.94. Much the same thing happened in the 4x400 as reaching the state meet required 3:28.75 and the quartet of Worthington, Comeau, Tristan FieldBradley and Owen Woodworth got there with 3:28.31 right behind the 3:27.85 from Tully. Jake Woolbert got to second place in Class C at 1,600 meters in 4:39.84 as Woolbert, Caleb Gilmore, Will Galton and Nolan Campagna were seventh in the 4x800 in 9:14.48. Wyatt Scott went 1:00.46 for sixth place in the 400 hurdles with Campagna eighth in 1:02.77. Judah Ossont got sixth in the triple jump with 41’3 1/4” as Charles Wilcox tied for seventh in the pole vault, managing to clear 10’6”. Ethan Burry was 11 th in the shot put with 36’9 1/2”. Chittenango had Sean Eiffe second in the Class B shot put with a throw of 48’10”. though well back of the winning 59’7 1/2” from Jamesville-DeWitt’s Kevin Vigneault as Eiffe added a fifth in the discus with 133’2”. Will Kimball went through the 400 hurdles in 59.85 seconds for third place. Jake Wagner added a fifth in the 200meter dash posting 23.38 and Drew Toner cleared 10’6” to get a tie for sixth in the pole vault. Alex Scheidelman was sixth in the pentathlon earning 2,174 points. The Bears were also fifth in the 4x100 in 45.32 seconds and fifth in the 4x400 in 3:38.29 as Kimball was ninth in the 110 hurdles going 17.40 seconds.
can be found on the business office webpage Questions can be directed to the district office at 315-655-1317.
Contingency budget implications
If voters reject the revised budget proposal on June 17, the district will be required by law to adopt a contingency budget.
The tax levy would remain at the current year’s amount, with no allowable increase to accommodate rising costs. Without that tax revenue, the district would need to make additional cuts of $718,519. By law, the following items would be removed: the $100,000 Capital Outlay Project, which in 2025-26 would involve gym floor refinishing or door hardening for security purposes; most equipment purchases; certain student supplies; bus purchases; office equipment rentals; and management confidential employees’ salary increases.
To ensure there is no tax levy increase, the district could also need to reduce other expenses, including those associated with athletics, extracurricular activities, field trips, pre-existing contractual obligations, and the public use of facilities.
CCSD BOE meetings are open to the public, and community members are encouraged to attend. Meeting dates are listed on the district website and the school calendar. For more information, visit cazenoviacsd.com/board. To contact the entire board, email boe@caz.cnyric.org
Anyone not directly affiliated with CCSD can sign up for the ParentSquare Community Group to receive newsletters and other information. Sign up at parentsquare.com/community_ signups/94dc9c19-0570-4ecd-bd7a-868cb499bc46/new.
SUBMitteD PHOtO
Marna Bell is the featured artist at Cazenovia artisans for June.
elizabeth Bickford
Loving wife, sister, mother, grandmother
Elizabeth (Betsy) Eckey Bickford passed away Saturday, May 24, 2025.
She was born Aug. 5, 1932, in Cincinnati, OH, where she was raised, attending the Wyoming, OH schools.
From 1950-54, she attended Carleton College in Northfield, MN. There she met her adoring husband of 69 years, Marion (Pat) Bickford, who passed away June 23, 2024.
She is survived by their three children, Mark Bickford [Rhonda] of Ithaca, N.Y., Martha Bickford [Perry] of Louisville, KY, John Bickford [Jennifer] of Calumet, MI and four grandchildren, Keenan Larsen, Ellis Larsen, Zoe Bickford, and Simone DeNoyelles. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Elise Jorgens, and nieces and nephews
Mary Gregory (Dennis,)
George Gibson (Suzette,)
Catherine Jorgens (Chris) and Elisabeth Jorgens (Miko.)
Betsy graduated from Carleton College with a bachelor’s degree in art and she continued to create art for the rest of her life, mastering almost every medium.
She sketched with charcoal and colored pencils, painted with watercolors and oils, made
screen prints, created pottery, crafted candles and batik fabrics, sewed clothing, fashioned intricate dolls with wonderfully expressive faces and designed amazing threedimensional sculptures by combining macrame and weaving.
Unassuming and critical of her own work, she freely shared her art with friends and family.
After designing a lovely home in Lawrence, KS, where the family lived for 25 years, and as mother of three teenage children, Betsy studied architecture at the University of Kansas, earning A grades in required physics and calculus classes.
In their home in Lawrence, and their subsequent home in Cazenovia, Betsy created and maintained beautiful gardens and landscapes.
Likewise, she created charming spaces in each home for family and guests, who were always welcomed with open arms.
Betsy and Pat were active in the Cazenovia Shakespeare Club and the Cazenovia Chorale, while Betsy was active in the Cazenovia Watercolor Society.
Betsy was a committed Christian. She first joined the Episcopal Church in Lawrence, KS, and was subsequently received into the Roman Catholic Church after moving to Cazenovia.
Betsy was a devoted member of Regnum Christi and the Legion of Mary.
She and her husband Pat were active members of both St. James Church, Cazenovia and Immaculate Conception Church in Fayetteville, N.Y., and major donors to Christendom College in Virginia and Thomas More University in Kentucky.
Betsy traveled to Medjugorje and other religious sites, and she avidly studied Catholic history and theory. Her home was filled with books about Christianity and faith and her walls were decorated with a large collection of crosses and other religious artifacts.
She and Pat recited the Holy Rosary together every morning before drinking their coffee.
Betsy was humble and caring and always put her friends and family first. She was a loving wife, sister, mother, and grandmother.
Although modest, she was very intelligent and witty. She was also surprisingly adventurous and gamely took part in many trips and escapades related to Pat’s career as a geologist.
She enjoyed music and dancing. She and Pat could often be found harmonizing in the kitchen when reminded of a song from their youth.
The family is comforted knowing that she
is now in her loving husband’s arms in heaven.
Calling hours were held from 4 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, June 3, at Newell-Fay Manlius Chapel, 8171 Cazenovia Rd., Manlius.
The funeral Mass was held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, June 4, at Immaculate Conception Church, 400 salt Spring St., Fayetteville. Burial will be in St. James Cemetery in Cazenovia. For guest book, please visit scheppfamily.com.
We need your help to continue the great tradition of July 4th fireworks. Last summer, the community really pitched in. More than 500 families contributed to the Fireworks Fund! The results were spectacular - our most exciting fireworks ever! Again this year We are counting on your help. Like last year, your contributions will be used exclusively to cover the cost of the fireworks show. In short, it’s up to you! We need support from your family to keep alive the great tradition of July 4th fireworks! Fireworks Fund, P.O. Box 83 Cazenovia, NY 13035 All Contributors Will Be Printed in the Cazenovia Republican
elizabeth Bickford with her husband, Marion (Pat) Bickford
in navigating their health and overall well-being.”
Cheung joined St. Joseph’s Physicians Primary Care — Cazenovia on Monday, May 19, and is practicing with Gerald Edwards, MD; Dawn BrinkCymerman, MD; John O’Brien, MD; John Cecconi, MD; and Jenna Cole, PA.
“[My attraction to Cazenovia] started with great mentors who have practiced here for many years, who believed in me as a young physician and believed I
would thrive in practice here,” Cheung said. “There is a sense of family and community here that I value greatly. I am most looking forward to integrating into the community of Cazenovia. A benefit of a smaller community is the greater opportunity to learn more about the people and the area. I also really enjoy the outdoors and look forward to exploring more of the natural beauty of the area.”
Edwards described Cheung as bright, hardworking, thoughtful, compassionate, down-to-earth, and approachable.
“She has a special blend of warmth
and expertise,” he said. “She is wellversed in the latest medical knowledge and resources and knows how to stay up to date. She is comfortable with technology and will adapt to the many changes in the medical field. She is enthusiastic and an energizing addition to our office and will strengthen our mission to provide high-quality, accessible, compassionate care to the community. Our patients and group are fortunate to have her. Our providers, nurses, and staff are thrilled.”
According to Edwards, Cheung is currently accepting new patients.
“As with most offices, we have been
at capacity since the pandemic and have not been able to accept many new patients,” Edwards said. “Dr. Cheung is now developing her practice so she will be able to accommodate many patients over the course of the next several months. We have expanded the offices in our building to accommodate the growing group and to expand our services.”
St. Joseph’s Physicians Primary Care is located at 132 1/2 Albany St. or more information, call 315-6558171 or visit sjhsyr.org/location/st-josephs-physicians-primary-care-cazenovia.
Experience matters… especially at this crucial time for our village.
Experience to know that the village just completed a 2+ year planning process for the college that incorporated extensive public input and included specific recommendations for zoning. That study (unanimously approved by the Board of Trustees on May 5) is on the village website.
Experience to know that a proposal to set that study aside and start over could destroy our chance to redevelop the campus in the near term.
Experience to lead the village team to deliver the essential services our residents expect and deserve.
Experience to effectively balance smart economic growth with historic preservation that is grounded in a proven, time-tested love for our community and its heritage.
