Town Board - Regular Meeting

town board meeting and uh thank you for everybody for being here and we'd like to start out with the pledge of allegiance. Please remove your caps. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Moment of silence for those who have come before us. Thank you. All right. I would like to move for the adoption of a resolution to approve the following resolution. Whereas the town of Cicero Police Department is in need of a New York State DCJS certified full-time police officer and Joseph C. Cook was recommended for hire by the chief of police. Resolved that the town board approves the hiring of Joseph C. Cook as a New York State certified Cicero police officer at a starting pay rate of $82,125 per year effective January 15, 2026. Budget code 02-3120-0- 0. Second.

Second. Okay. Uh, it's been seconded. Um, do we have any other discussion on this? All right. All right, I'm calling for a voice vote. All in favor say I. I. Nay. Abstension. Motion was adopted. Chief

stateear. Support the I will support the of the United States. the United States in the Constitution of the Constitution of the State of the State of New York. All laws of New York State all the time in the rules and regulations of the Cisero Police Department. I will faithfully discharge I will faithfully discharge the duties of police officer duties of police officer for the town police department according to the best of my ability

the bestility and with the highest level of integity and with the highest level

would You want to work?

Again. All right. Thank you. Pretty nice. We'll see you at 8:00 tomorrow morning.

All right. Uh, moving right along. I'm going to make just a couple of very quick comments before we get into the bulk of the meeting. Um the town of Cicero has undergone some issues in trash collection over the last uh week, week and a half. Uh we have been working with uh with Superior on these issues. Um it's not just us. Clay also is having some collection problems. We've uh done our best to try to work with them and we'll continue to work with them. But please, we ask for patience and we're hoping that this the situation will be resolved uh very very shortly. We think it's pretty much done as of right now, but you're going to have some misses. Okay. Also, the Brewer Bridge, for those of you who don't know, uh is now going to be a one-way bridge. This is very similar to the situation we had with South Bay Road. It's only going to be it's but this is going to have, you know, this is going to have a traffic light as opposed to South Bay where you could only go one way. You're going to be able to go both ways, but there will be a traffic light affecting this. So, please be advised that there will be traffic backups and there will be a problem. This is going to go on until the end of December 2026. So, we're with this for a while according to the uh state DOT. Okay. So, I just want to make those comments and welcome everyone here and also all the people at home watching on the internet. Hopefully, they have internet because Verizon has been a little wonky today. So, they may or may not be watching us. So, okay. All right. Moving on. I'm going to uh move for the adoption of a resolution to cancel the Wednesday, January 28th uh 20 uh 2026 town board meeting. Do I have a second?

I'll second. Okay, Jamie second. All right. Um discussion. Um what is the purpose of cancing the meeting? I guess. Well, one of the reasons is we've got we've had two meetings this month. That's one of the reasons. Um one of the major reasons. So, um, like to to go with that and move it to February. We've done a lot of business this month. So, anything else? Yeah, I'll just say it concerns me that we're just getting started here and already we're going to cancel a meeting. I mean, our first meeting, yes, we have two meetings, but one was an organizational meeting. Public doesn't get a chance to participate really in that meeting. So, um, yeah, I have concerns with cancelling.

I wholeheartedly agree with councelor Daniel. Okay. All right. In that case, um, we're going to call for a voice vote. So, all in favor, I I nays. Nay, no two abstensions. Okay, the motion is defeated. All right. Be Mike. Actually, we need to do our public input here.

Oh, we did. Yeah, I'm sorry. Got to insert that public input. Uh, do we have anybody who would like to speak uh about anything that's on tonight's agenda? You have up to three minutes to uh cite whatever you'd like to site. We have anybody who wants to come up, Judy. Good evening, Judy Boy, Muskrret Bay. Um, seeing as we're talking about Superior when we renewed or extended their contract in 2024, um, they had, I believe it was 20 55124 and when that was extended, it was to be as of the the contract Well, 2025 it's now two 2,519. So, it's gone up from 205 to two to to 25119. Um, that's a increase of $64,000 for the whole year. I'd just like to know why. Thank you.

Thank you. Do we have any other comments? Does that work? Yes. Thanks. Uh, supervisors, counselors, thank you and, uh, congratulations on, uh, getting off to a successful 2026. I appreciate the ability to provide public input. A quick question. Uh, since you mentioned the Breton Bridge, there is no pedestrian access crossing the Breton Bridge right now, right? That is that the case

there is a pedestrian bridge on the east side.

Okay. It's a it's it's a little bit hard to find. Um, you know, with the bridge um being completed this year, which is pretty much an amazing schedule considering its new style of construction. Um, that that's fine. Uh the traffic's going to be much worse in summer as you guys all know because uh people will be traveling north and south on 11. So keep that in mind. Um I'm just going to briefly comment on agenda items number two which we already did 11, 17, and 18. Number two is going to be the balance of it. Um, for agenda item number two, I want to raise one accounting and transparency question tied to staffing, especially the police department. Since councelor Daniel is a CPA, who I actually until this afternoon thought worked or the town of Cicero is a CPA and I learned not. Um, was a little bit confused. You had a town email address and you were on the zone of board of appeals and I saw in a meeting room over here sometime in the afternoon and I sort of presumed that, but that's not the case. Uh anyway, you're a CPA, so I'd especially value uh his view on best practice here and what uh CSRO can do to make this clear and more transparent for residents. Uh tonight, you approved another full-time hire. And item number two, over time, each additional person isn't just this year's salary. It increases long run costs and volatility via pensions, retirey health, and what accountants like Chris might call OB, which stands for other postmployment benefits, things like retirey health benefits. It's a New York state program. It's an accounting category used everywhere. um used everywhere including New York local governments. I understand that not all those future all of those future

liabilities show up as a direct subtraction from unassigned fund balances. for instance, in the agenda you just mentioned, the salary, and um they don't usually show up in the budget documents residents usually see, but they are still real obligations and they create real budget risk. My question is simple. Can the town provide the public with a plain English once a year summary that connects staffing levels to the multi-year cost outlook, pensions, and benefits included, and confirms we're capturing the fully loaded costs, not just salaries. In my world, which is not Chris's accounting world, I would call this a net present value or an NPV. And frankly, that's probably a better measurement than a salary. And as a practical step for hires like tonight's can, and congratulations to Officer Cook, by the way, seems like a great candidate. Uh, can the town include a short public note stating whether hire is a lateral transfer or a new newly certified recruit, how it affects authorized versus filled headcount, and the estimated fully loaded firstear cost, salary, benefits, training and and equipment as long as well as any bonuses so residents can see how staffing decisions map to the budget. Um, I would like to note that um the North Syracuse Police Department just increased via Facebook post their little transfer bonus to $20,000 from year 15. I don't know if that's significant to you or not. In fact, I think a lot of people in this audience and in the town of Cicero, especially newcomers, don't exactly know how the

town of Cicero and the village of North Syracuse interact. Uh so that would be helpful if you could provide us some an explanation sometime now or in the future. Uh for agenda item 11, these are donations to the CISO police which are great wonderful to get donations. However, the 420 shop wants you to accept a $300 donation to the Cicero Police. This is the same shop at the little strip mall on Bartell Road where I think you have the Do you have the uh um uh additional police facility on Bartell Road? Yep. Right down same plaza, I think. Um anyway, this 420 shop was shut down a year or two ago by the New York State Cannabis Control. And frankly, I think they still sell products that are illegal to sell in New York State. By that, I mean flavored vapes. You might want to consider those aspects before accepting the donation. Freedom number 17. I cannot think of anyone better for this position than Judy Boy on planning board. She knows all the important principles and intricacies and details involved. She's been here in Cicero forever and that matters. I completely disagree with Judy Piki about most things about how um real estate should be operated, but uh frankly she should have been appointed one year ago and more at this time. for item number 18. Um, just want to say that Bob Vandrich uh is a former manager of mine with American Homes. He's always been accommodative. Uh, he's always been

helpful. Uh, he um has a personality and a balance that is absolutely perfect for this role. Um and uh for these reasons I hope you approve number 17 and 18. Thank you. Mr. Ren, use the microphone chief.

My office door is always open. This has been told to you before. You have questions, you can come to the police department, set up an appointment, and I will be glad to answer somebody's questions. Right? You send emails. I send responses back, no acknowledgement from you. So, a little common courtesy. You want you have questions about the police department, make an appointment with me and I will gladly answer them for you.

Yeah. And and in that regard, Supervisor or um uh Chief Roteno, uh your foil uh response uh that you just sent me was was was very uh uh apppropo and perfect. I did communicate that to the other folks on the town board and and I honestly thought that word would get back to you and no obviously not now. I apologize for that and we'll uh make sure that uh uh uh we uh uh you get those responses in the future. Thank you.

Are there any further comments about tonight's agenda? Okay, the comments section is closed and we move on. Move the adoption resolution approving abstracts number 50 of 2025 dated 1217 20225. Abstract number 51 dated 1224 2025. Abstract number 52 dated 12312025. Uh abstract number one of 2026 dated 172026. Abstract number two of 2026 dated 114206. Do we have a second? Discussion, please. All in favor say I.

I. Nay.

Motion carries. Proposed zone change from agricultural to general commercial. Roland J. Luan Burke 6668 and 6674 State Route 31. Tax maps number 061-01-15.1 and 061-01-15.2. Move for the adoption of a resolution that the town board of the town of Cicero assume the role of lead agency pursuant to the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act in regards to the application known as Roland J and Luan Burke requesting a change in zoning district from agricultural AG to general commercial GC for the properties located at 6668 and 6674 state route 31 tax map number 061 1-01-15.1 and 061-01-15.2.

Second. Do we have any other com uh any comments on this? Okay, I'm going to call for a vote. All in favor say I. I.

Nay. Abstension. Motion is adopted. Move for an adoption of a resolution calling a public hearing on February 11th, 2026 commencing at 6 pm local time to consider the application known as Roland J. and Luan Burke requesting a change in zoning district from agriculture AG to general commercial C uh GC for the properties located at 6668 and 6674 State Route 31. Tax map numbers 061-01-15.1 and 061-01-15.2. Do I have a second?

Second. Discussion. No comments. Okay, I'll call for a vote. All in favor say I. I. I.

No. Motion is adopted. Proposed zone change from agricultural to industrial 5370 Guy Young Road LLC Snider packaging 5370 Gay Young Road tax map number 115-01-06.1 move for the adoption of the resolution that the town board of the town of Cro assume the role of lead agency pursuant to the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act in regards to the application known as 5370 Guyong Road LLC. C Snider Packaging requesting a change in zoning district from agricultural AG to industrial in for the property located at 5370 Guy Young Road tax number 115-01-06.1.

Second. Discussions. Since there's none, we'll call for a vote. All in favor say I. I. I. No. Motion is adopted. Move for the adoption resolution calling a public hearing on February 11th, 2026, commencing at 6 p.m. local time to consider the application known as 5370 Guy Young Road LLC Schneider Packaging requesting a change in zone district from Agricultural AG to industrial IM for the property located at 5370 Guy Young Road. Tax map number 115-01-06.1.

Second. We have a second. We have discussion. All in favor say I. I. I. None opposed. Motion is adopted. Donations for the Cicero Police Department's Community Policing Program, Driver's Village. Move to adopt the re uh resolution to accept $10,000 donation from Driver's Village for the Cicero Police Department's community policing program. Second. Okay. Uh all in favor? I I I Okay, motion pass. Uh also move to adopt the resolution to accept $50 donation from Christine Denise for the Cicero Police Department's community policing program. Do I have a second?

Second. All in favor or discussion rather? All in favor say I. I. I. All right. Uh move to adopt the resolution to accept the $300 donation from the 420 shop for the Cicero Police Department's community policing program. Do I have a second? Second. Discussion. All in favor say I. I. I. I.

No. Motion passes. Move to adopt the resolution to approve a $16,383 New York State DCJS law enforcement equipment grant contract uh number T633364 for the Cicero Police Department. Do I have a second? Second. Second. Discussion. All in favor say I. I. I.

And one I skipped over. I apologize. Motion passes. The El Rancho Viejo LLC move to adopt the resolution to accept $250 donation from El Rancho Viejo LLC for the Cisro Police Department's community policing program. Do I have a second? Second. Discussion. All in favor say I. I. Motion carries. Move for the adoption of a resolution to appoint Lieutenant Steven Amy as the safety coordinator for the town of Cicero for a stipen of $5,000 a year. This position will serve as the facilitator of the safety committee. Do I have a second? Second.

Discussion. All in favor say I. I. I. Opposed. Motion carries. Move for the adoption of resolution that the Cisco Town Board approves a retainment with Germaine and Germaine LLP for legal services to the planning board. The services will be provided for the period from January 1st, 2026 through December 31st, 2026 at an annual rate of $6,500 to be paid in a monthly installment of $54166 and for the supervisor to execute the agreement on behalf of the town board budget code 002-820-480-0000. Second

discussion. All in favor say I. I. I. No nays, no abstensions. Motion is adopted.

Planning board retainer uh agreement with Ramble America's Engineering Solutions, Inc. move for the adoption resolution that the Cicero Town Board approves the retainer agreement with Ramble America's Engineering Solutions Inc. or Engineering Services to the Planning Board. The services will be provided for the period from January 1st, 2026 through December 31st, 2026, an annual rate of $4,000 to be paid in accordance with the professional master services agreement between the town of Cicero and Ramble America's Engineering Solutions, Inc. for the supervisor and for the supervisor to execute the agreement on behalf of the town board. Budget code 002-8020-4-0000

I would like to second second do we have discussion all in favor say I I nays abstensions motion is adopted reappoint Chuck Abby as a member of the planning board move for the adoption of a resolution that the CRO town board reappoint Chuck Abby as a member of the planning board for a 5-year term term January 1st, 2026 to December 31st, 2030 at a rate of $107.69 per session. Town code 50-2. Do I have a second? Second discussion. All in favor say I. I. I. Nays.

I am a no. That's a new board. Uh hoping for you know some new individuals joining uh boards. So on the no. Okay. Uh motion carries. Appoint Judy Boyi planning board ad hoc. Move for the adoption of a resolution to appoint Judy Boyi as a planning board ad hoc for a 2-year term January 1st, 2026 through December 31st, 2027 at a pay rate of $107.69 per session. I would like to second this. Do we have any discussion? Any discussion should be had now, not during a vote. Right. Discussion will be held. Now,

that's not discussion points. It's just giving reasons why I'm voting the way I'm voting. Okay. That that should be a discussion point um before we vote. When we vote, the vote is over. Please, according to Robert's rules, I'm allowed to state the reason why I'm voting the way I'm voting. Okay. I'm going to take that as a as a a firm a firm thing from the Roberts rules, which I'm not familiar with that part of it, but I will certainly check that up. So, okay. Uh, the attorney just nodded yes. Yes. Oh, yeah.

So, he's made comments after the vote as well. Okay. All right. Uh, do we have any uh any comments at all? Okay. I'm going to call for a uh a vote. All in favor say I. I. I. I.

Opposed. I will be voting no. Uh uh inconsistency with years past. I I don't approve uh you know realtors being on the planning board. I did this before in the past. Uh and again uh new board looking for the opportunity to get new people involved in town government. So no. Thank you. All right. I'm going to um appoint Robert Bob Fandrich as a member of the zoning board of appeals. move for the adoption of a resolution that the Cicero Town Board appoint Bob Fandrich as a member of the zoning board of appeals for a five-year term 01012026 to 12312030 at a rate of $10769 per session town code 50-2. Do I have a second second discussion?

Yeah, I just want to say that I reached out to Chairman Stanton to find out more about Mr. Fandrich. Um, and I also reviewed his resume. I think this is great both in terms of his qualifications and the fact that Chairman Stanton had a chat with him and feel strongly that he would be a good asset to the board as well as along where we've talked about trying to get some some fresh people involved in boards. So, I will be supporting this.

Any further discussion? All in favor say I. I. I. Opposed. It carries. Zoning Board of Appeals legal retaining for Kerwin Law Firm PC. Move for the adoption of the resolution that the Citro Town Board approves the retaining agreement with Kerwin Law Firm PC for legal services to the zoning board of appeals. The services will be provided for the period from January 1st, 2026 through December 31st, 2026 and an annual rate of $5,000 to be paid in quarterly installments and for the supervisor to execute the agreement on behalf of the town board. Budget code 002-810-4000000-0000.

Do I have a second? Second. Board comments. No discussion. A closed discussion. All in favor say I. I. No opposed. Motion is adopted. Hire Monasser, head coach for girls flag football. I'll move the adoption resolution to hire Monasser as head coach for girls flag football at an hour late of $40 an hour with a start date of 12626 under budget code 0027020 01 05 0 0. I would like to second that. Do we have discussion? Yeah, a championship coach at $40 an hour is a deal.

Absolutely. Absolutely. We agree with that. Any other discussion? Okay. All in favor say I. I. I. No opposed. It motion passes. Move for the adoption of a resolution to hire Nick Morizio as assistant coach for girls flag football an hourly rate of $30 an hour with a start date of 126, 2026 under budget code 0027020 01 0500 0. Do we have a second? Second. Okay. Discussion. All in favor say I. I. I.................... Nobody. Opposed. Motion is adopted.

Move the adoption resolution to hire Jenny Apprentice as theater camp instructor at an hourly rate of $50 an hour with a start date of 217 2022 under budget code 0027020 01 05 0. Do I have a second? Second. Discussion. All in favor say I. I. I. Motion carries.

Move the adoption resolution to increase the hourly wage of Amanda Repy, art camp instructor, from $45 an hour to $50 an hour under budget code 002720 01 05 0. This pay rate will go into effect on 217 2026. Second. All right. discussion. Um, I'd like to ask parks and rec I know it's a minor increase, but is it just a Could you give us a little insight as to why we we bumped her up just to competitive rate or

um so she's been an art instructor with us for a while. I'm not sure how many years just because I've only been here for one, but um you know, everybody in the community enjoys the program. Um she did request the pay increase um and I do think she deserves it. She's a very good instructor and all of her programs fill up. In fact, the February one is um full with a waiting list of one. So Oh, fantastic. Thank you very much for that information. Any other discussion? Okay. Uh all in favor say I. I. I.

No. Uh no nos. Motion is adopted. Move the adoption resolution approving the agreement between the town of Cicero and Anaga County for financial assistance with youth services provided through programs at the canteen center. The effective date of the agreement is October 4th, 2025 to October 30th, 2026. Assistance pursuant to the contract is in an amount not to exceed $45,000. This resolution also authorized the supervisor to execute same. Do we have a second? Second discussion.

Um, my daughter participates in the programs at the canteen, so I can't speak highly enough of of all the good that they do. Um, so it's nice to see the the county partnering with us in that. So, uh, I am very much in favor of this motion. Further discussion? All in favor say I. I.

Opposed? Motion is adopted. Move for the adoption of a resolution to approve fuel purchases from Bule Fuel LLC in the amount of $75,000 budget code 003-5142-42000-0000 winter diesel and the amount of 50,000 budget code $50,000 budget code 003-5140-42000-0000 0000 summer diesel. I have a second. Second. Okay. Uh discussion on this. All in favor say I.

Opposed. Motion is carried. Move for the adoption of a resolution to approve Morabo Energy Products, New York State Contract number PC69519 in the amount of $34,000, budget code 003-5110-42000-0000 Town Gasoline. Do we have a second? Second. Discussion. All in favor say I.

I. Motion is adopted. Move for the adoption of a resolution to approve road salt Anadaga County contract number 0011251 from Cargill Salt at $60.97 per ton in the amount of $450,000. Budget code 003-5142-49-0000 second discussion all in favor say I. I I opposed. Motion is adopted. Move for the adoption of a resolution to approve for highway vehicle GPS and cameras from Samsara, Inc. in the amount of $20,000 budget code 003-5130-4363-0000.

We have a second. Second. Any comments? All in favor say I. I. I. Motion is adopted. Move for the adoption of a resolution to continue custodial services at the highway department with clean tech services in the amount of $30,000. Budget code 003-5132-400-0000.

I will second. Do we have discussion? We do. Um for this one, was this an extension of a current contract or we're just I'm just looking at the wording. It says we will u extension. Okay, perfect. For how long? One year. One year. Thank you. I just wanted to make sure that we were following what the state asked in the future to make sure that and I know we were all on course with that. If there were other quotes, make sure they were listed as well on the agenda on the uh motion. So, we're good. Thank you very much. No further discussion. All in favor say I. I. I.

Opposed? Motion carries. Move for the adoption of a resolution to approve ADMAR construction equipment and supplies for the snowblower rental for the winter season for sidewalks in the amount of 16,200. Budget code 003-5142-4400-0000.

We have a motion for a second. Second. Discussion. All in favor say I. I. I. And the motion is adopted. Okay. All right. Um, we are now into the discussion mode of anything that we need to bring up for the board. I don't have anything here. Councelor Hogan apologizes for not being here. She has a stomach flu, so she uh is not going to be able to be here today, so I thought I'd pass that along. Any other discussion at all from anyone?

Yeah. Uh, if it's okay. Um this year there's a couple of you know tax rebates that are on the New York State uh tax exemption uh website. So trying to get as many of those passed as I can. The first one uh has to do with uh uh in-law apartments or audus is the proper uh acronym for it. The assisted is the associate uh dwelling units. I always get that wrong but uh you know had some discussion with the board. I have to make sure that I properly create ADUs first then once that's done then I can raise that with the uh with the board. So that's just one just uh ideas I have for this year. So they'll be coming pretty soon.

Okay. Make sure you get those to us and we'll uh we'll act on them. Any other discussion? All right. We would like at this point in time public input speakers have up to three minutes to air anything about the agenda they'd like to talk about. First of all, I'd like to thank the board. It would be a pleasure to serve on the planning board. [clears throat]

Um I just want to clarify the correct numbers for superior in uh the abstract number 51 and uh December 24th 2025. The monthly payment was 205124. on the abstract one in on January 6, 2026, the payment is 210 522. That's my question. If it was an extension, why has it gone up in one year? The other thing is, Mr. Councelor Ballo, I I question why you're concerned about a realtor being on the planning board. I'm licensed. I have a professional career, but I have 33 years with General Electric. If you read my resume, you'd see that I am fully qualified from the planning board as far as making any insinuations about me and any reflection on anything that comes before that board in regards to real estate. I will be as professional as I am in anything else that I do. So, you don't have to worry. Thank you.

Any other comments?

Uh, regarding the trash bills, the um increase in January was due to the uh terms of the contract for 2026. That's just what the increase was for the contract. the rates went up. All right, Jay. Uh, Mr. Pollo, the um, ADU is accessory dwelling unit. It Yeah. No, no, it's no problem. It's it's a little bit confusing. Um, and it's important to use a precise term because it's it's an accessory unit. It's intended to be smaller than um the main living unit and typically applies to one to four unit properties. Um by contrast, an additional living units would be something like which is not what we're talking about would be something like where you're adding on an extension to an existing apartment building providing additional um living units. But this is an accessory unit. Accessory dwelling unit ADU or ALU if you prefer and it's basically a guest house. Um just want to make one last comment. Um there's a post on Facebook from the Cicero Fire Department. I know nothing about firefighting, but it was from Brian McQueen. He was my elementary school teacher in third grade at NA Wallbrand Elementary in Ariskany, New York 40 years ago. Even then he uh talked about firefighting and uh would promote it to us school kids. Um he uh I think he led the Arisi fire department and then did other things. Um, in the mid 90s he was fighting the Charles Town fire in Udica

and a lot of people who were fighting that fire uh subsequently developed cancer in the next few years and uh Brian McQueen fought for them to be tested and for them to be treated and they were ignored. After September 11th happened, they were still ignored until a few years went by and people started to piece put the pieces together. Around the end of the 2000s, the naughties um it became apparent that uh there were significant concerns with potential cancer and carcinogen exposure for firefighters. I would encourage this board to do whatever it can at the local level um to support Brian McQueen's efforts and to support especially firefighters and uh cancer screening and treatment for them. Um the board can do two things. The board can do whatever they can at the local level and the board can also pass a resolution maybe in its next meeting to pressure the state to do what they can at the state level. Thank you. Thank you. Any further comments? Like to make a motion to adjourn.

Second. I'm calling for a voice vote. All in favor say I. I. No one opposed. Motion carries. No further business being before the board. The meeting adjourned at