3rd Ward Councilor - Town of Camillus

Dear Neighbors & Friends...

I would like to welcome the many new residents who have moved into the Third Ward over the past few years and thank all of you for your inquiries over the past twelve years that I have proudly served as 3rd Ward Councilor. I also appreciate all your calls pertaining to your concerns, issues and comments that I have tried to resolve this past year. I really look forward to continue working for you, keeping you informed about our local meetings and continue making guest speaker presentations around Town. Your inputs have been extremely valuable in helping us make decisions pertaining to local government operations.

I will make every effort to resolve the many pressing decisions and issues the Town Government must deal with. The Rotary FOUR WAY Test to decision making will continue to be my guide as your representative: "Is it The TRUTH?, Is it FAIR to all concerned?, Will it bring GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?, Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?"

Please send me your email address so I can send you other updates about what is happening in our Ward and the Town. These updates will be sent "bcc" to maintain your privacy.

EPA's Human Health Risk Assessment Review Meeting

This is a reminder to everyone that the results of the HHRA (Human Health Risk Assessment)regarding the proposed SCA from the cleanup of Onondaga Lake is this thursday at 6:30 p.m. in the Martha Eddy Room at the State Fair Grounds. This is a Q&A program presented by the DEC and the EPA. There is an open house at 5:30 showing some of the displays for the cleanup process.

Please call or email me if you have any questions.

Bill

March 2010-Issues & Updates Pertaining to the Town

Onondaga Lake Remediation (Clean up the Lake) Use of Sediment Containment Area (SCA) Waste Bed 13:
Plans from the EPA/DEC are almost finished which includes the use of Honeywell Bed 13 for the major portion of the dredging. The Town Board has sent out Resolution 55 stating: "to unequivocally oppose and not allow the DEC and Honeywell plan for the SCA in the Town of Camillus". The Town Board has hired an Environmental Lawyer to review the EPA approved project to determine if we have cause to start a law suit to stop the use of SDA Waste Bed 13. If we cannot stop it, what must be done to ensure all safety Environmental Standards will be met when located near residential areas. This analysis had been started. The neighborhoods in the second ward nearest Bed 13 have organized to oppose this project and are seeking support throughout the area.

The EPA/DEC has been asked for more detailed Environmental Data to support their present Site priority for Waste Bed 13 Classifications Class Code 3 (Contamination does not presently constitute a significant threat to public health or the environment) and Class 4 (Site has been properly closed but requires continued site management, consisting of operation maintenance, and monitoring) after closure. You can visit the NYS website here. The Town engineering firm has been reviewing this EPA mandated remediation in 2005/2006 and again in 2010; as well as a local engineer who is a resident of Camillus. They have proposed alternate sites which the DEC is now looking at.

Dave Callahan and I had originally planned to hold a presentation meeting on March 11th for the residents of the 3rd Ward and the 6th Ward. We want to hold off until we have all the facts from our Environmental lawyer as well as, verified information as to the present and future materials to be placed in the SCA Bed 13. I asked for handouts from EPA/DEC/Honeywell that should answer questions received over the past few months from residents and DEC's position on alternate locations. Without all the facts, it could be a misuse of time for all of us. I want to hear from our Environmental lawyer (Gary Bowitch) about what our chances are of winning this battle, that is driven by Super Fund regulations and what will be the estimate of the cost to the taxpayers for a protracted legal battle. Can the Town continue to have oversight to insure that if this SCA gets built, will it be built to specifications so we protect the health and welfare of our citizens? With this information, we will be in a better position to determine the next move.

I am offering to set up small meetings for each District if you are concerned about finding out more regarding the issue, options and how it will be handled in the event Camillus must be host to this Sediment Containment Area. As requested, if you want to attend small hosted group informational meetings at local conference rooms with DEC for the Third Ward, please call me or leave a message at 488-0992 and I will schedule them as soon as possible.

Camillus Park and Pool:
In the coming week or two, you will be receiving a survey in the mail that will deal with issues regarding Camillus Park and Pool. Please take the time to read and respond. Your ideas and answers will help the Town Board make informed decisions on what to do with this aged facility.

Welcoming New Businesses to Camillus:
By the Brook Diner is located in the former Doug's Fish Fry and JD's Fish n' Grill at 3249 Milton Avenue. This diner is owned and operated by a Third Ward Family and open Monday through Thursday 6:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Friday 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., and Saturday & Sunday from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Saving Face Barber Shop is located at Scott Avenue and (4300) West Genesee Street just west of Kinney’s Drug Store. They are open weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. They also offer Senior Citizens discounts.

The new building on the East End of Fairmount Fair is a proposed retail stores. Benderson has not discussed who the new Please continue to support all the unique businesses in our Third Ward and the Town of Camillus.

2010 Town Budget Information Update:
The Town General tax rate per $1000 of assessed evaluation remained basically the same for 2010 and we had to contribute $280,000 from our reserve funds to cover an error in the total Town assessed evaluation.

In the past, we have used the reserve funds to keep the property tax rates the same or slightly lower. Our present reserve fund meets the requirement of the NYS Comptrollers Office and 12 years ago, we had a deficit of ~ $500,000 and we now have a surplus.

The following Emergency services budgets were approved: Fairmount Fire Department received $618,000; Camillus Fire Department received $501,495; WAVES received $437,000; Warners Fire Department received $102,436; Lakeside Fire Department received $45,000; and Memphis Fire Department received $20,623.

Difficult Times Ahead: Must Review Town Revenue Sources very closely due to unforeseen Funding cuts.

Depending on the Home Sales and Mortgages Refinancing, Mortgage Tax income will be reduced.

A hiring freeze has been in place for two years but we have to determine if we replace staff that leave and/or use part time employees which reduces cost.

At Your Disposal...

I am available to attend small neighborhood get togethers at your home or group meetings to discuss your concerns and listen to your input on what you would like to see the Town do to reduce cost or services. Please feel free to call me at 488-6990 / 488-0992 or send me an e-mail: wdavern@twcny.rr.com



Background

I was born in Syracuse and have been a Camillus resident since 1967, along with my wife of 51 years, Alice. Together we have raised three children, William H., Jeffrey, and Maureen, all of whom are graduates of the West Genesee Central School District. I possess a B.A. in Physics from Syracuse University and retired from General Electric/Lockheed Martin after 34 years. I began a new career as a part-time Teaching Assistant for students with special needs in 1997 and I am presently a substitute Teacher.

I have a long history of community involvement, including: member of the Camillus Chamber of Commerce, member of the American Legion Camillus Knife Town Post 1540 and BOYS State interview selection committee, ANG 174th Alumni member, Volunteer presenter for: "What's Going On in the Town of Camillus" to the Holy Family Seniors Group, Camillus Seniors Group, Rotary Club, Camillus Chamber of Commerce and WGCSD High School Senior "Participation In Government" classes, volunteer Santa helper for: Town functions, PBAs, Octagon House, VA Hospital and other local charitable, church and non-profit organizations.

I have always felt that our community's greatest assets continue to be our residents, schools, students, churches, dedicated community organizations and Volunteers that make this a great place to live.

Local Goverment's Role in the Community...

The role local government plays in the present community, based on the inputs from Town constituents and my views are as follows:

•  Maintain present infrastructures at reasonable cost & advocate to reduce taxes
•  Consolidate services which will reduce the operating cost of government
•  Rebid Town operation expenses such as heath insurance, etc. to be cost effective and look for alternative options
•  Streamline the approval process to bring in new retail businesses, restaurants and housing developments that meet the needs of our community, but at the same time maintain an improved aesthetic appearance to these developments
•  Continue to discuss with the community what they would like us to do and implement those changes to the best of our capabilities

Financial Solutions

There certainly are many when you look at the potential Federal tax increases, State tax increases and fees, and the mandated cost burdens placed on Town governments. In addition, many constituents are losing their jobs, contending with retirement health insurance loss or cost increases, and reduced income. What we are doing is to continue to work with retail developers to bring in businesses that will meet our community needs and provide increased tax revenues to help offset our local property taxes and create jobs for our citizens.

Our first priority is to continue to look at consolidation of services with input from the community, which can potentially reduce property taxes if the State government does not increase mandated costs to the County and Local Governments. To date we have eliminated three full time positions through attrition and consolidation, and we are looking at other potential combinations that will reduce our costs and increase our cash flow.