APRIL 2008 TOWN NEWSLETTER

OTISCO LAKE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION SPRING 2008 NEWSLETTER

Link to Skaneateles Rotary page - Bunt Osborne

Link to The Race4Hope in memory of Dick Shaffer

FOR SPAFFORD RESIDENT, VOLUNTEERING IS PART OF HIS LIFE
from 55+ Magazine
Frank Moran was born in Cambridge, Mass., 71 years ago. He came to Syracuse in 1964 for a job opportunity and landed right at Carrier Circle. He was immediately reminded of the "awful and confusing" rotaries in Massachusetts. After a quick look around the city, he was discouraged because he didn't like it very much. Afterward Moran found there were a lot of places in Syracuse that he actually did like. Preferring to live in a country-like setting, he wound up living in Borodino in the Town of Spafford. Once he became involved in building a life there for himself and his family, he decided to stay.

Forty-three years later, Moran is still here but his life has changed quite a bit. Ten years ago, his wife passed away, a victim of cancer, and although he's now retired from the work force, he still has a lot of get up and go in him.

"I'm not the type of man who can sit around and do nothing, and I'd like to pay back for all the blessings I've had in my life," Moran says.

Moran began volunteering as a Borodino fireman and did so for 25 years. After retiring, he became an elementary school reading assistant at the Delaware Academy in the Syracuse City School system, and also signed on to volunteer with RSPV and the American Cancer Society. After working with third-to-fifth graders for three years, he decided to focus his volunteering on RSVP and the American Cancer Society. [article continues on next page]

CITIZENS HOPE TO RID SPAFFORD OF DILAPIDATED BUILDINGS
by Anne Roth, Skaneateles Press, March 26, 2008
'One of Spafford's most vocal advocates for town improvements is Linda Sanders. She has been involved with town beautification projects for years. Her current mission is to eradicate dilapidated and vacant buildings, particularly at the Borodino Four Corners and the house next to hers, on Nunnery Road.

For years, a grocery store with gasoline pumps was at the southeast corner. For a brief time next door, a pizza/bakery and liquor store operated. In the mid-2000s the vacant grocery store was leveled with the approval of the owner. Today there is an attractive sign on the site that lists town happenings. However, the vacant building next door, painted blue, remains. Junk is piled up along side as well as an abandoned car.

The southwest corner has been beautified through efforts of local veterans and concerned citizens. It now has a memorial stone, benches for quiet contemplation and greenery. A gazebo, picnic tables and flowers grace the northeast corner, thanks again to the efforts of concerned Spaffordians. Concerts and barbeques are held there during the summer. Frank Moran is currently renovating the house on the northeast corner, which is next to historic Borodino Hall, also currently under extensive renovation. A lot is happening to beautify the town, yet eyesores remain.

Sanders has been in contact with Spafford Supervisor Webb Stevens concerning the house next to hers hoping that legislation could be introduced regarding dilapidated and vacant buildings. "It has been vacant for 10 years," she said of the house. "The floor has fallen into the basement and the back is piled to the roof with junk. It diminishes my property value; it just breaks my heart."

Sanders also contacted the health department as rats were seen running out of the house. "A person from the health department came out," she said, "got out of his car, stood in front of the house and said he saw no evidence of rats. "There is no food there," he said. That was the end of that conversation. 'You have to deal with local government," the health department person told her.

"The town itself does not have an abandoned building law," Supervisor Stevens said. "We are putting one together but it will take time to get it implemented. We will have a board work session before the April board meeting. We are going to discuss the matter to see if we can get something together and then will put it out for a public hearing that will be open to the public for their input--things we can live with, things we can't live with.

"It is a very sensitive law," Stevens continued. "I've worked on it for over a year and haven't gotten to the right compromise yet. It will take time for a legal form, then a pubic hearing, then vote, and then it goes to the state once we have approved it. After that it will become one of our laws."

Frank Marcheterre, owner of the dilapidated and vacant house on Nunnery Road was asked if he had plans to demolish it. He said, "I will reserve information to my lawyer." Marcheterre also owns the vacant blue building on Route 41.'

FIRE HITS BORODINO FARMHOUSE
Syracuse Post-Standard, 1/13/08
Fire damaged a Borodino farmhouse on East Lake Road on Saturday night, firefighters said. The fire was reported about 9:30 pm at 2483 E. Lake Road, said Dave Card, assistant chief of the Skaneateles Fire Department. The owners of the house were out of state and no one was home at the time of the fire, Card said. Heavy fire damage was apparent to the front of the first floor of the two-story, wooden house but firefighters had no trouble in putting the fire out, Card said. No one was injured.


USED MEDICAL EQUIPMENT WANTED
The Marcellus Health/Loan Closet -- a non-profit group that equips and maintains a loan closet of medical items for those in need in the Marcellus Central School District--is in need of quality donations. Especially sought are wheelchairs and mobile walkers (with seats and brakes). For more information, or to make a donation, call 673-3660.

WEBB STEVENS, MAN ABOUT SPAFFORD
by Anne Roth, from Skaneateles Press, Dec 26, 2007
Webb Stevens is no stranger to work. When he was elected supervisor for the town of Spafford two years ago, he added this duty to farming, driving a school bus for Skaneateles, plowing snow and raising Percheron horses. "Work is what keeps you going," he said. "I have no intention to stop." The supervisor reflected on two issues the town is currently grappling with: re-evaluation of property and the new Marcellus, Otisco, Spafford Water District.

He explained, "Spafford is the lead town for the water district because we could get a no-interest rate loan for the whole project, because we were a town that was not affluent. Bids have come in on the water project and are currently under review to make sure they meet all requirements and will probably be completed by 2009."

Webb acknowledged Spafford is becoming more affluent. "New homes are being built and others are selling for more than they were a few years ago," he said. However, the town has little business to add to the tax rolls. "Our tax basis is either agriculture or residential," he said.

Yes, there are restaurants in the town and a golf course, but they are small. The golf course was recently sold.

"There will be changes because of the sale but it will stay as a golf course. That was part of the agreement," Webb said. "It has got to be right for the town and the future."

His roots in the area are long and strong. Born on Rickard Road, he is a graduate of Skaneateles Central School. He came to the position of supervisor with experience as Spafford town justice for 19 years and as an assessor before that. He and his wife, Sally Cone Stevens, a native of Elbridge, have been married 46 years. They have two daughters - Kim Tracy who lives on Shamrock Road, and Kelly Cusick of Marcellus - and six grandchildren.

Years ago the couple had a vegetable stand and opened their land to hunters. At that time they had what they call old horses.

"We saw an ad for Percheron horses in the Utica area, drove there, liked what we saw and purchased two geldings. That was 20 years ago. Then we added mares and the rest is history," Sally said.

Today they have 18 Percherons. Their mares are expected to produce 10 or 11 foals in March. They also sell Percherons, mostly in the Midwest. [New York Percheron Association website]

"The Amish, in particular, like Percherons because they are easy to harness and train to pull wagons," Sally said.

As for her husband and his work, she said, "whatever he does he does full bore."

TOP

BORODINO FIRE DEPT INTRODUCES NEW TRUCK AT FIREHOUSE GRILL
by Anne Roth, Skaneateles Press, 1/16/08
The grills are fired up in Borodino Saturdays during January and February. Those masters of the "Happiness is a Borodino Pancake" breakfasts that take place some summer Sundays have initiated the Firehouse Grill.

"We started the Firehouse Grill as a place for the community to get together in the winter and as a recruiting tool. It is not a fund-raiser," said Jerry Schinaman, who heads the grill committee. It is an all-associate venture. Firefighters do the work on the Sunday breakfasts; associates put on the grill. "Six or seven years ago we found we could get people to help but they didn't want to respond. Associates may have computer skills; help with food and maintenance," Schinaman said.

As for Saturday grill duty, "Its' a lot of fun," said Joe Phillips who mans the toasters while Tom Barnes said," I am the most important person- I make the coffee."

Joe Vecchio, who cooks at one of the two grills, came up with the most innovative offering: the Borodino breakfast sandwich - French toast with Italian meatballs. Much more is offered: pancakes, bacon, and sausage, eggs any style, and it isn't unusual for a neighbor to show up with something homemade for all to enjoy. The cost is $3.00.

Last Saturday the department showcased its newest vehicle - a rescue truck designed specifically for the department's needs. "We put together a committee. It took us two years to plan and review what we wanted. That is how we arrived at this particular vehicle," Schinaman said.

The new truck cost $160,000 and is used for rescue calls. It holds a crew of five, has an automatic transmission and can easily navigate remote roads in all kind of weather. The Borodino Fire Department has four volunteer EMTs (Emergency Medical Technicians). "Everyone is trained for CPR and AED (automated external defibrillation)," Schinaman said. "The volunteers are usually first on the scene before the ambulance arrives. All of the chiefs - there are four- cars also have AEDs."

The rescue truck was put into service December 27. Volunteers are always needed and welcomed in Borodino.

Spring Cleaning at the Spafford Veterans Memorial Park