Welcome to The Borodino Bullett Online Newsletter -- The Unofficial (and sometimes irreverent) Voice for an area of Central New York that almost no one knows exists... 

WHERE THE HECK IS BORODINO?
Borodino is a hamlet nestled between two lakes-- Otisco and Skaneateles. The Borodino Bullett website serves the residents of the Town of Spafford, and surrounding areas..

"THE LAKE IS MAKING CLOUDS"
From Chris Fesko: "For those of you who have lived here or visited here, or SHOULD HAVE visited here, today is a very special day. [Skaneateles] lake is making clouds."  Read more inside... 

RESTORING THE GRANGE BUILDING
In a recent Neighbors West, reporter Sara Errington visits Borodino and showcases community progress on restoration of the historic Grange building. ["Before" picture] What's new?   Grange representatives have met with architect David Lee for advice on floor refinishing, disability access and other options.

Note from Sara: "I enjoyed writing the Grange story and was especially delighted that I managed to cadge two free lunches. I wish I could write about them every week just so I could eat their great food. Only in Borodino would you get fancy carrot soup with little herb sprigs in a styrofoam bowl." 

SAHS NEWSLETTER
Lauri Clark says the December issue will be available very soon! Past newsletters can be viewed or downloaded  from the "Newsletters" link on the Spafford Area Historical Society web page.

"History of Borodino", by Janice Beaman can be found on the Spafford Area Historical Society web page. This circa 1900 postcard is Borodino Landing, from the SAHS web pages.

TOWN OF SPAFFORD MINUTES
Water District pursued: Town Supervisor Gordon Ireland said he and Marcellus Supervisor Frank Wilson met with representatives of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development program to talk about possible federal funding for the proposed tri-town waterline.

Water districts in Marcellus, Otisco and Spafford would carry water to residents along Route 174 and parts of both sides of Otisco Lake. A little more than a million dollars is needed to make the annual repayment cost of the project affordable to residents.

"We've got to get it below $600 to be doable," Ireland said of the per-unit cost. If it doesn't happen, the water district is in jeopardy. But, I'm kind of optimistic," Ireland said. Ireland wants meeting: Spafford Area Historical Society members are asked to meet with town board members at 7 p.m. Jan. 7 at town hall.

Ireland said he wants to talk to them about their goals for the Borodino Grange building and possible sources of funding.

Town officials hope to coordinate cleanup efforts at the Veterans Memorial and the former IGA store with the society's efforts, he said. Gullies on Bacon Hill: Ireland asked Highway Superintendent Merrill Clark to look at gullies on Bacon Hill Road to see if they need to be shored up. A similar project at Spafford Landing was completed this year.  Source: Neighbors West, December 19, 2002

SPAFFORD VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK
The lot was graded several weeks ago by volunteer, Bob Dye. In October, Town of Spafford workers poured footings for Veterans memorial monument. Lighting for the flag have recently been added. The white granite obelisk has been ordered from N. Carolina. The inscription will read:  "In grateful tribute to the men and women of Spafford who have served to preserve our freedom."

INDEX OF NEWS PRINTED ABOUT SPAFFORD FOR 2002
This is an incomplete listing of news about Borodino and Spafford printed in the Post-Standard for 2002.

SPAFFORD BUSINESS DIRECTORY
Barb Shoemaker, the Spafford Town Historian, has updated her Directory of Small Businesses and Services for the Town of Spafford. These are available at the Town Hall, and now on the Bullett. Download the PDF version of the Directory here.

SPAFFORD FIRE DEPARTMENT **NEWS**
Spafford Fire Department announces results of their annual elections for 2003.

BORODINO FIRE DEPARTMENT **NEWS**
The Borodino and Spafford Fire Departments are considering offering CPR classes for interested Town of Spafford residents. Classes will be offered at the Spafford or Borodino Fire Houses. They will be presented in the evening and will be about 3-4 hours in length. There will be a $15 charge per student to cover class materials. Students successfully completing the course will receive a certification card issued by the American Red Cross.  Those interested in learning CPR should e-mail Jerry Schinaman with your name and phone number so that you can be contacted directly.

TOWN OF SPAFFORD REVALUATION COMPLETE
Spafford residents can learn about the townwide property revaluation project at an informational meeting Jan. 9 at Town Hall. At the 7 p.m. meeting, residents will learn how to challenge assessments if they don't agree with them.

The townwide reassessment was sought after town officials noticed that many properties, particularly those on the lakes, were selling for prices well above their assessed values.

Assessor Robert Brown said that field reviews of properties are finished and the results sent to the state for certification.

A public meeting is required by law before notices detailing the new property values are sent to residents. The statement are expected to be mailed in mid-February, Brown said.

Assessment figures on individual parcels will not be discussed at the meeting.

It is likely that even if property values rise overall, about a third of residents taxes will go up, a third will go down and a third will stay the same, Brown said.   Source: Neighbors West, December 19, 2002

Background: The town board approved the 2003 preliminary budget: the tax rate will rise 4 cents per $1,000 of assessed value to $3.73 per $1,000. This combined general and highway budgets total $531,503, and increase of $13,152 from 2002. Partly due to the cost of  town-wide revaluation;  rising insurances contained in the highway budgets; and  $20,000 set aside for engineering and other fees for the proposed Marcellus- Spafford - Otisco water districts. The town supervisor will get a raise this year of $475, bringing the salary to $5,200. Councilors wages remain at $1,410. Read 10/17/02 article from Neighbors West...

CONGRESSMAN WALSH COMES THRU FOR CNY
Spending bill clears House committee. Package that includes $60 million-plus for CNY gets appropriations panel's OK. $100,000 grant earmarked for future community center in Town of Spafford. October 10, 2002 article in Syracuse Post-Standard, by Mark Libbon, Washington Bureau.

NO CABLE DEAL FOR SPAFFORD
Adelphia bankruptcy dashes our hope of high-speed internet access and cable coming to the Town of Spafford. Read 10/31/02 article from Neighbors West here...

TRANSFER STATION INFO
The final Metal Day for the season was Saturday October 19th. If you missed the  last Clean Up Day October 5, the next one will be January 4, 2003. If you do not have a valid Transfer Station permit see Lisa Valletta at the Town Hall. Permits must be renewed each year. Cost is $15. What items can and cannot be recycled? Get your copy of the rules and regs. October's Town of Spafford newsletter available in PDF format here, or from the Town of Spafford information page.

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