Presenting sponsor:
Go to RunSignUp.com to register! Brought to you by Cazenovia Children’s House
Week of Jan. 11, 2023 FREE • Proudly serving Cazenovia since 1808
CazenoviaRepublican.com
Home of Susie Pittman
PENNY SAVER: CNY’S BEST BUSINESS SERVICE DIRECTORY INSIDE!
WORK BUY SELL TRADE GET IT DONE
Village continues to plan for post-Caz College future By kate Hill Staff Writer
During the Jan. 3 Village of Cazenovia Board of Trustees meeting, Mayor Kurt Wheeler updated the board on the ongoing discussions regarding the future of the community without its historic college. On Dec. 7, Cazenovia College announced its decision to permanently close following the spring 2023 semester due to financial difficulties. According to the college, the financial challenges facing the institution have included a shrinking population of college-
aged individuals; skyrocketing inflation; decreased enrollment and increased expenditures during the global pandemic; and recent uncertainty in the bond and stock markets, which made it exceedingly difficult to refinance its bond debt. The college defaulted on a $25 million bond after failing to pay the amount due in September. “They had every intention of refinancing that bond debt and had hired highly qualified people to assist them through that process,” said Wheeler. “Right up until really a few weeks before that payment came due, they were being assured, ‘Oh
yeah, no problem, we’ve got this; this is a routine transaction.’ Of course, in the past year, the US bond markets have just gone [into complete] turmoil. . . They went into forbearance, basically where they were given kind of a grace period to sort it out, and unfortunately [at the beginning of December] announced that they did not have a solution.” Wheeler reported that the college has been proactive and a great partner and communicator since announcing its decision to close. “They have been very transparent with us,” Wheeler said. “As soon as they get
Notable News from ‘22 A Cazenovia Year in Review - Part III
By kate hill Staff writer This is the third and final installment of our 2022 Year in Review
Lincklaen on the block
On Nov. 15, Cazenovia’s historic Lincklaen House at 79 Albany St. was put up for sale via an online auction. Two days later, the auction concluded without producing a suitable buyer. The property includes a 23-room colonial-style boutique hotel, an event space, and three restaurants — the “casual fine dining” Lincklaen House, the Seven Stone Steps tavern, and Due Passi Pizzeria. According to Dan Kuper, who owns the Lincklaen House with his wife, Mary Margaret, the bidding reached $2.3 million before the auction ended. Submitted photo “That price included 79-83 Albany In November, an online auction failed to produce a suitable buyer for CaSt. and the two parking lots with all zenovia’s historic Lincklaen House. For now, things will remain “business as furniture, fixtures, and equipment, so basically [a] turnkey business,” said usual” under the current ownership. oldest private, independent college in New York and the Kuper. “. . . “We were concerned about the bidder being a good fit for the community and meet- 28th-oldest independent college/university in the United States. ing the reserve.” According to the college, the financial challenges facFor now, the Lincklaen House will continue operating ing the institution have included a shrinking population under its current ownership. of college-aged individuals; skyrocketing inflation; decreased enrollment and increased expenditures during Caz College announces closure On Dec. 7, the Cazenovia College Board of Trustees the global pandemic; and recent uncertainty in the bond announced its decision to permanently close the college and stock markets, which made it exceedingly difficult to following the spring 2023 semester due to financial con- refinance the college’s bond debt, which came due in September. cerns. The institution has an estimated $55 million of annual Founded in 1824, Cazenovia College is the eightheconomic impact in the region, according to Cazenovia College President David Bergh, and the local business community is expected to feel its loss. Like many in the community, McKenzie Houseman, owner of 20|EAST farm store (85 Albany St.), mourned the loss of the college and expressed her determination to help the local business community continue to thrive and adapt to the changes to come. “The college always made sure to keep things local by buying flowers from me, introducing incoming classes and their families to the community, and having parties at local restaurants,” said Houseman. “It cannot be denied that this will definitely be felt by the businesses. My hope is that someday something wonderful can happen with the college campus. Our community is resilient, and we will persevere but never forget the beauty of Cazenovia College.”
A new festival in Nelson Submitted photos
On Dec. 7, Cazenovia College announced that it will not be enrolling students for the Fall 2023 semester, marking the end for one of the oldest private, independent colleges in the country.
In August, Nelson Farms Country Store (3261 US-20) hosted the first annual Nelson Corners Festival in conjunction with the 13th Annual Mad Cow 5K. Following the race, which supported local emergency service providers, runners and community members were Notable l Page 9
information, they have been sharing that with us. They are very attuned to the impact that this is going to have on the village and our broader community. I appreciate their partnership in working through this extremely saddening event.” Two days after the closing was announced, a group of local leaders convened to begin working towards the goal of developing a clear vision for what post-Cazenovia College use(s) of the campus will have the greatest long-term positive impact on the community. According to the mayor, who organized Village
l
Page 2
Town board amends solar regulations By Kate Hill Staff Writer
On Jan. 9, the Cazenovia Town Board adopted a local law to amend the town code with respect to its commercial solar regulations. The approved changes are related to setbacks from Important Bird Areas and wetland areas. “There was one line in the [original] code that essentially took Important Bird Areas and combined them with wetlands, and there was a generic 1,000-foot setback for them,” said Town Councilor Kyle Reger. According to Reger, the town worked with experts to identify Important Bird Areas and incorporated separate setback requirements into the code for Important Bird Areas and wetland areas. “There are actually [no Important Bird Areas] in Cazenovia, and I think there is only one in Madison County, just south of Oneida Lake,” said Reger. The amended code states that commercial solar projects must be set back at least 1,000 feet from any Important Bird Area as identified by the New York Audubon. The amended code also states that commercial solar projects that are contiguous to wetland areas must, at a minimum, conform to the setback requirements mandated by either the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) or the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. “Said setback(s) may be varied based upon information that may be required by the town planning board and supported by appropriate submissions that may require a greater setback,” the resolution states. “Setbacks will be determined on a case-by-case basis and a proper record supporting any such greater setback requirement shall be established as part of the review process.” Reger explained that the DEC’s minimum setback for wetland areas is 100 feet, but the planning board now has the authority to investigate any wetlands on an applicant’s property and decide if a greater setback is necessary. The proposed local law was introduced at the board’s Dec. 12, 2022, meeting. On Jan. 9, prior to adopting the law, the board held a public hearing during which no comments were made.
In other news
During his report, Councilor Jimmy Golub stated that Cazenovia College was the lead agency involved in acquiring an electrofishing boat, in partnership with the Cazenovia Lake Association (CLA), for surveying the lake. An electrofishing boat uses an electric field to temporarily stun fish, which can then be collected with longhandled dip nets for identification. Data collected from electrofishing can be used to determine the abundance, density, species composition, and health of fish populations. Golub informed the board that since the college has announced it is closing and will not be able to follow through on the purchase, the town has agreed to become the lead agency. “We are going to pay the college for the down payment they paid, plus pay for the boat, which amounts to about $100,000,” said Golub. “We will be repaid by a grant. The CLA pays the remainder of the cost, which is about $18,000.”
Volume 214, Number 2 The Cazenovia Republican is published weekly by Eagle News. Office of Publication: 35 Albany St., Second Floor, Cazenovia, NY 13035. Periodical Postage Paid at Cazenovia, NY 13035, USPS 095-260. POSTMASTER: Send change of address to Cazenovia Republican, 2501 James St., Suite 100, Syracuse, NY 13206.
Grant funds on the way: CACDA receives funding for three village projects
PAGE 3
Gun Bust: Caz man arrested on felony weapons charges.
PAGE 11
Calendar �������������������� 5 Classifieds ����������������� 7 Editorial ��������������������� 4 Obituaries ������������������ 5
PennySaver ���������������� 6 PUblic notices �������� 10 PUzzles ����������������������� 5 Sports ����������������������� 10