FREE • EagleStarReview.com
Week of March 29, 2023 Home of The Ballantyne Family
Proudly serving Liverpool, Salina, North Syracuse, Cicero & Clay
PENNY SAVER: CNY’S BEST BUSINESS SERVICE DIRECTORY INSIDE!
WORK BUY SELL TRADE GET IT DONE
N. Syr. shows off renovated village hall By David Tyler
Last Friday, the village of North Syracuse celebrated the renovation of the village hall with a visit from Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon. The renovation included a new façade to the building, the expansion of the lobby and a new conference area, a new roof on the garage in the back of the building and the renovation of some interior office space. The total cost of the project was approximately $330,000, which came from a county grant and the village’s American Rescue Plan Act funds, said North Syracuse Mayor Gary Butterfield. “The last time we did anything to the face of the building was the fifties,” Butterfield said. He added that during the pandemic, the cramped proportions of the building’s lobby meant only two people could be there at
a time. In his comments, McMahon emphasized the importance of villages in the county’s plans for growth over the next decade. “How we’re going to grow, is we’re going to grow on Main Street,” McMahon said. “To do that you need strong village governments, and you need the ability to deliver services, you need the infrastructure.” McMahon said the county has provided more than $2 million in municipal grants that have in turn created more than $5.5 million in investment in community streetscapes. “At no point in our community’s history, probably since the Erie Canal, have we seen the economic opportunity that we’re seeing today. That means there’s going to be investment,” McMahon said. “Village hall looks great, and we were happy to be a part of it.”
David Tyler
Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon and North Syracuse Mayor Gary Butterfield celebrate the grand opening of the newly renovated North Syracuse Village Hall. They are flanked by county Legislators Deb Cody and Cody Kelly.
Liverpool trustees consider $3.6 million budget Village taxes would remain at $11.95 per $1,000 assessed value By Russ Tarby Contributing Writer At its March 20 meeting the Liverpool Village Board of Trustees scheduled a public hearing for 7 p.m. Monday, April 10, regarding the proposed 2023-2024 village budget. The proposed $3,614,489 million budget calls for spending more than $502,000 on capital projects, including the purchase of a new department of public works mini dumptruck for $71,000, a police ve-
hicle for $54,000 plus various payments to help improve the village hall’s roof and its heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system. The 2023-24 budget includes $70,000 to update the village’s comprehensive plan. Last year’s village budget came in at $2,944,337, while the proposed budget calls for $670,000 more spending. To balance the budget, $455,789 will need to be transferred from the village fund balance, according to Village Clerk Mary Ellen Sims.
$279k on its way to L’pool Five village businesses will use funds for storefront improvements By Russ Tarby Contributing Writer On March 13, County Executive Ryan McMahon informed the village of Liverpool that five businesses will receive Main Street grants designed to improve their storefronts and streetscapes. In January, 10 village businesses applied to the Onondaga County Community Development office for a total of $500,000 in grants. This month, the county announced that $209,814 in Main Street money would go to half of those applicants. “The application promised a match of $69,938 for a total investment of $279,752,” McMahon wrote in his March 13 letter to Liverpool Mayor Gary White. The businesses whose applications were approved include Heid’s $76,550, Sunoco $4,125, Ziaie Commercial Center $40,650, Liverpool Lumber $44,650 and Ancora Productions $113,734. Village Codes Officer Bill Reagan, who coordinated the applications, pointed out that each of those recipients was awarded 59 percent of the amount they had requested. An initial round of Main Street funding was administered in 2021. Some of the money for the Village Main Street program comes from the $89 million which Onondaga County received from the federal American Rescue Plan.
“As a result of under-spending, we currently have $1 million in our fund balance,” Mayor Gary White observed. “We’ve got to get that fund down to a reasonable number.” The 2021-22 budget reduced the village’s tax rate from $12.45 per $1,000 of assessed value to $11.95 per $1,000, after the 2020 reassessment of village properties by the town of Salina. If the budget is passed as is, a village property assessed at $100,000 will receive a tax
bill for $1,195. White told the trustees that he’d like to see a nominal lowering of the tax rate. Along with the taxes, village property owners must also pay a $130 annual sewer-fund assessment. The trustees must adopt its 2023-24 spending plan by May 1. Residents and property owners are welcome to comment on the proposed budget at the April 10 public hearing at the village hall, 310 Sycamore St.
Spring Break Fun planned at Salina Library Submitted by Jeannine Chubon Director, Salina Library Salina Library is offering a week of fun, free activities for kids, teens, and families during spring break. Try something new with these creative programs:
Early Learners Storytime
Wednesdays at 11:00 am – April 5, 12, 19, and 26 (1 hour) Get your child ready for school! With stories, rhymes, and songs, your child will learn important early literacy and social skills in an environment suited to their developmental needs. We will meet in our community room, following COVID precautions. For children ages 2-4 years old, with accompanying adult. Feel free to pick up a monthly Storytime at Home Kit with coloring pages, a craft, sticker, as well as songs and rhymes to join along with Miss Monica -- or create your own storytime from home.
Watercolor Crafts
Wednesday, April 5 at 2:30 pm Learn new watercolor techniques as we try a few different crafts using watercolor paints and markers. For ages 8-12. Please register.
Teen Sewing: Pokeball Pillow
Thursday, April 6 at 2:30 pm (1 hour) Learn basic sewing techniques while making a Pokeball-shaped pillow! For teens in grades 6-12. Please register.
Family Book Bingo
Thursday, April 6 at 6:00 pm Families are invited for a night of bingo, with book prizes for all ages. Salina l Page 2
LCSD to host Purple Up event to engage community The Liverpool Central School District Climate and Culture Committee will host a Purple Up Family Engagement Event on Wednesday, April 19, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Liverpool High School. Purple Up Day was established to honor and appreciate military families and their children for the sacrifices they make and the challenges they overcome. In addition to honoring the district’s military children and families, the Purple Up Family Engagement Event will include various activities such as: 3 Letter writing to military service members 3 Face painting Military photo station 3 Refreshments 3 Raffles and prizes 3 Much, much more To ensure there are enough refreshments, please RSVP by Thursday, April 13, by filling out the online RSVP form: liverpool.k12. ny.us/news/1762335/purple -up -family- engage ment-event. All Liverpool CSD families are invited to attend. You do not need to be a military family to participate.
Volume 131, Number 13 The Star-Review is published weekly by Eagle News. Office of Publication: 2501 James St., Suite 100, Syracuse, NY 13206. Periodical Postage Paid at Syracuse, NY 13220, USPS 316060. POSTMASTER: Send change of address to Star-Review, 2501 James St., Suite 100, Syracuse, NY 13206.
spud needs a home: Meet the CNYSPCA pet of the week.
PAGE 5
sports: Liverpool announces spring sports schedule.
PAGE 11
Calendar ������������������ 12 death notices ����������� 3 Editorial ��������������������� 4 letters ������������������������ 5
Obituaries ��������������� 3,5 PennySaver ���������������� 6 sports ����������������������� 11