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Proposed village budget increases tax levy 2% Caz Barns project updates given By kate Hill Staff Writer
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On Saturday morning, families flocked to Lakeland Park for the Cazenovia Lions Club’s Annual Easter Egg Hunt.
On April 1, the Village of Cazenovia Board of Trustees adopted a proposed 2024-2025 Village Budget of $3,854,457.03. The current 2023-2024 budget is $3,383,321.61. The board opened the meeting by holding a public hearing regarding a proposed local law authorizing the village to exceed New York State’s property tax cap, if necessary. The proposed local law is titled “A local law authorizing a property tax levy in excess of the limit established in General Municipal Law section 3-c for the 2024-2025 fiscal year.” Mayor Kurt Wheeler explained that the state’s tax cap law limits the annual growth of property taxes levied by local governments to loosely two percent. However, the actual amount that the village is allowed to raise taxes is determined by a complex formula based on cash reserves and other factors, and it can end up being more or less than two percent. “We always pass this local law because even if you intended to stay within [the limit], you might make a math error and end up inadvertently exceeding it,” Wheeler said. “I have always been of the philosophy that we do our very best to use taxpayer money responsibly. We keep our budget as low as we can while still providing services that our residents expect. . . . We pass this every year, and we try to use our best judgment every year to use public funds Budget l Page 6
Cazenovia Pride Fest set for June 15, relocates to Lorenzo By kate Hill Staff Writer
Cazenovia Pride Fest is moving to Lorenzo State Historic Site this year with support from a new partner, the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (NYS OPRHP). Scheduled this spring for Saturday, June 15, Pride Fest is an annual event aimed at empowering LGBTQ+ youth and creating an atmosphere of love, acceptance, and inclusion. The festivities are presented by Cazenovia Pride, a community organization committed to showing local youth that no matter who they are, where they come from, or how they identify, they are seen and valued. The fourth annual Pride Fest will kick off with the traditional Pride parade, which will assemble behind the Cazenovia Public Library at 11 a.m. and step off at 11:30 a.m. According to Cazenovia Pride President Travis Barr, who co-owns H. Grey Supply Co. on Albany Street, the roads will be closed to
allow participants to safely parade from the library to Lorenzo. “A shuttle for folks to go back and forth between the festivities and the center of town is at the top of our list as we continue to raise funds,” said Barr. “If you would like to sponsor the shuttle, please email us.” The parade will be followed by a music and vendor fair from 12 to 4 p.m. on the Lorenzo grounds. This year, Cazenovia Pride has enlisted Nicole Latini of @CoastTwoCoastEats to curate a lineup of food trucks. The “Caz Pride Fab Food Fleet” will feature Bold Coast Lobster Co., Café Blue, the H. Grey Supply Co. Barista Bar, Ji-Woo’s Korean Seoul Food, Kalamata Pita, PB & J’s Lunch Box, and Meier’s Creek Brewing Co. Several new and returning vendors and organizations will have tables set up on the mansion grounds. As of March 28, Cazenovia Pride had received commitments from the following vendors: Badass Apothecary, Cashmere Sun, Cre-
ative Hearts Design, The Cozmic Cauldron, Jasmine Rae Floral Design, Mayhem Arts, Sage + Stardust, Sarah’s Fabulous Farmasi, Stay Golden Soy, Teresa’s Shining Stones, The Treehouse Reading & Arts Center, Tying Together Tie Dye, and Nicki Donlin, a licensed associate real estate broker with Howard Hanna. Barr remarked that knowing a “safe” realtor like Donlin can be particularly important for LGBTQ+ individuals who are in the market for a new home. The following organizations will also have tables set up for Pride Fest: the Anti-Racism Coalition of Cazenovia; BRiDGES, Madison County Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, Inc.; the Madison County LGBTQIA Network; Cazenovia Call to Action; The Haven at Skanda; and the Q Center at ACR Health. According to Barr, the Pride Fest organizers are excited to announce that they have secured the Spirit Posse DJs as entertainment for the afternoon. Barr’s professional drag persona, Anita
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Cazenovia Pride and its partners will present the fourth annual Cazenovia Pride Fest on June 15. The festivities will include a Pride parade through the village followed by a music and vendor fair at the Lorenzo State Historic Site. Buffem, will also be singing a few tunes and hosting the event. Cazenovia Pride is continuing to raise funds to provide additional festival entertainment, activities, and speakers. The event organizers are also seeking additional vendors, Pride l Page 12
Marquardt to relocate production to Mexico, 180 jobs to be affected By kate Hill Staff Writer
On March 22, Marquardt Switches Inc. announced its plan to relocate its production operations from its North American headquarters at 2711 Rt. 20 East, Cazenovia, to its plant in Irapuato, Mexico, due to economic challenges. Some service, sales, and development jobs, as well as equipment manufacturing, will remain at the Route 20 site. Established in 1981, Marquardt’s North American headquarters is a 115,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facil-
ity that specializes in producing electro-mechanical and electronic switches, controls, and switching systems for a variety of industries, including automotive, electro-mobility, off-road, and household appliances. Although Marquardt Switches has a Cazenovia mailing address, the facility is located just across the town line in Nelson. In a March 22 press release, Marquardt said it aims to complete all planned relocation activities by mid-2025. By the end of the transition period, approximately
180 jobs are expected to be affected by the relocation. Approximately 60 jobs will remain at the Route 20 facility. Per federal and state requirements, all affected employees will receive advance notice, according to Marquardt. “We deeply regret the need for these measures at the Cazenovia site and are committed to supporting affected employees through these changes,” the press release said. The company explained that relocating production was “urgently required” to ensure its continued com-
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Marquardt Switches Inc. is planning to relocate its production operations from 2711 Rt. 20 East, Cazenovia, to its plant in Irapuato, Mexico, by mid-2025 due to economic challenges. Approximately 60 jobs will remain at the Route 20 site. petitiveness. Factors that contributed to the decision include persistently low order levels,
the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, geopolitical tensions, wars, and rising costs of materials, energy,
Volume 214, Number 14 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.
sports: Caz softball, baseball win debuts on new turf.
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Earth day: Library to kick off weekend with panel on net-zero energy homes.
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and personnel. “Despite significant efforts and investments to Marquardt l Page 11
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