The Village of Cazenovia is in the process of revising its policy for boats launching into Cazenovia Lake from its Lakeside Park location. The proposed policy will allow for the purchase of seasonal permits, with restrictions on the number of permitted vehicles and trailers that can be in the parking lot at any one time. The letter below from Trustee Kurt Wheeler explains his own background and position regarding this issue. The proposal itself can be found on the village's web site in the board meeting minutes page.
13 January 2008
Dear Neighbors,
The purpose of this letter is to clarify certain aspects of the discussion regarding proposed regulations for the Lakeside Park boat launch. I have been concerned about the tone and accuracy of certain information disseminated recently. Like the other members of the Cazenovia Village Board, I enthusiastically welcome input from residents of both the Town and Village. My hope is that residents will have thorough and accurate information on which to base that input. The following points are submitted for your consideration:
1) The Village Board as well as many other concerned citizens have been actively studying this topic for more than eight months. We have considered a wide range of issues and have crafted a proposal that we sincerely feel is in the best interest of the Village and the broader community. It has not been a hasty or careless process.
2) The $40,000 figure that has been circulated for enforcement is inaccurate. I have been directly involved in the cost calculations and the figure is less than $10,000 - a sum that will be covered using conservative estimates of anticipated sales of permits and/or intermunicipal agreement fees. There will not be any significant impact on local taxpayers. It is also important to note that Lakeside Park and its associated launch are currently 100% funded by Village taxes. No Town taxes are currently involved. The Town Board will decide later if it desires to sign an intermunicipal agreement or to allow individual residents to purchase their own permits as they do under the present law.
3) The Village Board is concerned about all of the issues raised by the Lake Association in recent communications and is committed to being an active participant in the Watershed Council proposed by the Town of Cazenovia to address these issues systematically. We applaud the recent closing of the unimproved launches at the north and south end of the lake by the Town which stemmed, in part, from healthy intermunicipal discussion and cooperation.
4) Under the status quo, there is effectively no limit to the number of "non-resident" boaters who can access the lake on any given day. The past reality has been virtually open access to the lake from three municipal launches. The proposed legislation would result in a maximum of nine "non-local" users on the lake at any time from one municipal launch with appropriate enforcement. All users of the launch will agree to abide by a written summary of safe boating practices. The intent of the proposed resolution is better regulated access to the lake and increased safety.
5) I would like to reassure my friends and neighbors in the Village and Town that I have studied this issue very carefully and thoughtfully. The same can be said for each of my colleagues on the Village Board. I love this community and every action that I take is intended to be in its best interest. I am saddened that some would imply that the proposed legislation has been reckless, thoughtless or crafted with anything other than the best interest of the community in mind.
6) I encourage everyone to read the proposed resolution (available at: www.villageofcazenovia.com) and to call me or another member of the Village Board with questions. We heartily welcome public input and believe that well-informed input will best serve the public interest.
Very Sincerely,
Kurt Wheeler
Cazenovia Village Trustee