Sara Bollinger – Manlius Town Councilor
Lots to cover this month!
Small Cell Wireless is coming to a utility pole near you. The FCC issued new guidelines making it easier for wireless companies to locate small cell antennas where they are needed to improve bandwidth and speed. This is 4G now but paves the way for 5G installations in the future. For more info see the SOCPA PPT on the Manlius website. Community education is needed. A Public Hearing has been scheduled for April 24th at 6:35 to review a Local Law that I was involved in preparing, with others.
The Inland Port is not dead. The grand plan articulated by CenterState CEO for a huge shipping terminal in Dewitt a few years ago is not happening, but a $19 million expansion at the CSX terminal in East Syracuse is on a fast track for completion this year. Most of the development will be on land CSX already owns and will include some technology improvements to increase efficiency of operations. This is an economic development opportunity for Minoa and the northern parts of the Town but will also increase truck traffic.
Did you know that the Town is thinking about building a new Municipal Building that would bring the Police Department into space adjacent to the Courts, enhance the security and efficiency of both, and move the offices currently at Brooklea Drive to a new location? A preliminary feasibility study has been done, and Phase 2 was approved March 13th. We are looking at a site on the wetlands on the corner of North Burdick and Bowman Road extending to the former landfill.
NY Municipal Energy Program: Community Choice Aggregation. Good Energy made a presentation at the March 27th meeting. Minoa Mayor Bill Brazill spoke in favor. The Villages of Fayetteville and Manlius have also already signed on. This is a win/win opportunity to lower utility costs for Town residents and small businesses.
Zone change request for the Wellington House/Estabrook Mansion property on the corner of Genesee Street and Mott Road. Resident opposition is clear. As of the date of this blog we have received +/- 50 letters/emails/calls in opposition to a zone change and 1 with reserved support. The board invited the developer and his attorney to amend their proposed use [which I believe will not be approved] to something with less impact on the neighborhood. As of this post, I have not seen any other proposals. Please check the agenda on the website to see if they plan to return 4/10 or 4/24.
