Weekday top 5: Tessy Plastics eyes Auburn facility, Auburn athletes sign letters of intent
The Weekday top 5 is a new collection launched by ÈËÊÞÐÔ½» and . It will be published every Friday. The slideshow will feature five of the most-read stories of the week.
- Greg Mason
- Updated
The former Daikin Applied facility in Auburn has found a serious suitor in Tessy Plastics, an expanding manufacturing company based in Elbridge.
Tessy Plastics has submitted an application to the Auburn Industrial Development Authority for financial assistance to help with potential plans to purchase the property, a nearly 31-acre parcel owned by Daikin Applied.
The parcel, at 4900 Technology Park Boulevard,Ìýwas used for decades as a manufacturing facility by Daikin Applied, formerly known as Daikin McQuay. The facility had employed more than 350 people until as the company decided to move operations to Mexico.
According to its AIDA application, Tessy Plastics is looking to purchase the property for $8 million. Once purchased, the company would initially use the space for warehousing — though the long-term plan would be to make it into a manufacturing facility.
With its application to AIDA, Tessy Plastics indicated the company is "very seriously evaluating" the purchase. Beyond 10 jobs for construction purposes, the application did not include a number of anticipated jobs that would be created from the project.
AIDA is scheduled to conduct an initial review of the application during its next meeting on Wednesday.ÌýA Tessy Plastics representative could not be immediately reached for comment.
"The long-term plan will be for Tessy to bring the McQuay manufacturing facility back to life for our ever-growing consumer products business," the company wrote in a memo to AIDA.
Tessy Plastics is headquartered in Elbridge, but also has locations in Virigina and China, according to the company's website. The manufacturer is in the middle of a Ìýof its Van Buren facility in Onondaga County, which is expected to result in 100 more jobs.
The company has applied for assistance from AIDA in the form of sales and use tax exemptions for materials needed to renovate the facility. The company is also seeking amendments to the existing payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement, which is set to expire in 2022, according to Tracy Verrier, executive director of the Cayuga Economic Development Agency.
CEDA AIDA's administrative services. Verrier said Tessy Plastics is seeking $150,600 in sales and use tax exemptions associated with $1.895 million in project purchases.
These exemptions could be applied to items like office equipment, furniture, shelving, etc., Verrier said. In its application, Tessy Plastics identified around $2.8 million in immediate maintenance needs, including a roof replacement and sprinkler upgrades listed at $1.7 million and $500,000, respectively.
For its long-term plans, transforming the former McQuay site into a Tessy manufacturing facility would cost $8.29 million, including $7.5 million in production equipment, according to the company's estimates.Ìý
Verrier declined to comment on the terms of the amended PILOT, saying AIDA members will likely discuss those further on Wednesday.
"I think there's some excitement around the possibilities," she said on the project. "It's just a matter of hammering out the details."
Tessy Plastics first contacted AIDA about the proposal on Oct. 31. In its initial consideration of theÌýapplication Wednesday, Verrier said AIDA members may decide if they are comfortable with the terms and whether to move forward with the next step: a public hearing.
Following the public hearing, AIDA would vote on whether to approve the application.
"(Tessy Plastics is) quite interested. They're ready to get moving on this," Verrier said. "They turned this application around very quickly and are looking to move ahead."
- Megan Blarr
- Updated
A former teacher's aide was sentenced Tuesday in Cayuga County for sending sexually explicit images and videos to one of her students.Ìý
Last month, 23-year-old Nicole Green, of 137 Martville Road in Oswego County, . At that time, Green admitted to sending pictures of her breasts to a 15-year-old student while she was working as a part-time teacher's aide for the Red Creek School District.Ìý
According to the Cayuga County Sheriff's Office, Red Creek Superintendent David Sholes contacted the department after reports that Green was having inappropriate electronic communication with a ninth-grade student. She was arrested a few days later and charged with two counts of first-degree disseminating indecent material to a minor and one misdemeanor count of endangering the welfare of a child.Ìý
At her sentencing Tuesday before Judge Mark Fandrich, Cayuga County District Attorney Jon Budelmann recommended Green receive one to four years in prison, claiming she also sent the victim images of her vagina and a video of her masturbating. Budelmann also noted that Green was recently sentenced to six months in jail for third-degree rape in Wayne County, where she admitted to having sex with a teen.Ìý
Still, as part of Green's plea bargain, Fandrich sentenced her to six months in jail and 10 years probation. She will also have to register as a sex offender.
- Gwendolyn Craig
- Updated
AUBURNÌý— A former Niles town supervisor and past president of the Owasco Watershed Lake Association said he was the person who posted approximately 200 signs
In an email to ÈËÊÞÐÔ½» Wednesday night, Charlie Greene said he paid for the signs and posted them Tuesday on his own accord. On Tuesday and Wednesday people saw red signs with the words, "Danger: Avoid all contact with the water, Lethal toxins at unsafe levels have been detected in Owasco Lake," around downtown Auburn and Owasco Lake.
Greene, who is also a member of the county's Watershed Advisory Committee for the creation of its Nine Element Watershed Plan, posted the signs soon after the
Eileen O'Connor, director of the county's Environmental Health Division, reiterated Thursday morning that the health department disagrees with Greene's actions.
"We don't believe the information he posted is accurate, and we're concerned it gives the wrong message to the public," she said. "I appreciate Charlie's passion, but I'm not certain that his mechanisms are the best approach."
Another concern O'Connor had was incidents like this could cause confusion should there be a true public health emergency. If the county health department did need to post signs with warnings, people may be hesitant to believe them.
Greene, who is an engineer, wrote that part of the reason he posted the signs was because of his frustration with a lack of help from New York state. He said it was "misconduct" for the state Department of Health to not provide more funding to the county for evaluating the toxins.
He also said he felt it was his professional duty to post the signs.
"My core engineering competencies are Forest, Water Resource Systems and Construction Engineering," he wrote. "I am expected by NYS to first protect the health and safety of the public in those areas in which I have competency. I take seriously such responsibility."
O'Connor and Greene have spoken to each other about the signs.
"We still live in a free country, and we are both fully entitled to our opinions," he said. "It was for actions such as being able to place DANGER signs that I resigned from the OWLA Board of Directors, and blessed by God to be a Catholic Worker since 1970, initiated Gratitude to Water."
The Auburn Police Department said it is investigating whether Greene's actions violated any laws.
"Clearly there is a right to free speech," said Deputy Chief of Police Roger Anthony. "I'm not convinced that posting signs on property not belonging to the 'speaker' is 'speech' in terms of free speech."
- Greg Mason
- Updated
OWASCO — The speed limit for a part of Route 38A in Owasco — a stretch where a teen by a speeding drunk driver this past summer — will remain unchanged.
State Department of Transportation representatives recently studied an approximately four-mile portion of East Lake Road, from Bevier Road to aroundÌýValentine Road. Following the investigation, the 55-mph speed limit will stay the same.
The results were released Monday during a meeting at Owasco Town Hall with DOT officials and local leaders. Attendees included Owasco Supervisor Ed Wagner, state Assemblyman Gary Finch, Cayuga County Sheriff David Gould, Owasco Fire Chief Chris Morabito and Cayuga County Legislator Aileen McNabb-Coleman,Ìýwho represents Owasco and Sennett.
DOT officials will return to Owasco to review the results for the public at the town board's next meeting on Dec. 8.
The traffic study was prompted by an accident in July that killed 18-year-old Auburn woman Chloe Calhoun.
Calhoun was exiting local eatery Tom Thumb Drive-In, 6143 E. Lake Road, whenÌýher vehicle was struck by an SUV operated by Owasco man Dain Schneider. Schneider was sentenced in October after pleading guilty to three felonies, including aggravated vehicular homicide and aggravated driving while intoxicated.
Because Route 38A is a state road, it is up to state transportation officials to make changes to the speed limit.ÌýDOT Regional Director Dave Smith was joined Monday byÌýSenior Transportation Analyst Teresa Haslauer andÌýChuck Riedman, an assistant traffic engineer.
Though the speed limit will remain unchanged, the DOT is still planning other changes to parts of the road for increased safety.
A few existing intersection-warning signs will be readjusted in accordance with updated federal traffic regulations, Riedman said. Additional intersection-warning signs will be placed at Honeysuckle Road and Fire Lanes 7 and 8.
Further, Riedman said the DOT is looking to repave a portion of that section of East Lake Road in 2018, according to current projections. The area marked for repavement still needs to be determined.
When the road is repaired, crews will install rumble strips along the center and shoulder lines in the 55-mile-per-hour zones. Meanwhile, the white shoulder lines will be painted two inches wider over the entire four-mile portion.
"We hope that will reduce the majority of the run-off-the-road accidents," he said.
'Hesitant to lower it'
Engineers reached a conclusion after evaluating the road in two parts: from Bevier Road to Brookhollow DriveÌý(about 2.5 miles) and from Brookhollow Drive to a point around 700 feet south of Valentine Road (about 1.3 miles).
Riedman said the two biggest factors in the traffic study were radar speed tests and accident data from the last five years.ÌýHaslauer said she, and others, conducted five separate test drives at various speed increments.
Meanwhile, Riedman said engineers did radar tests four different times to determine that the recorded speeds averaged between 58 to 60 mph. The readings fell "within the ballpark," he said, of levels based on the concept of the 85th percentile speed, the speed at or below which 85 percent of vehicles typically travel, according to the Federal Highway Administration.
The radar readings and test drives were done during weekdays in August, he said. Waslauer said test drives were conducted between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Accident data was all-inclusive over the five-year period.ÌýRiedman said most accidents along that part of East Lake Road have involved deer or other animals. Deer-related accidents, he said, were common nearÌýBevier Road and the southern part of Hollow Brook Drive, which will likely prompt state officials to install deer-crossing signs in that area.
Riedman said engineers compared the road's accident rate with statewide data.
For the first study section of East Lake Road, accident rates were 22-percent higher than statewide averages, though the injury rate was around 35 percent lower. For the second, accidents and injuries were lower by 4 percent and 23 percent, respectively.
The DOT study accounted for 82 accidents between January 2011 to Dec. 31, 2015, determiningÌýthere were 27 accidents that did not involve deer or animals. Riedman said 16 involved single vehicles going off the road, while there were a couple of head-on collisions. Three accidents, all off the road, were alcohol-related, Haslauer said.
The 82, however, varies from the 125 accidents recorded by the county 911 center between 2011 to July 2016, according to Gould.ÌýOfficials were uncertain about the reason behind the discrepancy — DOT engineers could only accumulate accident records with police reports, Riedman said.
Haslauer said DOT engineers cross-referenced their findings with an analytic software tool used by the Federal Highway Administration. The software confirmed their conclusions to retain the speed limit.
"Artificially lowering the speed limit can cause more accident problems," Riedman said. "And that's why we're very hesitant to lower it unless we have some good data to support it."
'DisappointmentÌýis not factual'
McNabb-Coleman said she was surprised by the conclusion, commenting on the notion among residents that Route 38A is dangerous for drivers.
Gould agreed with that characterization, but said the study shows that this thought process is not based in data.ÌýAnd while the accident involving Calhoun spurred the study, the county sheriff acknowledged that a speed limit reduction would not have had a bearing on Schneider's actions.
"I'm sure we're all a little disappointed — of course we are, because we wanted it 45," he said. "But disappointment is not factual, so you guys came out with the facts and you did a great study as far as I'm concerned."
Riedman said it is possible to have the study reviewed by the DOT's main office in Albany, though appeals have been historically unsuccessful. He said he would strongly anticipate the same result in this case.
The public and Owasco officials will decide whether to move forward with an appeal during the night of the Dec. 8 town board meeting, Wagner said. Finch said he believes an appeal is worth considering.
"I think people are going to want to know that everything that they've tried has been truly exhausted," he said.
One such resident is Tom Galbato, owner of Tom Thumb Drive In. Galbato joined local government officials Monday to hear the results, hoping for a speed limit reduction that he has sought .
Galbato broached the notion of a seasonal speed limit, but Riedman — referencing the Onondaga Lake Parkway, which is reduced from 55 mph to 45 mph between November and April — said such a restriction does not make much of a difference on speeds and requires consistent enforcement.
The timing of the tests during weekdays still bothered Galbato.
"They should sit for one weekend in my place and see the traffic go by, and then they will realize," Galbato said. "They did it in a professional way, but one size doesn't fit all."
- Jeremy Houghtaling
- Updated
AUBURNÌý— Three Auburn athletes made their college decision final on Wednesday.
Vivienne Tucker signed a letter of intent to play field hockey at Syracuse University, Judy Rescott agreed to play lacrosse at Mercyhurst University, and Alex Burgmaster signed to play lacrosse with the University at Albany during a ceremony in front of friends and family at the Auburn High School library.
TUCKER
Tucker achieved the goal she set for herself when she first came to America.
Tucker, whose father is from Auburn and mother is Dutch, lived in the Netherlands until last year. The senior left behind most of her family as she sought an opportunity to play college field hockey in the United States.
Tucker was overwhelmed with emotion after finally signing the letter of intent.
"I left a lot behind to achieve this goal," Tucker said. "It's such a nice, happy feeling to finally achieve it."
Tucker has been in contact with Syracuse for a few years. She attended a camp in Syracuse when she was 14, and roughly a year later she went to another clinic back in the Netherlands to showcase Dutch girls to American colleges.
"Syracuse was there, so I saw them again," Tucker said. "They met my parents in the Netherlands and it just built up."
The Orange won the NCAA championship in 2015. Tucker hopes to be a part of another long postseason run next fall.
"They really give everything for field hockey, and that's really what I want to be a part of," Tucker said. "I love the sport, they love the sport and the coaches love the sport. That's something I'm proud to be a member of."
RESCOTT
Rescott will see some familiar faces when she arrives at Mercyhurst next fall.
Former Auburn teammates Lacey Netti and Bridget Moore joined the Lakers this season and could make their debuts this spring.
Although she will be happy to reunited with Netti and Moore, Rescott's decision was more about the educational and athletic programs available.
"I'm really excited to go and continue playing for four years, because two of my good friends play there," Rescott said. "I'm more excited because I've always wanted to play a college sport, and I wasn't sure which one it was until I met my two coaches and they made me love the sport."
During the ceremony, Auburn coach Bill Dean talked about Rescott's positive attitude and her work on and off the field. He remembers when she came in as a freshman and moved from midfielder to shore up the Maroons' defense.
"Judy stepped into that role for us and played a big part in that year's success on the defensive end," Dean said.
Rescott has since moved back to the midfield and is expected to be a key player for the Maroons this spring.
"We're expecting big things and we know that she's going to have a lot of success in her senior year," Dean said. "But just what she's gone through and what she has accomplished from her ninth grade season into this winter is phenomenal. It's a lot of dedication and hard work on Judy's part."
BURGMASTER
Burgmaster will also be reunited with a former teammateÌý— his brother.
Jack Burgmaster completed his freshman season with UAlbany last year, and Alex will join him next fall.
"It's a good feeling to finally make it official after being verbally committed for about a year," Alex said. "I'm just excited. My brother is there right now, so I'll have at least two years with him."
A four-year varsity player who will be entering his second season as Maroons captain in the spring, Burgmaster will know more than just his brother after multiple trips to see the Great Danes.
"I've visited there at least a dozen times and I know pretty much all the guys already," Burgmaster said. "I'll be pretty comfortable going in."
During the ceremony, Auburn coach Matt Smith talked about the five keys for a player like Burgmaster. There's the passion for the program, the ability to motivate others and unwavering confidence, along with a practical, balanced grip on reality and a willingness to work hard and remain unselfish.
"Sitting down and thinking about what needs to be said, I look at all the great characteristics that not only I benefited from, but his teammates, the team, the program in general and the community," Smith said during his speech. "There are five key things that stick out."
More like this...
- Greg Mason
The former Daikin Applied facility in Auburn has found a serious suitor in Tessy Plastics, an expanding manufacturing company based in Elbridge.
Tessy Plastics has submitted an application to the Auburn Industrial Development Authority for financial assistance to help with potential plans to purchase the property, a nearly 31-acre parcel owned by Daikin Applied.
The parcel, at 4900 Technology Park Boulevard,Ìýwas used for decades as a manufacturing facility by Daikin Applied, formerly known as Daikin McQuay. The facility had employed more than 350 people until as the company decided to move operations to Mexico.
According to its AIDA application, Tessy Plastics is looking to purchase the property for $8 million. Once purchased, the company would initially use the space for warehousing — though the long-term plan would be to make it into a manufacturing facility.
With its application to AIDA, Tessy Plastics indicated the company is "very seriously evaluating" the purchase. Beyond 10 jobs for construction purposes, the application did not include a number of anticipated jobs that would be created from the project.
AIDA is scheduled to conduct an initial review of the application during its next meeting on Wednesday.ÌýA Tessy Plastics representative could not be immediately reached for comment.
"The long-term plan will be for Tessy to bring the McQuay manufacturing facility back to life for our ever-growing consumer products business," the company wrote in a memo to AIDA.
Tessy Plastics is headquartered in Elbridge, but also has locations in Virigina and China, according to the company's website. The manufacturer is in the middle of a Ìýof its Van Buren facility in Onondaga County, which is expected to result in 100 more jobs.
The company has applied for assistance from AIDA in the form of sales and use tax exemptions for materials needed to renovate the facility. The company is also seeking amendments to the existing payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement, which is set to expire in 2022, according to Tracy Verrier, executive director of the Cayuga Economic Development Agency.
CEDA AIDA's administrative services. Verrier said Tessy Plastics is seeking $150,600 in sales and use tax exemptions associated with $1.895 million in project purchases.
These exemptions could be applied to items like office equipment, furniture, shelving, etc., Verrier said. In its application, Tessy Plastics identified around $2.8 million in immediate maintenance needs, including a roof replacement and sprinkler upgrades listed at $1.7 million and $500,000, respectively.
For its long-term plans, transforming the former McQuay site into a Tessy manufacturing facility would cost $8.29 million, including $7.5 million in production equipment, according to the company's estimates.Ìý
Verrier declined to comment on the terms of the amended PILOT, saying AIDA members will likely discuss those further on Wednesday.
"I think there's some excitement around the possibilities," she said on the project. "It's just a matter of hammering out the details."
Tessy Plastics first contacted AIDA about the proposal on Oct. 31. In its initial consideration of theÌýapplication Wednesday, Verrier said AIDA members may decide if they are comfortable with the terms and whether to move forward with the next step: a public hearing.
Following the public hearing, AIDA would vote on whether to approve the application.
"(Tessy Plastics is) quite interested. They're ready to get moving on this," Verrier said. "They turned this application around very quickly and are looking to move ahead."
- Megan Blarr
A former teacher's aide was sentenced Tuesday in Cayuga County for sending sexually explicit images and videos to one of her students.Ìý
Last month, 23-year-old Nicole Green, of 137 Martville Road in Oswego County, . At that time, Green admitted to sending pictures of her breasts to a 15-year-old student while she was working as a part-time teacher's aide for the Red Creek School District.Ìý
According to the Cayuga County Sheriff's Office, Red Creek Superintendent David Sholes contacted the department after reports that Green was having inappropriate electronic communication with a ninth-grade student. She was arrested a few days later and charged with two counts of first-degree disseminating indecent material to a minor and one misdemeanor count of endangering the welfare of a child.Ìý
At her sentencing Tuesday before Judge Mark Fandrich, Cayuga County District Attorney Jon Budelmann recommended Green receive one to four years in prison, claiming she also sent the victim images of her vagina and a video of her masturbating. Budelmann also noted that Green was recently sentenced to six months in jail for third-degree rape in Wayne County, where she admitted to having sex with a teen.Ìý
Still, as part of Green's plea bargain, Fandrich sentenced her to six months in jail and 10 years probation. She will also have to register as a sex offender.
- Gwendolyn Craig
AUBURNÌý— A former Niles town supervisor and past president of the Owasco Watershed Lake Association said he was the person who posted approximately 200 signs
In an email to ÈËÊÞÐÔ½» Wednesday night, Charlie Greene said he paid for the signs and posted them Tuesday on his own accord. On Tuesday and Wednesday people saw red signs with the words, "Danger: Avoid all contact with the water, Lethal toxins at unsafe levels have been detected in Owasco Lake," around downtown Auburn and Owasco Lake.
Greene, who is also a member of the county's Watershed Advisory Committee for the creation of its Nine Element Watershed Plan, posted the signs soon after the
Eileen O'Connor, director of the county's Environmental Health Division, reiterated Thursday morning that the health department disagrees with Greene's actions.
"We don't believe the information he posted is accurate, and we're concerned it gives the wrong message to the public," she said. "I appreciate Charlie's passion, but I'm not certain that his mechanisms are the best approach."
Another concern O'Connor had was incidents like this could cause confusion should there be a true public health emergency. If the county health department did need to post signs with warnings, people may be hesitant to believe them.
Greene, who is an engineer, wrote that part of the reason he posted the signs was because of his frustration with a lack of help from New York state. He said it was "misconduct" for the state Department of Health to not provide more funding to the county for evaluating the toxins.
He also said he felt it was his professional duty to post the signs.
"My core engineering competencies are Forest, Water Resource Systems and Construction Engineering," he wrote. "I am expected by NYS to first protect the health and safety of the public in those areas in which I have competency. I take seriously such responsibility."
O'Connor and Greene have spoken to each other about the signs.
"We still live in a free country, and we are both fully entitled to our opinions," he said. "It was for actions such as being able to place DANGER signs that I resigned from the OWLA Board of Directors, and blessed by God to be a Catholic Worker since 1970, initiated Gratitude to Water."
The Auburn Police Department said it is investigating whether Greene's actions violated any laws.
"Clearly there is a right to free speech," said Deputy Chief of Police Roger Anthony. "I'm not convinced that posting signs on property not belonging to the 'speaker' is 'speech' in terms of free speech."
- Greg Mason
OWASCO — The speed limit for a part of Route 38A in Owasco — a stretch where a teen by a speeding drunk driver this past summer — will remain unchanged.
State Department of Transportation representatives recently studied an approximately four-mile portion of East Lake Road, from Bevier Road to aroundÌýValentine Road. Following the investigation, the 55-mph speed limit will stay the same.
The results were released Monday during a meeting at Owasco Town Hall with DOT officials and local leaders. Attendees included Owasco Supervisor Ed Wagner, state Assemblyman Gary Finch, Cayuga County Sheriff David Gould, Owasco Fire Chief Chris Morabito and Cayuga County Legislator Aileen McNabb-Coleman,Ìýwho represents Owasco and Sennett.
DOT officials will return to Owasco to review the results for the public at the town board's next meeting on Dec. 8.
The traffic study was prompted by an accident in July that killed 18-year-old Auburn woman Chloe Calhoun.
Calhoun was exiting local eatery Tom Thumb Drive-In, 6143 E. Lake Road, whenÌýher vehicle was struck by an SUV operated by Owasco man Dain Schneider. Schneider was sentenced in October after pleading guilty to three felonies, including aggravated vehicular homicide and aggravated driving while intoxicated.
Because Route 38A is a state road, it is up to state transportation officials to make changes to the speed limit.ÌýDOT Regional Director Dave Smith was joined Monday byÌýSenior Transportation Analyst Teresa Haslauer andÌýChuck Riedman, an assistant traffic engineer.
Though the speed limit will remain unchanged, the DOT is still planning other changes to parts of the road for increased safety.
A few existing intersection-warning signs will be readjusted in accordance with updated federal traffic regulations, Riedman said. Additional intersection-warning signs will be placed at Honeysuckle Road and Fire Lanes 7 and 8.
Further, Riedman said the DOT is looking to repave a portion of that section of East Lake Road in 2018, according to current projections. The area marked for repavement still needs to be determined.
When the road is repaired, crews will install rumble strips along the center and shoulder lines in the 55-mile-per-hour zones. Meanwhile, the white shoulder lines will be painted two inches wider over the entire four-mile portion.
"We hope that will reduce the majority of the run-off-the-road accidents," he said.
'Hesitant to lower it'
Engineers reached a conclusion after evaluating the road in two parts: from Bevier Road to Brookhollow DriveÌý(about 2.5 miles) and from Brookhollow Drive to a point around 700 feet south of Valentine Road (about 1.3 miles).
Riedman said the two biggest factors in the traffic study were radar speed tests and accident data from the last five years.ÌýHaslauer said she, and others, conducted five separate test drives at various speed increments.
Meanwhile, Riedman said engineers did radar tests four different times to determine that the recorded speeds averaged between 58 to 60 mph. The readings fell "within the ballpark," he said, of levels based on the concept of the 85th percentile speed, the speed at or below which 85 percent of vehicles typically travel, according to the Federal Highway Administration.
The radar readings and test drives were done during weekdays in August, he said. Waslauer said test drives were conducted between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Accident data was all-inclusive over the five-year period.ÌýRiedman said most accidents along that part of East Lake Road have involved deer or other animals. Deer-related accidents, he said, were common nearÌýBevier Road and the southern part of Hollow Brook Drive, which will likely prompt state officials to install deer-crossing signs in that area.
Riedman said engineers compared the road's accident rate with statewide data.
For the first study section of East Lake Road, accident rates were 22-percent higher than statewide averages, though the injury rate was around 35 percent lower. For the second, accidents and injuries were lower by 4 percent and 23 percent, respectively.
The DOT study accounted for 82 accidents between January 2011 to Dec. 31, 2015, determiningÌýthere were 27 accidents that did not involve deer or animals. Riedman said 16 involved single vehicles going off the road, while there were a couple of head-on collisions. Three accidents, all off the road, were alcohol-related, Haslauer said.
The 82, however, varies from the 125 accidents recorded by the county 911 center between 2011 to July 2016, according to Gould.ÌýOfficials were uncertain about the reason behind the discrepancy — DOT engineers could only accumulate accident records with police reports, Riedman said.
Haslauer said DOT engineers cross-referenced their findings with an analytic software tool used by the Federal Highway Administration. The software confirmed their conclusions to retain the speed limit.
"Artificially lowering the speed limit can cause more accident problems," Riedman said. "And that's why we're very hesitant to lower it unless we have some good data to support it."
'DisappointmentÌýis not factual'
McNabb-Coleman said she was surprised by the conclusion, commenting on the notion among residents that Route 38A is dangerous for drivers.
Gould agreed with that characterization, but said the study shows that this thought process is not based in data.ÌýAnd while the accident involving Calhoun spurred the study, the county sheriff acknowledged that a speed limit reduction would not have had a bearing on Schneider's actions.
"I'm sure we're all a little disappointed — of course we are, because we wanted it 45," he said. "But disappointment is not factual, so you guys came out with the facts and you did a great study as far as I'm concerned."
Riedman said it is possible to have the study reviewed by the DOT's main office in Albany, though appeals have been historically unsuccessful. He said he would strongly anticipate the same result in this case.
The public and Owasco officials will decide whether to move forward with an appeal during the night of the Dec. 8 town board meeting, Wagner said. Finch said he believes an appeal is worth considering.
"I think people are going to want to know that everything that they've tried has been truly exhausted," he said.
One such resident is Tom Galbato, owner of Tom Thumb Drive In. Galbato joined local government officials Monday to hear the results, hoping for a speed limit reduction that he has sought .
Galbato broached the notion of a seasonal speed limit, but Riedman — referencing the Onondaga Lake Parkway, which is reduced from 55 mph to 45 mph between November and April — said such a restriction does not make much of a difference on speeds and requires consistent enforcement.
The timing of the tests during weekdays still bothered Galbato.
"They should sit for one weekend in my place and see the traffic go by, and then they will realize," Galbato said. "They did it in a professional way, but one size doesn't fit all."
- Jeremy Houghtaling
AUBURNÌý— Three Auburn athletes made their college decision final on Wednesday.
Vivienne Tucker signed a letter of intent to play field hockey at Syracuse University, Judy Rescott agreed to play lacrosse at Mercyhurst University, and Alex Burgmaster signed to play lacrosse with the University at Albany during a ceremony in front of friends and family at the Auburn High School library.
TUCKER
Tucker achieved the goal she set for herself when she first came to America.
Tucker, whose father is from Auburn and mother is Dutch, lived in the Netherlands until last year. The senior left behind most of her family as she sought an opportunity to play college field hockey in the United States.
Tucker was overwhelmed with emotion after finally signing the letter of intent.
"I left a lot behind to achieve this goal," Tucker said. "It's such a nice, happy feeling to finally achieve it."
Tucker has been in contact with Syracuse for a few years. She attended a camp in Syracuse when she was 14, and roughly a year later she went to another clinic back in the Netherlands to showcase Dutch girls to American colleges.
"Syracuse was there, so I saw them again," Tucker said. "They met my parents in the Netherlands and it just built up."
The Orange won the NCAA championship in 2015. Tucker hopes to be a part of another long postseason run next fall.
"They really give everything for field hockey, and that's really what I want to be a part of," Tucker said. "I love the sport, they love the sport and the coaches love the sport. That's something I'm proud to be a member of."
RESCOTT
Rescott will see some familiar faces when she arrives at Mercyhurst next fall.
Former Auburn teammates Lacey Netti and Bridget Moore joined the Lakers this season and could make their debuts this spring.
Although she will be happy to reunited with Netti and Moore, Rescott's decision was more about the educational and athletic programs available.
"I'm really excited to go and continue playing for four years, because two of my good friends play there," Rescott said. "I'm more excited because I've always wanted to play a college sport, and I wasn't sure which one it was until I met my two coaches and they made me love the sport."
During the ceremony, Auburn coach Bill Dean talked about Rescott's positive attitude and her work on and off the field. He remembers when she came in as a freshman and moved from midfielder to shore up the Maroons' defense.
"Judy stepped into that role for us and played a big part in that year's success on the defensive end," Dean said.
Rescott has since moved back to the midfield and is expected to be a key player for the Maroons this spring.
"We're expecting big things and we know that she's going to have a lot of success in her senior year," Dean said. "But just what she's gone through and what she has accomplished from her ninth grade season into this winter is phenomenal. It's a lot of dedication and hard work on Judy's part."
BURGMASTER
Burgmaster will also be reunited with a former teammateÌý— his brother.
Jack Burgmaster completed his freshman season with UAlbany last year, and Alex will join him next fall.
"It's a good feeling to finally make it official after being verbally committed for about a year," Alex said. "I'm just excited. My brother is there right now, so I'll have at least two years with him."
A four-year varsity player who will be entering his second season as Maroons captain in the spring, Burgmaster will know more than just his brother after multiple trips to see the Great Danes.
"I've visited there at least a dozen times and I know pretty much all the guys already," Burgmaster said. "I'll be pretty comfortable going in."
During the ceremony, Auburn coach Matt Smith talked about the five keys for a player like Burgmaster. There's the passion for the program, the ability to motivate others and unwavering confidence, along with a practical, balanced grip on reality and a willingness to work hard and remain unselfish.
"Sitting down and thinking about what needs to be said, I look at all the great characteristics that not only I benefited from, but his teammates, the team, the program in general and the community," Smith said during his speech. "There are five key things that stick out."
