Congratulations to Patrick Tyksinski New Town Supervisor

Patrick Tyksinski, the Republican candidate won over local business man and Democratic rival William Morris. As the new Town Supervisor, Tyksinski will have to deal with a possible 54% property tax increase in 2010, and finances will be very tight because the town’s main rainy day fund has been depleted in the last few years. Tyksinski will need to address and serve a population base in New Hartford that continues to decrease because of heavy tax burdens and costs of living, along with a sluggish local economy. Also of concern is that the remaining residents median age continues to increase, putting a greater strain on town and county resources.
Opportunity for future growth in New Hartford lies with the development of the new business park.The possibilities to develop high tech sites as originally proposed, in conjuction with the new SUNY NanoTech Center and the Marcy Chip Fab proposed site, are opportunities that offer hope to a community that is too tied into lower paying retail-service sector based businesses.

M&T Bank Donates Painting to New Hartford Library

If you enjoy local historical artwork you might enjoy checking out this charming painting of the Village of New Hartford from 1791-1984. It was commissioned by Savings Bank of Utica and hung for many years in the lobby of SBU and it's subsequent buyers including M&T Bank who donated the painting to the New Hartford Library. The painting done by Clinton, NY native Alba Scott in 1984, includes several well-known landmarks such as the Presbyterian Church, Sherrill Brook Bandstand, Butler Hall and the Point School. You can view this work at it's new home in the New Hartford Public Library.

This August...Take In A Movie!

The last few weeks the Stanley has featured "classic" movies on Tuesday nights.
Last week it was "Ben Hur", this week it was "Pillow Talk". I was a little skeptical when my wife first suggested going, but I must admit I thoroughly enjoyed watching the movie. Plus enjoying an outing into downtown Utica on a balmy summer evening, along with the ambience of the beautiful Stanley Theatre, and you have a winner for an inexpensive and fun outing.
Give it a try...there are 2 more movies coming up. $5, 7Pm on Tuesdays, and the air conditioning is on, and the popcorn is popping!

Walking around the Village of New Hartford, A walk back in time...

Veterans Park, New Hartford, NY

Veteran's Park with Utica National in Background

Butler Hall

View of the Presbyterian Church from behind Butler Hall

A beautiful summer morning, and what better way to spend it then walking around in the Village of New Hartford. If you have time, get a window seat and a coffee at Casab's and watch as the world goes by. Then start your walk around the village by crossing Genesee Street and make your way up Oxford Road past the high school, and then enjoy a walk though the shady tree neighborhoods, and enjoy the many beautiful gardens, historic homes and churches along the way. If you're a real glutton for punishment, push your way up Paris Road to enjoy the lovely old homes and gardens. Save a few minutes and stop by to see and to pay tribute to New Hartford Veterans, at the Veteran's Park and the new reflecting pond across from Utica National. The village walk seems to be like stepping back in time, and the Veterans Memorial helps us to reflect on those who helped to make our way of life possible. Enjoy.

NH Business Park Meeting, Be there...or be quiet. Voice Your Concerns or Approval.

The New Hartford Business Park panel is set to meet in an open meeting at 8:30 a.m. Thursday at Butler Hall. In addition to a committee update, two site plans will be reviewed — one for a medical office building and the other for a hotel. For information, call Planning Board Chairman Jerome Donovan at 797-2829 for details.

New Hartford Business Park Boundaries???

Complications have arisen after it was disclosed as long as a year ago, that the Hartford Insurance building that was supposedly built in the NH Business Park, wasn't built in the park after all, but just outside the boundaries. The Hartford Financial Services Group building which cost over $25 million, is the centerpiece of the New Hartford Business Park. Confirmation from town officials after an Observer Dispatch article about the building being outside the boundaries, affirmed that the Hartford isn’t located within the boundaries initially set by the town for the park.

New Hartford Select 7's Tournament u12 Boys Winners

Utica AYSOTeam 2 "Storm" won the Select 7's Boys U12 Division on Saturday, June 20. In the tournament, they won over teams from Frankfort, Camden, Holland Patent, Westmoreland and New Hartford.

3-way Race for Supervisor

Republican John Kalil Jr. a financial adviser, officially decided to run for the Town Supervisor position being vacated by outgoing Supervisor Earle Reed. Former New Hartford Comptroller Patrick Tyksinski already announced his intention and has the endorsement of the town Republican Committee. Democatic candidate William Morris also has announced his intention to run for the vacated position.

Doggy Park Opens For Test Run...

The department of Parks and Recreation announces the opening the Sherrillbrook Park dog run on May 22, 2009. Construction began on the project in the fall of 2007.
The parks department staff, with assistance from the highway department, completed all work such as tree clearing, fence installation, gravel parking lot, utilities and drainage in house to help keep the project costs manageable for town residents and still provide a quality facility for dog owners.The dog run will be open for a free trial period referred to as a test drive from May 22 nd to June 30 th.After June 30 th , The access system will be activated and users will need to be registered to utilize the facility. Dog owners can register their dogs by submitting a completed application and release form along with a copy of a valid dog license at the park offices located in Sherrillbrook Park. The application will then be reviewed by the Animal Control Office to ensure that applicant’s dog(s) have no record of aggressive behavior that could create a risk to other dogs. If everything is order, the permit should be approved in a matter of days. The fee for annual membership will be prorated in 2009 by 60% and will be $15 for residents and $30 for nonresidents for the remainder of the year. Discounts are provided for seniors and multidog
owners. Each applicant is limited to 3 dogs. The rate for 2009 is set at $35 annually for New Hartford residents and $70 for nonresidents for single dogs. Seniors will receive a $5 or $10 discount depending on the number of dogs. As part of your registration you will be given a gate activator, which will allow you access to the park seven days a week. The department will begin accepting applications June 1st. All dog run users will be required to have a town pet tag, dog license tag, and rabies ID tag. The town pet tag will be provided with
your run membership. Dog run rules, application, and release forms are available on line at
newhartfordrec.com.

If you have questions, please contact the New Hartford Parks Department at 7240654

Former Utica Budget Director Hired, Save A Lot Opens....

The town board voted unanimously to hire former Utica Budget Director Heather Mowat to analyze and monitor town finances. Heather Mowat was hired after a financial report showing that the town’s main surplus fund has lost more than $2.6 million since 2006.

A Save-A-Lot grocery store opened in the New Hartford Shopping Center.

Spartan Runners Win Tri-Valley Title

Congratulations to Ryan Millar and the rest of New Hartford’s track and field team who led the Spartans to a second straight Tri Valley League title!

Fire Department Memorial Day Parade

The Fire Department in conjunction with our chamber will host this years Memorial Day parade
on Monday, May 25 at 7:00pm. The parade with Kevin Kelly as Grand Marshall, will begin at the NH Shopping Ctr., head North on Genesee Street to the village, turn onto Pearl Street to Sanger Avenue and then left onto Oxford Road ending at the fire house. An open house and memorial service will take place at the fire house right after the parade. More information call 733-7580.

Let me introduce you...

Chamber members are invited to showcase their businesses (free of charge) on our blog, website, newsletter and possibly in the Chamber Directory "The Village Green". Just e-mail me at: igcgraphics@verizon.net and we'll schedule a convenient time to take pictures and find out more about your business.

Want To Buy A Shopping Center?

Consumer Square is up for sale, according to Developers Diversified Realty Corp.
The asking price is only 79.2 million dollars. Consumer Square is not at full occupancy, but boasts tenants like Wal-Mart, Best-Buy, Barnes & Noble, Pet Smart, Staples & Michael's.

New Hartford Town Board Meeting Highlights

At its Wednesday night meeting, the town board unanimously approved the hire of Anthony Klimek as Fire Codes Officer at a salary of $20,000 annually. Also approved was a local law to bring town fire prevention and building codes up to current state standards.Under the state law, which became effective in 2007, all buildings except one-to-two-family dwellings must be inspected regularly. Every building from nursing homes to factories to merchant establishments must be checked.

The board approved the appointment of Julius Fuks Jr. and G. Brymer Humphreys to the two open town Planning Board positions.

New Hartford School Board Passes 09-10 Budget

The New Hartford school board passed a $46.1 million 2009-10 budget that does not include any tax increases.

2009-10 proposed budget: $46,110,045.2008-09 budget: $43,005,714.
Increase in spending: $3,104,331.Proposed tax hike: 0 percent.
Major cuts: Three non-instructional positions have been cut.
Public hearing: 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 5, at the New Hartford Senior High School library. Vote: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday, May 19, in the high school gymnasium.

Economic stimulus funding from the federal government to the state has allowed school aid to remain roughly at last year’s levels according to school board President James Davis .

New Hartford Sewer Problems

A recent study of the Oneida County Sewer District's problems narrowed down where the major troubles in the system are. The Village of New Hartford was found to have the most storm water entering its system per length of sewer pipe of any of the municipalities tested.
Also mentioned was that the Village of New York Mills had the most problems with groundwater seeping into cracked pipes in the system per length of pipe. Those facts were part of a study prepared recently by the Oneida County Department of Water Quality and Water Pollution Control.

Spartans Win State Title!

Congratulations to the New Hartford Spartans boys hockey team who won the Division II state title with a 6-1 victory over downstate powerhouse Pelham in the New York State Public High School Athletic Association’s 30th annual ice hockey championships at the Utica Memorial Auditorium, Sunday, March 15, 2009.

Mass Honoring Officer Joseph Corr

A mass honoring New Hartford Police Officer Joseph Corr took place this morning at the St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church on Oxford Rd. Officer Corr was killed while pursuing suspects who had robbed a New Hartford jewelry store three years ago.

Sitrin Named Paralympic Sports Club

The Sitrin Medical Rehabilitation Center has been officially approved by the United States Paralympics as a Paralympic Sports Club!
The Paralympic Sports Club program was launched by the United States Paralympics in November of 2007. Sitrin has been pursuing the distinction since the program’s inception. Sitrin was verbally approved for this distinction in the spring, but the news became official this month with the approval of paperwork and insurance.
The National Paralympic Sports Club program was created with the following objectives:
To involve and recruit both youth and adults with disabilities in physical activities with the goal of improving their skill level and interest
To develop a network of community-based Paralympic Sports Clubs, which will create a Paralympic athlete pipeline
To create a national, unified campaign to educate Americans on the benefits and opportunities available for individuals with disabilities
To offer injured service members the opportunity to continue to participate in physical activities after their release from military treatment facilities
“This is a tremendous honor for the Sitrin Medical Rehabilitation Center,” said Marc DePerno, Director of the Sitrin STARS Adaptive Sports Program. “This distinction gives Sitrin a direct connection to the United States Paralympics, which can open so many doors for our program, as well as our current and future athletes,” he continued.
This past December Team USA, comprised entirely of Sitrin STARS athletes, qualified to compete in the 2010 Paralympic games for wheelchair curling.

A Few Good Men or Women

The Town of New Hartford is looking for two (2) new members for the Planning Board.According to the article in yesterday's Observer Dispatch, "The new members will replace Robert Imobersteg, whose term ended in December, and Hans Arnold, who resigned earlier this month".The Planning Board will review all applications received, conduct interviews and make a recommendation to the Town Board. The Town Board will make the appointments.Applications should be either mailed or delivered to the Town Clerk's office at Butler Hall, 48 Genesee Street, New Hartford, NY 13413.The deadline to submit your application is Friday, February 20, 2009.

New Hartford Hockey-We're #1!

Congratulations to New Hartford’s state-ranked No. 1 hockey team. The team captured the Division II East title with Tuesday night’s 6-3 victory over#3 Cazenovia. The Spartans, 21-2-0 overall, finished 14-0-0 in league play. New Hartford ends its regular season next Tuesday with a 2 p.m. nonleague game at Massena. The Spartans will host Cortland in a quarterfinal playoff game at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20, at the New Hartford Recreation Center. Go out and show your support for this outstanding hockey team!

Business Park Improvements Resolution Passed

Town voters officially passed a resolution aimed at financing improvements at the New Hartford Business Park. Absentee ballots were counted Wednesday morning, the official tally came to 432 votes for, 362 against.

Jerome Donovan Chairman of Planning Board

Jerome Donovan was named chairman of the town's Planning Board at Wednesday's Town Board meeting.Donovan replaces former Chairman Hans Arnold, who stepped down from the board earlier this month.Donovan said his main priorities are finishing the draft generic environmental impact statement for the southern portion of the town, and helping the Town Board find replacements for the two currently open seats on the Planning Board.

JAY K News

JAY-K Lumber announced it is combining its Herkimer JAY-K Cabinet branch with the main JAY-K Cabinet store located on Seneca Turnpike in New Hartford.

Con Med Sales Down in 4th Qtr

Con Med Corporation which is one of the New Hartford areas largest employers stated that revenues dipped 5 percent to $179.2 million during the fourth-quarter of last year, according to a news release from the company.
A bright spot in the news release report was that ConMed sales did rise 3 percent in its sales of single-use products, which accounts for nearly 75 percent of the company’s revenues.
For the fourth quarter ending Dec. 31, 2008, sales were $179.2 million compared to $189.6 million in the same quarter of 2007.

Vote Set For Business Park Intersection Project, Are You Pre registered?

NOTICE IS HEREBY FURTHER GIVEN that personal registration is required and electors shall only be entitled to vote at said special election unless his or her name appears on the register of said Town prepared for such special election, or such elector registers as hereinafter provided.
NOTICE IS HEREBY FURTHER GIVEN that the Board of Registration shall meet from 4:00 P.M. (Prevailing time) until 8:00 P.M. (Prevailing Time) on January 27, 2009, at Butler Memorial Hall in New Hartford, New York, for the purpose of preparing the registers for said Special Election, at which time any person shall be entitled to have his/her name placed upon such registers, provided that at such meeting of the Board of Registration, he/she is known or proved to the satisfaction of such Board of Registration to be then or thereafter entitled to vote at said Special Election. At such hours and place, any person who is not currently registered under permanent personal registration on the lists of registered voters furnished by the Oneida County Board of Elections as of January 18, 2009 must, in order to be entitled to vote at said Special Election to be held on February 10, 2009, present himself or herself personally for registration. The Town Board of Registration shall prepare a register for aid special election, which register shall include all electors registered under the provisions of Article 5 of the Election Law. Any registered elector whose name appears on such register need not register again for such special election.

Oneida County Executive Tony Picente To Be Keynote Speaker At Annual Dinner

Make your plans now to attend the New Hartford Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner Meeting. The meeting will be a dinner meeting held on Wed. Feb 19 at the Hook, Line & Sinker from starting at 6pm (Cash bar) dinner at 6:30.
Dinner choices include (choose 1) Half lb cut prime rib,
Baked stuffed shrimp,
fresh Atlantic salmon,
chicken Francoise.
All served with salad
and a dessert choice of (choose 1)
choc. mousse,
cheesecake,
key lime pie.
Cost $25 RSVP Please by 02.16.09 by calling: 735.9201
or fax: 266.1231
or e-mail: reservations@newhartfordchamber.com please indicate dinner choices

OC Executive Anthony Picente will talk about the state of Oneida County.

Vote Set For Business Park Intersection Project

A special election is set for Tuesday, Feb 10 for town residents to vote on funding for roadway improvements at and around the New Hartford Business Park. The vote centers around a $2.9 million bond anticipation note approved by the NH Town Board in April 2008. The money is funding the reconstruction of the intersection at Seneca Turnpike and Woods Highway and improvements within the business park.
Special election on bond issue When: Noon to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 10 Where: All town polling places will be open. For absentee ballots, contact Gail at 733-7500 if you need one.
The bond will be transferred to a long-term serial bond that matches up with a 15-year payment-in-lieu of taxes agreement the town, school district and county have with the Hartford Insurance. A rejection of the bond will leave town residents with a large tax increase in five years when the town has to pay the balance of the bond note.

Seneca Turnpike Slowly Growing Outward

Development has slowly began to push up into the upper Seneca Turnpike commercial corridor in recent years. And although the former Pharmhouse Plaza has remained mostly vacant for many years,with Morehouse Appliances moving in that could all be changing soon. Plaza tenants currently include Cartridge World and Charlie’s Pizza. Morehouse Appliances has moved from the New Hartford Shopping Center to the plaza. Nichols Discount department store was originally there for many years followed by the Pharmhouse.

Across the road Danielle's completed extensive rennovations to the former Alfredo's Ristorante a few years ago as well as a new building that was erected by Pizza Hut.

This area is prime development area because of the construction of the New Hartford Business Park and it's main entrance about a half mile up the road on Lower Woods road. Continued development in this region should be expected as many merchants as well as business professionals look to locate their businesses in the vibrant New Hartford business corridors.