Newfield’s community voices shaping town’s tomorrow

At the Newfield Planning Board meeting on March 6, a surge of civic engagement has illuminated the path toward the town’s future, with residents actively participating in a recent survey and interview series aimed at identifying the community’s growth needs regarding local businesses.

The survey, which was made available online, has garnered attention and interaction from the town’s populace. According to Debra Eichten, chair of the planning board, about 25 people responded to the survey, and a handful of one-on-one interviews were conducted. 

Thomas Heffron, vice chair of the planning board, noted the pivotal role of this digital platform in gathering valuable feedback from a wide demographic. In light of the significant insights already gained from the responses, Heffron advocated extending the survey period to ensure that more community members can contribute their voices to this crucial conversation. 

“I would like to see that continue for a couple more months,” said Heffron. “You can see when the responses started coming in towards last month’s end. I think that there are still a lot of people on personal business lists that we have not gotten to complete.”

Infrastructure needs — specifically updating — and expanding water and sewer systems surfaced as top priorities in the survey’s preliminary question about community growth needs. 

“That’s been a theme that has been very consistent from the 1989 Comprehensive Plan being written,” said Eichten. “That’s an ongoing big issue for people.”

Workforce training was identified as another pressing need. According to Eichten, resources at the county level could be utilized to bolster employment opportunities and skill development within the town.  

Promoting local businesses also emerged as a dominant topic. Eichten noted that one of the individuals she spoke with shared the innovative proposal of a local small business trail, suggesting that such an initiative could harness town support through its Facebook page and website promotion. The strategy would include a map distribution hub at the Masonic Hall, guiding residents and visitors alike to local enterprises.

“If we put that out there as a solution that a local business person came up with, it’s not the town board or planning board driving it,” said Eichten. “It’s you, the public, but we are going to help facilitate it by giving you support in terms of helping you find the local news outlets and so forth.”

The planning board will disseminate the survey findings across the town’s Facebook page and the Newfield town website, ensuring transparency and continued engagement with residents.

“We just need to know what businesses need from this town,” said Heffron. “That may not mean town public officials, but support in general or what things are hurting them, and then we find ways to solve that.”

Town Supervisor Micheal Allinger informed the planning board that there will be an extensive sewer system project slated to begin in April, with aims for completion by fall. Despite setbacks in securing the necessary funding, the town is determined to press forward, strategizing to present a stronger case for financial support in collaboration with Infront Engineering.

Another topic of discussion was the “Safe Streets for All” initiative. This is a countywide endeavor striving for federal funds to mitigate traffic-related issues, particularly in areas plagued by speeding and inadequate yielding, and to enhance bicycle lane infrastructure. 

Allinger said that the town board confirmed Newfield’s endorsement of the initiative last year. The city of Ithaca is at the forefront of this campaign, yet it is a collaborative effort in which all participating municipalities have a voice. A specialized consultant has been appointed to collate data from each jurisdiction to ascertain local priorities concerning street safety. 

The planning board proposed participating in the program to gain grant funding to contribute to several infrastructure improvements, such as the construction of a new pathway connecting parks or athletic fields to Schaefer Road and the enhancement of lighting on Pearl Street and Schaefer Road.

The Newfield Planning Board cordially invites the community to its forthcoming meeting on April 3, from 7 to 9 p.m. at Newfield Town Hall. The board emphasizes the value of public input and urges residents to attend and contribute to the civic discourse.

In brief:

Town board to meet

The Newfield Town Board will convene March 14 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Newfield Town Hall. Community participation is encouraged, and the agenda can be found on the Town of Newfield website.

Newfield Lions to host St. Patty’s breakfast

The Newfield Lions Club will host a St. Patty’s Day breakfast fundraiser March 16 from 7:30 to 10 a.m. at the Newfield Fire Company. Each ticket is $10, and children 5 and under are free. Breakfast is all you can eat: corned beef hash, scrambled eggs, pancakes, French toast, sausage, home fries, toast and coffee/tea/juice/milk.