HomeMy WebLinkAboutAnnual Mtg. Minutes 2/24/1969VILLAGE OF CAYUGA HEIGHTS
• MINUTES of the Annual Resident's Meeting held in the Village Hall at 194 Pleasant
Grove Road, on Monday, February 24, 1969 at 8:00 P.M.
PRESENT: Mayor F. G. Marcham; Trustees Ronald E. Anderson, Harold R. Fisher,
Verne A. Fogg, Mary T. Freeman, Carl H. Nelson, Rane F. Randolph; Attorney
Roger B. Sovocool; Fire Chief Richard A. Vorhis; Police Chief Jack W. McGraw, Sr.;
Sergeant Harlin R. McEwen; Treasurer Gordon B. Wheeler; Village Justice William
Tucker Dean.
OTHERS PRESENT: Representatives of Station WTKO and the Ithaca Journal; public
attendance about twenty or twenty -two.
Motion was made, seconded and carried that Mayor F. G. Marcham serve as Chairman
of the meeting and Rane F. Randolph as Secretary.
Mayor Marcham introduced the Village Trustees and Officers, remarking that a
majority of business men make up the Board now as against the Professors and
Lawyers who dominated it fifteen years ago.
In listing the Village affairs of the past year, Mayor Marcham reported on three
major developments.
1. To meet demands of the State through the Pure Waters Project, we need to
remodel our sewage treatment plant to include secondary treatment by 1972. If we
are to gain State and Federal financial aid of 60%, we must show that our plant
• serves the needs of not only.the Village but those of the natural drainage area
to the east and north of the Village.
We have engaged Sanitary Engineers to design the additions and alterations of our
plant to meet the demands and deadlines as set forth by the State. They suggest
planning for 1990 and they expect the population in total area to be served to be
about 18,000. This plan would cost about $2 million. Another plan to meet needs
of 1980 would cost about $12 million. The further necessary addition to meet 1990
needs would cost another $$1.4. The Board has this difficult decision to make.
2. The Board created a Personnel Committee to study thoroughly all matters
pertaining to our employees and through cooperation with them agree on policy to
deal with fringe benefits, wages, etc. which will compare with other similar
municipalities. It appears this will mean an increase of about 8% in wages and
fringe benefits.
3. Mayor Marcham presented the need for more space for the departments of
Police, Fire and Officials to continue efficient operations. At present the
Police are renting cramped quarters, the Fire Department has no meeting room.
The Village Justice holds Court as best he can in the Village Office with no
privacy. Mayor Marcham mentioned many examples of hardship.
Mayor Marcham explained what the Village Board has done towards a remedy. After
many months of discussion and study two alternatives were arrived at.
1. Remodel the present Village building housing the offices and fire
• department. An architect drew up plans and quoted a price of $110,000 for the
alterations and addition. The plans are on display in the Village Office.
Minutes 2/24/69
Page 2.
• 2. Buy the "Stone House" at 840 Hanshdw Road. The,cost to buy the house and
enough land for parking would be $65,000, fio remodel this house into offices for
the police and Village officials and a court room might take another $38,000, not
more. The parking lot would cost $4,000 to pave and the necessary work on the
present fire department building would take another $3,000 making the total $110,000.
The second plan would provide more space than would be available in alterations
and additions to the building now in use.
An open house is planned so the public may inspect the "Stone House'on March 1.
4. The Village was successful in relieving the Village residents of paying
to the Town of Ithaca taxes for road maintenance in the Village through use of
Town equipment. This road tax was included in the 96¢ Town Tax. The tax is now
18¢, a savings of about $18,000. The Village believes it can perform this service
at less than $18,000, but some part of this will be reflected in the Village Tax.
5. At the Grievance Day held February 18, 1969 there were only two requests
for review for adjustments out of a possible 800.
After the Mayor gave his report a question and answer period was held. Many were
interested in all phases of the report, particularly the alterations and additions
to the Sewage Treatment Plant and the need for more space.
Mr. Ralph Jones was especially interested in the purchase of the "Stone House"
for our needed space and is circulating a petition to have a permissive referendum.
• He contends the public is not well enough informed.
Mr. Minotti, another dissenter, had questions which were readily answered.
Treasurer Wheeler presented his report for the period June 1, 1968 through
January 312 1969 showing the following bank balances:
General Fund
$56,908
Sewer Disposal & Maintenance
51,946
Sewer Lines Extension
4,080
Water Improvements
546
Capital Construction
13,604
Trust & Agency
10,166
Water & Sewer Capital Reserve
4,899
Streets Improvement
8,934
Fire Department Equipment
12150
Tax Stabilization
57 076
Total of all bank balances
209,309
The Village debt was reduced by *8%000 last year. The Village debt limit at
present is $1,828,083, not including debt for sewer plant facilities. At present
the Village debt position is $7192000.
Mayor Marcham read the Engineer's report in his absence. It included statements
on two new major construction projects. One was the preliminary grading and other
necessary work to prepare a base for the actual sidewalk construction by a
contractor along North Triphammer Road and Winthrop Drive. He advised us to not
assume this type of work again.
The second project was replacement of six inch sewer lines with eight inch lines
and repairing or replacing those lines which allowed infiltration.
Minutes 2/24/69 Page 3
Street resurfacing work was postponed because the two major projects had priority
and the streets were torn up continually by the sewer line work, street openings
•for the underground telephone cable and the replacement of old gas lines by the
New York Electric and Gas Corporation.
Our total snowfall has not been great but the wish of residents for bare streets
as soon after even a few inches of snow has kept our new salt spreading truck busy.
Although the new sidewalk snowplow is effective for deep snow, it will not remove
the last inch or so. The Engineer suggested the residents remove the remaining
snow by hand before it becomes hazardous ice.
We have lost more beautiful elm trees than usual this year because the lack of
water the last few years has weakened the trees making them more susceptible to
Dutch Elm Disease. There will be a Public Hearing March 10, 1969 to consider a
proposed ordinance on the control of the disease.
Major repair work was required on the refuse truck. It should give us more good
service as it has the past seven years.
Refuse disposal is a severe problem. An extensive study is now under way by the
County Health Department to locate sites for solid waste disposal. The Village is
included in the survey.
Infiltration into our sewer lines is still a problem. More detection and correction
work is needed to solve the problem.
.Our present primary treatment plant is operating uneventfully. The preliminary
plans for the expansion and addition of secondary treatment are being completed by
our consulting engineers, Teetor - Dobbins. Their report will be submitted to the
State in May 1969. Construction of the plant is scheduled for 1970 -71.
Mayor Marcham also read the report of the Zoning Officer in his absence. The report
consisted of information regarding a decrease in building permits issued because
of the diminishing available building lots. There is always requests concerning
zoning by residents, would be residents, builders and developers, these are always
encouraged. 28 zoning permits were issued; 23 were additions; 4 were new homes-and
one for the construction of the central telephone office in the Commercial District.
The estimated value of this building is $1,650,000.
Police Chief, J. W. McGraw, Sr., gave his report which recognized the resignation
of Lowell T. George last April 1st and how the department gave a luncheon where
they presented him with a Certificate of Merit from the National Police Officers
Association and a desk calendar with his badge of office encased.
The report also noted the appointment of a Public Safety Committee to replace a
Police Commissioner. A Secretary was hired and an increase in office business
resulted.
The Patrolmen have attended many training schools and other courses. The department
participated in many safety programs and cooperated with Civil Defense etc.
The Village Justice, W. T. Dean, gave his report. He told of the number of cases
•handled and noted the excellent way our police conducted all phases of their work.
He remarked that the proposed new quarters should help the dignity and efficiency
of the Village Court.
Minutes 2/24/69 Page 4
• Fire Chief Richard Vorhis gave his report for the past year and noted the number
of alarms and other statistics. The loss was estimated to be approximately $650.
He commended the volunteer firemen and pledged the best fire protection his
department can give.
Mr. John C. Gabbard, Chairman of the Zoning Board of Appeals, gave a report on
the changes in personnel last year. Mr. Sherwood Holt, chairman for many years,
resigned and Mayor Marcham asked Mr. Gebhard to fill the chair. The number of
cases handled last year were only three.
Mr. Ralph R. Barnard, Chairman of the Nominating Committee reported the following
people are willing to run for the office of Trustee of the Village of Cayuga Heights:
Verne A. Fogg - incumbent - 415 Hanshaw Road
Ronald E. Anderson - incumbent - 116 Texas bane
Mrs. Raymond McElwee - 303 The Parkway
Carl B. Norberg - 889 Highland Road
William D. Gurowitz - 119 Oak Hill Road
Mrs. Mary T. Freeman, incumbent, was contacted and she regretfully decided not to
run again.
There were no nominations from the floor. The meeting resolved that the list was
closed.
Mayor Marcham reminded everyone of the coming election and the open house at the
"Stone House ".
The meeting adjourned at 10:30 P.M.
•
Rane F. Randolph
Clerk, pro tem