HomeMy WebLinkAboutAnnual Mtg. Minutes 3/16/1953r
MINUTES of the annual meeting of the residents of
Ca )tuga Heights held on Monday, March 16, 1953, at 9 P.M. in
the schoolhouse.
Mayor Shirey called the meeting to order with 39
persons present, and said the first piece of business would be
the election of a Chairman and a Secretary.
Mayor Shirey was elected Chairman and-J, B. Trousdale
Secretary.
The Mayor explained about the fire service contract and how
it was based on a formula, and mentioned that the cost for this
year would be $3,605 if signed by the City, which is-expected.
He called attention to the fact that some complaints have been
received about new houses constructed in the Village, because
Villagers thought the 15% limit was being exceeded, and proceeded
to quote the square footage of the properties that were criti-
cized and the square footage occupied by the buildings erected,
and gave the percentage figure of each, all of which were within
the 154 limit. He called attention to the fact that the tillage
ordinance on parking and traffic violations had been amended,
which limits parking on Highland Road and Wyckoff Road. He
mentioned that assurances had been received from the City of
Ithaca that they would take steps to.el4e the noise from
loud speakers in the summer-in Stewart Park and Percy Field in
the future. The Mayor explained what was involved with the
current-construction of the Colbert project on Country Club Road
and stated that all ordinances have been complied with to date
and that he thought criticisms were based mainly on rumors
which had been unsubstantiated. He assured the group that if
this building were put to any use in violation of the Village
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because of flood conditions some time back in Pleasant drove Creek
and requested that attention be given to keeping the creek clear
of eilt. The Engineer stated he would have the Village workmen
check on conditions at the creek at the present time.
Treasurer Guise presented the proposed budget which indicated
details on last year's appropriations, actual expenses, and
proposed budget for the year 1953 -54. It was made clear that this
ordinances, steps would be taken to prevent any illegal use.
Prof. Matheson raised the question of a estop° or "slow"
sign on Iroquois Road at the intersection of Iroquois Road and
the Parkway, and he was assured that this matter would receive
consideration at the next meeting.
L. C. Kent inquired when the Triphammer gkdexalk would be
completed and he was assured by Engineer Crandall that this was
scheduled for the year 1953 and the money provided in the proposed
budget. Criticism was made of the excessive: mud being tracked
on Triphammer Road from the Colbert construction project and
assurances were given that this condition would be correct3d.
Treasurer Guise presented the financial report for the fiscal
year ending Feb. 29, 1953 indicating receipts of $33,229.49,
expenses of $30,411.18 and a cash balance of $10,462.00.
The Engineer reported that the work during the year had been
mostly routine but stated that if anyone had questions regarding
the Engineer's work he would be glad to answer them. A complaint
was registered of speeding on some of the Village streets and it
was pointed out that the State Troopers were now very active in
the correction of speeding in the County, and it was thought this
would improve conditions in the Village.
Prof. Matheson stated that he had lost a valuable tree
because of flood conditions some time back in Pleasant drove Creek
and requested that attention be given to keeping the creek clear
of eilt. The Engineer stated he would have the Village workmen
check on conditions at the creek at the present time.
Treasurer Guise presented the proposed budget which indicated
details on last year's appropriations, actual expenses, and
proposed budget for the year 1953 -54. It was made clear that this
1
Was the proposed budget in case annexation did not take place,
and that if annexation were voted a new budget would be prepared
and the residents of the Village would have an opportunity to
examine it at the budget hearing.
Pqul Brainard as Chairman of the Nominating Committee
reported that other members of the committee were Harold Simpson
and Frederick Brown, and that the committee had decided to place
in nomination the following: for re- election as Trustee Sanford-
S. Atwood, and,for election as Trustee Frederick G. Maroham. The
Chairman then called for further nominations, and as none were made
IT WAS VOTED that the nominations be closed.
IT WAS VOTED that the nominees' names be placed on the ballot .
for the election to be held on March 17th.
The Mayor then stated that the next subject for consideration
was the proposal for annexation of the Cayuga Heights Water
'
District to the Village, and invited those present to engage in
a full discussion in the matter. Much of the discussion that
followed involved points quite adequately covered in the brochure
prepared by Engineer Crandall at the direction of the Trustees,
and which is incorporated in these minutes as a matter of record.
There were, however, some interesting points brought up which are
here mentioned for the record.
Prof. Mackesey said he was in favor of annexation but he
doubted if the zoning in the water district would become absolutely
automatic, and that this point could be contested. He suggested
that for the sake of safety a new zoning ordinance be immediately
prepared to preclude the possibility of undesirable construction
in case zoning.was not automatic legally in the new territory.
William J. Foster stated that he thought the 15% restriction
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was too high, and recommended that consideration be given to
lowering the percentage by the Trustees. The Chairman assured
him that this matter would receive immediate consideration.
The Chairman called attention to Dr. Norman Moore's article
in the "Journal" of March 16th, suggesting that those present
read it as it dealt with the health problem both within the
Village and the Water District.
L. C. Kent inquired as to who would pay for road maintenance
in the new area, and was informed that roads would be maintained
OGL p, 2 a
and sidewalks constructed from the tax funds l--
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0_.__ a� b t tre e a was 4�
annexe&-aa-ea. The Chairman explained that in case a sewer system
were constructed a bond issue would be floated backed by the
credit of the entire Village, but that the cost thereof would be
assessed to the property owners benefitted. The Chairman called
on Dr. Robert H. Broad, County Health Commissioner, for his
opinion in th3 matter, and he stated that the health problem of
both the Village and the Water District was serious and that the
quickest and most practical way to solve the problem was for the
Water District to be annexed to the Village. Prof. Freeman
Inquired about how sewers would be provided in the annexed
territory, and Engineer Crandall explained that a sewer system
if built could not pass through the Village sewers because of
topography and lack of capacity, but that a new sewer line would
need to be constructed going down Remington Road and leading to
the City.
'
Prof. Mackesey raised the question about the additianal
revenue which would be obtained from the annexed area, and
Chairman Shirey explained that for the first year we would not
164
receive 7J mills on the property in the Water District because
of the fact that they have already paid their State and County ,
tax for the year and they would not be receiving benefits from
the Village for more than a portion of the Village year.
Consequently the first year certain adjustments would be made in
tax rates to properly equalize the change over in status.
Charles H. Neuman gave a brief history of the development
of Cayuga Heights Village, pointing out that it developed into
Its present form from a desire of people to live in a beautiful
uncongested highly restricted residential area, and that the people „
in the Water District are now prompted by the same motives and
they desire to have the benefits that have accrued to the people
in the Village. He said that because these people desired to
have this territory developed in the same way Cayuga Heights was
developed he favored annexation. His remarks were met with
applause.
After Chairman Shirey had thanked the assemblage for turning
out and hoping that they would appear the next day to vote, the
meeting was adjourned at 10:10 P.M.
/�' 8eoretary. .
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