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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAnnual Residents Mtg. Minutes 3/15/195421' MINUTES of the Annual Meeting of the residents of Cayuga Heights j held on Monday, March 15, 1954 at 8 P.M. at the Schoolhouse. Mayor Shirey called the meeting to order with approximately 125 persons present, and said the first piece of business would be the election of a Chairman and a Secretary. Mr. Theodore Sharp and Mr. Shirey were nomi- nated for Chairman of the meeting. Mayor Shirey was elected Chairman and W. S. Randal, Secretary. -The Mayor, Mr. Shirey, gave his annual report. He commended the Village Trustees and officers for their efficient work. He stated that annexation means more work for all and especially-the Village Engineer. He pointed to the new maps that had been drawn up by the Engineer - a map for assessment purposes, water, and.sewer lines. He called attention to the fact that the Village has ,a new,'office at the Community Corners and a secretary one -half day, six days a week.. The office will be available about April 1._..y Mayor Shirey named the new Police Officer, Lester A. Fowler, new Police Justice Lindley C. Kent and new Police Commissioner;.Lowell T. George. He stated that there had been an installation in the policeman's car-of a .two -way radio. Also the Mitchell Multiple Dwelling Law, a booklet of the Village Ordinances•and a map of the Village, had been sent to property owners. He mentioned that during the past year a committee. was appointed to adopt new zoning ordinances. The Board of Trustees also met with Town Assessors. There were four meetings and they went over every property in the Village of Cayuga Heights. Last October the Village Board met in three sessions to assess property. It was decided that the average assessment was about 43% of present market value. -An assessment was set of 43% of the market value. Mayor Shirey called attention to the street lights in the Village and stated that there will be street lights in the new part of the Village. In regard to Trustees, he stated that because of-the increase in the Village we ought to increase the Trustees to six. The Board-suggested that two members be from the annexed area. Mayor Shirey talked briefly on the pro�osed road, Route 13, and stated that the Village is closely tied to the City. Everything had been done with the best interest of the Village at heart. Treasurer Guise presented the financial report of the fiscal year ending February 28, 1954 indicating receipts of $63,209.79, total disburse- ments of $44,356.78 and a cash balance of $18,853.01. Mr. Crandall, the Engineer, discussed the road situation,-road. maintenance and the arrangement with the Town of Ithaca to take care of roads in the annexed portion. He showed maps of the proposed water and sewer mains. He stated that the Community Corners and vicinity need more ! pressure and suggested that a storage tank be put on the northeast corner of Walter Heasley's property. This would provide storage to take care of the northeast corner of the Village. 'The logical source of water is the 22 City of Ithaca or perhaps buy the water from Cornell University. There is the further possibility of abandoning connection with the city and setting up our own water supply. It would be cheaper to connect with Fall Creek near Varna. He could give no close estimate as to the cost. The'Engineer showed the proposed sewers on the map and stated that they are trying to keep them inside highways. He has high hopes. that we can have sewers for one -half million dollars. The map suggests a connection with the city in the vicinity of Renwick Heights. The next step is to approach the city and see if they are willing to receive disposal in this area. In the event they don't we have to consider our own disposal system. The cost of a disposal plant would be from $80,000 to $100,000. Mr. Crandall stated that 1954 would be the year of planning and financing and 1955 would be the year of building sewers. Before the end of the year they should be in operation. Mr. Crandall then called for questions from the floor and there were several in regard to what parts would be constructed first, the time element, and homes with chlorinators. Mr. Robert Grant asked if annexation to the city had been given up. The Engineer stated that it hadn't been but the City has setup a policy whereby no annexation could take place until sewer and water"had been provided and bond issues had been paid for. Mr. Fabricant inquired about the pro- rating the charges for the sewers and Mr. Crandall ex- plained that the entire cost would be'divided into the average width , of each lot. i asrofessor Gates asked if the time schedule mentioned, possibly in 1955, influenced by the city and their plant facilities. Mr. Crandall replied that when the area was fully developed the city will. have done something about the sewer plant. In regard to city water, Mr. White wanted to know if home owners would be forced to comply with city codes and standards, The answer by the Engineer was "Yes ". Mr. Crandall then traced the proposed Route 13, Plan A and B, on the map. He stated that no one seemed to know the exact line of the road. Plan A is 10.2 miles long and.Plan B 7.7 miles long. He feels„ that some property owners are going to suffer real damage and that there,will be undesirable developments because of zoning inasmuch.as Cayuga Heights is zoned but not the suburbs, j Mayor Shirey then suggested that the discussion on Route 13 be post- poned until the end of the meeting. This suggestion met with the approval of the Villagers. In the absence of Mr. L. C. Kent; Acting Police Justice, Mr. Randel read his report. He reported that.,the Court had handled 62. , cases of which 32, or a little over half, had been major traffic in- fractions including speeding and school bus cases. Fines had totalled in the neighborhood of $467.00 23 Treasurer Guise. presented the proposed budget which indicated ' details on last year's appropriations, actual expenses and proposed budget for the year 1954 -1955• He emphasized the additional expenses due to annexaction and the new office at the'Corners. Mrs. Emanuel asked if there was a record of how many times the fire department had been called to the Village in the last year. Questions were also asked regarding street lighting and the tax levy. Mr. Newman inquired about the surface treatment of the roads. Mr_ C.` 1'. Sayles as Chairman. 6f- ttie' Nominating..Committee repd'rted that'other members of the committee were Dr. Reginald Farrow, and Harlow C. Fleck, and that the committee had decided to place in nomination the follow- ing: for 're- election. as_. Mayor. Henry. J. Shirey; %for .election as.. Policp Justice .L. C. Kent; for re- election as Trustees for two years Edgar A. Whiting and A. W. Chamberlain; for election as Trustee for two years Dr. Theodore Wright; and for election as Trustee for one year Lincoln Reid. The Chairman then called for further nominations. Mrs. Williams nominated Theodore F. Sharp for Trustee for a two year term. Mrs. Catherwood nominated Harold Wonte for Trustee for a two year term. There being no further nominations, 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 16th. The Chairman then stated the qualifications for voting in the Village and reminded all of the election. The Chairman called for any other business to be brought up at this time. Mr. T. F. Sharp spoke for the Villagers opposed to Route 13, Plan B. He stated that the property in that area is some of the most de- sirable property in Tompkins County and if a truck route would go through it would devaluate the property. Also that section is zoned but not the adjoining Lansing section. Mr. Sharp quoted from the Urban development report. Other comments in opposition to Route B were made by Mr. Horton, Mrs. Catberwood, Mrs. Durland, Mr. Hafstrom, Mrs. Eleanor Smith, Mrs. Prit- chard and Mr. Williams. They all felt that the truck route, Plan B, would devaluate the property in this section, it would be unsafe, and inasmuch as Lansing isn't zoned, would lead to undesirable consequences. Mr. R. McCarthy presented facts from the Police Department survey on maximum traffic in the City of Ithaca. The Chairman announced the meeting in Ashberry's Office, Court House, with the.State Engineers and invited all interested Villagers to attend. The following resolution was adopted by a show of hands: BE IT RESOLVED that the Villagers of Cayuga Heights, assembled in yearly meeting, go on record as being opposed to Route B as outlined to them, but in consideration of the need of the City of Ithaca, the Village will openly consider compromises and aligjnments of a route between B and A. 24 The meeting adjourned at 11;4$ P. M. W. S. Randel VILLAGE CLERK r