HomeMy WebLinkAboutAnnual Mtg. Minutes 2/26/1968158
MINUTES of the Annual Residents' Meeting held in the Village Hall at 194 Pleasant
Grove Road on Monday, February 26, 1968, at 8 P.M.
PRESENT: Mayor Frederick G. Marcham
Trustees Ronald E. Anderson
Mary T. Freeman
Carl H. Nelson
Rane F. Randolph
Clerk Vera W. Snyder
Engineer John H: Rogers
Fire Councilman Richard Vorhis
Police Commissioner Lowell T. George
Treasurer. Gordon B. Wheeler
Village Justice William T. Dean
ABSENT: Trustees Robert T. Dean and Verne A. Fogg.
OTHERS PRESENT: Reporter Patricia Nordheimer, Ithaca Journal
Mr. Schwartz, WTKO
Four Village residents
Motion was made, seconded and carried that Mayor Marcham serve as Chairman of the
meeting and Clerk Vera Snyder as Secretary.
Mayor Marcham gave a resume of Village activities and problems during the period
April 1, 1967 to date. He briefly discussed.the' following:
1) The cost of operating the Village.
2) Reconstruction of sewer system, plant and lines.
'
3) Extension of services to other communities.
4) The judgment in Court of Claims. After five years since land was taken by
the State for Route 13, a judgment has been given on our claim in the amount of
$47,500 plus interest, but it did not compensate for right of way and associated
rights.
5) Progress on sidewalk construction Williamsburg Park area.
6) Drainage problem in Williamsburg Park, stating Village cannot divert streams
or alter water flow without assuming responsibility for the consequences. The
Village is willing to give advice on individual problems of property owners.
7) New Assessor appointed for the Village.
8) Traffic problem at Hanshaw Road, Triphammer Road intersection is being studied.
9) Village is enjoying good relations with neighboring municipalities, such as
extension of Fire phone in Ithaca Fire Department with answering service 24 hours
a day. Police Department collaborates with Sheriff's Office, State Police, City
Police and Cornell.Campus Patrol. We extend fire protection, sewer service and
water service to Ithaca and Lansing districts.
Treasurer Wheeler presented his report for the period June 1, 1967 through Jan-
'
uary 31, 1968. His report for this 8 -month period showed the financial activity
of the various funds and the following bank balances:
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I59
Other Funds - Temporary investment $53,291
Total indebtedness of Village, $808.000.
Village Engineer John Rogers reported on the public works completed and those in
the planning stages pertaining specifically to road building and repair, sidewalk
construction, sewer line replacements, infiltration problem, reconstruction of
sewer plant converting it from primary to secondary treatment.
The Village purchased a backhoe and front -end loader which enable the workmen to
carry out their work more efficiently.
The Village now owns two dump body trucks, one equipped with snow plow, two packer
body trucks, one salt spreader, one sidewalk plow, and they are housed on Village
property at the end of Sheldon Road where we have a 4 -bay structure with adjoining
' tool shed. One tank truck and one of the dump body trucks are stored at the Sewer
Plant on East Shore Drive.
Police Chief Lowell George gave his annual report on the activities of his
department. We now employ five policemen, which gives round the clock protection
to Village residents.
All officers continued to receive training in various fields this year, such as
police science courses, advanced FBI firearms instructor% course, as well as a
police training course.
Traffic is a more serious problem each year.
A bicycle safety program was conducted at the School and work is being done with
Boy Scouts in finger printing.
There has been excellent cooperation with other police agencies and governmental
agencies during the year. The telephone extension in the Sheriff's Office is
still providing 24 -hour telephone coverage for us.
He cited acme of the 7 pages of statistics; 477 complaints handled; $6,772.74
property lost or stolen and $8,491.34 property recovered; total fines collected
$13,109. There were 80 motor vehicle accidents and 38 persons injured. Total°
criminal arrests were 12� eight of which were for other departments. Three hundred
forty -nine parking tickets were issued. Seven hundred sixty -three Vehicle and
' Traffic Law arrests for infractions. ,Eighty -three Vehicle and Traffic Law arrests
for misdemeanors.
Village Justice William T. Dean reported on his activities for 1967. More cases
were heard in 1967 and fines collected increased over fifty per cent. Except for
rare fines for violations of Village Ordinances, fines collected are retained by
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Gene Fund
$ 810
S Sewe Disposal and Maintenance
34,201
�1 Sewer Lines Extension
4,786
�i slater Improvements
101
Capital Construction
61914
Trust and Agency Account
5,794
Water and Sewer Capital Reserve
4,447
Streets Improvement
8,585
Fire Department Equipment
17,628
Tax Stabilization Fund
54 50
Total Cash on Hand
$137.616
Other Funds - Temporary investment $53,291
Total indebtedness of Village, $808.000.
Village Engineer John Rogers reported on the public works completed and those in
the planning stages pertaining specifically to road building and repair, sidewalk
construction, sewer line replacements, infiltration problem, reconstruction of
sewer plant converting it from primary to secondary treatment.
The Village purchased a backhoe and front -end loader which enable the workmen to
carry out their work more efficiently.
The Village now owns two dump body trucks, one equipped with snow plow, two packer
body trucks, one salt spreader, one sidewalk plow, and they are housed on Village
property at the end of Sheldon Road where we have a 4 -bay structure with adjoining
' tool shed. One tank truck and one of the dump body trucks are stored at the Sewer
Plant on East Shore Drive.
Police Chief Lowell George gave his annual report on the activities of his
department. We now employ five policemen, which gives round the clock protection
to Village residents.
All officers continued to receive training in various fields this year, such as
police science courses, advanced FBI firearms instructor% course, as well as a
police training course.
Traffic is a more serious problem each year.
A bicycle safety program was conducted at the School and work is being done with
Boy Scouts in finger printing.
There has been excellent cooperation with other police agencies and governmental
agencies during the year. The telephone extension in the Sheriff's Office is
still providing 24 -hour telephone coverage for us.
He cited acme of the 7 pages of statistics; 477 complaints handled; $6,772.74
property lost or stolen and $8,491.34 property recovered; total fines collected
$13,109. There were 80 motor vehicle accidents and 38 persons injured. Total°
criminal arrests were 12� eight of which were for other departments. Three hundred
forty -nine parking tickets were issued. Seven hundred sixty -three Vehicle and
' Traffic Law arrests for infractions. ,Eighty -three Vehicle and Traffic Law arrests
for misdemeanors.
Village Justice William T. Dean reported on his activities for 1967. More cases
were heard in 1967 and fines collected increased over fifty per cent. Except for
rare fines for violations of Village Ordinances, fines collected are retained by
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160
the State and only $5.00 per case is returned to the Village. On September 1, 1967
the titles of Police Justice and Acting Police Justice were changed by law to
Village Justice and Acting Village Justice.
Statistics were offered for 1963, 1964, 19651 1966 and 1967. There were 801
convictions in 1967 ranging from 480 for speeding to 2 for driving while
ability impaired. Total fines collected $16,133• The fact that most defendants
plead guilty demonstrates the close attention to the law displayed by all police
personnel so that when a case reaches court it is convincing even to the defendant.
A meeting room adaptable to court use is needed. Conferences between lawyer and
client are presently relegated to the corridor or outdoors, the telephone inter-
rupts proceedings, spectators and waiting defendants are often unable to observe
the hearings, and the dignity of the court becomes difficult to maintain.
Fire Councilman Richard Vorhis presented his report for 1967 which showed an
increase in all areas of departmental operations. There were 72 alarms, an in-
crease of 9.
April 5, a tragic fire occurred at the Cornell Residential Club in which 9 lives
were lost and the fire is still under investigation. Estimated fire loss for the
year was $52,000, of which a large part was the Residential Club. Training
continued in firemanics from prevention to extinguishment, plus regular monthly
and weekly training sessions and, also, training in Red Cross First Aid Course
and others.
A completely new alerting system has been installed which consists of a transmitter
and tone encoder in-the fire station and 39 individual radio monitors which ,
firemen are able to keep with them at home, work, or in the car, and the system
is operative 24 hours a day and can be maintained in operation during a power
failure. This system enables firemen to respond directly to the scene of an
alarm and saves precious seconds compared to the former system.
The Fire Company gave the Fire Department a portable radio for use of the Chief
Officers at the scene of an alarm.
In May 1967 a contract was awarded to American LaFrance Company of Elmira, New
York, for the construction of a 900 Series 1000 GPM Custom Pumper and Hose Cart
to be delivered in mid -1968.
Nominating Chairman Ralph Barnard presented the following slate of officers:
Mayor, Frederick G. Marcham; Village Justice, William T. Dean; for three positions
as Village Trustees, Carl H. Nelson, Rane F. Randolph, Ernest F. Roberts,
Norman C. Penney, and Harold R. Fisher.
Mayor Marcham accepted the report of the Nominating Committee with thanks and
asked for further nominations from the floor.
There being no additional nominations, it was moved, seconded and carried that the
nominations be closed.
No other business came Before the meeting.
The Mayor reminded those present that the general election would be held on ,
Tstesday, March 19, 1968 at the Village Hall, the hours being from 12 Noon to
9:00 P.M. He also called attention to the registration .date . for those not
registered, which would be on Saturday, March 2nd from Noon to 9:00 P.M. in the
Village Office.
2/26/68