HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-19-1977Wednesday, January 19, 1977 7:30 P•m• Pg.l
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The second regular town board meeting of the month was held
at the town hall with Supervisor, Robert P. Blatchley presiding.
Other board members present were: Justices, Donald Eaton and Ronald
Fish and Councilman, Ray Miller. Councilman, Sherman Griswold was
absent as he is on vacation. Others present were% Town Clerk,
Christine Canestaro; Town Attorney, John Gardner; Town Engineer,
William Rowell; Town Highway Supt., Carl Eaton; Town Assessor,
Robert Wells; Bookkeeper, Wayne Ezick; Legislator, Henry Wadsworth;
Barbara Ingraham, Town Historian; Mr. Ray Ingraham; Mr. Robert
Edmonds, Vice Pres. of Cortland Wood Products; Wm. Stupke; Skip
Chapman, news reporter; and several residents of the town.
The meeting was called to order by the Supervisor and the pledge
of allegience was given by all in attendance.
® Reading of the minutes of the previous meeting was dispensed with Min® of
as all board members had reviewed copies of the minutes prior to tonight's prev.mtgapproved
meeting. Motion was made by Justice Fish, seconded by Justice Eaton
that the minutes be approved as written. Votes: Justice Eaton, aye;
Justice Fish, aye; Councilman Miller, aye; Supervisor Blatchley, aye.
Motion carried.
Town Clerk, Christine Canestaro read the following correspondence:
1. A letter from N.Y.State Electrice & Gas Corp. re% Case #26482-
34.5KV - Transmission Facility, Lafayette to Oakdale. The
letter advised that on lA4/77 N.Y.State Electric & Gas Corp
filed with the Public Service Comm. the second part of its
Environmental Management & Construction Plan (EMCP) for its
Lafayette to Oakdale 345KV transmission line (PSC Case #26482).
They gave a list of places where documents and associated
drawings were placed for public inspection.
2. A letter from Town Engineer, William Rowell, recommending
that the 2% retained from Edlund Mfg. Co. be paid. This is
the final amount due the contractor under contract #9-Water
main relocation, rte. 281 & McLean Rds.
XQtion was made by Councilman Miller, seconded by Justice
Eaton that the above correspondence be received and filed.
Votes: Justice Eaton, aye; Justice Fish, aye; Councilman Miller, aye;
Supervisor Blatchley, aye. Motion carried.
RESOLUTION #20: AUTHORIZATION TO RELEASE 2% RETAINER TO EDLUND MFG. CO. Release
Motion by Councilman Miller, seconded by Justice Eaton. of 2%
Votes% Justice Eaton, aye; Justice Fish, aye; Councilman Miller, aye; retainer
Supervisor Blatchley, aye.
Adopted. to Edlund
Mfg. Co.
WHEREAS, Edlund Mfg. Co. has completed the relocation of the
water mains on route 281 and McLean Rd., and
WHEREAS, the work has been inspected by the town Water and Sewer
superintendant, Fred Walker and Rowell & Associates and they have
found the work to be satisfactory, and
WHEREAS, Town Engineer, William Rowell has recommended making the
final payment to Edlund Mfg. Co.
® NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that -the 2% retained from final costs -
contract 99 in the amount of $3,675.81 is hereby released for payment.
Town Clerk, Christine Canestaro read her annual report for
the year 1976. The report, she said, reflected an increase in monies
collected over the year 1975 in the amount of $54,881.91. A copy of
this report is attached to & made a part of these minutes. Motion was
made by Justice Fish, seconded by Justice Eaton that the report be placed
on file. Votes: Justice Eaton, aye; Justice Fish, aye; Councilman Miller,
aye; Supervisor Blatchley, aye, Motion carried.
Town Clk.
annual
report
Legislator, Henry Wadsworth advised that the town would soon be Sales
receiving a check from the county for the remainder of the sales tax due. tax
He did not know the amount to be received. monies
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Wednesday, January 19, 1977
Pg. 2
Justice Justice Eaton read his annual report for the year 1976. A
annual copy of the report is attached to and made a part of these
report minutes. Motion was made by Justice Fish, seconded by Councilman
Miller that the report be placed on file. Votes; Justice Eaton, are;
Justice Fish, aye; Councilman Miller, aye; Supervisor Blatchley aye;
Motion carried.
Ridge Rd. Highway Supt., Carl Eaton advised that the street signs had
St.Signs been installed on Ridge Rd.
Supervisor Blatchley announced;
Cort.Co. 1. There will be a meeting of the County Sewer Agency at the
Sewer Agency Grange Bldg. on 1/25/77 at 8:00 p.m.. He urged all town
mtg. board members to attend.
Anti- 2. He has received a check in the amount of $8,167.00
Recession for "Anti -Recession" money. The money, he said, has to be
money received used within six months and can be spent for the following, -
Education Higways Public Welfare
Health & Hospitals Housing & Urban Renewal Police & corrections
Fire Protection Transportation Sewers & Sanitation
Libraries Natural Resources Financial Administration
General Administration General public buildings
Interest on general debt Parks & Recreation
Insulation
Gen.Munic.Bldg. 1-
Heating 2.
,en.Munic.Bldg.
Insulation 3.
town Hall
Storm Windows 4
Torn Hall
Storm Windows
Town Hall
Justice Eaton reported;
he had drawn up minimum specifications for the furnishing and -
installation of insulation to the ceiling of the General Municipal
Building, 111 West Rd.
He would have the heating specifications for the General
Municipal Building ready for the next meeting.
He had received a proposal to insulate the ceiling of the
Town Hall, 15 Terrace Rd. in the amount of $912.00.
He has received a proposal to furnish storm .windows for the
town hall building in the amount of $908.46.
The town board concurred that in the interest of saving and conserving
on heating bills, the insulation and the storm windows should be installed.
RESOLUTION #21; AUTHORIZATION TO HAVE CORTLAND GLASS CO., INC. FURNISH
AND INSTALL STORM WINDOWS ON THE TOWN HALL BUILDING
Motion by Justice Eaton, seconded by Councilman Miller.
Votes; Justice Eaton, aye; Justice Fish, aye; Councilman Miller, aye;
Supervisor Blatchley, aye.
Adopted.
BE IT RESOLVED, That the Town Board of Cortlandville does hereby
accept the proposal of Cortland Glass Co., Inc., 159 Main St.,
Cortland, N.Y., to furnish the following storm windows for the
town hall building:
1. Seven (7) storm windows for #425 windows.
Nine (9) storm windows for #426 windows.
Each window will have two storm panels which will be
removable from the outside. The bottom panel will be
the same height as the existing hopper vent sash. The
top panel will cover the upper area of each window.
2. Two (2) storm windows for #462 windows in the toilet rooms.
These two windows to be one panel each.
3. All aluminum will be mill finish. All glass will be 3.0
mm (double) thickness.
4. all necessary aluminum angles and fasteners for installation
of these units will be furnished.
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All the above material will be furnished for the sum of $908.46,
delivered to the town hall, 15 Terrace Rd., Cortland, N.Y., and
Wednesday, January 19, 1977
Pg• 3
155 .
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the proposal of Cortland Glass Co. Storm WindowsTown Hall
Inc. to furnish labor to install 18 storm windows on the town
hall building for the sum of $384.00 is hereby accepted.
RESOLUTION #22: AUTHORIZATION TO HAVE WILLIAM COFFIN, INC. FURNISH AND
INSTALL INSULATION TO THE CEILING OF THE TOWN HALL BUILDING Insulation
Town Hall
Motion by Justice Fish, seconded by Councilman Miller.
Votes: Justice Eaton, aye; Justice Fish, aye; Councilman Miller,
aye; Supervisor Blatchley, aye.
Adopted.
BE IT RESOLVED, That the proposal of William Coffin, Inc. in
the amount of $912.00 to furnish and install 10" of loose
® fiberglass fill insulation to the ceiling of the town hall
building, 15 Terrace Rd., is hereby accepted.
Supervisor Blatchley reported he had talked with Mr. Gordon Hatheway of Wilson &
Wilson & Greene Lbr. Co. regarding the transferral of ownership of the Greene fire
water hydrant and line that is on the Wilson & Greene property. Mr. hydrant
Hatheway indicated they are willing to deed the hydrant and water main
to the water district along with a suitable easement.
Town Historian, Barbara Ingraham submitted copies of the final Town
papers that were sent to the Bicentennial Administration, New York City. Historian
These copies will be on file in the town clerk's office. annual
Mrs. Ingraham read her annual historian's report. A copy is report
attached to and made a part of these minutes. Motion was made by
Justice Fish, seconded by Councilman Miller that the report be placed
on file. Votes: Justice Eaton, aye; Justice Fish, aye; Councilman
Miller, aye; Supervisor Blatchley, aye. Motion carried.
The town board conveyed their appreciation for the work Mrs.
Ingraham has done as historian of the town. Supervisor Blatchley
stated that the town was also indebted to both she and her husband for
the work they had done for the 1976 Bicentennial celebration.
Mr. Blatchley showed some slides he had taken on some of the
trips taken in conjunction with the Bicentennial celebration and also
some slides of "Festival 76" taken at Dwyer Memorial Park on 6/27/76.
Mrs. Ingraham submitted a general description of material to
be published on the one hundred and fifty year development of the
Town of Cortlandville. She hopes to publish this book within the next
two years.
Mr. Blatchley read a letter he had written to Mr. John H.
Shafer of the N.Y.State Dept. of Transportation, Albany, N.Y. requesting LEHIGH VALLE)
an extension of time to decide whether to accept or reject the town's RR
"preferential rights" regarding the purchase of the Lehigh Valley Railroad Preferential
right-of-way. Motion was made by Justice Eaton, seconded by Councilman rights
Miller that a copy of this letter be placed on file in the town clerk's
office. Votes: Justice Eaton, aye; Justice Fish, aye; Councilman Miller,
aye; Supervisor Blatchley, aye. Motion carried.
Mr. Robert Edmonds, Vice President of Cortland Wood Products, if
® Inc. read a written statement regarding their wish to purchase the portion
of the Lehigh Valley Railroad that passes through their property. A
copy of this statement is attached to and made a part of these minutes. it
Motion was made by Councilman Miller, seconded by Justice Eaton that the
written statement be received and filed. Votes: Justice Eaton, aye;
Justice Fish, aye; Councilman Miller, aye; Supervisor Blatchley, aye.
Motion carried.
A discussion followed. Mr. William Stupke, of Stupke rd. voiced
concern for the portion of the line that goes through his property, stating "
that if the line were privately owned, it might hamper the free passing
of cattle from one side of the property to the other side.
The town board authorized Supervisor Blatchley to write a letter
to Mr. Shafer of the N.Y.State Dept. of Transportation, stating that the
town does not wish to give up their "preferential rights" regarding the it
purchase .of the Lehigh Valley Railroad Right -of way that runs through the
Town of Cortlandville.
156
Wednesday, January 19, 1977
Pg. 4
Cable T.V. Mr. Robert Edmonds and several residents of Hoxies Gorge Cable T.V,
Hoxies complained that Sammons Communications had not lived up to the Hoxies
Gorge terms of their agreement to extend cable T.V. to the residents of Gorge
g
Hoxies Gorge. He said there are five families in the area who
still do not have cable T.V.
Motion was made by Councilman Miller, seconded by Justice
Eaton that Attorney, John Gardner be directed to write a letter
to Mr. Strange of Sammons Communications, stating that the
if residents of Hoxie's Gorge had appeared before the town board
with the above complaint and requesting that Sammons Communications
live up to the terms of their agreement. Votes: Justice Eaton, aye;
Justice Fish, aye; Councilman Miller, aye; Supervisor Blatchley, aye.
Motion carried.
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Open OPEN MEETINGS LAW Supervisor Blatchley suggested that, to meet
Meetings Law the requirements of this law, the town clerk could inform the
Open
Cortland Standard and W.K.R.T. radio of the town board meetings a
Meetings
week or so in advance of the meetings. Also she could place a
Law
notice on the town bulletin board. He would place a more detailed
article in the paper prior to the meetings. It was also suggested
that the news reporter state the date of -the next town board meeting
at the end of his write-up on the meetings. The board concurred
that the above should be done.
Engineer Rept. ENGINEER REPORT:
Terrace Rd. TERRACE RD. SEWERS; Engineer, Wm. Rowell showed detailed
Sewers drawings of the proposed sewer lateral installations for
Terrace Rd., McLean Rd., Pleasantview Dr., & Munson Ave.
Pump -Well #3 PUMP -WELL #3a Mr. He has not, as yet, had a report on the
bacterial test made on the new well.
Water Dist.#4 WATER DIST. #4: Attorney Gardner still has some work to
do regarding details of funding the take over of the water
lines, etc.
Terrace Rd. RESOLUTION #23; AUTHORIZATION FOR TOWN ENGINEER AND TOWN ATTORNEY
Sewers TO DRAW UP NECESSARY PAPERS FOR ACQUISITION OF EASEMENTS RE. -
TERRACE RD., McLEAN RD „ PLEASANTVIEW DR. & MUNSON AVE. LATERAL
SEWERS
Motion by Councilman Miller, seconded by Justice Eaton.
Votes: Justice Eaton, aye; Justice Fish, aye; Councilman
Miller, aye; Supervisor Blatchley, aye.
Adopted.
BE IT RESOLVED, That the Town Engineer and the Town Attorney
are hereby authorized and directed to draw up the necessary
papers and legal documents for the acquisition of easements
from the residents of Terrace Rd., McLean, Rd., Pleasantview Dr.
and Munson Ave., said easements being necessary for the
installation of the lateral sewers on these streets..
The town board gave Mr. Rowell their permission to proceed with the
if detailed drawings regarding the above sewer project for submittal to
the Cortland County Health Dept. •
Insulation RESOLUTION #24: AUTHORIZATION TO SOLICIT BIDS FOR THE FURNISHING &
Gen.Munic.Bldg. INSTALLATION OF INSULATION TO THE CEILING OF THE GENERAL
MUNICIPAL BUILDING- WEST RD.
Motion by Justice Fish, seconded by Councilman Miller.
Votes: Justice Eaton, aye; Justice Fish, aye; Councilman Miller,
aye; Supervisor Blatchley aye.
Adopted.
BE IT RESOLVED, That the Town Clerk be, and she hereby is,
authorized and directed to advertise for sealed bids for the
furnishing and installation of insulation to the ceiling of the
Town of Cortlandville General Municipal Building located at
111 West Rd. in accordance with the specifications and terms
set forth in the information to bidders, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That sealed bids received will be opened
at 8;00 p.m. on February 2, 1977 at the Town Hall, 15 Terrace Rd.,
Cortlandville, New York.
Wednesday, January 19, 1977
Pg. 5
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RESOLUTION #25i AUTHORIZATION TO PAY AUDITED BILL
Motion by Justice Eaton, seconded by Councilman Miller.
Votes, Justice Eaton, aye; Justice Fish, aye; Councilman
Miller, aye; Supervisor Blatchley, aye.
Adopted.
BE IT RESOLVED, THat Water District #1, voucher #6,
Edlund Mfg. Co., is hereby ordered paid as audited.
There being no further business, upon motion of Councilman Miller,
seconded by Justice Eaton, all voting aye, the meeting was adjourned
at 9:20 p.m..
Respectfully submited
`CHRISTINE CANESTARO
TOWN CLERK
Auth.pay
Edlund Mfg.Co.
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'OWN CLERK'S ANNUAL REPORT YEAR 1975
CASH RECEIPTS: TOTAL COLLECTED
2440
Conservation Licenses sold ($601.75 Town Fee), $
14,380.25
54
Free Conservation Licenses issued
-0-
1299
Dog Licenses sold $324.50 Town Fee)
3,592.80
25
Marriage Licenses sold $ 37.50 °° 9
1)
50.00
25
Marriage Certificates sold $ 50.00 of )
50.00
104
Building Permits sold (Total valuation $1,286,235.00)
1,520.00
10
Reports to McGraw Hill re Building Permits issued
30.00
21
Zoning Ordinance Books sold @$2.00 ea.
42.00
26
Zoning Maps sold @$1.00 ea. -
26.00
Postage & Handling for mailing one Ordinance Book & Map
.75
6
House Trailer Permits issued @$2.00 ea'.
12.00
3
House Trailer Renewal Permits issued @$10.00 ea.
30.00
4
Trailer Park Permits issued
730.00
2
Carnival Permits issued
45.00
2
Circus Permits issued
50.00
1
Quarry Permit issued
110.00
2
Master Lists sold (Industrial Code #53) @$1.00 ea.
2.00
Report to County Treasurer of Delinquent Dog Owners
25.90
1
Sub -Division Filing Fee (Jack Head -Clinton St.Ext.-McGraw)
45.00
Interest & Penalties collected on Real Property Taxes
1,319.16
Real Property Taxes Collected
706,269.99
SUB TOTAL
728,330.85
Water District #1 collections
58,094.93
(includes 5 new residential connections $675.00)
( 3 new commercial connections 888.24))
Water District #2 Collections
1,210.23
Water District #3 Collections
3,108.80
(Includes 2 new residential connections $250.00)
Sewer District #1 Collections
20,145.19
(Includes 1 new residential connection $25.00)
( 1 new commercial connection $50.00
TOTAL MONIES COLLECTED BY TOWN CLERK $
.1.810,890.00
CASH DISBURSEMENTS:
Paid to B. W. Bement for refund of Bldg. Permit #14
project abandoned
45.00
Paid
to
Supervisor for Town Revenues
4,956.56
Paid
to
Supervisor for Interest & Penalties on Real
property taxes
1,319.16..
Paid
to
County Clerk for Conservation Licenses sold
13.,778.50
Paid
to
County Treasurer for Dog Licenses sold
3,268.30
Paid
to
N.Y.S. Health Dept. for Marriage Licenses sold
12.50
Paid
to
Supervisor for Budget from Real Property Taxes
collected
250,894.00
Paid
to
County Treasurer -Real Property Taxes collected
454,056.83
SUB TOTAL
$ 728,330.85
Deposited in Marine Midland
Bank -Water
Dst.#1
a/c
58,094.93
Deposited in Marine Midland
Bank -Water
Dst.#2
a/c
1,210.23
Deposited in Marine Midland
Bank, -Water
Dst.#3
a/c
3,108.80
Deposited in First National
Bank -Sewer
Dst.#1
a/c
20,145.19
TOTAL MONIES DISBURSED BY .TOWN
CLERK
$ 810,890.00
The following records are hereby submitted to the
Town Board for audit, pursuant to Section 105 of
the Town Law:
All books, records, receipts, orders,
warrants, vouchers and cancelled checks.
Respectfully submitted,
CHRISTINE C 0
Dated: February 1, 1976 TOWN CLERK
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TOWN JUSTICE ANNUAL REPORT FOR 1976
January 11, 1977
For my Annual Report To the Town Board of the Town of Cortlandville the
Following is Hereby Rendered for the.Year of 1976:
Figures Reflect Completed Cases Only
MOTOR VEHICLE CRIMINAL CIVIL TOTAL CASES
3853 463 15 4331
At the End of the Year the Court is 'Nblding $ 2830.00 In Pending Cases and has
turned over to the State Comptroller $ 75,442.60 in Fines and Forfeitures for
the Year 1976.
The Town has Received Funds in the Amount of $ 29,737.50 from the Justice Court
Fund for the Efforts of the Court for 1976.
This is to advise the Town Board of the Town of Cortlandville that Town Justice
Donald F. Eaton hereby submits the Court records for Audit by the Town Board,
persuant to Section 105 of the 'down Law.
Be further Advised that the Dockets, Ledgers, Cashbooks, Checkbooks and files
are available for inspection by the Town Board of the 'own of the Town of Cort-
landville and by any other interested parties at my office in the Town Hall of
said T:wn at 15 Terrace Road, Cortlandville, New York at any reasonable time.
Respectfully submitt i,
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D EATON
Town Justice
Town of Cortlandville
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BAND SAWN HARDWOODS
DRY KILNS
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Mail Address-
P. O. Box 723
CORTLAND, N. Y. 13045
Cortland Wood Products, Inc®
Mc LEAN ROAD AT LEHIGH VALLEY R. R.
CORTLAND, NEW YORK
TELEPHONE: (607) 753-1081
JANUARY 19, 1977 CORTLANDVILLE TOWN BOARD MEETING
(To be entered into minutes of -Town Board Meeting)
SUBJECT: Lehigh Valley Railroad Purchase
Because of the current interest in the abandoned
railroad property currently being considered for sale,
I thought that it.would be good to express the thoughts
of Cortland Wood Products, and Gutchess Lumber Company.
Cortland Wood Products and Gutchess Lumber Company
would like to purchase the portion of the railroad
which passes through its property. This would simply
be a change from an active railroad to an industrial
railroad siding. This portion of the railroad is
currently not for sale and is currently being used for
active transportation activities. The reasons for our
desire to purchase the land are as follows:
1) The railroad splits our property down the
middle. We have been interested in the purchase
of this land for many years. Since we are now
at the end of the rail line, and because there
is interest in selling the abandoned portion
adjacent to the end of the line, it is felt
that this is the proper time to pursue the
discussion of a purchase of the Gutchess yard
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Town Board Meeting -2- January 19, 1977
portion with the railroad.
2) We have been unable to fence our property for
security and safety reasons because the'railroad
splitting the property makes the fencing impractical.
Lumber piles and several buildings are exposed to
intruders who can come and go from all directions.
We have lost cash, lumber,and chain saws. We have
suffered damage from break-ins, had a tractor and
trailer borrowed for the"night and had a $600.00
radio stolen which some burglar thought was a
$120.00 CB radio. Even more important, we have
what has been called an attractive nuisance.
Lumber and log piles draw the attention of
neighborhood kids. They are dangerous and have
already caused injury. Snowmobilers run where
tractdrs and trailer rigs and loaded caterpillar.
fork lifts are maneuvering. Recently I had to
politely tell a pistol -packing trapper that our
yard was off limits.
Incidentally, we have plans to fence the,yard
behind the town firehouse. We would like to
sometime plant trees on the town side of the
fence for aesthetic reasons if the town would
like it.
3) To go from one part of our yard to another, only
a couple of hundred feet apart, our equipment
has to travel about a half mile extra across the
one grade crossing on our property. If we had a
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Town Board Meeting -3- January 19, 1977
fee ownership of the railroad strip, a grade
crossing could be put in, saving time, efficiency,
energy, and dollars.
It should be remembered that the top priority for the
property is its current use as a railroad. In 1976 we had
traffic of 34 cars. This is important not only for the
Gutchess operations, but for adding to the security of
Overhead Door as a Cortland, New York entity. Our outgoing
traffic strengthens the position of Overhead Door's
continuance of rail service, without which, it could not
operate at a profit in Cortland and would have to discontinue
operations here.
In talking with town and county government people, the
railroad, Department of Transportation people, business and
environmental interests, I am happy to say that we have the
unusually good situation where all parties can have their
respective wishes. In summary, if the Gutchess organization
purchased from McLean Road to Stupke Road and if Cortland
County -purchased to the County line and if Tompkins County
purchased from the County line to Freeville, then the
situation would be as follows:
1) The railroad would dispose of a full stretch of
line. A breakup of parcels would not be in
their interests. The railroad would be relieved
of maintenance on the Gutchess portion of the
line yet retaining the business, which along with
Overhead Door is in the. profitable range. They
are agreeable to this type of arrangement in
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Town Board Meeting -4- January 19, 1977
principle if legal transactions and dollars
can be worked out.
2) The DOT has talked favorably about such a
combination. The line will be maintained in
transportation to the current end of the line.
They will be relieved of a small amount of
subsidy which they are now paying the railroad.
3) Cortland County would have the land from Stupke
Road, through the very unique Chicago Bog area,
an area of interest to persons desiring a park
and environmental appreciation area. Limited
in industrial and residential potential, the
area is certainly of considerable value from a
recreation standpoint.
4) Town of Cortlandville would not have to spend
funds to acquire the property, yet it would
yield dividends in having a recreational facil-
ity in the west part of the town. Also property
taxes payable on the Gutchess portion should
be more rapidly forthcoming than from the current
owner. There has been some concern about sewer
and waterline easements along the Gutchess portion
of the line. First of all, this portion is not
for sale by the railroad at present. Second it
would be unwise of the Town spending funds to
purchase the land for several reasons. Beside
the unnecessary expenditure the town and county
would lose property tax revenues. The maintenance
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Town Board Meeting -5- January 19, 1977
of the railroad, if it is to continue as a
railroad would be the responsibility of the
town. Gutchess could not feel justified in
making the large capital expenditures to keep
the track in operating condition or to construct
a grade crossing unless it has a fee ownership
of the property. It would be better left in
railroad ownership.
The Gutchess' have demonstrated in the past their
community spirit with respect to utilities and has shown
it in the expenditure of about $40,000.00 in the water
line from SCM to across from Luker Road, which helPhave
the way for development of the area west of the Gutchess
property. They are still very receptive to co-operating
with the town in its efforts to obtain sewer and waterline
easements when definite plans are established. The
Gutchess' are;a permanent part of the Cortland community
and surely would be much easier to work along with than a
problem -ridden railroad company in Pennsylvania.
The ownership of this property is important to
Cortland Wood Products, Inc., Gutchess Lumber Company, Inc.,
and the 140 more or less people who work in this town of
Cortlandville lq industry. So important that we told the
railroad that we would consider purchasing the entire
abandoned portion of the line if necessary to obtain it.
We are in a poor bargaining position in that there is
only one place in the world which we can purchase this
strip which cuts our property in half.
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Town Board Meeting -6- January 19, 1977
I would like to ask the town board for its support
in our endeavors to purchase this railroad land which
would be so important to this company. I believe that
co-operation between the Town and the County and the
Gutchess organization can produce benefits for all
involved.
If I can be of assistance at anytime in this
endeavor, please do not hesitate to let me know.
Robert Edmonds
Vice President
Cortland Wood Products, Inc.
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A
1976 ANNUAL REPORT
DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY
TOWN OF.CORTLANDVILLE
SUBMITTED BY
BARBARA A. INGRAHAM
MUNICIPAL HISTORIAN
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Nearly every waking hour of March thru June of 1976
was spent preparing for the Town celebration of the Nation's
Bicentennial. Since the word 11Bicentennial" has become as
over used as it has abused, and to spare the reader of this
report untold hours, I will summarize this event by saying
it was a tremendous undertaking, a tremendous worry, and a
tremendous success. Covered by several newspapers, radio
stations, and WBNG TV Binghamton, N.Y., it reached far more
than the approximately 3,500 people in attendance.
I have kept a complete file of the two years of par-
ticipation by Cortlandville in the Bicentennial effort.
Over four hundred separate pieces of correspondence are
represented, besides publications, insurance releases, civic
programs, plans and preparations for the County Herb Garden,
progress thus far on the project of designating the town
landmarks, etc. etc., filling many file folders. I am in
the process of typing up handwritten minutes of all meetings.
These files, pictures, and news clippings will be of invaluable
interest when citizens of Cortlandville celebrate the Nation's
Tricentennial.
I attended three meetings called by the County Historian.
At the meeting of April 24th,Mrs. Billie Albro, representing
The Business and Professional Women's Organization, asked the
cooperation of municipal historians in publishing a book on
women of purpose in Cortland County since its beginning.
I sincerely regret that the book was to go to the publisher
in a,few short months,( 2 months of which I was completely
buried in the above mentioned activity ) and this historian
had been passed down by preceding Historians nothing to use
as reference material for research.
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Town of.Cortlandville Page 2
Annual Report - History Dept.
Y was not able to contribute to this boo)C before it went
into print. I will continue delving into the old town
meeting minutes and will make a study of the micro filmed
newspapers at The Cortland County Historical Society.
Hopefully, I will be able to establish a file folder on
contributing women of Cortlandville, and future historians
for this municipality will have one less area on which there
is no information.
At the municipal historian's meeting held June 12th,
following a discussion about municipal histories which
have been recently published by several Bicentennial Com-
-mittees, I stated that I was gathering material with an
ultimate goal of publishing a written and pictoral history
of Cortlandville, covering as much as was financially pos-
sable. The projected date.of printing to coincide with
the ausquecentennial of the separation of Cortlandville
from Homer in 1979. I also reported that I had been lob-
bying for several weeks for clean up of our towns abandoned
cemetaries. This resulted*in literally uncovering the
cemetary at borings Crossings. Now on a scale of 1 to 10
for well kept cemetaries it rates a 2 instead of zero.
This is the resting place of the first settler within the
present limits of the town. Oops I promised I wouldn't
editorialize.
At the municipal historians meeting held October 9th,
a program was presented by Mr. and Mrs. John Kelly, repre-
sentatives of Focus Infinity, a local photographers organization.
It was stated that each historian should posses:; a good
camera and should consider asking his or her municipality
to provide one. Since photographs are invaluable research
tools, and each municipality should have a photographic file,
the program stressed points on .good picture taking.
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Town of Cortlandville page 3
Annual Report ® History Dept.
Plans for a photographic slide file were approved and money
was alloted in the 1977 budget to establish a storage and
retrieval system for this department.
On May 5th, a paper I woote'for The Cortland Standard
on the school house which formerly stood on the corner of
Groton Ave & Rt. 281 was published. The Standard plans to
compile articles by County municipal historians in book form.
As a result of this article, I secured on loan from Mx. Dana
McKee, a picture of the class of 1898 from the above mentioned
school. I had the picture reproduced for the photo file.
This picture was published by The Independant Villager on
June 21st. Another side light of the school article is an
accession I accepted from Dr. Alice Pierce e an original
brick from the school, presented to her by the 1961 staff
of SUCC.
I wrote a detailed letter to tite Supervisor and the
Town Planning Board stating my views on the new Master Plan.
During 1976 I have urged the Town Clerk, Supervisor
and Municipal Board to have the deteriorating volumes of
town meeting minutes micro filmed.. A!� yet,no coneretP
action has been taken on this project,al.though, no opposition
has been mentioned to me.
I have been researching the oldest of these volumes
for items of:Lhi�torical-�.interest and importance. I have
discovered that the minutes dispute the current theory that
John Miller of borings Crossings, first settler in this area,
was the first Supervisor. The minutes record a John Merrill
as the first Supervisor. I am pursuing research in this area.
e
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Town of- Cortlandville page 4
Annual Report - History Dept.
The old minutes also disagree with the subscribed to
theory that the present Town Hall is the first such edifice
owned by the town for conducting business. Town minutes relate
that after several years of traveling around for the annual
meeting, the March.19 1842 meeting was held at the newly
purchased ( or built ) "Town House". I am pursuing research
to find where it was located.
On Sept. 18th I attended an organizational meeting
and was elected charter vice president and program chairman
of District Seven Association of Municipal Historians of
New York State, including the counties.of Broome, Chenango,
Cortland, Delaware, Madison, Otsego, Tioga, Tompkins and
For this affiliation I have drafted a question-
aire, wZiich will poll Historians in this sector as to their
jobs, offices, budgets, programs,projects, etc. and will,
in general, lay the foundation for learning their interests
and provide a direction for the newly established organization.
I have continued to keep a newspaper clipping scrap book
which is available for use or display at -anytime.
I have secured for my office, from the Town Clerk'-s office,
bound, and indexed copies of all Town Minutes 1958 thru
1976 and have asked and been placed among those who receive
minutes regularly after each meeting. The clerk's office
has been most cooperative.
I completed, duplicated,.filed and returned final papers
to The New York State Bicentennial Commission,.and The New York
State Foundation for The Arts.
13
C,
Town of Cortlandville
Annual Report - History Dept.
page 5
=,r For 1977 I will continue to research and date the oldest
buildings in the town and survey our industrial community;..
photographing as much as ig. possible witliin the budget.
I will also continue to add information within the Historical
filing system. A major project county wide for 1977 will
be " Water & Waterways ". This project is timely, as it
comes at a time when the County Planning Office has asked
my help in researching the Chicago Bog area, now being
-contemplated as a park.
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