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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-19-1977Wednesday, January 19, 1977 7:30 P•m• Pg.l 153 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 �54- 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. • 1 • 1 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. • 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 i I 157 1 1 • 1 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. f ` '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 1 1 F a 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, f D EATON Town Justice Town of Cortlandville y BAND SAWN HARDWOODS DRY KILNS C J J U 9 Ca 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 n 1 1 7 n 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 1 1 1 n 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 1 n M 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 b 1 a NO 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. u 1 q 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. q 1 r A 1976 ANNUAL REPORT DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY TOWN OF.CORTLANDVILLE SUBMITTED BY BARBARA A. INGRAHAM MUNICIPAL HISTORIAN R n 1 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. 13 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. L . 01 0 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 U 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. U