HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993-08-31 - MP TOWN OF ULYSSES
MASTER PLAN COMMITTEE MEETING
TOWN HALL
AUGUST 31 , 1993
PRESENT : CHAIRMAN GARY MYERS ; MEMBERS : CATHERINE
STOVER , RUTH KAHN , JOANNE MOLINO , DAVID TYLER ;
SECRETARY : ROXANNE SMITH
OTHERS PRESENT : SUE POELVOORDE
The Chairman called the meeting to order at 7 ; 35 PM .
Roxanne has spoken with Rita Brown concerning the original
disk for the Master Plan - Draft 3 . She has the disk but it ' s
in Macintosh form . Rita said she will mail the disk to Roxanne .
Gary said that hopefully by the next meeting ( September
21 , 1993 - 7 : 00 PM ) the maps will be completed . They then can
break down into two groups ; one will continue working on the draft ,
the other will begin to tackle the overlays .
The Members proceeded to revise pages I and 7 , the section
discussing Agriculture . ( See attached . )
The meeting adjourned at 9 ; 10 PM .
I !
in'
AGRICULTURE
Since its early settlement Ulysses has been a strong
agriculture community . Town residents value the area as a
farm community and the rural character as a large contributor
to the quality of life . In addition there is evidence * that
t he citizenry of Ulysses supports the goal of maintaining an
agricultural economic and cultural base .
The Town of Ulysses is in an agricultural district . Since
land is the chief raw material used in farming , the population
density is much lower on agricultural land than on residential
land . Farmers do not use the infrastructure to the extent that
✓ esidential users or other commercial users do . Farms tradition -
ally use fewer services that require a higher tax rate . In ad -
d ition much of the farm profit goes directly back to the community
t o purchase goods and services .
The farm family , also , provides other services to the com -
munity . Good farming practices preserve the land from erosion ,
e ncourage varied wild life and bird population diversity and keep
t he land fertile through crop rotation . Only a major public
sector initiative on the part of the community could supply such
large amounts of " green - space " or " wildlife refuge " as the farm-
ing industry now provides .
As in many areas of this country , farming costs have out -
stripped profit . Costs of equipment , labor , seed , feed , chemical
additives , etc . have risen faster than the revenues received by
farmers . Typically farmers receive less than minimum wage when
all farming hours are tabulated . Historically this has been true ,
but in the past the farm family produced much of its own food ,
fiber and fuel . Today farms are more specialized and farm family
members must often work at other jobs to augment farm income ,
particularly for the small to medium size farms typical to the
Town of ULysses .
In many rural areas , including the Town of Ulysses , there
has been pressure to develop farm land . Farmers often blame
increasing property taxes , cost of production , and level or
d ecreasing product price as reasons for selling land . The best
agricultural land is often most desirable for new housing and
commercial development since it is generally flat , well drained ,
and frequently scenic . Development speculation tends to drive
u p land prices . This presents a dilemma to farmers .
Ulysses still has a viable farming community and supports a
✓ ariety of agricultural pursuits ; tree farming , poultry and eggs ,
dairy , crop , truck and specialty crops among them . Agriculture is
facing times which may change the face of the community . Issues
t hat may influence the success of the small to medium size farms
are as follows :
1 . Economic climate
2 . Farm subsidies
3 . Soil is marginal for crops
4 Does the community ( Town ) wish to do something
to encourage the future existence of the agri -
cultural community .
* 1988 Survey conducted by SENECAYUGA PLANNING ASSOCIATES
REV / AUG 93