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Friday .......
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On Monday morning it's 65 degrees and sunny at 7:30 a.m.
The Weather Forecast from TWCNY:
An area of low pressure passing to the north and its trailing cold front will allow for occasional showers/storms through the middle of the week. Highs are expected to ease into the 70s for everyone Tuesday with a significant cool down taking place on Wednesday. Compared to recent temperatures, it may feel a bit chilly with highs only in the upper 50s!
Luckily, we'll notice improvement as a drier air mass arrives Thursday with temperatures climbing back up into the 60s and eventually 70s."
Looking Ahead
NEWSWORTHY
Installation of the 911 Memorial near Amsterdam, N.Y.
The steel is from the World Trade Center.
Engineering for the Memorial was provided by
260 Structural Engineering,
owned by Dale Meszler of Waterville, New York.
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IN THE MAIL
From my neighbor, John Lincoln-Lovely, this view of his back yard Pathway down to Big Creek.
In the side yard, next to Buell Avenue, more paths wander between trees strung with solar-powered lights, making the garden magical even at night time.
Except when his shop - "Sticks 'n Stones" on East Main Street - is open, you'll probably find John working in the gardens. Stop and say "Hello!" and walk around!
From Jeff Reynolds - this photo of the new planter around the Library sign on White Street.
"Compliments of Eagle Scout candidate Colton Fox
and Utica Troop 101.
They also restained the Observatory and picked stone on the grounds. Yay! Thanks troopers!
Also: Thanks to Curtis Lumber for 4 gal of donated stain!"
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Not the least of the weekend beauties ......
Fresh asparagus from the Landis Farm on Shanley Road!
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ALSO IN MY MAIL,
Letters regarding the 381 Putnam Street Proposal
published at the request of the writers in the order in which I received them.
From Ione Barney, May 8.
"I am opposed to the apartment house across the street from us because it lowers the value of our home which we have worked years to renovate and were planning to live in until we are called home to be with the Lord... we lived here and raised our girls here and Dave and I have lived in and around Waterville our whole lives ..we have loved living in a small village and have made many friends..Dave has been fighting cancer for 10 years now and is in that battle again, he has been laid up 2 winters now and I will tell you we had some wonderful neighbors all around town that have chipped in to help me while he was recovering from surgeries ..plowing our driveway, helping to keep one roof cleaned from heavy snow, one took my car to the car wash and cleaned all the winter sand and salt off it, and Tom Morgan delivered our salt for softener to the house and carried it in...and I can never Thank those who have been PRAYING for us enough ...and those who ask me how he is doing, just a fee examples of the wonderful neighbors we have all around Waterville...now since this Apartment house feud has come up I feel our small town LOVE your neighbor has disappeared, we are now at odds, people I once respected on these boards have been so rude to us because we oppose them I have lost that respect ...people who used to be friendly no matter where I saw them now are cold ...this whole thing has been heart breaking because not only will it cause a lot of problems in the feature with living with it day after day across the street from us , but the community that we have lived in here in the village for 45 years and have always felt Blessed to be a part of is now GONE ...Sad to say that coming together of neighbor for neighbor is gone ..for money !!??? Not worth any amount of money to destroy what we used to have ...
I wish our leaders had spent half of the money and their time to find us a Bank and Grocery Store which we NEED in Waterville instead of a project that has caused so much conflict between us...
Sincerely written,
Dave and Ione Barney"
I wish our leaders had spent half of the money and their time to find us a Bank and Grocery Store which we NEED in Waterville instead of a project that has caused so much conflict between us...
Sincerely written,
Dave and Ione Barney"
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From Dave Sullivan, May 8
"I am writing to address the ongoing concerns of the proposed apartments on the corner of Conger Ave and Putnam St.
The proposed apartments are 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom with 900 sq ft. per unit. Each unit will have its own hot water heater and furnace fueled by natural gas. 5 apartments will be ground floor and 5 apartments will be 2nd floor. Rent would be $650.00 per month plus utilities. All rents are private pay, not government subsidized. No tax payer dollars will be used to build or pay rent. All 5 ground apartments are already spoken for. In Waterville there is a need for ground floor apartments for aging residents. Many of our aging residents currently have to move out of town or stay in their existing homes longer than they would care to due to a lack of inadequate local rental housing.
Allowing this project to be built will bring this property full circle. The village paid around $180,000.00 to tear down the old mill building. Higher density housing (apts) versus a single family lot would help the village recoup some of its expenses at a faster rate of time period. This project is what would be considered cluster housing or higher density housing. This property has been a high density use having a 3 story building on it since 1880 which occupied most of the parcel. My apartment proposal would be consistent with the use of this property for the last 135 years
Cluster housing is a desired type of housing in all communities encouraged by county planning. Cluster housing offsets some of the pressure that creates rural sprawl that is currently the trend. These types of projects help promote villages which have the existing infrastructure to support development. It also helps take the pressure off of the need to use up undeveloped farm land for building new homes.
One concern is the storm water management. This has been resolved by installing a storm sewer in the center of the proposed parking lot and piping the water to the existing Conger Ave storm system.
Oneida County is experiencing a need for more housing. Our County Executive is asking for more rental housing units to be built in Oneida County.
I am asking for your support on this project. Currently we own & manage 29 apartments and 4 commercial rentals in the village starting in 1989. Quality affordable housing has always been the main goal with our company. All the taxes, mortgages, water, sewer and trash bills have always been paid on time.
Our rentals have been operated with a no nonsense approach. If someone rents from us they know a safe clean and modern living environment will be provided.
In closing I personally assure the Waterville Community and all the neighbors that this would be a positive addition to the community and an asset to the village itself. This would also be an improvement to this part of town.
The property is currently zoned industrial. A zone change to residential would bring this property more in line with Putnam St.
Any questions call Dave Sullivan at 841-8700
Thank you,
David Sullivan"
Click to enlarge.
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From Marilyn Maine, May 8
I am NOT in favor of an apartment complex being built on THAT SPOT. I do NOT think it is fair to the homeowners that live there! I AM in favor of a community garden to feed and beautify the area. As far as economic growth, I m in favor of a complex being built—just not in such a controversial area. There is plenty of space outside of the village. I feel that an apartment building there would reduce the value of the homes around it. A public park, on the other hand, might increase the value of the homes. A public garden would also b a good thing for the FOODBANK!
Marilyn Maine"
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To: Waterville village residents
From: Brian Bogan- village trustee
Re: Dave Sullivan Putnam St. project
On Monday, May 11, there will be a public hearing on whether the Waterville Village Board should adopt or reject Public Law #1 of 2015. The last paragraph of that proposed law summarizes that tax parcel 392.07-2-38.1 of the Village of Waterville be rezoned from an industrial zone to a planned development district for construction of a three building –ten unit apartment project subject to the conditions and restrictions to be established by the Village of Waterville Planning Board.
Many people have asked for my thoughts on the project and will I vote yes or no on the proposed law. I have repeatedly stated that I will reserve final judgement until after the public hearing. I have heard and read many opinions inside and outside of Village Hall. People have stated their opinions very clearly. They leave little doubt about whether they are for or against the proposed project.
Some of reasons that I have heard from supporters of the project are:
1.) tax revenues would be generated which could eventually pay back the money spent on knocking down the old mill building
2.) support Dave Sullivan- a local successful businessman who has invested in Waterville in the past and improved run down properties ( the Brunswick most frequently mentioned)
3.) there is a need for modern apartments especially for seniors who might want to downsize and remain in the village ( they then state Dave has a waiting list of 5 already for the ground floor apartments)
4.) saying yes to the project shows Waterville is open for business and ready to welcome a new bank and grocery store if these groups ever come to check out our community
5.) ten more families could help support these new businesses as well as current businesses to help our downtown look vibrant and attractive and make people want to move to Waterville which in turn would increase property values when current residents want to sell
6.) they argue that yes Putnam Street has beautiful Victorian homes but these people looked at a rundown mill building for years, never raised these objections when the beautiful raised ranch home was built on the other end of the street and one resident sent me a letter that she has abandoned homes on both sides of her Putnam St home
Some of the reasons I have heard from opponents of the project are:
1.) Project does not fit in to Victorian theme of Putnam St.
2.) Project too dense-three buildings on less than an acre of land
3.) Not enough green space in project for children to play or residents to sit out and relax
4.) Runoff water from project could negatively impact C & H Plastics
5.) The village does not need the tax revenue that badly right now so why not just take the property off the market and save it in case the village government should have a need some day for a future project (as happened in the past with Fire Dept. and Village Hall buildings)
6.) Mr. Sullivan might not always own the property and a future owner could turn it into a low income housing project with all the negatives that might bring to the neighborhood and school district (which I am not going to list)
Obviously, there are even more reasons on both sides and I apologize to the people who have expressed heartfelt opinions for or against the project which I may have omitted. I probably will hear new reasons Monday evening at the public hearing.
But at this time I wanted to share with everyone my thoughts up to this point. Maybe people at the public hearing could address some of my concerns when they take their turn to speak.
At this point I am leaning toward voting no on the proposed public law. This would in fact kill it because Trustee Tom McNamara has repeatedly stated his opposition and with 20% of the adjacent neighbors signing the letter of protest a super majority will be needed to pass it.
Let me state what I would support:
1.) I support rezoning from industrial to planned development- but not three buildings on that parcel – so I would have to vote no this time
2.) I could support and encourage the project if one building was placed in line with the current three (next to Dan Maine) and only one more building was placed near Putnam St. I would like to see that building facing Putnam with the Victorian trim package Dave Sullivan talked about at the public hearing held by the Planning Board (maybe in consultation with Laurie Fuess and some neighbors who will be looking at it)
I do not feel that this proposal has to be all or nothing with winners and losers. I know some people will not agree with me but I hope there are enough others that can find common ground and move this forward. Why?
1.) One less building will allow for more green space
2.) Dave’s latest proposal to grade the property ( including roof drains) into a storm drain in his parking lot and this would be connected to storm water pipe under Conger Ave. This would be better than it is now where storm water runs off next to Dan Maine’s and past C & H Plastics
4.) We would have 6 new apartments and he might have 5 of those 6 rented upon completion
5.) We would be encouraging local businessmen and women to keep reinvesting in our community
6.) These would be two brand new buildings with the Putnam St building (with Victorian trim package) fitting in at least as well as some of the other properties on Putnam (does anyone really think that if one of those beautiful Victorian home burned down the owner would be able to afford to rebuild the new home with the exact same elegance?)
7.) The positive economic impact six new families could add to our local economy as well as showing Waterville is open for business and we encourage new residents and businesses.
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From Robert Perry, May 9.
"I agree with Mr. Eisenhut 100%! My home at 411 Putnam Street is just about 100' from this location and I can not wait for the construction to begin!! For many years we had the "view" of the crumbling, vacant, and abandoned knitting mill. Once this property is revitalized by Mr. Sullivan it will bring the first sign of much needed progress that this village has not seen in many years. "
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The writer of the next letter, although known to many of us, has asked to remain anonymous. May 10.
I worked in waterville and surrounding area for 41 years during that time I witnessed a number of family and neighbor problems, most not all involved a dollar sign of some kind. It was sad to see. Neighbors not getting along, parents and kids not talking. This project on Putnam street is positioned to be another reason for people to dislike each other. As an outsider looking in I can see good on both sides. One thing I don't understand is why the village would sell property for $20,000 when they have over $200,000 invested? I'm not saying it's a bad idea I'm just wondering. Seems like you could have gotten more even if it was sold for a one family lot?
Regardless the out come, be upset with that outcome, but don't be mad at your neighbors and friends, its not worth it.
Good luck."
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FYI from PsB:
To better understand the "20% Law," and "Change of Zone Protest Petitions" and "Super Majority" please click HERE.
Who benefits the most from property taxes?
(Based on my own 2014 property taxes.)
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ALSO HAPPENING THIS WEEK
At Waterville Central School
- Tuesday -
Public Budget Hearing at 6:00
Board of Education Meeting at 6:30
At Waterville Central School
- Tuesday -
Public Budget Hearing at 6:00
Board of Education Meeting at 6:30
For Interactive Calendar, please click HERE.
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At the Waterville Public Library
For Interactive Calendar please click HERE.
Friday Morning Movie at 10:00.
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You should probably check back either late Monday or early Tuesday for a Public Hearing update.
After that, I intend to take about ten days off (away from the computer) and attempt non-surgical repair of my primary Mouse Control System - my right wrist and hand - which
are being hampered by a painfully stressed ulnar nerve.
That's like "carpel tunnel" but on the outside of my arm-wrist-hand assembly, inside of the inside.
You should probably check back either late Monday or early Tuesday for a Public Hearing update.
After that, I intend to take about ten days off (away from the computer) and attempt non-surgical repair of my primary Mouse Control System - my right wrist and hand - which
are being hampered by a painfully stressed ulnar nerve.
That's like "carpel tunnel" but on the outside of my arm-wrist-hand assembly, inside of the inside.
