Village Newsletter

VILLAGE NEWSLETTER OCTOBER 2017 VOLUME 12, ISSUE 4

Village of Aurora, 456 Main St. Aurora, NY 13026 www.auroranewyork.us 315-364-7293 (office) 315-364-6857 (fax) 315-364-5239 (DPW) [email protected]

VILLAGE HOURS

Monday: Clerk and Code Enforcement Officer 4:00 – 6:00pm Tuesday: Clerk – 10:00am – 2:00pm Thursday: Clerk – 11:00am – 5:00pm Treasurer – 9:00am – 1:00pm Code Enforcement Officer – 3:00pm – 5:00pm There are no public office hours on Wednesday or Friday

Zoning and Building Permits

Permits are required for construction, alteration, improvements, removal or demolition of any building or structure, including accessory buildings, for excavation, earth filling, and interior work and for conversions of buildings and land from one use to another. Also, many projects require Community Preservation Panel/Planning Board review. Before you begin any project contact the Village Office at 364-7293, or drop by to meet with the Village Code Enforcement Officer, Patrick Doyle on Monday from 4 to 6pm or Thursday from 3 to 5pm. Dig Safely has provided the village with materials to help guide you through your project. If your project requires any type of excavation, please contact the village office or the Department of Public Works.

Message from the Mayor

Dear Fellow Villagers,

Our summer finished with spectacular September weather, almost making up for what it dished out in July. The farmers’ market is better than ever and thriving in its new location. In spite of the rain and frequent closures for suspected algae, the Summer Swim Program served over a thousand people and our special thanks go to Carolyn Connors, who not only ran the program with her usual efficiency and good humor, but also constantly monitored the water quality and worked with the county health department throughout the season. Our thanks also go to the Army Corps of Engineers for their handling of the project to eradicate the hydrilla infestation south of the college dock. Their frequent monitoring and careful timing assured us that the herbicide levels for recreation and drinking water were well below acceptable thresholds. The Fingerlakes Institute received their grant from the EPA and eradication will be able to continue next year.

The summer has also seen the end of the project to improve the post office and access to the Village Park. It’s been so long that I’ve almost forgotten how radical the changes have been. Now that the plantings are in, the benches are being used regularly and all we need to wait for is for those trees to give a little shade. The village sign indicating the park has greatly increased foot traffic down the access steps where railings were installed two weeks ago. The final touch is the historic marker recognizing Aurora’s mail delivery begun in 1795, along with only Schenectady and Canajoharie as service west of Albany. It’s amazing to think that we were the western frontier.

In other village business, the project for the village to assume responsibility for water in the village is ongoing. Both Senator Helming and Assemblyman Finch have been working with the college and the village in our search for funds. The Cayuga County Water and Sewer Authority has finally had the money released to begin its countywide needs and resources study of sewer and water facilities. This study will help us with data for the village’s feasibility study necessary for applying for state funds. Assemblyman Finch’s office has also helped us in applying for a transportation grant to cover the cost of replacing our two village trucks. Keep your fingers crossed.

I also want to make you aware of a new program from Cayuga County 911 that can alert you to floods, fires, criminal activity, severe weather, and public health alerts such as boil water alerts. The system was simple when we all had landlines but they have no way to alert our cellphones unless we sign up. You can go to http://hyper-reach.com/cayugasignup.html or call 315-975- 4225 or text “CayugaAlerts” to 828-201-3877 or come in the office next week when we hope to have fliers including all this information. I highly recommend you take advantage of this opportunity.

And lastly, don’t be fooled by that string of 80-degree days, winter is coming. Remember to make sure to get your car off the street if snow is expected. It helps us plow the streets more efficiently and not have parking restricted by snow piles. Remember that sidewalk snow and ice removal is the property owner’s responsibility, but, if possible, we will help keep sidewalks clear with the small plow after the streets are taken care of. Thanks to all of you for doing your part, Bonnie

This week the Mayor received the following update on the treatment of the hydrilla infestation near Aurora from the Army Corps. It’s good to hear that things are going so well.

Good morning, I want to provide everyone a brief update on hydrilla control activities for this past season. The last fluridone (Sonar H4C) application was completed on September 14; no other treatments are scheduled or anticipated until next year. A total of about 9 acres received supplemental treatments with copper (Komeen Crystal). Visual observations during our monitoring on Sep 18 & 19 indicate that the vast majority of hydrilla is in poor condition. There are a couple of patches that will need to be addressed next season, notably the patch in the Wells College dock and a new patch found about .2 miles south of Paines Creek. In the next few weeks I'll schedule an after action review to discuss what went well and identify areas for improvement as we move forward. Closer to the end of the calendar year we'll have 2 reports available that document the treatment, monitoring, and present the findings from the first year of treatment.

Last but not least, I want to thank everyone for their contributions and support for the project. I think this year was a very good first step in addressing the problem. Don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns. Regards, Mike

Michael J. Greer Regional Technical Specialist U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District

FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS

LEAF BLOWER pickup dates: October 15 – mid December (weather permitting). Leaves/brush must be in bags for pickup prior to October 15. Please pile brush and leaves separately, no stones in piles, and help us keep catch basins free from leaves and grass clippings. Brush should be in four-foot lengths or smaller. If you have a large amount of brush or lawn debris, Mike White will drop off the Village’s trailer for you to fill as you clean up your yard. Contact Mike at 364-5239. The DPW will do their best to pick up leaves and brush daily, but sometimes they are called away to perform their other duties. Your patience is appreciated.

NEWS FROM THE AURORA VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT

THE NEW RESCUE BOAT IS IN SERVICE! As you may know, our rescue boat and hoist were heavily damaged during the May 18th storm. Adding insult to injury, we had just put it in service 3 days prior at our monthly training drill. But, through diligence and a stroke of luck, we purchased a boat from the Pultneyville, NY Fire Department and had it in service before the end of summer. Thank you to the boat committee and Commissioner Bill Mullarney for their efforts to help keep us safe on the water!

Look for us at Fire Prevention Day on October 13 at Southern Cayuga School.

NEWS FROM THE AURORA HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Come see our latest display! Patrick Tavern – From Landing to Tavern to Boarding House 1793-1872 October 11th is a special event to celebrate the opening, with a brief tour of the exhibit at 5 pm by museum intern Raymond Benson, and featuring "Aurora's favorite 19th century beverage." The show is open now, at the hours listed below, and will continue until November.

The Aurora Historical Society is located behind the Aurora Arts and Design Center, 371 Main St., on the courtyard with Vintage Lighting; it is fully accessible by the walkway along the white wooden fence. Regular museum hours are Tuesday and Wednesday, 1:00-3:30 p.m. and Friday and Saturday 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.