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“Curiosities of Columbia”
By Donna Rubin, Town Historian Now and then, a particular family history draws attention to itself, in this case for its exceptional commitment to the education of its daughters. At a time when our town’s 12 “common schools” provided Columbia’s youth a free education through only the eighth grade, few opportunities were available to continue “formal” education. The expense of attendance at private “select schools,” academies, and seminaries could divert precious family resources, and geographical distance removed the young student from the family’s labor pool. When a family made it possible for one or more of its children to continue on to the secondary level, there could be sacrifices required by all involved. Such a family was the Lyman and Elizabeth Tisdale Huntley household of South Columbia. Lyman Huntley’s parents migrated to this area from Lyme, Connecticut, settling at Exeter, in Otsego County, where they raised a family of 10. Lyman (18091901) married Columbia resident Elizabeth Tisdale (1804-1879,) and they established their home (gone now) at South Columbia, just west of the railroad crossing, on the north side of McKoon’s Road. Lyman and his wife also had 10 children (6 boys and 4 girls), all reaching adulthood except baby Henry, who was buried at Millers Mills. Two sons, Lester and Wilkins, gave their all in the Civil War. After teaching school for several years, Lyman was ordained a Baptist minister at Jordanville in 1845. He eventually became a shoemaker, harness maker, and saddler and conducted business at South Columbia, later taking his youngest son, Lemuel, into partnership as L. & L. Huntley. Lyman was described as “a man of scholarly tastes, a great reader and a theologian who had unbounded admiration for the late Henry Ward Beecher and his writings….” It’s not surprising that his chosen life partner, Elizabeth, was said to be “a cultured woman…, an educated, intellectual Christian lady.” It follows that their children were raised in a home where a high value was placed on learning, the written and spoken word was revered, and expectations included the lifelong pursuit of knowledge. After finishing 8 years at the little South Columbia schoolhouse just down the road from their home, the obvious choice for the Huntley children was the Whitestown Seminary, a Baptist affiliated secondary institution 4 miles west of Utica. All four of Lyman and Elizabeth’s daughters: Emeline, Eusebia, Julia Cyrena, and Lydia, boarded and attended classes there at various times between 1854 and 1868. Brothers Sanford and Lemuel also attended Whitestown Seminary, so that during many terms there were 3 Huntleys registered at the same time! Sanford eventually married a classmate, Abi Townsend, and their tale is also an interesting one. Next time, in observance of Women’s History Month, the story continues with Eusebia and Abi, and the fascinating lives they lived.
Lyman Huntley (1809-1901) from Lyme, CT; then Exeter, settled in Columbia when he married Elizabeth Tisdale (1804-1879). They had 10 children they boarded at the Whitestown Seminary, a Baptist affiliated secondary institution located 4 miles west of Utica from 1854-1868.
WEST WINFIELD STAR
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 2019
Town of Richfield’s Land Use Planning through the Years What is adequate for today? By Tammy Graves, Correspondent
Public Meeting followed by Public Hearing March 12 at RSCS Cafeteria 7 PM / 7:45 PM
The Town of Richfield has land use regulations that were adopted in 1992. Land use is a complicated topic. The intent of this article is to summarize where the Town of Richfield—regarding land use/zoning—has been, what it currently has, and what is proposed. The Draft Town of Richfield Zoning Law Update (Draft ZLU) proposed changes will be presented on March 12, 2019 at a public meeting being held at the RSCS Cafeteria at 7 PM. A Public Hearing will follow at 745 PM. (Snow date is Thursday, March 14) In addition I hope to convey in this article, the current generally-accepted land use principles and procedures; including how those land use standards advance a community’s ideas into completed projects for attracting business and residents. The March 12th Draft ZLU public hearing is the outcome of four years of Town of Richfield residents providing questions, answers, comments, research, and evaluation to develop the Joint Comprehensive Plan and subsequent zoning regulations consistent with implementing goals set forth in the Joint Comprehensive Plan adopted by the Town in January 2018 and the Village December 2017.
Following the current land use standards of NYS law, zoning can be enabled by a municipality but the law must be consistent with the municipality’s comprehensive plan. It is common practice to update a comprehensive plan and correlating zoning every 5 to 10 years. The 1992 land use ordinance cites a comprehensive plan, however it does not meet state standards.
IT BEGAN IN 1970 This Draft ZLU suggests a new chapter of land use planning efforts—the first in 1970—in the Town of Richfield. In the 70s, residents’ volunteer work resulted in the town’s three main activities being defined and documented as districts: 1. lake property, 2. business and 3. agriculture. Outcomes of these volunteer efforts were not long-lasting due to conflicting wants from zoning. “There is definitely a philosophical component to zoning,” says Nick Palevsky, Town of Richfield resident is a proponent of keeping what the Town has, the 1992 ordinance. “There has always been concern about zoning in the town.” Palevsky served as Town of Richfield Supervisor from 2001-2005. He is currently Confidential Secretary to the Supervisor, Paul Palumbo.
TURNING IDEAS INTO PROJECTS MARCY-SOUTH POWERLINE OPPONENTS Money drives ideas from vision to reality. Grant The Marcy-South Powerline project suggests another funding is a viable option to chapter as resident and landexecuting safety, recreation, owner opposition is recorded commerce and infrastructure in the Town of Richfield minprojects. Cyndy Andela of Anutes June 6, 1985. dela Products and Ruby Lake The first Town Planning Glass of Richfield Springs credBoard was appointed May its the Town’s adoption of the 7, 1987, per Town minutes. Joint Comp Plan for Gov. Cuomo The Town’s first ordinance, awarding her $950,000 in Dec adopted in 1989, regulated 2018 for a Richfield Business mobile home parks. Park project. From that point, the PlanFunding sources favor projects ning Board began reporting tying into a broader vision as cited in a community’s their progress on developing land use and subdivision comprehensive plan and permitted by correspondregulations to the Town Board. ing zoning regulations. In fact, there are applications A subdivision ordinance and Land Use and Building which require an adopted comprehensive plan to be Maintenance Ordinance was adopted Sept. 17, 1992. eligible to submit a funding request. Continued on page 9...
Community Center Announces New Program: SOUPer Seniors The Richfield Springs Community Center extends an invitation to all senior related ages in Richfield Springs and surrounding areas to its first SOUPer Seniors complimentary homemade soup lunch on Wednesday, March 6 from 1130 AM to 130 PM and each Wednesday thereafter. For this first lunch, homemade soup will be offered as well as fresh bread or rolls and coffee or tea. However, plans are to expand to include age specific activities and programs. They welcome all suggestions.
The Center’s mission with this new program is to increase community, social and physical engagement of seniors in this area. Loneliness and/or lack of social interactions are two of the greatest factors for cognitive and health decline in any senior population. The Richfield Springs Community Center is located on 6 Ann Street. Follow Walnut Street, just off US Route 20, to the Center. For more information on SOUPer Seniors, other Center programs or to rent the facility please call Lisa at 315.858.3200.
“It is with great sadness that after 25 plus years in business we will permanently be closing our doors. We would like to thank all of our customers for your support and business over the years. We have made so many great memories together. You guys will truly be missed. We will be keeping regular business hours for this week. We will be throwing a fairwell party Saturday March 2nd from 2-8 and closing at 8 PM. March 3rd-5th our hours will be from noon- 630 PM with March 5th being our last day.” Park Inn Facebook post Park Inn is selling its bar-servicing items. If you are interested, please stop in March 5-9. Everything must go. Inquiries for renting the space being vacated by the Park Inn may be directed to JGB Properties. Photos credit: flickr by Carolyn, Lockport, N.Y.