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JANUARY 2015
Volume 30
STANDARD US POSTAGE PAID PERMIT #9 APALACHIN, NY
The Town of Owego 2014 in Review
Number 1
Fire Destroys House in Little Meadows
by Donald Castellucci, Jr. Town of Owego Supervisor I hope you and your families enjoyed a blessed Christmas and holiday season. I wish all of you a happy and healthy new year as well. So far we have been spared the harsh winter we endured last year. Hopefully that trend will continue! As we look forward to a new year, I wanted to highlight some of the information and facts that have occurred during the 2014 year. As I do each year, I want to take a moment to thank the Town of Owego employees for their continued dedication to the town and its residents. Their efforts contribute to the quality of life we have come to appreciate. I will highlight the upcoming 2014 budget followed by an overview of the projects by department, and some miscellaneous information in conclusion. If you live in the Village of Owego the tax levy increased by $30,300 which in turn resulted in a total town tax of $66.02 on an average assessed home of $62,800. This resulted in an increase of $2.34 for 2015. If you live outside the village, you pay the town wide and town outside tax. The town outside tax levy increased $139,520 and as stated above, the town wide tax levy increased $30,300 for a total increase of $169,820. The total tax paid is $386.14 based on the average assessed home of $99,900 dollars. The town wide portion is $105.02 and the town outside portion is $281.12. In 2014 the total town tax was $362.60. This resulted in a tax increase of $23.54 for 2015. Factors negatively affecting the budget: the economy remains weak, an approximate loss of assessment of 1.8 million dollars in the town and village, continued state mandates and continued loss of revenue at the Hickories Park. The loss of assessment was much worse but was offset by some new construction, commercial improvements and other development. The 2014 amount of revenue received at Hickories Park was approximately $160,000 in camping fees and pavilion rentals. The revenue is still
not back to pre-flood levels but is increasing. We expect with the upgrades completed this spring that the revenues will continue to rise back to normal levels as long as the weather cooperates. At Hickories Park we hope to have the dog park completed by mid to late spring. Also we anticipate that a new long lasting band shell will be in place. A big thank you to Senator Libous, The Mildred Faulkner Foundation and some donors to be named later for making this project cost free to the town. The process has begun to rebuild the boat launch at Hickories and should be completed in the spring. Continued paving and patching will also occur in 2015. By this summer the park upgrades should be completed and back to full capacity. Our Highway Department had a very busy year as they continue to maintain the current infrastructure and are readying for a busy winter and spring season. Work completed last year included the total pavement reconstruction in the Ray Lee Development (Lori Drive), pavement rehabilitation in the Lincolnshire Development, pavement reconstruction of five roads in Tioga Terrace, pavement overlay on Strong Road, pavement surface treatment on Ridgefield Road in Crestview Heights and over $286,000 in paver patching and manual hand patching. Additionally the Whittemore Hill Bridge was replaced. Regular drainage maintenance continued as well.
A three-bedroom, single-family ranch house at 13830 Route 858 in Little Meadows, PA, was destroyed by fire on Saturday, December 27, 2014. No one was in the house, and no injuries were reported. The Little Meadows Fire Department responded to the fire. They were assisted by fire departments from Apalachin, Susquehanna, Warren Township, Rome, Rush/Lawton, Vestal, and Endicott. Route 858 was closed for several hours while the firefighters worked to extinguish the blaze. Little Meadows and Apalachin Fire Departments returned to the scene about 8:45pm because the fire had rekindled. The fire was quickly put out and no other hot spots were detected.
The 10-year-old house, which is listed for sale, is located just north of the intersection of Rt 858 and Bowbridge Road (near St. Thomas the Apostle Cemetery). A large, detached polebarn/ garage near the house was not affected by the fire.
Thanks from the Apalachin Lions Club
CONTINUED ON PAGE 11
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The Apalachin Lions Club thanks White Tails in Little Meadows, PA, for their help with the Lions' 2014 Christmas Basket Program, and for donating toys and food. Pictured, left to right: Jeff Kuhr, Heather Vaugn and Apalachin Lion President Jake Brown.
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