Reprinted from Skaneateles Press, March 16, 2005
The Chairperson of the town of Spafford’s 1865 F. Lake Rd. Committee,
Lauri Clark, announced that “the greatest hurdle to, the rehabilitation
of 1865 E. Lake Rd. has been removed.’
On March 9, Onondaga County Community Development removed a demolition
requirement from the grants awarded for that property. The grants were
requested by the town to support the new Spafford Community Center and
were to provide funds to purchase the adjacent 1865 E. Lake Rd. property
for septic and parking needs. Community Development indicated that later
they had negotiated with Supervisor Ireland to insert a demolition
requirement.
The newly revised interpretation this week (removing demolition
requirements) is welcome news for town board members and citizens who
believe demolition is not the best choice for the town.
Clark said, “1865 E. Lake is a vernacular 19th century building in good
condition, very convenient to the Community Center and can be put to good
public use. A further concern is the cost of demolition would drain funds
from the Community Center building, as the supervisor had begun plans to
use grant funds for demolition, which could otherwise have been used for
septic. ”Under that plan, funds for septic would be drawn from a
restoration grant for the Spafford (Grange) Community Center, considerably
slowing and diminishing progress for that effort, according to “It
represented a set back of as much as $30,000,” she said. “Now, we will
be able to move ahead more quickly and effectively to address needs for
the Community Center, such as handicapped accessibility. Also, I know many
citizens were concerned not only that demolition would have resulted in
the lose of a useful 19c century building, but it would also create an
empty space with nothing but a $125.000 parking lot. The town’s
preservation architect and the State Historic Preservation Office had both
advocated for retention of the 19th century building next to the
historic landmark Community Center.”
Town council member Joyce Barnett is the committee’s town board liaison.
She said, “with the demolition requirement successfully removed, the
town of Spafford’s 1865, E. Lake Rd. Committee will complete a plan for
town board review to bring the building up to code for public use with
non-taxpayer funds. The committee will also propose a plan for the
building's maintenance and operation - with little or no burden to
taxpayers. It is hard to imagine why anyone
one would now oppose the gift of a community building, which will cost
taxpayers less than demolition.
My congratulations to the committee; they have donated considerable time
and skills to this study and enlisted the pro bono assistance of a number
of very qualified professionals. This project is an example of what
volunteers working together can accomplish for the common good.”
“I’m not surprised at this success,” Barnett added.” “Spafford
is very fortunate to have a strong spirit of cooperation and
self-reliance; volunteerism and commitment to community is very strong
here.”
Printed in Skaneateles Press, March 16, 2005
Let’s join forces in Spafford
To the editor:
At times I pause to wonder, what makes one group of people oppose another especially when both seem to be working toward the same goal?
The Spafford Town Board meeting on March 10 was quite interesting because Supervisor Ireland announced there was a new group being formed for “Seniors,” which was in the
planning stages. I wish someone from that group would step forward and join with me so we can combine our goals and create better programs for all the people in the town.
Let’s bring every suggestion to the table and work on what would be the best for the town. The goal is to have programs for all citizens to enjoy.
LAURI CLARK
SPAFFORD