Publisher ENCA
Volume Number 1 Issue Number 4
November, 2004

Has everyone breathed a sigh of relief now that our Federal election is behind us? A two year contest seems about 18 months too long.

Locally, we have more of a say about what goes on. The Town Board met on the 4th. Highway doings were the big issue there and all seems to be in readiness for this winter's job of keeping us all mobile. The budget for the year was adopted. Considering the increase in fuel costs there is little change from last year's total.

Along with the towns of Oneida and Sullivan, the Town of Nelson was asked to contribute a share of monies (based on population) to the town of Sherrill to defray the cost of legal fees associated with the Indian land claim there. This amounted to $619.00 which the board agreed to contribute. I don't know the details of this case but I'm sure they're readily available if you're interested.

Regarding the anticipated reassessment of Town properties, one resident, a former teacher and school superintendent, questioned the necessity of doing this when the State already uses a particular formula to make sure that each area is paying a fair share in property taxes. The assessed valuation behind each student determines the amount the district gets in school aid. If the assessments go up the amount the state sends to the district goes down resulting in higher local school taxes. So whether we're assessed at 100% of property valuation or 92%, for example, the amount of school aid we receive from the state is adjusted accordingly, by the state. Is it, therefore, worthwhile for the town to spend $32,000.00 to have this reassessment done? If anyone has any particular knowledge in this area please let our Town Board know about it. The next Town Board meeting will be on Thursday, December 9th at 7pm.

The ceremony for Kay Tainter as Nelson's "Citizen of the Year" was a joy to attend. A crowd of perhaps a hundred people gathered at the Erieville Firehouse to pay tribute. It was fun to see so many people speak about their love and appreciation for Kay just because she is who she is. Not at all a self seeker, she has simply touched many lives.

Kudos to the folks who put on the Election night dinner at the Methodist Church in Erieville. 139 dinners were served and although I understand that they ran out of stuffing and squash, the roast pork was plentiful. This is one way that this historic building and its congregation keep going so thank you to all who support events like this.

The bi-centennial dinner held at Madison Hall in Morrisville on Nov. 8 was filled to over capacity. Some people had to be turned away which was unfortunate. Beginning with a milk punch served by the NYS Dairy Princess, the beef dinner, prepared and served by Morrisville College Culinary students was excellent. Flower filled pumpkins, arranged by students in the Horticultural program, helped make the historic setting look extra festive. The post- dinner program on the Loomis family presented by Darothy DeAngelo and Sue Greenhagen offered an interesting tour of the area past and present while focusing on the legendary family of Sangerfield. The drive home, hampered by our first blinding lake effect snow, was horrendous and I hope there were no mishaps.

ENCA is sponsoring a community get-together on Sunday, Nov. 14 from 2-4 at the Dark Horse Gallery on Erieville Nelson Road. Come on over and meet some neighbors.

The EFD sponsored Halloween Party was enjoyed by both the adults and children. Mrs. Whimsey's Petting Zoo arrived from Elbridge. Bags of treats were prepared by Dorothy Deo and there was coffee, cider and donuts. The goblins then were treated to a hayride.

Expect to see some seasonal banners in both Erieville and Nelson soon. This uplifting, pride in our town, project is sponsored by ENCA. Special thanks go to Carol Booth and Shirley Hill for their efforts in researching and raising money to get started. Ni Mo and the DOT both had to approve our doing this. Also, the Town is making a contribution for the approved type brackets needed to hang the banners. Each Hamlet will get five banners this year and the intent is to add more as finances allow. So if you see a big gallon jar around with "Banner Project" written on it, looking for contributions, this is what it's all about. If there are families, groups or businesses that would like to sponsor their own pole, that would be great too.

For ideas, or questions, or whatever, contact:

Denise Earl 662-7621

Sonia Davies 655-2654