The 87-acre Rose Hill property adjoins the Otsego Land Trust’s 85-acre Fetterlee Forest on the mountaintop at right, overlooking Canadarago Lake and Trust-owned Deowongo Island, at left.
By JIM KEVLIN • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com
County Rep. Peter Oberacker, R-Schenevus, tells his colleagues it would take 497 years of county taxes on Rose Hill to make up the $151,000 the Otsego Land Trust wants to pay for it right now. At left is Rep. Michelle Farwell, D-Butternuts/Morris/Pittsfield. (Jim Kevlin/AllOTSEGO.com)
COOPERSTOWN – A coalition of Republican and Democratic reps took control of the floor at this morning’s county Board of Representatives’ meeting and approved the $151,000 sale of the 87-acre Rose Hill property to the Otsego Land Trust, a non-profit not required to pay property taxes.
The land, atop Panther Mountain on the north end of the Town of Otsego, connects with the Land Trust’s 85-acre Fetterlee Forest, doubling the trust’s holding, which features a scenic overlook of Canadarago Lake and Deowongo Island, as well as hiking trails.
The sale had been stymied in the county board’s committee system since April, failing to pass the Public Works Committee, then failing to pass the Administrative Committee. Normally, that would have ended it.
RICHFIELD SPRINGS – Dustin Norman Groat, 19, of Richfield Springs, who passed away Tuesday, June 19, 2018, when his kayak capsized on Canadarago Lake during a storm.
He was born on Feb. 2, 1999, in Cooperstown, the son of Eric Groat and Evelyn Seward, and graduated from Richfield Springs Central School, Class of 2017.
Dustin and his dad had a special connection and he loved spending time on the farm with him. His favorite place to be, and where he was happiest, was outside. Whether he was working on the farm, mowing lawns, or just hanging out with family. He enjoyed operating heavy farm equipment in the fields.
SUNSET STROLL – 7 p.m. Walk through the forest and enjoy the views of Canadarago Lake this summer solstice. Fetterly Forest, 302 Roses Hill Road, Richfield Springs. Call 607-547-2366 or visit www.otsegolandtrust.org
EXHIBIT – 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. Artwork by Tom Soloman featuring 6 inductees, Yankees, Red Sox, Dodgers, current players. 30 one of a kind items. Displayed thru July 31. Heroes of Baseball Wax Museum, 99 Main St., Cooperstown. Call 607-547-1273.
RICHFIELD SPRINGS – A Jordanville teen drowned in Canadarago Lake after his kayak capsized during last night’s storm.
According to State Police, Dustin Groat, 19, Jordanville, was with another teenager when they got into their kayaks at the Canadarago Lake Boat Launch at approximately 7:30 p.m. and paddled to Deowongo Island.
COOPERSTOWN – The county Highway Department, with Contractor Suit-Kote, will be “micro-milling” Route 22 from Schuyler Lake to Richfield Springs, beginning Monday, county Highway Superintendent Bill Mason reports.
BOAT PARADE – 3 p.m. Decorate your boat and sail, motor, paddle, or whatever from 3 mile point to Lake Front Park. Decorate boats anyway you want. All entries are welcome at any point. Enter the contest at 3 mile point. Spectators can view from Lake Front Park, Cooperstown. Contact Wayne Bunn (518)542-6630 or visit otsegolakeassociation.org
BOAT PARADE – 6-7:15 p.m. Show your boat in its Patriotic glory and then view the fireworks after. Meet at the New York State Boat Launch, 135 Denison Rd., Richfield Springs. www.canadaragolake.com
FIREWORKS – 9:30-10 p.m. Celebrate the Fourth of July with an amazing show above Canadarago Lake. www.canadaragolake.com
As in this photo from a year ago, Independence Day fireworks are planned at dusk Sunday, July 2, at Cooperstown’s Lakefront Park. The Cooperstown Rotary Club will be selling food from 5 p.m., the Cooperstown Community Band plays at 8, and fireworks follow. Picnickers welcome. Monday the 3rd, fireworks may be viewed from the state boat launch at Canadarago Lake, Town of Richfield, and on Tuesday, July 4, at Oneonta’s Neahwa Park. (AllOTSEGO.com photo)
WITH THE SNOW EMERGENCY CONTINUING MONDAY, BE SURE TO CHECK TO SEE IF AN EVENT IS CANCELLED BEFORE YOU VENTURE FORTH
FISHING TIPS – 7 p.m. Meeting of the Dave Brandt Chapter of Trout Unlimited where Tom Trelease presents “All the Secrets you need to catch bass on Otsego & Canadarago Lakes.” Inlcudes demonstrations of best rigs, lures, and baits. Includes spin and fly fishing. The Plains, 163 Heritage Circle, Oneonta. Info, dplummer@stny.rr.com
The New York State Foliage Report is showing Otsego County to be just past peak, but Sunday is expected to be sunny and there’s enough color to enliven any Sunday drive. Plan on it. Here’s a view Wednesday from Route 28 at Canadarago Lake, looking east. (Jim Kevlin/AllOTSEGO.com)
COOPERSTOWN – The Tuesday, Nov. 25 meeting of the Otsego County Water Quality Coordinating Committee will feature a presentation by Carter L. Bailey titled “Canadarago Lake Watershed Protection Plan: Working Together for a Common Goal.”
The meeting is at 1 p.m. in Classroom A at The Meadows, hosted by the Otsego County Planning Department. It is free and open to the public.
COOPERSTOWN – A coalition of Republican and Democratic reps took control of the floor at this morning’s county Board of Representatives’ meeting and approved the $151,000 sale of the 87-acre Rose Hill property to the Otsego Land Trust, a non-profit not required to pay property taxes.
