Freeville board to hold hearing on vacant property proposal

The Village of Freeville Board of Trustees is hosting a public hearing today, Oct. 9, at 7 p.m. in regard to an owner looking to build a house on a vacant lot.

The hearing will be held at the village hall at 5 Factory St.

According to a public notice from the village, the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) received an application for an area variance on the property located at “0 Groton Avenue.”

The notice stated that the house the owner is proposing to build “does not meet the street frontage, lot size, and setback requirements set forth in the Village of Freeville Land Use and Development Code.”

Freeville mayor Miles McCarty said he doesn’t think the village fire department will agree with the proposal, noting that it would cause issues for road frontage and difficulty for the fire department to access the property in the event of an emergency.

“It doesn’t meet the setbacks and so forth that the fire department requires,” McCarty said.

According to the listing, the property was sold on Aug. 7 and was previously for sale at $18,000. Designated under residential zoning, the lot acreage is over 0.26, and the dimensions are 62 x 182.

The owner is taking the proposal to the ZBA in the hopes that the board will allow the house to be built.

“I have my doubts that they [will allow it],” McCarty said, noting the fire department’s potential concerns.

If the proposal is approved by the ZBA, it will have to go through a site plan review and further approval from the village’s planning board. McCarty said that despite the board hosting the hearing, they have “very little say” on the proposal.

The owner of the vacant property could not be reached for comment. McCarty noted that residents have not yet expressed concerns about the proposal.

Dryden Dispatch appears every week in Tompkins Weekly. Send story ideas to editorial@vizellamedia.com.

In brief:

Jennie’s Book Club meets on Oct. 15

The monthly meeting for Jennie’s Book Club is on Oct. 15 at 10 a.m. at the Southworth Library.

The club will discuss the backstory of Hester Prynne from “The Scarlet Letter.” Copies of the book are available at the library.

‘Paws to Read’ event at the library on Sept. 14

The Southworth Library in the village is holding a “Paws to Read” event on Saturday, Oct. 19, at 10:30 a.m.

The library invites the public to read with dogs from the Cornell Canine Companions. 

Registration for the event is recommended. For more information, go to southworthlibrary.org.

Details on Dryden Recreation’s Halloween scare show

The Town of Dryden Recreation Department has announced that its annual Halloween scare show will be held Oct. 25 and 26 at the Dryden Fire Hall at 26 North St. in the village.

The free-of-charge event, which is called “Orphanage,” will have shows from 6 to 9 p.m. both days. The shows are recommended for individuals 10 years or older.

On Oct. 26, there will be a lighted, kid-friendly event from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Candy will be handed out, and children are encouraged to wear their costumes. 

Non-monetary donations will be accepted to benefit the Dryden Food Pantry and Cops, Kids & Toys.

Yoga for Life held every Wednesday in Freeville

Village of Freeville resident Michelle Dardia hosts a Yoga for Life session every Wednesday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Freeville United Methodist Church at 37 Main St.

The drop-in fee for the session is $10. All are welcome and encouraged to attend. Some experience is helpful but not required, as the sessions are committed to being accessible.

Variations and modifications are offered, and extra mats and blocks will be available at each session.

For information or questions, contact Dardia at dollysdaughter@hotmail.com or 607-279-4785.

Upcoming meetings for the town of Dryden

The Dryden town board is scheduled to meet on Oct. 10 and 24, each time at 6 p.m., at the town hall on 93 E. Main St. The public is invited to attend either in person or via Zoom.

The town’s planning board is slated to meet on Oct. 24 at 6 p.m. at the town hall. This meeting can also be attended either in person or Zoom.

For more information, contact the town hall at 607-844-8888. Agendas for each meeting will be available at dryden.ny.us.

Meetings this month for Dryden school board

The Dryden Board of Education is slated to meet on Oct. 15 and 28, each time at 6:30 p.m.

The Oct. 15 and 28 meetings are at Dryden and Freeville Elementary Schools, respectively. The public is invited to attend.

For more information, email BOE@dryden.k12.ny.us. Agendas are available at dryden.k12.ny.us.

Dryden village board to meet on Oct. 16

The Village of Dryden Board of Trustees is scheduled to meet on Oct. 16 at 7 p.m. at the village hall on 16 South St. The public is invited to attend.