Tioga Terrace Civic Association

In light of the recent COVID-19 outbreak and the resultant recommendations by the New York State Department of Health, TTCA regrettably wishes to announcement that Family Movie Night event, formerly scheduled for 3/21, is cancelled.

We are sad to announce a vacancy for the position of Halloween Party Coordinator. As many of you have attended the annual TTCA Halloween party, you know it’s a very popular outing for the children in the Terrace. The Coordinator arranges games, snacks, crafts, and weather permitting a small parade. If you are interested in this position, please contact Nancy Sydlosky (nsyd19@stny.rr.com or 258-0276) or any TTCA Board member. Or join us at a meeting on the 2nd Tuesday of the month (except July & August) at the Park Terrace Church. We’d love to meet you.

The speed limit in Tioga Terrace is 30 MPH. We have seen a great deal of speeding recently and complained to the Town of Owego. It is likely you will see more Sheriff’s Dept cars in the Terrace and they will ticket speeders. So please slow down and drive safely.

Please clean up after your dog. A few dog walkers in the Terrace have bagged their dog’s poop but left the bags in the street to be run over by cars. Bagging is a good first step but please dispose of your bags properly. Thank you

**** 02/14/2020 ****

The Town Courtroom was dark when we arrived at 2:20pm on Weds, Feb 12. The court clerk referred us to talk to Ron Schmidt, Code Enforcement Officer. Ron said that Mike McCann showed up at the Town Hall yesterday (apparently he didn’t get the date change either). Ron and the Town Attorney, Irene Graven, spoke to Mike about the current status. The previous offer has been withdrawn due to the anticipated cost to demolish the building. Ron urged Mr McCann to again lower the cost and reviewed the cost to Mr McCann to maintain the property (taxes etc) with no option to use it in any way. Mr McCann agreed to reduce the price to $15,000 but I don’t know if he has yet advised his realtor.
I gave Ron Schmidt my email and telephone number and he agreed to let me know of any future court dates or status changes.
We will continue to follow up.

- Nancy Sydlosky, TTCA President

**** 02/11/2020 ****
There will be a follow-up hearing in the Owego Town Court on Wednesday, February 12th at 2:30PM. Residents can attend this meeting, but cannot speak.

**** 01/21/2020 ****

Ron Schmidt, Zoning & Code Enforcement for the Town of Owego, has put the proceedings against Michael McCann for the house at 41 Frederick St, back on the Town Court schedule. It is scheduled for Wednesday, January 29 at 2:30 pm. We can attend the hearing but cannot speak. Feel free to join us there. Thank you for your continued support with this issue.

**** 10/27/2019 ****

As you know, the TTCA has been following the situation at 41 Frederick St very closely for nearly 2 years now. The last hearing was held in July and required Mr McCann to remove the contents of the property by October 16 as he refuses to sell with the contents included.

I called the Town of Owego Court on October 14 to confirm the scheduled hearing and was told that a public hearing is not being held but rather an inspection visit is planned by the Town Code Enforcement Officer. I spoke to Ron Schmidt, Town Code Enforcement and Building Inspector.

Ron said that Mr Michael McCann called him and said he has prepared his storage unit on his other property. However, Mr McCann has surgery scheduled on his other knee for early November. Ron has scheduled a follow up with Mr McCann for mid-December.

Ron said he did report this discussion to Judge Schumacher and was told to keep the Court informed of the status.

- Nancy Sydlosky (TTCA President)

**** 10/07/2019 ****

After the hearing in July, we posted that another hearing is scheduled for Weds October 16. I called the Town of Owego Court today to confirm but was told that date is a Follow-Up, not a Hearing. The Building Inspector will review progress as agreed by the owner, Mike McCann and report back to the Court. The judge will then decide if additional action is required. I was told there will likely be no decision until a week or 10 days later. So I will follow up with the town about the end of October for the resolution and provide an update on this website.

Thanks for your support

Nancy Sydlosky

**** 05/15/2019 ****

Don Castelucci has reported that Michael McMann is going back to court because he hasn’t complied with certain requirements of his previous court ruling. More details on the court date will be provided when the date is determined.

**** 03/20/2019 ****
As you probably have noticed, 41 Frederick Dr did go on the Real Estate market about the end of January. I’ve heard there has been some interest but no buyer just yet. I’m sure there would be a huge investment required for this property but it’s a fairly flat, corner lot in a wonderful neighborhood so we are hopeful that more progress is on the way.

Nancy Sydlosky
TTCA President

**** 12/20/2018 ****

The Permit hearing for the owner of 41 Frederick, Michael McCann was held today and Linda Fuerstenburg & Meredith Bocek representing the TTCA and a few other residents attended.

Since the last hearing on Dec 6, Michael McCann managed to get the Quick Deed sale completed and recorded, removing his brother, Richard McCann and sister, Tawna Lewis, from the recorded deed. Judge Schumacher again asked Michael McCann how he plead against the Permit charges. He plead Guilty. That was a surprise as he had previously plead Not Guilty.

The judge ordered that the house be appraised for Fair Market Value and the property is to put up for sale at that price no later than January 31st of 2019. Another Hearing will be held if this does not happen by that date.

Even though this involves another delay, it is a giant step forward. Thanks to the Town of Owego Court, Judge John Schumacher, and Town Attorney, Irene Graven for all their hard work in this matter.

**** 12/1/2018 ****

The hearing for Michael McCann regarding the status of 41 Frederick is scheduled for Thursday, Dec 20 at 2pm at the Town Court on Rte 434

**** 10/26/18 ****

A number of Residents and TTCA Board members attended the Preliminary Hearing on October 25 of the Town of Owego vs Michael McCann regarding the expiration of his Repair Permit without completion of the repairs on his property at 41 Frederick Dr in Tioga Terrace. Mr McCann pleaded Not Guilty and a date for the actual Hearing has been set to November 28 at 2:00pm at the Town of Owego Court on Rt 434. It is a public hearing so residents may attend but will not be afforded an opportunity to speak. Several TTCA Board members plan to attend and will provide an update.

**** 02/14/2020 ****

Town Supevisor, Don Castellucci attended our TTCA meeting in February and we discussed the 2020 plan for the Tioga Blvd Park. We impressed on Don how much we’d like to see the park at least minimally useable this summer. Meaning we’d like at least the blacktop and basket hoops completed. Don agreed to continue to work on our behalf to get that much work done this summer. Once the park is useable, we’d like to celebrate but no timeframe is yet available. Of course, we’ll keep you all informed.

**** 06/02/2019 ****
In my President’s Letter in the current Terrace Talk newsletter, I talked about the lack of work in the Tioga Blvd Park. As I said, we spoke with Don Castellucci a couple of times regarding great plans for the park. We knew funds were an issue but we were clear that we hoped to see progress before the summer was over. When that did not happen and school started with no work started, we were sorely disappointed.

But no sooner did I comment in the Presidents Letter but I heard from several Board members that there were workmen on site. Carolyn and I both drove down to see. The fence was removed and Carolyn was told the old blacktop will be removed and the exposed ground pressed down. New paving then will be done in the Spring.

That is what we know for now and as promised, we’ll keep you informed.

Nancy Sydlosky TTCA President

Carolyn Showalter Parks Chairperson

With school back in session, drivers are reminded to stop at any red light stop signals from stopped school buses. Passing a school bus with its red lights flashing is a serious safety issue and against the law.

TTCA thanks you in advance for doing your part to help ensure that our neighborhood children are safe.