Hector Community Meetings

Everyone is welcome to attend these meetings..

Town Board meetings are the 2nd Tuesday of the month, 7 - 9pm, at the Town Hall unless otherwise noted.

Smith Park Committee meetings are on the 3rd Thursday of the month, 7 - 9pm, at the Town Hall.

Water Advisory Board meetings are the last Wednesday of the month at 7 - 9pm at Valois Logan Hector Fire House on Route 414.

Community Issues Groups

**NEW GROUPS

**Citizens for Agricultural and Rural Responsibility (CARR) - A group of Hector citizens, concerned about the use of sewage sludge in our neighborhood has formed the group CARR, will have meetings to inform the citizens of this issue and to get their support for action to prevent the future use of sludge in the Town of Hector. Sludge is treated sewage from city wastewater plants. Some farmers spread sludge products (called "biosolids") on their fields for organic content and/or as a substitute for lime. The main reason farmers use sludge is that it is cheap. Sludge contains human waste, as well as anything that goes into city sewer systems, household cleaning products, medications, industrial chemicals, hospital waste, and disease organisms. Sludge used to be dumped into the ocean, but the practice was so destructive that it was outlawed in 1991. Sludge use has been banned by some European countries (Switzerland, Netherlands), while other countries have called for bans (France, Finland, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, United Kingdom). In the U.S. many communities have banned the dumping of sludge in order to protect their families, property, and towns. They are a group of non-partisan Hector residents who are concerned about the health of our families, our community, and the rural land we love. We are neighbors, teachers, carpenters, farmers and scientists; homeowners and renters; young and old. To contact us, call 387-8214 or go to: www.carrcny.org.

**Seneca Lake Byway, Inc. (SLBI) - Presently the group has meetings on the 1st & 3rd Monday of each month at the Finger Lakes National Forest Headquarters. All meetings are open to the public. The group hopes to get the route, which runs from the Hector line through the village of Lodi in Seneca County, designated as a scenic byway in order to: Protect the economic and aesthetic interests of the residents of both towns; Enhance business enterprise, e.g. agriculture, winery, Bed & Breakfasts, restaurants and recreation; Improve the safety of roadway/byway access for autos, bicycles and walkers; and Provide incentive for more timely highway maintenance, as well as State and Federal grants. The process has been in the works for 5 years. The proposed Byway was first mentioned in the Schuyler Comprehensive Plan as a recommendation to increase the economic development of Schuyler County. For more information contact Chris Kimball-Peterson, Director 387-4990 or clkp329@aol.com.

Hector Community Association (HCA) - meetings are the last Thursday of every month, 7 - 9pm, except July, August, November & December.  We usually meet at the Hector Presbyterian Church or sometimes the VLH Firehouse, as needed.  Founded in October of 2002, This Hector Community Association seeks to preserve, protect and promote the natural beauty, environment and resources of the Seneca Lake Hector Watershed District through the development of a comprehensive plan, consistent with economic stability of the area: We promote Agricultural interests, Business development, Water quality and quantity, Tourism and Scenic By-way projects" through our community members.

Forest Watch & Friends of the Finger Lakes National Forest (FOFLNF) meetings are ad hoc when local issues are in need of input and action.  Forest Watch is a local community group. If you live near the Finger Lakes National Forest, you can protect the landscape by involving yourself and your friends in building a strong network of inhabitants who pay close attention to what's going on in the Forest.  Direct communication between the public and the Hector Ranger Station from a broad spectrum of stakeholders is the best brake on old Forest Service policy.  Friends of the Forest, usually meet on ad-hoc Sundays at the Logan Community Center, but sometimes meet at the VLH Firehouse, contact Kathy Engel 607-546-277-0380, or email.

Fingerlakes Trail Organization - The mission of the Finger Lakes Trail Conference is to build, protect, and enhance a continuous footpath across New York State, Forever!  The main Finger Lakes Trail is 562 miles long and connects the Catskill Mountains with the Allegheny Mountains by passing through remote areas of the Southern Tier of New York State.  The main Finger Lakes Trail connects with the North Country National Scenic Trail in Allegheny National Forest in Pennsylvania. The Conservation Trail, a major branch trail, connects with the Bruce Trail in Canada. Altogether, the main trail and its branch and loop trails total over 850 miles. Many sections of the Finger Lakes Trail are official segments of the North Country National Scenic Trail. This 4,600-mile-long foot trail is being built across seven states between Lake Champlain in New York and Lake Sakakawea in North Dakota.

Twin Lakes Snowmobile Association - Trails span Schuyler, Seneca and Tompkins Counties totaling approximately 50 miles of main trails and 10-20 miles of secondary trails.  Meet on 1st Monday at 7pm at the American Legion, Route 96, Trumansburg.  Contact Jane M. V. Ike, TLSA Secretary, P.O. Box 458, Trumansburg, NY 14886, phone 607-387-9813 or 607-546-5286, or email.

Finger Lakes Land Trust - Founded in 1989, the Finger Lakes Land Trust works to protect the natural integrity of the Finger Lakes Region. Our work involves establishing nature preserves, holding conservation easements, educating for responsible stewardship, and working cooperatively with private groups and public agencies.  We are a non-profit organization supported by donations from members and grants received from private foundations and government agencies.  Through a variety of means, we have provided protection for thousands of acres of wetlands, streams, meadows, forests, farmlands and shrublands throughout the Finger Lakes Region.  These lands are rich with a diversity of wildlife and plants.  The Land Trust has over 200 active volunteers. Without the hard work of these many individuals, the Land Trust wouldn't be able to work for land protection. We need your skills, talents and enthusiasm to continue this noble cause. Join us today.

Friends of the Finger Lakes - This group brings together those who want to enjoy every aspect of the Finger Lakes Region.  The Heart of New York State is bounded by the I-390 Expressway in the West, The New York State Thruway in the North, the I-81 Expressway and Route 13 in the East, and Route 17, the Southern Tier Expressway, in the South.

Seneca Lake Pure Waters Association - Studies and informs the members and the public about ways to conserve, improve and protect the water resources and the environment of Seneca Lake and its watershed.  At the same time, the Association strives to preseve and enhance the waried landscape within the watershed by promoting improvements to technology and patterns of development that do not have an adverse impact on our environment.

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Schuyler County - Cornell Cooperative Extension is a State recognized high-quality educational and outreach endeavor that helps New Yorkers build strong and vibrant communities.  Their mission is to enable people to improve their lives and communities through partnerships with Cornell Education and Information that puts experience and research knowledge to work. Contact CCE at (607) 535-7161 or email schuyler@cornell.edu.

Schuyler County Environmental Management Council - The Schuyler County Environmental Management Council (EMC) was established in 1974 to foster unified action on environmental problems among local governments, and among public and private agencies and organizations. The Council is made up of appointed representatives from Schuyler County's 12 municipalities, schools and the Legislature. Staff from Cornell Cooperative Extension and the Soil & Water Conservation District are active members, along with business and professional people, farmers, skilled workers, homemakers, students and senior citizens. Since its formation, the EMC has assisted municipalities in reviewing projects affecting the environment, advised the Legislature on environmental issues, and provided information to the general public. This Schuyler County environmental action group meets the 2nd Tuesday of each month, from 7-9 p.m. in the Auditorium of the Rural-Urban Center, Montour Falls. All meetings are open to the public. For more information, contact Cornell Cooperative Extension of Schuyler County.