Lack of summer swimming hole a concern for Guilford
GUILFORD – Summer is still a few months away, but people in Guilford are concerned they may have already lost the public swimming area on Guilford Lake, which has been leased to the town since 1979.
The swimming area is part of approximately 76 acres owned by Samuel Streiff and Helen Dobbins, the sixth generation of their family to have control of the property. The family terminated the lease agreement with the town in December due to a sharp increase in the assessed property value in 2011.
The property was previously assessed at $50,000, but was increased to $378,000 at the beginning of 2011 in an attempt to “bring equity and fairness to the entirety of the tax base,” said Susan McIntyre, who stepped down as assessor in December. Penny Haddad has since replaced McIntyre. The lakefront property was just one of many assessments to change following the town-wide re-evaluation.
“We were very disturbed by the change ... we never wanted any development to be done on the property, but we just can’t afford the taxes as they now stand,” said Streiff. “I understand to a fair degree what’s going on, I understand the town board’s position, we just want them to understand our position as well.”
The town board addressed these concerns last Wednesday at its monthly meeting.
“We’re moving forward with multiple options for that property,” said Supervisor George Seneck, R-Guilford. “It’s been suggested that the site be used for agricultural purposes, but that is something the owners would have to pursue.”
Seneck said the property would have to pass water and soil assessments to determine the possibility of farming the land.
In regards to the swimming area, Seneck said the board had discussed working with other municipalities to keep the swim program active. He said options have been discussed in executive session in order to keep the program, which draws approximately 65 children each year, alive at another location.
Lake Association Vice President Victor Westgate voiced concerns over the impact to the lake and the town if the swimming area is lost.
“It’s important that we keep areas such as this available during the summer ... no one wants massive development done around the lake,” said Westgate, citing the use of the lake as a source of water for the town.
Seneck explained the issue would continue to come up for discussion and that the board would continue to pursue an environmental assessment of the lake front.
“We want to find a solution that helps everyone,” he said.
The swimming area is part of approximately 76 acres owned by Samuel Streiff and Helen Dobbins, the sixth generation of their family to have control of the property. The family terminated the lease agreement with the town in December due to a sharp increase in the assessed property value in 2011.
The property was previously assessed at $50,000, but was increased to $378,000 at the beginning of 2011 in an attempt to “bring equity and fairness to the entirety of the tax base,” said Susan McIntyre, who stepped down as assessor in December. Penny Haddad has since replaced McIntyre. The lakefront property was just one of many assessments to change following the town-wide re-evaluation.
“We were very disturbed by the change ... we never wanted any development to be done on the property, but we just can’t afford the taxes as they now stand,” said Streiff. “I understand to a fair degree what’s going on, I understand the town board’s position, we just want them to understand our position as well.”
The town board addressed these concerns last Wednesday at its monthly meeting.
“We’re moving forward with multiple options for that property,” said Supervisor George Seneck, R-Guilford. “It’s been suggested that the site be used for agricultural purposes, but that is something the owners would have to pursue.”
Seneck said the property would have to pass water and soil assessments to determine the possibility of farming the land.
In regards to the swimming area, Seneck said the board had discussed working with other municipalities to keep the swim program active. He said options have been discussed in executive session in order to keep the program, which draws approximately 65 children each year, alive at another location.
Lake Association Vice President Victor Westgate voiced concerns over the impact to the lake and the town if the swimming area is lost.
“It’s important that we keep areas such as this available during the summer ... no one wants massive development done around the lake,” said Westgate, citing the use of the lake as a source of water for the town.
Seneck explained the issue would continue to come up for discussion and that the board would continue to pursue an environmental assessment of the lake front.
“We want to find a solution that helps everyone,” he said.
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