JOIN VILLAGE OFFICIALS FOR A READING OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE ON JULY 4TH AT 11:00 AM ON THE PORCH OF THE FARGO
Aurora Summer Swim Program
The Wells College dock is open again for the Aurora Summer Swim Program from June 27- August 21. Hours of operation are daily from 1 to 5 pm with an additional evening swim on Fridays until 7 pm. Children ages 12 and under must be signed in by a parent or guardian. Additionally, there will be three swimming lesson sessions, July 11-15, July 25-29, and August 1-5; 1:15-1:45 for beginners and 2:00-2:30 for advanced. Six lifeguards are working this summer under the supervision of Carolyn Connors. They are: Alexander Dewis, Joe Ineich, Lauryn Mattoon, Caleb Roman, Matthew Sleezer, and Gavin Van Horn.
SUMMER EVENTS – MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
July 4th – Annual reading of the Declaration of Independence at 11:00 am on the porch of the Fargo
July 11th – Merry Go Round Children’s Theater production of the Tortoise and the Hare at 7:00 pm in the village park (Morgan Opera House if it rains). Sponsored by the Village of Aurora and the Aurora Free Library
July 13th – Morgan Opera House presents an evening of music with Jamie Notarthomas and a special guest at 6:30 pm in the village park (Morgan Opera House if it rains)
July 15th – Blessing of the Boats (details will be posted soon)
July 23rd – Defensive Driving class from 9:00-3:30 at the firehouse meeting room sponsored by the Aurora Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary (call Alice Bradley for details, 283-5126)
July 23rd–An evening with Billy Montana at the Morgan Opera House to benefit the King Ferry food pantry and the SCCS girls’ varsity basketball team (call Ed Heslop for details, 521-2538)
July 30th – Aurora Volunteer Fire Department Route 90 Sale Chicken BBQ at 11:00 am (first come, first serve. No reservations)
AURORA HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Watch for work to begin on Patrick Tavern! The Historical Society is pleased to have been awarded a $2,500 matching grant from The Cayuga Community Fund to bring the first floor of Patrick Tavern up to code. Because of donations from many generous friends, we have already raised the matching $2,500. We look forward to begin the project soon. Thanks to all who have supported us.
July is full of history-related events starting, of course, with the Fourth of July. For more about the annual reading of the Declaration of Independence, see elsewhere in this Newsletter.
The Aurora Historical Society usually meets on the first Monday of the month; because this year the Fourth falls on a Monday, the meeting is deferred by a week and a day, to Tuesday, July 12, at 4:30 p.m., graciously hosted by the Aurora Free Library. The program, by Village Historian Linda Schwab, will expand upon the slide show "A Village of Gardeners" that was prepared for the weekend of the Garden Club tour.
Later that week, there will be a Pop-Up Museum event on "Boats, Boating and Lake Life" at the Blessing of the Boats, on Friday evening July 15th. See you there!
Leaf and Brush Pick-Up
The DPW team sends their thanks to residents for bagging leaves and cutting brush to 4 foot lengths as requested. If you have a large amount of brush or lawn debris, Mike or Adam will drop off the Village’s trailer for you to fill as you clean up your yard. Contact Mike at 364-5239. The DPW will do their best to pick up leaves and brush routinely. We are also asking residents to keep an eye on catch basins in front of their homes and remove any weeds and debris so that storm water flows unimpeded. Your help is greatly appreciated.
SCAT Van
Just a reminder that the Village of Aurora contracts annually with the Human Services Coalition of Cayuga County to provide SCAT van service to the disabled and the elderly. Any person over 60 or any person under 60 with a disability that prevents them from using public transportation is eligible to use the service. Contact them at(315) 253-3548. There is a suggested donation of $4.00 for each one-way trip.
Zoning and Building Permits
Permits are required for construction, alteration, removal or demolition of any building or structure including accessory buildings, for excavation, earth filling, and interior work and for conversions of buildings and land from one use to another. Before you begin ANY project, contact the Village Office at 364-7293, or drop by to meet with Code Enforcement Officer Patrick Doyleon Monday afternoons from 4 to 6 pm or Thursday from 3 to 5 (new hours). Applications can be downloaded from our web site, auroranewyork.us on the Permits and Applications page. Also, please remember that fireworks require a permit. Applications are available in the Village Office.
Message from the Mayor
Summer is finally here, the dock program has started, and I know we’re ready to take full advantage of the great weather for fun and adventure – as well as getting all those outdoor projects under way. It’s exciting to see how much is going on in the village. The Inns of Aurora has begun preliminary site work for the Lafayette Street improvements by repositioning most of the southern wall of the funeral home property and with the intent of using the rest of the stones on the south side of the street. The roadwork will begin in October. As you probably know, Wells College is building a new dormitory; its plans have been approved and construction will start next year, following this year’s project to upgrade existing dorms. The makeover of the boathouse has really shown what a stunning building that is, and has reminded me anew of the importance of the village/college cooperation for our summer dock program. In August work will begin at the bottom of Cherry Avenue to improve sightlines, and in front of the post office to restore the sidewalk and some green space, followed – finally - by the work to finish the post office plaza. I’m sure all of you will be equally as busy, especially as we welcome back our summer residents.
On the fun side, I encourage all of you to take advantage of the dock program for your kids, your friends’ kids, and your grandchildren – the swimming lessons are a real plus. As is the newly installed children’s playground equipment, thanks to the hard work of Cindy Wilcox and Erin Johnson and their committee, as well as generous financial contributions from the community. Also, a reminder of the kayak racks at the lake ends of Lafayette Street and Dublin Hill Road that are there for your convenience, especially those who have no lake access. Kayaks can be locked to the racks. These were very popular last year so if you consistently can’t find a spot, please let the office know so that we can think about expanding availability for next year.
Don’t forget our group reading of the Declaration of Independence on Monday at the Fargo Porch– come and add your voice against the king!
Have a great summer,
Bonnie