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About Medford mail tribune. (Medford, Or.) 1909-1989 | View Entire Issue (June 12, 1955)
TWILTB MEDFORD (OHEOOW) MAIL TRIBtJWB mdar. June IS, ItSS caAGarfACTOR City's Invitation' To Areas Includes Multiple Services 1 i n nn nil JVJ JVJ 0 rvn repuE rv Soma 2,500 residents of two areas adjoining Medford will be asked to vote July 5 on whether or not they wish their areas to become a part of the city of Medford. There are reasons for annexation, and there are reasons against it In the hope of clarifying the problems involved, the Mail Tribune here presents a discussion of some of the factors. If any readers have additional questions, they may be directed to the Mail Tribune, which will make an earnest effort to see that they are an swered before the election is held. y TTTsn?ciaIenionTuITaDDroves annexation of about 3.000 acres unrounding Medford to the south, residents there will be "accepting the City of Medford's invitation" to participate in a program of better community development, and will receive many additional services at little or no extra cost, according to Medford officials. A general annexation program was undertaken and recom mended by Medford city planners and administrators because widespread improvements of fringe area conditions, and benefits from comprehensive planning, can be realized only when annex ation is general. The area, known as "South Medford," was proposed because city officials believed annexation should be undertaken when outside areas are urbanizing, and need city services, but before it is extensively developed. Sanitary Condition Hasten Proposal One condition which has has tened the annexation program ia a serious sanitary condition developing in fringe areas. Be cause of rapid growth without regard to sanitary facilities, and because of adverse soil arid drainage conditions, septic tank effluents spreading over adja cent - lands are contaminating ground water supplies. ; "The condition is not only a menace to the health of the resi dents in the areas," Mayor Earl Miller pointed out. "but also en dangers citizens of the city. We are fortunate that a serious epi demic has not developed." Annexation is believed to be the fastest and most economical method of correcting sanitary problems of this particular area. City's Financial Resources If annexation is approved, city forces and . financial credit will be available for correcting ad verse conditions. Other city serv ices also will be -available to residents of the area. But taxes will be about the tame as are now being paid by residents of South Medford. According to figures compiled by city officials and based' on 1954-55 assessed valuations and levies, fire insurance rates will decrease, and water rates will be substantially lower if the area is annexed. The annual average per capita cost for residents in the Jack sonville Highway Water district for water, rural fire protection and fire insurance presently is $73.86; in Kings Highway Water district, the cost is $75.06; in Meyers Lane district. $67.86; in Charlotte Ann Water district, $102.06; and for individual wa ter users not in a water district, the cost is $67.86 annually. Other Costs Taxes paid by residents in the areas include $7.80 fire district tax, an average of $16.26 for . fire insurance (assuming the res idence is within 500 feet of a fire hydrant), and the following wa: ter service charges: Jacksonville district. $49.80; Kings district, $51; Meyers district, $43.80; Charlotte Ann, $54; and for in dividual users, $43.80. Charlotte Ann district residents pay an additional $24 South Bear Creek Sanitary sewer tax annually. If a residence is not within 500 feet of a fire hydrant, an additional $2.67 is added to the $16.26 average fire insuranoe rate outside the present city limits. ' r . . ' Cost of Added Services If annexation is approved, the total cost for present services in those districts and for addi tional city services would be $73.77 annually. The additional services include: police protec tion, planning and zoning pro tection, street maintenance, street lighting, sanitary sewage disposal storm drainage, and extra fire "protection. The $75.77 annually includes $34.20 Medford city tax, $23.04 for water service, $12.53 for fire insurance, and $6 for sanitary sewer service City officials anticipate no city tax will be possible in the new area for the year 1955-56, but a. city tax would start with fiscal year 1936-57. should the area be annexed. Average Assessment Figures used by city officials wcra based on an assumed as sessed valuation of $1,500, which v.-as about the average resi- t sitial assessed valuation in wa t3r districts making contracts Avith the city in the past few c?rs, ana an average consump- per month. Insurance rates were based on an assumed $8,000 three-year residential policy. School district taxes are not included in estimates because school district boundaries will not change should annexation be approved. -Besides automatically receiv ing established city services, resi dents in the area, if annexed, would be able to petition the city council for installation of sani tary sewer trunk lines, which would be constructed on a dis trict basis, with construction costs assessed on property bene fited in the. entire district. City Manager ' Robert Duff said present city trunk lines would serve sewage purposes for several years with additional lateral lines installed in annexed areas. The first trunk line prob ably would be installed in the southeast area. Duff said, be cause the need in that area is urgent. Other trunk lines would be installed as soon as possible. Water main installations and street improvements in the area would be done when petitions signed by property owners de siring the improvements are sub mitted to the city council. In installing water mains, the city pays the difference between a six-inch cast iron main and the extra sized trunk water main judged necessary to delivery an adequate supply of water for fire protection and other neces sary uses. The water commission, within the city limits, furnishes and installs fire hydrants of correct size and spacing to comply with the Oregon Fire Insurance Rating bureau's requirements. : Should annexation be . ap proved, zoning regulations would be established to protect and safeguard agricultural uses of land until such time that the land became available for sub division purposes. Earlier, this year, the plan ning commission recommended that zoning ordinances be changed to create an agricultural zone. When . the planning commis sion and city council studied the proposed annexation, it was be lieved that consideration should be given to long term hazards of poorly planned and developed fringe areas, and that annexation should be balanced among resi dential, commercial and indus trial uses. Mayor Miller, in reviewing the annexation program, pointed out that with present and additional city services in South Medford, "it is cheaper to live in the city and receive all of the services available." 3. - f r ji . .U- l -Vr v x k 1 i ; ! - " P55fCSf.S CITY. .. UVi l.S , , SC.i ij. -.. pp"" PROPOSED BOUNDARIES Boundaries of proposed annexa tions of Laurelhurst addition and South Medford areas are shown in the cross-hatched areas in the above map. The area with the present city limits is unshaded. South Medford in cludes the area briefly described as follows: From the east city limits, 200 feet north of Hillcrest rd., east to a point 200 feet east of Foothill rd.; south (with two zig-zags as indicated toward the right of the above map) to a point east of South Pacific highway; west across Southern Pacific railroad tracks; northwest to opposite Charlotte Ann st.; westward 200 feet south of Garfield st. and to a point 200 feet west of Thomas rd.; north to a point 200 feet north of Stewart ave.; eastward to a point 200 feet west of Lozier lane; north to a point 200 feet north of West Main st.; and east to present city limits, shown toward left of map. The Laurelhurst annexation area includes that portion of the addition not now within the city. The boundary extends from the present city limits on Crater Lake ave., north to a point 150 feet north of Stevens st., and east to Wabash st. Residents who are not sure if they live within the proposed boundaries may check their resi dence location at the city hall. . Precincts, Voting Places for July 5 Election Described South Medford will be-divided into three precincts for an annexation election July 5. Laurelhurst addition will be a separate precinct, and resi dents in that area will vote at the residence of Ray T. Os borne, 1001 Stevens it. The South Medford first precinct will include all the area east of Bear Creek, and residents will vote at the home - of Mrs. Blanche Powell. 1920 Barnett rd. Qualified voters in the second precinct, which includes that area between Bear Creek and South Peach si., will vote at the Southern Oregon Heating and Air Conditioning comp any. 2356 Highway 99. The third precinct is that area west of South Peach St., and registered voters will vole at the home of W. G. Warner Jr., 1798 Stewart ave. Those qualified to vote must be registered voters living within the proposed area. (Medford residents will vote in a special election, on finan cial questions, the same day, but the city election has no connection with the proposed annexation of Laurelhurst ad dition and South Medford). . Water District Indebtedness Would Still be Obligation Of Annexed Area Residents Residents of organized water districts, if annexation of South Medford is approved, still will be responsible for obligations contracted by the district. Under present laws, the area annexed is withdrawn from the water district, but that portion is not relieved of liabilities and indebtedness previously con tracted by the district. The annexed portion may con tinue to be subject to taxation by the district for payment of tion of water of 8,000 gallons tion. Weed Beetle Colony Reported by Agent Persons needing goatweed beetles to clean up the weed on their property will find a con centration on Laurlehurst rd. where the insects may be caught, according to Earle Jossy, assist ant county agricultural agent, A quarter of a teacup of beetles is needed to start a col ony, Jossy reported. They should be put out wherever goatweed is thick. The county agent stated that the beetles have so completely cleaned up the goatweed in the county, using up their source of food, that they are now hard to find. The beetles were introduced to the county by L. G. Gentner, en tomolokist with the Southern Oregon Branch Experiment sta- Rogue River Forgery Suspect To Face jury David Leone Herburger, 19, route 1, box 302, Rogue River, waived counsel and preliminary hearing in district court Friday on",a forgery charge and was bound over to the grand jury. The ' case involves a Grants Pass creamery check for $44.08 and dates from Jan. 10, accord ing to district court records. Bail wai set at $1,500 and a jail committment was issued. Aaron Francis Gentry, 24, of 57 Vista st., Ashland, was fined $10 and $5 court costs in district court yesterday on a petty lar ceny charge. He was' also given a 20-day suspended jail sen tence. Court records showed that the case concerned theft of a small hotel alarm clock from the Co lumbia hotel, Ashland, on June 5. Gentry also ordered to pay the hotel keeper the remainder of his bill, according to tb.e court report. its indebtedness at the time of annexation. Thus the annexed area would be taxed by the dis trict at millage rates set by the district without regard to asses sed valuation in the annexed area, which may increase at a much greater rate than the bal nce of the district, with his8 mother, Mrs. Golda As an alternative, if the city chooses, the city may assume the obligations of the annexed area for previous indebtedness. In this case the city will be li able to the district for the amount of taxes which otherwise would be extended, each year against the annexed area. The city will succeed to own ership of all water mains, me ters, services and fire hydrants in the annexed area, except operations of the remainder of those facilities necessary for the operation of the district, such as trunk mains. Humane Society Asks Hot-Weather Pet Care Several cases of pets being tied in the sun have been report ed to the Southern Oregon Hu mane society, Mrs. Sidney W, Richardson, manager of the soc iety, said today. Mrs. Richardson pointed out that state laws provide protec tion for pets and require that animals be protected from the elements, provided with fresh water and . sufficient exercise. Medford Police Chief Charles Champlin said the police depart men would cooperate with the humane society in settling cruel ty cases reported to the society, For A Pleasant Sunday Afternoon DARDANELLE For Really FINE FOOD 4 Children Always Welcome v Very Pleasant Atmosphere Open at 1 p.m. Sunday and Monday (Memorial Day) CLOSED WEDNESDAY - PHONE 5-9230 GOLD HILL ServSce Expansion Seen on Annexation Area iff IPflan (Passes School Emergency Funds Allocated by Rural School Board Jackson county rural school board Friday gave final approv al to an emergency fund re quest of six districts totalling $15,003.65. ; The amount brought to $37, 727,.33 the emergency sums granted for the year. Districts had requested $54,080.67, Coun ty School Superintendent A. B. Mekvold reported. A previous grant of $22,723.68 had been al lowed toll districts. Largest single grant Friday was $4,182.16 to Eagle Point for an extra teacher and additional commercial room equipment to take care of increased enroll ment. Phoenix, faced with in adequate water supply at the high school, received $3,400.' The district is negotiating with Char lotte Ann water district to se cure Medford water. Other Purposes Building and bus repair were among reasons for other funds approved. Mekvold said that the total amount budgeted this year in the emergency fund was only $36,000 but that the board was able to allow $37,727.33 because of the balance in the fund car ried over from the previous year. The overall amount included $5,000 for the retarded chil dren's classes at: Phoenix. A reimbursement will be received from the state. Improvements in South Med ford and extending of city ser vices to that area will be done as soon as possible after annex tion, if the proposal is approved by area residents in a July 5 election. However, Mayor Earl Miller pointed out that "residents of the area should not expect ex tensive improvements immedia tely, as it will require some time to accomplish the many things necessary to provide adequate service to the area." Cost To City City officials have estimated general expenses to the city in South Medford will total about $62,326 annually, and an esti mated $111,560 over a two or three year period lor capital im provements by the water depart ment. But levying of taxes in the proposed annexation area is not anticipated in fiscal year 1955 56. The eventual cost of improve ments in South Medford would depend on the area's growth and the demand for city ser vices. Some provisions have been been made on the city's general fund budget for additional po lice and engineering work in an ticipation of annexation. The area now includes 715 homes, 42 commercial busines ses, and nine industries in addi tion to agricultural tracts, a golf course, a garbage dump and hog feeding facility, two ceme taries, including a mausoleum and crematory, and three saw mills. " Construction Proposed Proposed construction . in South Medford includes a large general hospital, development of two shopping centers, and several residential subdivisions Under construction is a grade school. Agricultural . tracts include orchards, dairy pasture lands, and several small acreages for horses and cows which, in most instances, are for pleasure or to supplement, the income of the owners. Zoning and planning in the area will serve to protect var ious uses of the land, and the building inspection department will probably be increased by making a prt-time employee a full-time inspector at an eshma ted cost of $2,040 annually. " See Population Increase Should annexation be approv ed, an increase . in population from the present 2,500 to 6, 250 by the year 1965 is antici pated. Th increase is approxima tely 15 per cent per year. How ever, without annexation, the area probably could not develop as rapidly, because of adverse sanitary conditions. In addition to added expenses in building inspection and plan ning, an estimated $11,000 an nually is expected for mainten ance of 17.9 miles of roads in the area, not including several "public roads" which are not eligible for county maintenance. Additional streets constructed in the future, if the area is an nexed, would be built to city standards and require little addi tional maintenance. Intersection Paving Costs Costs also will be added for intersection paving. The policy of the city council is to pay for intersections on new paving pro jects and for extra width paving. About 600 intersections are es timated to be in the area, with each intersection costing about $800. About $15,925 is estimated to be Medford's share of gas. tax refunds for the area if annex ed. The estimate is based on the present population, and would be used to help provide ordi-j nary maintenance, with some designated for intersection and extra width costs. The street lighting program in the area would cost about $2, 100 the first year, and $21,100 in 10 years depending on the growth of the area. Mere Street Lights The eventual street light de velopment program includes 2, 500 lumen residential street lights costing $15,840, with an additional $5,292 going for ma- Tfieves Steal PrtfFab House in Portland - Portland (U.P.) Thieves stole house in Portland yes terday. Willis M. Sexton of University Homes told police that 3t-sctions of a pre-fab house were .carted off the building site. Each section: weighed 275 pounds.- rv n I 1 Twin IF 'Ounges Open Daily 10:00 A.M. to 10:00 P.M. Ashland, Oregon jor and minor arterial street lights. The cost would par tially be offset by revenue from Copco franchise. An estimated $1,500 will be required for., installation of street signs annually. Each of 600 street name signs will cost about $25 for installation. Additional police work in the area, if it is annexed, would cost about $21,675 annually, for an additional clerk and another patrol beat, to provide good ser vice in the area and maintain the present standard of service within the present city limits. All in Fire Area The proposed area Ys all with in the Medford Rural Fire Pro tection district and is served by the Medford department. An additional fire station in South Aieaiora would be necessary only if a considerable high val ue ; district develops otherwise, the area would be served by present facilities. The total initial capital expen diture by the water department in the proposed annexation area is estimated to be $111,560 over a two to three year period. Of the amount, $97,500 would be for installation of new mains and fire hydrants to provide water service to new customers as soon as possible. Mains and Hydrants The remainder of the amount, $14,060, is for payment of mains and fire hydrants' in water dis tricts, which would be paid off by the water Department. ' Revenue in the water depart ment would decrease if the area is annexed. The average water revenue per customer in the area outside the city is $3.22, while the average revenue per customer inside the city is $1.90. DR. G. A. DIERDORFF New Osteopathic President Dr. G. A. Dierdorff To Be Installed Association Head Portland Dr. Gerald A. Dier dorff, Medford osteopathic phy sician and surgeon, will be in- stalled as president of the Ore gon Association of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons, which is holding its convention at the Multnomah hotel Monday through Thursday, June 13-16. The four-day conference is a joint gathering with the Wash ington Association oi usteopatme Physicians and Surgeons. The 37-year-old doctor, who was elected president-elect dur ing last year's convention, will succeed Dr. Elmer A. Flaming, Dallas, Ore. - Dr. Dierdorff has been practic ing in Medford since 1945, and is ' a member of the staff at Osteopathic hospital and clinic .V ..LV4 1 VU ..u. from Des Moines (Ia.) Still Col- luwum in iLDiiiy All wtiyi Osteopathic hospital, Dr. Dier dorff took his post-graduate work, in surgery at Los Angeles. He has been active in the Meth odist cnurcn in me uiaeons ana m 4FtanH1 nni) MiitiA etf-i iri Aat " 4U A ct ici tiix auu vi v aw buvsua Cherry Fruit Fly . m a m u ipray is Advised 7. T 1 uon cterry, iat;uvn tuunij horticultural agent, today ad vised cherry growers to apply a spray for the control of cherry fruit fly as soon as possible. This is the pest which causes the worms in cherries at harvest time. The first adult flies of the season were found June 9, which allows about a week before the first eggs will be laid. Deposited under the skin of the cherries, these eggs hatch maggots which cannot be controlled. According to Berry, spraying now with 3 pounds of metho xychlor per 100 gallons or 1 heaping tablespoon in 2 gallons of water wiH give satisfactory control. If aphis are present on the trees, 2 pounds of Malathion per 100 gallons should be added for their control. . All cherry trees, including seedings, should be sprayed, with seedlings, should be sprayed with weeks later.. Oregon Wheat Crop Sot At 19,628,000 Bushels Washington (U.R) The Agri culture Department's June 1 forecast for Oregon's 1955 winter wheat crop remained at 19,628,- 000 bushels Saturday same ae the May forecast. Last year's crop totaled 21,- 033,000 bushels. Hungry for Somt GOOD CHOW Lately? ' Know Where to Get It? The VETS CM NO LESS! Location Gum What Wv'r 0inf to Serve "The Public (Trltf If You Are WiHing) it East th St. L P Front Back Intrant Entrance . last Main St. Salads, Lwticwoew Intro, Sandwich ... Specialising: Steaks, ehickn, Assorted Sea Foods OFENINO UNOEX NEW MANAGEMENT MONDAY, JUNE 13th, 11 A.M. - . ; Delia and Marty
