Ball field back in CBCA's hands

4/26/2011

By David Avitabile

It’s time to play ball in Central Bridge again.
After more than eight months of legal battles and hearings, the ball field on Route 30A is back in the ownership of the Central Bridge Civic Association, association officials announced Monday.
Two local farmers received $25,000 for the 1.1 acres from the Central Bridge Sewer District, which then turned the land over to the association, said Susan James, the vice president of the association.
Courts proceedings began in December and there was a hearing in Schoharie County Supreme Court in February, Ms. James said. The papers ending the proceedings were signed Thursday.
It was determined that the Seebold family did own the property, Ms. James said but because of adverse possession (the association had built a playground, pavilion and snack bar on it and maintained it for many years), it would go to the association.
The land transfer went through the sewer district, because the Seebolds gave the deed to the district. The association also got $7,000 from the district which will be used to cover legal costs, Ms. James said.
It was a long and difficult process but association officials are glad it is over and the field and property can be used again.
“It’s settled. It’s done. We’ve got the land,” Ms. James said Monday.
“It’s didn’t take years but it took long enough.”
The fields are in rough shape but games will be played this summer, she said.
“I think the community is happy.”
Unlike last year when weeds took over, the field, playground, pavilion and snack bar will be used this year and the association has already gotten some reservations for events, Ms. James said.
“The kids can use the fields this summer,” she said.
“It’s a plus for the community.”
Bill Seebold also said he was glad the issue was settled.
“It was all handled and settled amicably,” he said Monday.
“We hope on our end we settled it for the good of the community.
“We’re glad it’s over and we hope the best for everybody.”
Last summer, members of the Seebold family said they knew they owned the property and accommodated the association for years. The use issue did not come to light until sewer district officials built a pumping station on what they thought was land owned by the association.
After the pumping station was built and piping was put in, a survey was done that showed that the property was owned by the Seebolds.
Association members were denied access to their field, pavilion and snack bar last year because the Seebolds also owned the access to them.
Sewer district officials debated whether to take the property through eminent domain last summer but no action was taken.
Ms. James said she was pleased it did not go that way.
“We’re glad it didn’t go eminent domain. It could have taken years,” she said.
Association officials have given the sewer district a right of way to the pumping station, Ms. James said.