Wilson Hill Association
Wilson Hill Association
Massena, NY 13662
HISTORY
With the advent of the construction of the St. Lawrence - FDR Seaway/Power Project, some 38,000 acres needed to be flooded to create Lake St. Lawrence. This lake serves as the reservoir for the Moses-Saunders Dam and the hydroelectric power generation station.
When the waters rose between July 1 and July 4, 1958, the area of Wilson Hill became an island cut off from the U.S. mainland. Later, a causeway was constructed to the island to provide for road access.
The island was designated as a relocation area for the citizens that were displaced as a result of the flooding.Initially, people were granted leases for very small lots on the north (river) side of the island. The leases were for a period of 20 years at a cost of $50/year.
At the end of the 20 year period, residents were permitted to purchase their leased lots. Most of the lots still housed summer cottages at that time (~1980).
On July 9, 1960 a group of island residents met to form an organization that could represent the interests of the newly developed island community.
Stanley Logan served as chair of this first meeting. They agreed that this new organization should be called "Wilson Hill Association". The initial officers were:
President: Michael Walsh
Vice President: Robert Squires
Secretary: Clark Cook
Treasurer: Roy Barstow
Early concerns of the new Association included property assessments, uncleared and undeveloped lots, road conditions and the possible opening of the west end road.
Many issues have come and gone since those early days. Among those were the 1976 oil spill, the purchase of the lots after the leases had expired, NYPA's relicencing process and obtaining public water.
Wilson Hill Association
Massena, NY 13662