Timeline

5500 BC
Earliest traces of Native Americans in Seneca River Valley

1677
Jesuit Mission settlement. Called St. Rene’s Mission. Maps indicate Montezuma Hamlet area, but name of mission is also referenced to be in Savannah area. Not certain if these are one and the same or different missions. Click here for Indian Land Map

1779
Gen Sullivan’s Expedition: Gen. William Butler is sent to destroy all Indian towns east of Cayuga Lake September 9, 1779

1782
Military Tract divisions include Towns of Aurelius and Brutus

1789
Cayuga Reservation formed on East Side of Cayuga Lake

1795
New York Treaty with Cayugas to give up land, Cayuga Reservation is surveyed into lots of 250 acres

1796
Sale of Indian lands begins

1798
First settlement at Montezuma made by Peter Clarke, Comfort Tyler, and Abraham Morgan

1799
Cayuga County formed from portion of Onondaga County March 3, 1799

1802
Town of Mentz formed from portions of Towns of Aurelius and Brutus March 2, 1802

1807
Cayugas cede all remaining land to New York State

1811
Bridges built over Clyde and Seneca Rivers and turnpike built over the marshes

1820
Middle section of Erie Canal is first opened between Montezuma and Utica

1823
Baptist Church formed in Montezuma as “Church of Aurelius and Mentz”

1825
Old Mentz Church built, Erie Canal completed Oct. 26, 1825

1828
Cayuga-Seneca Canal is opened in Montezuma extending canal to the Finger Lakes

1849
Richmond Aqueduct construction begins

1857
Completion and opening of Richmond Aqueduct

1859
Montezuma Township created from portion of Mentz Township April 8, 1859

1865
St. Michael’s Roman Catholic Church built

1866
Montezuma Village incorporated with population of 550

1917
Barge Canal replaces Erie and Richmond Aqueduct partially demolished

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Town of Montezuma

8102 Dock St., Montezuma, NY 13117

Phone: (315) 776-8844, Fax: (315) 776-9943

EMERGENCY SHELTER CONTACT: In the event of loss of power or any other natural disaster requiring temporary shelter, please call:

David Corey, Supervisor at 315-730-2768; Marie Cronin, Town Clerk at 315-283-0588, Ken Cook, Highway Superintendent at 314-224-7759; Montezuma Fire Department at 315-776-4353 or American Red Cross Cayuga County Chapter at 315-252-9596.

WATER CLERK OFFICE HOURS: Mondays and Wednesdays 4:45 – 5:30 PM.

IMPORTANT NOTICES/CANCELLATIONS:

REGULAR MONTHLY TOWN BOARD MEETINGS are normally held on the third Tuesday of every month, 6:00 PM. The next board meeting will be Tuesday, November 19, 2024.

2025 BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING – Thursday, November 7, 2024 at 6 PM — The Town Board of Montezuma has completed and passed the tentative budget for fisical year 2025. The Budget has been filed at the Town Cleark’s office, 8102 Dock Street, Montezuma. It is available for inspection during office hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday from 11 AM-3:30 PM or by special appointment.

PLANNING BOARD MEETINGS: Tentatively held as needed on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 7 PM unless otherwise posted. For all permits and subdivisions, please contact the Code Environment Officer here for review prior to scheduling a meeting with the Planning Board.

NOTICE OF COMPLETED ASSESSMENT ROLL EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2024 (HERE)

ELECTION DATES HELD AT MONTEZUMA TOWN HALL: General Election Day – Tuesday, November 5, 2024 — 6 AM to 9 PM

POSITION VACANCIES: Planning Board members and Youth Program Coordinator. More information HERE

TOWN BOARD MINUTES here

MONTEZUMA HERITAGE PARK

The Richmond Aqueduct Trail is now one of 30 Trails sponsored by Wegmans in partnership with Wayne County Trail Works, Inc. A smartphone app is now available to locate all 30 trails. Learn more HERE:

Congratulations, Dawn Jordan! Dawn’s Montezuma Richmond Aqueduct mural painting won Viewers’ Choice Award at the 2016 Global Mural Conference and Expo in Fairport, NY, September 2016.

The mural has now been installed on Route 31 east of the Seneca River Bridge. Thank you to all the volunteers that made this possible!

FIRE COMMISSIONER’S MEETING: 2ND Wednesday of the Month at 7 PM

NOTICE: You must register your cell phone with Hyper-Reach if you want to be contacted by the Cayuga County 911 Center in the event of emergencies in your area, including those related to your public water supply. Be prepared. Text “Cayuga Alerts” to (828) 201-3877 or use the link below to register today! HERE.

REFLECTORS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE FROM FIRE DEPARTMENT Details here
Montezuma Takes the Climate Smart Pledge!

Learn more here:

TOWN VISION: “The Town of Montezuma strives to preserve its rural character, cultural and historic assets, and agricultural and natural resources while encouraging economic growth and an expansion of services to meet the needs of the community.”