'Forced annexations' set for council vote

The Lockport City Council is set to vote on a large list of annexation proposals, referred to as "forced annexations" by opponents.

The proposals could be decided on Wednesday night.

The meeting is at 7 p.m. on the third floor of the Central Square building, 222 E. Ninth St. Residents will be able to address the council -- but must sign in to speak before the meeting.

The city is seeking to annex properties that are entirely bounded by city limits, or by Lockport and other public entities.

John Connor told the council last week: "I'm speaking not just for myself. There are a number of other forced annexees out in the audience tonight, and a number of other forced annexees who we have spoken to over the course of the last three weeks."

Connor said he has talked to about 75 percent of them. Many have sought annexation in the past, but in many cases the sticking point was water and sewer services.

Connor and others have opposed annexation without city provision of water and sewer services.

Barbara McCarthy told the council: "All we stand to get from this deal are new taxes, and in retirement we surely don't need these."

The city is targeting 58 parcels in various places, city leaders have said, adding that pockets of unincorporated areas cause lack of continuity in land planning as well as fragmented city services. A Web site for the opponents is www.forcedoffcourse.org.