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Home My WebLink About2016 listserv 08-05Google Groups News from the Town of Ulysses Carissa Parlato <clerk@ulysses.ny.us> Aug 5, 2016 3:12 PM Posted in group:town-of-Ulysses Hello Ulyssians, Don’t miss all the good stuff in this issue: From the Town Supervisor: Public hearing to override tax levy limit Public information session & hearing on changing town clerk & highway superintendent from elected to appointed Drought and well water Election information Water conservation advisory Hunting licenses and deer permits now available Fire inspector needed Swimming pool safety Fire safety Upcoming town meetings FROM THE TOWN SUPERVISOR (LIZ THOMAS): PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETING AND PUBLIC HEARING ON CHANGING THE ELECTED POSITIONS OF TOWN HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT AND TOWN CLERK TO HIRED EMPLOYEES Tuesday, Aug. 9 at 6:30pm For a number of years, the idea has been discussed of changing the apolitical jobs of Highway Superintendent and Town Clerk from elected to hired positions, such as is done in counties, cities and villages. There are many sides to this discussion. Come hear more and be able to have your questions answered at the Public Information Session on Tuesday 8/9 at 6:30 p.m. at the Ulysses Town Hall. Have your comments entered into the official public record at the Public Hearing at 7:00 the same night, or send your comments to me or the Town Clerk (clerk@ulysses.ny.us or supervisor@ulysses.ny.us). If the Town Board takes action on this topic, the ultimate decision will be made by the Ulysses electorate at the polls on Election Day, November 8. More information on this topic is on the website and more to come. If you have questions, please feel free to call or email. News from the Town of Ulysses - Google Groups https://groups.google.com/forum/print/msg/town-of-ulysses/T9AMh6Sl-... 1 of 6 8/17/2016 10:56 AM PUBLIC HEARING ON A TAX LEVY LIMIT OVERRIDE Tuesday, Aug. 9 at 6pm Every year since 2012, the Town of Ulysses has passed a local law to override the State's tax levy limit, although most years we successfully stay below the cap. This year, the cap is projected to be 0.6%. Without yet knowing what our increases will be in health insurance, retirement, paving, equipment, etc., it's impossible to know if the Town Board can produce a budget that is under the 0.6% and if the Town does not pass the local law to override the cap now, there is not enough time to go through all the legal hoops required pass it once we know what the budget will be. It's a catch 22 situation. If the Town does stay under the tax levy cap, we will rescind the local law that allows the tax levy to be overridden. Yes, I'm shaking my head too! DROUGHT AND WELL WATER Many Ulysses residents are on well water and are familiar with the personal changes in habits needed when the water is running low. For those of you new to managing your own well, the most obvious tip is to conserve water in any way you can. use a laundromat save water from washing hands and dishes to use on landscape plants. Install low flow shower heads or other water saving devices. Flush toilets less often Lower the pump in the well if possible. Remember, you and your neighbors could be drawing from the same aquifer. It makes sense for everyone to conserve in order for everyone to still have a little left. If your well does run dry, you may want to rent or buy an extra water tank and have it filled from by a company that provides water. Many of us live where water is limited and there are many innovative systems Ulysses residents use to store water for when it is needed or protect the well from being overdrawn. Talk to neighbors or local plumbing contractors to decide what system is best for you. It's sad to see our gardens and trees shriveling, and a disaster for many farmers. Let's hope the weather pattern changes soon. ELECTION INFORMATION The Tompkins County Board of Elections is mailing out yellow cards to all Tompkins County voters. Information on the cards contains poll site information, district information and election dates. If the person to whom the card is addressed is no longer living at the address, please put the card back in the mail (no postage needed). Anyone who has questions should contact the Board of Elections at 274-5522. VOLUNTARY WATER CONSERVATION ADVISED Our area is classified as being in a severe drought, with no relief in sight. News from the Town of Ulysses - Google Groups https://groups.google.com/forum/print/msg/town-of-ulysses/T9AMh6Sl-... 2 of 6 8/17/2016 10:56 AM Tompkins County Health Department conƟnues to urge both residents and businesses to follow these pracƟces to conserve water: Do not hose down sidewalks, patios or driveways. Stop watering lawns. Use hand watering for valuable plants and vegetable gardens, and water in the morning or evening. If you run your water before using it for cooking, drinking, or showering/bathing, capture the unused water in a bucket and use for watering plants or filling toilet tanks. Do not run washing machines or dishwashers until you have a full load. Take shorter showers: If you normally take a 5 minute shower, take a 4 minute shower for an immediate 20% water reduction. Better yet, take a 3 minute shower for a 40% reduction. Turn off the water in the shower while lathering or shampooing. Install low flow shower heads or other water saving devices. Use bath water to fill your toilet tank. Flush toilets every other time if possible. Do not leave water running while washing dishes, brushing your teeth or shaving. Be conservative about your overall daily use. Additional steps that businesses can take: Restaurants should only serve water to patrons who request it and should inform patrons of the need to conserve water. Reduce or stop landscape irrigation. For more information, visit Tompkins County Health Department's website at: http://www.tompkinscountyny.gov/health/water-conservation-urged-2016-08-03, or the United Stated Drought Monitor (USDM) at http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/Home/StateDroughtMonitor.aspx?NY 2016-17 HUNTING LICENSES AND DEER MANAGEMENT PERMITS: HunƟng licenses and Deer Management Permits for the 2016-17 season are available for purchase from the Clerk’s Office, 8am-4pm, M-F. HunƟng and trapping licenses are valid for one year beginning September 1, 2016. Deer Management Permits will be available through October 1, 2016. Deer Management Permits, which are used to ensure proper management of the deer herd, are issued through a random selecƟon process at the point of sale. Customers who are selected will receive their permits immediately. The chances of obtaining a Deer Management Permits remain the same throughout the applicaƟon period - hunters do not need to rush to apply for a Deer Management Permit on the first day of sale. The 2016 chances of selecƟon for a Deer Management Permit in each Wildlife Management Unit are available online, through License Issuing Agents, or the Deer Management Permits Hotline at 1-866-472-4332. Detailed informaƟon on Deer Management Permits is available on DEC's website. The new HunƟng & Trapping RegulaƟons guide, which provides an easy to read compendium of all perƟnent rules and regulaƟons, will be available in August at all license issuing outlets and on the DEC HunƟng RegulaƟons webpage along with a list of license-issuing agents. You can also find that list at our online License Center or by contacƟng the DEC Call Center at 1-866-933-2257. FIRE INSPECTOR needed : The town is seeking candidates for the position of part-time Fire Inspector. The position is available on the Tompkins County website at https://www.tompkinscivilservice.org/civilservice/post/2409. You must apply through the county website here: https://www.tompkinscivilservice.org/civilservice/vacancies.The deadline to apply is August 12.If you have question, please contact Ulysses Code/Building Enforcement Officer, Tom Myers at code@ulysses.ny.us or 387-9778 ext. 231. News from the Town of Ulysses - Google Groups https://groups.google.com/forum/print/msg/town-of-ulysses/T9AMh6Sl-... 3 of 6 8/17/2016 10:56 AM FROM THE CODE OFFICE: Contact: Tom Myers 387-9778 ext.231 or code@ulysses.ny.us Swimming Pool safety- Summer is in full swing. It is hot almost every day, really hot on the other days. Getting into water is a great way to cool down. A popular way to easily access water these days is to purchase an inflatable above ground pool and fill it with water, then jump in! I spent some time on line going through the offerings. Lots of possibilities for under $200, shipping included. The sites list all sorts of accessories; chemicals, ladders, pool toys and solar covers to keep heat in the water. What I did not see was any listing of Code required safety measures; pool alarms, locking gates & ladders, fencing. The closest thing to a safety warning was on one site, near the bottom “adult supervision required”. Section 303 of the New York State Property Maintenance Code lays out the requirements for a safe, Code compliant pool. This applies to above and in ground pools, hot tubs and spas. Pools 24” deep or less are exempt. Here are a few of the more notable requirements; 1* Any pool is required to have a continuous barrier of at least 48” Many of the inflatable pools are 42” and shorter. 2* All pools must be equipped with entry alarms 3* Locking gates must be provided and used to prevent unsupervised access. 4* Ladders must either be lockable or removed when the pool is not in use. Construction of in ground pools requires a Building Permit. All the Code requirements must be met before a Certificate of Completion is issued and the pool can be legally used. Please keep this information in mind when purchasing a new pool or assessing the safety of your existing pool. Fire Safety: Actually fire safety is a year round issue, but there are practices that are particular to each season. Take extra caution with the following: News from the Town of Ulysses - Google Groups https://groups.google.com/forum/print/msg/town-of-ulysses/T9AMh6Sl-... 4 of 6 8/17/2016 10:56 AM Cigarette butts: First, one of the biggest causes of fires:; improperly disposed cigarette butts. Most cigarettes contain an additive that keeps them burning. Handy for the user but it contributes to the dangers of smoking. Always extinguish a cigarette when done, and then place in a container that will not allow the butt to ignite anything if it is not fully out. Some households require that smokers stay outside while smoking and use a metal can with sand in it to place the used butts. There are two instances in our area that I know of this summer that could have been prevented by proper treatment of the cigarette after smoking. Bonfires: Even though this is a hot summer, most folks like to gather around a bonfire at night and enjoy leaping flames, good company, and glowing coals. Everything is pretty basic here; follow common sense. Most local codes allow for bonfires, with some restrictions. A maximum height of three feet for flames is a common requirement. Keep the fire at least 50 feet from any structure or combustible material. There are provisions for having the fire in a pit or approved portable outdoor fireplace. Check your local law and the Fire Code of NYS. You can always call this office for more information. Have someone assigned to make certain any overenthusiastic individuals do not get carried away with piling up fuel. Before starting the fire bring a (hooked up) hose over to where you want the fire. If the hose is not an option, some buckets of water within easy reach. After the fire is over, stir the ashes and throw water on them to make certain the fire is out. Some people notify their local Fire Department before hand to let them know that there will be a fire in a particular location. This is helpful if someone reports the fire. On the other side, if the fire does get out of hand, call the Fire Department immediately. They really prefer to put out smaller fires. Painting/staining: Summer is also a great time to work on the house. Painting and staining are popular. Even with so many water based paints and stains on the market, many people really prefer oil based or high VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) solvent products. Caution needs to be taken during cleanup as spontaneous combustion is a very real thing. When cleaning up after using non latex products leave any rags, brushes or other materials outdoors and spread out. This will allow the VOCs to dissipate. When left in a container, the fumes can ignite without a spark or flame. Finally, working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms throughout the house are more than important, they are Code required. Consider putting a smoke alarm in your garage or outbuilding. Many fires start there. Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen and near any place that there is a chance of a fire stating. Remember the garage? Have a safe summer. Maybe we will get more rain. UPCOMING TOWN MEETINGS: (All are open to the public and meet at the Town Hall) For agendas and other meeting information, view the event calendar here: http://ulysses.ny.us/calendar /?category=Government DON’T FORGET ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY CALENDAR! News from the Town of Ulysses - Google Groups https://groups.google.com/forum/print/msg/town-of-ulysses/T9AMh6Sl-... 5 of 6 8/17/2016 10:56 AM Check our community calendar often at http://www.ulysses.ny.us/calendar/ to stay up to date. You can also submit your own events. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Forward this message to anyone else that you think would be interested. We’d love to connect with more residents. To send questions or comments, or be removed from this list, please e-mail clerk@ulysses.ny.us --- Best, Carissa Parlato Ulysses Town Clerk Office hours: 8am-4pm, M-F (After hours by appt.) 10 Elm St. Trumansburg NY 14886 P. (607)387-5767, ext. 221 F. (607)387-5843 ulysses.ny.us News from the Town of Ulysses - Google Groups https://groups.google.com/forum/print/msg/town-of-ulysses/T9AMh6Sl-... 6 of 6 8/17/2016 10:56 AM