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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-04-03 - TB JOINT MEETING ULYSSES TOWN BOARD TRUMANSBURG VILLAGE BOARD 4/3/2006 ULYSSES TOWN BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT : Supervisor Doug Austic, Councilpeople Don Ellis, Rod Ferrentino , Roxanne Marino, and Lucia Tyler. TRUMANSBURG VILLAGE BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT : Trustees John Hrubos, Mary Bouchard, David Filiberto , and Rose Hilbert. Mayor John Levine was excused. ALSO PRESENT : Sharon Anderson of the Cayuga Lake Watershed Network, Facilitator, Jeffrey McDonald and Ron Stewart of NYS Parks, Village Officers Tammy Morse, Karin Lanning, Bruce Vann , and Deanna Kline, John Andersson of the Tompkins County Health Department, Ed Koppel , Haris Van Leer, Dolores Higareda, Kyle LaBuff, Lee LaBuff, Martha Ullberg, John Ullberg, Joanne Molino, Barry Hayes, Geraldine Keil, David Tyler, Heather Filiberto, Fred Vanderzee, and Bill Chaisson of the Trumansburg Free Press. RECORDING MINUTES : Marsha Georgia, Ulysses Town Clerk Sharon Anderson of the Cayuga Lake Watershed Network introduced herself and asked the members of both the Ulysses Town Board and the Trumansburg Village Board to do the same. Doug Austic provided a brief history of the proposed water district, which has been in the works since around 2002 . Austic explained the Town Engineer initially identified all the areas of the Town that could be served by the water system as it exists today, without the addition of pumping stations . The Engineer' s next step was to look at the economics in order to identify the most economically feasible project . Using the map of the proposed water district, Austic described the current proposal, noting the present proposal has been determined to be the most economically efficient combination of areas that the Water District could serve . Austic then explained that, after the initial research had been done, the State Park approached the Town about the possibility of being added to the Project. Since doing so would actually help the Town ' s eligibility for hardship financing through DWSRF and it was determined to be feasible, the State Park was added to the Project scope. Austic noted that the Town does not own the infrastructure of Water :District #3 , and therefore Water District #5 will have to pay back the approximately 350 people who are in Water District #3 . Austic also noted that, according to a preliminary engineering study showing physical and economic feasibility, it appears that the Project as proposed would be eligible for no-interest financing through DWSRF. Austic concluded by stating the question tonight is where do we go from here . Roxanne Marino noted Austic has made it sound as if the various options were discussed by the Town Board with a consensus in favor having been reached. Marino explained this is not the case. The Town Board has not been involved in Water District #5 development and has only recently been given the opportunity to consider and discuss this matter. John Hrubos stated the Village of Trumansburg is definitely in favor of the interconnection . Rod Ferrentino explained some more of the history behind Water District #5 , noting that several years ago the Village of Trumansburg researched options for a satisfactory back- up water supply and found that an interconnection with Ulysses Water District #3 would be the most economical means of obtaining a back-up water supply. Consequently, the Village and Town signed an agreement and the Village paid the Town $ 80, 000. John Hrubos stated the Village is still fully supportive of the interconnection, and will do what was agreed to ; now, the Town and Village need to determine how to accomplish the interconnection affordably. Ferrentino also noted the Town and Village agreed that the JOINT MEETING 2 ULYSSES TOWN BOARD TRUMANSBURG VILLAGE BOARD 4/3/2006 Village will turn over ownership of its existing lines within Water District #5 , but the financial details have yet to be negotiated. Lucia Tyler asked John Andersson of the Tompkins County Health Department about the timeline for completing this project. Andersson answered it probably should have been done a few years ago, and explained that, whenever possible, the County is satisfied to see progress being made in addressing a problem. When a plan is developed, the municipality and County work together to come up with a reasonable, feasible timeline for completion. Andersson briefly reviewed the history surrounding the Village ' s present need for a new, adequate back-up water supply, which has been needed for many years . Roxanne Marino asked Supervisor Austic how and if the Town planned on financing the Project before the Park asked to be included. Austic answered there was a plan, and after brief discussion about the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF), Austic introduced Ron Stewart of the State Parks Department. Ron Stewart described Taughannock Falls State Park ' s situation, noting they researched various options for a back-up water system and found interconnection with Ulysses Water District #5 to be the most economical solution by far. They are very definitely favorable to the interconnection. John Andersson added that the Project as currently proposed will score well above DWSRF ' s funding threshold, but since the threshold changes from year to year, there is no guarantee that this will hold true if the Project is delayed. Roxanne Marino requested an explanation of DWSRF ' s point system, which Doug Austic and John Andersson sought to provide. Rod Ferrentino stated he believes the creativity with this Project comes in working out the most affordable Project possible. Much of the Town has really bad water — gases, toxins, and contaminants . The Town has to get potable water to its citizens in order to make it possible for them to enjoy quality, productive lives . This Project will address this need and will also serve residents of Ulysses by providing for better fire protection. The Village of Trumansburg needs a back-up supply and so does the Park, which is a vital part of the local community. The funding end is where the Town and Village can be creative in figuring out a Project that scores high and is as affordable as possible, but the Project must happen. Lucia Tyler stated there needs to be a balance of the need for good water with the objectives and goals of the Comprehensive Plan. Tyler read the following excerpt from the Comprehensive Plan, " . . . Limit extension of water service into areas not designated for intensive development. " Discussion followed as to whether the Project as proposed would be against this Comprehensive Plan goal . John Hrubos stated the Village wants the interconnection — it needs a back-up water supply, but he is not clear on what the Ulysses Town Board is seeking from the Village tonight and it seems that the Town Board has issues to address amongst its members first. Roxanne Marino asked if the Village wants the interconnection even if the Project is very expensive and serves only a small portion of the proposed area. Hrubos answered the Village needs water, and reiterated that it appears the Town Board has issues to work out pi within its membership . David Filiberto, also speaking on behalf of the Village, stated he agrees the Village needs the interconnection and the Park should be served, but noted he is not hearing consensus on this from the Town Board. Doug Austic asked if the Village supports the interconnection and is still in favor of it, and received affirmative answers from John Hrubos and David Filiberto . A lengthy discussion of various alternative scopes for the Project and issues identified by Town Board and Village Board Members ensued. Key issues discussed included the • a Y JOINT MEETING 3 ULYSSES TOWN BOARD TRUMANSBURG VILLAGE BOARD 4/3/2006 status and timeline for the Project as a whole, the timeline for the State Park to obtain a new water source, which was established as very urgent, the implications of this Project in particular and water service extension in general on land use and development, and the implications of this Project on the vitality of downtown Trumansburg. Within this discussion, a brief heated discussion of issues with the process to date and with the accuracy, timeliness and thoroughness of the Engineering study took place amongst the Town Board members . Ron Stewart excused himself at 8 : 15 pm, with the request that the Town Board contact himself or the Regional Director when a proposal is ready for discussion with the Parks Department. Stewart reiterated the fact that Taughannock Falls State Park needs safe, potable water, and stated while they want to work with the Town, they need water no matter what and need to find it. Roxanne Marino suggested holding a series of informational public meetings for different areas within the proposed Project area. Hans Van Leer explained there were promises made and Water District #3 was designed and built so as to extend water service and connect to the Village of Trumansburg water system . Van Leer expressed frustration at how long it is taking for the Town to address the assurance of water service in the future that was made to Town citizens who were denied inclusion in Water District #3 . Van Leer also asked what is going on, noting the Town and Village had an agreement and they are acting divided . Town Board and Village Board members requested and were provided with clarification about Van Leer' s statement regarding promises or assurances having been made. Sharon Anderson took this opportunity to recap the issues and discussion thus far, stating she is hearing concern about the impacts of water service on development, realization of existent needs for water, and discussion of the specific scope to be undertaken, but an overall consensus in favor of the interconnection with the Village . John Andersson added a note that if a single Project addresses both the Village ' s and the Park ' s needs, no future project can be expected to meet the point threshold for financing through DWSRF. Heather Filiberto spoke to the implications on development associated with water service extension. Further lengthy discussion of this topic ensued . Lee LaBuff commented on the cost efficiency to be gained by doing a larger Project versus the minimum, acknowledging that this efficiency gain stabilizes at some level . John Hrubos sought to conclude the meeting by stating the Village supports the interconnection with its own water system as well as with the State Park ' s, and the Village does not have two years to wait. Roxanne Marino requested development of a file to be kept in Town Hall including all documents and correspondence concerning this Project as well as presentation by the Engineer in person or writing, if he is not available in person, of clear, detailed information. Don Ellis added he would like to see information on all of the options, particular the minimum Project that would interconnect with both the Village and the Park, noting it seems like such a Project could run water from the Village system to the Park. John Hrubos advised the Village system could not handle this, and Water System Operator Bruce Vann affirmed, noting there would have to be some changes. Vann added such a Project would also ignore needs amongst the Ulysses Town taxpayers and stated the Town and Village should develop a Project that will address as many issues in the most affordable means possible. JOINT MEETING 4 ULYSSES TOWN BOARD TRUMANSBURG VILLAGE BOARD 4/3/2006 Lucia Tyler asked for information on maintenance costs . Doug Austic explained the maintenance costs associated with a new system are virtually inexistent, but the future maintenance costs of replacing the Village ' s 60-70-year old water lines would be too high to be born by the minimum water district. Brief discussion ensued . Joanne Molino stated she is not for unbridled development, but she wants water that is not contaminated. Molino urged the Town Board to find out what the citizens want and go from there. Further discussion of the financing of the Project and whether or not the newly adopted Ulysses Town Zoning Ordinance is adequate to protect the Town in the event of water - service extension ensued. Doug Austic added it is important to start working with State and County agencies well in advance of construction, and noted this should start immediately. Rose Hilbert asked if the Town Board will hold public meetings for the citizens of various areas of the proposed water district, and Austic answered yes . Roxanne Marino stated she does not believe Austic can make that decision unilaterally, but she would support holding the meetings . A member of the audience asked the Town Board to outline its plan for the next few weeks, and commended Doug Austic for his work on behalf of the Town residents . Roxanne Marino answered that she would like to get all the information about the Project, which she does not feel the Town Board has at this point. Marino continued, stating it is the Board ' s job to represent the entire Town and the best interests of all the Town ' s citizens . The Board runs the Town as its executive body and is responsible under State law for doing so, and therefore, that is what she wants to do at this point. The request for a timeline was repeated. Don Ellis explained the Town Board has not gotten the information they need from the Engineer as of today, but they are seeking to obtain that information. Roxanne Marino reviewed the resolution on this matter that was adopted in February to provide an idea of what the Town Board has already committed to . The main points of that resolution, Marino stated, are : Request information on the five alternative Project scopes from the Engineers; Engage the Village and the State Park in discussion ; Establish a Comprehensive Plan Committee . The target date for addressing these matters was set in the resolution as 12/ 15/2006 . The same member of the audience asked what was meant by an earlier statement that the proposed Project with Ulysses ' present Zoning laws would "strangle the Village". David Filiberto explained, if people were encouraged to move out of the Village by the availability of all Village services without Village taxes in the area surrounding the Village, then people will move out and, ultimately, the Village will be a sprawling suburb . Hearing no further comments or discussion, Doug Austic adjourned the meeting at 9 : 15 pm. The Trumansburg Village Board met in executive session following the joint meeting. The minutes of this portion of the meeting are on file in the office of the Trumansburg Village Clerk . Respectfully Submitted, Karin Lanning Typist