Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-02-12 - TB TOWN OF ULYSSES REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING FEBRUARY 12 , 2008 PRESENT : Supervisor Douglas Austic ; Council Mr. Ferrentino, David Kerness, Elizabeth Thomas and Lucia Tyler; Town Clerk Marsha L. Georgia; Deputy Supervisor Richard Coogan; Highway Superintendent James Meeker, absent; Attorney Mariette Geldenhuys absent. Others Present : Dan Schlather, Mike & Melinda Cirri , Bob Howarth, Chair Planning Board Ken Zeserson, TC County Representative Jim Dennis, Susan Means, Chair Comprehensive Plan Committee Sue Poelvoorde, SPCA Director Abigail Smith, Ellen Haith, Dave Means, Geoffrey Hart, Dale Douglas, Charles Wolff, John & Martha Ullberg, Barry Hayes, Joanne Molino, Geri Keil, Robert Thomas and Mary Shelley. APPROVAL OF MINUTES : RTB 1 /8 and Organizational Meeting 1 /4 The minutes were reviewed by the Board and Ms . Thomas moved, seconded by Mr. Ferrentino the following : BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Ulysses approve the minutes of the Regular Town Board meeting of January 8 , 2008 and the Organizational meeting of January 4t", 2008 with minor changes and corrections. Mr. Austic aye Mr. Ferrentino aye Mr. Kerness aye Ms . Thomas aye Ms. Tyler aye • Adopted The Board discussed the structure of the minutes . APPROVAL OF CLAIMS Mr. Kerness moved, seconded by Ms . Thomas the following : BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Ulysses approve the previous examined vouchers # 10 through 59 in the amount of $55 ,401 . 83 . Mr. Austic aye Mr. Ferrentino aye Mr. Kerness aye Ms . Thomas aye Ms . Tyler aye Adopted REPORTS OF REPRESENTATIVES Jim Dennis Representative TC Board reported that the search for a County Administrator is down to three to four people and the committee will make their recommendations . Mr. Dennis also advised the Town Board that he is a member of the Finance/Budget Committee and there is a potential impact of the Governor' s budget which would be about a half a million dollar loss to the County and Mr. Dennis is guessing that the Town will be impacted with your budget, although the State Budget has not been voted on as of yet. Mr. Dennis also reported that within the next week or so there will be a new director of the Finger Lakes Park and that may have some impact on the Town of Ulysses and Regular Town Board Meeting 2 2/ 12/2008 surrounding areas for a number of reasons that Mr. Dennis did not want to go into at this time . TRUMANSBURG FIRE DEPARTMENT Jason Fulton, Chief of the Trumansburg Fire Department reported that the new ambulance has arrived and the new sprinkler system should be completed in about a week or so . The money for the system was through a grant from FEMA. Mr. Fulton said that the Department has asked Senator George Winners for a 2008/2009 grant for $23 ,000 for rope rescuer equipment and specialty equipment for gorge rescuer and such . The Department has started a new truck process to replace the 1984 tanker. Mr. Fulton gave his monthly report. PLANNING BOARD REPORT Planning Board Chairman Ken Zeserson stated that the Planning Board is here tonight to discuss the Cirri Development District which is further into the meeting. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN COMMITTEE Sue Poelvoorde, Chair of the Comprehensive Plan Committee reported that the Committee had their first public session on February 6`h and around 30 people attend and heard good comments . The session covered the summary of the survey. SPCA Supervisor Austic said that last week he and Deputy Coogan met with Abigail Smith the Director of the SPCA to talk about what the Town would need to contract with them to further along h,ow to do a contract with the SPCA. Ms . Smith is willing to talk about that to the Town Board. What was previously discussed is that if the Town hired another Dog Control Officer would the SPCA be available 24 hours a day for this person to take the dog to the SPCA shelter and they would keep the dog for the 5/7 days required by Ag & Markets and after that the dog would be adopted if they could not find the owner within that time frame. Mr. Austic said that this would be good for the Town financially and ease the feeling to others that the dogs would not go to a place that they would be put down. Mr. Austic said that in addition to this it would free up the SPCA officers to do more dog cruelty cases . Ms . Smith, Diriector of the SPCA said that this would bring law enforcement functions back to the Town and would be good for the well being of the animals not only during the impound period but thereafter. This contract should satisfy everyone. Mr. Austic said he received the contract late this afternoon and what it amounts to is a fee of $ 100 each time a dog is taken to the shelter and the price for the dog controller officer. Mr. Austic said that the Town will interview the control officer from Covert. PUBLIC PRI+ELEGE OF THE FLOOR Mary Shelly of the West Shore Homeowners Association and is hoping that the Town will look into new zoning along the lake in reference to docks and building. Ms . Shelly left a copy of a survey that was done along the lake . Mr. Austic said that a copy of the draft of the Ithaca Law that the Homeowners Assoc . has reviewed and looked at and made changes . No one else had copies so Mr. Austic will make copies for the Board ' s review. Mr. Austic said that at this time he does not see changing Zoning Law without looking at what Ms . Shelly is talking about. Mr. Austic feels that the Comprehensive Plan Committee may look at this . Regular Town Board Meeting 3 2/ 12/2008 Mr. Zeserson said that he is on the Planning Board and also a member of the West Shore Homeowners Assoc . and the Planning Board is very interested in this issue and would like to work as quickly as they can to do something. Mr. Howarth would like to draw two issues to the Boards attention if they are looking at future water in Ulysses . The first being that he has worked over the last 18 months with the EPA advisory panel on agriculture and water quality, particularly in the Mississippi River basin . One of their conclusions for this area is that if an Ethanol Plant was built and there may be one built in Seneca County, the waste from those plants the waste from the corn has a high value as a feeding material for cattle and the plant that may be built in Seneca County may provide feed for up to 40,000 cattle. Mr. Howarth said that reports were released last month and is publicly available and one of their recommendations is that local municipalities pay attention to the zoning ramifications of the ethanol plants and particular the water because public water into agricultural districts combined with cheap feed from the plants could be harmful . Mr. Howarth said as a private citizen he became interested in the Taughannock Park water situation and has filed freedom of information requests to the Park and TC Health and has reviewed all of the documents and he must say that it does not hold up to scrutiny what so ever. In Mr. Howarth's professional opinion the public health system has failed at the County level . Mr. Howarth said that there is a public health issue such as water in the park but it is largely from septic tank waste going to the well which has been know and reported since 1985 . Mr. Howarth would hate to see any misrepresentation of that, also his report of this is on the web . Geoffrey Hart said he would like to bring everyone up to date on something that is on his mind . Mr. Hart says that people are asking him just what is happening between the Town and the Village Boards that has produced such strong impetus against water district 5 and there must be something at a deeper level that does not make sense, because with a zero interest loan and several households that need water and the residents are willing to pay the extra and it will not cost other tax payers anything. Something that has come to Mr. Hart' s attention is that most of you know that in October of 2006 the Village Board passed a motion which says the Village of Trumansburg does not accept the proposed water district #5 and requests that the Town of Ulysses deny the proposal . That raises something very uncomfortable in Mr. Hart ' s mind . Why would they do that when the Town of Ulysses can go on it ' s own and deal with this and then in 2007 there were e- mails from former trustee Rose Hilbert in which she say' s she assumes the Supervisor is going to push really hard and I don ' t think Don is going to hold his stand on the original the water district 5 please encourage the Town Board to vote this down. Why would the Village Board be doing that? Last night at the Village Board meeting when a discussion came up and one Village Board member said we should go to the Town Board meeting with a new proposal and really get down to it and work on it and many other things . Mr. Hrubos said how many times do you need to get kicked in the head so it sounds to Mr. Hart that Mr Hrubos is annoyed about something and I assume everybody has there reasons and he goes on to say that the Supervisor showed a complete lack of cooperation, created an atmosphere that was just impossible and Mr. Hrubos finished by saying you don ' t need to continue to get kicked in the head until your head caves in and that is why he gave up on this proposal and not prepared to deal with it anymore. It is not just the issue of dollars and cents and who needs it and who doesn ' t there are personality issues going on here and I ' m not taking sides I ' m not saying I know who ' s right and who is wrong I wasn ' t there to see any of the hostile interactions that have been taking place over the past few years but something is lost when a public servant is distributed by interactions that they lose sight of the public interest . Mr. Filiberto who emphasized last 1 night at the Village meeting and has emphasized before that he is focusing on long term development and planning and that is political ideology and one is entitled to pursue that at some level but when people locally are saying "we have a need" and it is not a need for recreation, a facility, or a tennis court but it is a need for water you can "drink". It is a need that should be met and Mr. Hart is quite disturbed and now perceived that there are animosities and issues going on here which public servants that don ' t have the luxury of following him around, he is a private citizen and he can retaliate if he is irritated but public servants should stand aside that issue and deal with the needs of the people and Mr. Hart believes that this water district would be very helpful for a lot of people and Mr. Regular Town Board Meeting 4 2/ 12/2008 Hart is very distressed that it seems to be dieing a slow and painful death because what is going on between the two Boards . i Geri Keil said as a concerned citizen she decided yesterday to make some phone calls on her own about the purposed water district (she is within the purposed district) . Ms . Keil talked and can say the facts are what are being said. Ms . Keil said she contacted Chris Nill he is with a not-for-profit organization who works with communities around water and housing issues . Ms . Keil read a list of Mr. Nill ' s expertise. Ms . Keil said that the purposed water district should not die. Ms . Keil said Mr. Nill is a neutral person and is willing to come and meet with the Town Board and hopefully and maybe the Town and Village. Ms . Keil feels that the two boards should be able to work together and if you 71 had someone like Mr. Nill he could be of great help to keep everyone focused. Robert Thomas asked people to please identify themselves and he also agrees with Ms . Keil . TOWN REPORTS Highway Superintendent James Meeker absent. Code Enforcement Officer Alex Rachun reported that four permits were issued, 3 calls for chimney fires, one duplex burned on the corner of Rt. 96 and VanDorns Corners Road. Mr. Rachun said Storm Water is now under the domain of his office and they are trying to determine how many streams are going into the MS4 District . Mr. Rachun r 4 ported that his assistant Mark Hasson has resigned as Deputy Code Officer. Mr. Rachun said he would work a few hours extra to keep that up . Town Clerk Marsha L. Georgia reported a total of $ 1237 was collected and $ 760 turned over to the supervisor along with her monthly report and one plumbing permit was issued for $ 125 . ' !1 Ms . Georgia reported that $ 3 ,266 ,045 has been collected for 2008 taxes with only 4 , $345 ,000 still outstanding. Only 291 residents took advantage of the 1st installments . The Supervisor (Town of Ulysses) has been paid in full and a check was issued to TC Budget and Finance of over 2 two million dollars . BOARD MEMBER AND COMMITTEES Ms . Thomas said that she attended the Village Board meeting and reported that the Village is putting in for a grant for their Winter Festival of $2000 . What they would like to see happen is that the Town take on an extension of the festival and have something at the Fair Grounds on Saturday night . One of the things that they would like to see is the fireworks done at the Fair Grounds because it can not take place at the American Legion because of the new tanks being installed at Ehrharts . Ms . Georgia stated that she has contacted the Fair Grounds and they would be agreeable to allow the Town to use the space for a small fee . Ms . Georgia said she would apply for the grant if the Town is agreeable for her to do that. The deadline is February 18 or 19 . The grant can not be for the Winter Festival and Ms . Georgia has come up with "Sounds of the Season". Ms . Thomas wanted permission from the Board to apply for the grant. The Board approved for the grant writing to go forward. 1: Ms . Thomas said that other things discussed at the Village Board meeting was that the Village adopted their Comprehensive Plan, Glen Trudell was appointed as the new Zoning Officer and the Village is also looking for new Planning Board members . Mr. Kerness distributed a list of names that he would like to see appointed as a Water Needs Committee . The board discussed this list. Regular Town Board Meeting 5 2/ 12/2008 Supervisor Douglas Austic Mr. Austic previously distributed his monthly financial report, no questions were heard. Deputy Supervisor Richard Coogan reported that the Rt. 96 Corridor study is moving along and they have met to finalize the input for a survey, which should be going out some time later this month and will be starting interviews with business on Rt. 96 sometime in March with a public informational meeting late in March early April. Mr. Coogan said that the "fly-over" report has not been wrapped up yet. OLD BUSINESS SPCA previously discussed early in the meeting and all thought it was a good solution. Ms . Thomas moved, seconded by Ms . Tyler the following : BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Ulysses proceed with the new contract with the SPCA and interview the gentleman from the Town of Covert at the Board ' s next meeting on February 28th Mr. Austic aye Mr. Ferrentino aye Mr. Kerness aye Ms . Thomas aye Ms . Tyler aye Adopted. JUDGE SITUATION The Boards general consensus was to interview the three interested residents . Ms . Thomas moved, seconded by Mr. Kerness the following: BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Ulysses set a date to interview the interested candidates for Ulysses Judge before March 11th, 2008 . Mr. Austic aye Mr. Ferrentino aye Mr. Kerness aye Ms . Thomas aye Ms . Tyler aye Adopted. The Board discussed the dates of March 3 , 4 or February 20th for the interviews . Mr. Austic will contact the three interested individuals . OTHER Planning Board Appointment Ms . Tyler moved, seconded by Ms . Thomas the following: BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Ulysses approved Rod Hawks for the Planning Board filling the term of Mr. Kerness ending 12/2009 . Mr. Austic aye Mr. Ferrentino aye Mr. Kerness aye Regular Town Board Meeting 6 2/ 12/2008 Ms . Thomas aye Ms . Tyler aye Adopted. NEW BUSINESS Ulysses Water Needs Committee Mr. Kerness moved, seconded by Ms . Thomas to approve the following: 1 BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Ulysses appoint the following individuals who have requested to be members of the subject committee : . • Sue Ritter, Chair • Bill Coon • Bill Kappel • Steve Morreale • Lanny Joyce • Joyce Leslie • David Kerness Mr. Austic aye Mr. Ferrentino aye Mr. Kerness aye Ms . Thomas j nay Ms . Tyler aye Adopted. The Boards general consensus was to put an article in the paper looking for other residents that' may be interested, but the bottom line is that the whole Board would be involved. DEVELOP1bIENT DISTRICTS Mr. Zeserson had previously distributed hand outs on the Cirri and Kline Development districts . Mr. Zeserson said that the Planning Board had unanimously voted to recommend to the Town board approval of these districts . Mr . Cirri did a presentation of his proposed district . (All information is available in the Town Clerks] Office) Mr. Austic moved, seconded by Mr. Kerness the following : BE I'I' RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Ulysses set a public hearing to be held February 25th, 2008 at 710 PM and to be located at the • Truntansburg Fire Department. FURTHER RESOLVED that the public hearing will be for the Cirri Development and the Kline Development with SEQR hearings for both developments . A ; special board meeting will immediately follow the hearings if needed. it Mr. Austic aye Mr. Ferrentino aye Mr. Kerness aye Ms . Thomas aye . Ms . Tyler aye Adopted Regular Town Board Meeting 7 2/ 12/2008 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN The Comprehensive Plan Committee is down a couple of members . Ms . Tyler moved seconded by Mr. Kerness the following : BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Ulysses appoint Roxanne Marion to the Ulysses Comprehensive Plan Committee . Mr. Austic aye Mr. Ferrentino aye Mr. Kerness aye Ms . Thomas aye Ms. Tyler aye Adopted MPR RESOLUTION tabled at this time . The board discussed having the engineering report dated 2005 being updated. Barton & Loguidice will be invited to a special board meeting Friday February 15 `h at 8 : 30 AM to discuss and answer questions in regards to the water district. STORMWATER CONTRACT WITH T. C. SOIL AND WATER Ms . Tyler moved seconded by Ms . Thomas the following : BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Ulysses authorize Mr. Austic to sign the contract with Tompkins County Soil and Water for Stormwater Investigations . Mr. Austic aye Mr. Ferrentino aye Mr. Kerness aye Ms. Thomas aye Ms . Tyler aye Adopted OTHER Mr. Kerness feels that both the Zoning Board and the Planning Board need to be chaptered to look at some specific areas and the areas Mr. Kerness has come up with are noise, lighting, alternate energy sources and lake property. Mr. Kerness said during his term with the Planning Board these items have come up with some of these issues . Mr. Kerness is suggesting letting those two groups become pro- active and start to look at these items before someone comes to us . Mr. Austic said he did not have a problem with this but a lot of this should be with the Comprehensive Plan . Celebration Grant for B & B The Board had received a grant application that was requesting the Town Board approval that they would administrate the funds . The Board had questions and Mr. Austic will get the answers and the Board can discuss it at the Friday meeting. PUBLIC COMMENTS Allen Carstensen asked if the MPR resolution that was tabled would be done by some outside engineering firm and if so whom and how much. Mr. Austic replied that Barton & Loguidice Engineering Firm would be hired to do it and the last estimate a few years ago was $20 to $25 thousand . • Regular Town Board Meeting 8 2/ 12/2008 Geri Keil said that there are "no parking signs" along Rabbit Run Road put up because of the Grassroots Festival on the opposite side of the road from where her property is and is asking if some can be put on her side of the road also . She would like a little buffer from the cars, campers and people. She also is concerned about some of the areas where they park. Mr. Austic said that the James Meeker, Highway Superintendent is also looking into this . John Ullberg said that he is in favor of the committee to do a water study. . Mr. Howarth asked if it would be possible to have the agenda posted on the web site . ADDITIONAL ITEMS Ms . Thomas would like to see the minutes go back to the original format . Mr. Austic moved seconded by Ms . Thomas the following : BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Ulysses direct the Town Clerk to l go back to the original format of the minutes and included some discussions in the record. Mr. Austic aye Mr. Ferrentino aye Mr. Kerness nay Ms . Thomas aye Ms . Tyler , nay Adopted ADJOURNMENT ti Hearing no further business Mr. Austic moved, seconded by Mr. Ferrentino to adjourn the meeting. Unanimously approved and meeting adjourned at 9 : 55 pm. Respectfully submitted, Marsha L. Georgia Ulysses Town Clerk MLG : mlg j • Ii r