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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-10-28-WTB-minutesTOWN BOARD MEETING Town of Ulysses October 28, 2014 Audio of the minutes are available on the website at ulvsses.nv.us. The meeting was held at the Ulysses Town Hall at 10 Elm Street, Trumansburg. PRESENT: Supervisor- Liz Thomas Board members- John Hertzler, Nancy Zahler, Rich Goldman, Dave Kerness (6:13pm) Clerk- Carissa Parlato Water District Superintendent Interim- Fred Dean Highway Superintendent- Jim Meeker OTHERS: Tim Steed (Hunt engineer); Town residents: Tim Reynolds, Dave and Jean Schurman, Diane Hillmann, Phil Antweiler, Dale & Marilyn Rose, Roxanne Marino, Dick Coogan, Gary Weidberg, Heather Ness Notice of Town Board meetings are posted on the town's website and clerk's board. Ms. Thomas called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. GENERAL BUSINESS: APPROVAL OF MEETING AGENDA RESOLUTION 2014-184: BE IT RESOLVED that the Ulysses Town Board approve the agenda for the Oct. 28, 2014 meeting with the addition of a date change for the 11/11 meeting. Moved: Ms. Zahler Ms. Thomas aye Ms. Zahler aye Mr. Hertzler aye Mr. Kerness absent Mr. Goldman aye Vote: 4-0 Date Adopted: 10/28/14 Seconded: Mr. Hertzler OPTIONS FOR WATER DISTRICT 3 DISCUSSION: Ms. Thomas welcomed Tim Steed, Mr. Steed, the consulting engineer from Hunt Engineers in Horseheads, and gave a brief description of the TTHM (total trihalomethanes aka DBPs (disinfection by products)) issue. 2 She noted that as of the fall of 2013, the EPA requires that water districts test for TTHMs and have an annual average of less than 80ppb. As Ulysses test results have been over the limit, the Dept. of Health has required Ulysses to remediate the problem. Other municipalities have also seen high test results. Mr. Steed began his presentation, expounding on Ms. Thomas' introduction. He explained that Ulysses' water originates from the other side of the lake (Bolton Point). Along the way, it is treated with disinfectant several times. As the water ages and its temperature increases, organic materials present in the water react with the disinfectants and create DBPs. Mr. Steed recommends that the town install a spray aerator (costing about $100,000) for a short term solution while making arrangements to connect with the Village of Trumansburg's water system (costing about $1,000,000) for the long term. The village's water source is ground water as opposed to the town's current source, which is surface water. Since less organic materials are present in ground water than surface water, and the water will not have to travel as far (or age as much) it is thought that DBPs will not be an issue with this water source. A grant may be available to assist with this connection but the next grant is not available until Dec. 2015. In response to residents' questions, Mr. Steed explained that other suggestions for remediation like flushing the system, pumping less water through the system, or adding new lines have not shown to be efficient solutions based on his calculations. When asked if residents can do anything within their homes, Mr. Steed encouraged the use of carbon filtration units and aeration faucets to strip out the DBPs. Ms. Thomas concluded by reviewing next steps. The Health Department is requiring a decision by the Town on how it will remediate the DBP at least in the short term by January 15th. She indicated her preference to have a decision before then and indicated there would be more discussion of the options at the next meeting on November 12th. With no further questions or comments, the discussion ended. The board moved to recess from 7:45 p.m. -7:54 p.m. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 10/8,10/13,10/14,10/15 RESOLUTION 2014-185: BE IT RESOLVED that the Ulysses Town Board approve the minutes of 10/8, 10/13, 10/14 and 10/15. Moved: Ms. Thomas Ms. Thomas aye Ms. Zahler aye Mr. Hertzler aye Mr. Kerness aye Mr. Goldman aye Vote: 5-0 Date Adopted: 10/28/14 Seconded: Mr. Goldman 3 APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 10/9 with edits RESOLUTION 2014-186: BE IT RESOLVED that the Ulysses Town Board approve the minutes of 10/9 with the edits sent out by Ms. Thomas. Moved: Ms. Thomas Ms. Thomas aye Ms. Zahler aye Mr. Hertzler aye Mr. Kerness aye Mr. Goldman aye Vote: 5-0 Date Adopted: 10/28/14 Seconded: Mr. Goldman The board agreed to cut a check to support Winterfest, as it was already budgeted for 2014. Ms. Thomas briefly presented the Bolton Point contract, which was based on the Town of Ithaca's contract and has been amended with feedback from Mr. Dean, Mr. Meeker, and Ms. Thomas. Ms. Geldenhuys will work with the Bolton Point attorney on the details before it is presented for the board's vote, hopefully at the 11/12 meeting. PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE 2015 PRELIMINARY BUDGET (Minutes taken separately). With no comments from the public, the board proceeded to vote. RESOLUTION 2014-187: Whereas the 2015 budget has been discussed for 2 months and significant discussion occurred, Therefore I move the 2015 budget dated 10/15/2014 be adopted. Moved: Mr. Kerness Ms. Thomas aye Ms. Zahler Mr. Hertzler aye Mr. Kerness aye Mr. Goldman aye Vote: 4-1 Date Adopted: 10/28/14 Seconded: Mr. Hertzler nay Ms. Zahler would like the record to show that she is highly supportive of the budget but would have preferred further public notice before the vote was taken. El RESOLUTION 2014-188: BE IT RESOLVED that the normally scheduled town of Ulysses board meeting of 11/11 will be changed to 11/12 due to the observance of Veteran's Day. Moved: Ms. Thomas Seconded: Ms. Zahler Ms. Thomas aye Ms. Zahler aye Mr. Hertzler aye Mr. Kerness aye Mr. Goldman aye Vote: 5-0 Date Adopted: 10/28/14 WATER DISTRICT 3: The board briefly resumed its discussion of DBP remediation for Water District 3. EMS BILLING: Ms. Zahler gave updates on the draft EMS billing policy and the board gave feedback. Revisions will be reviewed with Town Attorney and shared at the next meeting. PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR: (no members of the public present; no comments submitted) Mr. Goldman made a motion to move into executive session at 9:10 p.m., seconded by Ms. Zahler; passed unanimously, to discuss matters of personnel. Ms. Zahler made a motion to move out of executive session at 10 p.m., seconded by Mr. Hertzler; passed unanimously. ADJOURN: Ms. Thomas made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 10 p.m., seconded by Ms. Zahler; passed unanimously. Respectfully submitted by Carissa Parlato on 11/11/14