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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-04-22-TB-FINAL-minutes1 TOWN BOARD MEETING Town of Ulysses April 22, 2025 The meeting was held in person at the Town Hall at 10 Elm St., Trumansburg NY as well as via Zoom videoconference. Notice of Town Board meetings are posted on the Town’s website and Clerk’s board. Video recordings of meetings are available on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWVIs--g9CpHIxdk9YxZyPw. CALL TO ORDER: Ms. Olson called the meeting to order at 7pm. ATTENDANCE: TOWN OFFICIALS: In person- Supervisor- Katelin Olson Board members- Mary Bouchard, Liz Weatherby, Rich Goldman, Michael Boggs Town Clerk- Carissa Parlato WSPPC (Water Source Protection Plan Committee) member & CSAC (Conservation & Sustainability Advisory Committee) chair- Roxanne Marino Via Zoom- Planning Board Chair-Karl Klankowski WSPPC (Water Source Protection Plan Committee) chair & Planning Board member- Linda Liddle OTHERS: In person- Matt McKenna (MRB- Engineer for the Town), Jyll Strothman, Natasha Lyon-Yonge, Pearl Smith, Mark Scibilia-Carver Via Zoom- Sandy Harrington APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Ms. Olson requested to pull the Maplewood Road culvert from the agenda and add an Earth Day proclamation. Mr. Boggs moved to approve the agenda as amended. This was seconded by Mr. Goldman and passed unanimously. PUBLIC HEARING (Cont’d. from 4/8/25) ON A PROPOSED DONATION OF LAND FOR RECREATION PURPOSES: Mr. Goldman moved to open the hearing at 7:02pm. This was seconded by Ms. Weatherby and passed unanimously. Ms. Strothman asked whether school sports or a quiet place for families is the primary goal for the space since those are very different. 2 Ms. Olson asked whether anyone online wanted to comment. Hearing none, she asked if anyone else in person wished to make a comment. Hearing none, she repeated the questions again. Still hearing none, she asked for a motion to close the hearing. Mr. Goldman moved to close the hearing at 7:04pm. This was seconded by Ms. Bouchard and passed unanimously. PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR (3 minutes per person): Ms. Marino expressed concern about the NYSERDA $100K grant and confirming our project plan. Ms. Olson said that she would like to see the energy report from Taitem first and then go from there. PRESENTATION ON AGARD RD CULVERT BY MRB GROUP: Mr. McKenna presented information about the culvert study. Ms. Olson shared Mr. Stewart’s message supporting a study in order to apply for grant funds for Agard Road. Mr. McKenna said that doing a study in advance of applying for a grant demonstrates project readiness. He added that the DEC is starting to focus on watersheds and nutrient-loading. Ms. Olson said that Ms. Taetzsch (bookkeeper) recommends using fund balance from the DA fund as there was some surplus from last year and the fund amount now exceeds the Fund Balance policy’s recommendation. Mr. McKenna said that we don’t know when the grant application will drop so it is best to get started soon to be prepared. If we submitted this summer, we would hear by the end of the year and then likely have a few years to complete the project. OLD BUSINESS: AGARD RD. CULVERT RESOLUTION #79 OF 2025: AUTHORIZATION TO ENTER INTO CONTRACTS WITH MRB GROUP FOR GRANT WRITING AND A DRAINAGE ASSESSMENT FOR THE AGARD ROAD CULVERT WHEREAS, the Town undertook an engineering assessment of the six culverts identified as most in need of rehabilitation or replacement in 2024; and WHEREAS, the Town has received grant awards to repair or replace the Maplewood Drive and Garrett Road culverts; and WHEREAS, the Agard Road culvert is considered the next culvert most in need of rehabilitation/replacement; and WHEREAS, the Town has a history of conducting a drainage assessment in order to accompany grant applications for culverts identified as being undersized, most recently for the Maplewood Drive culvert, as these make the grant applications more competitive for funding; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Ulysses Town Board authorizes the Town Supervisor to execute a contract allowing MRB Group to perform the provide grant writing services for the upcoming 2025 3 Consolidated Funding Application for $5700 and the drainage investigation/analysis for the Agard Road culvert for $16,500, pending legal approval; and be it FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Ulysses Town Board authorizes the expenditure of these funds from the DA fund balance. Moved: Mr. Goldman Seconded: Ms. Weatherby Olson aye Boggs aye Bouchard aye Goldman aye Weatherby aye Vote: 5-0 Date Adopted: 4/22/25 POTENTIAL PARK DONATION – UPDATE M. Olson said the Town Board will review the comments from the environmental review at the next meeting. Ms. Olson responded to Ms. Strothmann’s earlier comment by saying that the activities at the park would primarily be from clubs/non-school-sponsored sports. She further noted that the town’s application for Design Connect has been accepted. The program is facilitated by Cornell students who would lead a community engagement process to help make decisions on how the land would be used if the donation is accepted. After reviewing the environmental review and the draft donation agreement, the Town Board may be ready to vote on whether to accept it at the 2nd meeting in May or 1st meeting in June. AGARD RD. CULVERT RESOLUTION #80 OF 2025: CORRECTION: AUTHORIZATION TO ENTER INTO CONTRACTS WITH MRB GROUP FOR GRANT WRITING AND A DRAINAGE ASSESSMENT FOR THE AGARD ROAD CULVERT WHEREAS, the Town undertook an engineering assessment of the six culverts identified as most in need of rehabilitation or replacement in 2024; and WHEREAS, the Town has received grant awards to repair or replace the Maplewood Drive and Garrett Road culverts; and WHEREAS, the Agard Road culvert is considered the next culvert most in need of rehabilitation/replacement; and WHEREAS, the Town has a history of conducting a drainage assessment in order to accompany grant applications for culverts identified as being undersized, most recently for the Maplewood Drive culvert, as these make the grant applications more competitive for funding; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Ulysses Town Board authorizes the Town Supervisor to execute a contract 4 allowing MRB Group to perform the provide grant writing services for the upcoming 2025 Consolidated Funding Application for $5200 and the drainage investigation/analysis for the Agard Road culvert for $16,500, pending legal approval; and be it FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Ulysses Town Board authorizes the expenditure of these funds from the DA fund balance. Moved: Mr. Goldman Seconded: Ms. Weatherby Olson aye Boggs aye Bouchard aye Goldman aye Weatherby aye Vote: 5-0 Date Adopted: 4/22/25 NEW BUSINESS: UPCOMING LEGISLATION FOR CONSIDERATION AT FUTURE MEETINGS •FEMA MAPPING: •DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT 3 PROCLAIMING MAY 4, 2025, AS "EARTH DAY" IN THE TOWN OF ULYSSES RESOLUTION # 81 OF 2025: PROCLAIMING MAY 4, 2025, AS "EARTH DAY" IN THE TOWN OF ULYSSES WHEREAS, Earth Day was first celebrated nationally on April 22, 1970, marking the beginning of the modern environmental movement; and WHEREAS, the Town of Ulysses recognizes the critical importance of environmental stewardship, conservation, and sustainable practices for the wellbeing of current and future generations; and WHEREAS, the Town of Ulysses is blessed with abundant natural resources including pristine waterways, fertile agricultural lands, diverse wildlife habitats, and scenic landscapes that contribute significantly to our community's identity and quality of life; and WHEREAS, protecting these natural resources requires ongoing commitment, education, and action from all members of our community; and WHEREAS, climate change and environmental degradation present growing challenges that require local solutions and community engagement; and WHEREAS, the Town of Ulysses has demonstrated leadership in environmental protection through sustainable land use planning, conservation initiatives, and renewable energy projects; and WHEREAS, a dedicated Earth Day celebration, scheduled for May 4, 2025, provides an opportunity for residents to come together, learn about environmental issues, and participate in activities that benefit our local ecosystem; 5 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Ulysses Town Board the following: SECTION 1. May 4, 2025, is hereby proclaimed as "Earth Day" in the Town of Ulysses. SECTION 2. All residents, businesses, schools, and community organizations are encouraged to participate in Earth Day activities and to adopt practices that reduce environmental impact, conserve resources, and promote ecological health. SECTION 3. The Ulysses Town Board thanks the dozens of volunteers who organize and attend these activities in support of the health and wellness of the Ulysses community and the greater world. Moved: Ms. Olson Seconded: Ms. Weatherby Olson aye Boggs aye Bouchard aye Goldman aye Weatherby aye Vote: 5-0 Date Adopted: 4/22/25 RESOLUTION # 82 OF 2025: PROCLAIMING APRIL 26, 2025, AS "ARBOR DAY” IN THE TOWN OF ULYSSES RESOLVED that the Ulysses Town Board proclaims April 26, 2025 as Arbor Day in the Town of Ulysses, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Town Board thanks the many volunteers engaged in making our community a safer, more tree-friendly place. Moved: Mr. Goldman Seconded: Ms. Weatherby Olson aye Boggs aye Bouchard aye Goldman aye Weatherby aye Vote: 5-0 Date Adopted: 4/22/25 UPCOMING EVENTS April 26- Arbor Day May 4- Earth Day May 13– Regular Town Board Meeting, 7pm @ Town Hall May 27 – Regular Town Board Meeting, 7pm @ Town Hall 6 APPROVAL OF MINUTES: RESOLUTION #83 OF 2025: APPROVAL OF MINUTES RESOLVED, that the Ulysses Town Board approve the meeting minutes as amended from the April 8 Regular Meeting and the April 14 Special Meeting. Moved: Ms. Olson Seconded: Ms. Bouchard Olson aye Boggs aye Bouchard aye Goldman aye Weatherby aye Vote: 5-0 Date Adopted: 4/22/25 BOARD NOTIFICATIONS: none PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR (3 min limit per person): Ms. Marino- glad to see the email from Taitem. ADJOURN: Mr. Goldman made a motion to adjourn at 8:08pm. This was seconded by Ms. Bouchard and passed unanimously. Respectfully submitted by Carissa Parlato, Town Clerk, 5/6/25