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Home My WebLink About2025-11-12-TB-FINAL-minutes1 TOWN BOARD MEETING Town of Ulysses Nov. 12, 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 7:09pm. ATTENDANCE: TOWN OFFICIALS: In person- Supervisor- Katelin Olson Board members- Michael Boggs, Liz Weatherby, Mary Bouchard, Rich Goldman Town Clerk- Carissa Parlato Via Zoom- Linda Liddle (PB, WSPPC), Anne Koreman OTHERS: In person- Andy Sciarabba, Anita Bower, Cynthia & Bella Mannino, Maureen Shallish, Cait Darfler, Don Ellis, Dolores Higareda, Steve Nicholson, Chris Collins Via Zoom- Maureen’s iPhone APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Ms. Olson requested to remove discussion of the RFP for ground-mount solar at the highway dept. Board notifications and budget modifications can also be removed. Mr. Goldman requested an update on the comp plan project. Mr. Boggs made a motion to approve the agenda as amended. This was seconded by Ms. Weatherby and passed unanimously. PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR: None PRESENTATION: David Weinstein (Environmental Management Council) on Unique Natural Areas (UNAs) Mr. Weinstein introduced himself and & Steve Nicholson. The purpose of the presentation is to draw awareness to UNAs and the UNA inventory. Promoting conservation & preservation are the responsibility of municipalities. Presentation highlights include the following: Ulysses has 9 UNAs Tax parcels in each site have not yet been updated 2 Reasons for boundary changes Only applies to SEQR if it becomes designated as a “critical environmental area” The group discussed. MUNICIPAL BOARD & STAFF REPORTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS (written reports attached) Ms. Koreman shared the following updates from the Tompkins County Legislature: 2026 Budget: o Added 2 corrections officers to eliminate overtime o One 911 dispatch for same o Added position at TC Library o Tentative process almost complete o TCAT- 3 partners- trying to get all to agree on funding amount o 3.37% levy increase or $4.89/1000 of assessed value Office for Aging is re-locating and is offering transportation in interim- call 211 Board of Elections is moving but must be in Ithaca Flock cameras funded for another year. There are concerns about sharing the data but has been a decrease in crime. Code Blue shelter has opened on Cherry St. for cold weather Legislature has increased security Sales tax YTD up 4%. Down about .5 million from what was budgeted SNAP benefits & food security- has been working with local officials. TC has allocated $50k for the food bank o Tburg had ~10 more than usual 100 (2x/month) o Enfield has seen over 30% increase and can use more volunteers Ms. Koreman thanked those in attendance for allowing her to represent them. Dec. will be her final month as a legislator. Finance Committee: Meeting notes are always posted with agenda packets. The committee has been working on updating the fund balance policy and would like board feedback. It will be adopted in January at Org. mtg. Comp plan: Ms. Weatherby shared the following: Had good turnout for last meeting. Feedback from public and steering committee show a desire to extend timeline. The committee agreed to end of March deadline. Open house on 11/19 at Town Hall. The next committee meeting will be on Dec. 10. Ms. Olson added that the town will need to pay MRB as this extension will be beyond the contract. Three Falls: 3 Ms. Olson shared that they have a draft masterplan that state parks will need to review so it will not be finalized until early 2026. Cold Springs Rd Park Open House: This was held tonight. Over 500 people responded to the survey. CONSENT AGENDA: RESOLUTION #150 OF 2025: CANCEL 2ND MEETINGS IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER RESOLVED, the Ulysses Town Board cancels the November 25, 2025 and December 23, 2025 Town Board meetings. RESOLUTION #151 OF 2025: AUTHORIZATION TO INCLUDE A 2026 TOWN BUDGET SUMMARY IN THE 2026 TAX BILLS WHEREAS, the Real Property Tax Law section 922 (1) (d) permits municipalities to include a summary of the 2026 adopted budget with the tax bills if the Town Board approves such action by resolution; and WHEREAS, all taxpayers deserve a clear and transparent explanation of how their taxes are used and the structure and changes in the Town of Ulysses 2026 budget; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Ulysses Town Board authorizes the Supervisor and Clerk to prepare a brief summary of the 2026 Town Budget for inclusion with the 2026 tax bill. VOTE ON RESOLUTIONS 150 & 151: Moved: Mr. Goldman Seconded: Ms. Bouchard Olson aye Boggs aye Bouchard aye Goldman aye Weatherby aye Vote: 5-0 Date adopted: 11/12/25 NEW BUSINESS: AGARD ROAD SPEED REDUCTION REQUEST RESOLUTION #152 OF 2025: REQUESTING A TRAFFIC STUDY TO REDUCE THE SPEED LIMIT ON AGARD ROAD WHEREAS, Agard Road is a Town of Ulysses road and WHEREAS, residents have requested a speed study, and WHEREAS, the Ulysses Highway Superintendent has reviewed the road conditions and supports a speed study and a speed reduction, contingent on enforcement, and 4 WHEREAS, §1622 of the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law establishes the law regarding speed limits on town highways, and WHEREAS, this law states that the Department of Transportation, upon the request of the county superintendent of highways of a county, and the town board of the town affected with respect to town highways in such town outside of cities or villages, may, by order, rule or regulation: (1) Establish maximum speed limits at which vehicles may proceed on or along such highways higher or lower than the fifty-five miles per hour statutory maximum speed limit. No such limit shall be established at less than twenty-five miles per hour, except that school speed limits may be established at not less than fifteen miles per hour, (2) Establish maximum speed limits at which vehicles may proceed on or along all such highways lying within an area as designated by a description of the boundaries of such area submitted by the county superintendent of highways of a county and the town board of the town affected lower than fifty-five miles per hour statutory maximum speed limit. No such limit shall be established at less than thirty miles per hour, NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Ulysses supports the request for a speed control investigation by NYSDOT to determine if the speed limit for Agard Road from Route 89 to Route 96 for the safety of residents, drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians, and be it FURTHER RESOLVED that the Town Board directs the Town Clerk to submit a certified copy of this resolution to the Tompkins County Highway Superintendent requesting that they accept and submit our request to the NYSDOT. Moved: Mr. Goldman Seconded: Ms. Bouchard The group discussed looking at a wholistic view of traffic calming in the town. Olson aye Boggs aye Bouchard aye Goldman aye Weatherby aye Vote: 5-0 Date adopted: 11/12/25 REFERRING REQUEST FOR OPEN DEVELOPMENT AREA TO THE PLANNING BOARD Ms. Olson said that this request is for parcels that do not have frontage on a road per state law. So if building is desired on a parcel, it needs this designation. RESOLUTION #153 OF 2025: REFERRING REQUEST FOR OPEN DEVELOPMENT AREA TO PLANNING BOARD WHEREAS, Maureen Foley and Jason Brenner have requested the Town Board establish an Open Development Area over their property designated as Tax Parcel 30.-3-9 and known as 1191 Taughannock Boulevard pursuant to NYS Town Law 280-a(4); and 5 WHEREAS, said law requires referral of this matter to the Town Planning Board for its advice regarding such establishment; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that Ms. Foley and Mr. Brenner's request is hereby referred to the Town Planning Board for advice and recommendation. Moved: Mr. Goldman Seconded: Ms. Weatherby Olson aye Boggs aye Bouchard aye Goldman aye Weatherby aye Vote: 5-0 Date adopted: 11/12/25 UPCOMING EVENTS November 27-28 – Town Buildings Closed for Thanksgiving December 9 – Regular meeting @ 7pm @ Town Hall APPROVAL OF MINUTES: RESOLUTION #154 of 2025: APPROVAL OF MINUTES RESOLVED, that the Ulysses Town Board approves the minutes as presented from the 10/28 Regular Meeting. Moved: Ms. Bouchard Seconded: Ms. Weatherby Olson aye Boggs aye Bouchard aye Goldman aye Weatherby aye Vote: 5-0 Date adopted: 11/12/25 PAYMENT OF AUDITED CLAIMS: RESOLUTION #155 of 2025: PAYMENT OF AUDITED CLAIMS RESOLVED that the Ulysses Town Board approves payment of claims #518-574 in the amount of $195,103.64. Moved: Ms. Olson Seconded: Mr. Boggs aye Olson aye Boggs 6 Bouchard aye Goldman aye Weatherby aye Vote: 5-0 Date adopted: 11/12/25 PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR (3-min limit per person) None ADJOURN: Mr. Goldman made a motion to adjourn at 8:13pm. This was seconded by Ms. Bouchard and passed unanimously. Respectfully submitted by Carissa Parlato, Town Clerk, 12/3/25 Trumansburg/Ulysses Youth Programs Report: October 2025 Total Youth Served this month: ~44 Positive Youth Development: Cooking classes (8 youth) ongoing- Monday afternoons at the Middle School. October 27 Lucky invited guest chef Sarah Brainard to facilitate a vegan cooking class. They prepared a vegan feast. “Brain Break”/After-School Hangout on Weds. afternoons ongoing- at the Episcopal Church. (~10 Youth) Movies, games, coloring, making snacks, hanging out with friends. Teen employee Natalie Holcomb has been regularly helping with the Monday and the Wednesday programs. Lucky and Rachel are looking forward to sprucing up the church basement. Community Action Theatre (8 Middle School youth) Thursday afternoons October 30-Dec 11 Facilitated by Kerr Mesner, Support facilitation by Rachel Kennedy and Andrew Hertzberg Teen helper- Ebba Knapp Started October 30- with lots of icebreakers and theatre games in preparation for beginning to develop a theatre piece starting Nov. 6. Family and friend performance on Dec. 11 (6ish pm) at Episcopal Church. The program is supported by the Tompkins County Community Arts Partnership Grant, and in kind support from the Town. We can welcome new participants (up to �ifteen 6th-9th graders) until 2nd session 11/6 College Visit October 28 Visit to Finger Lakes Community College with 6 Tburg 10th graders. Beautiful day, great group and great tour. Highlight (for me anyway)-the Anatomage table- for virtual dissection - allows students to interact with 3D holographic models of the human body. One of the biology teachers gave a demo. Civics Internship Program Group of 11 this fall. 7 Juniors, 4 Freshman. 7 F, 4 M. Project is to develop a body of youth feedback for the new community park. At this point, interns have learned about the project, have met with the Cornell Design/Connect students to offer their input and learn about the survey and activities for soliciting feedback from their peers. Monday and Tuesday this week the interns were in classrooms in Tburg Middle and High Schools introducing the project and collecting ideas from their peers (Brainstorming and “draw your own park” activity) Marie Benner Rhoades is co-facilitating and lead facilitator on the Kingian Nonviolence Content. Team Building Game (10/12/25) Meeting with Cornell Design/Connect (10/12/25) Other Rachel attended zoom workshop “Understanding Gender Identity and Expansiveness” Worthwhile workshop and impressive presenter. Part of Fall Series Hosted by Tompkins County Youth Services Department, Led by specialist from the Child Mind Institute. Town of Ulysses Clerk’s Office MONTHLY REPORT for October 2025 Submitted by Carissa Parlato LICENSES/PERMITS issued:# CLERK’s OFFICE TASKS: General/routine tasks: • mail, answered inquiries on various topics, attended town board meetings and took minutes, notary services, licensing (marriage, dog, sporting), disabled parking permits, collected building & zoning fees, participated in weekly Supervisor/Clerks office meetings, managed building use/equipment sign out, responded to FOIL requests, ordered supplies, posted board meetings & videos on web and Youtube • Assist with BCPZ/DPW clerk position recruitment and interviewing • Clerk for planning, zoning, comp plan meetings • Water: o Coordinate requests for new hookups/final reads with DPW • Public engagement projects and tasks: o Cold Springs recreation land survey o Halloween open house o Food resources o Comp Plan  Updated website  Continued to share town updates on Face Book  Send press releases  Sent weekly e-newsletters  Hang flyers • Habitat Nature Preserve: o No updates • IT: o Checked spam filter weekly o Correspond with Computer Room for assistance as needed • Health & Safety Committee o Work on AED policy • Meetings o TC Public Information Advisory Board o Food resources FINANCIAL REPORT: Planning & Zoning September 2025 Report to Town Board Town Board Meeting Date, 11.12.2025 Submitted by Niels Tygesen, 11.05.2025 Planning Board The Planning Board held a meeting on October 21 to discuss the following items: • The Board conducted final site plan review and approved a site plan for an addition to an existing detached accessory structure located at 123 Maplewood Road. • The Board agreed the Town Board should be the Lead Agency for a rezone proposal of DD3. • The Board issued a memo to the Town Board on recommendations regarding stream and wetland regulations. • The Board discussed the Drinking Water Source Protection Program. • The Board discussed draft Land Use and Transportation chapters of the Comp Plan, and draft SEQR. • Draft minutes link; recorded meeting video link. Comp Plan Steering Committee The Committee held a meeting on October 8 to discuss the following items: • The Committee held a public hearing on the following draft comp plan chapters: Community Well-Being; Capital Facilities, Services, and Utilities. • Discussed results at public comments from the 10.06 open house. • Continued discussion of preparation for the 2nd public open house and hearings. • Draft minutes link; recorded meeting video link. The Committee held a meeting on October 22 to discuss the following items: • The Committee held a public hearing on the following draft comp plan chapters: Transportation, Land Use, and SEQR Part 1. • Continued discussion of the planning process & preparation for public hearings. • Draft minutes link; recorded meeting video link. Board of Zoning Appeals The BZA did not conduct any business this month. Planning Projects • 2025-45 Comp Plan Update o 2025 4Q report tracking for CSC grant. o Coordination and ongoing work with Consultant . Zoning Enforcement • Ongoing research on code enforcement cases. Miscellaneous • Building, Planning, and Zoning permit reviews. • Customer support pertaining zoning information and permitting process. 2025-10 Recreation Monthly Report November 4, 2025 Created by: Will Glennon, Recreation Director Adult Recreation Programming ● Fall adult recreation programs will continue through until the beginning of the school break. ○ Scheduling has begun for the second session ○ Winter session registration will open December 1st. ○ Winter schedules will be interupted by new school space availability. Fall youth programming ● Three youth programs concluded in October. Late fall youth programming ● Three youth basketball open gym opportunites were introduced as pilot programs for the fall. These programs were offered for more practice in anticipation of reduced practice space for the winter basketball season. ● One youth weekly baseball clinic started on November 2nd. This is a six week program offered for players ages 6-10 years old. Only twenty spots are available. Current waitlist is 15, but unfortunetly more space cannot be opened for this session. Winter youth programming ● The winter youth team basketball programs and youth basketball clinic opened registration on October 31st. ● Teams are offered for both boys and girls in grades 3-6. Currently the estimates will be a total of three girls teams and 3-4 boys teams. Numbers are lower for some grades this winter due to a new invite only travel program. ● School space for the basketball programs are now limited due to increased programs using the school space and more school based athletic teams. General Administration ● Met with the chair of the Suny Cortland Recreation Department on Thursday, October 9th to further discuss collaboration plans. The staff will be able to create summer camp programming options for specialized camps at the new camp barton location. ○ More discussions about the vision of camp barton and the Suny Cortland Recreation Department ’s ability to assist with this planning is possible. ● Dates may need to change for winter programming due to new space restrictions. ○ Practice times will change for youth basketball beginning in January. Times will not start until 7 pm. Programmatic changes have taken place to account for these space restrictions. ● General RecDesk administration of registrations, cancellations, refunds, waitlist management, payment vouchers, equipment orders, and community updates. Teressa Naylor, 11/7/25 2nd Deputy Supervisor update • Admin Assistant 3 job opening: o Lori Asperschlager hired to support DPW/Planning/Zoning/Code Enforcement; start date Nov 24 o Reporting to 2nd Deputy Supervisor – will provide organizational supervision of the position and assist with development of the role and workﬂow responsibilities o Working on orientation and onboarding plan along with other Town staff • Culvert projects: o Curry Road Bridge-NY: B&L doing PE/Design – anticipated 2026/2027 construction  It's possible that construction could happen in 2026...  B&L is waiting for NY-DOT approval of FDR (Final Design Report) before completing ADP (Advance Detail Plans), although they've “unofficially” started work on it  If NY-DOT reasonably moves things along, B&L could have the PSE (Plans/Specs/Estimates)/bid package for the RFP ready to go out by February for 2026 construction; if we don't get a good response we’d rebid in the fall for 2027 construction o Maplewood Road Bridge-NY: B&L doing PE/Design – anticipated 2027 construction  B&L can likely schedule survey for early December before snow starts, then begin work on DDR (Draft Design Report)  Projected 2026 timeline: April - DDR submitted to NY-DOT, April/May - NY- DOT review and our outreach, June - FDR submitted, September – ADP submitted, October - PSE package ready for RFP/bid for 2027 construction o Garrett Road WQIP: estimated 2027 construction  Reviewing WQIP award contract to determine feasibility of RFQ for PE/Design, rather than RFP; hope to put out RFP before EOY  If we secure PE/Design contractor by the EOY, could expect to go to bid next fall for construction in 2027 o Agard Road WQIP: estimated 2028 construction, if awarded  Construction most likely in 2028, unless award received soon; would be easier to move quickly into PE/Design with an RFQ in place • Solar array — 100k NYSERDA grant o Reviewed and responded to draft RFP provided by Taitem Engineering o Will review ﬁnal draft and submit to board for resolution at 11/12 meeting o Upon board approval, will begin bid process to contract with solar provider • EV acquisition — 50k NYSERDA grant o Received initial $12,500 from NYSERDA grant o Expect to initiate purchase via OGS before EOY • Community Org Funding o Will notify applicants of award/non-award status and amounts • On-site at Town Hall for Halloween trick-or-treating: o Provided pizza, candy, conversation with constituents o Encouraged completion of donated park land development survey (20-30 completed) • Design work for ﬂyers, postcards, etc. for various projects • Misc tasks and smaller projects associated with prior project follow-up, new initiatives, research, etc. Town of Ulysses November 2025, Bookkeeper Board Report November 12, 2025, Town Board Meeting Prepared by Blixy Taetzsch, 11/5/2025 1 Greetings Board Members: I have finalized the October 2025 financial statements, which accompany this report for your review. The following are highlights from the October 2025 financial statements, along with a summary of my activities for October. Balance Sheet As detailed in the Supervisor’s Report, total cash balances as of 10/31/25 were $814,014.35, a decrease of $27,671.15 from the end of September. A few notable items to comment on for this month: • There have been several investment transactions this month – investment maturities from Tompkins Financial totaling $805,000 and investments of $700,000 in NYCLASS. The net investment activity funded expenditures in the DB fund for road improvements. • Sales Tax and EMS payments are current through September. Both revenue categories are slightly ahead of projections. • Cash outlays for operating expenses included normal operational expenditures – however in October, we had three pay periods, which increased cash outlay from a typical month. Additionally, we expended funds for road improvements in the amount of $105,000. In addition to cash balances, the Town had investments valued at a total of $2,882,569.70 as of October 31, 2025. Of the total investments, $311,118.14 were held at Tompkins Financial and $2,571,451.56 were invested in NYCLASS. As securities mature in the Tompkins Financial portfolio, proceeds will be reinvested in NYCLASS, net of any cash needed to cover expenditures. As of September 30, $90,339.92 was recorded in interest and earnings across funds, representing realized and unrealized earnings on investments through the third quarter of 2025. Income Statement Sales Tax, Court Fees and Fines, EMS Fees and Mortgage Tax revenue are coming in ahead of budget. Sales tax is on track to be about 10% ahead of budget, and Court revenue has already exceeded the budget for the year. The first of our two Mortgage Tax payments were received, and the budget is almost fully earned for the year. EMS revenue has now reached $80,000 and will exceed projected revenues. In the B Fund, Building Permit revenue has now exceeded the budget for the year, with revenues recorded through September 2025. This is due to some larger permits, including a one-time permit renewal related to the CARS project. Expenditures are also as expected for the month. As noted in the balance sheet narrative, there were three payrolls in October, increasing our typical monthly cash outlay. Additionally, in the DB fund, expenditures were made for road improvements that will be reimbursed with CHIPS funds at the end of the year. Town of Ulysses November 2025, Bookkeeper Board Report November 12, 2025, Town Board Meeting Prepared by Blixy Taetzsch, 11/5/2025 2 Bookkeeper/Budget Officer Activities Below are some highlights of September activities: • 2026 Budget: The Board has approved the 2026 budget, and I will be working to finalize any additional information needed for public dissemination of the budget. I also continue to monitor year-end projections for 2025. • Personnel: We have begun our open enrollment period for employee benefits, where staff and retirees have the option to change their benefit enrollment. In addition, we have filled the Admin Assist 3 position supporting Planning/Zoning/DPW. They will be starting on 11/24. We have also posted the cleaner position approved by the Board. • Finance Committee: The Finance Committee met on October 23rd to discuss the fund balance policy as it relates to B fund. In addition, updates were provided on sales tax and EMS revenue. Notes from the meeting accompany my report. • Cash Flow: I continue to analyze cash flow needs and make determinations about re-investment of funds as the bonds at Tompkins Financial mature. This month, as noted earlier in my narrative, I reinvested a total of $700,000 in NYCLASS.