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Home My WebLink About2026-01-27-TB-FINAL-minutes1 TOWN BOARD MEETING Town of Ulysses Jan. 27, 2026 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 7:01pm. ATTENDANCE: TOWN OFFICIALS: In person- Supervisor- Katelin Olson Board members- Michael Boggs, Tom Knipe, Steve Manley, Liz Weatherby Town Clerk- Carissa Parlato Via Zoom- Linda Liddle (Planning Board) OTHERS: In person- Roxy Johnston & Isaac Walker (Cayuga Lake Watershed Intermunicipal Organization (CWIO)) Via Zoom- Mack Rovenolt APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Mr. Boggs moved to approve the agenda as presented. This was seconded by Mr. Manley and passed unanimously. PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR: No comments PUBLIC HEARING- CHARTER CABLE FRANCHISE: Ms. Olson shared that this is the agreement that allows Charter Communications to continue having cable lines in the town’s right-of-way. Last year Charter paid the town about $10,000 in franchise fees. Mr. Knipe moved to open the hearing at 7:04pm. This was seconded by Mr. Boggs and passed unanimously. Ms. Olson asked 3 times if anyone wanted to comment. Hearing no comments, Ms. Weatherby moved to close the hearing at 7:05pm. This was seconded by Mr. Manley and passed unanimously. PRESENTATION- Cayuga Lake Watershed Intermunicipal Org.(CWIO) 2 Roxy Johnstone and Isaac Walker said that the organization represents all 50 municipalities in the watershed to help protect water and provide access to grant funds. They partner with other watershed organizations as well. Project examples: • Ditch & culvert surveys and assessments • Grants for raingardens • Shoreline and streambank stabilization • Procuring live edge plow blade to help with erosion • Salt storage facility upgrades Ms. Johnstone shared information about dues and their funding formula, as well as the benefits: • Voting seat • Direct access to state reps (they attend meetings) • Updates on funding opportunities • Project management from the Watershed Manager (Mr. Walker) The group discussed further. OLD BUSINESS: CHARTER FRANCHISE AGREEMENT RESOLUTION #44 OF 2026: APPROVAL OF CHARTER FRANCHISE AGREEMENT An application has been duly made to the Board of the Town of Ulysses, County of Tompkins, New York, by Spectrum Northeast, LLC, an indirect subsidiary of Charter Communications, Inc. (“Charter”), a limited liability company organized and existing in good standing under the laws of State of Delaware doing business at 815 Erie Blvd E, Syracuse, NY 13210, for the approval of a renewal agreement for Charter's cable television franchise for fifteen (15) years commencing with the date of approval by the Public Service Commission. The franchise renewal agreement would bring the franchise into conformity with certain provisions of the Federal Cable Communications Policy Act of 1984, as amended, and certain court rulings. A public hearing was held in the Town of Ulysses, New York on January 27 at 7pm and notice of the hearing was published in the Ithaca Journal on January 17, 2026. NOW, THEREFORE, the Board of the Town of Ulysses finds that: 1. Spectrum Northeast, LLC has substantially complied with the material terms and conditions of its existing franchise and with applicable law; and 2. Spectrum Northeast, LLC has the financial, legal and technical ability to provide these services, facilities and equipment as set forth in its proposal attached; and 3. Spectrum Northeast, LLC can reasonably meet the future cable-related community needs and interests, taking into account the cost of meeting such needs and interests. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board of the Town of Ulysses hereby grants the cable television franchise of Spectrum Northeast, LLC and the Town of Ulysses for fifteen (15) years 3 commencing with the date of approval by the Public Service Commission and expiring fifteen (15) years hence. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board of the Town of Ulysses hereby confirms acceptance of this franchise renewal agreement. Moved: Olson Seconded: Boggs Olson aye Boggs aye Knipe aye Manley aye Weatherby aye Vote: 5-0 Date Adopted: 1/27/26 DEC WATER QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (WQUIP) UPDATE ON AGARD RD CULVERT Ms. Olson shared that the town received $850K to replace the Agard Road culvert. The Town also received funds in 2024 for the Garrett Road culvert. The grant provides 75% of funding. AED POLICY RESOLUTION #45 OF 2026: GOOD SAMARITAN AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATOR (AED) USE POLICY WHEREAS, the Town of Ulysses purchased two AEDs for public use at the Town Hall and Town Barn; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Ulysses Town Board approves the Good Samaritan Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Use Policy. Moved: Knipe Seconded: Weatherby Olson aye Boggs aye Knipe aye Manley aye Weatherby aye Vote: 5-0 Date Adopted: 1/27/26 NEW BUSINESS: INTRODUCTION AND SCHEDULING A PUBLIC HEARING FOR “A LOCAL LAW AMENDING SECTION 174-11 OF THE TOWN CODE REGARDING EXEMPTION TABLE” 4 RESOLUTION #46 OF 2026: SCHEDULING A PUBLIC HEARING FOR “A LOCAL LAW AMENDING SECTION 174-11 OF THE TOWN CODE REGARDING EXEMPTION TABLE” WHEREAS, a local law entitled “A local law AMENDING section 174-11 OF THE TOWN CODE REGARDING EXEMPTION TABLE” was introduced at this meeting, and WHEREAS, the Town Board desires to hold a public hearing with respect to the adoption of said Local Law. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that a public hearing shall be held by the Town Board of the Town of Ulysses with respect to the adoption of the aforesaid Local Law on February 10, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. at Town Hall, 10 Elm Street, Trumansburg, New York; and it is further RESOLVED, that the Town Clerk is hereby authorized and directed to cause public notice of said hearing to be given as provided by law. Moved: Olson Seconded: Boggs Olson aye Boggs aye Knipe aye Manley aye Weatherby aye Vote: 5-0 Date Adopted: 1/27/26 INTRODUCTION AND SCHEDULING A PUBLIC HEARING FOR “A LOCAL LAW AMENDING CHAPTER 80 OF THE TOWN CODE TO UPDATE REFERENCES TO THE UNIFORM CODE AND ENERGY CODE” RESOLUTION # 47 OF 2026: SCHEDULING A PUBLIC HEARING FOR “A LOCAL LAW AMENDING CHAPTER 80 OF THE TOWN CODE TO UPDATE REFERENCES TO THE UNIFORM CODE AND ENERGY CODE” WHEREAS, a local law entitled “A LOCAL LAW AMENDING CHAPTER 80 OF THE TOWN CODE TO UPDATE REFERENCES TO THE UNIFORM CODE AND ENERGY CODE” was introduced at this meeting, and WHEREAS, the Town Board desires to hold a public hearing with respect to the adoption of said Local Law. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that a public hearing shall be held by the Town Board of the Town of Ulysses with respect to the adoption of the aforesaid Local Law on February 10, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. at Town Hall, 10 Elm Street, Trumansburg, New York; and it is further RESOLVED, that the Town Clerk is hereby authorized and directed to cause public notice of said hearing to be given as provided by law. Moved: Knipe Seconded: Weatherby Olson aye Boggs aye Knipe aye Manley aye 5 Weatherby aye Vote: 5-0 Date Adopted: 1/27/26 LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR VILLAGE FIRE AND EMS STATION IMPROVEMENTS RESOLUTION #48 OF 2026: LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR VILLAGE OF TRUMANSBURG FIRE/EMS BUILDING GRANT RESOLVED, the Ulysses Town Board authorizes the Town Supervisor to sign a letter of support for the Village of Trumansburg Fire/EMS building grant application. Moved: Olson Seconded: Boggs Olson aye Boggs aye Knipe aye Manley aye Weatherby aye Vote: 5-0 Date Adopted: 1/27/26 GATEKEEPER RESOLUTION FOR COMMUNITY ARTS PARTNERSHIP OF TOMPKINS COUNTY RESOLUTION #49 OF 2026: RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE COMMUNITY ARTS PARTNERSHIP OF TOMPKINS COUNTY WHEREAS, the Community Arts Partnership of Tompkins County provides funding for arts endeavors throughout the county; and WHEREAS, the Town partnered with the Trumansburg Community Action Theatre for a youth theatre program in fall 2025; and WHEREAS, the Trumansburg Community Action Theatre offers youth (up to twelve 6th-9th graders in Ulysses and the Trumansburg area) the opportunity to engage in creative conversations and activism relating to issues they identify as important in their communities; and WHEREAS, youth will explore issues through theatre games and exercises and develop their own work of participatory theatre, with the program culminates in a community performance- to engage the wider community in theatrical conversation; and WHEREAS, the grant does not require an in-kind match; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Ulysses Town Board authorizes the Town Supervisor, or her designee, to submit a grant request of $5,000 to the Community Arts Partnership of Tompkins County for the Trumansburg Community Action Theatre. Moved: Olson Seconded: Knipe Olson aye 6 Boggs aye Knipe aye Manley aye Weatherby aye Vote: 5-0 Date Adopted: 1/27/26 REQUEST TO PLANNING BOARD REGARDING OPEN AREA DEVELOPMENT (ODA) DESIGNATIONS Ms. Olson defined ODAs as areas that do not have road frontage or access to a public road. For example, lakefront properties may have easements/access on private roads. NYS defines an ODA but does not provide guidelines. The Attorney for the Town recommended that the board create a Local Law to determine criteria for making the decisions. Such criteria may include: • Property owners must show a deed to begin the process • Ensure emergency access with appropriate agencies • A 239 review by TC • SEQR/environmental review RESOLUTION #50 OF 2026: OPEN AREA DEVELOPMENT CRITERIA FEEDBACK REQUEST FOR THE ULYSSES PLANNING BOARD WHEREAS, the Ulysses Town Board has received requests from property owners to have their properties be designated as Open Area Developments; and WHEREAS, it is the understanding of the Ulysses Town Board that this is a discretionary decision; and WHEREAS, the Ulysses Town Board seeks feedback on what documentation or criteria should be reviewed in making a determination of this kind; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Ulysses Town Board requests that the Planning Board, at their earliest possible availability, provides recommendations of criteria and documentation that should be considered in making a determination as to whether a parcel should be designed as an Open Development Area. Moved: Olson Seconded: Boggs Olson aye Boggs aye Knipe aye Manley aye Weatherby aye Vote: 5-0 Date Adopted: 1/27/26 UPCOMING EVENTS 7 January 28 – Comp Plan Steering Committee, 5:30pm @ Town Hall February 10 – Regular Town Board Meeting, 7pm @ Town Hall February 11 – Comp Plan Steering Committee, 5:30pm @ Town Hall APPROVAL OF MINUTES: RESOLUTION #51 of 2026: APPROVAL OF MINUTES RESOLVED, that the Ulysses Town Board approves the meeting minutes as amended from: December 30, 2025 (special meeting), January 7, 2026 (special meeting/organizational meeting), and January 13, 2026 (regular meeting). Moved: Olson Seconded: Weatherby Olson aye Boggs aye Knipe aye Manley aye Weatherby aye Vote: 5-0 Date Adopted: 1/27/26 PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR (3-min limit per person) No comments ADJOURN: Mr. Boggs made a motion to adjourn at 8:33pm. This was seconded by Mr. Manley and passed unanimously. Respectfully submitted by Carissa Parlato, Town Clerk, 2/4/26