HomeMy WebLinkAboutReport of Public Works 1/1/2002 to 1/31/2002Village of Onuttgn Reigljts
MARCHAM HALL
836 HANSHAW ROAD Telephone
ITHACA, N.Y. 14850 807. 257.1238
REPORT OF PUBLIC WORKS
TO: BOARD OF TRUSTEES
FROM: Brent A. Cross, Superintendent of Public Works
PERIOD: 1/1/02 through 1/31/02
REPORT BY DEPARTMENT:
A. VILLAGE ENGINEER -
1. PUBLIC WORKS
Office Hours
9 A.M. - 4 P.M.
a. Street System: I will make a list of streets to be considered for paving in next year's
budget. These will be streets that are in need of repair, but do not need to be completely
reconstructed.
b. Storm Water System: I have been following the proposed EPA Phase II Stormwater
Regulations for the last two years. In 1999, 1 attended an American Public Works Association
seminar on the subject. It will require all small municipalities to designate a coordinator whose
job will be to implement a six point program. I have been trying to get an intermunicipal
agency, such as the county to maybe Bolton Point, to consider providing these services to a
similar group of municipalities. So far I have not found much concern from other agencies.
There was a concrete box culvert on Highland Road, near Cayuga Park Circle that had
been eroding and cause settlement in the road. in the process of replacing this culvert, the
DPW crew encountered many obstacles including every utility, and bedrock. After several
attempts, the pipe was successfully installed.
With the mild weather conditions, the DPW crew has also been able to do some other
drainage type projects that were on work orders, which normally would not have been
completed until springtime.
c. Water System: no report (is good news).
d. Sewer System: no report
e. Solid Waste: Garbage collected for this month was _i tons.
f. Equipment: DPW Fuel Consumption for this month: Gas = 541.00 gallons
Diesel = 676.00 gallons
The transmission in the sidewalk plow has blown. Since the unit is a hydrostatic type
transmission, it is a very expensive repair. We have a quote from Clark Equipment of $7500.
Since this is an older unit, I recommend that we do not spend that much money to repair it.
We have several options at this time: 1) revert back to using the Bobcat skidsteer, or rent a
small tractor with a blade (for the rest of the season), 2) purchase another used machine
similar to our sidewalk plow for $5000, 3) purchase a new unit (probably out of next year's
budget). In discussion with PWC members, we have decided to postpone action on this item
until further research can be done, with the Bobcat or tractor rental as our backup plan for the
rest of this season.
g. Buildings and Grounds: The basement stairway in the Village Hall has been
sheetrocked to provide fire resistance under the main exit stairs from the second floor. After
the steel stairs were installed a few years ago, the only thing left to make the stairway
completely fire proof is a fire rated door at the top. I will look into this further.
h. Waste Water Treatment Plant: NYS SPDES Report for this month:
Daily avg. flow was 1.589 mgd
Max. avg. flow was 2.529 mgd
w/ _ permit exception(s)
The NYSDEC has suggested that we proceed with the Engineering Report for the
Phosphorous Filtration Project for which we have received partial funded, and full 85% fund
has been verbally promised. Stearns & Wheler has quoted $21,600 to provide the engineering
services for this report as well as preparation of SEQRA documents. I have been told that
progress on this project would enhance the success of funding for the intermunicipal sewer
project.
I. Personnel: As per Board approval last month, Jeff Wood has been hired to fill the
vacant position of MEO. He has completed all of the necessary forms and passed a pre-
employment physical and drug test.
Ed Quick is still on Workers Compensation for his back injury. He has had limited
recovery and may have surgery in the future.
j. Safety: no report
2. Planning Board Reviews:
a. Site Plan Approval: none
b. Subdivision Approval: none
3. IthacalTompkins County Transportation Council —
a. Planning Committee: no report
b. Initial Project Proposals: none
c. NYSDOT Projects: none
B. ZONING OFFICER.- (see attached report for Zoning Permit Activity)
1. ZBA Actions: none
2. Zoning Enforcement Actions:
a. A group of Trustees and staff met with NYSEG representatives and their counsel. Their
latest proposal is to remove the fiberglass "outhouse" and build a chain link fence around,
the equipment that is inside. There was discussion about the option of underground
construction, but even this option was available, the fence around the other equipment
would still remain. In the event that the Board of Trustees accepts the fence proposal, it
would still need to be approved by the ZBA since the fence would be approximately 6' high
which is higher than the 4' permitted by the zoning ordinance.
b. I have spoken to ZBA Chairman Allee who was contacted by the individual with the fence
violation, and he indicated that his Board would entertain her request for variance after he
had gotten a new member to fill out all of the seats. Apparently, he has recommended
Joseph Petrillose be appointed to the ZBA.
C. BUILDING COMMISSIONER - (see attached report for Building Permit Activity)