HomeMy WebLinkAboutReport of Public Works 2/1/2002 to 2/31/2002luillage of Taungu Ee'rgl2to
MARCHAM HALL
836 HANSHAW ROAD
ITHACA, N.Y. 14850
REPORT OF PUBLIC WORKS
TO: BOARD OF TRUSTEES
FROM: Brent A. Cross, Superintendent of Public Works
PERIOD: 2/1/02 through 2/28/02
REPORT BY DEPARTMENT:
A. VILLAGE ENGINEER -
1. PUBLIC WORKS
Telephone
607. 257 -1238
Office Hours
9 A.M. - 4 P.M.
a. Street System: As promised in previous reports, I have attached a budget report
with a list of streets recommended for paving in the upcoming budget. Please review and
comment if you have other streets that should be considered.
b. Storm Water System: no report
c. Water System: no report (is good news).
d. Sewer System: no report
e. Solid Waste: Garbage collected for this month was tons.
f. Equipment: DPW Fuel Consumption for this month: Gas = 359.00 gallons
Diesel= 638.70 gallons
As reported last month, we evaluated several options to plow the sidewalks through the
rest of the winter season. We took a calculated risk and decided not to purchase any
new /used equipment until the new budget. Although the winter is not officially over, it looks like
we made a wise choice.
The attached budget report also has a list of the proposed equipment purchases for the
new budget. A new sidewalk plow is one of the items.
g. Buildings and Grounds: We continue to get complaints and unfounded accusations
from Mr. Gold from Pleasant Grove Lane. One site improvement that we promised to make is
the installation of some fencing along the top of the embankment. You would think that it
would be needless to say that we are waiting until spring to do such work, but Mr. Gold
continues to complain. We also need to relocate about 100' of water main around the new salt
building before we can install the fence.
Since the budget for the project never included the additional fence, I need the
Treasurer to advise what source of funds can be used to pay for the fence and some
additional landscaping.
h. Waste Water Treatment Plant: NYS SPDES Report for this month:
Daily avg. flow was 1.698 mgd
Max. avg. flow was 3.357 mgd
w/ 0 permit exception(s)
As directed at the last Trustee meeting, I requested Stearns & Wheler to add a
statement to their Phosphorous Engineering Report contract that would guarantee the results
for 3 -5 years. They were reluctant to do so. Therefore, Trustee Lynn and I met with them to
discuss outstanding issues with the Bond Act projects. S &W suggested a face -to -face meeting
with the Water Resources Division Director at the NYSDEC Headquarters in Albany. We
agreed that this would be useful. 1 have attached a report to summarize the meeting with the
NYSDEC.
I. Personnel: Ed Quick is still on Workers Compensation for his back injury. 1 spoke to
him recently and he is still not responding to physical therapy, therefore the doctors have
advised him that he will need surgery. This means that he will not be back to work for quite
awhile. I am concerned that the DPW will suffer through another construction season with a
vacancy in a keep position.
j. Safety: We have had our annual review by PERMA of our safety programs. I believe
that we scored the highest possible score on the programs part of the evaluation. Although
this will improve our rating, the premiums for all municipalities is supposed to increase.
Treasurer Silber may know the specific financial impact.
2. Planning Board Reviews:
a. Site Plan Approval: none
b. Subdivision Approval: none
3. Ithaca/Tompkins 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. As of the writing of this report, we just received a proposal from NYSEG with three options
for removal of the "outhouse" at the corner of Highland /Hanshaw. We have not had time to
analyze the options, but should have a recommendation in time for the Monday meeting.
b. An application for an unpermitted 8' high fence has been denied. The applicant may seek a
variance, but has suggested an alternative design that I am uncertain how the Zoning
Ordinance should be interpreted. The suggestion is to remove the fencing between every
other post at 8' on center, leaving an alternating pattern of 8' panel, 8' blank, etc.. Does this
constitute a fence?
c. Based on several misunderstandings by village residents who have installed fences without
knowing the zoning ordinance, I recommend that the Village amend the Zoning Ordinance
to require that all fences be issued a permit before construction. I believe that this could
help to advise people how to properly comply with the ordinance.
C. BUILDING COMMISSIONER - (see attached report for Building Permit Activity)