HomeMy WebLinkAboutSpec Mtg. Minutes 5/24/1955c�
MINUTES of a Special Dinner Meeting of the Village Board held on Tuesday,
Nay 7.4, 1955 at 6:30 P.M. at the Statler Inn as guests of the Tompkins County Board
of Health.
PRESENT:' Representing the Village - Mayor Shirey; Trustees F. G. Marcham,
H. il. Williams and T. P. Wright;
Engineer Crandall; Treasurer Oliver,
Clerk Handel; Engineering,Consultant
H. M. Gifft
Representing the County Board of Health - Drs. Norman Moore and
Robert H. Broad, Environmental Sani-
tation Engineer Frank Liguori.
Representing the County Board of Supervisors - Harry Gordon,.
James Rice,.Carl Vail, Charles Newman,
James Conley, Dr. Bruno Sutton.
1. Dr. Norman Moore, presiding, explained that the purpose of the joint meet-
ing was to review the sewage pollution.problem in Cayuga Heights, review the histori-
cal record of progress of plans of the Village for correcting the situation as com-
pared to the time table that had been given in correspondence between the Village
and the County Board of Health. Also, to set up at this time a definite time table
that would give sewer service to the unsewered area of the Village at the earliest
possible date.
Fifteen minute statements were made by Dr. Broad and Engineer Crandall.. These
statements reviewed the historical record of the Village "annexed" area sewage
pollution condition. Dr. Broad stressed the points of failure of the Village to
keep to its announced program, of lack of push on the whole program and failure
to use the good offices of the County Board of Health in plant design, degree of
treatment, and clearing of details and decisions on several matters with the
several state boards and officials involved.
Engineer Crandall pointed out that sewage was one of several problems faced
by the village government in consolidation of the "old" and "annexed" village areas,
that first plans anticipated acceptance of sewage by the City of Ithaca which was
refnsed and then tied in with the annexation of the Village to the City resulting
in seven months of confusion and delay. Since the first of the year, when plans
were again pushed, there had been lack of cooperation by the various State Boards
in rettinr needed answers. However, in spite of these delays, Engineer Crandall
felt that the original time schedule of sewers by summer of 1956 (3 years from
time of annexation) was still possible of attainment.
Five minute statements were made by others concerning many phases of the
problem.
Dr. Moore felt that the air had been considerably cleared by this meeting.
He still. regreted the failure of the Village to work with the County Board, and
while it was brought out that approval rested with the State Departments involved,
the County Board could steer the Village and if delays were encountered at the
Albanyy level, his department could secure prompt answers from the proper officials
in Albany.
To bring the matter of a time -table to a head, this was discussed in detail,
with the following understanding:
1. Completion of plans, specifications, bid proposals, and receipt of
contractors bids by early September.
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2. A referendum vote on a bond issue as soon thereafter as-legally possible,
probably in early October.
3. Letting of contracts with view to expeditious completion of sewers and plant
as soon as possible.
It was. pointed out by M�V or Shirey and Engineer Crandall that this time table was
based on a favorable vote on the bond issue. This rested with the people and pointed
up the necessity of presenting a clear picture to the people based on a sound approach
to the problem of financing. A complicating factor was the matter of annexation to
the City, which although turned dorm by the people on two occasions, still might
influence the vote of those still favorable to annexation, who might vote "NO" on
the bond issue to revive annexation.
There was agreement on the value of periodic (monthly) checking of the Village
and County Board of Health to review progress and avoid further misunderstandings and
delay.
This part of the meeting ccncluded at•9:17 P.M. The Village Board then proceeded
with the following business:
2. The following bills were approved for payment:
GENERAL:
N. Y. S. Electric & Gas - Office
lights 4/22 -5/12
$ .63
New York Telephone - 5113 9675 -
2851
16.30
Norton Printing, Co. - 5/16 #2399
Tax Statements
24.50
W. S. Randel, Reimb. Petty Cash
13.69
POLICE, WATER & FIRE:
N. Y. W. Emp. Retiremr_nt System -
#9727 51151 Employees Annual
Contrib. to Retire. System for
fiscal year ended 3/31/54
299.00
HIGHWAYS:
N.Y.S. Electric & Gas - May Street lights
451.73
Walsh & Son Chevrolet - 4/30 Tune
motor
15.93
General Crushed Stone Co. - 5116
#4,34, 566
337.20
Knight Paving Products Co. - 5/9
1329
111.85
CAPITAL FUND - FIRE DEPARTMENT
G. A. Hill - 5110 Fire Siren Labor & Daterials 4/19 -4/26
111.10
Cortright Electric - April #454 -
hook up siren, labor & materials
397.67
American- LaFrance- Foamite Corp. -
5/13 E53536, Siren & Push Button
494.90
5/16
#H54260 Ten Rubber coats
107.87
3. It was VOTED to concur with the Board of Fire Commissioners in approving
the date of July 1, 1955 for the Village Fire Department to take over fire protection
for the Village and to approve giving at least 30 days notice to the City of Ithaca
terminating the Village -City contract for fire protection as of midnight June 30, 1955,
as provided in paragraph 4 of the said contract.
The Clerk was instructed to draft a letter of notice to be signed by the Mayor.
4. The Clerk noted that a letter dated May 23, 1955 had been received from J. 0'
Heck, Director of Municipal Planning, State of New York Bureau of Municipal Publib
Works, in 7•rhich he was advised that Serial 3645, our application for a State grant
toward the cost of preparing preliminary plans for the sewer project has been approved
at an estimated cost of $600,000. Three copies of a contract to be signed by the
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Mayor, and two copies of a certification form to be executed by the Chief Fiscal
Officer were enclosed. This contract provides, upon approval by John W. Johnson,
Supt. of Public Works, an allocation of $3,000, as the States share of the cost of
preparing, such preliminary plans.
The Clerk noted that by resolution on Feb. 15, 1955, the Village Board agreed,
if the Supt, approves the project, and an allocation of up to 2% is made by the State,
the Village will make available a sum equal to that allocated by the State.
The certification, to be signed by the Treasurer, states that such sum
($3,000) has been made available by the Village, therefore.
IT WAS VOTED RESOLVED that the Village make available, and does hereby make
available as of this date of May 24, 1955 for the preparation of preliminary plans
for the sewer project estimated at $600,000, the sum of $3,000 from the Capital
Reserve Fund - Water and Sewer, being equal to the allocation made by the New York
State Department of Public Works.
The Mayor and Treasurer were instructed to execute the contract and certi-
fication under seal as required, and to have them forwarded to Albany with a covering
letter from the Clerk. The Clerk hill check on whether this is a partial allocation,
as 2% would be $12,000, and this $3,000 is only 25N of what might be expected.
5. 'The Clerk noted that Road Maintainer Andrew J. Geiger was apparently quite
seriously injured on May 23 while presumably cutting down a dead tree at Kline and
Wyckoff Roads. He suffered scalp lacerations, concussion and possible skull. fracture.
He received medical and hospital attention and the required report "has been made to
the State Insurance Fund.
6. Adjourned at 10:15 P. M.
W. S. Handel
Clerk
J