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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-03-19REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING
Date: March 19, 2008
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Place: Lansing Town Hall Board Room
AGENDA
1. Call Meeting to Order
2. Roll Call
3. Pledge of Allegiance
4. Resolution Authorizing Contract for Bensvue Farms Farmland Protection Survey
5, Resolution Authorizing Execution of Farmland Protection Contract for A &M Grant
6. 6:05 p.m. - Public Hearing - Continuation of Public Hearing on Amendment
of Local Law #3 of 2005
7. 6:10 p.m. - Public Hearing - SEQR Review of Environmental Impacts of
Local Law #2 of 2008
8. 6:15 p.m. - Public Hearing - Ordinance #1 for 2008 (Land Use Ordinance)
9. 6:20 p.m. - Public Hearing - Environmental Review for proposed Ordinance
#1 of 2008
10. 6:25 p.m. - Public Hearing - Warren Road Sewer District
11: Privilege of the Floor: Anyone wishing to address the Board please approach
the podium and state your name and address.
12. Engineer's Report
13. Planning Department Report
14, Highway Superintendent's Report
15. Parks and Recreation Report
16, Highway Bond Anticipation Note 01 -08
17, Drainage District #4 Final Order (Lake Forest Subdivision)
18, Final Order Establishing Consolidated Water District Ext. #2 (Cottonwoods Sub.)
19, Final Order Approving Formation of CWD Boundary Extension for Myers Hgts Rd Rear
20, Teeter Road Water District Extension
21. Amend Employee Handbook
22, Approve Audit
23, Approve Minutes of February 27th & 29th, 2008
24, Board Member Reports
25. Town Counsel Report
26. Executive Session if Needed
27, Adjourn Meeting
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March 19, 2008
The Lansing Town Board met in Regular Session at the Lansing Town Hall Board
Room at 6:00 p.m. with Supervisor Pinney presiding.
The Supervisor called the meeting to order and had the clerk take the Roll Call.
A. Scott Pinney
Matt Besemer
Marty Christopher
Bud Shattuck
Connie Wilcox
Bonny Boles
Debbie Crandall
Guy Krogh
Lorraine Moynihan Schmitt
ROLL CALL
Supervisor Present
Councilperson Present
Councilperson Present
Councilperson Present
Councilperson Present
Town Clerk Absent
Deputy Town Clerk Present
Town Attorney Present
Town Attorney Present
Visitors: Jack French, Charlie Purcell, Dave Herrick, Dick Platt (6:30 p.m.), Steve
Colt, Charlie and Sheila Nedrow, Dan Veaner, Larry Zuidema, Marilyn and Roger Hagin,
Greg Jordan, Matt Cooper, Floyd Davis, Greg Lawrence, Dave Heck, Greg Bush, Mike
and Kathy Heisler, Claes Nyberg, Dave Buck, Hurf Sheldon, Heather Filiberto, Ron
Seacord, Wayne Matteson, Dan Baldini, Bruce Kilmartin, Marcy Rosenkrantz, Dan
Knonowalow, T.J. French, and several other residents.
The Supervisor led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance.
RESOLUTION 08 -96:
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING T.G. MILLER CONTRACT FOR
BENSVUE FARMS FARMLAND PROTECTION SURVEY
At a Regular Meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Lansing held in and for the
Town of Lansing at the Lansing Town Hall on the 19`h day of March, 2008, the following
members being present: A. Scott Pinney, Supervisor; Connie Wilcox, Councilperson;
Francis Shattuck, Councilperson; Martin Christopher, Councilperson; and Matthew
Besemer, Councilperson; and the following members being absent: none; and the
following motion for a Resolution was duly made by motion of Connie Wilcox, and was
duly seconded by Matthew Besemer; and the vote was as follows: A. Scott Pinney — aye,
Connie Wilcox — aye; Francis Shattuck — aye, Martin Christopher — aye; and Matthew
Besemer — aye; and the following Resolution therefore passed 5 -0, and was duly adopted:
WHEREAS, in furtherance of the Farmland Protection Program and grant, the Town has
need to commission the preparation of specialized surveys that depict the Bensvue Farm
and the proposed environmental, development, and/or farmland easements(s) and/or
restrictions thereupon; and
WHEREAS, the Town sought proposals from several surveying firms and found that
T.G. Miller had the lowest price; and
WHEREAS, T.G. Miller has presented a contract for services, which contract is exempt
from General Municipal Law § 103 requirements as it requires the provision of
specialized and professional services; and
WHEREAS, upon due deliberation thereupon, the Town Board has hereby
RESOLVED, that the Supervisor and /or Deputy Supervisor be and each is hereby
authorized to execute the said T.G. Miller contract for surveying services by, for, on
behalf or, and in the name of the Town of Lansing.
SEQRA: Type II Action.
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RESOLUTION 08 -97:
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF
FARMLAND PROTECTION CONTRACT FOR A &M GRANT
At a Regular Meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Lansing held in and for the
Town of Lansing at the Lansing Town Hall on the 19`h day of March, 2008, the following
members being present: A. Scott Pinney, Supervisor; Connie Wilcox, Councilperson;
Francis Shattuck, Councilperson; Martin Christopher, Councilperson; and Matthew
Besemer, Councilperson; and the following members being absent: none; and the
following motion for a Resolution was duly made by motion of Connie Wilcox, and was
duly seconded by Marty Christopher; and the vote was as follows: A. Scott Pinney — aye,
Connie Wilcox — aye, Francis Shattuck — aye, Martin Christopher — aye; and Matthew
Besemer — aye; and the following Resolution therefore passed 5 -0, and was duly adopted:
WHEREAS, the Town of Lansing has pursued farmland protection and programs and
grants throughout the years, and became aware of a grant program to examine planning
and zoning to augment and improve farmland protection programs; and
WHEREAS, the Farmland Protection Planning Program required that the Town pass a
resolution authorizing the application, which resolution accompanied the application as
dated October 17, 2007 (Resolution 07 -209); and
WHEREAS, the Town was awarded $25,000.00 pursuant to such grant program, and to
obtain the use of such funds, the Town is required to sign a grant contract; and
WHEREAS, upon due deliberation and discussion thereupon, the Town Board of the
Town of Lansing has hereby
RESOLVED, that the Supervisor and/or Deputy Supervisor be and each is hereby
authorized to execute the said Farmland Protection Planning Program grant contract by,
for, on behalf or, and in the name of the Town of Lansing.
SEQRA: Type II Action,
Highway Bond Anticipation Note 01 -08:
Mr. Pinney asked Highway Superintendent Jack French to explain the Bond.
Mr. French explained that when they came to the Board for their budget they
asked for two single axle trucks. The Board asked him to go back and crunch the
numbers as far as what the Town needed in 2009 and 2010 and to call the reps to see
what the replacement cost would be on the vehicles. They were told by the reps that it
would be between 8 and 10 percent higher each year. The Board decided that it would be
better to bond now at a low interest rate and buy all four vehicles at the same time.
Mr. Pinney stated he was learning this because he only started in January but it is
a strange way to do things, to buy in anticipation of the inflation rate. Tonight we are
here to authorize this bond. Legally I don't think we can order these vehicles until this
bond has been approved by the Town Board, is that correct?
Mr. Krogh stated that you have to have funding in order to have a contractual
obligation to purchase.
Mr. Pinney asked if the trucks have been ordered.
Mr. French stated they have been ordered and are on site at the dealership.
Mr. Pinney stated that there must have been a resolution by the Town Board to
approve this.
Mr. Shattuck stated that the Town Board approved the Budget and what happens
when you put a budget together and you look at your amortized costs of things using
taxpayer dollars and what are ways you can save money long term. Another staff was
added to the Highway Department along with a small truck. It was a toss up whether we
bought any at all, but when you look at the costs, what is the best way and the most
fiduciary way to do it, we looked at the numbers for each of those years and this really
spelled itself out as the best way to put the vehicles in the Highway Department.
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10.1
Everyone gets to look at the budget, it is a public process and on in the Highway
Department does a great job of looking at all their equipment and saying when something
needs replacement. There is a whole schedule of everything they have on it and the
Board looks at those schedules and past history of their schedules. We even look at types
and makes of vehicles to see if there is one that lasts longer and has less replacement
costs for parts, etc. Those are the ways the Board made the decision.
Mr. Pinney wanted to know what the residual value is on the old vehicles.
Mr. French stated that they will hopefully go into the auction this spring in
Palmyra.
Mr. Pinney asked if both of the trucks would be sold this year.
Mr. French stated they would both be sold this year.
Mr. Pinney asked for an approximate value that they would bring at the auction.
Mr. French stated his own opinion is between 30 to 40 thousand dollars a piece.
Mr. Pinney asked if one was sold last year.
Mr. French stated that one was sold a couple of years ago and they got $27,000.00
and that it was a little older vehicle.
Mr. Pinney asked what the new vehicles were going to cost.
Mr. French stated $170,000 with plow equipment and everything. It shows how
vehicles have gone up because they were bought for $145,000 a couple of years ago.
Mr. Pinney stated that legally the Board would have to pass a resolution to go
ahead and order these trucks. Mr. Pinney asked Mr. Krogh if that was correct.
Mr. Krogh stated that unless it was in the budget as a direct expenditure of
revenues.
Mr. Pinney stated that was not the case. This note will affect future generations.
This will affect the people and should have been voted on and could actually go to public
referendum, correct?
Mr. Krogh stated that was correct.
Mr. Pinney stated this could actually be voted down by the taxpayers and not be
able purchase these trucks even though there is a signed contract to purchase them.
Mr. Christopher stated that what the Board looked into was the increase that was
going to take place each year for the next few years. Based upon what has already taken
place it is going to be substantial. Hopefully with the new vehicles we are going to be
getting in there is not going to be any replacement.
Mr. French stated that there won't be any replacement on larger vehicles for five
years.
Mr. Besemer stated that was one of the stipulations with getting so many trucks at
one time that this is going to cover you for x number of years or we are not going to do
this.
Mr. Christopher stated that if you look at what the costs are going to be in 4 or 5
years based upon the percentage increase that they have had in the past few years the
Board came to the conclusion that this was the way to go this time. Not saying that 5
years or 10 years from now we would have done the same thing, whoever is here. When
the decision was made this time we looked at all the alternatives and the Board thought
this was the best way to go.
Mr. Shattuck stated that the budget stated that we were buying these vehicles.
People got a chance to voice then, do we need to have replacement on the vehicles.
Whether is was through a bond or whether it was through taxes it was put in front of the
people that this is what they were going to do. The Highway Department is one of the
gems of the whole Town and they do a great job and take great care of the equipment.
Mr. Pinney stated he is certainly not trying to discredit the Highway Department
by any means.
Mr. Shattuck stated that one of the things Cricket and Jack are able to do is that
when the Board asks how much is it going to cost they go to the dealers and the dealers
will give us a 2007 cost for something they are going to deliver in 2008 based on the fact
that they are told ahead of time.
Mr. Pinney stated that the Highway Department didn't actually ask for this, this
was a decision made by the Town Board to try to save money.
Mrs. Wilcox stated that the Highway Department went through their budget and
cut a lot of money.
Mr. French stated that when it came to crunching numbers they found out that
they were going to save between 35 and 40,000 dollars a year over the span of 3 years.
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Mr. Besemer also pointed out that there were new emission standards that were
taken into consideration.
RESOLUTION 08-98
PUBLIC INTEREST ORDER
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $533,000.00 SERIAL BONDS
OF THE TOWN OF LANSING, TOMPKINS COUNTY, NEW YORK TO PAY FOR
THE COST OF HIGHWAY EQUIPMENT PURCHASED UPON STATE
CONTRACTS
(BAN 01 -08 (2008))
At a Regular Meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Lansing held in and for the
Town of Lansing at the Lansing Town Hall on the 19th day of March, 2008, the
following members being present: A. Scott Pinney, Supervisor; Connie Wilcox,
Councilperson; Francis Shattuck, Councilperson; Martin Christopher, Councilperson; and
Matthew Besemer, Councilperson; and the following members being absent: none; and
the following motion for a Resolution was duly made by motion of Martin Christopher,
and was duly seconded by Connie Wilcox; and the vote was as follows: A. Scott Pinney —
no, Connie Wilcox — aye; Francis Shattuck — aye, Martin Christopher — aye; and Matthew
Besemer — aye; and the following Resolution therefore passed 4 -1, and was duly adopted:
WHEREAS, the Town Highway Department indicated a scheduled need for 2 new
International tandem axle trucks, one International single axle truck, and one GMC 5500
light weight dump truck, all of which will be fitted with plowing packages and extended
warranties (all herein, the "Vehicles "), said Vehicles being purchased upon the New York
State Bid Contracts; and
WHEREAS, there will be some anticipated ancillary costs associated with acquiring the
Vehicles, and the Town Board is desirous of issuing Bond Anticipation Note No. 01 -08,
in the amount of $533,000.00 to pay for the actual and estimated expenses related to the
purchase of the Vehicles; and
WHEREAS, the Town has contacted several lending institutions to find the lowest BAN
rates, and has determined that the banking institution with the best service and lowest
rates should issue the funds pursuant to the BAN process; and
WHEREAS, after a review of the foregoing and due deliberation and consideration
thereof, the Town Board of the Town of Lansing has hereby
RESOLVED, that
1. For the purpose of purchasing the Vehicles, $533,000.00 of the General Obligation
Serial Bonds of the Town of Lansing, of Tompkins County, New York, shall be authorized
and issued pursuant to the provisions of the New York State Local Finance Law.
2. $533,000.00 is estimated as the maximum cost of such Vehicles, inclusive of
delivery and legal costs.
3. The plan or the financing of the purchase of such Vehicles consists of the issuance of
$533,000.00 of the General Obligation Serial Bonds of the Town of Lansing, of Tompkins
County, New York, which Bonds shall be authorized and issued pursuant to the provisions
of the New York State Local Finance Law.
4. It is hereby determined that the probable period of usefulness of the Vehicles is 15
years pursuant to Local Finance Law Section 11.00(a)(28), and related provisions of law. It
is further hereby determined that the maximum maturity of the Serial Bonds will exceed 5
years, but will and shall not exceed 15 years.
5. The full faith and credit of said Town of Lansing is hereby pledged for the
payment of the principal of and interest on said Bonds as the same respectively become
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due and payable. The amount necessary to pay the principal of and interest upon said
Bond shall be appropriated annually in an amount necessary to pay the same. Such
appropriation shall be made from the several lots and parcels of land in the Town of
Lansing, in the manner provided by law for general taxation thereupon.
6. Subject to the provisions of the Local Finance Law, the power to authorize the
issuance of and to sell Bond Anticipation Notes in anticipation of the issuance and sale of
Serial Bonds herein authorized, including the renewals of such Notes, be and hereby is
delegated to the Town Supervisor as Chief Fiscal Officer of the Town. Such Notes shall be
of and in such terms, form and content, and shall be sold in such manner, as may be
prescribed by said Supervisor, consistent with the provisions of the Local Finance Law.
7. The validity of such Bonds, and of any bond anticipation notes issued in
anticipation of said bonds, may only be contested if such Bonds (i) are authorized for an
object or purpose for which the Town is not authorized to expend money, or (ii) if the
applicable provisions of law that should be complied with at the date of publication of this
Resolution are not substantially complied with, and an action, suit, or proceeding contesting
such validity is commenced within 20 days after the date of publication, or (iii) if
obligations are authorized in violation of the provisions of the New York State or Federal
Constitutions,
8. The Supervisor be and he hereby is authorized to execute and deliver such
documents as are necessary to effectuate the purposes of this Resolution. All other matters,
except as may otherwise be provided for herein relating to such Bonds, and including
determining whether to issue such serial bonds having substantially level or declining
debt service and all matters related thereto, prescribing the method for the recording of
ownership of said bonds, appointing the fiscal agent or agents for said bonds, providing
for the printing and delivery of said bonds, the date, denominations, maturities and
interest payment dates, and place or places of payment, shall be determined by said
Supervisor. It is hereby determined that it is to the financial advantage of the issuers not
to impose and collect from registered owners of such serial bonds any charges for
mailing, shipping and insuring bonds transferred or exchanged by the fiscal agent, and
accordingly, pursuant to paragraph c of Section 70.00 of the Local Finance Law, no such
charges shall be so collected by the fiscal agent. Such bonds shall contain substantially
the recital of validity clause provided for in Section 52.00 of the Local Finance Law and
shall otherwise be in such form and contain such recitals in addition to those required by
Section 52.00 of the Local Finance Law as the Town Supervisor shall determine.
9. The Bond Anticipation Note to be executed by the Supervisor shall be designated as
Bond Anticipation Note 01 -08.
10, This Resolution shall constit
Treasury Regulations Section 1.150 -
money is, or is reasonably expected
otherwise set aside with respect to
described herein,
ate a statement of official intent for purposes of
1. Other than as specified in this Resolution, no
to be, reserved, allocated on a long -term basis, or
the permanent funding of the object or purpose
11. The Town of Lansing be and is hereby authorized to pay, out of unreserved
surplus, the costs (if any) of the Vehicles in excess of the bond proceeds authorized by
this Resolution, provided, however, the maximum cost of said Vehicles does not exceed
the maximum authorized in this Resolution.
12, The Town of Lansing Supervisor be and he hereby is authorized to execute and
deliver a purchase order and proposed contract between the Town of Lansing and Stadium
International Trucks for the Vehicles under State Bid. The Town Supervisor is hereby
further authorized to take such actions and execute such documents as may be necessary to
ensure the continued status of the interest on the bonds authorized by this resolution and any
notes issued in anticipation thereof, as excludable from gross income for Federal income tax
purposes pursuant to Section 103 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
"Code ") and to designate the bonds authorized by this resolution and any notes issued in
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anticipating thereof, if applicable, as "qualified tax- exempt bonds" in accordance with
Section 265(b)(3)(B)(i) of the Code. The intent of this resolution is to give the Town
Supervisor sufficient authority to execute those applications, agreements, and instruments or
to do any similar acts necessary to effect the issuance of the aforesaid serial bonds or bond
anticipation notes without resorting to further action of this Town Board.
13, Within 10 days after the adoption of this Resolution by the Town Board, the
Town Clerk shall, as set forth in Section 90 of the Town Law, post and publish a notice
which shall set forth the date of the adoption of this Resolution, and contain a copy of this
Resolution (or an abstract of this Resolution concisely stating the purpose and effect
hereof). Such notice shall specify that this Resolution was adopted subject to a
permissive referendum.
14. This Resolution is hereby subject to _permissive referendum pursuant to Town Law
Article 7, Local Finance Law § 35, and/or as otherwise provided by law. If no referendum
is requested, or if requested, a referendum is held and the referendum approves the
Resolution, this Resolution, or a summary hereof, shall be published by the Town Clerk
of the Town of Lansing, together with a notice in substantially the form prescribed, and
containing the information required by Section 81.00 of the Local Finance Law, such
publication to be in the official newspaper of the Town of Lansing.
15. This action is classified as a Type II action under SEQRA pursuant to 6 NYCRR
§ 617, and as such, no environmental review is necessary.
16. The Town of Lansing hereby finds that the acquisition of the Vehicles is in the
public interest.
17. This resolution shall take effect immediately thirty days after its adoption, unless
a referendum is requested, in which event it shall take effect, if approved at such
referendum, upon such approval, and at such time of effect or approval, the Town Clerk
is hereby authorized and directed to cause a copy of this resolution to be published in full
in The Ithaca Journal, the official newspapers of the Town, for such purpose, together
with a notice of the Town Clerk in substantially the form provided in Section 81.00 of the
Local Finance Law (an "Estoppel Notice ").
SEQRA: Type II Action.
Continuation of Public Hearing on Amendment of Local Law 43 of 2005:
RESOLUTION 08-99:
RESOLUTION, offered by Mrs. Wilcox and seconded by Mr. Christopher:
RESOLVED, that the continuation of the Public Hearing on Amendment of
Local Law # 3 of 2005 is hereby opened at 6:12 p.m.
Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Matt Besemer, Councilperson
Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Marty Christopher, Councilperson
Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Bud Shattuck, Councilperson
Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Connie Wilcox, Councilperson
Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) A. Scott Pinney, Supervisor
Guy Krogh gave a brief summary on the amendment. He stated that the Town has
a subdivision procedure and it has been passed as a Local Law and is enforceable. This
was done in 2005 and there were four or five public hearings at that time. What has
happened since 2005 to 2008 is we have actual real time experience within the Planning
Department and the Planning Board of what with in this law that was created was
working well, what wasn't working well, what needs to be tweaked and what type of
things can be streamlined to make the process easier for residents, etc. The matter was
discussed on many levels of which the ZBA, Town Board, citizens, developers and
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Planning Board gave input. When all of this was amassed he was charged with trying to
plug this input into the law in a rational manner.
The big changes from the existing law is that there is a simplification of the
procedures for one lot subdivisions, along with the creation of the concept of an exempt
subdivision. Where a minor subdivision that doesn't involve the dedication of public
facilities like roads, water districts, etc., it allows an approval process within the
Planning Department for one lot subdivisions. It allows a fast track approval for minor
subdivisions based merely upon a sketch plan where as major subdivisions will still go
through the traditional long process that is outlined in Town Law.
There are definitions added to the law to clarify what is a major, minor and
exempt subdivision. There are some timetables and requirements that were clarified
along with some typographical errors that were cleaned up and various sections were
renumbered.
The thrust of the amendments were to streamline the process and to breakdown so
that not everything required a full blown review. Basically the level of review is going to
be based upon the level of complexity of the subdivision that is presented for
consideration by the Town Board or the Planning Board.
Mr. Pinney asked if there were any questions from the public.
Larry Zuidema, 22 Bean Hill Lane submitted for record the following:
While I am a member of the Town of Lansing Planning Board, I speak as an
individual resident citizen. As pointed out last year, this is a delicate balancing act.
To be clear, these comments are my own and do not necessarily represent those of
the Planning Board as a whole or any member thereof. In fact, my appearance here
and my comments have not been discussed with anyone, let alone any member of
the Lansing Town, Planning or Zoning Boards. My intent is to be constructive.
The purpose of this public hearing is to allow resident citizens of Lansing the
opportunity to give their reactions to changes proposed by the Lansing Town Board
in the Land Use Ordinance and in the Subdivision Rules and Regulations (Local Law
#3) of the Town of Lansing. In my view, the proposed changes remove from the
Planning Board a significant portion of its responsibilities and radically alter the
relationships between the Planning Board and the Town Board, Planning
Department and residents of the Town. The adoption of the proposed changes will
curtail the activities of the Planning Board beyond those envisioned for an
independent Planning Board under "NYS Town Law." In fact, the adoption of these
proposed changes require the Town to invoke "home rule" and supercede" normal
"NYS Town Law" which has basically governed operations in the Town of Lansing
until now. In my view, no valid justification for this has as yet been documented.
My comments are as follows.
16 Rationale - At the March 10 meeting of the Planning Board, Town
Board members indicated that the Planning Board was the subject of many resident
complaints and that this was the primary reason (rationale) why many changes
were made to the Land Use Ordinance and Subdivision Regulations (the need to
"streamline" the process was also mentioned, but in the same context). Hearing
this, and later reading quotations in the Lansing Star, came as a surprise to me
since I was not aware of any resident complaints attributed to the Planning Board
per se. Some more seasoned Planning Board members expressed the same
surprise after the meeting. Had the Planning Board previously been briefed about
its specific deficiencies by the Town Board, the Planning Board could have taken
action to improve its services and this would have obviated the need to "supercede"
"NYS Town Law" to remedy this situation.
An accusation, without specific evidence, that the Planning Board has
under - performed to the extent that drastic action is now required does harm to my
reputation as a Planning Board member and citizen. Now that it has become a
public matter, members of the Planning Board.and the residents of Lansing have
the right to know the specifics of this serious allegation. For this reason, I believe it
behooves the Town Board to fully analyze the facts and provide me (us) with a
detailed list of complaints to document how my (our) performance as a Planning
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Board member(s) has been so deficient as to warrant valid resident complaints. If,
in fact, a significant number of complaints can be attributed directly to the Planning
Board, then each of us individually and the Planning Board collectively must accept
responsibility and make the necessary changes to improve services. If, in fact, most
of the complaints can be attributed to other causes (e.g., application deficiencies
and delayed engineering reports), then there would be no good to make the radical
changes proposed by the Town Board,
2. Process - While the Planning Board, in good faith and in response to
a request by the Town Board, made suggestions about needed changes in the Land
Use Ordinance, I was very surprised that the Town Board did not consult with the
Planning Board before proposing to move a significant amount of its portfolio to "In-
house" action and to exempt some sub - divisions. Furthermore, I was surprised that
the Town Board did not explain these major changes and their implications to the
Planning Board on March 10, but left it for me (and other Planning Board members)
to discover them for myself (ourselves). Neither of these lapses are in the spirit of
stronger cooperation between the two Boards, something which I personally desire.
We serve the same community.
3. Implications - The most significant implication of the proposed
changes is that many major development actions in the area of commercial and
industrial /research will no longer come to the Planning Board unless triggered by
executive action by the Planning Department through the use of a "checklist." This
means that (1) most future decisions for the "in- house" areas will be made by law
by the head of the Planning Department who reports administratively to the chief
executive officer of the Town. For example, it seems that persons wishing to
develop a small shopping center (retail with less than 10 employees) will likely no
longer make a presentation to the Planning Board unless this is administratively
determined by the Planning Department. Furthermore, (2) the Planning Board no
longer will have a complete purview over the changes proposed within the Town
and, therefore, will not be able to adequately fulfill its normal and traditional
function as an independent body of trained "experts" who remain outside the
political domain.
4. Remedies - The following are my recommendations. (1) Improve the
functioning of the Planning Board by shifting minor and routine matters to the
Planning Department and by suggesting tools and processes that will help it
improve overall performance. In doing so, allow the Planning Board to continue to
function according to normal "NYS Town Law ". (2) Return normal site -plan reviews
to the Planning Board, but allow this Board to refer items back to the Planning
Department when they are deemed to be routine. (3) Remove all proposed
subdivision exemptions and eliminate discretionary waivers for sketch plan
deposits. (4) Schedule joint meetings to present any changes to Town ordinances
and to explain their implications to the public. Follow with an official public hearing
after full consideration of community input.
5. Conclusions - The new Town Supervisor has publicly and privately
expressed his desire for transparency in local government. This is a worthy
aspiration that deserves our full support and should define our actions. "Good
governance" is the least we should offer the residents of Lansing. Allowing the spirit
and intent of "NYS Town Law" to prevail is an act of good governance.
Mr. Pinney stated that the Town has always had some exempt subdivisions. The
Local Law in 2005 was actually written when we didn't have exempt subdivisions and
where we didn't quite understand that law and we allowed exempt subdivisions until
January of 2008. The actual subdivisions are not a major change because they were
allowed until a few months ago when this was recognized.
The Zoning Ordinance is the major concern of the Town Board. This was not
intended to take the authority away from the Planning Board only to streamline things so
it would be easier for small businesses to come in and get their permit. This would free
up the Planning Board and give them more time to look at the major projects of the
Town.
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The Town Board will have a joint meeting with the Planning Board and go over
some of these in -house check list items.
Lorraine Moynihan Schmitt recommended that the Public Hearing be left open
due to the fact that the 239 review from the County is not in yet. The meeting could be
closed but you can not open and close the SEQR so her thoughts were to leave both open.
Guy Krogh stated that if this Public Hearing was adjourned to another date you
have to re- notice it anyway. If the County comes back with comments that require
changes there would have to be another Public Hearing. The Public Hearing would have
to be re- noticed and re- published. Mr. Krogh's recommendation would be as long as
there are no other comments then close the Public Hearing. If there is a need to reopen it
to look at something new that comes from the County do it. If the County doesn't have
any material comments then the Board is in a position to vote it down, vote it up or send
it back for more revisions or further consideration.
Lorraine Moynihan Schmitt stated that the public should be given the opportunity
to comment on the County review.
Close Public Hearing on Amendment of Local Law #3 of 20050
RESOLUTION 08 -100:
RESOLUTION, offered by Mrs. Wilcox and seconded by Mr. Besemer:
RESOLVED, that all persons desiring to be heard, having been heard, the Public
Hearing on the Amendment of Local Law #3 of 2005 is hereby closed at 6:32 p.m.
Vote of Town Board ... (Aye)
Vote of Town Board ... (Aye)
Vote of Town Board. (Aye)
Vote of Town Board.. . (Aye)
Vote of Town Board ... (Aye)
Open Public Hearing on SEOR Revi
of 2008:
RESOLUTION 08 401:
Matt Besemer, Councilperson
Marty Christopher, Councilperson
Bud Shattuck, Councilperson
Connie Wilcox, Councilperson
A. Scott Pinney, Supervisor
cts of
RESOLUTION, offered by Mrs. Wilcox and seconded by Mr. Christopher:
RESOLVED, that the Public Hearing for SEQR Review of Environmental
Impacts of Local Law #2 of 2008 is hereby opened at 6:33 p.m..
Vote of Town Board ... (Aye)
Vote of Town Board ... (Aye)
Vote of Town Board ... (Aye)
Vote of Town Board ... (Aye)
Vote of Town Board ... (Aye)
Matt Besemer, Councilperson
Marty Christopher, Councilperson
Bud Shattuck, Councilperson
Connie Wilcox, Councilperson
A. Scott Pinney, Supervisor
Mr. Pinney asked the public if there were any comments. There were no
OMP
comments.
Mr. Besemer moved to close the Public Hearing and Ms. Moynihan Schmitt
advised the Board that the SEQR needed to remain open but it legally does not need to be
re- noticed.
Dan Konowalow — 199 Algerine Road asked if the audience knew what the
subject matter was.
Ms. Moynihan Schmitt stated that it was the Environmental Quality Review of the
Subdivision Local Law Amendments. The Board is waiting for the County 239 report to
come in respecting the Town Board's referral to them. Until that is in the Board's hands
they won't be able to go ahead and make a determination on the SEQR. Therefore the
Public Hearing should remain open until the next regular meeting on April 16, 2008.
rubric Hearing to Remain Open on SEQR Review of
Local Law #2 of 2008:
E
107
108
RESOLUTION 08 -102
RESOLUTION, offered by Mr. Pinney and seconded by Mrs. Wilcox:
RESOLVED, that the SEQR Review of the Environmental Impacts of Local Law
#2 of 2008 remains open until the regular Town Board meeting on April 16, 2008.
Vote of Town Board ... (Aye)
Vote of Town Board ... (Aye)
Vote of Town Board ... (Aye)
Vote of Town Board ... (Aye)
Vote of Town Board ... (Aye)
Matt Besemer, Councilperson sm
Eml
Marty Christopher, Councilperson
Bud Shattuck, Councilperson
Connie Wilcox, Councilperson
A. Scott Pinney, Supervisor
Open Public Ilearin� on Ordinance #1 of 2008 (Land Use Ordinance):
RESOLUTION 08 403:
RESOLUTION, offered by Mr. Pinney and seconded by Mr. Besemer:
RESOLVED, that the Public Hearing on Ordinance #1 of 2008 (Land Use
Ordinance) is hereby opened at 6:35 p.m.
Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Matt Besemer, Councilperson
Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Marty Christopher, Councilperson
Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Bud Shattuck, Councilperson
Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Connie Wilcox, Councilperson
Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) A. Scott Pinney, Supervisor
Lorraine Moynihan Schmitt made the following preliminary comments. The
Planning Board at the request of the Town Board has extensively reviewed the current
Land Use Ordinance. They have been meeting in the course of the last two years. In
December of 2007 the Planning Board provided their written recommendations to the
Town Board which included proposed revisions in areas of review. Since January of
2008 the Town Board has been meeting extensively to review those recommendations, to
examine allowed uses by district, to examine processes for site plan review and to
comprehensively review the entire ordinance. The result of the Town Board review is the
proposed amendments to the Land Use Ordinance which is subject to the Public Hearing
this evening.
There are some major substantive changes that are being proposed. The Land Use
Ordinance will now be called a Zoning Ordinance. There is some provision for in -house
Planning Department Site Plan Review for minor applications. That is a major
substantive change. The Planning Department site plan review is intended to utilize the
Planning Department for those projects that do not require the expertise of the Planning
Board. In facilitating this process the Town Board has put together an in -house site plan
check list for the Planning Department's use. That is part and parcel of the new
amendments proposed.
There are two purposes for the in -house site plan check list. The first purpose is
to insure that the Planning Department reviews all requisite potential impacts of site plan
and projects that were before the Planning Department. This would include traffic,
drainage, lighting, proposed uses, existing uses, water, septic, sewage, parking, curb cuts,
etc. It is clearly delineated in the check list. The second purpose is to trigger referral of
any in -house site plan reviews to the Planning Board in the event that certain thresholds
are triggered in the check list. An example would be a SEQR requirement, wetland
issues or potential large impacts such as traffic then those applications will automatically
be referred to the Planning Board for their expertise.
The overall intent of the in -house site plan process is to streamline the
applications for certain straight forward projects and minor projects. This will reserve
large, potentially complicated, nuanced projects for the expertise of the Planning Board
and public hearings.
There are some changes to the permitted uses by district. They are set forth in
Schedule 1 of the amendments. There are also some changes to set -back requirements
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109
and they are set forth in Schedule 2. There are additional definitions of terms and
definitions of proposed uses and some additional appendices including the
Comprehensive Plan and the Storm Water Local Law.
The Planning Board and the ZBA have reviewed and made comment on these
proposed amendments. They have indicated concerns and recommendations for the
record. Some of which have been heard earlier this evening.
Some of the concerns are respecting the proposed new 10 foot side yard set -back
as being potentially insufficient; concerns with more business uses being permitted in an
R1 District; concerns that landscaping requirements should be specifically delineated
with specific requirements by district. Concerns that site plan review overall should be
the purview of the Planning Board, not the Planning Department. Concern that site plan
review should be required for all commercial development within the RA district; and
some concerns that if the in -house site plan checklist and site plan review amendments
are to be workable, than certain of those uses and projects should be before the Planning
Board and not the Planning Department.
The Planning Board will be meeting on March 24`h to outline and list their
concerns. Her understanding is that this is going to be a joint meeting between the Town
Board and the Planning Board to iron out some of those elements.
Mr. Besemer stated that they were corrected by Rachael Jacobsen, Code
Enforcement Office Clerk that the Planning Board was going to put their outline together
and have the joint meeting within 30 days of that meeting.
Lorraine went on to say that it is important to note that the Zoning Ordinance
revisions have been and will continue to be an ongoing process. This will continue to be
a dialogue between the public, the ZBA, the Planning Board and the Town Board
respecting the proposed amendments. She believes the Public Hearing tonight will be
continued into April because there is so much more comment coming into the record and
there really is a potential that there could be changes to some of the proposed
amendments.
Finally, the Town Board has indicated that they will be reviewing the Zoning
Ordinance again next year. Some of the large recommendations from the Planning Board
that were submitted to the Town Board in December of 2007 can be addressed at a later
date. Not all of that has been addressed in this round.
Lorraine then turned the Public Hearing over to the Supervisor.
Mr. Pinney asked if there were any comments or questions from the public.
Gregory Lawrence — 89 Old Myers Road, stated that his comment is more generic
and addressed some of the things that are being done tonight. The public is sitting in the
audience and there are no copies of the documents or any materials which we can review.
Especially if this record is one that begins at certain and continues on there is a need for
interested individuals like myself to be able to follow this record. Especially if the
Planning Board or anyone else is submitting some very detailed information to you it
should be your obligation to facilitate the dissemination of this information and be very
pro- active about it. You are obligated to make the information as widely disseminated as
possible by putting it on the Town Website, getting it out to as many people as possible.
There should have been stacks of printouts here. All of these documents that you are
accumulating need to be scanned in and need to be in ready available form. Then people
can read and exchange them and then make an informed commentary to you. The lack of
the documentations is of significant concern to him.
Lorraine Moynihan Schmitt stated that she believed that the proposed amended
ordinance is on the website and available and certainly copies can be made available. But
perhaps she is mistaken.
Mr. Lawrence stated that it could be, that he was uncertain where on the website
the documentation is found and that facilitation is easier. If you say people are
complaining, document it and those types of things should be since they are being
brought forth as a rationale reaction, these would be types of things that he would really
like to see.
Dan Konowalow — 199 Algerine Road, stated that the check list is suppose to
solve a lot of the putative problems that the Town is facing with regards to certain zoning
11
110
issues. I think for the audience to understand the conversation and what is going on at the
very least this check list really needs to be in our hands so that we can understand what
the problem is and how this check list is going to solve it. We heard from a member of
the Planning Board who apparently took umbrage at some of the allegations. Again I
would say that probably I would repeat what Mr. Lawrence said and it is important to
document this so that the Planning Board and any other entities who are involved in this
can wrestle the same way the Town Board apparently has on how to solve this. You
folks have come up with a potential solution and it is not obvious that other entities have
had the same opportunity to wrestle and get the half nelson and maybe a pin.
Larry Zuidema — 22 Bean Hill Lane — It was noted that the letter that was
submitted for the record in the prior public hearing is also included in this public hearing.
Charlie Purcell — 3060 North Triphammer Road, stated that he certainly thinks it's
a good opportunity to streamline this, knowing some of the businesses that have been
pushed away from the Town because of problems dealing with the Planning Board on a
lot of minor issues that probably should have been resolved right here, in- house. People
have left town rather than bringing business to our town, which is obviously a good thing.
I have heard comments from other people that have spoke and it sounds like they are
worried about losing some of their authority. If it's for the good of the people of the
Town I think we elect people to set up here for that reason. I am in favor of streamline
for things that don't need to be dragged out.
Larry Zuidema asked if he could respond. He shares the sentiment about
streamlining the process and thinks the important point about the Planning Board is that it
should have a purview of what is going on in the town. If we just get a slice, or even a
small slice, or even a large slice but don't see the rest of it, we don't have a
comprehensive point of view as to what's going on. So, yes let's streamline it, but don't
remove whole sections. We want to support the Town Board, we want to support
residents and we certainly want businesses.
Marty Christopher, Town Councilman stated that unfortunately that this has
gotten into a slight debate here which I am going to end right know. The issue goes well
beyond your comments Mr. Zuidema and I don't think they reflect the entire picture or
statement of things that have taken place. What you have done is taken a small fraction of
the problem that has existed and you presented it to the public and to us, but not the entire
picture. This is not the place to get into it, we've tried on a number of occasions to have
Planning Board /Town Board sessions where none of these folks have been there to know
the opportunity that the Planning Board has had and that we have given the Planning
Board in trying to communicate better. This is not the first time and it is not an isolated
case that the Planning Board is saying why are you doing this to us Town Board? That is
not the case. So I don't want people here to think by any means that this is an isolated
situation and that there are bad guys and good guys. We are all suppose to be good guys,
but it hasn't appeared that way this evening. I take a little bit of offense to that but lets
drop this issue right now and get on to something else. The time has been there for the
Planning Board to talk to us before and all of a sudden we have heard some statements
which you have indicated are from yourself but they certainly sound to me like Planning
Board,
Larry Zuidema replied that they are not coming from the Planning Board that they
are his comments, all of them.
Mr. Pinney stated that he hopes that when the Town Board and the Planning
Board meet that they can work through these issues and move forward in the best interest
of all taxpayers.
Mr. Pinney asked if anyone else had a question or comment.
RESOLUTION 08404:
%J
r..
12
RESOLUTION, offered by Mrs. Wilcox and seconded by Mr. Besemer:
RESOLVED, that the Public Hearing on Ordinance #12008 (Land Use
Ordinance) remain open until the regular Town Board meeting on April 16th, 20081
Vote of the Town Board ... (Aye) Matt Besemer, Councilperson
Vote of the Town Board ... (Aye) Marty Christopher, Councilperson
Vote of the Town Board ... (I have a question ?) Bud Shattuck, Councilperson
We closed the Public Hearing Subdivision because there was an opportunity that there
maybe substitute changes from the current to the next. Maybe in the Land Use Ordinance
there will be even more changes than there would be in the Subdivision. It makes more
sense to me to close this and reopen it.
Guy Krogh stated that you have the same issue; if you leave it open you have to
re- notice it anyway. So there are clearly going to be additional public hearings on the
Zoning Ordinance. You can leave it open if you want, it just doesn't change the process
that you have to follow and unfortunately it can get confusing as to when it was opened
and when it was closed.
Vote of Town Board ... (Nay) Bud Shattuck, Councilperson
Lorraine Moynihan Schmitt stated that if it remains open than all public can
comment and filings go into the record and are part of the open record.
Bud Shattuck stated that members of the public have spoken and one of the
comments was that we would have open public meetings to talk about this prior to having
the next public hearing. The reason that we did this is because we needed to push and we
really needed to get something done. Nothing has been done for three years except for
pushing things back and forth and this was a way to get people to stand up and take
notice. It has done that and at the same time we move forward you can't move forward
on this document as it is, I don't think this is going to happen. Again, I am against
leaving it open.
Lorraine Moynihan Schmitt stated that was understandable and that being said she
withdrew her suggestion that the public hearing remain open. Particularly since the
Board has indicated that it is going to continue with informational sessions.
Connie Wilcox
Nearing open.
on yrainance #1 for
RESOLUTION 08 -104:
of
104
RESOLUTION, offered by Mr. Shattuck and seconded by Mr. Christopher:
RESOLVED, that all persons desiring to be heard, having been heard, the Public
Hearing on Ordinance #12008 (Land Use Ordinance) is hereby closed at 6:55 p.m.
Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Matt Besemer, Councilperson
Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Marty Christopher, Councilperson
Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Bud Shattuck, Councilperson
Vote of Town Board. (Aye) Connie Wilcox, Councilperson
Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) A. Scott Pinney, Supervisor
(Land Use Ordinance):
RESOLUTION 08 405:
RESOLUTION, offered by Mr. Pinney and seconded by Mrs. Wilcox:
of
13
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11
RESOLVED, that the Public Hearing on the Environmental Review for proposed
Ordinance #1 of 2008 (Land Use Ordinance) is hereby opened at 6:56 p.m.
Mr. Pinney asked if there were any comments from the public, there were none.
Mr. Krogh stated there is no County response yet and therefore the Public Hearing
needs to remain open.
Remain Open
the Public
Hearing on
the Environmental Review for the proposed
Ordinance
#1
(Land Use
Ordinance)
of 2008:
RESOLUTION 08406:
RESOLUTION, offered by Mr. Pinney and seconded by Mrs. Wilcox:
RESOLVED, that the Public Hearing on the Environmental Review for the
proposed Ordinance #1 (Land Use Ordinance) of 2008 remain open until the regular
Town Board meeting on April 16'', 2008.
Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Matt Besemer, Councilperson
Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Marty Christopher, Councilperson
Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Bud Shattuck, Councilperson
Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Connie Wilcox, Councilperson
Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) A. Scott Pinney, Supervisor
Open Public Hearing on the Warren Road Sewer District:_
RESOLUTION 08407:
RESOLUTION, offered by Mr. Pinney and seconded by Mrs. Wilcox:
RESOLVED, that the Public Hearing on the Warren Road Sewer District is
hereby opened at 6:58 p.m.
Town Engineer, Dave Herrick passed out to Board members a Draft Engineer's
Report on the proposed Town of Lansing Warren Road Sewer District
Mr. Shattuck asked Mr. Herrick to speak about the process and where we are at
this point.
Mr. Herrick stated that he is awaiting confirmation from the Village of Lansing in
order to determine the cost. When this is received it will be incorporated in the
Engineer's Report and then finalize a formal Public Hearing.
There have been resent interests expressed by some of the commercial apartment
owners specifically those who operate the Springbrook Circle Apartments. Up until very
recently they have not been included in the district, but when they became aware that
there was an opportunity to become included they jumped at the chance. They then asked
to be included as they needed this service.
Mr. Herrick reviewed the boundaries of the proposed sewer district along with the
financing .
Hurf Sheldon — 279 Holden Road, asked why the jail is not being serviced by this
district.
Mr. Herrick stated that the jail is in the Village of Lansing and already has public
sewer.
Mr. Shattuck asked what the timeframe of the project is.
Mr. Herrick stated that the final Engineer's Report will be finalized as soon as the
information is received from the Village of Lansing.
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Mr. Shattuck asked what happens if the single family dwellings drop out? If they
decide it is not costly for them can they opt out of it before the district is created? Can
we cookie cutter around them?
Mr. Herrick stated yes, they can be cookie cuttered out of the district. It would be
efficient to approach the four landowners. The landowners do understand how the costs
have come about.
After further discussion, Mr. Pinney asked if there were any more comments.
Close the Public Hearing on the Warren Road Sewer District•
RESOLUTION 08408:
RESOLUTION, offered by Mr. Pinney and seconded by Mr. Christopher
RESOLVED, that all persons desiring to be heard, having been heard, the Public
Hearing on the proposed Warren Road Sewer District was closed at 7:15 p.m.
Vote of Town Board ... (Aye)
Vote of Town Board ... (Aye)
Vote of Town Board ... (Aye)
Vote of Town Board ... (Aye)
Vote of Town Board ... (Aye)
Engineer's Report:
Matt Besemer, Councilperson
Marty Christopher, Councilperson
Bud Shattuck, Councilperson
Connie Wilcox, Councilperson
A. Scott Pinney, Supervisor
The following items were discussed under the Town Engineer's Report,
A. Town C WD, Ext #1 — Algerine and Lansing Station Road
• The water main is complete and service installations to be
started.
• Notice to residents explaining the procedure has been sent
by the Supervisor's Office
B. Town CWD, Extension #2 — Drake Road
• Ready to advertise for bids.
C. Drainage District #4 Final Order (Lake Forest Subdivision)
D. Teeter Road Water District Extension
E. Cayuga Farms Town Homes, Condominium Development
Privilege of the Floor:
Ron Seacord and Engineer Wayne Matteson, Jr. addressed the Board concerning
his proposed project.
Mr. Pinney and the Board discussed prior comments that were made at the
February 27`h meeting in regards to this project.
Mr. Krogh again recommended a Waste Water District under Article 12C and do
it for the whole property and have differential in the rate based upon the degree of use of
each phase. Mr. Krogh asked the Engineer if he was sure he could get the DEC and
Health Department permits without a Transportation Corporation if the Town goes
through the district formation process and puts a Waste Water District in place.
Mr. Matteson stated that if the town is planning to be the applicant for the SPDES
(State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) Permit. There would be a discharge
point and then the DEC would review the Spedes permit from the engineering standpoint
and meet the standards.
15
11.4
Gregory Lawrence asked what the rational was behind the town becoming
involved as potentially the entity that controls the Transport District. Mr. Lawrence
asked the Board to explain this.
Mr. Pinney stated that this would be completely paid for by the developer at
which time the town would form the Waste Water District, similar to the Drainage
District. There would actually be a cost per lot to create this property maintenance fee.
We would collect a fee from everyone in the subdivision on a yearly basis, one for yearly
maintenance and also collecting additional funds for replacement systems. It would be
beneficial to the Town in the fact that if there were public sewer coming through 10 to 15
years down the road it could be tied into it at that time. It is better as a Waste Water
District instead of a Transportation Corporation, because if they create a Transportation
Corporation they would receive the money for all the operating costs. Unfortunately we
would have to create a district also just incase the corporation went broke. It is actually
better for the town to create a Waste Water District in the beginning and collect the fees
originally then we would have the money there to do the replacement instead of worrying
about someone going bankrupt.
Mr. Lawrence asked, isn't this something the Town should say it is up to the
owners to manage this piece and should it fail 10, 20 or 25 years, the owners would
undertake the obligation to repair it. Should a sewer system come by it would be
wonderful to have them connect at their price, they would have to pay the fee to connect.
Mr. Pinney stated, I think you are misunderstanding, it would be their cost for the
maintenance. There would be a yearly fee for every lot in that subdivision. So the town
would have that money to do the maintenance. The problem with them doing the
maintenance themselves is if that corporation went bankrupt after so many years the town
is ultimately responsible. Instead of allowing this to happen we would be proactive and
protect the town. The town would be collecting that yearly fee in anticipation of
replacing this then the town would have the funds built up.
Mr. Krogh stated that if you have a Transportation Corporation and it fails 10
years down the road because the Homeowners Association is dysfunctional, dissolves or
simply abandons or neglects its duties, then that facility falls to the town to manage.
It then becomes a general public charge. The way to avoid it becoming a general public
charge would be to create the district to access the cost of operation, maintenance and
replacement costs to the benefited properties that are served by that district. If you try to
do that at some unknown future point when it fails you run headlong into the problem
that the people that are there realizing that either everybody in the town pays for this, or I
pay for it, they will ask for referendum and vote it down. Then everyone pays for it even
though it benefits a small group. The only way around that is to have a catch basin
district on day one underneath the Transportation Corporation that is set up and running
at zero cost and none functional. It is setting there on paper so that when the
Transportation Corporation fails, if ever, it's there to catch it and charge all of the costs of
administering to that district, to those benefited properties. What the town is looking at
is, giving that Transportation Corporations are highly technical and sometimes take a
year or more to set up, since we are going to have a district there anyway, why wouldn't
we just treat this as a water district or a drainage district or any other type of district. The
Town will take it, we'll manage it, we'll collect the fees, and we'll make sure that the
water that is discharged here is clean and not polluting our environment. The Town will
manage the money and make sure it is there when it needs to be replaced and the
maintenance is done when it needs to get done. At that time the benefited properties will
be charged for the cost of that district so that the general Town taxpayers don't end up
paying for it even though it only benefits one small section of the Town.
Mr. Lawrence asked if there was a huge lump, say a hundred thousand dollar cost
that has to be addressed for some major catastrophe, you would then access only the
hundred thousand dollars only against the properties and owners in that district?
Mr. Pinney and Mr. Krogh replied yes.
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Mr. Lawrence stated that because Town staff will be used for maintenance, will
there be an annual rate that is clearly spelled out so that it is clear cost recovered?
Mr. Pinney stated that would be set up. Mr. Krogh stated that is what currently
happens with water districts.
Mr. Lawrence asked if the money was to be deducted out of the money that is put
into escrow. In other words you would deduct a certain amount for the administrative
and maintenance costs.
Mr. Pinney stated absolutely.
Mr. Lawrence asked if this was driven basically by the choice of septic systems to
allow higher density or would this not be an issue if the houses were spread out further
and had their own septic fields.
Mr. Pinney stated it was a major issue of higher density.
Mr. Lawrence stated that the Town is being involved in order to allow for greater
density in this project.
Mr. Pinney stated that the Town supports the higher density in this project.
Mr. Lawrence asked if another project came along would you also be interested in
absorbing this type of risk or this type of a program to support another high density
project. I'm looking to see if there is precedent here.
Mr. Pinney stated this is definitely setting a precedence here.
Mrs. Wilcox also stated that it is part of the Town's Comprehensive Plan,
Mr. Lawrence asked if this agreement will be publicly available, easily accessible
and open for comment? Are people going to understand what they are going to get by
taking on this managerial responsibility?
Mrs. Wilcox stated that it would probably be a PDA (Planned Development
Area). There would be lots of time for comment.
Mr. Lawrence stated that the idea of transparency and openness is to be able to get
all the documentation out so the people could at least know what you guys are agreeing
to.
Mr. Krogh pointed out from his perspective only that there is also a substantial
benefit to have only one treatment system and one outflow as opposed to fifteen or
twenty. The effect on ground water is substantial and the DEC is trying to promote this
type of system in places where sewer is not feasible or affordable. There is an
environmental component to it that makes sense.
Mr. Lawrence stated that the only reason he is pushing this is because it sounds
precedent setting, it sounds like a good idea in some respects but is it going to become
something that the town is going to use as a method of supporting greater density. Can
the town members and the town residents see the whole process, see all the documents
and see the type of agreement and the separation of costs so that the town is reimbursed
for the management beyond just the monies that are put into escrow so they can see the
whole process. Right now it sounds very mysterious and sounds like maybe it is a good
idea but maybe the nuts and bolts are not clear.
Mr. Christopher stated that he is getting the conversation from him that it sounds
like we as a Board have gone to Mr. Seacord do this. Mr. Seacord has come to us, we did
not go looking for him.
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116
Mr. Lawrence said all he is asking is, it sounds as if the town is looking by legally
creating certain corporations or infrastructure to legally capture to provide a prompt for a
development.
Mr. Christopher stated that if it works it becomes a good precedent and a good
model for the future.
Mr. Lawrence stated that what is needed also is transparency and communication
with the community so that people who may or may not have had experience with this or
who have other thoughts about it will be able to come forward and say this is a really
great idea or this could be something else. I'm not caught in much one way or the other,
I'm more interested in the process. The process, up until a few moments ago, still
seemed kind of hazy especially because it is occurring between you and the developer
and we are not being involved in this precedence setting step.
Mr. Pinney stated that everyone was being involved. The very first time it was
discussed was in a Board meeting and it is only the second time it is being discussed.
Mr. Christopher stated that we are not very far ahead of you in being able to
completely understand this.
Mr. Lawrence stated that at the last meeting the issue was, can we go ahead with
this and make an informal commitment, which I think was maybe jumping the gun on it
and is still maybe jumping the gun on it, until the community has provided some input.
Mr. Pinney said the Board needed to make an informal commitment because there
is nothing written up on this at this point. We need to move forward, get the nuts and
bolts done, before it can be shown to the community. During this process they will have
to go through a PDA along with public hearings, etc. We are still at a preliminary stage.
We need to make some kind of commitment so we can move forward with this.
Mr. Lawrence asked if this commitment by the Town, if this project stumbles or
fails does Mr. Seacord's developer have the ability to turn around and say but you made
me think that this was going to go forward by giving me the nod here.
Mr. Pinney stated he certainly wants to give them a good faith effort to do what
we think is the right way to do it and it is something we need to try to work out together
on this. They need to talk to the DEC, we're not a 100% sure what we are going to do at
this point. There are a lot of questions that need to be answered. At this time we need to
give an idea of what direction we feel we should go with.
Mr. Lawrence said I urge you, more communication, more transparency and as
much information as you can provide about this project so that people can give more
input and agree or not agree.
Mr. Pinney stated he is trying to be very transparent while he is up here, I know it
was part of my campaign that you should be very transparent but I am also elected to
make decisions that I can't share everything with the public because there are so many
things to deal with. We could sit here until midnight if I try to make every little thing
transparent, but I try to that the best I can, so try to bear with me on this, but we do try to
make things very transparent. I think you can see that by the way I run the meetings at
this point.
After further discussion, it was the consensus of the Board that they are in favor
of this project and it was determined that it should go before the Planning Board for their
recommendation.
Mrs. Wilcox stated that this process started prior to our new Supervisor. Mr.
Seacord came to the Board last fall and we as a Board then said we like the concept and
we are willing to move forward with this. It is not something that happened last month.
Mr. Seacord asked if he needed a vote for the SPDES Permit Application.
W
Mr. Krogh stated at this point with this type of project it needs to go the Planning
Board and they should make determinations and recommendations as how to structure the
PDA. The Planning Board should recommend that the Town be or not be on the SPDES
Permit,
Ms. Moynihan Schmitt stated that is the structure in the Land Use Ordinance. It
goes to the Planning Board for their recommendations and then back to the Town Board,
Mr. Shattuck stated that when we sent you out the first time was not only so we
could have more time to find out about Transportation Council but to make sure this
could be engineered. The plans have been looked over by DEC and that's how we know
about the outflows and there locations. It seems like this is a doable project. After that
then we look at what is the most expedient way to do this. This expedites this
tremendously as opposed to that year process that is needed just to start Transportation
Council movement. This moves things forward a lot for you.
Mr. Seacord replied, absolutely.
The next process is to start the PDA process and there are timelines to follow,
including all the pubic meetings both with the Planning Board and open public meetings
that happen with the land development area.
It was the recommendation of the Town Board to have the Planning Board start
the PDA process. At this time a formal application will be on file in the Planning
Department for public review. There will be meetings and public hearings set before the
Planning Board and after that process is complete, it will go to the Town Board,
Planning Department Report•
Mr. Platt reviewed the Code Office Monthly Report. He stated that for the month
of February they were up 2 permits and up in project costs from last year by $160,937.00.
The amount of $936.60 was collected in electrical fees, down $182.70 from last year.
Boards. Mr. Platt also updated the Board on the meetings of the Planning and ZBA
Highway Department Report:
Mr. French stated that the new windows were installed at the new records
building.
Mr. French encouraged the Board to go look at Salt Point. The brush has been
cleared except for patches that were left for Environmental purposes. The concrete has
also been cleaned up. Stone has been hauled in for a parameter road that will be started
when the weather breaks.
Mr. French and Mr. Purcell will be meeting with Tompkins County Highway,
Tompkins County Planning and Tompkins County Soil and Water on Wednesday,
March 26 at 10:00 to discuss the flooding problems in Ludlowville.
Recreation Department Report•
Parks & Recreation Department
3/19/08
Town Board Meeting
RECREATION
• The LBP & LSP youth baseball and softball program
is scheduled to end on Friday. As usual, registrations
slowly and most will come in after the deadline. Next
to make reminder phone calls so that we can verify an(
pools,
registration period
tend to come in
week we will start
I finalize our player
19
117
o
•
• We are currently getting all of the baseball and softball equipment
ready to be packed. We are anticipating and preparing for 35 to 40 total
teams. Coach's clinics and player selection meeting will take place in
about 2 weeks.
• Dick's Sporting Goods Community Youth Sports Program - we are again
partnering with Dick's who has already provided 3 equipment packages
AND they have supplied coaches discount certificates and coupons for all
of our players.
• The "Summer Program Packet" information is starting to come in now.
Our goal is to have the completed booklet ready for the public by the first
week in May. I had a meeting with the Middle School music teachers and
we are planning to add "Music Lessons" to our summer program
offerings. This program would be completely paid for by user fees.
• Our ongoing programs (Karate, Step Aerobics, Adult Fitness Swim, Boot
Camp Fitness and our traditional adult sport programs) are in progress
now.
PARKS
• We plan to start working in the Parks doing early season clean up, the
first week in April. All of the Parks were closed very well in the fall so we
anticipate an easy opening and hoping for no surprises.
• We hope to get the beachfront area cleaned up from all of the debris,
trees and drift wood that gathers on the beach. It is best done now while
the lake level is low.
• I have filed our operating permits with the Tompkins County Health
Department for our summer Day Camp and our Campsite area.
• The marina placements have been made and confirmed. Now we are
hoping that everyone made correct measurements of their boats so that
they will all fit. As of now, we have exceeded our anticipated revenue
listed in the budget by over $1,800.
• The Dry Dock area is about half full now and will be sold out by the end
of April.
• For the month of February we did $23,301.50 in credit card sales.
Myers Park Marina:
The situation at the Lansing Myers Park Marina was discussed. It was the consensus
of the Town Board to authorize the Town Attorney to send a certified letter
concerning this matter to the contractor.
Drainage District #4 Final Order (Lake Forest Subdivision)
RESOLUTION 08109
FINAL ORDER RE DRAINAGE DISTRICT #4
(LAKE FOREST SUBDIVISION)
X31;
119
At a Regular Meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Lansing held in and for the
Town of Lansing at the Lansing Town Hall on the 19th day of March, 2008, the
following members being present: A. Scott Pinney, Supervisor; Connie Wilcox,
Councilperson; Francis Shattuck, Councilperson; Martin Christopher, Councilperson; and
Matthew Besemer, Councilperson; and the following members being absent: none; and
the following motion for a Resolution was duly made by motion of Francis Shattuck, and
was duly seconded by Martin Christopher; and the vote was as follows: A. Scott Pinney —
aye, Connie Wilcox — aye; Francis Shattuck — aye, Martin Christopher — aye; and
Matthew Besemer — aye; and the following Resolution therefore passed 5 -0, and was duly
adopted:
WHEREAS, the Town's Stormwater Local Law requires the Town to plan for the future
maintenance of drainage, sediment control, and stormwater facilities; and
WHEREAS, the Town Board of the Town of Lansing received a request for the
dedication of permanent stormwater facilities located in the Lake Forest Subdivision, all
pursuant to and as depicted upon an approved and sealed Final Subdivision Plat and the
S WPPP; and
WHEREAS, the Developer of the Lake Forest Subdivision petitioned for the creation of a
Drainage District, herein Drainage District #4, and the Lansing Town Board having
received input and assent to proceeding by the proposed affected property owners for the
establishment of proposed Drainage District #4, and it appearing that the request is in
compliance with required Town procedures; and
WHEREAS, the Lansing Town Board having previously determined that a drainage
district was needed for the Lake Forest Subdivision, and had previously authorized the
preparation of a map, plan and report ( "MPR ") by Resolution 07 -166 (August 15, 2007),
and no request for a referendum having being filed or received; the Town Board having
reviewed and accepted the MPR as prepared and submitted by the Town Engineer as
final; and said MPR is and has been on file at the Town Clerk's Office for review, as
required by law; and
WHEREAS, the Town Board duly issued an Order under Town Law §209 -d and
determined that (i) the final Map, Plan and Report comply with the requirements of the
Town Law, and (ii) is in the public interest and to the benefit of all parcels in the
proposed district to establish the Town of Lansing Drainage District #4, and (iii) all
benefited parcels are included, and no benefited parcels were excluded, from such
district; and
WHEREAS, a Public Hearing was duly held at 6:05 p.m. upon February 13, 2008 at the
Lansing Town Hall, 29 Auburn Road, Lansing, New York, and all persons thereat were
duly heard; and
WHEREAS, it was determined that: (1) the boundaries of the proposed district are
inclusive of the following tax parcel number(s), and the assessment map and property
descriptions as are on file at the Tompkins County Clerk's Office are expressly
incorporated herein: 32. -1- 37.428, intending to encompass all lots within the said Lake
Forest Subdivision; all as shown on the Map on file at the Town Clerk's Office, to which
reference is hereby made and which map is expressly herein incorporated; (2) the
proposed improvements consist of stormwater facilities and drains, all of which are set
forth upon the Lake Forest Subdivision Plat, which is expressly herein incorporated
herein as now exists or as hereafter amended; all costs of installation will be paid for by
the Developer pursuant to the Town's Stormwater Local Law and NYSDEC GP- 02 -01;
(3) the Town's maintenance responsibilities include inspections, sediment and debris
removal, vegetation management, animal and nuisance management; erosion control; and
structural repairs; (4) the estimated cost of the proposed improvements is $0.00, which is
the maximum amount proposed to be expended; (5) there is no hook -up cost the drainage
district; (6) there is no financing needed for this project; (7) the Map, Plan and Report are
on file for public review and inspection at the Office of the Town Clerk; and (8) the Map,
Plan and Report describes in detail how the financing, hook -up costs, and other costs and
expenses, were estimated and computed, including the first year's estimated average
maintenance cost of $392.85 (with actual costs varying per parcel size); such costs are
21
120
proposed to be paid through special benefit assessments for the benefited parcels of the
proposed district, to be collected with the annual Town and County tax bill; and
WHEREAS, the Town Board determined this action to be an Unlisted Action under
SEQRA, thus requiring the preparation of an EAF and an environmental review thereof,
and the Town Board held a public hearing thereupon on February 13, 2008 and
considered the environmental impacts of the proposed district in light of the EAF, the
Town's Comprehensive Plan, the Town's Land Use Ordinance, the comments from any
Involved or Interested Agencies, if any, and comments from landowners and the public, if
any, and after due deliberation thereupon and an identification of any potential
environmental impacts, the Town Board duly made a Negative Declaration of
environmental impact; and
WHEREAS, the Town Board declared and determined that: the Notice of Hearing was
published and posted as required by law, and was otherwise sufficient; (ii) all property
and property owners within the proposed Drainage District #4 are benefited thereby; (iii)
all benefited properties and property owners are included within the said District; and (iv)
the establishment of Drainage District #4 is in the public interest; and
WHEREAS, it was declared and determined that boundaries of said District are (i)
wholly outside the boundaries of any incorporated city or village, and (ii) are defined as
inclusive of Town of Lansing Tax Parcel Number 32. -1- 37.428, encompassing all lots
within the Lake Forest Subdivision; and
WHEREAS, the establishment of Town of Lansing Drainage District #4 was approved
subject to permissive referendum pursuant to Town Law §209 -e and Town Law Article 7,
and no request for a referendum was filed, presented or received; and
WHEREAS, upon due deliberation thereupon, the Town Board of the Town of Lansing
hereby issues a FINAL ORDER as follows:
THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF LANSING HAS:
RESOLVED AND DETERMINED, that no additional SEQRA review is necessary or
required due to the passage of time, as (i) no significant changes in the property or project
have occurred, and (ii) the Town finds that conducting SEQRA review as soon as is
possible in relation to any project is consistent with the goals and requirements of
SEQRA; and it is further
RESOLVED AND SO ORDERED, that the boundaries of the proposed Drainage District
#4 are inclusive of the following tax parcel numbers, and the assessment map and
property descriptions there for, as are on file with the Tompkins County Clerk's Office,
are expressly incorporated herein: 32. -1- 37.428, encompassing all lots within the Lake
Forest Subdivision, all as shown on the District Extension Map on file at the Town
Clerk's Office; and it is further
RESOLVED AND SO ORDERED, that the said Drainage District #4 hereinabove
referred to shall be constructed as set forth in the Order calling a public hearing, and the
Town shall assess, levy and collect of special assessments upon the several lots and
parcels of land within the said District, which the Town Board has determined, and
hereby again determines, are especially benefited thereby; so much and from each as
shall be in just proportion to the benefit thereof, each and all to pay the principal and
interest upon said bonds; and it is further
RESOLVED AND ORDERED, that the Town Clerk file (i) a certificate with the County
Clerk certifying that no referendum was requested, and (ii) a certified copy of this
Resolution with the Tompkins County Clerk and the New York State Department of
Audit and Control (at the NYS Comptroller's Office) within 10 days of the adoption of
this Final Order; and it is further
RESOLVED, that Drainage District hereby approves and accepts the assignment of
easements and rights -of -way from the Town of Lansing relating to the District, and
further, that the Supervisor and /or Deputy Supervisor be and each is hereby authorized,
on behalf of the Town of Lansing and on behalf of Drainage District #4, to do such things
and execute such documents as are or may be necessary or desirable to effect the
assignment of easements and rights -of -way to said Drainage District #4.
22
SEQRA: Unlisted Action.
al Order Establishine C
Water Di
RESOLUTION 08 410
L!h
ds Suh.lI
RESOLUTION ADOPTING FINAL ORDER ESTABLISHING TOWN OF
LANSING CONSOLIDATED WATER DISTRICT EXTENSION 2
AUTHORIZING ADVERTISEMENTS FOR BIDS AND DEVELOPMENT OF
RFP FOR CWD EXTENSION 2
(COTTONWOODS SUBDIVISION)
At a Regular Meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Lansing held in and for the
Town of Lansing at the Lansing Town Hall on the 19th day of March, 2008, the
following members being present: A. Scott Pinney, Supervisor; Connie Wilcox,
Councilperson; Francis Shattuck, Councilperson; and Martin Christopher, Councilperson;
and Matthew Besemer, Councilperson having recused himself, and the following
members being absent: none; and the following motion for a Resolution was duly made
by motion of Connie Wilcox, and was duly seconded by Martin Christopher; and the vote
was as follows: A. Scott Pinney — aye, Connie Wilcox — aye; Francis Shattuck — aye,
Martin Christopher — aye; and the following Resolution therefore passed 4 -0, and was
duly adopted:
WHEREAS, the Developer of the Drake Road Subdivision, and other affected
and nearby residents, having petitioned for an extension of the Town of Lansing
Consolidated Water District (the "CWD "), and the Lansing Town Board having
received input and assent to proceeding by the proposed affected property
owners for the establishment of a proposed CWD Extension covering a portion
of Drake Road in the Town of Lansing ( "CWD Extension 2 "), and it appearing
that the request is in compliance with required Town procedures; and
WHEREAS, the Town Board met with the affected residents to share information
received from the Town Engineer regarding a preliminary feasibility study, and
the Town having held public information sessions about the proposed district,
and the residents having indicated approval to proceed with the preparation of a
map, plan and report for the project; and
WHEREAS, the Town authorized the Town Engineer to prepare a Map, Plan and Report
( "MPR ") for the proposed district by Resolution Number 07 -42 of February 22, 2007,
and the Town Engineer having expressed no special concern other than determining the
EDU costs thereof, and said Engineer having completed the MPR and having filed the
same with the Town Clerk, which MPR contains a description of the boundaries and
conditions CWD Extension 2; and
WHEREAS, a prior Public Interest Order and Notice of Public Hearing was duly issued,
a hearing duly held, and in due course, a Final Order Establishing the District was duly
made and filed; and
WHEREAS, after the initial Public Interest Order and Notice of Public Hearing had been
issued and the hearing held, the Town Board, due to potential pricing increases in
construction revisited the cost for building the district and the financing thereof, and as a
result, an amended cost estimate was prepared that reduced the cost per EDU of the
District; and
WHEREAS, after the issuance of a Final Order, the cost reductions were placed in an
amended MPR, thus necessitating the need for a new Public Interest Order and a new
public hearing thereupon; and
WHEREAS, the amended Public Interest Order and Notice of Public Hearing (dated
February 13, 2008, Resolution 08 -79) superseded the prior Public Interest Order and
23
122
Notice of Public Hearing issued in relation to CWD Extension #2 (dated March 21, 2007,
Resolution 07 -62); and
WHEREAS, the prior Final Order establishing CWD Extension #2 (dated January 16,
2008, Resolution 08 -41) was duly repealed by said Resolution 08 -79; and
WHEREAS, the said revised MPR was duly reviewed and deemed final, and the Town
duly proceed towards re- establishment of CWD Extension #2 pursuant to the provisions
of Town Law Article 12 -A and found that all proceedings were in compliance therewith,
and a Notice of Public Hearing was duly published and posted, and a Public Hearing was
duly held upon February 27, 2008 at the Lansing Town Hall, 29 Auburn Road, Lansing,
New York, and all persons were duly heard upon the Order as required by Town Law
§209 -d, which Order duly declared and/or described (1) the boundaries of the proposed
district, (2) the proposed improvements, (3) the estimated cost of the proposed
improvements as $169,800, being the maximum amount proposed to be expended (4) the
estimated cost of hook -up fees, (5) the proposed method of financing the improvements
(a 20 -year serial bond at an estimated interest rate of 5.5 %, with an estimated annual
EDU capital cost of $468.00), (6) the annual operation and maintenance costs, (7) the
first year cost to typical one and two family homes ($605.00), (8) the Map, Plan and
Report as being on file for public review and inspection at the Office of the Town Clerk,
(7) a public hearing upon such proposed district; and
WHEREAS, the Town Board conducted a SEQRA review and completed an
Environmental Assessment Form, and the Town Board reviewed the proposal in light of
the Town's Land Use Ordinance and Comprehensive Plan, and after due deliberation
thereupon, having made a negative declaration of environmental impact by Resolution
07 -117 (June 20, 2007); and
WHEREAS, the costs per EDU are below the NYS Comptroller's review threshold, such
that an application to, and permission from, the NYS Comptroller is not required; and
WHEREAS, the Town Board duly determined that: (i) the Notice of Hearing was
published and posted as required by law and was otherwise sufficient; (ii) all property
and property owners within the District Extension are benefited thereby; (iii) all benefited
properties and property owners are included within the District Extension; and (iv) that
the establishment of the District Extension is in the public interest; (v) that the said
District Extension shall be constructed as set forth in the Order calling a public hearing,
at a cost not to exceed $169,800.00, which amount is proposed to be financed by the
issuance of serial bonds of the Town, and the assessment, levy and collection of special
assessments upon the several lots and parcels of land within the said District Extension,
so much and from each as shall be in just proportion to the benefit thereof, each and all to
pay the principal and interest upon said bonds; and
WHEREAS, the Town desires to proceed towards final establishment of the District
Extension pursuant to the provisions of Town Law Article 12 -A; and finds that all
proceedings to date have been in compliance therewith; and
WHEREAS, upon due deliberation thereupon, the Town Board of the Town of Lansing
hereby issues a FINAL ORDER as follows:
THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF LANSING HAS:
RESOLVED AND DETERMINED, that no additional SEQRA review is necessary or
required due to the passage of time, as (i) no significant changes in the property or project
have occurred, and (ii) the Town finds that conducting SEQRA review as soon as is
possible in relation to any project is consistent with the goals and requirements of
SEQRA; and it is further
RESOLVED AND SO ORDERED, that the boundaries of the proposed District
Extension are inclusive of the following tax parcel numbers, and the assessment map and
property descriptions therefor, as are on file with the Tompkins County Clerk's Office,
are expressly incorporated herein: 31. -6 -3; 31. -6 -4; 31. -6 -5; 35. -3 -13.2; 35. -3- 13.12;
37.1- 1 -1.1; 37.1- 1 -1.4; and 37.1- 1 -1.5; all as shown on the District Extension Map on file
at the Town Clerk's Office, to which reference is hereby made and which map is
expressly herein incorporated; and it is further
RESOLVED AND SO ORDERED, that the said District Extension hereinabove referred
to shall be constructed as set forth in the Order calling a public hearing, at a cost not to
24
123
exceed $169,800.00, which amount is proposed to be financed by the issuance of serial
bonds of the Town, and the assessment, levy and collection of special assessments upon
the several lots and parcels of land within the said District Extension, which the Town
Board has determined, and hereby again determines, are especially benefited thereby; so
much and from each as shall be in just proportion to the benefit thereof, each and all to
pay the principal and interest upon said bonds; and it is further
RESOLVED AND ORDERED, that the Town Clerk file (i) a certificate with the County
Clerk certifying that no referendum was requested, and (ii) a certified copy of this
Resolution with the Tompkins County Clerk and the New York State Department of
Audit and Control (at the NYS Comptroller's Office) within 10 days of the adoption of
this Final Order; and it is further
RESOLVED, that the Town Engineer may, after filing this Order with the County Clerk
and upon receipt of all required permits, issue advertisements and RFPs for bids for the
construction of the district in accord herewith.
SEQRA: Unlisted Action,
rAna, vraer Approving Formation of CWD Boundary Extens0 io
Road Rear:
RESOLUTION 08 411
FINAL ORDER APPROVING FORMATION OF CWD BOUNDARY
EXTENSION FOR MYERS HEIGHTS REAR ROAD
At a Regular Meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Lansing held in and for the
Town of Lansing at the Lansing Town Hall on the 19th day of March, 2008, the
following members being present: A. Scott Pinney, Supervisor; Connie Wilcox,
Councilperson; Francis Shattuck, Councilperson; Martin Christopher, Councilperson; and
Matthew Besemer, Councilperson; and the following members being absent: none; and
the following motion for a Resolution was duly made by motion of Connie Wilcox, and
was duly seconded by Martin Christopher; and the vote was as follows: A. Scott Pinney —
aye, Connie Wilcox — aye; Francis Shattuck — aye, Martin Christopher — aye; and
Matthew Besemer — aye; and the following Resolution therefore passed 5 -0, and was duly
adopted:
WHEREAS, owners of certain lots within the Town of Lansing along the Myers Heights
Rear Road petitioned the Town to consider extending the Consolidated Water District
( "CWD ") to such parcels as such parcels qualify for back -lot treatment and are adjacent
to and/or surrounded by the existing boundaries of the CWD; and
WHEREAS, the Town Engineer duly prepared a map, plan and report ( "MPR ") for such
CWD extension and boundary line change, and no request for a referendum was
submitted or received in connection with the preparation of the MPR, and a copy of the
MPR was ordered to be filed at the Town Clerk's Office in accord with law, and has been
so filed; and
WHEREAS, the Town Board duly issued an Order under Town Law §209 -d and
determined that (i) the final Map, Plan and Report comply with the requirements of the
Town Law, and (ii) is in the public interest and to the benefit of all parcels in the
proposed district extension to extend water service, and (iii) all benefited parcels are
included, and no benefited parcels were excluded, from such CWD extension; and
WHEREAS, a Public Hearing was duly held at 6:20 p.m. upon February 13, 2008 at the
Lansing Town Hall, 29 Auburn Road, Lansing, New York, and all persons thereat were
duly heard; and
WHEREAS, it was determined that: (1) the boundaries of the proposed district extension
are inclusive of the following list of reputed owners and tax parcel number(s) - 32. -1-
37.4215 31-1 -37.3, 31-1 -37.6, 32. -1 -37.5, and 32. -1- 37.423, which parcels are more
particularly shown and described upon the map filed at the Town Clerk's Office; (2) the
construction and improvements consist of a single user lines that are or will be installed
by the owners of the affected property at such owners' sole expense; (3) the estimated
25
124
cost of the proposed improvements is $0.00, which is the maximum amount proposed to
be expended; (4) the one time hook -up and connection fees are estimated at $682.00; (5)
no financing is applicable to this project, all of which costs have been paid, or which will
be paid, solely by the owners; (6) the Map, Plan and Report are (and have been) on file
for public review and inspection at the Office of the Town Clerk; (7) the Map, Plan and
Report describes in detail how the financing, hook -up costs, and other costs and
expenses, were estimated and computed, including the first year's estimated costs of (i)
an O &M fee of $150.00, payable through tax assessment upon the benefited parcels, and
(ii) an average minimum water use fee of $110.80 per year; and
WHEREAS, the Town Board determined this action to be a Type I Action under
SEQRA, thus requiring the preparation of a LEAF and an environmental review thereof,
and the Town Board held a public hearing thereupon on February 13, 2008 and
considered the environmental impacts of the proposed district in light of the LEAF, the
Town's Comprehensive Plan, the Town's Land Use Ordinance, the comments from any
Involved or Interested Agencies, if any, and comments from landowners and the public, if
any, and after due deliberation thereupon and an identification of any potential
environmental impacts, the Town Board duly made a Negative Declaration of
environmental impact; and
WHEREAS, it was duly determined that: (i) the Notice of Hearing was published and
posted as required by law, and was otherwise sufficient; (ii) all property and property
owners within the proposed CWD Extension and Boundary Change area are benefited
thereby; (iii) all benefited properties and property owners are included within the said
District Extension; and (iv) the establishment of the District Extension is in the public
interest; and
WHEREAS, it was declared and determined that the boundaries of said District are (i)
wholly outside the boundaries of any incorporated city or village, and (ii) are defined as
inclusive of Town of Lansing Tax Parcel Numbers 32. -1- 37.421, 32. -1 -37.35 32. -1 -37.65
32. -1 -37.5, and 32. -1- 37.423, encompassing all lots as shown upon the MPR on file at the
Town Clerk's Office; and
WHEREAS, the Town Board approved the said CWD Extension and boundary line
subject to permissive referendum pursuant to Town Law §209 -e and Town Law Article 7
and no request for a referendum was filed, presented or received; and
WHEREAS, upon due deliberation thereupon, the Town Board of the Town of Lansing
hereby issues a FINAL ORDER as follows:
THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF LANSING HAS:
RESOLVED AND DETERMINED, that no additional SEQRA review is necessary or
required due to the passage of time, as (i) no significant changes in the property or project
have occurred, and (ii) the Town finds that conducting SEQRA review as soon as is
possible in relation to any project is consistent with the goals and requirements of
SEQRA; and it is further
RESOLVED AND SO ORDERED, that the boundaries of the proposed District
Extension are inclusive of the following tax parcel numbers, and the assessment map and
property descriptions there for, as are on file with the Tompkins County Clerk's Office,
are expressly incorporated herein: 32. -1- 37.421, 31-1 -37.3, 32. -1 -37.63 32. -1 -37.5, and
32. -1- 37.423; all as shown on the District Extension Map on file at the Town Clerk's
Office, to which reference is hereby made and which map is expressly herein
incorporated; and it is further
RESOLVED AND SO ORDERED, that the said District Extension hereinabove referred
to shall be constructed as set forth in the Order calling a public hearing, and the Town
shall assess, levy and collect of special assessments upon the several lots and parcels of
land within the said CWD Boundary Extension, which the Town Board has determined,
and hereby again determines, are especially benefited thereby; so much and from each as
shall be in just proportion to the benefit thereof, each and all to pay the principal and
interest upon said bonds; and it is further
26
RESOLVED AND ORDERED, that the Town Clerk file (i) a certificate with the County
Clerk certifying that no referendum was requested, and (ii) a certified copy of this
Resolution with the Tompkins County Clerk and the New York State Department of
Audit and Control (at the NYS Comptroller's Office) within 10 days of the adoption of
this Final Order,
SEQRA: Unlisted Action.
Amend Employee Handbook:
The Town Board was given a draft resolution and copies of the proposed changes.
Mr. Shattuck stated that this is the first time he has seen this and he is not ready to
adopt a resolution tonight. It was not on the agenda as a resolution. He is more than
happy to discuss each and every issue but would like more time to think about passing a
resolution.
After further discussion it was decided that further research needed to be done and
will be discussed at a later date.
Approve Audit:
RESOLUTION 08 412:
RESOLUTION, offered by Mr. Shattuck and seconded by Mr. Christopher:
RESOLVED, that the bookkeeper is hereby authorized and directed to pay the
following bills:
Consolidated Abstract #003
Dated 3/19/08
Audited Voucher #'s
Prepay Voucher #'s
Audited TA Voucher #'s
Prepay TA Voucher #'s
Fund Appropriations:
General Fund
Highway Fund
Lansing Lighting
Lansing Water Districts
Trust & Agency
139 -173 and 175 -262
139 -148
9-18
9- 10,15, and 18
Total:
$
84,955.19
$
844070.50
$
2,494.05
$ 103,227.33
$
52,581.09
Vote of Town Board ... (Aye)
Vote of Town Board ... (Aye)
Vote of Town Board ... (Aye)
Vote of Town Board ... (Aye)
Vote of Town Board ... (Aye)
Matt Besemer, Councilperson
Marty Christopher, Councilperson
Bud Shattuck, Councilperson
Connie Shattuck, Councilperson
A. Scott Pinney, Supervisor
Approve Minutes of February 27th & 29th 2008:
A copy of the minutes of February 27th and 291h 2008 having been furnished to the
Board Members beforehand, the Supervisor asked for a motion to make corrections or to
accept the same as submitted.
RESOLUTION 08 413:
RESOLUTION, offered by Mr. Shattuck and seconded by Mr. Christopher:
RESOLVED, that the minutes of February 27th and 291h 2008 are hereby
approved as submitted.
Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Matt Besemer, Councilperson
Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Marty Christopher, Councilperson
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Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Bud Shattuck, Councilperson
Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Connie Wilcox, Councilperson
Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) A. Scott Pinney, Supervisor
Board Member Reports:
Bud Shattuck:
Justice Court Finance Session:
The Justice Court Finance Session is coming up. Mr. Shattuck attended it last
year and it was very worthwhile. If no one else can make it he can go again this year.
Mandate Audit of Justice Department:
The Town Board is mandated to audit the Justice Department every year. The
formal audit was done but not by the Board. We should be looking at the books as a
Board and discussing or at least approving or disapproving that policy.
Mrs. Wilcox stated that she attended that session at the Association of Towns
meeting in New York and she asked the question if the Board had to physically audit the
books if we had an accountant and she was told no.
Mr. Shattuck stated that the accountant doesn't do it every year.
Mr. Krogh stated that pretty much everything needs to be audited every year. It
doesn't need to be audited by the Town Board. The question is, does the Town Board
feel it is more appropriate given the size of the budget to have an auditor audit it?
Discussions with prior administration led me to believe that the auditor was going to do
an audit on each of the cash departments annually instead of onsite.
Mrs. Wilcox stated that was her understanding too.
Mr. Shattuck stated that we have a triennial audit that includes the Supervisor's
Office every year and a rotation of the Court Office, Park and Recreation Office and the
Town Clerks Office on the third years.
Voucher 4174:
Mr. Shattuck stated that the one bill that was not approved for payment was from
the Parks and Recreation Office.
Mr. Krogh stated that once you cross $20,000.00 on a project it is subject to
General Municipal Law mandatory bid procedures.
After further discussion it was decided that a training session, (in house with the
Town Attorney) on purchasing and bidding be held in the near future.
Mr. Krogh's recommendation is that they be reviewed as part of the
Organizational Meeting every year and be published as an Organizational Resolution
every year.
Mr. Shattuck stated that the training would be done prior to the Organizational
Meeting each year.
Matt Besemer:
Mr. Besemer and Mrs. Wilcox asked Attorney, Guy Krogh to review the School
Tax Collection Agreement and get back to the Board.
There were no other Reports at this Time:
Executive Session:
RESOLUTION 0 8114:
RESOLUTION, offered by Mr. Pinney and seconded by Mrs. Wilcox:
W
RESOLVED, that the Regular Meeting is hereby adjourned to go into Executive
Session to discuss possible litigation at Myers Park Marina and the appointment of the
new Police Officers in the Town at 9:15 p.m.
Vote of Town Board ... (Aye)
Vote of Town Board ... (Aye)
Vote of Town Board ... (Aye)
Vote of Town Board ... (Aye)
Vote of Town Board ... (Aye)
Out of Executive Session:
RESOLUTION 08 -115:
Matt Besemer, Councilperson
Marty Christopher, Councilperson
Bud Shattuck, Councilperson
Connie Wilcox, Councilperson
A. Scott Pinney, Supervisor
RESOLUTION, offered by Mr. Shattuck and seconded by Mr. Christopher:
RESOLVED, that the Executive Session be terminated and the Regular Meeting
be reconvened at 9: 50 p.m.
Vote of Town Board ... (Aye)
Vote of Town Board ... (Aye)
Vote of Town Board ... (Aye)
Vote of Town Board.. . (Aye)
Vote of Town Board ... (Aye)
Matt Besemer, Councilperson
Marty Christopher, Councilperson
Bud Shattuck, Councilperson
Connie Wilcox, Councilperson
A. Scott Pinney, Councilperson
RESOLUTION 08 416
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AMENDMENT AND EXECUTION OF
CONSTABLES'/POLICE AGREEMENT
At a Regular Meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Lansing held in and for the
Town of Lansing at the Lansing Town Hall on the 19th day of March, 2008, the
following members being present: A. Scott Pinney, Supervisor; Connie Wilcox,
Councilperson; Francis Shattuck, Councilperson; Martin Christopher, Councilperson; and
Matthew Besemer, Councilperson; and the following members being absent: none; and
the following motion for a Resolution was duly made by motion of Francis Shattuck, and
was duly seconded by Connie Wilcox; and the vote was as follows: A. Scott Pinney —
aye, Connie Wilcox — aye; Francis Shattuck — aye, Martin Christopher — aye; and
Matthew Besemer — aye; and the following Resolution therefore passed 5 -0, and was duly
adopted:
WHEREAS, the Town Board has determined that the provision of police services is
critical and necessary for the welfare and benefit of the Town and its residents and
visitors; and
WHEREAS, the Town has a need for constable services in relation to, inter alia, its
parks, the service of civil process, and Town Court protective services; and
WHEREAS, based upon what other Towns pay for contract services and the Sheriff's
current rates, the Town believed that it was fiscally prudent to let such services out for
bid, which bidding process was duly authorized by Resolution 08 -32, and pursuant
thereto, the Town Board did duly place a RFP in the official newspaper for the Town, and
in such other locations or delivered to such other persons as may or will produce bids
from qualified individuals; and
WHEREAS, several bids were received from qualified individuals, and each such bidder,
at the direction of the Town Board, was interviewed by the Personnel Committee and /or
representatives from the Parks & Recreation Departments and Courts; and
WHEREAS, based upon bids received and the results of such interviews, the Town has
identified candidates for the service of process, the parks, and the courts; and
c
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WHEREAS, after review and discussion of the foregoing, the Town Board of the Town
of Lansing has hereby
RESOLVED, that the Supervisor and/or Deputy Supervisor be and hereby are directed to
have Town Counsel amend the Constables Agreement to reflect the bid pricing received,
and to update such Agreement by referencing, among other things, that the provisions of
services to the Town, being a town of the first class under New York State law, must be
by licensed/authorized police officers; and it is further
RESOLVED, that the Supervisor and /or Deputy Supervisor be and hereby are authorized
to execute such amendments to the said Agreement, once completed, as may be hereby
required, by, for, and in the name of the Town of Lansing.
SEQRA: Type II Action.
Payment of Voucher #174:
RESOLUTION 08 -117:
RESOLUTION, offered by Mr. Shattuck and seconded by Mrs. Wilcox:
RESOLVED, that the bookkeeper is hereby authorized and directed to pay in the
General Fund, Voucher #174 with the total appropriation amount of $6,000.00.
Vote
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Adiourn Meeting:
RESOLUTION 08 -118:
Matt Besemer, Councilperson
Marty Christopher, Councilperson
Bud Shattuck, Councilperson
Connie Wilcox, Councilperson
A. Scott Pinney, Supervisor
RESOLUTION, offered by Mr. Shattuck and seconded by Mr. Pinney:
RESOLVED, that the meeting is hereby adjourned at the call of the Supervisor at
9:52 p.m.
Vote of Town Board ... (Aye)
Vote of Town Board ... (Aye)
Vote of Town Board ... (Aye)
Vote of Town Board ... (Aye)
Vote of Town Board ... (Aye)
Matt Besemer, Councilperson
Marty Christopher, Councilperson
Bud Shattuck, Councilperson
Connie Wilcox, Councilperson
A. Scott Pinney, Supervisor
Minutes taken and executed by the Deputy Town Clerk.
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