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Home My WebLink About2017.06 Newsletter Hello everyone: Lansing has had a very busy six months. We have faced some challenges and yet because our Town Board works as a team, Lansing is in an excellent position to continue to be one of the most desired places to live in Tompkins County. Our five percent growth rate which is the highest in Tompkins County is a testament to this claim. It is true that the new pilot for the power plant will produce a decreased assessment of $25,000,000 next year. It will also produce a decrease of $10,000,000 in 2019 and an additional $5,000,000 in 2020. So, why so much optimism when at face value we should be facing a Financial Armageddon. Here are some facts that may ease your concerns: 1. Over the past 17 months your Town Board has adapted an attitude that we are public servants and not politicians. This attitude has freed us from the day to day distractions of the Washington, D.C soap operas and allowed us to focus on serving the needs of our citizens. 2. We have embarked on an aggressive campaign of stabilizing our finances through a fund balance policy and a reserve policy. 3. By allocating money for unexpected expenses (six months of additional operating expenses for each of the respective funds A, DA, B and DB) we have insured that Lansing will not be in jeopardy of running out of money during an emergency. 4. We have stabilized the highway equipment purchasing process by allocating at least $200,000 each year for highway equipment purchases. Every plow truck costs over $200,000. There are at least seven that are operating during winter months. These trucks are scheduled to last fourteen years and are staggered to have one truck replaced every other year. This stretches out our financial responsibilities to the taxpayers. Other equipment will be replaced and additional purchases made in the off years. 5. Our Recreation Department equipment has been put on a three-year rotation. This allows maximum resale and minimal cost to our taxpayers. The result is three pieces of equipment are replaced every three years with a total maximum cost of approximately $5,000. 6. We have established a “business first attitude” with the goal of helping developers that want to invest in our town and achieve their goals in an efficient and friendly manner. 7. Last year The Shops at Ithaca Mall’s assessment decreased by $10,000,000. Yet we were able to absorb that decrease by offsetting it with an overall increase of assessments. This was accomplished by a combination of increased assessment on existing properties and new construction. From the Desk of Edward LaVigne The Town Supervisor INSIDE THIS ISSUE From the Desk of the Town Supervisor 1-2 A Note from Lansing Town Historian 2 From the Town Clerk’s Office 3-5 Parks and Recreation Department 6-7 A Note from Planning/Code Enforcement 8 Lansing Fireworks 8 JUNE 2017 We’re on the Web! Visit us at: www.Lansingtown.com Page 2 8. This year we are facing a similar situation with a decrease of $25,000,000 of assessed value of the power plant. The good news is we are facing an increase of assessed value of over $47,000,000. This increase is due to once again an increase of assessment of existing properties, but also an increase of new construction of over $23,000,000. This trend of increased construction appears to have a consistent growth cycle for the next few years. 9. We are in the process of finalizing a sewer agreement with the Villages of Lansing and Cayuga Heights. This will be mutually beneficial to all three municipalities; improved infrastructure to sewer and continued development. 10. We are in the process of finalizing two new water districts. District #3 includes four and a half miles of pipe that will take two years to complete. District #4 connecting Drake Road from 34B to East Shore Drive. We will hopefully start working on them in the fall of this year. 11. Teamwork for the benefit of all of our residents is our primary focus. As we grow structurally, we will also grow as a community. 12. Lansing will continue to be a great place to thrive, grow, educate and retire. 13. Our best days are still ahead of us. Stay Lansing Strong! Thank you, Ed LaVigne We’re on the Web! Visit us at: www.Lansingtown.com If you haven't already, be sure to start reading the Bi- Centennial Minutes in the Lansing Star on-line newspaper. You can click on a link to read all the ones that appeared so far. The Lansing Historical Association will have a "booth" at the North Cabin site at Myers Park July 4th during the Lions Club Fourth of July Chicken Bar-B-Que. Be sure to stop by (and eat your lunch there), visit with friends, and remember "the good old days". The Lansing Historical Association is open most Saturday mornings from 10 to 12 at the Archives Building next to the one-room schoolhouse. Visits to the schoolhouse may be scheduled anytime by calling 533-4514. Check out the new historic sign by the ball fields. The Tompkins County Bi-Centennial Committee has provided a sign for each of the nine towns of the county. By: Louise Bement A Note from Lansing Town Historian Page 3 Debbie and Laura recently attended the annual New York State Town Clerk’s Association Conference in Rochester, NY. There are 932 Towns in New York State and 299 Town Clerks or Deputies attended the conference. Discussing “best practices” with other Town Clerks at the Town Clerk Round Table Discussions, for medium towns, was immeasurable. The New York State Decals class provided us with updated information. They now require an e-mail address when purchasing decals (hunting, fishing, etc). Providing your e-mail address will benefit you with license renewal reminders, regulation, legislative, and season changes, notification of free fishing days, and internet links. NYS DEC will not share e-mail addresses. We attended classes on Record Retention and Filing Systems and plan to implement some new ideas for electronic records in the Town Clerk’s Office. Laura received her Notary Public License on May 8, 2017 and she looks forward to helping you with your future Notary Public needs. Please stop into the Town Clerk’s Office or give us a call. Our office hours are: Monday through Thursday 7:30 am to 4:00 pm and Friday 7:30 am to 12:00 pm. Town Clerk’s Office 29 Auburn Road Lansing, NY 14882 607-533-4142 Debbie Munson Town Clerk Laura Nemecek Deputy Town Clerk Every year there is a Fun Time Auction held at the Conference and the proceeds are used for conference scholarships. We filled a treasure chest with Hershey’s Hugs and positive thoughts. You will find some positive thoughts in the Town Clerk’s Office; hope you enjoy them when you stop in! We’re on the Web! Visit us at: www.Lansingtown.com Page 4 TOWN CLERK’S OFFICE We’re on the Web! Visit us at: www.Lansingtown.com The Town Clerk’s Duties include: • Clerk of the Town Board (Agendas, Minutes, and Current Meeting Draft Documents) • Lansing Receiver of Taxes (Town, County, Fire and Special Districts) • Collector of Water and Sewer Payments • Notary Public • Licensing Officer – Marriage, Conservation (Hunting and Fishing), and Dogs • Bingo and Games of Chance • Accessible Parking Permits • Records Management Officer • Administrator of the Freedom of Information Law Please visit the Town’s web page at www.lansingtown.com. A few of the items located there are: • Agendas, Minutes, and Current Meeting Draft Documents – Town Board Section • Tax Information – Town Clerk’s Office – Tax Glance Lookup • Marriage License Information – Town Clerk’s Office • Dog License Information – Town Clerk’s Office • Local Laws – Local Laws Section Please let us know how we can serve you; we look forward to hearing from you! Deborah K. Munson, Town Clerk Laura Nemecek, Deputy Town Clerk Page 5 Page 6 July 6 - 6:30 – Small Town Shade Known for their energetic performances they began getting opening slots for some of country music’s hottest acts. They were nominated for a Syracuse Area Music Award for People’s Choice 2016. They have achieved radio success with their single “Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop” playing on country radio and earning two Josie Show Award nominations for 2016 Song of The Year and Best New Group. After playing nearly 90 live shows in their first year together, Small Town Shade has proven to be a staple in the CNY music scene. DON’T miss this season’s opening show, as they are sure to get you on your feet and singing along! July 13 – 6:30 – City Limits is a high-energy blues-rock band with a three-piece horn section playing tunes from classic rock and soul to contemporary blues. Dan Paolangeli guitar, Andy Lockwood vocals, Glen Porter drums, Lisa Bloom bass, Bob Fisher trumpet, Jim Hull trombone, and Robert Sarachan sax & keyboard, cover tunes from the Rolling Stones, Van Morrison, Blues Brothers and Joe Cocker to Lennie Kravitz, Anderson East and Joe Bonamassa. July 20 - 6:30 – Deans List is an acoustic, vocally oriented, cross-genre, soft rock band that draws upon original material and an eclectic mix of vocal covers from the Beatles and Aretha Franklin to Amy Winehouse and Adele. This group is an offshoot of the Dean Brothers Band, a Syracuse Music Hall of Fame group known throughout the Northeast concert and bar circuit in the 1970’s for their tight harmonies, strong instrumentals, and production of two top 10 regional hits. A multigenerational family affair, with bassist Bob Dean, guitarist John Dean, Bob’s daughter Kate Ellen, also on guitar, and niece Caroline Manring Dean on violin and guitar. Their vocals are AMAZING! July 27 - 6:30 – The Jeff Love Band is an 11-piece funk/soul band playing music from the 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s. Lead singer Jeff Love’s energy and charisma are infectious to the point where you will not be able to stop dancing all night! This band has a classic vibe, so get ready to dance and sing the night away to the classic songs that you can’t get enough of. Mark this one on your calendar as a must see show! August 3 – 6:30 – The Destination Band is a 9-pc. dance band with its musical focus in the genres of R&B, Latin influenced material, Swing and Funk/Disco. Three outstanding vocalists and four horns set this group apart from virtually every other group in the CNY area. The band’s “A”-list repertoire is built around the power of the horns. No other group in the area can match the dynamics and crowd-motivating force of The Destination. August 10 – 6:30 – Bad Alibi – Bring your dancing shoes for Bad Alibi! Bringing you the best of Classic Rock from the 70’s and 80’s. Songs you are sure to remember. Band members are Scott Hollister on drums, Rob Romano on keys and vocals, Sonny Frost on bass, and Dan DoBell on guitar. August 17 - 6:30 – Iron Horse Central New York’s premiere Southern Rock Band and one of the Concert Series original big draws, return this year to wrap up the 2017 season. This band has 130 years of collective stage experience and interacts with every crowd in any venue. They are known as one of Ithaca NY’s favorite local bands. Band lineup is Lansing’s own Mark Armstrong (lead singer), Shawn Manning (lead, vocalist), Steve Peck (drummer, vocalist), Ron Brock (bass, vocalist). Get to the park early for this one! Admission is free but donations will be appreciated! Page 7 We’re on the Web! Visit us at: www.Lansingtown.com Summer Recreation Programs – SIGN UP SOON! Please see our Summer Program Booklet with over 30 camps/programs to choose from. There are 7 Youth Service Programs and the Lighthouse 5K race application. A few of our brand new programs for this summer are Sleuths, Clues, & Spies, Oh MY!, Fly Fishing School, Private Swim Lessons, Pollinator Camp and our new STEAM Program (science-technology-engineering-art- mathematics). The detail for all of our programs are located in the booklet and may be viewed on line. Website: www.lansingrec.com Always feel free to call our office at 533-7388 or send me an email SColt@lansingtown.com Stephen Colt Town of Lansing Director of Parks & Recreation Ludlowville Park Concerts Make your plans to attend our FREE concerts at Ludlowville Park located at 12 Mill Street. Bring your picnic cooler and enjoy some great local talent! Friday July 21st 6:30 – 8:30 pm - Paul Kempkes: “Dr. K” is a solo guitarist and vocals with attitude, performing songs by Steely Dan, Springsteen, Supertramp, all the way to The Ramones. Paul is a Ludlowville resident since 1990. Always entertaining!! Friday July 28th 6:30 – 8:30 pm– Kip Opperman & Friends: Kip entertains with his vocal and acoustic interpretations of songs from the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s and today. He’s also written a number of original tunes. Kip is joined by Dan Paolangeli (from the City Limits band) on guitar and Tommy Whittle (plays in various local groups) on harmonica. IN ADDITION, this is the annual Lion’s Club Ice Cream Social event. Page 8 The Planning/Code Department had a busy 2016 year with the result of 215 Building Permits issued. Of that number, approximately 21 were New Home constructions, 1 Manufactured Home and 11 Solar Roof and Ground mounted projects. It’s that time of year when people begin to think about warmer weather and swimming. Please be sure to obtain a Swimming Pool Permit prior to the installation of your Pool. A Note from Planning Department/Code Enforcement Office If you would like to receive this newsletter electronically, please email Sue at smunson@lansingtown.com. All Permit Applications and Local Laws can be found on the Town’s Website at: http://www.lansingtown.com NEW - We have added several Fillable Permit Applications online!!!! Or stop in to the Town Hall Planning Department to pick up a paper copy. Just a friendly reminder: If you are, or intend on doing a small construction project around your home, please be sure to check with the Planning/Code Enforcement Office to see if a Building Permit is required (607-533-7054). We’re on the Web! Visit us at: www.Lansingtown.com Town of Lansing PO Box 186 Lansing, NY 14882 Phone: (607) 533-8896 Fax: (607) 533-3507 E-Mail: smunson@lansingtown.com Office Hours: Monday – Thursday 7:30 am - 4:00 pm Fridays 7:30 am – 12:00 pm Town Board Meetings: 3rd Wednesday of the Month at 6:30 pm Planning Board Meetings: 2nd & 4th Monday of the Month at 6:30 pm ZBA Meetings: 3rd Tuesday of the Month at 6:30 pm Lansing Fireworks and Independence Day Concert Saturday, July 1, 2017 Myers Park in Lansing Concert by Tailor Made begins at 6 pm Fireworks go off at 9:30 pm Food available Park and Ride shuttle buses from Lansing Schools Myers Rd will close at 8pm - Residents of affected roads will have access Donations help make this an annual event Any amount are welcomed Sponsored by Lansing Community Council