HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007.09 Newsletter
On September 23, we will be entering Fall. We
can look back at a great summer that seemed to just
go too fast. The Harbor Fest was a fitting end to an
outstanding job by the Lansing Community Council. I
want to thank everyone who helped, participated, and
enjoyed the many activities.
With the leaves changing and the temperature
moderating, we put away the bats, balls and gloves.
We then issue soccer balls and footballs. Welcome to
Fall. The tempo now shifts to leaves falling and a cool
nip in the air.
The Town Board has started work on the 2008
Budget, with work sessions scheduled through
October. This work will culminate with the Public
Hearing on Wednesday, November 7th at 6pm. The
election of Town officers will take place on November
6, 2007. It appears that we will have a very busy Fall.
From the Desk of the Town
Supervisor Steve Farkas
Water Customers Payment Deadline
The last day to pay the amount due on your water bill is October 15, 2007
As indicated on the bottom of your August water bill:
Any balance after October 15, 2007 will be relevied on the property owner’s 2008 Town and County Tax Bill.
A courtesy reminder letter will be mailed to the tenant and property owners on October 1, 2007.
If you have any questions please contact Debbie Crandall at the Town Clerk’s Office at (607)533-4142.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
State of the Town 1
Water Customers Payment Deadline 1
A Note from Parks & Recreation 2
New Park Local Law 2
Snow Ordinance 3
Stormwater Management Program: Illicit Discharges 4
Pool Regulations 4
Salt Point TImeline 5
If You Love Me License Me! 5
Feel free to contact me by phone (607) 533-8896
or e-mail supervisor@lansingtown.com for a time
to meet at the Town Hall. I would be glad to meet
with you. For more information about our Town
check out our website at www.lansingtown.com
September 2007
By Debbie Crandall, Deputy Town Clerk
Page 2
PARKS – The Parks have enjoyed a very good summer season. A couple of highlights were the construction
of the new “Bandstand” in Myers Park. Also, Myers Park was the host site for the first “Harbor Festival”. Many
Festival goers complimented on the condition of the Park and those comments came just one week after a very
damaging storm that left the Park in shambles. We hope to continue the Camping season into early October,
weather permitting. Pavilions are also still available. At this point in the season, boat launching and entry to
the park are available at no charge.
RECREATION- The activity seasons are changing and several programs have started with several more
getting ready to start. Youth Soccer for players in grades K-6 has started with over 200 players participating.
Flag Football has also started and a large turn out of players allowed us to split into two teams. Our YFL Small
Fry Football program started practicing on August 20th with official games beginning on September 16th. We
have a JR and SR team that will compete in the 23 team league. Our teams will have a special treat in week 2
of the season when on Sunday September 23rd the games are scheduled to be played at Cornell’s stadium.
Our teams play a 7 game season ending on October 28th. Our Karate program started for the fall on
September 10th. We are always looking for new members to add to this very popular program. Dates and
times for all of our programs are listed on the respective registration forms. Soon, we will be circulating
information about our Ski program. Early registration for this program is due on October 12 for the best
pricing. This program has been extremely popular and will start on January 7 and will take place at Greek Peak
for 6 consecutive Monday evenings. We usually send 5 bus loads of skiers and boarders. Registration forms
for Youth Bowling will be coming out soon. This program is slated to start in October and takes place at the
Bowl-O-Drome. Our Youth Gymnastics Program will start on November 9th and takes place at the Fingerlakes
Gymnastics Academy.
Several adult programs will also be starting soon with additional information to follow. The Cardio Step
Interval Class started September 10th and takes place at the Community Center on Monday’s and Thursday’s
from 5:30 – 6:30 pm. New members are always welcome and encouraged for all of our adult programs. We
will also be offering Coed Volleyball, Men’s Basketball, Open Swim (adults only), Women’s Volleyball and
Women’s Basketball.
Much more specific program information is available in our office (533-7388) and on our web page
www.lansingrec.com
A Note from Parks & Recreation Department
In June 2007, the Town Board adopted Local Law #2 of 2007: Rules and Regulations of Conduct and Other
Activities in Parks of the Town of Lansing. The purpose of the law is stated as follows: “The preservation of
Town Parks, open areas, recreational fields, Salmon Creek (and other waterways and watercourses), and the
shorelines of Cayuga Lake is of paramount importance to the residents of the Town of Lansing. These properties
benefit the Town by providing unique ecological characteristics and recreational opportunities. Any damage or
destruction to these areas and any improper or dangerous conduct will weaken these benefits and pose a danger
to the health, safety and welfare of Town residents. It is imperative to the integrity of these unique areas that
they be safeguarded for the benefit of the Town, its residents, and the future residents of the Town and other
users.” The full law can be found in the June 20, 2007 Town Board Meeting Minutes on the Town’s web site.
New Park Local Law
By Steve Colt, Director of Parks & Recreation
By Darby Kiley, Environmental Planner
Page 3
TOWN OF LANSING, TOMPKINS COUNTY,
NEW YORK
SNOW ORDINANCE
ORDINANCE NUMBER 50
History: Ordinance No. 2, adopted December 6, 1958
(Removal and Storage of Vehicles), as amended by
Ordinance No. 19, adopted February 10, 1976
(amending allowed towing and storage charges).
1. Repeal and Effective Date: Ordinance No. 2 and
Ordinance No. 19 be and are hereby repealed, and
this Ordinance shall take effect immediately.
2. Purpose: The purposes of this Ordinance are to
regulate the standing and parking of vehicles upon
roads and highways during snow events and at all
times when plowing is necessary so as to protect
the public health and welfare by preventing
accidents and effectively removing snow and ice
from public roadways.
3. Definitions: The following definitions shall apply to
this Ordinance:
a. Vehicle: Each and every device in, upon, or
by which any person or property is or may be
conveyed, moved, drawn, or transported upon,
through, or across any Roadway, including all
licensed and unlicensed vehicles, all registered
or unregistered vehicles, and all devices of
conveyance whether operated by human power,
a motor, or otherwise.
b. Snow Event: Any snowfall that is in progress;
or during and 12 hours after any snowfall that
exceeds 1 inch; or any amount of freezing rain,
whether as sleet, ice, or as rain that freezes
upon or after contact with the ground.
c. Roadway: All, each, and every portion of the
right-of-way of all, each, and every public road,
route, and highway located within the Town of
Lansing, including all Town roads and all
County and States routes and highways, and
also including but not limited to all paved,
finished or driving surfaces, shoulders, ditches
and culverts.
4. Restrictions: No standing or parking is permitted
upon any Roadway during any Snow Event. No
standing or parking is permitted upon any
Roadway after any Snow Event until the
completion of Town snow removal operations.
Any Vehicle found to be in violation of this
Subsection 4 shall be subject to citation or
ticketing and/or removal or immediate towing.
5. Powers of Highway Superintendent: The Town of
Lansing Highway Superintendent shall have the
power to cause or order the immediate removal
of any Vehicle that (a) is in violation of
Subsection 4 hereof, and/or (b) obstructs or
interferes with the maintenance of any Roadway,
regardless of whether such Vehicle is located in
or upon the Roadway.
6. Fines and Penalties: For any first offense, the
fine shall be $25.00. For any second offense
within 6 months of any prior conviction under
this Ordinance, a fine of not less than $25.00
and not more than $75.00. For any third offense
committed within 6 months of any prior
conviction under this Ordinance, a fine of
$100.00. The fine may be waived by a Court of
competent jurisdiction if the offense was
unavoidable due to an emergency that prevented
the owner and operator of the Vehicle from
moving, removing, or towing such vehicle.
7. Towing: The towing or removal of any Vehicle
pursuant to this Ordinance may be performed by
any licensed towing agency, by the Town
Highway Department, or by any company the
Town of Lansing may contract with to provide
Vehicle removal services. All towing and storage
fees associated with the removal of such Vehicle
shall be the sole responsibility of the owner(s) of
any such Vehicle. The Town of Lansing shall
neither be responsible nor required to (a) locate
or notify any Vehicle owner of operator that any
Vehicle has been removed or towed, or (b) know,
keep records of, or advise any owner of operator
as to the location of any such towed or removed
Vehicle.
Page 4
By Darby Kiley, Environmental Planner
Stormwater Management Program: Illicit
By Darby Kiley, Environmental Planner
It’s a warm summer day and there hasn’t been rain in weeks, but a stream of water is flowing out of a pipe
into a roadside ditch, which connects to a creek that flows to Cayuga Lake. Is this an illicit discharge and is
the Town of Lansing doing anything to prohibit pollutants from entering our waterways?
Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination (IDDE) is one of the six Minimum Control Measures addressed in
the Town’s Stormwater Management Program, regulated by a permit from New York State Department of
Environmental Conservation (DEC). The permit requires that the Town develop, implement and enforce a
program to detect and eliminate illicit discharges in the Town. The program components include the
following: develop and maintain a map locating outfalls; develop a local law to prohibit illicit discharges;
develop and implement a method to detect and address non-stormwater discharges; and inform the
public, Town employees, and local businesses of hazards from illicit discharges.
With grant funding from DEC and in collaboration with the Stormwater Coalition of Tompkins County, the
Town of Ithaca is mapping the outfalls for all of the regulated towns in the county. They are following
specific data collection criteria. The outfall mapping in Lansing will be completed by the end of 2007.
The Town is in the process of developing the local law to prohibit illicit discharges. The local law closely
follows the Model Local Law developed by DEC. In the upcoming months, the Town Board will be reviewing
the draft local law and holding a public hearing.
The educational component of the program will be accomplished in a number of ways. The Planning and
Town Boards held a special meeting to hear a presentation on IDDE and the role of the boards. Personnel
from the Planning Department attended half-day training. The Stormwater Coalition of Tompkins County
is developing other programs for the public and for highway staff.
What is an illicit discharge?
A discharge to an MS4 (Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System) that is not composed entirely of
stormwater (except permitted discharges and fire fighting related discharges)
What can you do to help?
• Report suspicious discharges or outfall pipes going into ditches.
• Volunteer for stream walks – the Town plans to walk through particular streams in the town in
search of outfall pipes.
• Properly dispose of waste materials
Contact the Town of Lansing Planning Department at 533-7054 for reporting or for more information.
Thinking about a pool next summer to beat the heat? In next spring’s newsletter, look for an article that
will highlight State and Local regulations on pools.
Pool Regulations
Page 5
Many questions have been asked about the goals and the future of Salt Point. As discussed in the
June 2007 Town of Lansing Newsletter, the Town is working under a Cooperative Agreement with the
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). The DEC still owns the land, and
the Town agreed to help manage the area.
The Town established basic improvement goals for the site that include the following:
Goal Action Timeline
Town to manage Salt Point Sign Cooperative Agreement with DEC January 2006
Define vehicular access Build roads and parking areas Summer 2007
Define pedestrian access Build trails Summer 2008
Protect natural habitat Plant vegetation Ongoing
The Town encourages residents and guests to visit and enjoy Salt Point as a shared public resource.
Dogs that are harbored in the Town of Lansing must be licensed at 4 months of age. You must provide
proof of a rabies vaccination. If the dog is spayed or neutered a certificate is required.
The application fees are as follows: $10.00 for spayed/neutered
$20.00 for unspayed/unneutered
Any local fees collected are kept by the licensing municipality for dog control services and enforcement of
Article 7 of the Agriculture and Markets law in addition to their portion of the statutory fee. The statutory
fee is apportioned as follows:
*53% is retained by the licensing municipality for dog control and enforcement of Article 7 of the
Agriculture law.
*30% is sent to the county to reimburse livestock animal owners for dog damage claims. Any unused
money is returned to the licensing municipalities annually.
*17% is forwarded to the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets to provide all dog license forms
and identification tags, send renewal applications and maintain the centralized database of dog licenses.
*from the State’s 17% share a 10 cent fee for each license issued is remitted to Cornell Veterinary College
for dog disease studies.
The license is validated for one year by the municipal licensing agent. Each dog is assigned a permanent
official identification ID number and issued a metal ID tag which is to be attached to the dog’s collar. A
replacement tag can be obtained for a fee of $2.00 through your municipal clerk.
You can apply for a dog license at the Town Clerk’s Office at 29 Auburn Road, by mail, P.O. Box 186,
Lansing, N.Y. 14882 or there is a 24 hour drop box in the foyer of the Town Hall. Please make checks
payable to the Town of Lansing. If you have further questions we would be happy to assist you by calling
(607) 533-4142.
By Darby Kiley, Environmental Planner
Salt Point Timeline
If You Love Me License Me! Attention Dog Owners:
By Deb Crandall, Deputy Town Clerk
Town of Lansing
PO Box 186
Lansing, NY 14882
Phone: (607) 533-8896
Fax:(607) 533-3507
E-Mail: charrum@twcny.rr.com
We’re on the Web!
Visit us at: www.Lansingtown.com
Office Hours:
Monday – Thursday
7:30 am - 4:00 pm
Fridays
7:30 am – 12:00 pm
Town of Lansing
PO Box 186
Lansing, NY 14882
Highway Department
Winter Hours
Monday – Friday 6:00 am – 2:30 pm.
Wood Chips
Wood Chips are available to all town residents at
the Highway Department.
2007 Deer Hunting Season Dates
Regular (Open Saturday) Nov 17 – Dec 9
Early Archery Oct 13 – Nov 16
Late Archery/Muzzleloading Dec 10-Dec 18
Deer Management Permit Deadline Oct 1
2007 Budget Public Hearing
November 7, 2007 at 6:00 pm
Town Board Meetings:
Third Wednesday of the
Month at 6:00 pm
