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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025.05 - Spring 2025 Town NewsletterPage 1 of 24
FROM THE DESK OF THE SUPERVISOR
The Town of Lansing is a beautiful gem in the
Finger Lakes region with a community of research
facilities; a rich agrarian heritage; an abundance of
scenic views; and plenty of hiking trails to enjoy
those views, which include several waterfalls such as
Ludlowville Falls, shown above.
The Town boasts of having a park system that is
among the best in the county, popular recreational
programs that garner praise from the families that
participate, and expertly maintained highways. The
Town of Lansing and the Village of Lansing together
make a vibrant community that the residents are
proud of, and a school system of high quality and
ranking.
This quarterly newsletter is intended to share with
you the news from not only the Town Board but from
our staff, committees, and other resources around
town, to keep you informed. The goal is to highlight
accomplishments, provide updates on issues,
announce upcoming topics, inform you of events in
the community, and share community interest
stories.
Town Supervisor
Town Offices:
Court
Judge John Howell
Judge Peter Grossman
Melody Lombardo, Court Clerk
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 7:30am to 4:00pm
Department of Public Works
Mike Moseley, Dir. of Public Works/Highway Supt.
Jamar Redmond, Deputy Highway Superintendent
Kevin May, Working Supervisor
Emmy Stehnach, Sec’y to Dir. of DPW/Hwy. Supt.
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 6:00am to 4:00pm
Parks & Recreation
Patrick Tyrrell, Director of Parks & Recreation
Tyler Todd, Parks & Rec. MEO/Coordinator
Meggie Conley, Parks & Rec. Secretary
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 7:00am to 3:30pm
Friday, 7:00am to noon
Planning & Code Enforcement
John Zepko, Director of Planning/Code
Mason Molesso, Town Planner
Scott Russell, Zoning/Code/Fire Enforcement Officer
Heather Dries, Code Enforcement Officer
Kelly Geiger, Code/Planning Information Aide
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 7:30am to 12:30pm
Friday, 7:30am to noon
or by appointment
Supervisor’s Office
Ruth Groff, Town Supervisor
Mary Ellen Albrecht, Bookkeeper
Jennifer Schenck, Accountant
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 7:30am to 4:00pm
Friday, 7:30am to noon
Town Clerk’s Office
Debbie Munson, Town Clerk
Jessie Hall, Deputy Town Clerk
Ashley Workman, Town Clerk Aide
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 7:30am to 4:00pm
Friday, 7:30am to noon
www.lansingtown.com
Newsletter for the Town of Lansing
SPRING 2025
Issue 4
Town Board
Ruth Groff, Town Supervisor
Joseph Wetmore, Board Member/Deputy Town Supervisor
Judy Drake, Board Member
Laurie Hemmings, Board Member
Christine Montague, Board Member
Page 2 of 24
IN THIS ISSUE:
ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND UPDATES ....................................................................................... 3
CARGILL RESOLUTION EXPLANATION ................................................................................... 3
GRANT AWARDED FOR ZONING UPDATE ............................................................................... 3
GRANT AWARDED FOR VACUUM TRUCK ............................................................................... 4
GRANT FOR HVAC SYSTEM AT TOWN HALL ......................................................................... 4
COMMUNITY CENTER ............................................................................................................... 5
LOWERING SPEED LIMIT ON WILDMAN ROAD ..................................................................... 5
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS (DPW) CAMPUS .............................................................. 6
SOLAR PROJECTS ...................................................................................................................... 7
NEW BEGINNINGS ..................................................................................................................... 7
BOARD OF ELECTIONS CHANGES FOR LANSING ................................................................... 7
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS (DPW) CREATED FOR LANSING ................................... 9
INTRODUCING P LANNING DEPARTMENT STAFF ................................................................... 9
JOHN ZEPKO, DIRECTOR OF PLANNING AND CODES............................................................ 9
MASON MOLESSO, TOWN PLANNER ..................................................................................... 10
FINANCIAL SNAPSHOTS .......................................................................................................... 11
2024 SALES TAX REVENUE .................................................................................................... 11
LANSING TOWN DEPARTMENTS ........................................................................................... 13
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT: WEATHER STATIONS WITH CAMERAS ..................................... 13
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT: CHANGE OF BRUSH AND MULCH LOCATION .......................... 13
PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT: 2025 SUMMER PROGRAMS & EVENTS .............. 14
COURT: JUDGE MAURA KENNEDY-SMITH AND JUDGE PETER GROSSMAN .................... 15
COMMITTEES AND COMMUNITY .......................................................................................... 16
LANSING EVENTS COMMITTEE: CAR SHOW AND BBQ ...................................................... 16
SCOOPS ..................................................................................................................................... 16
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AS A WATER SYSTEM OPERATOR ............................................. 17
ENERGY RESOURCES FROM CORNELL COOPERATIVE EXTENSION ................................. 17
SERVICE TRIBUTES ................................................................................................................ 20
LARRY SHARPSTEEN ............................................................................................................... 20
FANNIE WELCH ....................................................................................................................... 20
MEMORIAL TRIBUTES ............................................................................................................ 21
GEORGE “GUS” ISAAC ............................................................................................................ 21
TONI ADAMS ............................................................................................................................ 23
DON HARTILL .......................................................................................................................... 23
HAZEL MAY AVERY ................................................................................................................. 23
PUBLIC MEETINGS ................................................................................................................. 23
HOW DO YOU WANT TO RECEIVE ISSUES OF THE LANSING NEWSLETTER? .................... 24
Page 3 of 24
ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND UPDATES
CARGILL RESOLUTION EXPLANATION
At the January 15, 2025 Town Board meeting, the Board passed a resolution regarding Cargill’s permit
application to renew and modify its Mined Land Reclamation Permit for the Cayuga Salt Mine. The
Resolved clauses were as follows:
The Town of Lansing formally requests that the DEC:
1. Rescind the Negative Declaration and require the preparation of a comprehensive, public-
accessible Environmental Impact Statement to assess all potential environmental risks
associated with the proposed activities, and
2. Conduct a public hearing to allow for community input by residents and stakeholders on the
Environmental Impact Statement
This Resolution was merely to ask that the DEC give further attention to the permit application to
ensure that everything is being done to safeguard Cayuga Lake from contamination of any sort due to
Cargill’s plan to flood the abandoned S3 Zone with wastewater.
Due to certain misinterpretations of this Resolution, we feel it necessary to clarify that
neither the Town nor any committee or council within the Town has expressed the desire
to close Cargill, nor does the Town, or any entity within the Town, have the authority to
make such a request. The Conservation Advisory Council endorsed the wording of the
Resolution at their January meeting, but no member of that council suggested that Cargill
be closed, nor was there a vote taken for the closure of Cargill.
GRANT AWARDED FOR ZONING UPDATE
On December 27, 2024, the Town was notified that the grant application for $100,000 to assist with
the Town’s zoning updates, was approved. The funding for the grant is provided by the New York State
Department of State Smart Growth Community Planning Program. The description of the grant, as
identified in the list of grants awarded, is as follows:
• The Town of Lansing will update its zoning code to align with community values and
sustainability principles, as outlined in its 2018 Comprehensive Plan. The Town hosts an
abundance of natural resources, scenic vistas, and sensitive environmental areas. The update
will protect resources while supporting development near existing nodes of activity to ensure the
long-term well-being of the community.
It is expected that the zoning updates will take more than a year, possibly two, to complete. As stated
in the description of the grant award, the Town wishes to revise the zoning to better align with the 2018
Comprehensive Plan. It is also the Town’s intention to better delineate the zones (perhaps combining
some to remove redundancy), to modify the language to make it easier to understand, and to add maps
and diagrams to aid in clarity.
Page 4 of 24
GRANT AWARDED FOR VACUUM TRUCK
Along with the notification of the grant for the zoning updates, the Town also received
acknowledgement of the award of a grant of $325,000 for a vacuum truck from the New York State
Department of Environmental Conservation Water Quality Improvement Project:
• The Town of Lansing will purchase a vacuum truck to remove debris from catch basins in
Lansing, the Village of Cayuga Heights, and in Tompkins County. The vacuum truck will ensure
that the catch basins will remain clear of debris and protect water quality.
The town has needed a vacuum truck for years as a means to not only fulfill the mandates of the state
in regard to catch basins, but also to assist with breaks in sewer and water mains. The utility of this truck
contributes to reducing negative environmental impacts to the land and to Cayuga Lake.
As is mentioned in the grant award, Lansing will be able to assist other municipalities with their catch
basin needs as well, further enhancing a shared sense of cooperation amongst the municipalities within
the county. When Lansing is helping other municipalities, we do not charge, nor does Lansing get
charged when other municipalities are working in Lansing. Currently, the town is party to a 5-year
Intermunicipal Shared Services Agreement between the Town of Lansing, Tompkins County, and all
participating municipalities. This agreement allows Highway Superintendents to work together by
sharing equipment, labor, and materials to accomplish maintenance and improvements to infrastructure
within each town.
The cost of the truck is $517,000 and with this grant the net amount that Lansing will pay will be
approximately $192,000. This expenditure was included in the budget for 2024, so since the cost was
already encumbered it did not affect the 2025 budget, nor will it affect the 2026 budget. The truck was
ordered in the first quarter of this year and should arrive before the end of the year. The contract for the
grant is expected in the next few months.
GRANT FOR HVAC SYSTEM AT TOWN HALL
The HVAC system in the Town Hall has not worked properly for decades and much of its mechanical
workings failing due to age. Each year the Town spends hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars paying
for bandaid fixes to the system. It is unknown which thermostat affects which zone in the building,
consequently many offices are excessively hot and others excessively cold. The staff and visitors are
uncomfortable, prompting open windows in the winter to lower the temperature from 80o, and space
heaters in adjoining offices to bring the temperature up from 60o. It is not a healthy environment for our
staff, and space heaters are not safe..
In February, 2024, Tompkins County Business Energy Advisors provided to the Town a report
itemizing their assessment of the system and the needs for the building. Based on this report, the Town
Board voted to move to a geothermal heat source and to include a complete reconfiguration of the
controls. Because the choice was for geothermal, the town became eligible for grants from New York
State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), and received an award for a
reimbursement grant of $90,000 toward this project. It is unclear exactly how much this project will
cost, but preliminary estimates range anywhere from $150,000 to $400,000. The 2025 budget included
$100,000 for this project, so that much has already been encumbered, meaning that the 2026 budget will
include only any amount over the $190,000.
Page 5 of 24
COMMUNITY CENTER
On January 9, it was noted by the Town of Lansing’s Code Enforcement Officer that there was rot
and structural issues in the east wall of the Community Center. With these findings, it was determined
that the building was unfit for occupancy and the building was then closed to the public due to safety
concerns. Not knowing the extent of the damage caused some consternation for those of us having to
make decisions about the future of the building, but fortunately, when the engineers pulled more of the
boards away to see the adjacent areas, the damage was limited, not extending farther than the already
exposed area. A collective sigh of relief was had by all when the feared hundreds of thousands of dollars
of repairs were determined to be only $9,000, and the undetermined closure of the building dwindled to
only a few weeks.
Thank you to Scott Russell, Code Enforcement Officer, for identifying a public safety issue; to Pat
Tyrrell, Director of Parks and Recreation, for promptly notifying all parties who had reserved the
building for their events; to David Herrick and Dondi Harner, Engineers from T.G. Miller, P.C., for their
timely response to assess the damage; and to D Squared Construction for dropping everything and
bringing in their entire crew to complete the repairs in one day.
LOWERING SPEED LIMIT ON WILDMAN ROAD
On December 18, 2024, the Town Board passed a resolution to lower the speed limit on Wildman
Road, which is the Town public highway that runs parallel to State Route 34 and services the elementary,
middle, and high schools of the Lansing Central School District. The roadway is primarily used by
students who walk on this to attend school and school events. The Highway Superintendent requested
that the speed limit be lowered to 15 MPH Monday through Friday between the hours of 7:00 am through
6:00 pm. All other hours the speed limit would remain at 25 MPH.
As of the writing of this article, the town has not heard back from the state regarding this request. It
is not unusual for the state to take several months to review such requests and to perform any studies
needed to make a determination.
Page 6 of 24
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS (DPW) CAMPUS
Building a new facility for the Department of Public Works has been underway for years and is finally
about to become a reality. The Advertisement for Bids was sent to the Ithaca Journal on March 12, and
ran from March 15 through March 20. The pre-bid conference was held on March 26, and the bid
opening was on April 16.
We are pleased to announce that the total bids came in comfortably within budget. The estimated
timeline for breaking ground is sometime in May of this year, which will be celebrated with a public
ceremony for that event. Look for an announcement of the date and time for the groundbreaking
ceremony!
The Town has been working toward this goal since 2020, when Bergmann (which in 2023 was
rebranded as Colliers Engineering and Design) was hired to design the new building and site. In 2024,
we hired LeChase Construction as the construction management company. Both organizations came
highly recommended and they both have proven to be extremely professional and fair, keeping the
Town’s best interest at the forefront. Mike Moseley, Director of Public Works/Highway Superintendent;
Ruth Groff, Town Supervisor; David Herrick, Town Engineer; and Guy Krogh, Town Attorney have been
the primary representatives for the Town in this process, but not without input from department heads
within the town. The three teams have worked tirelessly to ensure that the building will accommodate
all of the town’s needs now and into the future. The goal has always been for this new facility to serve
the Town of Lansing for the next fifty years, and through value engineering, the teams were able to keep
the costs to a minimum.
Below is a rendering of the new building as provided by Colliers Engineering and Design:
Page 7 of 24
SOLAR PROJECTS
During the month of March, the Town went through a review process and discussions with two
different solar projects, Yellow Barn Solar, a utility scale project, and Delaware River Solar, a community
solar project.
Matthew Eldred, Senior Associate with Harter Secrest & Emery LP, has been working with the Towns
of Lansing and Groton for several years to provide his expertise in reviewing the Yellow Barn Solar
project. He has been instrumental in developing strategies to ensure that both towns receive the greatest
benefits possible, including our protection for decommissioning should the project cease operations
before the end of the life of the project. Matt represented both of the towns at the March discussions
which addressed the amount of the Host Community Agreement (“HCA”), as well as all the concessions
that both Groton and Lansing are requesting from Yellow Barn Solar.
The difference between a utility scale project and a community project is the size. Any project of
25MW or larger is a utility scale project and oversight is through the New York State Office of
Renewable Energy Sitings (“ORES”), with the town having very little say in the matter other than
arguing that the project abide by certain town laws. Lansing and Groton have requested concessions
from Yellow Barn Solar, a 160MW project, regarding such things as, but not limited to, ensuring that the
decommissioning bond is sufficient, protection of the neighbors from glare and noise, that pollinators
are planted along the roadside, that unique natural areas are protected, and that the towns are adequately
compensated for the wear and tear on town roads.
A community project is anything under 25MW and is subject to the town’s approval of site plans, just
as any other proposed development in the Town of Lansing, but ORES is not involved. Both types of
projects may provide the town with an HCA.
The Delaware River project sought and received a variance for an 8MW solar project to be located in
a residential zone in the town. Since then, they have been working with the Planning Board developing
screening from the neighboring residences, protection of wetlands on the site, and locating a town trail
across the property. They have reached out to the town to develop a Host Community Agreement with
the town.
Both projects hope to begin construction this Fall.
NEW BEGINNINGS
BOARD OF ELECTIONS CHANGES FOR LANSING
1. The Tompkins County Board of Elections would like to remind you that voters in Election District
6 that previously voted at the Lansing Village Hall will now vote at the Ithaca Reform
Temple in all Primary and General Elections. The other election district in the Village of Lansing
(ED 7) already votes at the Ithaca Reform Temple for those elections. As more voters in the southern
part of Lansing either vote early or take advantage of the new Early Vote by Mail option, there have been
fewer and fewer voters voting in person on Election Day.
2. The boundaries for the County Legislative Districts 7 and 8 have changed. District 7 now is bound on
the north by Waterwagon Road, following Triphammer Terrace to Asbury Road, and down Warren Road
to the Village boundary. The dotted line highlighted in red indicates the new boundaries. District 8 is
all of Lansing north of that dividing line.
Continued on page 8
Page 8 of 24
Page 9 of 24
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS (DPW) CREATED FOR LANSING
On November 20, 2024, the Town Board approved Resolution 24-152, which adopted Local Law #4
of 2024 to add Town Code Chapter 80: Department of Public Works. This Local Law recognized that
the “Town of Lansing has planned for and considered creating a Department of Public Works (“DPW”)
since 2005 and, with the Highway Department already undertaking stormwater management and repair,
sewer and water installations and repair, and general grounds and maintenance repairs, atop its duties
and responsibilities as a Highway Department, such department was already functioning as a DPW.”
With this new designation, Mike Moseley now has the title of Director of Public Works / Highway
Superintendent.
INTRODUCING P LANNING DEPARTMENT STAFF
JOHN ZEPKO , DIRECTOR OF PLANNING AND CODES
I hail from Ballston Spa, NY and am the 4th generation on the
same road. Ballston Spa was a smallish rural town while I was
growing up, and my family had deep roots. Our home was heavily
forested, and I spent most of my time in the woods, camping,
hunting, fishing, canoeing and generally enjoying the freedom and
serenity a life outside can give you. I still enjoy all those things.
I was raised on stories of service. My grandparents and parents
served their nation and communities in various ways, from military
service, the fire service, helping to construct our local airport, and
serving on the school board, to name a few. My grandmother and
mother were both registered nurses. It was especially humbling to
pass my paternal grandfather’s name (which I share) cast in bronze
at our high school, marking him as a school board member when the
building was constructed. Looking back now I think it was a daily
reminder to me that a life lived in service to something bigger was
something to be admired. My parents also fostered in me a great love of the natural world. They were
very conscious of local happenings, and we spent a fair amount of time at Town Board and Planning
Board meetings, which likely explains a lot about my choice of vocation.
I am a graduate of the State University Center at Albany, where I earned a BA in Geography &
Planning in 2001. In 2005 I began my career in Planning with the Town of Malta, Saratoga County,
and have been in both the private and public sector Planning/Environmental field ever since. I currently
serve in the role of Director of Planning & Code Enforcement with the Town of Lansing, where I also
wear the hat of Stormwater Coordinator and Floodplain Administrator.
Following my wife’s career to the Finger Lakes region, we took up residence in Cayuga County and
raised our three children. Small town life is great for raising a family. Our children have all thrived
and we couldn’t be prouder to see them taking on the greater world and its many challenges. I am a
volunteer firefighter in my community and have been privileged to serve as the President of our fire
company. I believe service gives us a chance to connect with something larger than ourselves. I
continue to work in community planning because I believe that local government, as the lowest unit of
government, is where people are most affected and where we have the greatest ability to make an
impact.
Page 10 of 24
MASON MOLESSO, TOWN PLANNER
Hello! My name is Mason and I’m the Town Planner. I help manage planning and development
projects happening within the Town. I also advise the Planning and Zoning Boards, as well as provide
residents with help regarding their planning, design and subdivision
projects.
My path to becoming a Town Planner was, ironically enough, a bit
unplanned. I grew up in Syracuse in the first ring Eastwood
neighborhood and had a pretty “normal” life. My parents were both
teachers in the local school district. I was in the Scouts with my dad, I
enjoyed skateboarding and hanging out with my friends and even played
the trumpet in my high school jazz band.
I was one of those kids that never really had much of a life plan. I
just assumed I’d go to trade school following high school and get a job
to earn some money. I ended up at Paul Smiths College, enrolled in their
Arboriculture program where I learned how to climb trees and be a
production arborist. I received an associate’s degree from them and then
moved to Plattsburgh, NY where I worked on a tree crew for several
years. In 2015, I decided to move to Colorado as it had always been a dream of mine to live in a cabin
in the mountains. I ended up outside of Nederland, which was an incredibly cool historic mining town
nestled into the Indian Peaks Wilderness. I stayed there for several years working as an arborist at a
private fly-fishing club. I then moved to Winter Park Colorado to take a job managing a ski company
and being a ski bum. I did this for a few more years and then had a quarter life crisis, which prompted
the decision to return to school.
I moved back home in 2018 and enrolled at SUNY ESF to complete a degree program in Landscape
Architecture. Never in a million years did I think I’d end up back in school, especially during a pandemic.
Especially back at home in Syracuse! I pursued this degree for five years while gaining practical
experience working for a local landscape architect firm. I graduated from ESF in 2023 and shortly
thereafter moved to the Lansing area when my girlfriend landed a job with the Cornell lab of Ornithology.
I accepted this position with the Town in January of 2024, have been here for just over a year now
and have enjoyed almost every second of it. Lansing reminds me of Plattsburg, and living out west, in
the fact that I enjoy everyone’s friendliness, blue collar attitudes and small-town welcoming vibes. I am
grateful to be able to share the skills and knowledge I’ve learned with its residents and members, and to
also learn from them.
When I’m not at work I enjoy hiking, camping, fly fishing, and working on my truck. My girlfriend
and I recently purchased our first home too, so I also spend a lot time enjoying repairs and remodeling
as we make it our own!
Page 11 of 24
FINANCIAL SNAPSHOTS
2024 SALES TAX REVENUE
Each month, Lansing receives a sales tax allocation from Tompkins County, which is calculated
according to the chart on the next page. As the county collects the taxes, they distribute them at the end
of each month to the municipalities, with the proportions to each municipality based on Census
populations. See the list below to understand that Lansing receives nearly 16% of the total municipal
allocations.
The amount budgeted by the Town of Lansing is calculated by looking at historic trends, and making
an educated estimate determined by projections from the county and the state as to whether the
purchasing trends will increase or decline. We were advised that sales were expected to decline for 2024,
so we budgeted $1,780,000 for sales tax revenue for 2024. This was an increase from the prior year’s
budgeted amount, but only by 3%. The budgeted amount is typically 5% more than the prior year.
The good news is that the Town received a total of $1,983,441 for the year, which is $203,441 more
than was budgeted, but still down 1% from the 2023 amount collected. That overage remains in the
Town’s fund balances, which had been on the decline over the past few years, so this helps bring the
balances back into alignment with the Town’s Fund Balance Policy, which is important for maintaining
a good credit rating, resulting in lower borrowing costs when we issue bonds.
The chart on the next page is taken from the Tompkins County 2023 Adopted Budget report, Section
2, page 13. It is a complicated flow chart but is helpful in understanding how the sales taxes are
distributed in Tompkins County.
Continued on page 12
Page 12 of 24
Page 13 of 24
LANSING TOWN DEPARTMENTS
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT: WEATHER S TATIONS WITH CAMERAS
You may have seen cameras on poles along some of the roads in Lansing and wondered why they are
there. Some have posited that they were installed to discourage burglaries, while others remain baffled.
But the true story behind them is that they are weather stations installed by the Lansing Highway
Department. This new technology allows the Highway Department to monitor the condition of roads
year-round, but especially during the winter months. The monitors feed to an app on their laptops or
phones with still shots at frequent intervals throughout the day and night, registering not only photos of
the road, but road temperatures, as well.
This technology is a time and money saver for the Town by eliminating the need for the responsible
on-call staff (Highway Superintendent, Deputy Highway Superintendent, and Working Supervisor), to
drive around the town in the middle of the night or during a snowstorm to check the conditions of the
roads. To be able to determine if the plows need to be deployed at any given time, without spending
hours driving around, is an incredible advantage.
The cameras have saved the Town the cost of wear and tear on the vehicle being used to investigate
the conditions, as well as the gasoline for such a mission, and they have reduced the number of
unnecessary call ins of the Highway crew. They have also allowed the person on call to strike a work-
life balance by not having to drive around the roads every time there is snow in the air. That person can
wake up around 1:00 am and check the road conditions from a laptop or smartphone and either go into
work and call the rest of the crew in or go back to sleep for an hour and check the cameras and conditions
again at 2:00 am.
The five cameras are placed around town at strategic locations that take into account the various
segments of the town, as well as road elevations. Originally there were only four cameras, but Mike
Moseley, the Highway Superintendent, determined that for safety reasons one more should be placed on
a section of road near Ludlowville because at certain times of the year the weather on that road can cause
unusual, troubling conditions.
So, now when you see one of those cameras on a pole, you will know its purpose and how it benefits
the town.
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT: CHANGE OF BRUSH AND MULCH LOCATION
Please note that the brush drop-off and mulch pick-up location has changed. It is no longer on Town
Barn Road but has been relocated to 104 Auburn Road, near Scoops.
This change is the result of the upcoming redesign of the Department of Public Works campus. The
new building will be utilizing the space where the current salt barn is situated, and a new salt barn will
be built on the site where the brush and mulch piles had been. This adjustment to the plan for the new
campus was a cost-saving measure that reduced the necessary site grading, saving the town and the
taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars.
The Town recognizes that the new location of the brush pile is not aesthetically pleasing, but the new
site is temporary.
Page 14 of 24
PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT: 2025 SUMMER PROGRAMS & EVENTS
Page 15 of 24
COURT: JUDGE MAURA KENNEDY-SMITH AND J UDGE PETER GROSSMAN
Contributed by Lansing Town Court Justice John Howell
Last Fall Lansing Town Justice Maura Kennedy-Smith won the election for and is now a Tompkins
County Judge. In January the Lansing Town Board appointed local attorney Peter Grossman to fill her
replacement for one year. Maura is a graduate of Ithaca High School, Cornell University and New York
University School of Law, and as a local defense attorney years ago she primarily represented
underserved clients who could not afford to pay an attorney, including criminal defendants and children
in Family Court.
For the past 10 years, she was the Principal Court Attorney to Tompkins County Court Judge Joseph
R. Cassidy. In addition, for the past 6 years as Lansing Town Justice, she handled lower-level criminal
cases including DWIs, domestic violence and drug abuse cases, traffic violations, landlord-tenant
matters, and small claims.
Tompkins County has three County Court Judges who each serve a ten-year term. These judges
preside over felony criminal cases, Family Court, and Surrogate’s Court. Tompkins judges also handle
four specialty courts: Family Treatment Court, for parents at risk of or who have had their children
removed due to substance use issues; Tompkins County Treatment Court, an alternatives-to-incarceration
program; Sex Offender Court, which monitors convicted sex offenders as part of their sentence; and
Integrated Domestic Violence Court, in which the same judge presides over both the Family Court case
and pending criminal matters when domestic violence is involved.
Throughout her legal career, she has worked to strengthen communities by addressing critical issues
like poverty, children’s welfare, intimate partner violence, and substance use.
Congratulations Maura and thank you for your service to the Town.
Judge Maura Kennedy-Smith
Judge Howell
Melody Lombardo, Court Clerk
Judge Maura Kennedy-Smith
Page 16 of 24
COMMITTEES AND COMMUNITY
LANSING EVENTS COMMITTEE: CAR SHOW AND BBQ
Contributed by Valerie McMillan
President of the Lansing Events Committee
The Lansing Events Committee would like to thank everyone that came out for the Holiday Tree
Lighting in December. In spite of the cold, we had a record turn out! Our sponsors are truly dedicated,
and they made sure everyone had a great time, AND the tree was the best one yet, thanks to Pat and the
team at Parks and Rec., John Hatfield of Wildlife Resolutions, and of course Moore Family Tree Farm.
The addition this year of the Salt Point Brewery stage was truly wonderful! It can only get better from
here.
Our next venture is the Lansing 5th Annual Car Show, which will be held at Myers Park on
Sunday, June 1st. We will be giving Cheerleading Coach, Lisa Munro, a hand as she turns the reigns
over to us for next year. The car show is the biggest one in Lansing, and has over 120 cars, trucks,
motorcycles, and even semis of all years and classes, and this year will be no exception. Vendors, both
food and merchandise, will be there in addition to the usual 50/50 raffle and basket raffles. This year’s
DJ will be KDawg who also does our carnival entertainment, just for that it’s worth the trip to Myers.
Judges will be choosing their favorites in over 12 classes such as Best in Show, Unique, and Oldie but
Goodie! Please email us at lansingevents2018@gmail.com or watch our Facebook page,
https://www.facebook.com/LansingEventsCommitteeInc for additional information. Entry fee remains
$10 payable at the park gate.
We also have a Chicken BBQ on June 7th at the Baker Pavilion near the Town Hall. Hatfield
Catering will be on hand with their delicious meal, which is our fundraising for the Carnival this year.
Please save both dates, June 1, and June 7 for the LEC!!
SCOOPS
It is understandable that residents are curious about the future of Scoops, especially now that they see
the town’s temporary brush pile on that property. The Town is currently working with the owner of
Scoops to discuss future options for the ice cream shop.
We appreciate that Scoops has been so gracious toward the town’s Department of Public Works while
it has temporarily relocated the brush and mulch piles to that property, and we appreciate the
understanding of the residents of Lansing while the Town experiences growing pains.
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CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AS A WATER SYSTEM OPERATOR
Contributed by Steve Riddle
General Manager, Southern Cayuga Lake Intermunicipal Water (“SCLIWC”)
Each day, the Southern Cayuga Lake Intermunicipal Water Commission (also known as Bolton Point
Water System) supplies Town of Lansing customers with clean and safe water for their daily routines.
This work is performed by twenty-three dedicated staff that work in one of our three departments –
Administrative/Finance, Distribution, and Production. From water production to main break repairs,
billing services to customer concerns, as well as ensuring that all regulatory standards are met, and
providing public outreach regarding the water system, the SCLIWC staff does it all.
One of the major challenges facing the water industry is the unprecedented shortage of certified water
system operators across New York State and the nation. Most certification levels require at least one
year of on-the-job training and a training course to become a certified water system operator. From April
2020 to April 2024, approximately 2,500 (57%) of the certified water system operators did not renew
their certification and left the water industry. During the same time, only 450 new system operators were
certified in New York State. Over the next 5-10 years, an additional 2,300 water system operators are
eligible for retirement. Water system operators provide reliable water services that are critical to public
health, economic stability, and environmental protection, making it essential to attract and retain skilled
workers in this field.
If you, or anyone you know, are interested in a career as a water system operator, please contact
SCLIWC by email at scliwc@boltonpoint.org or visit the New York Section of the American Water
Works Associations website at nysawwa.org for more information.
ENERGY RESOURCES FROM CORNELL COOPERATIVE EXTENSION
Contributed by Siobhan Hull
Cornell Cooperative Extension
Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) Tompkins County offers a variety of resources to help residents
navigate the process of making energy upgrades to their home. Their Community Energy Advisors are
available to answer your questions and help identify which incentives you may qualify for. You can visit
smartenergychoices.org to learn more, or contact Harrison Hensley at 607-366-0833 x1 or
hrh73@cornell.edu.
One program designed specifically for Lansing residents is the Lansing Non-Pipes Alternatives
(NPA) program. Operated by NYSEG, the NPA program was developed to help resolve gas reliability
issues and support the energy needs of Lansing residents and businesses. It includes a residential heat
pump initiative, which offers substantial incentives for residents to switch from natural gas heating to
electric heat pumps. The exact incentive amount is unique to each home, but you can visit
earthsensitive.com to receive an estimate and register for a free site visit with a technician.
It is important to note that NPA incentives are currently set to end in June 2025, and the time to take
advantage of this unique local program may be limited. To learn more about the Lansing NPA program,
you can visit ccetompkins.org/npa or contact Siobhan Hull via email (smh372@cornell.edu) or phone
(607-272-2292 x192)
Continued on page 18
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Page 20 of 24
SERVICE TRIBUTES
LARRY SHARPSTEEN
At the December 18, 2024, Town Board meeting, the Board passed Resolution 24-165, honoring Larry
Sharpsteen for forty years of service, citing his leadership, exceptional contributions, and loyalty to the
Planning Board. The Town Board expressed appreciation and gratitude for the commitment, dedication
and service that Larry Sharpsteen made to our community, and thanked him and his family for the
countless hours he spent attending to Planning Board matters and serving the Lansing Community.
Larry’s term began on July 18, 1984. He served as Chairperson of the Planning Board from 1993 until
1997 and in other years he served as the Secretary. Larry was the Planning Board representative for the
Town’s 2015 Agriculture and Farmland Protection Plan, as well as a 2018 Comprehensive Planning
Committee Member. He was part of the Nominating Committee and Lansing Sewer Committee, and he
represented Lansing as our Tompkins County Environmental Management Council representative. Larry
has been a vital part of Lansing for decades, and we all wish him the best in this new chapter of his life.
The Board presented him with a signed copy of the Resolution, and his name is to be engraved on the
plaque titled “The Viola Miller Citizen Volunteer Award,” which is located in the Lansing Town Hall.
FANNIE WELCH
Fannie Welch was born and raised in Lansing and still resides in the same home she was born in,
so her involvement with the Lansing Historical Association (“LHA”) was a natural fit. For decades,
Fannie contributed significantly to the LHA by sharing stories of Lansing’s past, and through
extensive volunteer work. Fannie has served as the interim Town Historian since 2022, replacing
Louise Bement. Unfortunately, Fannie tendered her resignation in January 2025, effective April 1,
2025. The Town wishes to thank Fannie for her service to the LHA and to the Town for her years of
service. It is hoped that she will continue her involvement in the LHA for many years to come.
Page 21 of 24
MEMORIAL TRIBUTES
GEORGE “GUS” ISAAC
Gus Isaac, a true hero and beloved member of the community, passed away on February 10, 2025.
He left behind a legacy that will not be soon forgotten. For a comprehensive account of his life and
accomplishments, both personal and for his country, please go to his obituary at:
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/607newsnow/name/george-gus-isaac-obituary?id=57523499
One of Gus’ granddaughters, Meggie Conley, is a valued employee of the Town of Lansing Parks and
Recreation Department, so to provide a more personal tribute to Gus, she and her two sisters had this to
say about their grandfather:
“Most of what Lansing remembers about Gus is encompassed in his decorated life events surrounding
his acts of courage and heroism during WWII, but not everyone is familiar with the quieter side of his
life. Beyond the battlefield, his heart belonged to his family, friends and the everyday moments that
often go unnoticed. My sisters and I had the privilege of living with our “Jido” – the Arabic name for
grandfather – at different points in our lives. Living in his home with him and experiencing first-hand
how he viewed the world, shaped our lives and has had a profound impact on the people we have become.
“For the three of us, he has always been our anchor; the one thing in Myers that never changed. His
presence was steadfast. In times of turmoil and uncertainty we found sanctuary in his presence. Just
being in his space was calming. He was our safety and security, always there, never saying too much
about the circumstances that life had thrown our way, but always making sure we were taken care of,
safe and comfortable. He would call us when we were not home on time, a loud “where are ya?!” from
the other end taught us quickly that checking in was crucial to living with Jido. He would set our coffee
to brew first thing in the morning so it would be ready when we came downstairs to start the day, and he
would always make sure our little ones were warm enough in their beds upstairs, even when everyone
knew the upstairs of Jido’s house was never less than eighty degrees year-round.
“Our grandfather’s capacity for love and selflessness didn’t end with the war, and unlike his
achievements on the battlefield of Anzio that were commemorated with ceremony and medals of honor,
his compassion and love for his family and friends was often shown in quiet, unspoken actions that
revealed just how much we all meant to him.
“Gus’ funeral will be held on Friday, May 23rd at 1p.m. at the Lansing United Methodist Church,
followed by a celebration of life at the Lansing Rod and Gun Club where Gus was a lifelong member.”
He was such an asset to the community that over the years, many commemorative tributes have been
paid to Gus, including Tompkins County naming August 10, 2023, George “Gus” Isaac Day, and the
Town of Lansing naming a fishing cove for him. To hear a brief radio interview with Gus from that day
in August 2023, go to the link below.
https://1037qcountry.com/wake-up-q/good-stuff-george-gus-isaac-day-in-tompkins-county/
Continued on page 22
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The cove that bears his name
In 2019, the Lansing Town Board presented him with the Resolution
designating the “Isaac Cove” at Salt Point
Page 23 of 24
Memorial Tributes - Continued
TONI ADAMS
Lansing lost another remarkable community member on February 17, Toni Adams. After a 38-year-
career at Cargill Salt Mine, Toni retired in 2017 and began volunteering at the Lansing Food Pantry. She
quickly stepped up and took over operations of the pantry, becoming the Director, and was responsible
for leading the pantry into an era of organizational growth. She was dedicated to her family and to the
town and always put their needs before her own.
DON HARTILL
Don Hartill, former Mayor of the Village of Lansing, passed away on April 16. Don was an
accomplished and highly regarded Physicist, spending his entire career at Cornell, but not without
enjoying some very prestigious visiting appointments around the world. He was an Alfred P. Sloan
Fellow and Fellow of the American Physical Society and American Association for the Advancement of
Science. Don’s devotion to his community, the Village of Lansing, was demonstrated by his involvement
in local government, serving as a Village Trustee from 1989-1993, Deputy Mayor from 1993-1996, and
then became the Village’s fifth and longest serving mayor by holding that position from 1996-2021. Don
was also a Commissioner at Bolton Point Water System, participating up until a week before his death.
HAZEL MAY AVERY
Hazel Avery, a long-time employee of the Town of Lansing Highway Department, passed away on
March 14. Hazel graduated from Lansing High School in 1956, where she participated in sports,
cheerleading, and playing trumpet in the band. Over the years, Hazel was a member of the Ladies
Auxiliary of the Almeda Fire and Ambulance Service in Ludlowville and was an active volunteer for
local events. She was a valued employee of the Town of Lansing as the Secretary to the Highway
Superintendent for twenty-three years, from 1971 until her retirement in 1994.
PUBLIC MEETINGS
Town Board – Town Hall, 3rd Wednesday, 6:30 PM – May 21 – June 18 – July 16
Planning Board – Town Hall, 4th Monday, 6:30 PM – May 19 – June 23 – July 28
Zoning Board of Appeals – Town Hall, 2nd Wednesday, 6:30 PM – May 14 – June 11 – July 9
Conservation Advisory Council – Town Hall, 1st Wednesday, 6:30 PM – May 7 – June 4 – July 2
Page 24 of 24
HOW DO YOU WANT TO RECEIVE ISSUES OF THE LANSING
NEWSLETTER?
If by USPS mail – please fill out the form below and send it to:
o Attn: Town Supervisor, P.O. Box 186, Lansing, NY 14882
o Or, send your address via email to rgroff@lansingtown.com, with subject line
“Newsletter”
If by Email – provide your email at https://www.lansingtown.com/stay-connected and check the box for
“Newsletter Updates”
Otherwise, if you choose neither, you will find the Lansing Newsletter on the town’s website, and hard
copies at Town Hall and other local establishments. Other options will be available for future
publications. Tell your friends!
Fill out this form to receive copies of the newsletter via USPS mail:
Name______________________________________________________________________________
Postal Address ______________________________________________________________________
Street Address City State Zip Code
Mail this to P.O. Box 186, Lansing, NY 14882, or email your information to rgroff@lansingtown.com