HomeMy WebLinkAboutTB Minutes 1975-08-11 TOWN OF ITHACA
REGULAR BOARD MEETING
August 11 , 1975
At a regular meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca ,
Tompkins County , New York , held at the Town of Ithaca Offices
at 126 East Seneca Street , Ithaca , New York , on the 11th day of
August , 1',975 , at 5s00 p . m . , there were
PRESENT * Walter J . Schwan , Supervisor
Andrew W . McElwee , Councilman
Noel Desch , Councilman
Victor Del Rosso , Councilman
Robert N . Powers , Councilman
ALSO PRES ENT
.o •James V . Buyoucos , Town Attorney
Lawrence P . Fabbroni , Town Engineer
'Barbara P . Holcomb , Planning Board Chairwoman-
Robert Parkin , Highway Superintendent
Beverly Livesay , County Representative
Catherine A . Valentino , Town Representative
to the Ithaca Youth Bureau and the Ad Hoc
Committee on Youth and Recreation
Mr . and Mrs . Deane Madison
Sam Cohen , Director in Charge of Youth Development
Radio , TV , and Press
APPROVAL ! OF MINUTES
Motion by Councilman Powers ; seconded by Councilman Desch ,
RESOLVED; that the minutes of June 9 , 23 and July 7 , 1975 be
-approved ; as presented .
Unanimously carried .
REPORT OF COUNTY REPRESENTATIVES
Councilman McElwee reported that Mr . Robert A . -gorse ,
County ,Representative ( who could not be present at this meeting ) ,
had advised him that the Town of Ithaca had received a very favor -
able equalization rate .
Mrso Beverly Livesay , County Representative re a
Representative , reported d th t
tllm COuh:1ty Board " of Representatives have approved applying for
assistance in writing an administrative code for the County .
ishe reported that the County Board of Re p res t s had
'
�a �. scussed the Lansing -Pyramid -highway situation . Ite did notppe
a
-9,they had' isolated what the problem is . ppear
Mrs . Livesay reported that the upgrading of the Airport is
pMogressing . The County Board of Representatives voted to take the
next step in applying for funds , but there is no commitment made
as yet .
Mrs . Livesay said there is nothing o
status of the Boardman House . g new report on the
Town Board Minu 'Ces - 2 - August 11 , 1975
ATTENDANCE AT MAGISTRATES CONVENTION
Motion by 'Councilman Powers ,, , seconded by Councilman Del Rosso ,
RESOLVED , that Justices Blye and Wallenbeck are hereby authorized
to attend the magistrates Convention to be held at Grand Isle ,
Buffalo , New York , on September 20 , 21 , 22 , and 23 , expenses con -
nected with such attendance to be borne by the Town .
Unanimously carried .
FINGER LAKES CONSTRUCTION BILLING
Councilman McElwee reported he had discussed this billing
in the amount of $ 99r790 . 20 with Mr . Sincebaugh and he was adamant
that this is a proper charge against the Town of Ithaca . The work
in question was the repair and relocation of some 50 manholes , some
of which were 3 - 4 ft . underground . Some were 2 ft . under existing
pavement * Councilman McElwee did not see that the Town had any
alternative but to pay . Councilman Desch did not see how , the Town
could pay without having some formal justification from Mr . Since -
baugh . it appears the . work was authorized by the Town , but the
scope of the work is completely different from what was envisioned
at the time it was approved . Councilman Powers noted that it did
not appear that the price was out of line based on 50 manholes at
an estimated $ 200 per manhole . There was discussion of the legali -
ty of the expenditure since the project was not opened , for competi -
tive bidding . Per . Fabbroni noted that it was work essentially done
on a day to day basis and as such , justifiable . It was agreed that
Mr . Fabbroni would look into the matter further , obtain an estimate
of the value of the work done , and report to the Board at the next
regular meeting in September .
DOG CONTROL ORDINANCE
Supervisor Schwan reported that Mayor Marcham , Village of
Cayuga , Heights , has provided access to the Village ' s files with
regard ^ to procedures followed in the Village with respect to their
Dog Control Ordinance . Councilman Del Rosso provided Attorney
Buyoucos with a document on dog laws from the State of Connecticut
and the Village of Cayuga Heights Dog Control Ordinance . Mr . Del
Rosso said the Village Police Chief said the Ordinance has been
very effective . A Dog Control Ordinance for the Town of Ithaca
will be an agenda item at the September board meeting . Attorney
Buyoucos recommended that the Board have a work session on this
pLoblen before the September meeting .
X)LITH ; SERVICES' PROPOSAL
1
Mrs . Valentino introduced Mr . Sam Cohen , Director in Charge
of Youth Development , and asked him to outline the youth , services
.norrposal .
Mr . Cohen said there are four programs : ( 1 ) One - to-One ,
Progra�n for Pre - Schoolers , ( 2 ) Youth Employment Service ( 3 )
Iouthworks ( a magazine ) , and ( 4 ) Part -time Youthworker Proposal ,
Tyr . Cohen outlined briefly each of the programs . The Board was
furni;'shed with detailed material on all of these programs , iriclud -
;ng budget figures . PZr . Cohen also distributed a sample copy of
L magazine " Youthworks ® . He said the magazine has been well re -
ceived and people have found it valuable . It is edited by a volun -
teer who is paid a nominal amount of money to do it . Mrs . Valen -
tino ' said she ' had observed the young people who are working in
these programs and she feels their work has been very successful .
Mr . Cohen said their total budget forthe first year programs covers
one salary of $ 7 , 500 and $ 20500 in fringes , plus supplies and equip -
ment ,; or a total of $ 11 , 537 . 00 . He said the Town of Ithaca is
eligible for a certain amount of State money for youth development
programs and they are asking the Town of Ithaca to apply for these
Town Board Minutes - 3 - August 11 , 1975
funds and contribute to the programs Mr . Cohen outlined $ 4 , 400 . 00
for the remainder of the fiscal year 1975 and $ 5 , 600 . 00 for the
fiscal year 1976 (January 1 to January 1 ) . There was some dis -
cussion of whether programs of this kind are more properly a
County function and whether other towns are also being asked to
contribute . Mrso Livesay noted that the Town of Ithaca is unique
in that it surrounds the City of Ithaca and Town children natural -
ly use City facilities . She said programs of this sort are not
necessarily a County function only ; that there is a great deal to
be said for local community involvement . She said she is at this
very time heading up a study of this problem . A question by
Councilman Powers elicited the information that there did not
appear to be any other programs in view which would conflict with
this program .
Motion by Supervisor Schwan , seconded by Councilman Desch ,
RESOLVED ; that the Town of Ithaca will apply to the State of New
York for Youth Development Funds for which it is eligible , and
will contribute $ 4 , 400 . 00 for the remainder of fiscal year 1975
and $ 5 , 600 . 00 for fiscal year 1976 to the Ithaca Youth Bureau
for thelifour youth development programs outlined by Mr . Sam Cohen ,
namely , One -to-One , a Program for Pre- Schoolers , Youth Employment
Service ,; Youthworks ( a magazine ) , and Part° time Youthworkers .
Unanimously carried .
COMMUNICATIONS
Supervisor Schwan reported a request from Mr . and Mrs .
Jackson ,10 . Hall for a one year extension ( January 1 , 1976 to
January',' 1 , 1977 ) on connecting to the sewer system in the North
east fo,r the property they own at 302 Winston Drive , which is
rented until August of 1976 . The Halls are now living in Ken -
tucky and a connection now in their absence would be an inconven°
fence t'o them and their tenant . They anticipate selling the
property in August of 1976 , and would include the cost of con-
nection in their selling price .
Councilman McElwee suggested that the. Health Department
run a test on their septic system . Supervisor Schwan agreed that
their system should be inspected to see that it is operating
properly . If it is , then a letter should be written to the Vil -
lage of Cayuga Heights with whom the Town of Ithaca has a_ con -
tract requiring sewer connections after 10 years from 1965 , in°
dicating to them that this request has been made and asking them
Of the Town has the right to allow such an extension . The Town
would like to have their concurrence . It was also agreed to
write a letter to Mr . and Mrs . Hall advising them of the� Town ° s
intentions .
Supervisor Schwan reported receiving a letter dated July
11 , 1975 from Leonard E . Ferris , 104 Short Street , Ithaca , N . Y . ,
advising that a Kr . Dale Lucas , 96 Taggin Wagon Park , . 901 Dryden
Road , Ithaca , N . Y . had driven on a Town sidewalk for its total
length to the BOCES property on Warren Road . Supervisor Schwan
recommended that Mr . Parkin , Town Highway Superintendent , inves -
tigate whether the walkway can be blocked in some way . Mr . Par-
kin was instructed to check first with the School to see what
the width of their plow is . The Town Clerk was instructed to
write ' a letter to Mr . Ferris explaining what the Town intends
to do .
Town Board Minutes - 4 - August 11 , 1975
Supervisor Schwan reported that a request dated July 17 ,
1975 had been received , signed by four residents of the Juniper
Drive , Hickory Place , and Pineview Terrace area that no inter -
section ;
1
Town Board Minutes - 5 - August 11 , 1975
Mr . Fabbroni , Town Engineer and Building Inspector ,
reported on the following matters :
Kennilwor, th Planting Strip
This . planting is coming along well : There is a one -year
guarantee on the planting work . One of the trees has not taken
root properly . The landscaper will replace it . Almost 20 bushes
which were damaged by snow plow will need replacement . Mr . Fab -
broni asked that a portion of the money still remaining in the
escrow account be used to put in new bushes .
Motion by Councilman McElwee ; seconded by Councilman Powers ,
RESOLVED , that a portion of the money retained in escrow for
the Kennilworth planting strip be used to replace approximately
twenty bushes which have been - damaged by snow plow or which have
died through no fault of the planter , or from natural attrition ,
provided Groff Associates has no objection .
Unanimously carried .
It was agreed a letter would be written to Groff Associ -
ates to notify them of the Town ' s intention and try to get their
concurrence .
Rt . 34 Exposed Services
° Some of the services on Rt . 34 have been exposed as a
result of widening of ditches ( on East Shore Drive between the
highway and the Town line , along the Lake ) . The services must
be put in deeper . The Board authorized Mr . Fabbroni to do what
is necessary to have the services properly buried . The City of
Ithaca will do the work as they would for an individual . If the
City will not to the work , Parr . Fabbroni was instructed to get
estimates on cost of the work , and a special meeting will be
held to officially authorize the work and expenditure of funds .
The State Department of Transportation has agreed to raise and
otherwise improve the manholes for the Town water system as a
part of their work project .
Williams Glen Road
A profile has been taken and a property survey will be
received from Richard McDowell , Land Surveyor , in a week or so .
Attorney Buyoucos asked if a deed was required from all the ad -
jacent;; property owners . He noted a quit claim deed should be pro -
vided by all contiguous property owners . lira Fabbroni did not
think this would be a problem ,
St . Catherine Subdivision
The Town had required $ 10 , 000 of Mr . Robert Hamilton
as guarantee for the required work in the St . Catherine sub-
division - - looping the water line and extending the sewer main .
The work has been completed and it has been approved by the City
of Ithaca and the Village of Cayuga Heights . Mr . Fabbroni , there -
fore , asked that $. 9 , 500 . 00 be released to Mr . Hamilton and $ 500 . 00
be held back until the clean -up work is completed .
Motion by Councilman McElwee , seconded by Councilman Powers ,
RESOLVED , that $ 9 , 500 . 00 held as a guarantee for the satisfactory
looping of a water line and extension of a sewer main in the St .
Catherine subdivision be released to Mr . Robert Hamilton , $ 500 . 00
to be held until the final clean -up work is completed .
Unanimously carried .
Town Board Minutes 6 - August 11 , 1975
Sgrecci Property - Trumansburg Road
Mr . Sgrecci , Trumansburg Road , has requested that the
Town share some of the cost of taking the line from the sewer
line under Trumansburg Road to the right -of °•Tray with the idea
in mind that he and his next door neighbor could share the same
line for sewer service . Mr . Vincent P . Hannan , Assistant Super -
intendent' of Public Works for the City of Ithaca , has approved
the idea of two families on a 4 - inch line . The cost is estimated
at $ 15 . 00 a foot for 45 feet . Councilman Desch felt the Town
If
could only pay for sewer improvements if they are in accordance
with a sewer plan for a whole area and he opposed the arrangement
on this ground . Councilman Powers noted that when the water and
sewer districts were dissolved , the idea ' was that water and/or
sewer would be extended when requested , if economically feasible ,
and when ' it would not increase the benefit rate . Attorney Buyou°
cos saa , that if this arrangement were made , the Town would have
to identify on what legal basis it was made . Supervisor Schwan
felt this was a matter for the two property owners to handle on
their own . He noted further that when this general area was polled
most of the property owners said they did not want sewer extended .
Councilman Del Rosso said that although the cost of the pipe is
minimal ,' the Town would be creating a precedent and put itself in
an untenable position . Based on this general agreement of the
Board , the proposal was rejected . It was agreed , however , that
the Town would bring a water line to the property
Water Line on Sandra Place
Mr . Fabbroni reported that ' Mr . Otto Schoenfeld will start
putting in the water line on Sandra Place .
Water Line - Forest Home Bridge
The water line on the first Forest Home bridge will be
a part :of the sewering contract . Mr . Fabbroni said that Mr . How-
ard Stevenson , Tompkins County Highway Department , recommended
hanging it from the girder .
Storm Sewer - Honness Lane
A storm sewer has been installed on Honness Lane from
Eastwood Commons to the corner .
Transportation - Elderly Housing
if
Mr . Fabbroni requested authorization to continue support
for the bus service for the Elderly Housing Project on Ellis Hol -
low Road through the next Town Board meeting ( September 8 , 1975 ) 0
This would cost the Town about $ 45 . 00 in increased deficit . The
:ra ±:tar of continuing the run will be discussed in a work session .
Motion by Councilman McElwee ; seconded by Councilman Powers ,
'.ESOLXTED , that the Town of Ithaca will continue its support of
the bus service for the Elderly Housing Project on Ellis Hollow
Road through September 8 , 19750
Unanimously carried .
Acquisition of Pennsylvania
and Kendall Avenues
Mr . Fabbroni recommended that the Town Attorney be author
ized to take .whatever action is necessary to acquire Pennsylvania
and Kendall Avenues as Town roads . Supervisor Schwan noted that
Mr . Willis Hilker would improve Pennsylvania Avenue -if the Town
Town Board Minutes - 7 - August 11 , 1975
acquires it . Mr . Fabbroni noted that the Town has two requests
for building permits for construction on Pennsylvania Avenue .
Motion by Supervisor Schwan ; seconded by Councilman McElwee ,
RESOLVED , that the Town Attorney be requested to prepare quit
claim deeds which Mr . Millis Hilker and others will circulate
for signatures , for Pennsylvania and Kendall Avenues , it being
understood that the Town Attorney will be furnished with suf -
ficiant information to assist him in the preparation of such quit
claim deeds .
Unanimously carried .
Flood Control Program
Mr . Fabbroni reported that the Town of Ithaca has been
approved as a part of the Flood Control Program ,
Five Area Sewer Project
By the end of next week Lozier Engineers , Inc . will pro -
vide the Tom with plans for sewering five areas of the Town of
Ithaca . It is hoped that the project will go to bid in September .
Building Permits
Mr . Fabbroni reported that five building permits had
been issued in July as opposed to eight last year ( five permits
for single family houses ) . Permits for two additions were issued
as against four last year . Permits were issued for one church
and one barn as against one factory last year ( NCR , a one million
dollar expansion ) .
Acceptance of Tudor Road
Mr . Fabbroni asked the Town Board to approve Tudor Road
as a Town road . One thousand feet of the road has been satis -
factorily completed to Town specifications .
Motion by Supervisor Schwano seconded by Councilman Del Rosso ,
RESOLVED , that the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca hereby
approves the acceptance of the completed portion of Tudor Road
( approximately 1 , 000 feet ) , subject to the following conditions0
( 1 ) That the roadside shoulder be repaired and compacted .
( 2 ) That the valve stems be lowered .
( 3 ) That the Town Attorney has approved the title .
( 4 ) That Mr . Fabbroni has approved all other matters .
Unanimously carried .
APPOINTMENT OF DOG ENUMERATOR
Motion by Supervisor Schwan ; seconded by Councilman Powers ,
RESOLVED , that Jane Holcomb , 141 Northview Road , Ithaca , New York ,
be appointed Dog Enumerator for the Town of Ithaca for the year
1976 .
Unanimously carried .
Town Board Minutes _ 8 _ August 11 , 1975
APPROVAL OF TOW14 OF ITHACA WARRANTS
Motion by Councilman Powers ; seconded by Councilman McElwee ,
RESOLVED ,, that Town of Ithaca warrants in the following amounts
be approveds
General Fund e e . y . , , $ 118 , 256o40
Highway Fund o e o . , a 0 17 , 219017
Water and Sewer Fund o e 5 , 25lo07
Unanimously carried .
APPROVAV OF BOLTON POINT WARRANTS
Motion by Councilman Desch ; seconded by Councilman McElwee ,
RESOLVED , that this Town Board ; after review , and upon the recom-
mendation of the Southern Cayuga Lake Interniunicipal Water Commis ®
Sion , hereby approves the Bolton Point warrants in the amount of
$ 323 , 123 . 720
Unanimously carried .
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 7010 p . m .
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Edward Lo Bergen
Town Clerk