No preview available
HomeMy WebLinkAboutTB Minutes 1976-06-07 TOTIN OF ITHACA REGULAR BOARD MEETING . June 7 , 1976 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 7th day, of June , 1976 , at 7 : 30 p . m . , there were PRESENT * Walter J . Schwan , Supervisor Andrew We McElwee , Councilman Noel Desch , Councilman Victor Del Rosso , Councilman Catherine A . Valentino , Councilwoman Shirley Raffensperger , Councilwoman ALSO PRESENT . James V . Buyoucos , Town Attorney Lawrence P . Fabbroni , Town Engineer/Building Inspector Barbara Po Holcomb , Planning Board Chairwoman Robert Bonneil , Assistant to Town Engineer Beverly Livesay , County Representative , 11alter and Shirley Carmen , 1012 Trumansburg Rd . R . Curtis and Jewel Gray , 657 Elmira Road Richard Griffen , 146 Seven Mile Drive John J . Turner , 240 Stone Quarry Road Margaret J . Oaksford , 203 Itfuriel Street Representatives of the Media ABSENT . Robert N . Powers , Councilman APPROVAL OF MINUTES Notion by Supervisor Schwan ; seconded by Councilman McElwee , RESOLVED , that the minutes of Play 3 and May 10 , 1976 be approved with the follow corrections . The minutes of May 3 to show that the vacuum cleaner purchased as a " Pullman " , not a " Hoover " and the minutes of Play 10. to show General Fund Warrants as $ 32 , 958 . 68 rather than $ 33 , 638 . 68 . Unanimously carried . APPOINTI�MINT OF ELECTION INSPECTORS 1140tion by Supervisor Schwan . seconded by Councilman McElwee , RESOLVED , that Republican and Democrat Election Inspectors and Alternates , as approved by the respective Chairmen of the Repub- .7. i. can and Democrat parties , ( list attached ) , are hereby approved key the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca for the period July 15 , 1976 through July 15 , 19770 Unanimously carried . PERSONS TO BE HEARD Mr . and Mrs . R . Curtis Gray , 657 Elmira Road , submitted a letter to the Town Board , dated June 7 , 1976 , objecting to the Town ' s proposed purchase of Seven Pile Drive property for a high- way maintenance facility , on the grounds it will be a noise haz ard , a dangerous intersection to travel , will create dust and dirt . They say the road is too narrow , with little or no shoul - ders . They say it is dangerous for school children who use the bus . The corner is a blind approach to Elmira Road because of high pine trees and shrubbery . mr . Schwan read the letter aloud in full . Since the highway maintenance facility is an agenda item , consideration of the Gray letter was temporarily deferred . Town Board Minutes - 2 -- June 7 , 1976 fir . Walter Carmen , 1012 Trumansburg Road , inquired , with respect to Campbell Avenue improvements , as to who authorized the improvements . He said they had not been notified . He contended that the original agreement with the people on the road had been changed . He said he now has a problem with his septic field and now has no room for his camper . Mr . Fabbroni contended the agree - ment was changed in Mr . Carmen ' s presence . He noted , further , that a drainage problem complicated the matter . In view of the differ - ence of opinion between the Town Engineer and Mr . Carmen , it was agreed the Board as a whole or individually would visit Mr . Car - men ' s premises (with the Town Engineer ) to determine what can be done at this time to alleviate the situation Mr . Carmen complains of . John J . Turner , 240 Stone Quarry Road , presented a peti - tion with 23 signatures from residents of Stone Quarry Road and West King Road requesting the Town Board to provide the residents with water service . He said the people in the area have spent money for many years for water systems that do not work . The wells do not produce enough water to drink . One house does not have enough bathing water . The people are trying all kinds of make - shift arrangements to provide sufficient water , but these arrangements are inadequate and inconvenient . Supervisor Schwan said he and the Board sympathesized with the people in this area . He cited , however , the difficulties of bringing water service to Stone Quarry Road and West King Road the rocky terrain , the expense ( particularly in view of the cur - rent very high interest rates ) , the fact that there are no Federal or State funds available for water systems . Mr . Turner said it was his understanding that when the districts were dissolved , one of the purposes was to bring water to areas such as this , the ex - pense of which would be paid for on a Town-wide basis . Supervisor Schwan agreed this was the case and the intents however , the in - flated costs and excessive interest rates have made it almost im- possible to do this at this time . He said it will be necessary first to obtain an engineering estimate of the cost to provide water to this area . After that it will be a question of whether the people are willing to pay more than the present $ 23 . 00 a unit for water and more than $ 50 . 00 a unit for sewer . It does not ap - pear the service can be provided without an increase in the water and sewer benefit charge . Supervisor Schwan recommended that Mr . Turner discuss this with the people in the area and determine whether they are willing to pay an additional amount for water and sewer service . In the meantime , the Town will get an engine eer ' s estimate of the cost to provide water and sewer service in the area . The Supervisor said there is a possibility that Revenue Sharing may be continued and some of that money might be allocated to defray part of the cost . Councilwoman Raffensperger followed up on Mr . Turner ' s Point and asked if it was not the Town ' s policy to make water and sewer extensions at a uniform benefit charge throughout the Town . The Supervisor said that was the intent and the policy , and that until the interest rate went " out of sight " the policy made sense and could be implemented . At the time the districts were dissolved r bond anticipation interest rates were 3 . 9 % to 4 . 3 % . Today bond anticipation interest rates are running 7 % to 8 % . The interest rate on bonds is also a factor . The Tom will not know until July at what interest rates bonds will sell for . Councilman Del Rosso noted also that it had been hoped that development would produce more housing units and more revenue . The Supervisor noted that prior to the increase in interest rates the sewer fund was gener - ating a $ 30 , 000 to $ 40 , 000 surplus . At current interest rates there is no surplus . Town Board Minutes - 3 June 7 , 1976 Councilwoman Raffensperger pursued the matter , asking the Supervisor if he was saying the Town of Ithaca cannot present- ly make any water connections . The Supervisor said that was it exactly , nor any sewer connections . It is the high interest rate which has prevented the Town from proceeding with the proposed sewering of five areas in the Town . The Town is still seeking Federal and State aid for that project . Without it the project cannot go forward -- unless the present benefit charge is raised for everyone - in the Town and there is a question whether that is reasonable , rational , or feasible . It appears to be the only alternative at this time . In answer to a comment by fir . Turner that he and others in his area have been paying the nominal penny per thousand of assessed valuation charge in anticipation of future benefit , Mr . Buyoucos said that charge is being paid because the residents are part of an area which is deemed to be benefited because there is a plan for having water and sewer and the property values are deemed to be increased by that amount . Because the whole Town is now a " district " , the means of extending water and sewer lines are much more simple than before . P4r . Buyoucos also noted that it is not illegal to have a different rate in a particular area . The discussion led to the following action . Motion by Councilman Descho seconded by Councilman kicElwaee , RESOLVED , that the Town ,Engineer is hereby authorized to request from Lozier Engineers , Inc . an estimate of their fee to design a water and sewer improvement for the Nest King Road and Stone Quarry Road area in the Town of Ithaca . Unanimously carried . Supervisor Schwan said the cost of the study would be available at the next Board meeting ( July 12 ) , and in another month or six weeks the study itself could be available . Richard Griffen , 146 . Seven Mile Drive , voiced objection to the proposed Seven Dille Drive highway barn site because of heavy truck traffic , danger to children in the area , and the non - .. central location . He suggested locating the facility on the other side of Town Snyder Hill Road or Hanshaw Road areas . Supervisor Schwan said the cost of land in the area cited versus cost of land where contemplated is considerably higher . . Further , in a Town shaped like the Town of Ithaca there is no central location . There is no room for expansion at the present location ; it is only 197 acres of usable land . Further , it is necessary to build a pole barn in order to contain under cover sand and salt and the mixture of the two in winter . Mr . Griffen said the drainage on : the site is very poor . Supervisor Schwan said this applies to the front part of the lot , but the facility is proposed to be located at least 200 ft . back . Mr . Griffen contended that $ 250000 or $ 30 , 000 in extra cost on the.. other hill would be insignificant in view of the estimated $ 200 , 000 for the completed project . Supervisor Schwan said it would require an increase in the tax rate to finance the additional $ 25 , 000 or $ 30 , 000 indicated by'' Mr . Griffen . 0 4tC Town Board Minutes - 4 - June 7 , 1976 TOM HIGHWAY MAINTENANCE FACILITY Mr . Fabbroni reported that he and Councilmen Desch and McElwee on Thursday had looked at four proposals for consulting services on the highway maintenance facility - - MacNeill , Tallman , Egner , and Bagnardi . It was agreed that each of the four prospec- tive consultants should be interviewed and this will be done at 6030 p . m . on June 0 , . 1976 , Mr , Fabbroni also reported that soil tests were taken at the proposed Seven Rile Drive site to determine suitability for a septic field . Back at 400 ft . the area is suitable for a septic field , and back 600 ft . it is suitable for a dry well . If the building were set back about 425 ft . from the road there would be enough room to plant a buffer and other types of visual barriers . Since the other properties in the area are set back 50 ft . from the road , the facility would be well back from them . This would still leave plenty of room in the rear of the property where most of the noise from trucks would arise . It was agreed any well - drilling would be deterred until title to the land is taken . Mr . Gray noted that his observations indicate it will be necessary to drill at least 300 ft . for water . REPORT OF COUNTY REPRESENTATIVES Mrs . Livesay reported that the CETA position has been extended through January 31 , 1977 . The Supervisor and Mrs . Livesay discussed briefly bonding for the new - hospital facility . Mrs . Livesay recommended that Supervisor Schwan write a letter to John P1urphy , County Budget Administrator , explaining his ideas regarding such bonding . Regarding the highway maintenance facility , Mrs . Livesay commented that although a public hearing on the matter may not be necessary , the Town is not prevented from having one . The Super- visor said the sale is subject to a permissive referendum and the resolution to sell at public auction so states and has been pub- lished as a legal notice . Supervisor Schwan said that after pub- lic hearing on the use of revenue sharing money , it had been de- termined to obligate revenue sharing money to the highway barn . At the time there was criticism of the Board ' s priority system and Councilman Powers said that someone had decided 30 or 40 years ago what the " priority " was when it was decided the Town would have roads and maintain them . That set the " priority' . Super - visor Schwan said if the old facility were retained it would have to be re-wired , locker rooms and wash rooms provided to comply with OSHA requirements . Mrs . Livesay asked if the Intergovernmental Relations Committee was studying possible combination of highway maintenance facilities . Mrs . Holcomb said they are only investigating whether or not there are any ways to efficiently use equipment for snow- plowing and road maintenance . It has not progressed beyond that . Supervisor Schwan said there are about 40 miles of Town roads to maintain . Consolidation is a possibility , he said , but ( 1 ) the Town would lose the ability to have a highway department respond through the elected representatives of the. Town when a call comes in and ( 2 ) the trucks' presently owned cannot just be discarded ; they must be used and housed somewhere . He said the Town is try- ing to run a 1976 highway department in a facility built in the early 201s . Actually there is not even the 1 . 7 acres of usable Town Board Minutes - 5 June 7 , 1976 land because of a 15 ifte creek . The ability to move trucks on the site would become almost impossible if the buildings were expanded , and in a short period of time it will became necessary to have additional trucks and men . Mrs . Livesay still questioned whether the highway main- tenance facility is the highest priorityo Supervisor Schwan said he feels it is at this time , considering the calls received for snow plowing , road . and roadside improvements , etc . A new facility , he said , will not require an increase in the tax rate . ACCEPTANCE OF TOWN ROADS - STATE AID RESOLUTION Upon request of the Highway Superintendent for a resolu9 tion necessary to establish the Town ' s eligibility for State Aid funds for highway maintenance , the Town Board acted as follows * Motion by Supervisor Schwan , seconded by Councilman Desch, RESOLVED , that the following roads in the Town of Ithaca have , by resolution of the Town Board , been accepted as Town roads . ( 1 ) Sycamore Drive ( 2 ) Pinewood ' Place ( 3 ) Birchwood Drive North ( 4 ) Blackstone Avenue ® extension ( contingent upon formal approval of deed ) ( 5 ) Williams Glen Road ( 6 ) Fidler Road ( 7 ) Tudor Road - extension and that Rosemary Lane has been abandoned bypthe Town Board , by resolution , as a Town '' Road ; that this resolution with- respect to the accepted Town roads has been made for the purpose of establish4 ing the fact that these roads are eligible to receive State . Aid funds , Unanimously carried . CO124ITTEE ON PARK PROPOSALS AND PRIORITIES Mr . Fabbroni showed the Board the Coy Glen study prepared by Dennis Collitone He said this study is the most thorough ever done . He said now is the time for the Board to take a stand in the development of the Coy Glen area , particularly its preserva- tion . He recommended that the Board establish a committee to dis - cuss park plan priorities , especially Coy Glen , a committee which would meet with the landowners involved . The Board appointed a committee of three - - Councilwomen Raffensperger and Valentino and Councilman Desch , with Councilwoman Raffensperger as Chair - woman . SIGN APPLICATIOIJ - °' FR2U4E FASIiIONS " Mr . Fabbroni reported that " Frame Fashions " on East Hill Plaza have applied for a sign 20 fto square on a storefront of 20 lineal feet . This is in compliance with the Town of Ithaca sign law and Mr . Fabbroni recommended its approval . ( The Planning Board , for lack of a quorum. at recent meetings , has not formally approved this sign . ) Town Board Minutes - 6 - June 7 , 1976 Motion- by Counci -man Descho seconded by Councilman McElwee , WHEREAS , " Frame Fashions " of Fast Hill plaza has applied for the erection of a sign 20 fte square on a twenty lineal foot storefront , a ratio fully in compliance with the Town of Ithaca sign law , NOW , THEREFORE , BE IT RESOLVED , that this Town Board hereby approves the erection of said sign . Unanimously carried . SUMMER HELP Mr . Fabbroni requested guidance on the CETA position held by Mr . Bonnell . He noted there is field work which needs to be done by two persons , so that it will be necessary to have someone , in addition to Mr . Bonnell in the summer . 14r . Fabbroni said he has been having difficulty finding people for the two planning positions which have already been authorized under the program administered by Cornell University . There was discussion of summer help for Pair . Fabbroni for about 10 to 12 weeks , and the Board acted as follows : Motion by Councilman McElwee ; seconded by Supervisor Schwan , RESOLVED , that the sum of $ 1 , 500 . 00 be transferred from part - town contingency fund to the appropriate planning account to be used for the employment of a person for a period of 10 to 12 weeks in the summer to assist the Town Engineer . Unanimously carried . REPORTS OF TOTIN OFFICIALS , Town Attorney Buyoucos reported that his office is pur - suing the Franciamone matter in the Appellate Court . Mr . Fabbroni said it was his understanding that Mr . Barney is preparing a crimi - nal action with respect to Mr . Franciamone . Supervisor Schwan recommended that this matter should be moved along as rapidly as possible . Town Engineer Fabbroni reported on the following matters . Abandoned Buildings . . Mr . Fabbroni recommended adopting proposed Local Law # 2 - 1976 having to do with demolition or re - moval of abandoned and dangerous buildings . The Town Attorney was asked to prepare a resolution for the July 12 , 1976 meeting of the Town Board , at which meeting the Town Board will schedule a public hearing on this matter . Building Permits . Permits were issued in May for three homes and eight a di.tions for a total -amount of $ 175 , 650 as against eight homes and eight additions for a total amount of $ 263 , 591 in May of 1975 . . Transportation Survey . As a result of the transportation survey , responses were received from 472 households , not counting 180 households from East Ithaca last year . Seventy- five responses are expected from Forest Home and the areas still to be surveyed with the help of the Northeast Civic Association . Eventually one- third of the households will have madam ie, .eponse which is a much higher percentage of response than the usual survey . receives . The results will be compiled and periodic progress reports will be made . Town Board Minutes - 7 - June 7 , 1976 Washout - Eastern Heights roads . ( Upon inquiry of Council -� woman Valentino ) Mr . Fabbroni reported that the wash -out on the steep part of Eastern Heights roads was the result of a broken water main which has been repaired . The Highway Department will restore the road this summer . Priority List . A priority list will be available in two weeks . ( Councilwoman woman Valentino recommended that the Zoning Ordi - nance should be at the top of the list . ) tqr . Robert Bonnell distributed to the Board a summary of " Notifications of Sign Violations " dated June 7 , 1976 (which is made a part of these minutes ) . r1r . Bonnell also reported on his research into the back - ground of the sign for Turback ' s Restaurant , and read from Zoning Board of Appeals minutes of May 23 , 1967 . Mr . Fabbroni recommended approval of the sign in spite of the variance hearing of Play 23 , 1967 (which was prior ' to " the present sign law ) since the sign as it now exists is a legal sign , even with the addition of the credit card insignia . Motion by Councilman Desch : seconded by Supervisor Schwan , 1n7HEREAS , "_'ur. back ' s . Restaurant • has made renewed application . to erect a sign , . and WHEREAS , said „ sign is in compliance with the present Town of Ithaca sign law , and WHEREAS , although the said sign has not been formally approved by the Planning Board for lack of a quorum at recent meetings , the Town Engineer has recommended approval of said sign , NOWT THEREFORE , BE IT RESOLVED , that this Town Board hereby approves the application of Turback ' s Restaurant to erect said sign as presented in its application . Unanimously carried . HIGHWAY BARN AUCTIO14 Town Attorney Buyoucos recommended that the Town Board should reserve the right to reject any and all bias . Supervisor Schwan •felt this would inhibit bidders and recommended instead that the Town reserve the right to place one bid , since this is an auction and not a sealed bid . PLANNING BOARD MEETINGS Mrs . - Holcomb reported that the Planning Board has been having difficulty getting a quorum at recent meetings because they are one person short due to the resignation of David Martin , the fact that ter . Harris has been away ( but will return July 1 ) , and the fact that Robert Christianson has been seriously injured and will be in the hospital for five or six weeks , Research is being done to determine whether legally the Planning Board could conduct business with seven members . Only four , then , would be required Town Board Minutes June 7 , 1976 for a quorum . Mr . Christianson could then be retained until he recovered fully . Supervisor Schwan felt it would be more practi- cal to ask him to resign , considering the legal difficulties . In any event , Mrs . Holcomb said she needed help from the Hoard in finding replacements either for one or two persons on the Planning Board . The Board agreed to try to furnish some names . Mrs . - Live- say suggested Mrs . Martha Oaksford as a possibility for the Plan - ning Board , ii ZONING ORDINANCE C01!1ZITTEE A committee consisting of Catherine Valentino , Victor Del Rosso and Shirley Raffensperger was appointed to move along the completion of the Zoning Ordinance . This committee will meet at noon on June 21 , 19760 APPOINTMENT TO ITHACA YOUTH BUREAU Motion by Councilmanl'� HcElwee ; seconded by Councilman Desch , RESOLVED , that this Board hereby appoints Robert R . Julian , 203 Salem Drive , as a representative of the Town .. of Ithaca on the Ithaca Youth Bureau , uto complete the unexpired term of Herbert Mahr . Unanimously carried . BOLTON POINT WARRANTS The Board reviewed the Bolton Point warrants and acted as follows : Motion by Councilman , Descha seconded by Supervisor Schwan , RESOLVED , that the Bolton Point warrants , dated June 7 , 1976 , after review by the Town Board , and upon recommendation of the Southern Cayuga Lake ' Intermunicipal Water Commission that the said warrants are in ' order for payment , are hereby approved for payment in the amount of $ 267 , 117 ° 36 . Unanimously carried . . W TOWN OF ITHACA WARRANTS The Board reviewed the Town of Ithaca warrants and acted as follows * Motion by CouncilmanDeschf seconded by er Councilwoman ,Raffens er , P 4 RESOLVED , that the Town of Ithaca warrants , . dated June 7 , 1976 , _ be approved in the following amounts .* General Fund . . . ,$ 161 , 535 . 03 Highway Fund . 0 . . . $ 22 , 172 . 22 Water and Sewer Fund . . . $ 4 , 507 ' < 66 Unanimously carried . TOWN BOARD 1-1L'ETING HOUR The Board discussed whether to continue scheduling Town Board meetings for 7030 p . m . or return to the 5x00 p . me meeting time . Supervisor Schwan did not think attendance was significant- ly increased by the temporary change to 7030 p . m . Councilwoman Raffensperger did not think attendance was the fairest , . way to judge the matter . She said the question is whether or not it is Town . Board Minutes - 9 - June 7 , 1976 convenient for the public to attend when there is a matter that does interest them . A vote was taken on the question and Council woman Raffensperger and Councilman Desch voted for 7 : 30 p . m . Supervisor Schwan , Councilwoman Valentino , and Councilmen Del Rosso and McElwee voted for 5 : 00 p . m . Therefore , the regular meeting of July 12 , 1976 is scheduled for 5 : 00 p . m . It was ` noted , in passing , however , that public hearings or meetings including matters of very special importance w6uld be held no earlier than 6 : 30 p . m . Further , the agenda item " Persons to be Heard " will be scheduled in the future for the latter part of the meeting . ADJOURNMENT The meeting was duly adjourned until 8 : 30 p . m . on June 8 , 1976 . Edward L . Bergen Town Clerk Executive Session : The Board discussed extension of the CETA position . r