HomeMy WebLinkAboutTB Minutes 1977-12-30 i
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December 30 , 1977 11 DO a . mo
At the Annual and Audit meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca
Tompkins County , Nesf.7 York , held at the Town of Ithaca Offices at 1 ''. li
East Seneca Street , Ithaca , New York , on the 30th day of December ,
1977 at 11 .o00 a . m . , there were
PRESENT ° Walter J . Schwan ,. Supervisor
Andrew W . McElwee , Councilman
Victor Del Rosso , C°ouncilrtan
Robert N . Powers , Councilman
Catherine Valentino ., Councilwoman
Shirley Ra £ fensperger , Councilwoman
ALSO PRESENT > Beverly Livesay , County Representative
Gust L . Freeman , Jr , , Councilman- elect
Lawrence P . Fabbroni , Tov..in Engineer
Robert Bonnell , Assistant to Town tnaineer
Robert Parkin , Highway Superintendent
Edward Tubbs
Rep
.Lresentatives of the Ifledia .
Philip Lerman , Ithaca Journal
114- ardia Lynch , T4TX0
A3SE�TT ° Noel Desch , Councilman
aDESIG7 ?ATIOT%T 0p OFFI^ I L NETUSPAPER
Motion by Supervisor SchFjian , seconded by Councilman Powers ,
MSOLVED , that the Ithaca Journal is hereby designated as the official
newspaper of the town of Ithaca for the year 1970 .
( Del Rosso , Raffenspergerr Powers , McElwee , Valentino and Schwan
'Doting Aye . Nays o none )
_' F#TGIIATION OF DEPOSITORIES OF TO$'>s:1 FUATDS
D ion by Supervisor Schwan ; seconded by Councilman !IcElwee ,
�L� ,�D , that the Tompkins County Trust Company and. - the First 114ational
Yes of Ithacar New York , be and the same hereby are designated as
. apositories for all monies coming into the hands of the Supervisor ,
;. ire Toirivn Clerk , and the Receiver of Taxes , for the year 1978 .
( :del Rosso , Raffensperger , Powers , McElwee , Valentino and Schwan
voting Aye . Nays none )
�^ Py"ROVA.lw OF OFFICIAL 3Omn S
z-lotion by Supervisor Schwan seconders by Councilman PlcElwee ,
RESOLVED , that the bonds for the following Tot- n officials any. ToTrm
employees in the following amounts be approved s
Town Supervisor , Noel Desch ( 1970 ) . . . $ 350 , 000 . 80
Town Clerk , Edward L . Bergen . . . . . . . 50000000
Justicee TaTarre.^ A0 Blye . 0 , 0 0 5 . 400000
Justice , r,Terton J . '47allenbech . . < . 0 . 0 0 5 ,6000000
Superintendent of Highways , Robert Parkin o . 5 r 000 . 00
All other Town employees , each . . c . 0 0 0 50000000
( Del Rossor Raffensperger , Powers , McElwee , Valentino and Scheian
voting Aye . mays - none )
i
S
Tol,an Board R.,.inutes m De ° ari?aer 30 , 1977
APPOINTME TT nF DF'PUTY. SUPrRVxSOR 700 1978
??otion ay Supervisor Schwan ° seconded ry Councilman. Poi.�aers
RESOLVED p that Councilman Andreur 11% T.IcElwee be and he 'ier �r-lbv is
appointed Deputy Supervisor of the Tor rn, of Ithaca. for th-m `7mi a.r ? 5± 7 � .
( Del Rosso , Raf fensperger p Pdwers ,, ': 7.c.F, lwee r Valentino and. Schlrran
voting Aye . Nays ° none )
y I�PPOI TTMENTS -� NIOiT ?MY STJP.r., IbTM. ETTT)m'%T^ ,, rgo0 .71
CLEPU{ p DEPUU `Y CLEIR .S o P`�,Tn R,Fr°E° IyEr OF ' ° %`: ' S
?'-lotion by Supervisor SchTlan ° seconc-le.: by Andrew x , o s -Ic:lilyne ,,
R..ESJLVED ,, that Robert Parkin is hereby a pointerl for two years
beginning January, 1 ; 1 .0- 79 , as *111gh!r7a;!
Ithaca .7 Eciar� L 5uneri ten dent of the Town o
appointed
Toi-.m Clerk and neceiver
of taxes for two years beginning January 1 , 1972 , an-?. rertri.adA aergeT� ,-
Nancy Fuller , and Cynthia Schoffner are hereby appointed Deputy Cler;,
for one year beginning January 1 , 19780
( Dal Rosso , TRaffensperger , Powers :, I-IcElEree � Valentino anil Schi-,aan
voting Aye . mays none )
APPOIiq`1'�4g?T OF OFFICIAL TO PMPRESE?TT
TOT TA AT ASSOCIAa 10' 1 0" . MOM . UE1E'T' I 'TrS
This matter was taiDleca for consideration at the Board mcet •�
ing of January 9 . 1973 >
RESIGNATION PLAi:RzMo'!G D0r,?7r
The Supervisor read letter of resignation from the Planning
Board. frori E'va Hoffmann addressed. to Councilman Desch . ?rs . Hoffmann
Tfp7ill accompany her husband to Cambridge , England on his Sahbatic
leave in 11M . ,jlrs . Hoffmann noted they will be returning to Ithaca
about September 1p 1973 and that she would like to be consir' ered for
rem appointment to the Planning Board at that time or at some later
date .
`: a ,: ion by Supervisor Schwan seconded by Councilman PoT;Ters ,
'7S7LVE-D , that this ToT;m Board hereby accents the resignation of
F'va IToffnann from the ToTrin Planning Boardcnd has duly noted her
t?. asire for a re � anpointnent at bone time in the future .
del Rosso , Raffensperger ,: Powers ; McElwee # Valentino and Schwan
%7oting Aye . Nays none . )
2-! TO PLKIR11TUNG BOPIRs.
The Board had information that Carolyn rrigorov , 126 Snyder
T: . i ll Road. , was interested in serving on the Planning Board an!l there --
forep acted as follmisr
' lotion 'b-v C°ouncil'uoman Raffensperger ° seconded by Councilcmroman 17aler --
tiro ,
JMSOI,VFD ; that this Board .ttereby appoints Carolyn Gric'orov to the
`''own Planning Board to .complete the unexpired term of T'va. B . 117of ann
through Decen.ber 31 , 1Q n :? .
(Del Rosso , Raffensperg ,er ; Powers ; 11crlwee , Valentino and Schwan
voting Aye . Says none )
b
It A
Tom Board 11inutes 3 - December 30 , 1977
APPOIT1TPI.E.ST TO LOCAL BOARD OF ASSES S1�m j NIT .REVIEU7
1-41otion by Councilman McElwee , seconder? by Councilman Powers ,
RESOLVED , that Councilman®elect Gust L . Freeman , Jr . be and he hereby
is appointed to the Local Board of Assessment Revie*t , the said appoint .,
ment to include the entire Town Board should the volue o€ inqui
m ry
require it .
( Del Rosso , Raffensperger , Powers , rlcElyviee , Valentino and Schwan
voting Aye . Hays _ none )
&1?POIT?7Vk,M1NTS TO SOUTHERN CAYUGA LADE
INTERMUNICIPAL WAFER CO" 11-JISSION FOR 1975
Motion by Councilman H-CEDA.Tees seconded by Supervisor Schwan ,
RESOLVED , that Councilman Desch be and he hereby is appointee? as
Treasurer of the Southern Cayuga Lake Internunicipal IP]ater Commis -
sion for 1978 ,
( Del Rosso , Raffensperger , Powers , McElwee , Valentino and Schwan
voting Aye . Mays - none )
Hotion by dodncilman PltBlwee ; seconded by Councilman Powers ,
RESOLVED , that Supervisor Schwan be and he hereby is appointed as
Town of Ithaca representative on the Southern Cayuga Lake Intern•
municipal Water Commission for 1978 .
( Del Rosso , Raffensperger , Powers , McElwee , Valentino and Schwan
voting Aye . brays - none )
FULFILL111ENrr OF R2, :,oUIRETA,1Fj14TS OF THE
NET- r YORE' STATE ETtIP_LOYEES " RETIREr7EP1T
SYSTEM FOR TIALTER J . SC�mgkM
tig3alter J . Schwan , Supervisor , reported to the Board that in
order to fulfill the age requirements for vested rights in the New
York State Employees ' Retirement System , it would be necessary for ,
him to be employed by the Town for one day after his 55th birthday ,
Ee requested that the Board authorize his employment for one day ,
February 6 , 1978 , to fulfill this requirement .
Motion by Councilwoman Raffensperger seconded, by Councilman Powers ,
RESOLVED , that this Board hereby authorizes the employment of GTalter
J . Schii, an for one day , at his current rate of remuneration , after
his 55th birthday , fih.o ;" ay after his 55th birthday being February 6 ,
1978 , in order to fulfill the vested rights requirements of the New
York State En-:1plovees ' Retirement System and thereby make him el .igibl. �
for whatever retirment benefits are available thereunder .
( Del Rosso , Raffensperger , Powers , McElwee , Valentino and Schwan
voting Aye . Hays - none )
RESOLUTION TO HIRE CPA FOR AUDIT OF
TOWN PZCOF.DS poll mrjE YEAR 1977
%lotion by Supervisor Schwan : seconded by Councilman Powers ,
RESOLVED , that Francis E . 11elch be and. he hereby is hereby is
appointed as the Certified public accountant who will audit the
books and records of the ToTpm of Ithaca for the year 1977y and who
will also prepare a separate report on the Operation and Maintenance
Account and the Constr ' ctlon Account of the Southern Cayuga Lake
Intermunicipal ;dater Commission , it being understood that the Southp
ern Cayuga Lake Intermunicipal Water Comission will may for the
a7
14 Toipm' Board Minutes - 4 - December 30 , 1977
additional expense for that portion of the audit which relates to
the Southern Cayuga Lake Intermunicipal Water Commission .
( Del Rosso , Raffensperger , Powers , IlcElwee , Valentino anc1. Schwa.
voting Aye . gays m none )
REQUEST OF PAUL E . TUBBS FOR EXTENSION
OF SEWER LI111B ON CODDINGTOU ROAD
The Town Board considered again the request of Paul E . Tubbs
for the extension of a sewer line to his property on the Coc?dington
Road . After some discussion , the Town Board acted as follows ,
Motion by Supervisor Schwang seconded by Councilwoman Valentino ,
RESOLVED , that this Town Board hereby agrees to construct a sewer
main to the south property line ( or the north boundary line of LT'le
Paul E . Tubbs property) on the corner of Water Tower Road and Coddinq �
ton Road a distance of approximately 173 feet .
( Del Rosso , Raffensperger , Powers , McElwee , Valentino and Schwan
voting Aye . Prays - none )
Mr . Fabbroni was authorized to award a contract for this
project if under $ 2 , 500 . Councilman 21cElwee suggested it might be
done by the Town ' s own forces . The Supervisor thought--- this was pos-
sible , and in that case the only expense would be the pipe and the
bedding underneath .
TOWN MEETING DATES FOR 1978
This matter was tabled .
HIGMIAY PAY SCALE FOR 1978
This matter was deferred until the meeting of January 9 , 1973 .
LEMIING !1E, B REQUEST WND PROPOSED COTTTRACT
4.
4 This matter was deferred until January 9 , 1978.
DOG CONTROL SURPLUS FUNDS
The Supervisor referred to Mrs . Livesay ' s request that the
Tocm of Ithaca , among others , allow the County to retain surplus dog
control monies with a view toward achieving more comprehensive dog
control coverage by way of a County contract with the SPCA . It was
agreed that no action would be taken at this time . In the interim ,
'- he Town will loot; into how much surplus monies are available from
the '"own of Ithaca and the other towns and villages , what kind of dog
control coverage this money would provide , and how it would affect
the Town ' s budget . For the year 1978 , at least , the Town of Ithaca ' c
surplus dog control funds are a part of the budget .
El,T=-.BERED ACCOUNTS AIM TRkNSFERS
Supervisor Schwan read a list of accounts to be encumbered
( 1977 obligations to be paid in 1978 ) , and the Town Board acted as
follows °
Motion by Supervisor Schwanp seconded by Councilman McElwee ,
RESOLVED , that $ 9 , 779 . 50 shall be encumbered out of the 1977 Highway
Fund , Item III , Account No . DT-15130 . 2 for the purpose of paying for a
Two -Tlay Radio System ordered in 1977 but which will be paid for upon
delivery in 19780 with the appropriate transfer being made on Decem-
ber 30 , 19770
(Del Rosso , Raffensperger , Powers , HcElwee , Valentino and Schwan
voting Ale . Nays - none )
a �
Town Board 711nutes 5 December 30 , 1977
141otion by Supervisor Schwan ,, seconded by Councilman 11cE; lwee ,
RESOLVED , that the .following accounts shall be encumbered for the
Highway Department ( 1977 obligations to be Fait for in 1972 ) e
Cramer ° s Auto Parts 219019
Ithaca Tire 436o00
Seneca Supply 323o6l
Crispell Automotive 77 ' x5 ;
Capitol Highway Materials 983000
Ames melding 264o75
Wainwright Oil Co . 90075
Landstrom Gravel Co . g 6 , 3
Cargill , Inc . 324098
( Del Rosso , Raffensperger , Powers , Tv1cElwee , Valentino and Schirran
voting Ayeo THays a none )
WATER LINE EXTEINSIONS
Supervisor Schwan recommended certain water extensions as
follol:Is
le PeDlace existing 10minch watermain across the Nall Creek
under north bridge in Forest Home .
20 Replace existing watermain from City Line to Coy_ Glen
'load on Floral AVienue ( Route 13A ) a
3e Loop watermain in Glenside from Coy Glen Road and Floral
Avenue ( Route 13A ) to end of existing main at top of Glensideo
4e Connect existing 10 ° inch water main on Judd Falls near
Ideman �Cemetery property line to existing 4cinch water main on 111anle
Avenue .
5 . Connect existing water services on Slaterville Road from
City Line to Honness Lane to a new main feed. from Bolton Point
( Southern Cayuga Lake Intermunicinal Water System ) .
These would be additions to the proposed securer project and
would be bid as part of that project .
AUDIT OF r CORDS OF mojnM OFFICIALS
The .Tou? n Doard reviewed the reports of the Town Justices ,. the
?`owil Clerk , and the Building Inspector .
' potion by SuperNa: sor Schwanr seconded by Councilman Powers ,
R SOLVED , that the Town. Board having reviewed the accounts and
.. cords of the two Town Justices , the Town Building Inspector an4
To?•an 7ngineer , and the Town Clerk , hereby approves the same , conies
of said accounts and records being made a part of these minutes .
( Del Rosso , Raffensperger , P-gcElwee , Powers s, Valentino and Schwan
voting Aye . Mays none )
SALES TA`.:
Supervisor Schwan distributed County Equalization Table ,
1976 Assessed Value for 1977 Bu:?get , including apportionment of
gross levy on the basis of full value , sales tax credit on the basis
of population to towns and villages , and tax rate per $ 1 ; 000 on the
basis of assessed value
� 9
Town Board Minutes - 6 - December 30 , 1977
Supervisor Schwan recommended that in July of 1978 the Board
pass a resolution requesting that the County Treasurer remit to the
Town of Ithaca in cash , by quarters , as the money comes in , any over.
age between the gross County levy and the Town of Ithaca ° s share of
the sales tax .
WATER BILLING REFUND
A request was received from Mr . Ray Thomas , Bolton Point Clerk ,,
to make a refund in the amount of $ 240 . 35 , due to Rocco Lucente at
location 112 Sapsucker TAToods Road .
Hotion by Supervisor Schwan : seconded by Councilman TlCelwee ,
RESOLVED , that $ 240 . 36 be refunded to Rocco Lucente , for water service
at location 112 Sapsucker THoods Road , an overcharge resulting from
two erroneous readings .
( Del Rosso , Raffensperger , Powers , McElwee , Valentino and Schwan
voting Aye . Nays - none )
TOWN TELEPHONE SYSTEI-I
Councilman Powers recommended , in viex4i of the increase in
telephone rates , that the Torun of Ithaca should look into the matter
of installing its own telephone system . The Board agreed it might
be well to look into this in 1978 ,
REPORTS OF TO!AN OFFICIALS
The reports of Town Engineer Larry Fabbroni are made a part
of these minutes , as well as report of Robert Bonnell , assistant to
the Engineer
Highway Superintendent
i4r . Parkin asked for the Board ° s permission to install a
stairway in the highway garage up to the overhead storage area . The
work is estimated to cost from $ 850 to $ 9000 Councilman McElT.yee
recommended that a rail around the raised area should be installed
because OSHA kill require that .
After brief discussion , the Board acted as follows ?
I2otion by Supervisor Schwana seconded by Councilman Powers ,
RESOLVED , that the Highway Superintendent is instructed to make
arrangements for the installation of a stairway and railing for the
overhead storage area in the Town Highway Facility , and that the
Town Board approves such installation .
( Del Rosso , Faffensperger , Powers , sMcElwee , Valentino and Schwan
voting Aye . 'Nays - none )
Mr . Parkin said he needed the Board ' s approval to replace
uhe Town ' s caterpillar loader which is 15 years old . He sai;':. there
is money in the equipment fund left over from past years . 11r . Fab -
broni noted that this expenditure has been planned over the last two
or three years and that is the reason why there is a surplus in the
equipment account at this time .
Motion by Supervisor Schwan ., seconded by Councilman Powers ,
RESOLVED , that this Board authorizes the Highway Superintendent to
arrange for bids on a. neLT 1978 Caterpillar Loader .
( Del Rosso , Raffensperger , Powers , r-IcElwee , Valentino and Scht,:►an
voting Aye . Nays - none )
3o
Town Board Minutes - 7 December 30 , 1977
klr . Parkin reported that in zlovember the Town received
$ 1 , 170 plowing for the County and in December $ 1 , 440 . He said
these receipts completely cover the `"Own ' s overtime expenses
such plowing . He reported that in 1975 the Highway Department in �
stalled about 830 feet of culvert pipe for the Tom itself and 140
feet for residents in 1976 550 feet for the Toir?n and 880 feet for
residents , in 1977 382 feet for the Town and 643 feet for residents .
stalled . Mgr . Parkin reported that most of the radios have been in �
Supervisor Schwan distributed a sheet showing 1978 projected
income and expense , that is , water benefit revenues and disbursements
- ° revenues from 1978 water benefit levy ( $ 107 , 877 . 90 ) and c? isburse �
ments for water bonds principal and interest and water hond anticipa-
tion notes principal and interest ( $ 90 , 655 . 00 ) , leaving $ 19 , 222 . 90
for extensions and improvements . ( See attached sheet )
Supervisor Schwan made the following statements
" 'Ar . Desch has designated committees for 1978 and my own
feeling is that committees are fine . They will probably work very
well . I am concerned , however , that you don ' t let committees beecome
the means of postponing or procrastinating on decisions . I have seen
in the last two years an increasing tendency here to take a " hot
potato " and kick it back to the Planning Board . The Planning Board
is an appointive body ; they serve within the limits of State law as
it relates to towns and town planning boards . They were never inten-
ded to be a place where you should throw things you don ' t really want
to face up to yourselves . If the Planning Board has expertise among
its members that this Town Board does not have and if thev can pro -
vide you with insight or advice , fine ,c but don ' t get into the habit
of throwing a " hot potatoa back to them . You were elected to legis -
late , not vacillate . Sooner or later ( as one of our former presidents
said ) " the buck stops here . " It is your responsibility . You are the
legislative body of this municipality and it is from you , and only
from your that legislative decisions will come .
" If you do put something of a controversial nature in the
Planning Board ' s lap and you have their review , I recommend that you
attend that Planning Board meeting so that the in -put they get from
citizens you will also get first hand , and you will have it when you
*sake the .final decision . It isn ' t fair , in my opinion for you to
.Hake the Planning Board your " whipping boy " or have them take the
heat off you .
" You have a good Planning Board . I ' m glad firs . Bronfenbrenner
toot. the Chairmanship again . If you use the planning Board too much ,
you may have resignations because they may feel they are being re °
quested to do things which are not their responsibility . "
Supervisor Schwan noted that there is now in the Town budget
for 1978 a section which shows the gross County levy , the sales tax
credit , the net County levy also the tax rate which would have been
in effect if no sales tax monies were applied and the tax rate result °
ing from the application of the sales tax .
Town Board Minutes 8 - December 30 , 1977
Supervisor Schwan recommended that when the neFi�r Supervisor
( Supervisor elect Noel Desch ) goes to New York he should press strong �4
ly for a AA+ rating , since the Town of Ithaca taNX rates are very low .
the Town ' s water and sewer benefit levies are among the lowest in the
State9 this because the Town of Ithaca dissolved all the indiviAual
water and sewer districts . The Supervisor said that in evaluating
water and sewer charges , it is necessary to be careful in making com°
parisons . One must know the financial situation of the municipality
one is making a comparison with . Where there is debt service involves:. ,
the charges will be higher than where you are looking at a city or
village which has paid off its indebtedness and is only paying for
operation and maintenance .
Supervisor Schwan continued ° " In your deliberations here ,
you are responsible for the fiscal integrity of this Town and for its
financial rating . That means you can ' t indulge in deficit spenl. ing
or shirk your obligations when it comes to balancing the budget .
` We have had eight very productive years , I think .
TOWN OF ITHACA TATARRAjTgTS
Motion by Councilman Powerse seconded by Supervisor Schwan ,
RESOLVED , that the Town of Ithaca warrants dated December 30 , 1977 ,
in the following amounts9 are hereby approved ,,
General Fund . y , , a C a $ 86 , 7x1 . 81
Highway Fund . Y , e , u p O 9 , 305 . 46
Water and Sewer Fund 4 . a 119 , 802 . 26
( Del Rosso , Raffensperger , Povtrers o McElv,7ee , Valentino and Schwan
voting Aye . Hays m none )
ADJO ?RFNIZ117T
The meeting was duly adjourned .
Edward L . Bergen
Town Clerk