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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTB Minutes 1980-03-19 TOWN OF ITHACA TOWN BOARD MEETING March 19 , 1980 - 7 : 30 P . M . At a Special Meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca , Tompkins County , New York , held on the 19th day of March , 1980 , at 7 : 30 p . m . , at the Town of Ithaca Offices at 126 East Seneca Street , Ithaca , New York , there were : ® PRESENT : Noel Desch , Supervisor Marc Cramer , Councilman George Kugler , Councilman ® Shirley Raffensperger , Councilman Henry McPeak , Councilman Catherine Valentino , Councilwoman ABSENT : Victor Del Rosso , Councilman ALSO PRESENT : John Barney , Town Attorney Lawrence Fabbroni , Town Engineer Mr . & Mrs . C . Sundell , 310 Forest Home Drive Tom Wolski , 233 Forest Home Drive Wolfgang N . Naegeli , 110 Judd Falls Road Hindy Naegeli , 110 Judd Falls Road Ruth Mahr , 103 Judd Falls Road Andrea Mahr , 103 Judd Falls Road Henry Aron , Planning Board Chairman Representatives of the Media : Eve Raimon , WHCU PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Supervisor Desch led the assemblage in the Pledge of Allegiance . PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER A LOCAL LAW PROHIBITING THROUGH TRAFFIC OF TRUCKS , COMMERCIAL VEHICLES , TRACTORS , TRACTOR- TRAILER COMBINATIONS AND TRUCKS IN EXCESS OF FIVE ( 5 ) TONS ON MC INTYRE PLACE , AND ON PORTIONS OF FOREST HOME DRIVE AND JUDD FALLS ROAD IN THE TOWN OF ITHACA , NEW YORK Proof of posting and publication of notice of public hearing to consider the adoption of a local law prohibiting through traffic of trucks , commercial vehicles , tractors , tractor - trailer combi - nations and trucks in excess of five ( 5 ) tons on Mc Intyre Place , and on portions of Forest Home Drive and Judd Falls Road in the Town of Ithaca having been presented by the Town Clerk , Supervisor Desch opened the hearing . Supervisor Desch stated that the established residential streets were not designed to handle the heavy traffic flow the area is now receiving . The purpose of the proposed local ' law is to restore the quality of life to the original level intended for the area . He further stated that the by pass route was still the best solution to the traffic problem . Supervisor Desch then read the proposed local law . Henry Aron asked who will enforce this law ? Supervisor Desch said the County Sheriff and the New York State / G6 Town Board Minutes - 2 - March 19 , 1980 Police , the same as now . He further stated that perhaps Cornell University at a later date , however , it will not be extensive coverage . Mr . Aron added that the County Sheriff Department was understaffed and unable to provide sufficient enforcement , at the present time . Mr . C . Sundell asked why all of Forest Home could not be included , as local deliveries could still be made . ® Supervisor Desch stated that the remainder of Forest Home was excluded so there would be an alternate route and trucks would not have to turn around once they were at the approach to the prohibited area . Signif - icant truck traffic at the portion of Forest Home Drive from Varna to ® Caldwell Road is unlikely if the present proposal is adopted . Mr . Sundell asked why would the trucks be traveling the route if notices were posted ? Supervisor Desch stated that trucks probably would not travel the route after traffic patterns were established . He further stated that warning signs would be posted in Varna , subject to negotiations with the Town of Dryden . As no other persons wished to be heard regarding the proposed local law , the Supervisor closed the public hearing . Supervisor Desch then read the following determination : In presenting this local law for consideration and adoption , the Town Board has determined that the residential nature of the Forest Home Community within which Mc Intyre Place , and portions of Forest Home Drive , the load limit capacities of the bridges and highways , the lack of sidewalks for pedestrian traffic , the narrowness of pavement , requires action by the Town government to minimize the adverse impact of heavy vehicle traffic on the community , and the Town Board has further determined that a limitation of the weight of certain vehicles permitted to travel on the aforesaid streets to those under 5 tons is reasonably necessary for the health , welfare and safety of the community and that such a limitation is a reasonable limitation on the use of said streets . LOCAL LAW NO . 2 - 1980 Motion by Councilwoman Raffensperger ; seconded by Councilman McPeak , A LOCAL LAW PROHIBITING THROUGH TRAFFIC OF TRUCKS , COMMERCIAL VEHICLES , TRACTORS , TRACTOR- TRAILER COMBINATIONS AND TRUCKS IN EXCESS OF FIVE ( 5 ) TONS ON MC INTYRE PLACE , AND ON PORTIONS OF FOREST HOME DRIVE AND JUDD FALLS ROAD IN THE TOWN OF ITHACA , NEW YORK , Section I This local law is adopted pursuant to the authority of Sections 1660 of the Vehicle and Traffic Law of the State of New York and Section 10 of the Municipal Home Rule Law of the State of New York Section II This local law is adopted in order to minimize the adverse impact of traffic upon the Forest Home community and certain of its streets and bridges , and in order to promote the health , safety and welfare of the community . / � 7 Town Board Minutes - 3 - March 19 , 1980 Section III No through traffic of trucks , commercial vehicles , tractors or tractor - trailer combinations and trucks in excess of five ( 5 ) tons shall be permitted on : ( a ) Mc Intyre Place . ( b ) Forest Home Drive , between the western terminus of Plantation Road and Caldwell Road . ( c ) Judd Falls Road , between Forest Home Drive and the intersection with Plantation Road . Section IV A violation of this local law shall be a traffic infraction . Every person convicted of a violation of any of the provisions of this local law shall for a first conviction be punished by a fine of not more than Fifty Dollars ( $ 50 . 00 ) or by imprisonment for not more than fifteen ( 15 ) days or by both such fine and imprisonment ; for a second such conviction within eighteen ( 18 ) months thereafter such person shall be punished by a fine of not more than One Hundred Dollars ( $ 100 . 00 ) or by imprisonment for not more than Forty - Five ( 45 ) days or by both such fine and imprisonment ; upon a third or subsequent conviction within eighteen ( 18 ) months after the first conviction such person shall be punished by a fine of not more than Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ( $ 250 . 00 ) or by imprisonment of not more than ninety ( 90 ) days or by such fine and imprisonment . Section V Local deliveries and pick - ups to and from properties located on the aforementioned town highways , by vehicles otherwise prohibited from using said highways by the provisions of this law shall not be prohibited hereby . Section VI This local law shall be effective upon the erection or posting of signs or markings giving notice of the restrictions contained herein . Supervisor Desch called for a roll call vote . Councilman Cramer Voting Aye Councilman Kugler Voting Aye Councilwoman Raffensperger Voting Aye Councilman McPeak Voting Aye ® Councilwoman Valentino Voting Aye Supervisor Desch Voting Aye The Local Law No . 2 - 1980 , was thereupon declared duly adopted . Supervisor Desch noted that Local Law No . 2 - 1980 , was on the desks of the Council , seven days prior to the passing of this local law . CLIFF STREET PUMP STATION RENOVATIONS Town Engineer Lawrence Fabbroni reported on the Cliff Street Pump Station . One pump is inoperable , the second pump is quite new . Mr . Fabbroni then presented options for replacement of this pump . A new pump would cost $ 6 , 000 , also a factor would be the length of delivery time , as the Trumansburg Road Water Tank is scheduled to JG � Town Board Minutes - 4 - March 19 , 1980 be repainted . A twenty - six year old pump in the Pearsall Pump Station could be moved and installed for $ 2 , 000 . Mr . Fabbroni stated that trying to forecast water needs in this area was a problem . Cornell University has purchased the I . O . O . F . to be used as a hotel facility . The new hospital has not reached it ' s peak use , yet . Water consumption at the old hospital will depend on the final use of this facility . With water requirements in the future , the Town Board can look for the need of a loop system and also the need for additional storage . At some point , sewers will need to be ® extended . Engineer Fabbroni felt the Pearsall pump would be the best solution , as the two pumps match in load and lift capacity . He further stated that the twenty - six year old pump was ageless . He suggested that the Town Board approve the use of existing equipment where possible , including the Pearsall pump and new wiring in the renovations at the Cliff Street Pump Station . Supervisor Desch stated that the old pumps were constructed better than the new pumps . RESOLUTION NO . 56 Motion by Supervisor Desch ; seconded by Councilman Cramer , RESOLVED , that the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca hereby authorizes the renovations of the Cliff Street Pump Station . Included in the renovations are new wiring , the use of existing equipment where possible , and the twenty - six year old pump from the Pearsall Pump Station . ( Desch , Cramer , Kugler , Raffensperger , McPeak and Valentino voting Aye . Nays - none ) . Councilwoman Raffensperger requested an outline of functions provided by Bolton Point , other than the reading of meters and laterial arrangements . Supervisor Desch stated that Bolton Point staff repairs water line breaks . The City of Ithaca provides water to the Town lines . Bolton Point maintaines the Town of Ithaca pump station and distribution lines . Pump stations and reservoirs belong to the Town of Ithaca . Bolton Point contracts to provide the maintenance . Engineer Fabbroni stated that future repairs would be consolidated with Bolton Point . He further stated that the Bolton Point staff ® could move the Pearsall pump , as they are mechanically qualified or a bid could be let to a contractor to move the pump . Supervisor Desch stated that the meeting should be adjourned on a day to day basis because of the Planning Boards request by WVBR to erect a radio tower on east hill . A Public Hearing will have to be scheduled . The Supervisor asked each Board member to think of a prudent place , in the Town , to place a radio tower . Also , in what types of zones should they be permitted . Henry Aron , Chairman of the Planning Board , said that there were no provisions in the present Zoning Ordinance for the erection of radio towers . This should be covered in the new Zoning Ordinance . Mr . Aron stated that the Planning Board had a meeting scheduled for April lst . He was waiting for an opinion from the Town Attorney , and would then take it from there . Town Board Minutes - 5 - March 19 , 1980 ADJOURNMENT The meeting was duly adjourned . J,giAn H . Swartw o Town Clerk