HomeMy WebLinkAboutTB Minutes 1983-03-07 TOWN OF ITHACA
REGULAR BOARD MEETING
MARCH 7 , 1983
At a Regular Meeting of the Town Board of the Town of
Ithaca , Tompkins County , New York , held at the Town Offices
at 121 East Seneca Street , Ithaca , New York , at 5 : 30 P . M . j .
on the , 7th day of March , 1983 , there were :
PRESENT : Noel Desch , Supervisor
® George Kugler , Councilman .
Shirley Raffensperger , Councilwoman
Marc Cramer , Councilman
® Henry McPeak , Councilman
Dooley Kiefer , Councilwoman
David Jennings , Councilman
ALSO PRESENT : James Buyoucos , Town Attorney
Robert Parkin , Highway Superintendent
Lawrence Fabbroni , Town Engineer
Peter Lovi , Town Planner
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Supervisor led the assemblage in the Pledge of
Allegiance .
REPORT OF TOWN OFFICIALS
Supervisor ' s Report
Annual Report
Supervisor Desch stated that he was pleased to report that
we were successful in filing our Town Annual Financial
Report on time to Audit & Control , in spite of our shortage
of bookkeeping staff . This would not have been possible
without the persistence of Sally Alario and Jean Swartwood ,
considerable help from Connie Allen and Deputy City Dominick
Cafferillo . A copy is on file for review by anyone
interested in the details . Our task was made more complex
by the new forms that were set up by the State .
Association of Towns Meeting
The Supervisor went on to say that he would like to thank
the Town Board for sending Montgomery May and himself to the
50th meeting of the Association of Towns . The sessions were
lively and informative and the Business Meeting , in
® particular , was anything but its usual dullness ; he said he
would be providing a written report . The new Secretary of
State Gail Shaffer has already gained the respect of her
staff and many colleagues in Albany . Her remarks made it
clear that she will be responsive to the upstate areas ,
particularly the little communities . He commented that of
the various issues voted upon , only Tier III conversion
reford didn ' t pass .
Councilwoman Kiefer asked how he voted inregard to the
Taylor Law item ?
Supervisor Desch stated that he voted ' yes ' and it passed ;
he noted that they could not separate binding arbitration
( which applies to police and firemen ) from agency shop
( which applies to all ) .
Town Board Minutes - 2 - March 7 , 1983
SJS Meeting
A special meeting of the Special Joint Subcommittee will be
held at 7 : 30 P . M . , tonight on the Ithaca - Sewer Project . The
design documents have been available for local review for
approximately six weeks and are to be submitted to DEC for
review by March 21st , following approval by SJS and BPW this
week . The preparation of all the other documents are on
schedule and the deadline for STEP III filing for the
Treatment Plant Project of June 30 , 1983 , will be met .
® Bill J . Manos Project
® Supervisor Desch called attention to the agenda item having
to do with the Manos project . Although the rezoning was
approved at our February meeting , we need to set a public
hearing to consider adoption of the final resolution with
regard to the conditions of approval and relationships with
the original rezoning of Beacon Hills , The Town Attorney
will report on this later . He stated that he was thinking
about a noon meeting on March 21 . The particular matter is
of routine nature and will not take very long to consider .
BOND SALE
The Supervisor reported on the matter of the upcoming bond
sale . The bond resolutions will be ready for adoption at
the April meeting . He reminded everyone that at an earlier
meeting Councilman Jennings suggested we make the principal
payment in June rather than in January to give us a better
cash flow position ; he stated that he had investigated this ,
and the funds are available to do this . A revised maturity
schedule is being circulated for your consideration .
Supervisor Desch announced that our BANS on the South Hill
Water project ( the ones that will not be sold ) have been
renewed at 6 . 75 % for the year compared to 9 . 5 % a year ago .
TOMPKINS COUNTY EOC
The . Supervisor noted that the Town has been asked by the
Chairman of the Human Services Committee of the County to
ascertain if someone from the Town would be interested in
serving on the Tompkins County EOC . Henry Aron has
expressed interest and filled out the nomination form so you
may wish to consider action on that this evening .
Councilwoman Kiefer asked if the Supervisor ' s December 1982
the year end budget - was available yet ?
Supervisor Desch said not yet .
® Town Engineer ' s Report
Town Engineer Lawrence Fabbroni reported that the Northeast
Transit ridership for February was 9 , 200 plus , which is the
biggest monthly total so far , 11000 over normal peak
ridership . He went on to say that forecasts look good on
the long range ridership , even with the decrease in gasoline
prices . It seems to be more a choice of the residents to
ride the bus , plus the factor of the number of cars in the
family , as well as the reasonable fare rates .
The Engineer went on to say that the play structure for
Tareyton Park is being installed .today .
Town Board Minutes - 3 - March 7 . , 1983
We are looking into different softwate packages for the
computer . The system offers a vast number of useful
options .
Mr . Fabbroni stated that the Town Planner , Peter Lovi ,
wished to attend a conference at the University of Illinois ,
however , the cost is a . sizeable amount of money . Mr . Lovi
will discuss the conference - later in the meeting .
The Burns Road project is at the point of submitting the
® preliminary design plans to the City of Ithaca BPW ; there
may be a land swap , then the plans will go to the Town
Planning Board . The project involves a simple relocation .
We will wind up with half the road we have now . Completion
® of the County ' s realignment of the bridge is scheduled for
1984 . He stated that he had been in contact with the State
DOT regarding the Burns Road intersection with Route 79 .
DOT saw the merits of the suggested realignment versus
attempts to improve the existing one . He noted that he had
written to DOT over a year ago about new drainage work , in
terms of safety , for Pine Tree Road . Signage for Honness
Lane and water improvements on Honness Lane could be done
the same time DOT does the ,drainage improvements . We were
promised a meeting would be held to discuss this issue in
detail and it should take place in the next few weeks .
Town Engineer Fabbroni went on to say that the staff had
been involved with the Planning Board and the Zoning Board
of Appeals over a 6 - part subdivision review of lots owned by
William Franzen ,. at the end of Eastern Heights . This
subdivision was approved 15 years ago , now it is being
updated and the plans are to go ahead with the subdivision .
Site plans have been approved and a variance was given for a
self - service gasoline and convenience store on Danby Road
near the Coddington Road intersection . The owner is going
to remove the condemned buildings and plans on moving the
house on the corner to another site .
He went on to say that the staff has been struggling with
the problem of cleaning up the deeds on the parks . In some
cases we are having to write the abstract . Peter Grossman
is working on this and should clean it up in two months .
Councilwoman Raffensperger asked when will the Route 79 work
be done ?
Town Engineer Fabbroni answered the State DOT is just now
completing survey maps and expects construction in 1984 .
Councilwoman Raffensperger stated that she would hope the
Town could pass information on it in the Newsletter as to
® what work will be done and when .
Councilman Kugler asked if there was any hope of moving the
Burns Road Intersection to the NYSE & G right - of -way ?
Town Engineer Fabbroni responded that this is what we hope .
A new alignment involves private property and NYSE & G . We
have completed our own survey and know the sight distance
and where the best alignment is . If you could level off the
existing intersection you would still have a fifty foot
sight distance problem .
Councilman Kugler asked if Bob Parkin would be working on
this ?
The Town Engineer responded , that the Town is responsible
for the the approaches .
Town Board Minutes - 4 - March 7 , 1983
Highway Superintendent ' s Report
Highway Superintendent Robert Parkin reported that hopefully
the amount of salt and sand used this year will be down 500 ,
that is if the weather holds . We are hauling salt and sand
to be stockpiled for next year . There is also work on the
sign inventory , and on building baracades , starting brush
work and patching roads . He noted that the roads are not in
bad shape this year .
He went on to say that they anticipate starting on the Stone
® Quarry Road project , as soon as the foreman gets back from
vacation . NYSE & G crews are already working there .
® Councilwoman Raffensperger remarked that she noticed that
her favorite hole at the bottom of Judd Falls Road had been
filled in . Who maintains the ditch ?
Highway Superintendent Parkin answered , Cornell maintains
the ditch .
STOP SIGN - STONE QUARRY ROAD AND KING ROAD WEST
Town Engineer Fabbroni stated that there was a verbal
request from a Town resident about this , and he would like
to defer discussion of the stop sign to a future meeting
because of lack of information . Superintendent Parkin
thinks it ' s unnecessary .
AWARD BID - 4 -WHEEL DRIVE DUMP TRUCK WITH SNOW PLOW
Three bids were received on the 4 - wheel drive dump truck
with snow plow . Only one bid met the specifications _
totally . One of the bids did not follow the bid package .
One bidder did not use the format and left it up to us to
decide what items he met or did not meet . Also , the highest
bidder neglected to submit a bid bond .
RESOLTION NO , 23
Motion by Councilman Kugler ; seconded by Councilman McPeak ,
WHEREAS , three bids were submitted for a new 4 -wheel drive
dump truck - snow plow combination , and
WHEREAS , it appears that only one of those bids met all of
® the requirements of the bid invitation and bid documents ,
and
WHEREAS , such bid was the bid submitted by Charles J .
® Blackwell , Inc . , 402 Eleanor Street , Horseheads , New York ,
14845 , and
WHEREAS , the said bid appears to be the lowest bid received
from a responsible supplier in conformance with the
specifications required in every way including bid submittal
and bid bond , and
WHEREAS , the low bid of $ 84 , 944 . 00 including trade - in falls
below the budgeted amount ,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED , by the Town Board of the Town
of Ithaca that the bid of Charles J . Blackwell , Inc . , 401
Eleanor Street , Horseheads , New York , 14845 in the amount of
$ 84 , 944 . 00 be and hereby is accepted contingent upon
approval of the Tompkins County Superintendent of Public
Works .
Town Board Minutes - 5 - March 7 , 1983
( Desch , Kugler , Raffensperger , Cramer , McPeak . Kiefer and
Jennings voting Aye . Nays - none ) .
FLOATING HOLIDAY
RESOLUTION NO , 24
Motion by Supervisor Desch ; seconded by Councilman Cramer ,
® RESOLVED , that the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca hereby
approves Friday , April 1 , 1983 , as the date the Town
employees requested as their floating holiday for the year
® 1983 .
( Desch , Kugler , Raffensperger , Cramer , McPeak , Kiefer and
Jennings voting Aye . Nays - none ) .
SET DATE FOR PUBLIC HEARING - BILL J . MANOS PROJECT
Supervisor Desch stated that the purpose of holding a
hearing on the Bill J . Manos project was the need to assure
compliance with Section 264 and 265 of Town Law , requiring
that a public hearing be held before adopting an amendment
to the Zoning Ordinance . The power has already been granted
to the Town Board and the Planning Board to establish
districts , not change the Zoning Ordinance . The Town Board
or Planning Board could make discretionary decisions to
develop such districts .
RESOLUTION NO , 25
Motion by Supervisor Desch ; seconded by Councilman McPeak ,
RESOLVED , that the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca will
meet and conduct a public hearing at 12 : 00 noon on March 21 ,
1983 ; at the Town Hall , 126 East Seneca Street , Ithaca , New
York , to consider the adoption of a Local Law amending the
Zoning Ordinance by changing - the zoning classification from
Residence District R15 to Multiple Residence District on
Parcel Number 44 - 1 - 4 . 3 . ( Bill J . Manos proposal ) .
( Desch , Kugler , Raffensperger , Cramer , McPeak , Kiefer and
Jennings voting Aye . Nays - none ) .
BOND RESOLUTION - MATURITY SCHEDULE
® Supervisor Desch stated that the Bond Resolution will be
ready for adoption at the April meeting . He recommended
that the Town Board adopt the revised maturity schedule at
® this meeting he noted that we can change the date of
principal payments to improve our cash flow by making two
payments in 1984 .
RESOLUTION NO , 26
Motion by Supervisor Desch ; seconded by Councilman Cramer ,
RESOLVED , that the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca hereby
approves the adoption of the Maturity Schedule as proposed
by Bernard P . Donegan , Inc . , ( copy attached ) in connection
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Town Board Minutes - 6 - March 7 , 1983
with the proposed Water / Sewer Serial Bond Sale . Suggested
date of sale is May 12 , 1983 , closing date of June 2 , 19830
( Desch , Kugler , Raffensperger , Cramer , McPeak , Kiefer and
Jennings voting Aye . Nays - none ) .
TOMPKINS COUNTY ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY CORPORATION APPOINTMENT
Supervisor Desch reported that the Tompkins County Economic
® Opportunity Corporation had asked the Town to appoint
someone to represent the Town on their committee . The
Supervisor noted that the Town has not had a representative
® on the committee for several years . He went on to say that
Henry Aron had expressed a desire to serve on the Tompkins
County Economic Opportunity Corporation ,
RESOLUTION NO , 27
Motion by Councilman Cramer , seconded by Councilman
Jennings ,
RESOLVED , that the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca hereby
appoints Henry Aron , 106 Woolf Lane to serve as the Town of
Ithaca representative on the Tompkins County Economic
Opportunity Corporation for a term of one year , beginning
April 1 , 1983 and ending March 31 , 19840
( Desch , Kugler , Raffensperger , Cramer , McPeak , Kiefer and
Jennings voting Aye '. Nays - none ) .
REFUND OF HIGHWAY OPENING PERMIT
RESOLUTION NO , 28
Motion by Councilman McPeak ; seconded by Councilwoman
Kiefer ,
WHEREAS , Mr . . Carle Brown was issued a Highway Permit for 317
Blackstone Avenue for a $ 100 deposit , and
WHEREAS , the work performed within the highway right - of -way
was water and sewer service construction totally
reimburseable by the Town of Ithaca , and
WHEREAS , the work is substantially complete with final
pavement replacement more economical and controlled if
® performed by the Highway Department ,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED , that the Town Board of the
® Town of Ithaca refund the $ 100 security deposit for 317
Blackstone Avenue to Mr . Brown .
( Desch , Kugler , Raffensperger , Cramer , McPeak , Kiefer and
Jennings voting Aye . Nays - none ) .
South Hill Swam
Councilwoman Kiefer reported that she had attended the first
portion of the February 26th meeting on SEQRA sponsored by
the Tompkins County Environmental Management Council and New
York State DEC , and that Montgomery May and Virginia
Langhans from the Town Planning Board were also there . From
discussion there , it seems appropriate that the Town Board
should ask the Planning Board to recommend a special
designation for a place like the South Hill Swamp , e . g . , as
a protected wetland or a unique natural area , so that where
development nearby is proposed the SEQR mechanism will be
correctly triggered . She made this suggestion to Chairman
May and he indicated he planned to take it up .
Town Board Minutes - 7 - March 7 , 1983
REPORT ON FIRE STATIONS
Councilman Jennings reported that a meeting was held a month
ago with the Fire Commissioners . It became evident that a
comprehensive plan is needed immediately . The need for a
comprehensive plan was discussed last year .
Councilwoman Raffensperger mentioned hearing Mr . Meigs on
the radio news refer to fire station sites having been
idenfied .
® Both Councilman Jennings and Supervisor Desch have
received
copies of that report , but have . not yet had a chance toread
® it .
TV FRANCHISE
Councilwoman Kiefer stated that just today the Town had
received a proposal from American Community Cablevision to
amend our Cable Franchise Agreement and said that the Town
Board will need to set aside time , in the near future , to
discuss the TV Franchise ,
FOREST HOME - PROPOSED ONE - WAY CIRCULATION
Supervisor Desch asked the Town Engineer if he had received
any response from the Forest Home Civic Association or the
residents on the proposed one -way circulation ?
Town Engineer Fabbroni responded that the feedback had been
minor . The Association sent out a Newsletter asking people
to ride around the area , as if the one -way route was in
place .
The Supervisor then asked the Engineer when the optimal time
would be to start the one - way trial route ?
Mr . Fabbroni responded , around the middle of Augusta This
seems to be an ideal time , as it will be before the students
get back and while the permanent residents are the only ones
using the one -way .
Councilwoman Raffensperger stated that she was concerned
about the County ' s calculations of traffic counts on Pine
® Tree Road . She felt they were premature because measures ,
such as improving Game Farm Road had not been taken to
remove some of the traffic and lower the count .
® Supervisor Desch stated that Frank Liquori has been asked
for advice , by the County Board , on how to proceed with the
East Ithaca Circulation . Most of the persons involved see
the Town as endorsing the preliminary work on both Phase I
and Phase II . Less than 100 of Phase II is in the Town ,
most of Phase I is in the Town . Supervisor Desch therefore
sees Dryden as a necessary actor in this . I I
Engineer Fabbroni said that may be we should make a Village
of Dryden by - pass part of the whole picture .
Councilman Cramer noted that in conjunction with the East
Ithaca Connector , Cornell was going to ask for Judd Falls
Road to be closed , are they still going to do this ?
a�
Town Board _ Minutes - 8 - March 7 , 1983
Town Engineer Fabbroni responded no , there is no money in
the budget for this season , perhaps in 1984 . Cornell needs
to see some action by the Town and County before committing
more money to the project . He also reported that Cornell ' s
Director of Transportation , William Wendt , discussed with
him opening the campus to traffic during the mornings and
afternoon commuting times , both during the Cornell break and
after break ; Wendt doesn ' t think it will work well , but he ' s
willing to consider it .
® Supervisor Desch remarked that if the residents of Forest
Home were willing to approve the one -way traffic trial
through Forest Home , Cornell would have some new problems
® and this fact would put more pressure on Cornell to move
forward with the circulation improvements .
EAST ITHACA CIRCULATION
Councilwoman Raffensperger reported that at the last meeting
of the County Transportation Commission , Planning
Commissioner Liguori again made a statement about the County
position on an East Ithaca Connector ,
Engineer Fabbroni said that Liguori had met with the Forest
Home Association and raised the possibility of a road from
the end of Warren Road , with 9 % grade , to the base of
Caldwell Road , which would eliminate six homes and the
Community Center . After that meeting , Lambert Brittain ,
President of the Forest Home Association , met with Fabbroni ,
and Fabbroni reassured him that the Town of Ithaca is not
considering this .
Councilwoman Kiefer asked if the Town of - Ithaca ' s
representative on the Transportation Commission called
attention to the Town ' s request for clarification of what
the County Board of Representatives position is with respect
to the East Ithaca Connector proposal ; the Town ' s
representative was not at the meeting .
BOLTON POINT WARRANTS
RESOLUTION NO , 29
P .
Motion by Councilman Kugler ; seconded by Supervisor Desch ,
RESOLVED , that the Bolton Point Warrants dated March 7 ,
® 1983 , in the Operating Account are hereby approved , in the
amount of $ 223 , 694 . 92 after review and upon the
recommendation of the Southern Cayuga Lake Intermunicipal
Water Commission , they are in order for payment .
® Councilman Jennings stated that he noticed this the
second month that Michael Ocello , Assistant to then Town
Engineer , had charged time to Bolton Point .
Supervisor Desch responded that the work Mr . Ocello performs
for Bolton Point is done on his own time .
Town Engineer Fabbroni added , Mr . Ocello is doing drafting
at home on his own time , with his own equipment .
Supervisor Desch stated that hiring Michael Ocello was a
Commission decision .
Town Board Minutes - 9 - March 7 , 1983
Town Engineer Fabbroni added , when the Commission decided to
hire Mr . Ocello , the question came up if he could do this
work with out it being a conflict of interest and it was
decided he could if he kept everything separate from the
Town of Ithaca . He does the drafting on his own premises ,
with his own equipment and his own material .
( Desch , Kugler , Raffensperger , Cramer , McPeak , Kiefer and
Jennings voting Aye . Nays - none ) .
® TOWN OF ITHACA WARRANTS
RESOLUTION NO . 30
® Motion by Councilman Cramer ; seconded by Councilman McPeak ,
RESOLVED , that the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca hereby
approves the Town of Ithaca Warrants dated March 7 , 1983 , in
the following amounts :
General Fund - Town Wide . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 45 , 068 . 64
General Fund - Outside Village . . . . . . . $ 8 , 008 . 90
Water and Sewer Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 222 , 622 . 59
Highway Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 33 , 562 . 56
Parks Reserve Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 3338e90
Lighting District Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ _ 245 . 81
Fire Protection Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 72 , 054 . 00
( Desch , Kugler , Raffensperger , Cramer , McPeak , Kiefer and
Jennings voting Aye . Nays - none ) .
ADOPTION OF A PROPOSAL TO GRANT EASEMENT TO A PORTION OF
LAND OWNED BY THE TOWN OF IrUHACA ON WHICH PREMISES OF THOMAS
AND JAN WOLSKI , 223 FOREST HOME DRIVE ENCROACHES
Proof of posting and publication notice of a Public Hearing
to consider a proposal to grant easement to a portion of
land owned by the Town of Ithaca on which the premises of
Thomas and Jan Wolski ,
223 Forest Home Drive encroaches
having been presented by the Town Clerk , the Supervisor
opened the public hearing .
Town Attorney James Buyoucos stated that in 1979 , there was
property to the east then belonging to Pearl Miller , and a
portion of that house encroached on Forest Home Drive . The
owner requested the Town to abandon any claim on the land on
which the buildings encroached . The Town refused limit is
® rights - of - way or to abandon the strip of land under the
building . A permanent lease was , however , given to Pearl
rliller . The lease is for the land under the existing
® buildings , and it ends when the buildings are no longer
there .
Pair . Buyoucos went on to say that the Wolski property is
located next to the Miller property . Mr . Wolski asked the
Town to abandon the property and is a companion situation .
The Town is willing to execute a lease to allow the
buildings to be maintained , as long as the present building
stands . The house has been standing since before 1908 . Mr .
Crandall , a surveyor , made reference to a survey line 25
feet from the centerline of the pavement . The original map
set forth a 64 ' width , however , the topography prevented the
laying of a highway 64 ' in width . The actual width was the
traveled portion , however , no less than 12 ' from the center
of the road .
C
i
j Town Board Minutes - 10 - March 7 , 1983
i
Mr . Buyoucos went on to say that the resolution was quite
tough . It includes the requirement of an insurance policy
to protect the Town , Mr . Wolski and the new owner from
damages . The owner is obligated to maintain the dwelling so
that it will not be a hazard to the public .
At 7 : 00 P . M . , the Supervisor opened the public hearing for
anyone who wished to speak for or against the Town or Mr .
Wolski . As no one wished to speak , the Supervisor closed
the public hearing .
Councilwoman Kiefer asked if the Town Engineer and Hi ghway
Superintendent recommend granting such a ease ; they do
® RESOLUTION GRANTING LEASE TO OWNER OF PREMISES KNOWN AS 233
FOREST HOME DRIVE , IN THE TOWN OF ITHACA , NOW OWNED BY
THOMAS R . AND JAN WOLKSI
RESOLUTION NO , 319
Motion by Councilman Jennings ; seconded by Councilwoman
Raffensperger ,
WHEREAS .
A . , Thomas R . and Jan Wolksi are owners of a parcel of
land in the Town of Ithaca known as 233 Forest Home Drive ,
being Tax Parcel # 66 - 4 - 10 , more particularly shown on the
survey map thereof made by Carl Crandall , - dated May 25 ,
19511 amended February 1 , 1983 by T . G . Miller , Engineers
and Surveyors , and being the parcel conveyed by Richard L .
and Susan G . Cotton to Thomas R . and Jan M . Wolski by deed
dated May 12 , 1977 , recorded in Liber 557 of Deeds at Page
264 ( herein referred to as the Wolski parcel ) . A copy of
said map is attached hereto and incorporated in the minutes
of this meeting .
Be The Wolksi parcel joins on the west the parcel
known as 235 Forest Home Drive in the Town of Ithaca , Tax
Parcel # 66 - 4 - 111 being a parcel conveyed by Christopher
Lindley to Pearl . S . Miller by deed dated August 14 , 1960 ,
recorded in Liber 431 of Deeds at Page 123 ( herein referred
to as the Miller parcel ) . The Wolski and Miller parcels
derived their title from a common source , namely the deed
from Cornelia Preswick to Josephus Hasbrouck dated February
24 , 1908 recorded in Liber 168 of Deeds at Page 467 , The
Miller parcel consisted substantially of the east 8495 feet
of the Hasbrouck parcel and the Wolski parcel consists
substantially of the westerly 59 . 5 feet of the Hasbrouck
parcel . In 1978 the Miller parcel was about to be sold and
the question was raised at that time by the purchaser that a
® portion of the buildings on the Miller parcel might be
encroaching within the right - of -way of Forest Home Drive .
The owners of the Miller parcel alleged that the buildings
did not lie within the public right - of -way of Forest Home
Drive . This allegation was denied by the Town of Ithaca .
After reserving all the Town ' s rights and jurisdiction to
the lawful width of the right - of -way of Forest Home Drive ,
the Town Board on January 29 , 1979 and taking into account
financial hardship and other circumstances , authorized a
lease of the strip of land lying under the encraoching
buildings on certain terms and conditions stated therein .
Such lease was in fact delivered and is still in effect .
Town Board Minutes - 11 - March 7 , 1983
Co Wolski is about to sell their property to a
purchaser who has raised a similar issue affecting the title
to the Wolski property claiming that there appears to be an
encroachment by the building on the Wolski property within
the boundaries of the public right - of -way of Forest Home
Drive . The Wolskis have appeared before the Town Board and
have alleged that they will suffer financial hardship
because of the apparent unmarketability of the title created
by any such an encoachment and they have asserted a claim
that the Town has no _jurisdiction- . in any land beyond the
traveled portion for purposes of a public highway and have
® requested that the Town give them relief by abandoning any
claim to the ]. ands underneath the buildings .
D . A public hearing was held at the Town Hall on March
7 , 1983 , at 7 : 00 P . M . , following a notice duly published in
the ITHACA JOURNAL on February 28 , 1983 . The owners of the
Wolski parcel appeared at the public hearing and requested
that the Town Board grant to them and to their successors in
ownership a permanent lease of the - lands occupied by
existing structures to the extent that they may encroach
upon the right - of - way of Forest Home Drive . No member of
the public has objected to the granting of such lease either
in person or by written communication .
E . The Town Attorney reported , amongst other things ,
as follows :
1 . He recommends that the Town not abandon any
portion of its right - of - way . He further stated that the
holding of the public hearing and the adoption of the
resolution was not a public hearing to consider the granting
of an abandonment of any portion of Forest Home Drive ,
29 According to rir . Wolski , the records of the
County Division of Assessment substantiate that the present
dwelling has been in its present location since 1908 . An
examination of the title to said premises indicates that the
dwelling was probably constructed prior to 1908 inasmuch as
the above referred to deed to Josephus Hasbrouck establishes
boundary lines and corners with respect to their distance
from the dwelling house on the property . The survey map
irtade by Carl Crandall in 1951 is made with reference to
distances based on the data appearing in the Hasbrouck deed .
. The Crandall survey shows a line 25 feet from the centerline
of the pavement as it existed in 1951 but such line is not
characterized as the boundary of a highway right - of -way .
® The record seems to support the contention of Wolski that
the present encroachment has continued uninterrupted since
the erection of the dwelling house . In the year 1976 the
Town of Ithaca granted a building permit to Mr . Cotton to
® erect a carport at 233 Forest Home Drive at its present
location .
3 . The Town Attorney further advised the Board
that unmarketability of title is created as alleged by the
Wolskis . The Town Engineer has reported to the Town Board
that he forsees no practical difficulties if the present
encroachments are permitted to _continue nor does he forsee
any practical difficulties or impairment of the Town ' s
ability to maintain Forest Home Drive if such encroachments
are permitted to continue and he recommends such action
provided that any lease will contain provisions
substantially similar to those contained in the instrument
granted to the Miller property as reported above . The Town
Highway Superintendent concurs in such recommendation .
Town Board Minutes - 12 - March 7 , 1983
NOW THEREFORE , IT IS RESOLVED AS FOLLOWS :
Section I . The Town of Ithaca agrees to grant to the
owners of the Wolski parcel , as described above , herein also
referred to as Lessees ( their successors , distributees and
assigns ) a lease to maintain the existing building and
appurtenances in their present location as shown on the
survey map referred to above , but subject to the provisions
set forth in the following Sections .
® Section II . It is not intended that this grant of a
lease shall convey to the Lessees a permanent title to that
portion of Forest Home Drive which may be occupied by , or
may lie under , the building and neither this resolution nor
any lease which may be granted pursuant thereto shall be
deemed to be a permanent abondonment by the Town of all
rights , title and interest , in full or in part , which the
Town may have in and to the highway known as Forest Home
Drive to the full extent of - the width to which the Town is
lawfully entitled for uses of such highway , and the Town
reserves all such rights , whether obtained by statute , user
or otherwise except that the rights granted . by this
resolution to the owners of the Wolski parcel shall be
perpetual for so long as the present building stands in its
present location .
Section III . The Town recognizes that the acceptance
of this lease by the Lessees shall be without prejudice to
the right of the Lessees to assert that the right- of - way is
limited to the paved portion of the highway and that the
Lessees reserve any and all other rights they may have with
respect to the leased lands and / or the lands claimed by the
Town to lie within the right - of -way of the highway .
Section IV . The Lessees shall provide and , at all
times maintain , at their expense , adequate insurance
coverage insuring both the Town and the owners of the Wolski
property against any liability for injury to persons or
property , or for any other loss or damage which may result
=
rom the maintenance of the building and appurtenances on
the Wolski property in their present location . Such policy
shall be with such comapny and shall contain such terms as
the Town may reasonably require . The amount of coverage
shall be subject to periodic review at the option of the
Town , but , for the present , the coverage shall be at least
$ 500 , 0006 If the owners of the Wolski property shall fail
to maintain such insurance coverage , the Town shall be
® reimbursed by the owners of the Wolski parcel for any costs
incurred by the Town for premiums for such coverage .
Section V . Neither this resolution nor the execution
and delivery of a lease pursuant thereto shall be deemed in
any way , or in any degree , a waiver by the Town of any
rights which it may have in all the remaining portion of
Forest Home Drive , i . e . , that portion of said highway which
lies within the boundaries of the subject property and the
Town reserves all rights , titles , interests and claims in
such remaining portion of Forest Home Drive , and all right
it may have at any time to assert and maintain the full
Width of the right - of -way which Town lawfully has over such
remaining portion of Forest Home Drive ,
Section VI . The Supervisor is authorized , with the
assistance of the Town Attorney , the Town Engineer and the
Highway Superintendent to cause to be prepared and to
execute a lease in recordable form . Such lease shall
. contain such provisions as he deems appropriate to carry
this resolution into effect and to protect and preserve the
respective interests and rights of the Town . Without
Town Board Minutes - 13 - March 7 , 1983
limiting the discretion granted to the Supervisor as
foresaid , such lease shall contain suitable provisions for
the upkeep and maintenance of the building so that it will
not become a hazard to the public using the highway , and for
the termination of the lease in the event that the building
is destroyed , removed or abandoned and such provisions , if
any , as the Supervisor may require for recovery by the Town
of any expenses or costs , including reasonable attorney ' s
fees , incurred by the Town in connection with the
enforcement of any provisions of this lease and for any
® provision for payment to the Town of expenses incurred in
granting this lease including the investigation preliminary
to and the adoption of this resolution .
Section VII . This resolution is subject to a
permissive referendum . The Town Clerk will publish in the
Ithaca Journal a notice of adoption of this resolution
setting forth an abstract of the action taken .
( Desch , Kugler , Raffensperger , Cramer , McPeak , Kiefer and
Jennings voting Aye . Nays - none ) .
AUTHORIZE TOWN PLANNER ' S AIVTENDANCE AT CONFERENCE
Town Planner Peter Lovi stated that he had received a notice
in the mail from the University of Illinois regarding a
seminar , Executive Leadership Institutes in Environmental
Services Management , to be held May 1 through 6 in Urbana ,
Illinois . The theme of the conference include improving
communication , role of managerial communication ,
communication in work groups , skill needed for effective
communication , understanding the communication process ,
managerial communication problems , improving organizational
effectiveness through communication and communciation and
organizational instruction . The cost of the conference is
$ 875 plus transportation .
Councilwoman Raffensperger commented on the high cost of
this conference and wondered if it would preclude other
opportunities .
Supervisor Desch stated that the program was similar to one
put on by the IL & R School at Cornell .
RESOLUTION NO , 32
Motion by Councilman McPeak ; seconded by Councilwoman
Raffensperger ,
RESOLVED , that the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca hereby
authorizes the Peter Lovi , Town Planner to attend the
seminar at the University of Illinois from May 1 through May
61 1983 at a cost of $ 875 plus transportation , and
FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED , that the attendance by the Town
Planner is continguent on the allocation of more money to
the Planning Continquency Fund ,
Councilman Jennings stated that he felt the Personnel
Committee should be looking into the structure of further
education for the employees . A plan should be set up for
this kind of training at these dollars .
Councilwoman Kiefer , noting that the conference was on
" improving organizational skill and communication , " said it
seemed designed for management - level persons , who supervise
many employees ; she wondered if there were anyone higher up
in the Town ' s structure who would benefit .
Town Board Minutes - 14 - March 7 , 1983
Mr . Lovi said that the conference notice had actually been
passed on to him when no one else seemed interested ; he
though it seemed interesting .
Councilwoman Kiefer said she , too , shared concern about how
expensive this was - equivalent to about three other
meetings Town Staff might attend . She said she simply
didn ' t thing this was a justifible or appropriate expense
for the Town Planner , though that is no reflection on Mr .
Lovi ' s work .
( Desch , Kugler , Raffensperger , Cramer , McPeak and Jennings
voting Aye . Nays - Kiefer ) , g
® APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Supervisor said the only remaining business was Minutes , and
asked who will move them . .
Motion by Councilman Cramer ; seconded by Councilman McPeak ,
RESOLVED , that the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca hereby
approves the minutes of the September 13 , 1982 and December
30 , 1982 meetings .
Councilwoman Kiefer asked which version of the Minutes it is
proposed to vote on ; she noted that all she has received is
a January 24 , 1983 - draft of the December 30th Minutes and
that all corrections had been handed in , the Clerk had not
yet prepared a revised draft . She asked the Clerk for her
recommendation about the Minutes .
Supervisor Desch immediately asked the Clerk if she were
satisfied with her January 24th draft , to which the Clerk
said yes . Supervisor Desch accused Counilwoman Kiefer of
not getting her comments in in a timely fashion .
Councilwoman Kiefer said that was not true - her corrections
were handed in February 2 ; just after the draft of January
24 . Councilwoman Kiefer than stated that she ahad spoken
with the Clerk on March 2nd and asked if we would have
revised Minutes in time for the meeting , and the Clerk had
said no - they had to be put off to get the annual report to
Audit & Control done . Councilwoman Kiefer reiterated that
she had submitted corrections to the Clerk , and that we
should not consider the Minutes until the Clerk has revised
them .
® Councilwoman Raffensperger reminded the Board that
after
much discussion we had adopted clear and specific Guidelines
for Minutes , and told the Supervisor that by this motion we
® are now ignoring our own Guidelines which she summarized for
everyone ' s benefit .
Councilman McPeak asked which Minutes we ' re voting on ,
saying he has a copy with Councilwoman Kiefer ' s handwritten
changes .
Councilwoman Raffensperger said that the Clerk has not yet
acted to revise her January 24th draft , which is what the
Supervisor says is under consideration .
Councilman Jennings seconded Councilwoman Raffensperger ' s
plea to comply with our Guidelines .
Supervisor Desch called for a vote .
Town Board Minutes - 15 - March 7 , 1983
( Desch , Kugler , Cramer and McPeak voting Aye . Nays -
Raffensperger , Kiefer and Jennings ) :
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was duly adjourned at 7 : 25 P . M .
® own Cler