HomeMy WebLinkAboutTB Minutes 1994-08-08 Town of Ithaca
Town Board Meeting Minutes
August 8 , 1994
At a regular meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca ,
Tompkins County , New York , held at the Town Hall , 126 East Seneca
Street , Ithaca , New York there were :
PRESENT : John G . Whitcomb , Supervisor ; Catherine Valentino ,
Councilwoman ; David Klein , Councilman ; Carolyn Grigorov ,
Councilwoman ; Ellen Z . Harrison , Councilwoman ; Edward Conley ,
Councilman .
EXCUSED : Karl Niklas , Councilman ,
ALSO PRESENT : Randy Marcus , Barney , Grossman , Roth , & Dubow
Attorneys for the Town ; Joan Lent Noteboom , Town Clerk / Receiver of
Taxes ; Daniel Walker , Town Engineer ; Fred Noteboom , Highway / Parks
Superintendent ; Jonathan Kanter , Town Planner ; Andrew Frost ,
Building / Zoning Officer ; Sally Alario , Assistant Budget Officer ;
Patricia Punger , Personnel Manager ,
David Taube , Holt Architects ; Beverly Livesay , Tompkins County
Board of Representatives ; Bruce Brittain ; Harriet Brittain ; Douglas
Brittain ; Chuck and Micki Estey ; Isabel Peard ; Noel Desch ;
Elizabeth Desch ; Jeanne White ; Bob Nicholas ; Stan Seltzer ; Mary
Russell ; Bob Mooney ; Nancy Brcak ; Brent Stephans ; Mr . and Mrs .
Robert Silsbee ; Martha Hamilton ; Mitch Weiss ; Laura Marks ; Nisa
Marks ; Angela Jordan ; Jeff Hull ; Max Hull ; Nina Hull ; Brian
Heltsley ; Brad Pollack ; Rebecca Sparrow ; Nancy Rader , Treasurer
Coddington Road Community Center ; Veet Dher ; Jim Morrissette ; John
Oakley ; Janette McCord ; Phyllis Gere ; Karen LaShamb ; Stephanie
Boad ; Karen Miller ; Diane Fripoali ; Mary Ward ; Sue Dole - Hall ; Lois
Levitan ; Martha Armstrong ; Jim Hilker ; Liz Hilker ; James Henderson .
Call to Order : The Supervisor called the meeting to order at 5 : 30
p . m , and led the assemblage in the Pledge of Allegiance .
Agenda Item No . 3 - Report of Town Officials :
a . The Supervisor reviewed his written report , ( see attached ) . The
celebration dedicating the playground toys at Grandview Park for
former Supervisor Shirley Raffensperger was a nice event . The Park
looked very good thanks to the Parks Department .
b . Town Engineer : Mr . Walker discussed his written report , ( see
attached ) .
Mr . Walker reported that he had received a phone call from a Post
Office representative wondering if the Town had made a decision on
how much space in the Ithaca Post Office the Town would need for a
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new Town Hall . It was explained that the proposed layout by the
Post Office did not leave enough room in that facility for the
it Town . The Post Office representative said that the amount of space
could be negotiated . When the needs assessment has been completed ,
communication with the Post Office can be made . The Town would
probably need at least half the main lobby , and 5000 square feet on
the main floor .
c . Highway Superintendent : ( See attached report ) . Mr . Noteboom
reported that the department is rebuilding Hopkins Road . The banks
have been pushed back , a ditch will be installed , and the road will
be resurfaced . The banks were taken back to the field because they
used to drop off right by the road .
d . Town Planner : ( See attached report ) . Mr . Kanter said they are
working on the planning for the development of conservation
districts . The first priority area being studied is the Six Mile
Creek watershed .
The Planning Committee has almost finalized the " fees in lieu of
park land " , the recommendations will be referred to the Codes and
Ordinances Committee for their review and finalization of details .
The Wal - Mart environmental impact statement to the City of Ithaca
Planning is being discussed this evening at a Public Hearing . The
City will be voting on the statements adequacy for distribution
tomorrow .
Councilwoman Grigorov asked how the Town would be involved in the
Wal - Mart proposal ?
Mr . Kanter said the Town is an adjoining municipality and a review
had to be done regarding the environmental impact statement ,
traffic , and drainage .
Councilwoman Harrison mentioned as part of the Route 13 discussions
of widening that highway , the City was under the impression that
Wal -Mart had permission from NYSDOT to put in a left turning lane
without widening the road . That was news to the people rebuilding
Route 13 . There may be issues there that would involve the Town .
Mr . Kanter said the NYS Planning Federation conference will be held
in October , anyone interested in attending should contact him .
Councilwoman Valentino said Perigrine Hollow issues include future
use of Town parks at Eastern Heights and a potential road access .
Is the staff ' s position regarding these issues still the same as it
was , in feeling the Town should have the access road ?
Mr . Kanter said the access issue is important because the parcel
which is proposed to subdivide land locks , and it would attach onto
the Perigrine Hollow subdivision . Until and unless Perigrin Hollow
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is developed this parcel would be land locked . There would be two
access points coming into the Town which warrant discussion as to
it whether there should be a road thorough the Ithaca Town portion
that would provide another outlet for traffic .
Councilwoman Valentino mentioned the people who live in Eastern
Heights have been very strongly opposed to additional traffic the
road would impact . The people view the idea of others using
Eastern Heights park as part of their commitment of park land is
not satisfactory .
Mr . Kanter said the Town of Dryden does not have a plan or program
towards park development so they are looking at this park as their
own . Until a method is found for contributing to the use of the
park it does not seem workable . They are even showing the
Perigrine Hollow plans walkway easements through the Town of Dryden
connecting to the Eastern Heights park .
Councilwoman Grigorov hoped that staff would not tell the Town of
Dryden that they could have a road through Town park land . They
badly need another road access , it is not the Town of Ithaca ' s
responsibility to make it possible for them to complete their
development .
Mr . Walker said the sketch plan shows no connection through the
Town of Ithaca land . The road loops back into the Town of . Dryden
road . It would be of concern to the Town of Ithaca because there
would be no Town of Ithaca road connecting to the potential future
town road . The bulk of the development is in the Town of Dryden ,
the Ithaca Planning Board is looking at this very carefully .
Councilwoman Valentino asked if the land Dryden would need for an
access road is land Ithaca is considering to convert to park land .)
Mr . Walker said no , there has been no discussion over the last two
years about running the road into the Ithaca lands . Brian Drive
may extend to the Ithaca lands , that subdivision has not be
approved .
Mr . Kanter was instructed to keep Councilwoman Valentino and
Grigorov appraised of all developments regarding the Perigrine
Hollow issue .
Councilwoman Valentino asked if the sign variances requested for
East Hill and Rogan ' s were major changes .
Mr . Kanter said Rogan ' s is not a change at all , the existing sign
was never filed as approved eleven years ago . East Hill Citgo will
have new signs as part of the approved site plan . It involves
additional canopy ' s and signs . The free standing sign will be
larger than normally allowed .
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Mr . Frost said they would be allowed two free standing signs of 100
square feet , but the owner has asked to have only one sign of 75
feet .
Councilwoman Valentino asked that the owner be advised he is
trading his right of two signs for the one larger sign . That
corner should not get cluttered with too much advertising .
Agenda Item No . 16 - Cornell GEIS Special Land Use District :
Supervisor Whitcomb recalled earlier in the summer after the
Planning Board had reviewed the GEIS and presented it to the Board ,
how to next proceed was discussed . Councilwoman Harrison had
suggested that it may be beneficial if the Town Board toured the
area before holding a public hearing . The Board could set a Public
hearing in September to be held in October .
The Planning Board has submitted their recommendations and their
findings . Correspondence between John Barney and Shirley Egan , of
Cornell talks about what the Town Board ' s role is in the findings .
Mr . Barney will research that role .
Mrs . Egan agreed with the schedule the Board had discussed .
Mr . Kanter has received the map of the precinct 7 area that was the
focus of discussion by the Planning Board . It is available for the
Board to review . The map is basicly as requested except it needs
further description of boundary lines in terms of metes and bounds .
Supervisor Whitcomb recalled that Councilwoman Harrison was going
to prepare a list of issues she thought needed to be resolved .
Councilwoman Harrison said the best course to take would be to
review the issues raised previously by the Planning Board .
Supervisor Whitcomb asked Councilwoman Harrison to compile the list
for discussion at the September meeting or during the tour .
Agenda Item No . 3 - Report of Town Officials , Cont ' d •
e . Building Inspector / Zoning Officer : Mr . Frost reviewed his
monthly report , ( see attached ) . The building permit numbers are
essentially similar to last year ' s from January through July . The
significant difference was there were twice as many single family
homes built in 1993 than in 1994 .
Agenda Item No . 19 - Architectural Feasibility Study , New Town
Hall :
Mr . Walker said at the special meeting on July 26th the Board asked
for more information on the terms of the agreement with Holt
Architects , Mr . David Taube met with Mr . Walker and they prepared
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a cost breakdown of the fees .
The number of hours regarding the interviewing process of needs and
workloads with staff should be reviewed . That amount could be
reduced as long as Town staff provided the architects with detailed
information . This could result in a savings from about $ 1 , 000 to
$ 1 , 500 . This would leave the agreement in the $ 10 , 000 range .
Input from the Engineering Consultant , ( Mechanical Engineer ) would
be needed to determine the heating and mechanical loads there would
be to compare to existing structures , or the basis of designing a
new structure . A lot of the work would be done under this contract
if it were decided to build a new structure . All parameters would
have been met to make the final design .
Mr . Taube said the issues were how did Holt determine the billing
hours , and what would be needed to compare the GYN building or
another site . The ability of the client to do much of the homework
for needs and give a concise report would eliminate the need for
Holt to interview staff and then the writing of the study would be
very straight forward .
Holt has to estimate billing hours they feel comfortable with to
take care of the general scope of the project . The Town can meet
with various groups in house to evaluate needs . It would then take
less time for Holt to absorb the information . Holt would be
available to guide and assist if that were desired . At this point
it is a relationship rather than a design process to determine
needs , space requirements , and the relationships of those
requirements to determine work areas and how they relate to one
another . You could have something that meshes very readily ,
everyone is pleased ; and then again there could be internal
disagreement requiring other avenues to be explored . The only way
Holt can protect that is to put in the proposal a guess of the
number of hours to meet these possible contingencies .
The site alternatives are presumed to be continued in the next
step . The assessments are fairly straight forward because they
would not be doing much design . It would probably cost between
$ 1 , 000 and $ 2 , 000 for the OB GYN building and a general site
analysis . That would suggest with both amounts the total cost
would be at a maximum $ 15 , 000 to $ 16 , 000 for programming and the
other two studies , but it could be potentially $ 3 , 000 to $ 4 , 000
less than that , but it can not be predicted . Holt can only be as
efficient as the information given to them .
Supervisor Whitcomb said there are a number of issues the Attorney
for the Town , John Barney raised in a memorandum about language of
the contract .
Supervisor Whitcomb suggested if the Board is content with the
explanation of the fee schedule that the contract with Holt
Architects be approved contingent upon the Attorney and Town
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Supervisor being able to negotiate the language items in the
contract .
Councilwoman Harrison asked Mr . Taube when he was talking about the
specific buildings , that is for a general report that bears further
investigation ?
Mr . Taube said part of the reason he mentioned those suggestions
about the OB GYN building is because his firm is familiar with the
building . They already have some serious concerns about code
related issues . At the proper time if the Town were interested in
that building discussions would have to take place to go over the
issues of concern , and touring the building with experts . At this
stage Holt would not be recommending any full blown study because
they are not convinced it will reach the outcome the Town desires .
There would be a site visit and general review of the zoning issues
to make sure everyone would feel comfortable it is a viable
project . That may be done in two or three hours .
Councilman Klein asked what Holt would do after completing the
program planning phase and the Town asked you to look at OB GYN ,
what would be the extent of review of the existing facility before
findings were presented to the Board ?
Mr . Taube said they would spend about two or three hours because
they are already familiar with the building . They have been
through the building and compiled some information . That
information would be taken and compared to the Town ' s needs to
determine if the site is appropriate .
Supervisor Whitcomb asked what the estimate for number of hours
work would be for a study of a building Holt is not familiar with
and determine whether it would be feasible to proceed ?
Mr . Holt said it would depend on the building , but it would
probably be in the $ 3 , 000 range . The key to coming up with a good
design solution is the first step . If everyone has agreed this is
what is needed for square footage , and this is the relationships of
those spaces to take those pieces and put them in a building .
Ultimately it is a relatively simple process as long as there is
enough square footage in the building to put all these things .
Holt does not want to go full blown into a feasibility study
without first knowing what is needed .
Motion made by Councilwoman Grigorov , seconded by Councilwoman
Valentino authorizing the Town Supervisor to execute the contract
with Hoffman , O ' Brien Look Taube & Chiang , P . C . in a form and
substance satisfactory to the Town Supervisor and Attorney for the
Town . The cost of the services shall be as described or as
negotiated and revised by the Town Supervisor and the Attorney for
the Town with the first phase of the study not to exceed $ 11 , 800 .
Carried unanimously .
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The Attorney for the Town mentioned in the memorandum that his firm
it also represents Holt Architects ,
Mr . Marcus said as an ethical matter his firm would not be able to
provide the Town with any advice unless Holt consented to the firm
providing the Town advice . A municipality can not waive the
conflict themselves . If the Town wished to have the same
representation it can be done . It is rare that the law firm would
have any involvement of Holt ' s preparation of a contract even in
the negotiation of the terms used .
Representative Livesay asked if there had been communication
between the Town and the County Committee regarding looking for a
new Town Hall , and is there any interest in looking at this
jointly .
Supervisor Whitcomb said the committee is aware the Town is looking
for a new Town Hall , and the Town is aware the committee is doing
a study . The Town Board has expressed interest in pursuing this on
its own . However , if the County committee should hear of a
facility that may be appropriate for the Town ' s use the Town would
be interested in hearing about that facility .
Agenda Item No . 6 - Report of Tompkins County Board of
Representatives :
The Solid Waste Committee is looking at wanting to work with
voluntary communities on reuse program . Such as a clean up day
where people would put things out and traded with others .
Supervisor Whitcomb said Mr . Stotz the Town ' s representative has
mentioned the committee has discussed a County wide grant trash
exchange , but the details have not been worked out as to who would
pay for disposing of he left over items . The Town would be
interested in hearing more about that .
f . Town Clerk / Receiver of Taxes : ( See attached report ) . Pictures
of the playground animals dedication in honor of Shirley
Raffensperger are available to look at .
Supervisor Whitcomb said the SPCA has requested a meeting to
discuss their budget needs prior to the next meeting . The
Supervisor asked for Board volunteers to serve on a committee to
meet with the SPCA .
Councilwoman Valentino volunteered to serve on the committee with
the Town Clerk to review the contract .
g . Assistant Budget Officer : ( See attached report ) . Councilman
Klein said he noticed the mortgage tax revenue went up because of
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the Kendall project by $ 98 , 000 . Since the anticipated revenues
will be well over those budgeted maybe the Board may want to
tv consider putting into the building fund .
Supervisor Whitcomb said they would keep that in mind .
h . Personnel Manager : ( See written report ) . The annual insurance
evaluation is underway . Requests for proposals will be sent out .
Does the Board prefer sending them to just the Tompkins County area
as has been done in the past , or also solicit a quote from the NY
State Insurance reciprocal ? A request has been made from a Corning
agent who wanted to know they would be included in the requests for
proposals .
Ms . Alario said insurance agents , attorneys , and auditors do not
have to have requests for proposals every few years . The Town can
chose whomever they wish .
Mr . Marcus said it is normally the policy of Towns to have
professional services rendered by local people , but there is no
legal requirement to do so .
Supervisor Whitcomb said he would like to receive a quote from the
NY State Association of Towns Insurance Cooperative that has
recently been formed .
Councilwoman Valentino said she would not mind looking at proposals
from agencies outside the area .
Councilman Klein was concerned that since the current agent has not
served the Town particularly well and the Town has found there is
numerous gaps in coverage , the Town must insure that they are
asking for the proper coverage and try to evaluate the performance
of the agent .
Mrs . Punger said a committee has been formed to evaluate all the
exclusions , coverages , and policies to weigh the risk factors .
Councilman Klein said it has been discussed to get an independent
risk manager or advisor when the requests for proposals were
prepared and the quotes were reviewed . Is that still feasible ?
Mrs . Punger said she has had a local risk manager contact her to
get involved with the process , she has not determine the fees which
would be involved .
Councilman Klein felt it would be a very good idea for the Town to
hire a risk manager to help prepare the requests for proposals . He
was very disappointed last year when every time the Town had a
claim the agent never did anything for the Town and said the Town
wasn ' t covered . There were some serious claims paid because of the
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lack of insurance coverage . It would be good to avoid those
instances in the future .
Supervisor Whitcomb said the trick is to find a risk manager who is
not also selling insurance . This will be looked into .
Agenda Item No . 4 - Review of Correspondence :
a . Janette McCord / Ron Scarofile - Written claim for damage
resulting from a water main break on Danby Road last winter . This
has been referred to the insurance company .
b . Edward Page - Concerns regarding cable television rates .
Councilwoman Valentino will write Mr . Page to explain . There have
been many complaints about the rates and selection of programming .
Unfortunately , these are two areas the Town has no control over
because of changes in the FCC laws . The Town never did have much
say over programming , but now with the new law the rates are set .
The two things people are the most upset about are the two things
the Town no longer has any control over .
The effort to revitalize the County Cable Commission was started
with a meeting recently . The Town should endorse their efforts and
let them know the Town supports them . If there is a County group
which could apply pressure on the Cable company it would be good .
There are some things that can be effected even though they say
they cannot be negotiated if you have a group which has enough
" clout " .
Mrs . Livesay said she attended the meeting of the Cable Commission
and the City hearing . Most people feel if everyone comes together
as a County group there will be more " clout " . Although some things
in the franchises will not be altered , we also cannot get rid of a
franchise but others could be invited . People are getting upset
enough that maybe it will make a difference .
C . Sterling Fulmer - Letter regarding Rumsey Bed and Breakfast .
Attached is a decision of the NY State Board of Review where the
variance has been denied .
Agenda Item No . 18 - Forest Home Bridge :
Supervisor Whitcomb explained there have been numerous discussions
over the last year about the reconstruction of the downstream
Forest Home Bridge . At the last Public Works Committee meeting on
July 28 , they discussed this issue with residents of Forest Home .
After hearing all testimony pro and con the committee recommended
option 7 with six feet cantilevered concrete walkway with no
changes to the abutment width .
Councilman Klein said the Public Works Committee met with the
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Forest Home representatives and James Kazda , County Engineer . The
engineering recommendation was option 7 for engineering purposes .
There was a lot of discussion while trying to second guess the
State ' s historic review . The Committee tried to mitigate what the
State would say , what the County tried to promote , and issues such
as maintenance and longevity between a concrete walkway and a wood
deck .
The Engineers recommendation of a concrete walkway is going to last
longer and protect the structure underneath the walkway better than
a wood deck would . The present width is about four feet it is a
bit narrow , and that is why the recommendation of six feet was
made .
Bruce Brittain received correspondence from a Historic Sites
Restoration Coordinator with the preservation office in Albany , and
he was much firmer in terms of reconstructing the bridge along the
documented historic record . That would mean the four feet walkway
would remain .
If the ISTEA funding is desired , the State Preservation office has
to approve the design and if they are strongly recommending one
particular direction they can limit your choices .
Mr . Kazda informed the committee the County was looking for the
Towns recommendation to give to the County Public Works , to give to
the design engineer for completion of the design .
Supervisor Whitcomb said option 7 description talks about either a
four or three girder bridge and it was discussed at the Public
Works Committee meeting the three girder bridge would be
recommended . Three girder bridge on the drive lane with cantilever
walkways .
Mr . Walker said that the Historic Preservation letter did not
address the need to comply with the Americans With Disabilities Act
which requires a six foot walkway . Those requirements should be
kept in mind when looking at design so that violations are not X in
other ways .
Councilman Klein said the Engineers should respond to the Town as
to whether there is an ADA requirement that will override a
historic preservation . The process has to be started , direction
has to be given to the Engineers to let them finish their
preliminary design and then there can be the dialogue in terms of
what will be acceptable .
Bruce Brittain , Chair Forest Home Traffic Committee addressed the j
Board . The Forest Home community truly appreciates the Board ' s 1
continuing interest and involvement with this project and supports
the Public Works Committee recommendation to use option 7 with
three girder support , minimum abutment and cantilever walkway .
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They were asked to focus on the impacts of the various walkways
design particulars . The walkway is very important because it the
communities primary connection to the bridge . The community
interacts much more as pedestrians than as motorists . The
community would like a four foot wide wood deck on the walkway .
Bob Mooney , Secretary Treasurer Forest Home Improvement Association
addressed issues raised regarding the ADA requirements and walkways
accessibility . New York State on this project is required to
comply with the ADA Act . The regulations state that the minimum
clear width for single wheel chair passage shall be 36 inches
continuously . If an accessible route has less that 60 inches clear
width , then passing spaces shall be located at reasonable intervals
not to exceed two hundred feet . In other words access must be
available at intervals at two hundred feet maximum for two wheel
chairs to pass each other . Continuous passage does not have to be
provided along the route , therefore from an abutment and cost stand
point that regulation can be met by providing passage ways at
either end of the bridge where it is much cheaper to build than to
widen the entire walkway .
Brent Stephens , President Forest Home Improvement Association spoke
about cost as it relates to maintenance of the walkway . No figures
have been seen as to how much it costs now to maintain the bridge
walkway . With a new bridge , four feet wide with a wooden deck it
won ' t cost anymore than the Town is currently spending . In fact it
will probably cost less because it is a new bridge . One thing that
has not been addressed in the design features is how to channel
water away from dripping between the boards and onto the steel
structure beneath . Flashing is used on roofs to direct water away
from areas , can something like that be done in the design ?
Assuming that cannot be done the steal beneath the walkway would
have to be painted to minimize rusting . The County Engineer has
indicated the painting schedule would be a 20 to 30 year cycle and
it is anticipated that the life expectancy of the wood would also
be 20 to 30 years . The argument of removing the walkway to paint
and then replacing the walkway is somewhat minimized because the
walkway is going to have to be removed to be replaced at the same
time . It will not cost more than it currently is and probably less
for snow removal . The six foot wide walkway would allow a John
Deere type plow to go through , however the other areas in Forest
Home where the Town maintains the walkways all have to be done by
hand or snow blower . It would probably cost more to transport the
plow than actually plowing the bridge . The snow will have to go
into the creek when plowing , however the railing is a lattice
railing and a wet snow may not be able to fit through the lattice
and fall into the creek . Yes , a six foot walkway would allow a
plow through but if it can ' t move the snow anyplace , what good is
it ? The Forest Home recommendation is a four foot walkway and the
use of a snow blower to remove snow .
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Nancy Brcak , Forest Home resident and teacher of Architecture
History , Ithaca College ; President of Regional Chapter Society of
Architectural Historians favors a cantilevered four foot wide
wooden walkway for the new bridge . This design is more
historically accurate than some of the other proposals put forth
such as a concrete deck with a six foot width . Appropriate
proportions , dimensions , and materials are among elements that
contribute to creating a new structure with the look and feel of
the old . The Forest Home Community was very pleased last February
when the Board expressed its desire for a design that preserves
historic appearance . To suggest that rehabilitating the trusses
makes the new bridge historical is an over simplification . The
preferences of the State Historic Preservation Office and the
Forest Home Community should be considered to retain as many
features of the existing bridge as possible .
Supervisor Whitcomb asked for comments from the Town Engineer and
the Highway Superintendent .
Mr . Walker said that he recommends a structure that is safe and
cost effective to the Town and meets the requirements of the
historic structure .
Mr . Noteboom had no comment .
Motion made by Councilman Conley , seconded by Councilwoman
Valentino recommending that the Tompkins County Department of
Public Works effect the replacement / rehabilitation of the
downstream Forest Home bridge over Fall Creek ( BIN 3047440 ) by
using plan Option # 7 , with a four foot wide wooden cantilever
walkway .
Supervisor Whitcomb said he has one concern over the four foot
walkway , the conflict between bicyclists and pedestrians . Would it
be appropriate to post the walkway for pedestrian traffic only
rather than for bicyclists .
Councilwoman Harrison said she was also concerned about that , and
in a discussion with Mr . Brittain decided when you are a serious
bicyclist they normally behave like a car and are in the traffic
lane . The people who are likely to be on bikes on the walkway are
people with small children or a different type of use .
Motion carried unanimously .
Agenda Item No . 7 - Persons To Be Heard :
No member of the public wished to be heard .
Agenda Item No . 11 - Consent Agenda Items •
Motion made by Councilwoman Harrison , seconded by Councilman Klein
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approving and / or authorizing the Consent Agenda Items , a - k with the
following amendments to Item a , Town Board Minutes .
Page 4 . , Paragraph 2 . , 4th Sentence shall read ; Anything
negotiated , such as a discount for senior citizens or a better line
extension service can now be added to the cable rate charge .
Page 32 . , Last paragraph , shall read , Councilwoman Grigorov said
all Boards and Committees should be conscious of overloading staff .
Motion carried unanimously .
Agenda Item No . 13 - Set Public Hearing , Amendments to Local Law
No . 4 / 1992 :
Supervisor Whitcomb recalled that the Ethics Law was revised last
fall only to discover it was in conflict with human rights issues
and disclosure of personal memberships . The Ethics Board have come
forth with a revised law and a Public Hearing needs to be set to
discuss the proposed changes in the Local Law .
Motion made by Councilwoman Harrison , seconded by Councilman Klein
that the Town Clerk is authorized and directed to advertise for a
Public Hearing to be held at the regular meeting of the Town Board
on September 12 , 1994 at 7 : 00 p . m . in order that the Town Board may
consider amendments to Local Law No . 4 / 1992 , " ESTABLISHING ETHICS
RULES APPLICABLE TO TOWN OF ITHACA OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES " . Motion
carried unanimously .
Agenda Item No . 14 - Transportation and Human Services Agreement
with Tompkins County :
Supervisor Whitcomb reminded the Board this has been discussed
several times . The Attorney for the Town and County Attorney have
negotiated the language in the agreement . Attorney Barney is now
satisfied with the language and has said it can be signed .
Motion made by Councilwoman Valentino that the Town Supervisor is
authorized to execute the contract with Tompkins County in its
present form providing for reimbursement to the Town of Ithaca for
transportation and human services for a total amount of
approximately $ 23 , 900 . The Town Supervisor shall notify Tompkins
County that next year and in future years Tompkins County can
directly make payment to Gadabout and the Senior Citizens Council
for County -wide services . Seconded by Councilwoman Grigorov .
Councilwoman Valentino said the Town paid Gadabout so they could
operate because the Town had not reached an agreement on the
language , and then the County came back and told the Town that
because the Town paid it , the Town is responsible .
Motion carried unanimously .
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Agenda Item No . 15 - Sale Surplus Items at County Auction :
Mr . Noteboom reported the Highway Department has the old
engineering van , back hoe , and cutting edges which can be sold at
the County Public Auction in September as they are no longer needed
by the Town .
Motion made by Councilwoman Grigorov , seconded by Councilman Conley
that the Town Board approves the surplus backhoe , cutting edges ,
and engineering van being placed in the County auction for sale .
Carried unanimously .
Agenda Item No . 17 - Contract Change Order No . 1 , Coddington Road ,
Danby Road Sewer Replacement :
Mr . Walker explained the change order relates to two work
directives . One was to raise sewer covers adjacent to Coddington
Road sewer . Paving over the last several years has buried some of
the manholes . Since the contractor was right in that location it
was felt to be cost effective to have them to the work . The
second , as sewer replacement was being done on Danby Road a large
lateral line was discovered which was not known about creating an
increase in the cost . Another unexpected situation that cost the
contractor time and money was a NYSEG six inch gas main right up
against the manhole which was not supposed to be there . NYSEG
relocated it , but it cost a half days loss of work to the
contractor . That was felt to be a justifiable loss to the
contractor .
Mr . Walker recommended the change orders as there is sufficient
monies to cover them and they were necessary changes .
Motion made by Councilwoman Harrison , seconded by Councilwoman
Grigorov that the Town Board approves Change Order No . 1 in the
amount of $ 5 , 139 . 70 for the Coddington Road and Danby Road Sewer
Replacement Project . Carried unanimously .
Agenda Item No . 5 - Report of Town Committees :
Councilwoman Valentino reported the recreation is moving forward
and it looks like the pilot program is going to happen . The City
is making some concessions which look more promising . The Cable
Franchise Committee is trying to set up an appointment with the
cable company .
Councilwoman Valentino asked the Board members to review the
literature she had handed out at their leisure . One is related to
the Coalition for Community Reinvestment and the Citizens Savings
Bank merger . One of the concerns for our community is that we may
suffer losses on some mortgages for small businesses and lower
income and affordable housing . The Coalition has been able to get
themselves into a position to actually negotiate with the Bank for
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changes .
The Community for Economic Development Committee wants to foster
when there is development in a community that working people and
people who do not ordinarily have a voice in the decisions be
heard .
Councilman Klein said the Public Works Committee will have a
working session Tuesday , 4 : 00 p . m . at Town Hall to review the Judd
Falls Road reconstruction project .
Agenda Item No . 8 - Public Hearing , Water System Benefitted Area
1994 , Coddington Road :
The Supervisor opened the public hearing at 7 : 00 p . m . , the Town
Clerk had proof of posting and publication . The water is being
proposed to be extended from where it currently exists out to the
Coddington Road Community Center , it is not being proposed to
extend it to the Town of Danby town line . A number of people have
written who live between the Coddington Road Community Center and
the town line expressing concern about the water being extended
past their properties , it is not proposed to be extended past their
properties in this plan .
Mr . Walker explained the proposed extension is about 2 , 000 feet of
construction that will serve 1700 feet on Coddington Road and 300
feet on Updike Road , The Coddington Road Community Center is the
primary requestor of the water . The extension would serve about 16
more parcels . The benefit assessment for the area to be served
would be about 30 units . The total estimated consumption in the
area is 18 , 000 gallons per day which is within the supply available
to the Town of Ithaca .
Supervisor Whitcomb asked the public to come forward and make
comments .
Mitch Weiss of 954 Coddington Road which is not in the proposed
extension addressed the Board . The CRCC day care center is the
primary requestor of the extension . Mr . Weiss said he is a big
supporter of day care . Mr . Weiss suggested the CRCC have work done
on their well .
Mr . Weiss moved to Coddington Road two years ago and had almost the
exact same flow rate as the CRCC , a man in Trumansburg for $ 100 did
a complete an analysis of the well with options as to how to
increase the quantity . In the end his well was hydro fractured
which increased the well ' s recovery rate from 28 gallons per
minute , 409 gallons per day to 1 . 79 gallons per minute , 2500
gallons per day . Before a huge project to extend the water is done
other options should be considered for the CRCC .
Rebecca Sparrow , 332 Saranac Way is in support of water services to
15
the CRCC . Both of her children have benefitted from the center ' s
programs . The Deer Run Homeowner ' s Association has used the CRCC
for meetings and social gatherings . Ms . Sparrow has had
discussions with the Director of the center about expanding
activities to older children who have limited opportunities at the
present time . All the wonderful programs and ideas of the CRCC
have been limited by the water situation . Ms . Sparrow has been
reluctant at times to arrange to use the CRCC for fear someone may
leave the water dripping and jeopardize the water supply for the
next day .
Ms . Sparrow is pleased her daughter understands the need for water
conservation , however it is unfortunate this translates into her
drinking very little water while she was at the center . Her
daughter instead insisted on drinking milk or bottled water because
of the bad taste . She also went through a period of not flushing
the toilet at home because of excessive concern that the home water
supply would run out even though the home is on municipal water .
Ms . Sparrow asked that the Board considered this request on its own
merits rather than dismissing it for fear of a presumed future
request for sewer lines and development both of which the Board
will have an opportunity to control at that time .
Ms . Sparrow read a statement by Katherine Desch who lives on
Coddington Road who is a day camp director at the CRCC .
To Whom it May Concern :
As Director of the Coddington Road Community Center day camp it is
urgent the center get City water . Because of the water situation
we have not been able to do certain projects requests from parents
have been turned down . We have been asked to extend our hours , but
I don ' t think that is possible with the shortage of water . Every
day the two other counselors and I bring in three gallons of water
each . We do not get reimbursed for this and go through all the
water everyday .
I think we would be better able to serve the community if we had
City water .
Brian Heltsley , 309 Saranac Way said that his son event to the CRCC
for three years , his daughter has been there for two and will be
there another two years . You can imagine the center has played a
major role in his life and will continue to do so . The CRCC is the
jewel of South Hill , it is a marvelous center and the water
proposal where the Town can help day care in doing one of the
things they do best , putting water out to the CRCC is not something
he wants the Town to do but he expects the Town to do it . Mr .
Heltsley asked that the Town Board act on this issue tonight .
There is no reason to delay this issue any longer .
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Brad Pollack , 304 Saranac Way said he has an older child who was at
the CRCC for a couple of years and a younger son who has been there
for about a year and will probably be there for another three . The
CRCC has meant a lot to his family ' s peace and harmony . Mr .
Pollack said he has never asked the Town for anything , and when he
was informed there was a problem with the water supply at CRCC he
thought that if he could not ask his elected representatives to
supply water so that his son could have water to drink and toilets
to flush there is no other simpler request could be asked of the
Town Board . It is understood that maybe another well could be
drilled before municipal water is provided , but if money is
invested in another well and it does not work then they will back
to the same kind of hassles . It is hoped this matter can be
resolved this evening . It is not an outrageous request from the
parents who rely so heavily on the CRCC to ask the Town Board to
have the foresight and goodwill to let the kids have good water and
sanitation .
Jeanette McCord , 853 Coddington Road stated she lives in the
section that would benefit from the water extension . Mrs . McCord
also has a day care center serving approximately 16 to 20 families
in a year . Mrs . McCord does want the water extension because it
would benefit her family and her day care center . They have lived
in their home for about a year , the property has a well which is
over 200 feet . There is a 1 , 000 gallon holding tank because they
did not want to have to worry about running out of water for the
day care center . They have a chlorinator and a filter and they
still cannot drink the water . The water has been tested four times
in the last year with four different companies come in to give
estimates on filters and chlorinators . The solution at this point
is to invest yet another large sum of money to be able to drink the
water . The water is salty , most of the year it is clear but salty
sometimes it turns yellow . When it is yellow it is not salty and
it can be drunk . When it is yellow the piece of equipment to get
rid of the salt won ' t take care of the yellow . Part of the reason
the property was chosen was because it was in a community area
where their family and the children at the day care could benefit
from the CRCC . They would have liked to use the center for reasons
other than day care , such as Boy Scouts , etcetera . It has been
understood that the various youth groups could use the CRCC for
meetings if there was water .
Phyllis Gere , 833 Coddington Road is in the benefit area said it
would be wonderful to have enough water and good tasting water . At
the present time there are two in the family and the quantity is
not a significant problem , but when they are ready to sell the
house and some larger family wishes to buy it there will not be
enough water . The possibility of selling the home will be soon
since their children are grown and gone . Mrs . Gere said she is
definitely in favor of the water extension .
Ann Morrissette , Director of the Coddington Road Community Center
17
said she has spoken before and given a great deal of background on
the programs the CRCC provides . One point that is very important
is that ten years ago if a small group of really dedicated people
had not made the effort to revive the CRCC there is no question
that the property would be in a potential developer ' s hands . If a
developer wants to bring the water and pay for all or part of it
themselves the water will be brought in . Therefore , the
discussions about the CRCC getting water leading to development is
beside the point . Discussions should be based on the merits of the
CRCC and other residents . It is a 2 / 5 of a mile extension that is
a reasonable request given the services the CRCC provides and hopes
to provide .
Mrs . Morrissette presented a letter from John Anderson of the
Tompkins County Department of Health , ( see attached ) . Mr . Anderson
mentions the yield is unacceptable and that it does not meet the
criteria necessary for the CRCC ' s operation .
Mrs . Morrissette also presented a letter from Louise Mudrak , CRCC
Board Member , ( see attached ) ; and read a letter from the CRCC Board
President , Lou Anne Bangs , 201 Tudor Road , ( letter follows ) .
" I have had my children enrolled at the CRCC for the past seven
years and this water dilemma has been an issue for as long . I am
a health teacher , a registered nurse , and I help my husband run our
ambulance service . Recently I was elected President of the CRCC
Board and I have become much more involved in this issue . It
appears that all other alternatives are just a temporary fix and
that public water is needed . Given that my profession is in health
and keeping people well , I honestly cannot understand the
reluctance of the Board to run public water to the center . If
there is some major factor that is causing reluctance on the part
Town Board please let me know about it . The CRCC wants a vote
tonight so that something may be done before the year ' s end .
Mrs . Morrissette said that there are also staff people from the
CRCC present who wish to speak to the Board :
Stephanie Reed , Toddler Room - " When diapers are changed at the
center it can be quite a mess when you run out of water , especially
if you have a couple of messy diapers in a row . It is unhealthy
and unsafe . "
Mary Wood , Preschool Teacher - " The water situation is very sad ,
they are limited to simple things . Toilets cannot be flushed when
they need to be . Lack of water limits the activities with the
children . It is hot , it is summer , it is not air conditioned and
the children can ' t have any water play . I would really like to see
water brought in . "
Diane Triponi , Toddlers - " Diapers have to be changed at least four
times a day , it is discouraging when in that process and water is
18
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dwindling and it has to be rushed to get them changed . Also for
hand washing and you can ' t do any water play on hot days . There is
it not much water to go around and it has to be conserved for
necessities like hand washing . "
Karen , Pre K Teacher - " It is really hard to see the children come
up and ask if they can water their garden and they have to be told
no because the water would run out . It is also hard at the end of
the day seeing that the toilets have not been flushed all day . It
is very unsanitary for the children to see and one parent said the
child brought that home and did not flush at home . It is
embarrassing as a teacher to present that kind of sanitation to the
children . There is a definite need and want for the water . "
Karen Miller , Preschool Teacher - " Several different systems have
been tried to meet this water need . Water is brought in , different
kinds of jugs to offer temporary relief . Not only is the water
needed for drinking and hygiene , but for washing art supplies and
keeping rooms clean , outdoor play , and gardening . It is a vital
necessity . The children should be able to go to the faucet and
pour themselves a drink of water without ^ T about whether the
teachers remembered to bring water in . The CRCC is a vital center
for the community , but also for the jobs it provides . "
John Oakley , Turner Place , City of Ithaca said his daughter is
enrolled in the CRCC . The CRCC is a pretty sanitary facility and
his daughter doesn ' t have an illness or anything like that . The
discussion of water in relation to development is one that is hard
to comprehend but also misleading . Mr . Oakley said is not
particularly in favor of developing large tracks of rural land .
What is the scenario of not providing water out there even if you
successfully manage to resist the developers desire to bring water
there . The outcome is perhaps a development instead of a 144 acre
lot , instead of 100 plus houses would have 50 houses because they
would have to be on bigger lots . In terms of the people moving in
would increase the value of those lots , bigger and more dispersed .
Those people will move in without really thinking about the long
term effects of having 50 wells in that area . The Town will be a
little distressed because they will have to maintain a road . Once
those people are in there and their wells begin to fail , then you
will not just have a Community Center and a family day care , and a
few residents asking for water . Then you will have 30 , 40 , or 50
households coming to the Board asking for water . You will have 60 ,
80 , or 100 voters coming in to ask for water . They are going to
ask you to bring in water in an area which is maximally inefficient
for the distribution of water supplies , because they will be spread
over two acre lots instead of narrower lots . Then the City is
going to say all the septic stuff is fowling the watershed and it
will be found that sewer is necessary in an inefficient way . The
Board may say if it turns out they are going to develop that land ,
it will be zoned so they can ' t do that . Almost everybody knows who
is on the Board , once a developer makes a plan it is to late to
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zone . You are stuck , The developer can do it no matter what is put
in the way . It costs the developer fifty hours in meetings , that
is worth $ 100 , 000 . Pretending that stopping water to the CRCC is
going to put a substantial impediment in the way of development is
nonsense . You are risking putting off the more important issue of
how to zone the property so that you really can deal with
development . Example , airport development case . They used to
build airports and people would build suburbs near the airports .
The airport authorities would say the people could never complain
about noise the airport was here when they built their houses . In
fact , suburban communities built after airports around airports
have been very successful in demanding noise abatement procedures ,
and in frustrating the proper functioning of the airport . The Town
cannot go to the people who will build their houses on two acre
lots in time and say when your water runs out forget it . There are
going to be enough of them , they are going to be political active
and important enough to the Board . They will make the Board put
water out there .
Nancy Rader , Treasurer CRCC Board - The center is a tremendous
asset to the Town . It brings together people in the community from
all sorts of backgrounds to work in a positive way . It creates a
strong social fabric . If you this type of asset it should be
supported . When people work together they become less alienated
from each other and more connected . When they do that there is a
sense of community . It doesn ' t matter whether people are getting
together to put a new roof on , or for the annual Halloween party ,
or summer camp programs . When they get to know each other there is
a more involved community . It is a wonderful opportunity for the
Town to bring people together .
I am sensitive to issues that effect financial planning for the
center . The only practical approach to getting water to the center
is through the extension of public water . It is very important to
the center to know whether and when water would be available .
There is presently a Troy Road water extension being considered and
if it is approved work would begin on it this fall . Deciding on
the CRCC extension at the same time really makes sense and would
perhaps allow the CRCC to start planning for the coming year in a
positive way . I am asking that the question of extending the water
to the CRCC be called tonight .
Sue Dale - Hall , Director of Day Care and Child Development Council -
" The teachers did a relatively good job of explaining why and how
water plays a part in the quality of child care . It has to do with
programming and the teaching of the care of themselves and their
bodies . It also has to do with the ability of the CRCC meeting the
regulatory requirements . In that vain the CRCC has come perilously
close to infringing upon those regulations and being in a difficult
situation . I have an opportunity to support child care throughout
Tompkins County . Child care situations are very fragile
economically , and programmatically in the sense that they are not
20
supported well enough as a County . When you have two programs that
are so well established and stable as CRCC and the Bunny Trail they
have to be supported in anyway possible . At the risk of losing
them it would cost an enormous amount of money to replace that
child care in the community . We are already running at a deficit
in child care placements . With such a large portion of parents
working quality child care is a necessity . The Town Board is here
to balance between community needs and individual needs of the
constituency represented . That is a tough decision , child care is
a resource in the community and should be considered as such when
making the decision for the water extension . "
Bruce Brittain asked to speak as a community member and as a former
member of the Town Comprehensive Planning Committee .
" Safe water is a very important commodity in a community . Living
in a community like Forest Home a sense of community is very
important . A community center contributes greatly to that .
However , as many may recall a great deal of time was spent trying
to come up with a comprehensive look at the Town of Ithaca to
develop a plan that would intelligently and rationally guide
development in the Town . Many are on the Town Board because of the
fact that there is a plan and that there was a vision for what the
Town could be . There was a widespread support of town residents
and a feeling that members of the Board could be instrumental in
successfully implementing the Comprehensive Plan . Please take the
Comprehensive Plan into account , seize this opportunity to
transform it from being something on paper to actual
implementation "
Charles Estey , King Road - " My family has used the CRCC day care
during a thirteen year period including my wife working there on a
part time basis . It is not just the CRCC , the Bunny Trail day
care , there are other houses involved in the same area who want and
need water who have to have been water facilities in the future .
The whole package doesn ' t seem like a problem including the
Comprehensive Plan . It does not involve putting sewers in , it is
only to help those house already there and the two day care
centers . The CRCC has to have a decision from the Town Board this
month because they have to make decisions on the upcoming year ' s
operation . They are also looking at making improvements in the
building which would help the community . "
Jim Hilker , Vice President CRCC Board - The CRCC is very
appreciative of what the Town has done for the center for the last
several years in maintaining operations . The CRCC is at a very
critical point with the potential of having to close if there is
not adequate water .
The Comprehensive Plan is a guide as to what services should be in
certain areas . If a much needed utility is denied for some public
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services and programs that are provided by CRCC as well as the
Bunny Trail day care , and it forces the closing of these operations
it makes one wonder how well the Comprehensive Plan is serving the
community .
Please help out the CRCC , the Bunny Trail , and the residents of the
community by approving this water extension .
Bob Nicholas , 107 Updike Road - " I feel badly that I am being
selfish here in thinking about one single house having listened to
what has been said about the CRCC .
I see that on the list 102 Updike Road which is immediately
opposite me is slated to have water , and 107 my residence is not .
That does not make a great deal of sense as the work would be done
there anyway .
I discovered the joys of having a well the first day I moved into
my house five years ago when I tried to fill my water bed . That is
when I discovered what recovery rate means . It is tiring to watch
what you have to do and to not be able to turn the washing machine
on at the same time as a shower or having to wait until an hour so
after the wash to have a shower . I am concerned about some of the
comments heard that because water is being extended to the CRCC
that it naturally follows that $ 1 , 000 , 000 will have to be spent on
running sewer . That logic I just do not grasp . Sewer does not
necessarily have to follow . I do not want to see a Deer Run type
development springing up around the CRCC . That does not need to
happen with the Town Board ' s perseverance . I am definitely for the
water extension .
Mary Russell , 955 Coddington Road - Member of the Town Conservation
Board read a statement .
" As you listen to comments tonight I wish to ask you to
differentiate in your mind whether you are hearing from people who
utilize the CRCC for day care services , or whether you are hearing
from neighbors from the CRCC who bear the brunt of the long term
negative aspects of a water line extension and weigh the comments
accordingly .
Forty to fifty families utilize the CRCC for their day care needs
and may outnumber the neighbors here , but it is our neighborhood
that will impacted and out tax bills impacted . Keep in mind that
a water line to the center is an extension to the town line . The
Walker parcel is for sale and any developer who purchases it will
most likely petition for extension or pay for it themselves as
there is only a 500 foot distance from that parcel to the CRCC .
This parcel could be sold at any time and a water line may be just
the stimulus that causes it . I realize that the petition is for
water and not sewer , but is there anyway to guarantee sewer will
not be extended , I think not . Out assessments will increase
22
accordingly and so will the tax bills of all Town residents .
Pressure to place more houses along the sewer line to finance it
IPwill increase . This is not what the rural area needs .
The water line extension will cost $ 123 , 000 , I understand the Town
Engineer has estimated that the CRCC could drill a new well and
install a 1 , 000 gallon holding tank for $ 10 , 000 to $ 20 , 000 . It
does not make good fiscal sense to solve a $ 10 , 000 problem with a
$ 123 , 000 solution . A solution that could cause a $ 1 , 000 , 000 if
sewer is then needed . The impact on the number of dwelling units
allowed is dramatic , from 83 now to 141 with water and 325 with
water and sewer . These numbers are very frightening to those of us
who think 83 is too many and would like to see this area with
conservation and rural residential zoning . Business ' s unable or
unwilling to cope with the vagaries of wells as water sources
should not locate in areas without services . Water issues should
be a key issue examined in the special permitting process required
when a day care center or other type of business wants to locate in
an R - 30 area which is not served by water and sewer . Don ' t send
the wrong message to businesses to locate in rural neighborhoods ,
don ' t set the wrong precedent for your future decisions . Don ' t
send the message that the Town will come to their rescue when they
have well problems . The impact on rural area is so important for
townspeople is to great .
I voted for the members of this Board because I trusted in your
commitment to the Comprehensive Plan . I trusted in your ability to
make the tough decisions to implement the plan and not to make
decisions in a haphazard manner . This water line would be a giant
step backwards in the planning process . Please vote against
extension of water .
Dr . Lois Levitan , Specialist in Natural Resource and Land Use
Policy - " I wish to speak as a specialist and as a resident who
lives on West Hill . I want to thank the Town Board for bringing
this question to residents of the Town . The editorial written by
Councilwoman Harrison and the article on August 3 , Ithaca Journal
spoke of this meeting tonight .
This is the kind of issue the community members should be involved
in deciding , it is about money but it really involves a lot more
than money . It involves our vision of a future and a future we as
residents of the Town should be actively involved in shaping .
I very much appreciate the issues raised by the various people who
spoke on behalf of the CRCC . I think the challenge of our times is
to figure out how we will address social issues , such as providing
day care with fiscal responsibility and environmental sensitivity .
If I were investing in the stock market I would be placing my money
on the low flow toilets , and if I had a long time to wait for my
investment to appreciate I would also invest in the companies that
make composting toilets . Those that do not use any water at all .
23
The reason I would do this , is because the issues that are
surrounding water , where it comes from , its quality , how it is
allocated and used , and where waste water goes and how it ends up
getting there are really of the most pressing of our times . The
dry wells on Coddington Road are just part of this much larger
picture . The solution to this issue should be thought about very
broadly . Some of the issues that could be factored into the
solution are the monetary costs of supplying piped water and how
the cost would be allocated . The anticipated capital cost of
$ 123 , 000 are already in the bank . But the per annum maintenance
fees and the money to build up a new Capital Fund are not , and as
previously mentioned these would be allocated to all Town residents
whether they use these services or not . As a Town resident that
makes me somewhat nervous .
It has also been brought up pro and con that sewerage lines would
follow . There is no reason to believe that they wouldn ' t given
history and given the effects of political pressure as we are
seeing now . These combined additional tax charges that would be
more for sewer lines than water lines themselves are often the
factors which impel property owners to subdivide and sell parcels
of rural property . The development of such diverse parcels brings
with it additional costs for constructing and maintaining
infrastructure and community services which will be called upon to
serve the needs of the newly located population .
There have numerous studies that have shown the cost of community
services to disperse rural residential parcels is greater than the
tax revenues generated from these parcels . Whereas the open spaces
of the working farm and forest landscapes generate more than double
the cost of the services they require . It seems to me that it was
due in part to a recognition of these high monetary costs of
disperse development that led to the recommendation of the Town of
Ithaca Comprehensive Plan not to bring water lines out this far to
Coddington Road . It would be a travesty to undermine the thinking
and the work that went into forming this Comprehensive Plan which
was the reason many in the Town did vote for this Town Board .
All these costs water lines , sewer pipes , and additional
infrastructure can be estimated in monetary terms ; but we also need
to consider less tangible costs . There is a long term cost to the
community for its loss of significant rural and open space . Which
are the likely ramifications of providing the services that are
required for the additional development of land . We need to think
also , if not first and foremost , about the impact of increased
activity with more water flowing , more septic leach lines , more
roads , driveways , and house lots on the supply of water itself .
Coddington Road runs on the crest of the hill just of the south of
Six Mile Creek . This Creek is the water supply for the City of
Ithaca and also for 20 % of the residents of the Town who live on
West Hill and Inlet Valley . Significant efforts have been put
forth by the City and not for profit groups like the Fingerlakes
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Land Trust to protect the quality of water in this watershed .
Encouraging additional residential development in the Coddington
Road area by laying the infrastructure for that development will
undermine these efforts and potentially the quality of the water
itself .
We need to be able to compare these costs which can be expressed
only in part in monetary terms with the cost of other alternatives .
In particular the concepts in arithmetic of demand reduction . I
have played out some of these numbered priority theories prior to
hearing some of the realities of the CRCC . Please bear with me as
I may sound somewhat glib .
Talking with the Town Engineer I found out the well of the CRCC has
a low flow rate of about a quarter gallon per minute , 15 gallons
per hour , or 360 gallons per day . When the water flows at this
rate it can meet the estimated needs of 36 people , each of whom are
estimated by the State Health Department to require 10 gallons of
water per day . Thirty six people is very close to day care of the
CRCC of about 40 people . This is based on three flushes of a
toilet and one gallon of wash water per person each day . Each
flush of a standard toilet takes three gallons of water . I propose
that new low flush toilets be installed that would cost about $ 500
each which would require 1 . 6 gallons per flush . These toilets are
now required in all new construction . I have heard that there is
a problem with these toilets with a well . I personally have one
these toilets on a well and there is no problem . With low flow
toilets at the CRCC there would be a reduction of almost 50 % of the
water required per day . There would be an even greater reduction
by installing composting toilets which have a minimal costs beyond
their initial purchase and installation and which require no pipes
and no water supply . If demand reduction is in itself not
sufficient as a means of solving the CRCC problem then there are
other ways to do so . For example , drill a new well with
installation of a holding tank at an estimated $ 15 , 000 . Truckloads
of water could be used to supplement the water at a cost of
approximately $ 250 per 1000 gallons . There are some costs involved
in these alternatives . I suggest the Town or County since the CRCC
serves the people countywide consider some form of social subsidy
to pay for these costs rather than laying an enormous
infrastructure which would have significantly larger costs and as
yet unknown ramifications . It strikes that the move to bring water
pipes out to the countryside to meet this need for water is similar
to cutting butter with a chain saw . There must be simpler more
cost effective and better solutions , and I would look forward to
help finding them . "
Anne Silsbee , 915 Coddington Road - " I have very mixed feelings
about this because we are across the road from the CRCC . I enjoy
hearing the sound of the children and I see they are doing a good
job . I am sympathetic with their problems .
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Personally although perhaps this is an inevitable thing I will
regret the extension because it puts pressure on us to divide our
property which is a very large parcel of 44 acres simply because
the new assessment will cost a great deal of money .
I would like to second the impact on the Town plan and the
conservation angle . I believe it is important for our area to
retain its rural character . That is why we moved there and why
others have . It is near the City yet is rural and a pleasant place
to live .
Although I realize the CRCC is providing a service , I would not
like to see their activities expand too much . There is already a
great deal of traffic that goes there and this would have to be
dealt with if they expanded their activities .
Laura Marks , 1005 Danby Road - " The Comprehensive Plan map is very
important to me , the CRCC is also important to me but I believe a
community center is people based and not site based . The CRCC
could move one half mile down the road and be served by water .
There are options available .
The Six Mile Creek valley is not replaceable . I am not necessarily
opposed to water and sewer in the long term , but I am very much
opposed to water and sewer in this valley until there are very
stringent protection measures in this area . I am opposed to water
at this time .
I wish to give some background so that my understanding is made
clear . I used to live at 302 East King Road with a well with less
than one half gallon per minute in the spring . We were 500 feet
away from public water and sewer . We installed low flush toilets ,
we installed low water shower heads , never more than one load of
wash was done per day . When the family came for holidays people
showered at hotels , we would import water ; but our family still
came to Ithaca to be surround by rural character . They did not go
to Syracuse or Cleveland , they came here because of the rural
character . It was not convenient , but the trade off was that I
could step out my back door and be walking in the woods in thirty
seconds . I could go hunting from my bathroom window or my tree
stand in my woods , that is what rural character is about . The
Comprehensive Plan map is about rural character along the Six Mile
Creek valley .
The map was important enough to me that $ 15 , 000 was spent to have
our well refractured , the trade off was worth it . The map says the
trade off is worth it .
Please remember , I chaired the committee on the Conservation
Advisory Council where four years ago we looked extensively at the
impact of development on the Six Mile Creek valley . The committee
consisted of City Council members , City Planners , City CAC
26
representatives , representatives of Fingerlakes Land Trust and
Circle Greenway , Town Board Members and Supervisor , Town staff , and
Town CAC members . In the resident survey of the Comprehensive Plan
the Six Mile Creek valley was an area that was recognized as second
most important to preserve to the Town ' s residents , second only to
Cayuga Lake .
The committee looked at water and sewer and I know there is no easy
solution here , but the Six Mile Creek valley is a treasure . It is
not just one of the most ecologically diverse and sensitive areas
in the Town , County , and State . This valley is one of the most
ecologically diverse and sensitive areas in the eastern United
States and it is in our back yard and it is the Town Board ' s duty
to preserve this .
I am going to remind you of the May 4 , 1994 memo to Dan Walker
which was also sent to the Planning Board stating , " without some
sort of land use regulations or other measures by the Town
extending the water main along Coddington Road is likely to result
in significant changes in existing neighborhood character , changes
in the use or intensity of land use and the increase in the
potential for stimulating growth for the area . The changes in my
opinion ( George Frantz ) , would not be in character with the
intensity of development envisioned for that area in the
Comprehensive Plan " . Having studied the area closely , I agree with
Mr . Frantz .
Please be aware that these water and sewer projects are designed by
the Town Engineer . Mr . Walker has told me is that he believes as
many people in the Town as possible should be served by water and
sewer . That is fine for a Town Engineer but it is not the Town ' s
policy nor one of the goals of the Comprehensive Plan .
Remember what went into the Comprehensive Plan , Each Board Member
has put so much of themselves into the plan . How many hours of the
staff has been put into the plan ? What does this plan mean to the
citizens of the Town ? It is a vision for the future , our hopes and
dreams . What was devised was rural residential and agricultural ,
and we do not need water and sewer for those . But we do need
stringent protection measures for the Six Mile Creek valley . Rural
character is not just piece and quiet , woodlands , meadows and song
birds , and clean air . It is also deer eating your landscaping , and
woodchucks competing for your garden . It means isolation at times ,
it means dirt on the road from farm equipment . Rural character
means self reliance and perhaps inconveniences and expense for
garbage disposal , septic removal , and making do with your water
supply . This project if approved would run the risk of saving the
CRCC at the risk of losing the community which it serves . Please
turn away this project . "
Martha Armstrong , West Hill - " I am the neighbor of what is going
to be the Ecovillage Project . One gentleman said the lack of water
27
can ' t kill a project . In fact there was going to be a 150 ( 1 ) acre
housing development put on the site of the intersection of West
Haven and Route 79 which was stopped because of the lack of water
being supplied . Now there is a very tenuous attempt at doing a
development which will be much more conserving of water . They may
look at wells and paying for a central water system . When an issue
is looked at in any part of the Town we have to ask how the whole
community is affected . If we pay for water in one area , why are we
not paying for water in another area . West Hill would like to have
a $ 500 , 000 pump station and tank which would probably give everyone
more pressure . These types of decisions are very difficult . There
is a lot to balance , a lot of personal concerns , and a lot of
people pulling for a piece of what we have as a community . The
Board while making this decision must balance the whole community ' s
needs because this is one small need with other needs in the Town .
Sticking with the Comprehensive Plan which has been worked on for
many years in developing and looking at a lot of issues is
important to keep in mind when making the decision . We already
have a format of thinking about the extension of resources and how
as a community where they should be and where there should be
growth .
I am an architect and there are rural large facilities that run on
a small amounts of water that have storage tanks and operate
successfully . That type of approach should be considered as well
as other conservation approaches mentioned . Whether it is
appropriate as a community to financially support those options is
something which should be taken into consideration . It is a less
expensive and long term approach , and it may be more in keeping
with the Comprehensive Plan . It may satisfy the needs of the
people along Coddington Road who have real problems that we maybe
should address as a community .
It is very important when you have a plan and someone makes a
decision at the end that is quick to satisfy a special need it can
sometimes have a domino effect . A lot of things go into the
consideration of the original plan and making a small change can
scatter and cause other things . If you do make a change from the
Comprehensive Plan it is important to consider the repercussions .
Janice Graham , CRCC Board Member - " We thought that a holding tank
would be our salvation if the water were not extended , but the flow
tests show that we could not reliably have a holding tank . That
was disappointing to not have that to fall back on .
Someone mentioned the neighbors versus the people who use the CRCC .
Most of the summer camp children live near by , over half the
children who use the program are neighbors , town people . A concern
was voiced there would be a great deal more traffic . A long term
vision in a programmed way has not been discussed . The vision is
not to get to this big institutional center with a lot more
children . Things such as quilting bees for the neighbors are one
28
of the things discussed . If anything the CRCC Board would like to
make the center more community . Make it more of a place for the
neighbors to use . We can not have a fund raising supper because
thee is no water .
Jim Hilker - " A couple of comments have mentioned development .
Development and building is my work and I can almost assure you the
Walker property will not be looked at very seriously for a number
of reasons . The biggest reason is that it is in the Town of Ithaca
which is very difficult to get any approvals through . Since the
other Towns around are opening their arms to developers where there
is already water and sewer . There are much more appealing areas
for developers at this time and for some time in the future . In a
few short years the Community Center will be required by a Zoning
Ordinance to have a sprinkler system installed . With the option of
a holding tank , that is going to have to be looked at very closely
as to whether that tank will be large enough to maintain a
sprinkler system .
Jim Morrissette , 1058 Coddington Road - " I live about a mile past
the CRCC in the Town of Danby , my wife is the Director of the CRCC .
We have about seven acres of land and moved their because we value
the rural character of the area . We do not wish to see it
developed and have a great appreciation for the ecological
integrity of the Six Mile Creek watershed . It is not in our
interest as landowners to see this area developed .
I was born and raised in a small Canadian mill town where we took
care of another . I have made a career in law enforcement and am
acutely aware of how small , dignified , positive , vibrant
institutions can make an area and a neighborhood cohesive . That is
what the CRCC is , anyone who has watched the activities of the
children understand what a very important that institution is to
the entire Coddington Road area .
Noel Desch , 132 Updike Road - " Listening to the speakers this
evening the thought occurs to me having gone through the laborious
process of adopting a Comprehensive Plan you are caught in a
quandary . On the one hand the Comprehensive Plan states where
public health is at issue that utility extensions are not only
permitted but a requirement of the plan . We must be very careful
not to extrapolate the pressure of development on the back of those
properties that have a definite need for utilities such as the case
here . If you look at Coddington Road and how it has evolved with
water sewer , north view out to the town line . You have the area
that is closest to Northview and the City which has both water and
sewer for quite some time . Those properties have changed hands
over the past 20 to 30 years . The people who have chosen to
purchase those large tracts of parcels of land have been very much
interested in preserving that land as open space . They have been
willing to pay the price for the water and sewer assessment . We
29
must be careful that we don ' t say that those parcels which have
been in a varying number of property owners hands where no
development has taken place . Look at the area on the Six Mile
Creek side of Coddington Road to the City line on out , where is the
development where water and sewer have been available ? There isn ' t
any . Be careful not to say there will be pressure there for this
extension , because it is not true . The people who own the
properties on the creek side of Coddington Road where water does
not now exist but would exist have purchased that property with the
thought to keep it open , to preserve it as open space for their own
benefit and the communities . Do not use history as applied to
communities elsewhere in the State or nationally for this small
needed extension on Coddington Road . Furthermore , there has been
talk as to why doesn ' t the CRCC move . That is looking at a very
narrow view of history . That once was a public school and has been
in continuous use as that type of facility . It is not some
activity which has taken place in the last ten years . It has been
a functioning extremely important operation to the Town and area at
large .
Nancy Rader , CRCC Treasurer - " When people talk about rural
character and dirt falling off farm vehicles it gets to me because
in terms of rural communities , how farms maintain themselves has to
do with maintaining a sense of community . There was a 4 - H fair
recently and practically no one came . Probably within a few years
no one will be there . There aren ' t farms unless there are people
interested in farming . When the CRCC talks about extending
programs , we are not talking about having 100 children for day
care . We are talking about programs that support the sense of a
rural community . One of those things would be a 4 - H club .
John Hull , Coddington Road - " Our involvement in the CRCC won ' t end
when this water comes in , if development tries to come in the same
people who are fighting for water will be fighting against that
development just as strongly , we will be your allies . "
Jim D - " I hope those here today have drawn the distinction that
this is a project just for existing buildings , we are not talking
about future development . We are talking about properties which
have to have water or they will be forced to move and properties
that need the water in order to sell their properties . Plus the
two centers which provide day care and need the water to continue
their existence .
Supervisor Whitcomb closed the Public Hearing at 8 : 20 p . m . , and
stated the Board members will discuss the issue and ask questions
of anyone who has spoken . When the Board has finished deliberating
the Supervisor will ask for comments from the public on anything
the Board members have discussed before a vote .
Councilman Conley - " I am in favor of the Comprehensive Plan , but
when you talk about the Comprehensive Plan it was described by
30
those working on it as a framework , a guide and there is a lot of
work left to do to implement the plan . Others have said they would
like to serve because they would like to implement the Comp Plan ,
well I would too . I do not see any relationship between this
extension of water , I think that we still have to do our planning
and zoning and make the determination of how we want the Town to
grow and set the zoning regulations accordingly towards the goals
of the Comprehensive Plan . I am in total support of that , and will
work with that very closely .
The Health Department has told the Town Engineer that there are no
problems with the existing sewers in that area now . Once we extend
water it may in fact increase the use of water which increases the
activity of the sewer and it may change the complexities of some of
the sewers . There is no plan and I am not interested in any plan
over the foreseeable future to replace those sewers . We will have
to deal with that issue if it arises . We have plenty of time to
set out planning , zoning goals and deal with the sewer at the
appropriate time .
There is a facility here which is teaching our children not to wash
their hands , not to flush the toilets , and all the wrong messages .
This water is desperately needed . The survey was sent , all the
rules were followed . Many of the people said they weren ' t
necessarily in favor of it they had water . Some said they would
hook up and a few said they would not .
The Town Board is here to provide service the constituents need , I
am in strong support of this water extension and ask the other
Board members to strongly consider supporting the extension and
constructing it as soon as possible . If it can be constructed
along with existing projects such as Troy Road already approved
that would be great . ,,
Councilwoman Harrison - " There are a few questions I would like to
ask . One came about from a letter who lives in the area and has
small children . It was this woman ' s sense that the activities at
the CRCC day care made it hard for her to use the facility as a
community center . The contract between the Town and the community
center says residents can use the center when it is not being used
by regularly scheduled programs . Could someone describe what part
of the community center ' s facilities are open to the neighbors and
what times ? "
Anne Morrissette responded that the day care operates Monday
through Friday , 7 : 30 a . m . to 5 : 30 p . m . There is a playground and
Play field which are maintain by the community center through funds
from the Town provided in the contract . Since the play field has
opened up it constantly provides an area for volleyball teams ,
little league teams , it is used almost every night . The building
can be used for meetings of organizations if they make arrangements
to pick up the key and make assurances the water will be monitored
31
o�_
and not left on .
During the day the playground can not be used by others than the
day care for insurance liability purposes . The playground is open
for anyone on the weekends . The community can use the playground
and play field at any time on the evenings and weekends .
Councilwoman Harrison asked that someone explain the economic
relationship between the community center and the day care ?
Nancy Rader said that the day care is a program of the community
center . There are other activities , but in terms of the financial
aspect of the center the day care is the largest program .
There are separate accounts kept for the center and the day care .
Each program has its own financial budget . Without the day care
center it would be difficult for the center to remain open . The
day care paid for a number of the improvements to the center .
Anne Morrissette , " the summer camp historically goes back to long
before the day care program was there . The summer program is
funded by a grant that is through the Town . The Town then applies
to the State Division for Youth and receives 50 % reimbursement .
The guidelines for running the summer camp are ruled under the
County Youth Bureau . The center cannot charge for the camp under
the funding received from the County Youth Bureau . The summer camp
must be open to anyone without cost . The center does ask for
donations with no pressure , donations this year paid for all the
children ' s snacks and drinks .
Some people were concerned about the mention of expansion . There
has only been vague talk of any kind of expansion until the hurdle
of the water and improvements were solved . The discussions that
have taken place is to respond to the local residents requests .
Example : The summer camp which is three hours per day and most of
the people who use it live within two miles of the center . Over
two thirds of the children attending the camp are Town residents .
with some coming from Danby and Caroline . Parents have asked that
the summer program be held for a longer period of time during the
day . We cannot because of the water , and there is also a need for
some sort of pavilion . "
Councilwoman Valentino said that when you talk about other children
coming in from Danby and Caroline , other summer programs that are
sponsored by other towns also have children who participate from
the Town of Ithaca . There is a cross over of children be able to
participate along the borders .
Mrs . Morrissette said the center has a preregistration period open
just for Town residents because of the funding , after that date
other children can register .
I
32
The day care program is committed to being a small program . Part
of the attraction for parents who use the program is the nature of
it being a small program . Without the child care program the
center would not operate . The liability insurance is paid by the
day care revenues for the center as a whole .
Rather than use the word " expansion " , the word diverse should be
used when talking about improving the centers programs . This is a
grass roots organization which started with nothing except two
women taking out a loan on their signatures to drill a well . The
present well is only ten years old and has deteriorated badly .
Councilwoman Harrison said when she went to the center in July
there were discussions about the new septic system which was put in
and its standards of designs . It is believed to be designed to
service the equivalent of a three bedroom home , 300 to 400 gallons
per day . What is a concern is seeing the numbers by the centers
Director of an average day to be 600 gallons per day in comparison
to the numbers given by the Health Department regarding quantity of
water . It seems the septic system is undersized for what the water
usage is proposed to be .
Mr . Walker said there are some differences between the water supply
criteria and the sewage disposal system criteria .
Mrs . Morrissette said that one of the things which was considered
is that the building is not in usage every night .
Councilwoman Harrison said that the 600 gallons per day is what the
Health Department is calling average . There is a present urgency
since it seems the present situation is unhealthy and unworkable .
The Town Board ' s job is to think about today ' s needs , but also to
be thinking about what is going to before this Board or subsequent
Board ' s in the future . I do not consider it a " wild leap of logic "
to foresee the demand in the future for sewer . That does not mean
in the future the Board will approve sewer being put it . The Town
Board would not be doing their job by using past experience ,
through thinking and experience if they didn ' t anticipate that the
laying of water lines would ask for a demand for sewer . It is the
Town Board ' s job to plan .
I am particularly concerned when I see the Health Department , and
a septic system going in for 300 to 400 gallons a day ; and then on
the other hand saying they will use 600 gallons on an average .
There are fiscal reasons for concern about the sewer . There are
certainly reasons to work on zoning issues related to the
Comprehensive Plan . The Comp Plan statements in regards to
expectations in relationship to water , " we should limit the
extension of water and sewer services into areas not designated for
intensive development except when required for public health and
safety " , " we should explore alternatives to extending water and
sewer services in response to public health and safety " . The Comp
33
Plan doesn ' t ignore the fact that there will be times when the Town
has a " pull and a tug " , it does say that the Board is charged with
looking at the alternatives to running public utilities .
I am very sensitive to the issue that came up in two different
ways . One by someone who spoke in favor of the extension who said ,
" I just don ' t want water come out here , I expect it " . Then by
someone in opposition who said , " we have water problems on West
Hill , is the Town going to solve those " . We have heard about
Eastern Artificial Insemination , five wells with a total combined
yield of less than a gallon a minute . I am sure they pay a lot of
taxes in this Town . There are residents who have come before the
Board from West Hill before , they will be here again . I believe
that this not an idle exercise , it is not singling out the CRCC to
hold them as an example . It is rather the first time this Town
Board has before it a decision that really calls upon them to use
their wisdom to look at the Town plan . I truly believe that is why
we were elected . That is why we are sitting here . I think there
are alternatives which have not been explored or implemented , we
know that the largest water demand at the center which has no
showers or laundry facilities is for flushing toilets . Children
should be able to flush toilets , they should be able to exercise
healthy habits . However , nothing has been done to reduce demand in
terms of implementing low flush toilets which use less water . A
neighbor fractured his well successfully , a holding tank has been
talked about . The existing well if it recovers as stated is not
sufficient to fill the tank , but it should be sufficient to provide
the 300 gallons a day . A second well will be needed .
Anne Morrissette asked Councilwoman Harrison if she was concerned
with the effect of drilling a second well at the CRCC would have on
the houses and people on Updike Road ? The CRCC is right above
them , Updike Road people are saying they have similar problems to
the CRCC . If the CRCC drills another well who knows what will
happen . We are not just talking about the CRCC , of the residents
who spoke tonight only one is opposed to the extension . Most of
the people who spoke against the extension do not live in this
area . They live in an area where they would not be effected . The
people speaking for the extension would be effected by it and said
they connect and pay .
Councilwoman Harrison said need is something that is important .
When the Board held the public hearing on the Troy Road issue every
single resident in the area was having serious problems and many of
them had dug a second well , installed water conservation devices ,
and put in storage tanks . It did not have the same kind of
potential impact .
If you look at the survey , and I appreciate that there are lots of
ways to look at it . But we are looking at a community center with
dire problems , two other people who have spoken who have problems
and are coping , one other person who isn ' t here who has problems at
34
ate_
times , and other people in the area who are not interested in
water . One of the problems the Board has is how do you define
need .
l
I honestly think that if it was three residents here out of a total
of the 16 properties to be served who wanted the water , I don ' t the
Board would be seriously considering the extension at this time .
It is the fact that it is a day care center , it has community
appeal which makes it emotional .
I am fascinated by the diversity of the yield in these wells .
There are some which go from 8 to 10 gallons a minute to the CRCC ' s
which is one quarter of a gallon per minute . Clearly , hitting the
right fracture in the rock is of critical interest and importance .
I am not sure what the connection would be to Updike Road , I
haven ' t mapped out the fracture patterns to see what is likely to
occur there .
Councilwoman Grigorov asked how the layout of the proposed water
service are was devised , how does it go clear to the creek ?
Mr . Walker said that they are all tax parcels that are above the
water main as proposed . If one part of the parcel gets water , the
entire parcel is considered having the benefit . It is very
important that the concept of conservation zoning protection be
completed . This parcel is the Silsbee property which would be most
impacted by fees , that parcel passes the old railroad grade . This
parcel is currently zoned residential . That is why zoning and land
use protections to implement the Comprehensive Plan in the way it
was intended are critical .
Councilwoman Grigorov said there is a lot of land there , what about
the parcels behind other lots , what would prevent those parcels
from being serviced ? If someone bought one of those parcels , and
they had access to the water they could build .
Mr . Walker said there would be limitations because the frontage is
limited and the area is not that great . Mr . Walker said it was
subdivider to allow a house to be built back in already . The
smaller parcel has already been developed .
Councilwoman Grigorov said she meant the large parcel that is on
both side of the recreationway , but is behind a smaller lot . There
seems to be a big area that could be served with water .
Mr . Walker said those parcels are not contiguous . There is another
property owner in between them , they have no direct connection to
the proposed water extension unless they purchased the lot fronting
on Coddington Road .
Councilman Conley asked if conservation protection could be worked
in to offer relief one parcel of land one person who owns it , who
35
does not wish to subdivide but may be forced into it because of the
benefit assessment . Is there anything that could be done to
minimize that financial impact ?
Mr . Walker explained that under the benefit assessment regulations
as they are presently set up allows the Town Board to waive benefit
assessment for land deemed to unbuildable . The ability to do that
is in the regulations , but it is not as clear as it probably should
be to be able to implement . The benefit assessment regulations do
not say anything specific about conservation easements . There was
a case on the West Hill with a cemetery . The cemetery owns a
significant amount of undeveloped property . The benefit assessment
originally was several units . The owners brought in a deed
restriction that they could not build on it . That was sufficient
legal bases for limiting the units to one for the parcel .
Councilman Klein asked Mrs . Silsbee that their benefit assessment
and taxes would go substantially with the water extension , and have
they asked staff what the benefit assessment would increase to ?
Councilwoman Harrison said she had called the Assessment Department
to have that question answered and they said they is not a hard
answer , but in general the assessment goes up when you have water
because the value of the property has seemed to have increased .
Mrs . Silsbee said that she was referring to only the benefit
assessment and they would expect their benefit assessment tax to
increase by about $ 750 . 00 annually just to have the water pass
through the property . If we hooked up to the water it would cost
about $ 1500 to hook up .
Councilman Klein said there is really a dilemma , he was Chair of
the Comprehensive Planning Committee that agonized forever and
discussed the map . The map does present a consensus of the opinion
of the committee and was eventually accepted by the Planning Board
and approved by the Town Board ,
Councilwoman Harrison and I were at the CRCC in July and discussed
a great deal of these issues with members of the CRCC as well as
some of the neighbors . I still have more of a fiscal dilemma in
the sense that since we first started talking about this we were
looking at a problem of the community center that would generate a
$ 125 , 000 solution by the Town .
I feel the CRCC is a wonderful asset , and all the wonderful things
it does for the South Hill community and for the children of the
day care . I am really not convinced that the CRCC has tried hard
enough to solve their problems other than to wring their hands .
The areas of water conservation and trying to drill another well
should be done .
I was very disappointed with the results of the flow test . The
36
first gentleman who spoke tonight indicated his well was . 28 gallon
per minute to 1 . 79 per minute . If you had a flow of just one
gallon per minute you would get 1440 in a 24 hour period . More
l than the 1200 gallons the Health Department says you require . I
think that the initial investment of a second well or the attempted
improvements to the existing well is really the most economical
approach to solve these problems . If that is a total bust the
second time , then the Board could reconsider and have ample time to
introduce the conservation measures in the area and revisit this
extension next year . I also have serious doubts if it were
approved that the Town could get it under construction this year
without already overburdening the Engineering Department .
The Town has tried to do some long term planning for capital
improvements . Mr . Walker developed a list of $ 10 , 000 , 000 worth of
work within the Town . Obviously , the Town cannot do it all . The
Town has looked at priorities and this has not been one of the
priorities . There are other areas where there is more demonstrated
need for water or sewer extensions .
Mr . Walker said that is this project were approved soon , it could
be added to the Troy Road project which will be completed in
November . It would be a small project in the same area with about
two weeks construction time if the approval was made before
September .
Hydro fracturing of wells does work sometimes , and drilling another
well may work ; two other areas of the Town where we have had water
service requests Drew Road ; residents were adversely affected when
one resident hydro fractured a well . Four homes lost potable
wells , the water became cloudy and salty . The West Hill area on
Hayts Road of which one of the benefactors would be Eastern
Artificial Insemination drilled five wells within a half a mile of
several residences that within six months after they were in
operation , which don ' t work they import water everyday , people got
salt water lost water completely .
As a professional Engineer with geological circumstances such as
this if the Town Board makes a recommendation to the CRCC to
fracture the well there may be some liability there if the people
of Updike Road lose their wells .
Ann Morrissette said that if the CRCC changes to low flush toilets
and allow flushing the way we should , we are just equating with
what is used now . We could get low flush toilets and still not let
the children flush . That is not really relevant to degree of the
problem , as the Health Department said under 5 gallons a minutes
there is needs to be special scrutiny . We are approaching the case
now where the Health Department is watching us and we will have to
deal with them right away . We have a backup plan for the septic
system , that is part of what had to be done when it was installed .
There is no reason to expect it to fail . The one we had was only
37
replaced because we needed a mortgage for the CRCC . To keep the
doors open the last ten years , the CRCC has operated at a deficit
up until this year . Every improvement that has been done through
people donating their services or their labor , or grants from the
State . Parents are already paying up to $ 150 a week for their
child to go to the CRCC .
Councilman Klein asked if there are membership dues ?
Mrs . D said $ 10 . 00 , they are part of the registration fees for any
program . There are maybe 40 families a year . We try to promote
people coming in and using the facilities especially with the ball
field . We do not want anyone to feel in anyway not included if
they haven ' t paid dues . There are a number of low income people who
are a part of the clientele . We have a contract with the
Department of Social Services which pays part of the day care fees
so low income parents can work and not have to be on welfare . The
CRCC has a diverse group of members , it is not an exclusive club .
Councilwoman Harrison asked about the discrepancy in the numbers of
between the Health Department and the CRCC in relation to the
septic system ?
Mrs . Morrissette said the letter from the Health Department talks
about numbers in terms of what they feel we should be able to use .
We are not talking about tripling the amount of water usage . Also
by having public water the well water could be used for the outdoor
water play and garden , and craft projects .
Councilwoman Valentino asked Mr . Walker if he felt there was any
reasonable alternative to public water for the CRCC ?
Mr . Walker said that he did not believe there was another feasible
alternative other than public water from the long term cost benefit
basis . It may cost $ 10 , 000 to $ 15 , 000 to get a system that works ,
but it will cost several thousand dollars per year operating costs .
If you estimate the cost to the CRCC alone to upgrade their own
system and the risk factor , versus the fifty year life of a public
water system the cost of the public water system would be much
lower . The overall average cost of an on site water system will be
much more to the CRCC . The Town benefit assessment and the water
fees are designed to pay for water system extensions over a fifty
year life of a project . If those costs are amortized and the
benefits are accrued to others , the cost to the Town will amortize
itself out over the life of the project .
There has been some discussion by the Board to contribute something
to the CRCC by increasing the annual fee to the CRCC to help pay
off a loan for a water system . It is a better investment to put in
public water than to invest it in an unsure system .
38
I
i
The CRCC has plenty of land area to build addition leach fields for
the sewer if it were to become necessary .
Councilwoman Valentino asked if it would help if the CRCC had
public water to install the low flush toilets to make a difference
of the septic system ?
Mr . Walker said it would help , the type of operation the CRCC has
is less stress on the system because it is basicly resting half of
the time . If they decided to start having continuing dinners and
nightly large activities it may cause a problem .
Councilwoman Valentino asked if the problem the Silsbee ' s would
have with the additional benefit assessment costs , aren ' t there
some things that the Town could do to help them ? The Town has
talked about looking at the way the benefit district is set up now
because it does disadvantage some people .
If the Silsbee held the land aside so that it would not be
developed there may be some way of giving themv relief on the
benefit assessment .
Mr . Walker said that the regulations now say that if a lot is
deemed to be unbuildable the Board can waive the benefit
assessment . The Town would have to be very careful on how those
protections would be set up . There are options which can be looked
at . The development of the land use zoning to make it what the
Board wants is the best way to handle this . It will take time to
do that .
Mr . Kanter said there may be a way for the Silsbee to set up a
conservation easement to eliminate future development potential for
the property which could be a trade off for the lower benefit
assessment .
Mr . Walker said there are some concerns about deed restrictions
being reversed in the future . If you worked it similar to the
agricultural tax abatement where the taxes are reduced as long as
the land is being used for agricultural purposes it may work .
Councilwoman Valentino - " This has been a very difficult thing to
ponder . I believe very strongly in the Comprehensive Plan , it was
pointed out that many people voted for this Board because we
believed in that plan . That is nice people voted for us for that
reason , but after you sit at this table you have to weigh every
reason of why you make a decision or not make a decision .
I have spent a good number of years working on youth programs and
youth development in this community . When Jim D has seen some of
the things I have seen , and if people have read the newspapers
lately about some of the drug related problems and the stress our
youth is under in this community is at an alarming level . One of
39
I
the problems that is faced when seeing this , is that so many
children today do not have a sense of community . They do not have
a sense of belonging to an area where people care about each other
and take care of things .
I wish that we could have many more community centers like the CRCC
all over the Town and City . I firmly believe that the problems we
see with our youth and even with our adults would drop
dramatically . You have to be there to see it and realize it .
Yes , the Six Mile Creek is a wonderful conservation area , but our
children and adults are also natural assets we have to weigh
equally with everything the Board thinks about . It is not
unfaithful to the Comprehensive Plan to vote yes for the water on
Coddington Road . We have to be diligent to move forward on the
conservation district , we have to move quickly and look forward in
a reasonable way and being faithful to the Comprehensive Plan . We
also have to support the CRCC and the wonderful work that they have
done . I will vote in favor of the water extension . "
Supervisor Whitcomb asked Mrs . Morrissette if the Town Board should
decide this evening that they want to postpone the decision , that
they wanted the CRCC to explore some other alternatives and
assuming that took another few months to do , what kind of an impact
would that have on the programs and the ability to keep the CRCC
open throughout the winter ?
Mrs . Morrissette said she was not sure , the Health Department has
said the present water yield could disappear totally if conditions
changed just a little . The CRCC will have to do what they have
been .
Supervisor Whitcomb asked how long the CRCC has been experiencing
serious problems with the well ?
Mrs . Morrissette said it ran out three times last week , it has been
increasingly worse this spring . It used to run out just three or
four times over a season . The CRCC is feeling terribly stressed ,
it is unknown what the effect of the continued water problems would
have on the staff . The CRCC Board postponed other discussions
pending the outcome of the Town Board ' s decision . The CRCC Board
did not think this would be as controversial as it is , Troy Road
got water because the developer helped pay for it . That is
something the CRCC can not do . It still seems ironic that water
keeps going in , and the CRCC can ' t have it because of what future
things may happen there is no control over . It is hard to believe
the Troy Road project is going in when it is in the Six Mile area
and yet it wasn ' t controversial at all . It is still not clear what
the nature of this controversy is . There are a few houses , one big
Parcel owned by one person where other options have been discussed .
Everyone else on that stretch with some from Updike Road responded
40
on the survey that they wanted water and would connect . Two people
answered they were unsure .
The CRCC Board and I would like to know why there is so much
controversy , maybe it is just the cost . The CRCC cannot contribute
to that , the CRCC will be hard put to drill a well and would be
mortified if the fracturing of the well hurt anyone else ' s well in
the neighborhood . This is a non - profit organization with the goal
and mission to enhance the community and family life .
Supervisor Whitcomb asked Mrs . McCord if they were aware for
potential difficulties for the well when she established her day
care center ?
Mrs . McCord said they thought they had taken the steps necessary to
deal with the potential difficulties . They knew water was enough
water there . A holding tank was installed to make sure the water
would not run out . The water has changed in quality since they
moved in a year ago and did started the day care . It is unknown if
the quantity is sufficient because they have not gone through
August .
Mr . Frost interjected that the mere presence of a high volume of
water does not constitute good water . Even good tasting water does
not mean it is good . From a water quality standpoint several water
samples determining the bacteriological quality of the coliform
counts several times throughout the year are the real indicators .
What has been heard from these property owners , if they in fact
have taken water samples over various times during the year it
would be a good indication .
Mrs . McCord said they do take samples periodically and they have a
chlorinator to deal with the ecoli , and then a filter to take out
the chlorine to end up with water that is safe to use .
Supervisor Whitcomb asked Mr . Kanter for his professional opinion
if there are ways to protect the Six Mile Creek watershed , the
rural character of that area and still provide water to the
citizens who have requested it ? If there are , please outline them
briefly .
Mr . Kanter said that staff is presently working with the Planning
Committee to establish some kind of conservation zoning district .
Things that could be done are reduce development densities in the
area , provide development guidelines of how development could go
into the area in terms of protecting stream corridors , how to build
on steep slopes , and also have setback provisions to protect the
character of the area as viewed from the roadway . The Planning
Committee will have some ideas started at their next meeting that
will try to solidify these questions and concepts.
41
The real question on future development potential in the area is
the fact the area is zoned R - 30 , not so much as to whether water
will be extended in the area . The fact that it is that zoning in
itself really goes against the Comprehensive Plan because when the
development potential analysis of the area was done , even the 83
dwelling units that could go in there now without sewer or water
still could have a significant effect on the area in terms of the
overall impact of rural character . The houses would be put on
large lots without any of the cluster units because clustering
needs some kind of common sewer storage facilities .
Supervisor Whitcomb asked if the 83 dwelling unit number for the
potential development in the area based on 30 , 000 square foot lots
as an R - 30 , or as the minimum required by the Health Department to
install a septic system ?
Mr . Kanter said they looked at one unit per two acres , and then
added a little extra for a possible second accessory unit which is
allowed in that zoning . That magnitude of development in the area
can have a significant impact on the character of the area and
certainly on the watershed water quality . Whether of not the Town
goes ahead with the water extension the Town still needs as a very
high priority to look at the zoning of the Six Mill Creek area .
Hopefully , within the next few months a real proposal can be
brought forth for discussion . The Planning Committee discussed to
go out to the residents of the Coddington Road , Six Mile Creek area
and get their input about what kind of conservation zone or other
types may be appropriate for the area .
Supervisor Whitcomb asked if Mr . Kanter saw any problems in being
able to adjust the water benefit assessment formula to allow for
conservation easements or other long term conservation measures
that would guarantee land be exempt from development and at the
same time exempt from benefit fees ?
Mr . Kanter said he did not think it would be a problem , it would
just be something that would have to be looked at carefully from a
legal standpoint .
Councilwoman Harrison said there is one thing which is a
conservation easement in which you might not always have in a deed
restriction , it should not be confused with a conservation zoning
in which there may be relatively low levels of development .
Mr . Walker said the benefit assessment is very complicated . There
are building lots or you have undeveloped acreage .
Councilwoman Harrison asked suppose there was ten undeveloped acres
with the same amount of linear frontage that is in a zone that is
R - 30 , and then the same parcel is in a commercial district ?
Mr . Walker said there would be no difference .
42
Councilwoman Harrison , if you were to adopt conservation zoning in
an area that might have even lower density than R - 30 the way the
benefit assessments are currently written there would be no
difference . The Silsbee ' s would still paying the additional
$ 750 . 00 . Is there an opportunity for the Board to review that .
Mr . Walker said there are some legal restraints to change that , it
would have to go through the assessment division in Albany . There
are some financial restrictions . The Attorney for the Town has
said a lot of time was spent trying to make it a fair assessment
that would meet the criteria of the State Attorney General ,
Supervisor Whitcomb said that in most cases land that is already
watered and sewered has been designated as moderate or high density
development in the Comprehensive Plan . It is not being suggested
that the water benefit assessment be adjusted for those areas , it
is thought more in terms of areas that are designated as
conservation areas or low density rural or agricultural devlopment .
Councilwoman Harrison asked how that would be different if the
Coddington Road area gets the water , how would it be different than
an existing area that may have water that was desired to be zoned
agricultural ?
Mr . Walker said in this particular area there is only one parcel
that would be immediately effected with this extension if that
mechanism to protect or reduce the benefit assessment was there at
least the people would not have to pay the high taxes up front and
paid them for 10 years and then had the right to develop it taken
away .
Supervisor Whitcomb said that he thought anyone designated in a low
density zone would have the opportunity to put their land in a
conservation easement , donate it to the Town or the Fingerlakes
Land Trust to be able to qualify for a reduction in the benefit
assessment .
Mr . Desch said if the Board chose to approve this extension tonight
and then address when the benefit assessment to the new benefitted
properties take place . Would it be 1 / 1 / 95 or would it be 1 / 1 / 96 ,
if it were 1 / 1 / 96 that would give the Town Board 18 months to look
at modifying the benefit formula or developing a conservation
easement structure .
Mrs . Noteboom thought that the new benefit assessment would not be
charged until 1 / 1 / 96 because the deadline for the listing is
October 1 for the tax rolls .
Supervisor Whitcomb - " I have agonized over this decision as much
as anyone on this Town Board . I was intimately involved in the
development of the Comprehensive Plan , spent hundreds and hundreds
of hours in that exercise . I spent the e weekend going through the
43
history of the Coddington Road Community Center and have discovered
over the life of the center over the last thirty years the Town has
supported this center in many ways . The Town has invested in the
center . It is an asset to the community and is an asset we should
continue to support .
I do not know how much more we can ask these folks at the center to
do at this point . I certainly am opposed to extending water and
sewer simply by request . A lot of study and thought has to go into
extending those utilities . The process that has been done for this
2 , 000 foot water extension probably in time and energy exceeds any
water extension that the Town has done in recent memory whether it
is 2 , 000 feet or 10 miles .
The Comprehensive Plan has done that for us , it has caused us to
take a harder look at things and to look at running water and sewer
with the development potential of an area . I serve on the Planning
Committee which is in the process of developing the frame work for
a conservation zone so that we can deal with development issues as
they come up in the future . zoning is the way to deal with these
issues rather than defacto zoning of limiting water and sewer
extensions . Water and sewer extensions should certainly be limited
in rural areas where there is little potential for development or
where there is a low density which would provide very little return
or in agricultural areas .
This Coddington Road Community Center has served this community and
served it well for many years , and I do not know how we can deny a
water extension to help them to continue to exist . I was in favor
of installing a holding tank with the assumption there was enough
flow to support the tank and provide a reasonable flow for the
center . But a quarter of a gallon per minute certainly does not do
that . I am not sure drilling another well would do so either and
may impact the other residents of the community .
Reluctantly , because I believe in the Comprehensive Plan and
remember the agony in thinking about the issues , but from a public
health standpoint and from the standpoint of protecting a community
resource that we have to extend the water to the center and no
further .
Councilwoman Grigorov asked what about Updike Road are you
suggesting the extension up there ?
Mr . Walker said there was a request from people on Updike Road for
the water . The Town is limited by elevation as to how far the
extension could go .
Supervisor Whitcomb asked how many feet of water line would be
entailed in the Updike Road portion ?
44
Mr . Walker said there is about 500 feet , one quarter of the cost
would be related to Updike Road .
Councilwoman Grigorov - " I feel the CRCC is extremely important in
its function and is covered in the Comprehensive Plan because the
plan speaks about neighborhoods and neighborhood centers . We have
got to do something to keep it going , and going well . I have
always felt with my years on the Planning Board that it was an
extremely important planning function the extension of water and
sewer because people were forced to develop . People cannot say it
sewer doesn ' t necessary follow , it does . I was hopeful when the
gentlemen spoke about the well and tank . It would save the center
and save the rural area .
Is there a way the Town could help with the cost of a well and the
tank ?
Supervisor Whitcomb said the Town has supported the center ' s
activities throughout the years , we have a permanent easement on
the ball field . Mr . Marcus feels that we may have a good case for
being able to participate in any cost sharing that putting in a
well or tank might take .
The concern is how long will that take to find out , how much will
be spent determining it , and are you throwing good money after bad .
The building season is drawing to a close and if you drill a well
and do not get anymore flow and still decide the need to put water
in , then you are into next spring before anything is done .
Mrs . Morrissette said that if the center has to close down they
will . There are 32 children in day care which represents about 60
working people .
Supervisor Whitcomb said the history of the center shows they have
closed down or anticipated closed down and then for some reason
interest was revived .
Mrs . Morrissette said they have been in continuous operation since
she has been there . She was part of the group which revived the
center after a period of shut down because the original well was
contaminated .
Councilwoman Harrison asked , we have been talking about the water
system and have dropped the question of a sewer extension .
Regardless of anyone ' s intent today , in your opinion the likelihood
is that a future Board will be faced with the dilemma of requests
for replacement of septic systems with a sewer system in this area
if the water were extended ?
Mr . Kanter said in past experience in other areas it seems that
process is occurring . The Planning Board in their resolution on
45
ate_
this issue which was referred for their recommendation suggested
that the Town Board consider extending sewer into this area as a
watershed protection mechanism so that things like clustering ,
although low density would be appropriate for the overall area ,
clustering on small lots in certain parts of more buildable area
would be good options to look at and extending sewer into the area
could help with that option .
Mr . Walker said that there will probably be requests for sewer in
the future , whether or not it is really needed or feasible was
answered when the last Coddington Road sewer extension came about .
It was not determined to be cost effective or was actually needed .
If a trunk sewer were put along the railroad embankment , which is
the site of the South Hill Trail it would be a very effective
barrier to protect the water shed area below it . This area
provides very little to the watershed because of the small drainage
area relative to the entire Six Mile Creek drainage area , but a
small drainage area can put a lot contamination in it .
Councilwoman Harrison asked if this area were to have water and
sewer and the Town had or wanted to adopt a conservation zone which
might include low density development , might there be some planning
and legal issues that would make it difficult to do that since one
of the reasons which might be used for low density justification to
people who may claim the Town is unduly restricting their use of
their land is limitations imposed by the natural water and sewage
capacities of the land . So if there was water and sewer how
realistic is it to imagine that the Town could both adopt and
maintain a relatively low density use in that area ?
Mr . Kanter said the primary approach should be what densities are
appropriate there and how can that be accomplished through zoning
and related mechanisms such as conservation easements .
Supervisor Whitcomb said the more basic question is what dictates
the level of density of the area . One of the determining items is
the availability of water and sewer disposal , once that variable is
removed what other justification do you have for low density
zoning .
Mr . Kanter said that in reviewing the Comprehensive Plan and the
Six Mile Creek corridor study there seem to such overriding other
factors in the area regarding the water quality , environmental
constraints , scenic qualities which are what should justify the
lower densities . It does in a way go against normal planning
methods of adding water and sewer and expecting lower densities .
In this case it might be a different approach for this particular
situation . The cost of adding sewer could be quite high and could
be a real dilemma . There are other ways of getting that type of
clustering without adding sewer . If there was enough water in the
area you could cluster lots on one acre , and still have room for
46
large leach fields in the back of where the properties are going .
The sewer may not be necessary in the area , but the Planning Board
did suggest it .
Councilwoman Harrison said she was realistically looking at the
size of some of the lots that would end up being reserved , they are
quite small .
Mr . Marcus said there are other reasons for changing zoning or
downgrading zoning besides the unavailability of water or sewer .
Given the care the Town ordinarily takes in investigating the other
environmental features or conditions of an area would provide a
basis for protecting this area . The scenic qualities and wildlife
in the Six Mile Creek . There are ways to accomplish the zoning
change that would provide a sound legal basis . It would be
possible and an appropriate tool to attack these issues in other
ways than simply avoiding the extension of the water . There is not
a problem in going about it in that way .
There was one other concern which was voiced by several speakers
and Board Members , because the Comprehensive Plan has designated
that general vicinity for less development you have to worry or
have a concern that you are violating the terms of the general plan
by allowing the extension of water . There is not a problem with
that because the Comprehensive Plan is a plan it is not statute ,
there is nothing in the plan that dictates in specific detail what
can and cannot be done in a particular area . The fact that
allowing the extension of a water line in this situation does not
violate a law .
It is difficult as Mr . Desch and Mr . Conley pointed out that the
Comprehensive Plan itself has exceptions built into it . It is
difficult to imagine a more clear example of what would fall under
than the exception .
Councilwoman Harrison told Mr . Marcus that she felt he was far
overstepping giving a legal opinion .
Councilwoman Harrison asked the Supervisor about if when he had
commented on paying good money after bad in relation to the CRCC
drilling a well if he was taking into account what it might cost
the Town in the future if a sewer line has to be run , or are you
willing to assume at this time it will not be needed and the Board
should only be thinking about $ 123 , 000 to run water ?
Supervisor Whitcomb said he felt the Board should look at things
from a long term standpoint , but there are other areas of the Town
which have had water for a number of years that even though they
have requested sewer it has not come yet . Extending water to an i
area does not necessarily mean you are going to run sewer within
the next 5 , 10 , or 20 years . If the septic tanks are going to fail
may fail anyway . Septic systems in this type of soil do no last
47
forever . Are the lot sizes there large enough to accommodate
repair or replacement of the septic systems . What happens if the
Walker parcel develops without water and sewer on large lots with
wells and septic systems , what does that do to the ground water in
the area ? What does that do to the potential pollution of Six Mile
Creek ?
Councilwoman Harrison said that the Town should not be thinking in
the sense of either / or in regards to conservation zoning , that
should be a given .
Supervisor Whitcomb said it is imperative that conservation zoning
be adopted as quickly as possible regardless if the water and sewer
is extended . There was a proposal several years ago to develop the
Walker parcel when times were good , and the fact that water was
2 , 500 feet away did not bother the developers they were willing to
pay that and extend it themselves .
Mr . Marcus was asked today if the Town could prevent such a plan
coming forward if it were proposed by a developer if the zoning
were met , and if there were no variances required . Mr . Marcus said
that a developer would have the right to build the water and sewer
lines if they paid all costs .
Councilwoman Harrison asked how a developer would have the right to
do that if the Town is looking out for all the residents within the
benefit district ? .
Mr . Marcus said that if someone came to the Planning Board today
with a proposal for development and said they would take care of
the cost for extending water they could do it .
Mr . Walker said that if the Planning Board approved a subdivision ,
the Town would legally have to do so unless the Town wanted a
lawsuit .
Supervisor Whitcomb asked for any further comments from the Town
Board or the public .
Mrs . Morrissette commented that if a developer wanted to pay to
bring the water to the Walker property and subdivided it according
to all the applicable laws and zoning , there is nothing to stop it .
It is clear the developers have all the pull , not the CRCC . That
is why the CRCC has stated in correspondence they are being held
hostage to a lot of red tape . There are important environmental
issues which have to be addressed , but we are talking about 2 , 000
feet of water lines that the majority of the people who would be
effected want . The CRCC cannot wait until all the conservation
issues are resolved .
Councilwoman Harrison asked how Supervisor Whitcomb how will the
Town Board respond differently when the requests for water come in
48
from West Hill where there is not a day care center ? I ask all my
fellow Board members , how will you respond ?
Councilman Conley said when you ask me , I will vote to extend water
and sewer anywhere it is needed .
Councilwoman Valentino said you have to look at every request and
area based on its own level , you cannot make a blanket decision .
Each area has to be judged on its own merits . On this issue all
the alternatives were explored for the CRCC to do something
different . The expert advise given says that the alternatives will
not work in this situation .
Councilwoman Harrison responded that you need one gallon a minute
to get 1 , 400 gallons a day .
Councilwoman Valentino said she knows some people who live in Vera
Circle and there are some alternatives for those houses . Different
parts of the Town have different situations . It is wrong for the
Town Board to make a blanket decision to cover the whole Town .
Councilwoman Grigorov said that we have to consider the precedent
to be fair . If we approve something for someone here and refuse to
do it somewhere else it will cause problems .
Mr . Walker said the main difference , the West Hill area , other than
being much more expensive to do , are in the middle of agricultural
zones and you would be putting water for miles through land that
can not be charged a benefit assessment .
Supervisor Whitcomb asked Councilwoman Harrison how she could vote
for the water extension on Troy Road and vote no on this water
extension ?
Councilwoman Harrison said she was convinced because she did not
see it as a significant breech of the Comprehensive Plan and what
she thought the Board was elected to accomplish . There was a
unanimous desire on the part of the people who might be served .
There was no one who said they did not need or want it . That made
her feel different . It seemed on Troy Road the extension would be
necessary , some of the residents had done what they could and still
had no relief , and the current opportunity provided by subdivision
allowed the window . Otherwise her vote would have probably been
no , because Troy Road was not listed in the top priority .
Mrs . Morrissette said that Troy Road was different they were asking
to develop . No one is asking to develop anything on Coddington
Road it is only a question of water .
Supervisor Whitcomb explained that the water extension was not a
condition of the development , Mr . Little offered an easement to
build the water lines only until next year before his lawn was
49
completed .
Mrs . Rader wanted to make sure that the summary she has is correct .
That development can be controlled through zoning , that it is most
cost effective to put in the water extension , it is possible to
control benefit assessments , that the alternatives to extending
water to the CRCC are likely to be ineffective and may negatively
impact neighbors ( Town Engineer ' s opinion ) , the area at the CRCC is
sufficient to extend septic drainage if needed , and contrary to
breech of faith in terms of the Comprehensive Plan is that the plan
does require a consideration of health issues . Is this a correct
summary of the opinions as stated this evening ?
Supervisor Whitcomb said that some of them are correct .
Motion made by Councilwoman Valentino , seconded by Councilman Klein
that the Town Board makes a negative determination of environmental
significance in accordance with the New York State Environmental
Quality Review Act for the proposed extension of public water along
Coddington Road from the end of the existing water main at 803
Coddington Road south to the Coddington Road Community Center as
proposed and , therefore an Environmental Impact Statement will not
be required . Motion carried unanimously .
Motion made by Councilman Conley , seconded by Councilwoman
Valentino approving the Public Interest Order related to the Water
System Benefitted Area 1994 , Coddington Road .
Roll call vote : Councilman Conley , aye ; Councilwoman Harrison , nay ;
Councilwoman Grigorov , nay ; Councilman Klein , nay ; Councilwoman
Valentino , aye ; Supervisor Whitcomb , aye . As a result of the tie
vote , the resolution died on the floor .
Motion made by Councilwoman Grigorov , seconded by Councilman Klein
that the Town find a way of assisting the CRCC in digging another
well in order that they may be provided with adequate water .
Councilwoman Harrison explained the resolution is to conceptual to
the idea of finding a way to assist the CRCC with some of the costs
having to do with drilling a new well .
Councilwoman Grigorov added the extension of water could be
reconsidered if the drilling of a new well was found not to solve
the CRCC ' s water problem .
Councilman Conley said he would vote against this resolution as it
totally ignores all the other people who were included on he
petition and were included in the public hearing . The resolution
would only take care of one problem which he supports , and will
financially support them personally .
Supervisor Whitcomb asked Mr . Marcus what the legal ramifications
50
would be of helping one of the petitioners and not the others .
Mr . Marcus said that the answer is obvious , as a general matter the
Town cannot provide financial assistance to one property owner in
favor of others . However , the Town does have an interest in this
property by easement and the Town pays for that . There is a
possiblity of the Town sharing in the expenses to preserve the
Town ' s interest . It is difficult to define to what extent the Town
can participate .
Councilwoman Harrison thought it seems feasible that the Town pays
annually to the CRCC for services through a contract . If the CRCC
were to borrow money if necessary one possibility would be to
increase the service contract to provide water to the ball field .
Mrs . Noteboom asked Councilwoman Harrison if she meant that the
Town should provide money to every other community center
organization in the Town that asks for money ?
Councilwoman Harrison believed the Board is saying this is a
uniquely valuable place , if we have other community centers in the
Town that are providing services they may well come before the
Board and ask for funds .
Supervisor Whitcomb said there is a history of supporting this
center contractually . Suppose the new well shows another low yield
so that the CRCC cannot function without a holding tank , who is
going to pay for the holding tank . Is the Town going to support
$ 15 , 000 , that is several times what the Town is supporting now .
Councilwoman Valentino asked what the cost would be to drill
another well and buy a holding tank ?
Mr . Walker responded there would have to be Health Department
approval , engineering reports and testing .
Supervisor Whitcomb said that the motion did not carry for the
extension of the water . The Board can either pursue Councilwoman
Grigorov ' s resolution or set another public hearing and revisit the
issue before a full Town Board .
Councilwoman Valentino said that if the Town is going to finance
the CRCC , then the Town must do the whole cost of $ 15 , 000 . How can
the CRCC do it , then have done a lot of things to try and
accommodate the Town over the last couple of years . About a year
ago they said they didn ' t think they would need public water they
were looking into other things . These people have gone down a long
road , if you say to them we are going to share the cost with you ,
you have given the kiss of death to the Coddington Road Community
Center .
Councilwoman Grigorov amended her motion that the Town find a way
51
to pay for the well and holding tank for the CRCC . Amendment
approved by Councilman Klein .
Mr . Marcus said that he was 95 % sure there is no legal
justification for the Town supporting the improvement of private
property .
Councilwoman Grigorov said there might be a way .
Mr . Marcus said he would be happy to do any research which might
lead to anymore information on the issue . I do not know the any
way for any municipality can pay for improvements for private
property . The motion as originally phrased where you contribute
something to the cost , you can contribute something to the cost to
the extent you have interest in the property . Supervisor Whitcomb
explained there was an easement on the property whereby the Town
uses some portion of the property for some purposes . I do not know
to what extent the Town is responsible to contribute to the
improvements , the repair or maintenance of that property . To
whatever extent you can justify the Town ' s interest needing a
financial contribution is a safe way to go , but beyond a rationale
connection between the Town ' s interest and the cost of whatever the
improvement is there is no justification . If you were talking
about improvements to the ball field the Town has easements over
such as reseeding , a toilet facility , shower then it would be easy
to justify the Town contributing to this other improvement because
it would be in the Town ' s interest . But to the extent that the
Town ' s benefit derived from this property isn ' t changed by the
improvement being done you lose the connection .
Supervisor Whitcomb said there is interest , because if the CRCC
ceases to exist the contract for the ball field is null and void .
Councilwoman Valentino asked that the resolution be restated .
The Town Clerk reread the motion . The Attorney for the Town is
hereby authorized and directed to research the legalities of the
Town of Ithaca financing to the extent necessary , the drilling of
a well and placement of a water holding tank at the Coddington Road
Community Center .
Councilwoman Harrison said it would also involve the Town learning
from the CRCC about the extent of how much they could borrow .
Supervisor Whitcomb said that there is a dilemma because the vote
will more than likely result in a tie again .
Councilwoman Harrison asked Supervisor Whitcomb and Councilwoman
Valentino if they were against exploring the possibilities of the
Town funding the well and holding tank ?
Supervisor Whitcomb said he is against it only to the extent that
52
the Board is postponing what he feels is inevitable .
Councilman Klein called the motion . Councilman Conley called for
a roll call vote .
Supervisor Whitcomb said that if an answer was not received from
the Attorney for the Town by the next regular meeting of the Board
he would call for another public hearing .
Councilwoman Valentino said the Board has to realize that if this
motion passes that communications are forthcoming with the CRCC
Board of Directors that whatever costs are arrived at is going to
be in a vein which will make it feasible for them to continue
operation . What kind of help to give to an organization that is
going to fold . These people have struggled for years to keep
going . It sounds nice to say the alternatives will be followed but
if the end effect is the loss of a valuable asset to the Town then
the Board has not done a very good service . A legal way has to be
found to make sure the Town can contribute enough , that is the part
which is troublesome .
Councilwoman Grigorov reiterated that the extension can be
revisited if there is means for the Town to contribute or if the
well and holding tank does not work . Another public hearing would
not have to be held .
Mr . Marcus said another vote for the extension of the water could
be done at another meeting because there has been no action taken
on the question .
Councilwoman Harrison said that the Board could vote on the same
question , but if the Board looked at and decided that there were
ways to financially work out drilling a new well and putting in a
holding tank , would that require a public hearing ?
Mr . Marcus said it would not be necessary to hold a public hearing ,
Councilwoman Harrison , if the Board determined at the next meeting
it is impossible to contribute and the well with holding tank won ' t
work , then another vote could take place because the public hearing
took place tonight .
Mr . Marcus said the voting of 3 to 3 is as if you did not have a
vote at all .
Motion called with a roll call vote . Councilman Conley , nay ;
Councilwoman Harrison , aye ; Councilwoman Grigorov , aye ; Councilman
Klein , yes ; Councilwoman Valentino , aye ; Supervisor Whitcomb , nay .
Motion carried .
Supervisor Whitcomb appointed Councilwoman Harrison and Councilman
Klein shall continue to serve as the Liaison Committee between the
53
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Town Board and the Coddington Road Community Center to expedite
this study during the next month .
Agenda Item No . 12 - 1995 Fire Contract :
Supervisor Whitcomb said he has kept the Board appraised of the
issues revolving around the fire contract . An agreement on the
concept that the Town should go towards its full fair share of
participation of about 32 % has been met . The Town would be paying
for protection not for a benefit fee on a per call basis , therefore
it would be difficult to access it on the number of calls even
though the number of calls made in the Town are around 15 % of the
total calls . The fire department does have to cover a much wider
distance so it does average out .
One of the big issues was control since the Town is a full
participating partner financially . It appeared that the City was
calling the shots because in the first draft contract they were
asking the Town to approve a contract based on their budget changes
each year . So they could change their budget up through September
of each year and the Town would have been obligated to pay that
cost . The Supervisor told the Mayor that was unacceptable , the
Town wanted it based on a specific number and the Town wanted to be
protected within a certain range to be able to count on a certain
number for next five years , the City agreed . On page 3 , starting
with Item A it gives the number yearly . Originally that had been
talked about being an estimated number , it is now definite . On
Page 6 , Item 6 talks about the sharing the increased costs , the
present draft states if the budget varies by 5 % , etcetera ; all the
5 % figures as referenced should now be 2 . 5 % . Budget history shows
in previous years of the contract that there has only been one year
in which there was more than a 2 . 5 % deviation from the estimated
number , and that was a decrease .
The Town will have control over the number of fireman on the force
and control over the amount of capital equipment budgets which is
capped at $ 200 , 000 unless there is approval . 95 % of the budget is
driven by personnel and by capital expenditures . If the Town has
control over those two issues the Town pretty much has control over
the entire budget .
Agreement has been made to send the Town the budget by November 1 ,
for our review and comment . They balked when it was asked if the
Town could have a vote on the budget . That can be pursued if the
Board chooses , they think they have built in enough controls .
The City has also been adamant that the Town share some of the
administrative costs . Initially they wanted to start that at this
budget year . They had all administrative personnel , including the
Controller and Custodian ' s times proportioned , and it was finally
negotiated for a percentage of the total administration costs and
the City agreed to delay it a year and not start it until 1996 .
54 j
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The other change is we shared Cornell ' s contribution after the
first $ 150 , 000 , now that contribution is counted from the first
dollar . So we get the benefit of our share of it .
The spreadsheet shows the percentage increase over the previous
year in each of the next five years . The reason the first two
years the Town is paying more is that the base year is being
changed . This is similar to the case in 1992 when the budget was
amended and there was a major increase . The base year changes in
the 1995 year , and in the 1996 year you see the impact of the
administrative costs . Once those two things are taken care of the
budget growth is down in the 5 % to 6 % range which is lower than it
has ever been since this contract was initiated in the mid 19801s .
Supervisor Whitcomb said that the negotiations are just about
complete , if the Board wished him to negotiate more on control that
could be done . If that were done , the Attorney for the Town would
be included . Attorney Barney has not looked at the contract since
the revisions , most of the language in the contract is the same
with the exception of the amounts in the Cornell contribution
change . There are buy out provisions if the Town chose to find
their own fire protection .
There is nothing in the contract about the hiring practices for the
fire personnel . It was agreed in principle to find a solution to
that , the solution seems to be to seek special legislation from the
State of New York to allow hiring only from the City or the Town .
Councilman Klein said the City has unilaterally hired from the
City .
Supervisor Whitcomb said the City could do that and wait for the
Town to challenge it if they wanted . Absence of the special
legislation it will be agreed at the next meeting hiring will be
done from a joint City / Town list . The way to do that is to
restrict the people who take the test to City / Town residents .
Councilman Klein said that City / Town residents took the test and
the City only chose from the City residents .
Supervisor Whitcomb said in the future to avoid raising peoples
expectations you would restrict it to City / Town residents taking
the test and exclude the rest of the County ; and in the meanwhile
work on the special legislation .
Councilwoman Valentino asked that this language to hire from a
City / Town list be incorporated in the contract . If it is found that
part of it is determined to not be legal the disclaimer would take
care of it .
Another thing that was looked into which the City is balking on a
little is some sort of method for accessing fines for false and
55
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malicious alarms since the majority are at Ithaca College and
Cornell University and can be easily identified .
The Supervisor said the Fire Chief does not like that idea because
he feels it discourages people from turning in an alarm .
Councilman Klein said that several years ago when there was talk
about fees for false alarms Ithaca College made a concerted effort
to upgrade their smoke detection and fire alarm systems . It was
not so much the false alarms it was the malfunctions .
Councilwoman Valentino said Cornell has said that if we impose
those types of penalties they will reduce their contribution equal
to the amount , That would be alright , because we would no lose
anything because Ithaca College would be contributing .
Councilman Klein suggested that some malfunction is reasonable .
Supervisor Whitcomb asked the Board how hard they would like the
committee to pursue the fee for false alarms and malicious calls .
Councilwoman Valentino said she would like to see it pursued
because she has talked with constituents who are unhappy that
Ithaca College does not contribute to the fire protection and many
calls are from the campus .
Supervisor Whitcomb said he and the Mayor are willing to try and
get Ithaca College to contribute by using editorials to let the
public know they do not contribute .
Councilwoman Valentino felt pressure should be applied regarding
the general administrative overhead costs . The Town should say
unless the Town gets a vote on the budget we should not pay
administrative costs . It is one thing to pay those costs if you
are a full partner . If you are contracting with someone and they
have all the say , the reason you contract with is to save on those
costs . If the City wants the Town to pay administrative costs then
give the Town equal say .
Supervisor Whitcomb said the items still to be negotiated won ' t
effect the bottom line as to what the 1995 budget will be .
Councilman Klein asked if they have some long range capital plans
since the line item has jumped so much .
Councilwoman Valentino said the new computer hook up with optic
lines is being considered .
The Board reviewed individual line items for large increases and
asked the committee to review those which had significantly
increase be discussed .
56
Agenda Item No . 20 - Executive Session :
Motion made by Councilwoman Grigorov to move into executive session
to discuss personnel issues and property acquisition . Seconded by
Councilman Conley . Carried unanimously .
The Town Board moved into executive session at 10 : 45 p . m .
Motion made by Councilwoman Valentino to move back to regular
session , seconded by Councilwoman Grigorov . Carried unanimously .
The Board moved back to regular session at 10 : 58 p . m . As a result
of the executive session the following resolution was adopted .
Motion made by Councilman Conley , seconded by Councilwoman Harrison
that the Supervisor is authorized and directed to contract for a
market value appraisal to be done on the property discussed in the
Executive Session . Carried unanimously .
Agenda Item No . 21 - Adjournment :
Motion made by Councilman Conley , seconded by Councilwoman Harrison
to adjourn as there was no further business to come before the Town
Board . Carried unanimously .
The meeting was adjourned by the Supervisor at 11 : 00 p . m .
Respectfully submitted ,
oai'v� d;- 7&t.,.,.
Joan Lent Noteboom
Town Clerk
* * * Next regular meeting , September 12 , 1994 - 5 : 30 p . m .
Public Hearing , Ethics Law Amendments - 7 : 00 p . m .
57
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SUPERVISOR ' S REPORT August S , 1994
1NTERMUNICIPAL
County issues : The county has decided to delay adding the solid waste fee to the
tax bill until January 1996 . We have requested that a committee be formed to
address the concerns of the Towns well before the time of implementation .
Fire Contract : A draft revised fire contract is included in your packets . Several
issues remain to be decided . I hope the Board can provide guidance on how to
proceed . An executive session may be necessary .
I met with Cornell officials to discuss issues of joint interest, including economic
development , road and bridge reconstruction in East Ithaca , partnership possibilities
relating to the proposed lake water cooling project, and timing of the SLUR
discussions .
Sewer Joint Subcommittee : Town representatives on the SJS met to discuss die
Town's position on various issues pertaining to the contract that is being revised . It
appears that some City officials are willing to abandon their stance on the City 's
assumed power of approval in exchange for a joint long term planning effort that
addresses maintenance or construction of joint transmission facilities . A
redefinition of " excess capacity " and its disposition is also an important issue that
remains to be resolved .
DEVELOPMENT ISSUES
Hospicare will host a ground breaking ceremony on August 25 at 3 PM.
We are working with Dryden officials to resolve issues pertaining to the Peregrine
Hollow project orr, Snyder Hill . Items to be resolved include sewer capacities ,
impact on the Eastern Heights park and secondary road access .
FINANCIAL
The 1995 budget process has begun . Department heads are have received budget
worksheets to be returned to the budget officer by the end of August. Bolton Point
has also developed a draft preliminary budget to be submitted to the commission .
i
Agenda # 3
Towrz Hns� ineer ' s Ret:> or t for AuRus t 8 1994
Tow�-i Boa rci Mee t zng
DEVELOPMENT REVIEW
The Engineering Staff has been reviewing compliance on the
following projects that have received Planning Board approval and
are under construction :
Glendale Farms Subdivision . Bostwick Road
Health Department approval for subdivision and sewer
improvement has been received .
Saponi Meadows Subdivision . Seven Mile Drive
One house has been constructed as a model . Construction of
improvements has not been started .
Chase Pond Subdivision ( Saunders Road ) . East King Road
Water and sewer improvements have been completed , and road and
drainage construction has begun .
TRANSPORTATION
The Forest Home Bridge has been approved for ISTEA
funding based on the historic nature of the facility .
The NYS Office of Parks . Recreation and Historic
Preservation has reviewed the proposal and made some
comments . The Public works committee has discussed the
options with the Forest Home Committee and will be making
a recommendation to the Town Board . The final cost
estimates for the Town contribution for the project has
not been received from the county at this point .
The Judd Falls Road project will be discussed at a meeting of
Forest Home representatives and members of the public Works
committee of August 9 .
WATER & SEWER
The engineering department has begun final design of the Troy
Road water extension project .
The Town Engineer has provided technical assistance to the
CRCC on a flow test and has assisted in the preparation of the
LEAF for the Coddington Road water extension .
Survey field work and mapping for the final design of the
Westhaven Road and Mecklenberg Road sewer extension has been
completed by the engineering staff . and final design of the
project is proceeding with the goal of a fall contract
letting .
' (Tenda # �
HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT ' S BOARD REPORT , JULY 1994
TOWN OF ITHACA BOARD MEETING , AUGUST 8 , 1994
July ' s weather has been cooperating quite nicely so the Highway
Department has been able to work on several projects this month .
We have worked 470 . 5 hours on Permanent Improvements . The Hopkins
Road reconstruction is our major project . We have hauled in
19842 . 2 tons of crusher run for this project , thus far . Other
projects include moving a ditch back on Whitetail and regrading
Evergreen Lane ' s circle .
Along with these projects we had Suit - Kote slurry seal Winston
Drive and Salem Drive ,
During July several roads have been patched with hot mix . These
include Poole Road , Salem Drive ( to ready it for slurry sealing ) , ,
Culver Hill Road , Glenside Road , and Indian Creek Road . Another
duty that is considered general repairs is cleaning out ditches .
Several ditches , including Culver Hill Road , have been cleaned out
this month . These projects used 870 hours of our time .
Again , the Highway Department continues to mow along sides of Town
roads . This took 141 hours this month . Machinery repairs hook 178
hours of time .
The Highway Crews worked on replacing a fire hydrant on LaGrande
Court . This consumed 44 hours of time to complete the project .
August Proiects
1 . Oil and Stone several roads .
2 . Continue work on Hopkins Road .
30 Continue clearing ditches on various roads .
4 . Continue hot patching .
50 1995 Budget preparations .
ghk
Agenda # 3
PARKS AND OPEN SPACE MANAGER ' S REPORT , JULY 1994
TOWN OF ITHACA TOWN BOARD MEETING , AUGUST 8 1994
1 . The typical mid - summer slow down in lawn grorath allowed us to
cut back to mowing every other week , thereby requiring only 64
hours for the month of July .
2 . The first application of Roundup was completed at all park and
trail sites , totaling 50 hours .
3 . Shrub and trail trimming was begun on a site by site basis .
A total of 103 hours were spent thus far .
4 . Wood sealer was applied to all park play structures . An
additional 28 hours were spent spraying in July .
5 . South Hill Trail access ramps were oiled and stoned on July
22 , requiring 28 hours of Highway and Parks time .
6 . Playground equipment purchased in honor of Shirley ,
Raffensperger was installed at Grandview and Hungerford
Heights Parks . This required some expansion of the play
structure area at Grandview . The projects took a total of 53
hours . A dedication ceremony honoring Shirley was held on
July 29 ,
7 . Construction of the East Hill Walkway from Snyder Hill Road to
Ellis Hollow Road was begun late in the month by Highway and
Parks . Drainage pipes were installed , base gravel was laid
down and grading was begun in preparation for a double coat of
oil and stone to be done on or about August 10 . Parks staff
spent 30 hours thus far on the Walkway .
80 Routine maintenance tasks , totaling 166 hours , included
installation of dog curbing signs at all park and trail sites
and watering of all plantings done so far this year .
August Parks Proiects
1 . Finish East Hill Walkway ,
2 . Finish shrub and trail trimming ,
3 . Continue staining park furniture and signs .
4 . 1995 budget preparation .
50 Youth Conservation Corp . Program ends August 11 , 1994 .
i
69 Resurface Dewitt Exercise Trail with lA gravel . 3
7 . Second mowing of water tank and pump station sites . �
8 . Continue routine grounds maintenance .
ghk
FINA\L
RED)
Agenda Item #
Town Planner' s Report for August 8 1994 Town Board Meeting
DEVELOPMENT REVIEW
Planning staff has been working on the following projects under Planning Board
review jurisdiction:
Iacovelli Lot Line Modification, Coddington Road
This proposal to change the boundary between two previous subdivision
parcels received approval at the July 19th Planning Board meeting.
Foote / Varn Subdivision, Slaterville Road
Proposed two lot subdivision, including parcel that would be added to
adjacent Peregrine Hollow development in Dryden was before Planning Board
at July 19th meeting for sketch plan review. Issues raised included future use
of Town of Ithaca Park (Eastern Heights ), parkland reservation, potential road
access, and location of sewer line to serve Peregrine Hollow. Tentatively
scheduled for preliminary approval at August 16th Planning Board meeting.
Raponi Subdivision, Coddington Road
Proposed two lot subdivision is on agenda for preliminary and final approval
at August 2nd Planning Board meeting. Would create one new building lot.
East Hill Citgo Sign Variances , Judd Falls Road
Recommendation to Zoning Board on sign variances at gas station under
construction is on agenda at 8 / 2 Planning Board meeting.
Rogan Sign Variance, Danby Road
Recommendation to Zoning Board on sign variance at Rogan' s Corner
shopping center is on agenda at 8 /2 Planning Board meeting.
Ithacare Senior Living Center, Danby Road
Received preliminary site plan approval at July 5th Planning Board meeting.
Subsequently, a lawsuit was filed against the Planning Board challenging its
decision. Staff is working with Town Attorney' s office on defense against
action . Originally scheduled for August 12th, court appearance has been
postponed to September 6th . i
Fees in Lieu of Parkland : Staff has completed analysis of typical building lot prices in
different areas of town, so that fees in lieu of parkland can be related to market
values of land . Planning Committee has prepared a recommendation on fee structure
and procedures, and is forwarding it to Codes and Ordinances Committee to work
out details.
Sunset Provisions for Subdivision Approvals : Staff is working with the Codes and
Ordinances Committee on the question of whether the subdivision regulations can be
amended to establish a time limit for completion of improvements in approved
subdivisions, after which approval would expire if work has not materially
commenced . Staff has contacted the New York State Department of State to discuss
planning and legal issues and has obtained sample provisions from other
communities.
Coddington Road Water Extension : Staff has provided assistance to Town Board,
including attendance at residents meeting at Coddington Road Community Center
and preparation of Full Environmental Assessment Form and SEQR resolution .
Recruitment of Planner: Interviews have been scheduled for August 4th and 5th for
the vacant planner position .
Filename: 1 staff\jon \ tpinrep .mem
TOWN OF ITHACA
REPORT OF BUIIDZNG PERMITS ISSUED
FOR THE MONTH OF JULY 1994
YEAR TO DATE
TYPE OF I OF 1 OF
PERMIT YEAR PERMITS AMOUNT PERMITS AMOUNT
SINGLE FAMILY ATTACHED 1994 0 0 0 0
RESIDENCES 1993 0 0 0 0
SINGLE FAMILY DETACHED 1994 2 175 , 000 10 1 , 159 , 000
RESIDENCES 1993 2 353 , 973 20 2 , 474 , 993
1994 1 309 , 000 5 889 , 000
TWO FAMILY RESIDENCES 1993 2 170 , 000 4 340 , 000
1994 1 6 . 200 15 317 , 071
RENOVATIONS 1993 0 0 9 11 , 000
1994 0 0 4 58 , 350
CONVERSIONS OF USE 1993 2 44 , 500 7 157 , 500
1994 3 :]E90 14 341 , 790
ADDITIONS TO FOOTPRINT 1993 0 11 302 , 509
1994 0 0 0 0
MULTIPLE RESIDENCES 1993 0 0 0 0
BUSINESS
1994 1 Renovate Professional Offices 30 , 000 10 650 , 822
1993 1 150 , 000 9 447 , 181
0
AGRICULTURAL 1994 0 0 0 1993 0 0 2
300 , 000
1994 0 0 0 0
INDUSTRIAL 1993 0
0 0 g
EDUCATIONAL 1994 1 Montessori Storage Room 18 000 8
1993 0 3 , 805 , 030
0 5 4 , 045 , 000
MISCELLANEOUS 1 Garage
CONSTRUCTION 38 , 000
2 Replace Windows 8 , 515
2 Decks 3 , 000
1994 5 49 , 515 26 160 , 625
1993 8 76 , 600 ° 27 267 , 439
TOTAL NU11BER OF 1994 14 659 , 305 92 7 , 381 , 688
PERMITS ISSUED 1993 15
795 , 073 94 8 , 445 , 622
TTAL FEES 1994 14
RECEIVL ;` 1993 15 1 . 490 92 12 , 485
1 , 835 94 12 , 185
Date Preparedt August 1 , 1994
Andrew S , Frost +
Building Inspector/ Zoning Enforcement C`ficer
TOWN OF 17MACA
Monthly Report - July 1994
TOTAL CERTIFICATES OF OCCUPANCY ISSUED THIS MONTH 1 0 1 1 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 12
1 . 136 Seven Ifile Drive , Lot 064 - mobile home placement .
2 . 109 West Haven Road - relocate satellite dish .
3 . 8 Renwick Drive - existing two family dwelling .
4 . 244 DuBois Road - 18 x 24 bedroom addition .
5 . 153 Whitetail Drive - new single family dwelling .
6 . 19 Marcy Court - new single family dwelling .
7 . 1201 Trumansburg Road - renovation of bathroom .
8 . 730 Campbell Avenue - existing two family dwelling .
9 . 9 Perry Lane - new two family dwelling .
10 . Ithaca College Williams Hall - renovated academic building - temporary .
11 . Ithaca College Williams Hall - renovated academic building - temporary .
12 . 363 East King Road - new enclosed porch .
TOTAL CERTIFICATES OF OCCUPANCY YEAR TO DATE - 1994 83
TOTAL CERTIFICATES OF OCCUPANCY YEAR TO DATE - 1993 118
COMPLAINTS INVESTIGATED THIS MONTfi 5
1 . 1032 Danby Road - property maintenance - pending .
2 . 1429 Trumansburg Road - property maintenance - pending .
3 . Ellis Hollow Road Apartments - building code - no violation found .
4 . 946 Hitchell Street - property maintenance - abated .
5 . 1434 Hanshaw Road - fence height - pending .
From June 19941
1 . 1009 Taughannock Boulevard - occupancy - no violation found .
From Hay 19941
1 . 5 Sandra Place - building without building permit - pending .
From April 1994 :
1 . 172 Calkins Road - property maintenance - pending .
From March 19941
1 . 23 Fairway Drive - building without permit - pending .
2 . 132 Forest Home Drive - building code - pending .
From February 1994 ,
1 . 1337 Slaterville Road - building code & zoning - pending , ZBA denied .
From January 19941
1 . 845 Taughannock Blvd . - building code - pending ( building vacant ) .
2 . 614 Elmira Road - building code - pending , State variance applied for .
3 . 148 Kendall Ave . - building code - abated .
From June 1993 ,
1 . 215 Renwick Drive - unregistered automobile - pending , ZBA denied .
From February 19931
1 . 155 Poole Road - ZBA conditions violated - pending .
From May 19901
1 . 110 Buttermilk Falls Road - building code - legal action being taken .
TOTAL COWLAINT5 INVESTIGATED YEAR TO DATE - 1994 .
TOTAL COHF'AINTS IHVES-TTGATED YEAR TO DATE - 1993 36
TOTAL FIELD VISITS THIS MONTH .
Uniform Building Code - 77 96
Local Law and Zoning Inspections - 17
Fire Safety - 1 ( 4 unit multiple dwelling )
Fire Safety Reinspections - 0
Fire Occurrences - 1 ( House /kitchen stove )
Fire Occurrence Reinspection - 0
TOTAL F1F7 VISIT'S YEAR TO DATE - 1994
TOTAL FMEZW VISITS YEAR TO DATE - 1993 668
. 781
TOTAL SIGN PENS THIS MONTH Franco ' s Italian Restaurant ,
TOTAL SIGN PERMITS YEAR TO DATE - 1994 2
TOTAL SIGN PERMITS YEAR TO DATE - 1993 4
. 4
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
1 MEETING - 4 NEW CASES
TOWN OF I'tf ACA ZONIBC HOARD OF APPEALS
NOT= OF CANCELLATION OF PUBLIC HEARINGS
kEDNEMAY . JULY 13r 1994
THE JULY 13 , 1994 ZONING BOARD OF
APPEALS REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETING
HAS BEEN CANCELLED , THE ZONING
BOARD OF APPEALS STILL MEET ON JULY
27F 1994 AT 7 : 00 P . M .
_ Andrew S . Frost
Building Inspector/ Zoning Fhforcement
Officer
273- 1783
Dated , JulY 5 , 1994
Publish : Ju1Y 8 , 1994
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TOWN OF ITHACA ZO
N BOARD OF APPEALS
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARIiuS
WE201IF-SDAY JULY 27 1994
7 : 00 PHo
BY direction of the Chairman of the
that public Hearings will be held b Zoning Board of A
on Wednesday , Jul Y the Zoning Board of Appeals NOTICE IS Town GIVEN
Entrance Y ` 7 � 1994 , in Town Hall , 126 East Seneca Seals of the Town of Ithaca
WEST Side ) , Ithaca , N . Y . , COt4•fE:1CIN0 AT 7 : treet , ( FIRST Floor ,
A peal of Ken Ritter P M ' ' °n the following EAR
and Linda Holzbaur , g matters ]
„ Zoning Board of A Appellants , re
Ordinance Appeals under Article XII , Section 54 of Ling authorization from the
to be permitted to enlarge a non- the the Town
addition at 249 Coddin ° f Ithaca Zoning
District R - 9 , gtOn Road , Town of g building with a 14 foot x 30 foot
Said building thaca Tax Parcel No . 54 - 7 -
required front 9 is non- conforming since it is � r Residence
within the re Yard building setback • The proposed building 7 + feet within the
required front yard building setback . 9 addition will be 6 +
_ feet
A peal of T- S - T BOCtES , Appellant , Robert L .
—c/ the requirements of Manvell , A
to be permitted to install a g22_I , Section 59A of gent , requesting a variance from
12 foot diameter satellite eo dish Ithaca Zoning Ordinance ,
, 30 + feet . The satellite dish
located at 555 Warren Road will attached to an overall height of
R - 15 . . Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel north side of BOCES buildin
The Zoning ar'cel No . g "A "
v located g Ordinance only allows for 15 feet high 73 - 1 - 1 . 31 , Residence District
in rear yards only , g freestanding
g satellite dishes ,
A oeai of David
authorization Gersh /Quality Rentals
Of Ithaca Zo from the Zoning Board of Appellant , Jerry Dietz ,
Ong Ordinance Appeals under Article Agent , requesting
to a bedroom to be permitted to enclose � ' Section 54 of the Town
-� non- conforming and tO construct a 6 foot x an existing Porch and convert it
rming build 12 foot room addition on
GNo . 19_ 2 _ 9 1 g/ lot located at 1046 East Shore Drive the east side of a
Residence District R- 15 . Said building TOE of Ithaca T
G2 . 5 ± foot south side yard buildin `ix Parcel
Cnon- conformin q setback g is non- conforming since it has a
g since it contains three residential, setback required ) and
;� °n a Parcel of land permitted buildings said lot is
) • g ( one residential buildinq-
A peal of
Section 57 Willis l and James Hilker,
the To Appellants , requesting a vari
Q famil wn of Ithaca Zoning Ordinance ante from Article .
Y residence on a building lot 60 + to be Permit
;, Avenue , Town of Ithaca Tax p feet wide and 120 + Led to construct a two
J limits the use arcel No . 54 - 5 - 16 feet in depth at 158 Kendall
Of undersized buildin Residence District R- 9 ,
slGfrom the Zoning Board of A g lots to single f Said Ordinance
Ilf Section 54 Appeals to construct family residences . Authorization
`; maY also be the residential building , under
requested . Article
Said Zoning Board of Appeals will at s
persons in support of such matters or said
or in person . objections thereto ,p . m . ' and said Place , hear all
Persons may appear by agent
Andrew S . Frost
Building Inspector/ Zoning Enforcement .
Officer
J uly 19 , 1994 273 - 1783
fleids h : July 22 , 1994
Agenda Item No . 3f
Town Clerk / Receiver of Taxes
Monthly Report
August 8 , 1994
Records Management : The Archival Grant for 1993 / 94 was completed
during the month of July . The Final enditur Final Narrative Report have been included for rev iew Report hea8d/ 8 / 94
Town Board Meeting . The total grant amount was for $ 2 , 378 . 00 . The
Town will receive the final revenues from the grant within the next
few weeks .
The annual disposition from the Inactive Storage Center and other
departments will continue through the month of August .
Town Clerk : Two meetings regarding cat licensing were attended in
July . The Task Force will be sending a random survey to 1000
residents in the County within the next two weeks . The survey will
help the Task Force decide if cat licensing is a feasible option to
address the problems of cats within the County . The Task Force
will put off the presentation of an ordinance to the County Board
for implementation January 1995 if they are unable to develop a
workable ordinance by the end of August .
There is a definite need to find a viable solution to the
overpopulation of feral cats and the rabies problem .
The SPCA has asked the Town to be involved in a pilot program for
a dog enumeration . The SPCA would help the Town coordinate a team
of people to conduct the enumeration in late fall . Training would
be provided to the enumerators . The Town Clerk ' s office would be
responsible to manage the administrative duties . If the pilot
program worked effectively the SPCA would negotiate with the Towns
to provide enumeration services in the future .
Hunting licenses go on sale beginning August 15 .
Work is progressing on the Newsletter to be sent out in early
September .
Tax Collection : No word has been received from the County
regarding the letter requesting a committee be formed early next
year to address adding the Solid Waste Fee to the tax bill .
Final payment was made to the Supervisor from the Receiver of Taxes
account for the final interest , penalties , and pennies from the
1994 taxes . Attached is the final report of miscellaneous payments
to the Supervisor . The tax collection season for 1994 is
over , Hip Hip Hooray ! finally
TC Monthly Report
8 / 8 / 94
Page 2 .
Miscellaneous : The annual town picnic was held on July 22 , at
Buttermilk Falls Upper Pavilion . A fun time was had by all . It
rained during the Town of Ithaca Olympics , but all were good sports
and enjoyed the festivities . The staff beat the elected officials
and department heads in the tug of war , wait till next year !
The dedication of park equipment in honor of Shirley A .
Raffensperger was held on July 29 , at Grandview Park . Channel 7
News taped the dedication and played it on their program that
evening . Supervisor Whitcomb said a few words and refreshments
were served . Mrs . Raffensperger was very pleased . Thank you to
all department heads and staff who helped make it a memorable
occasion .
Deputy Clerk , Betty Poole will be the contact person in the Town
Clerk ' s Office from August 11 - August 21 while the Town Clerk is
on vacation .
Respectfully submitted ,
n
oan Lent Noteboom
Town Clerk / Receiver of Taxes
TOWN OF ITHACA Agenda Item # 3f
RECEIVER OF TAXES
FINAL REPORT - 1994
Payments Other Than Warrant
Miscellaneous Payments to Town Supervisor
Installment Payment Charges -
Fee : Checks Returned for Insufficient Funds - $ 442 . 00
Interest : Receiver of Taxes Checking Account - 93 . 00
Interest & Penalties / Notice Charges - 210 . 44
10
Notice Charges : Unpaids on Warrants - , 760 . 07
251 . 00
Total Misc . Payments to Supervisor : $ 11 , 756 . 51
1994 In Lieu of Taxes
Due : Tompkins County Medical Office Associates
National Cash Register ( NCR ) $ 9 , 613 . 30
Ellis Hollow Associates 10 , 926 . 30
Cornell University - ( Benefit Assessments ) 38 , 009 . 31
* * Ithaca Elm / Maple Houses Incorporated 6 , 420 . 00
TOTAL IN LIEU OF TAXES BILLED :
$ 64 , 968 . 91
Payments Recv ' d : T Co . Medical Office Associates
- 9 , 613 . 30
National Cash Register ( NCR - 10 , 926 . 30
Cornell University
Ithaca Elm / Maple Houses Inc . - 6 , 420 . 00
- 39 , 391 . 00
BALANCE DUE IN LIEU OF TAXES
$ ( 1 , 381 . 70 )
* * In Lieu of Tax payment from Ithaca Elm / Maple Houses Incorporated ,
West Village Place , is unknown until received in April / May .
Payment based upon gross basic rents , calculated by HUD .
Miscellaneous Payments To Tom kins Count
Installment Service Charges :
Interest : Receiver of Taxes Checking Account - Feb . $ 13 , 488 . 85
361 . 09
March 26 . 60
Apr . 46 . 95
May 25 . 86
$ 13 , 949 . 35
TOWN OF Ithaca TOWN CLERK ' S MONTHLY REPORT
TO THE SUPERVISOR: NEW YORK (Month ) J� 79 94 nda # 3
Pursuant to Section 27, Subd. 1 , of the Town Law, I hereby make the following statement of all fees and moneys received by me in connection
with my office, during the month above stal moneys
for by law: ed, excepting only such fees and Y the a pplication and payment of which are otherwise provided
NUMBER OF LICENSES SOLD OR ISSUED
LICENSE CATEGORY
SPORTSMAN COMMISSION COMMISSION FREE
VOID TOTAL USED
FISHING - SEASON
HUNTING (SMALL GAME) 1100
BIG GAME (DEER d BEAR)
TRAPPING
JUNIOR ARCHERY ( 14. 15 YEARS)
FISHING - 9 DAY
JUNIOR TRAPPING (UNDER 16 YEARS)
SENIOR (65 • / MILITARY DISABILITY)
NON - RESIDENT BIG GAME (DEER d BEAR)
NON - RESIDENT HUNTING SEASON (SMALL GAME)
NON - RESIDENT FISHING - SEASON
NON - RESIDENT HUNTING - 5 DAY SMALL GAME
NON - RESIDENT FISHING - 5 DAY
BOWHUNTING (BIG GAME LICENSE REQUIRED)
MUZZLELOADING (BIG GAME LICENSE REQUIRED)
JUNIOR HUNTING ( 12. 15 YEARS)
LOST LICENSE CERTIFICATE
TOTAL SOLD
COMMISSION @ XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXX FEES TO TOWN
COMMISSIOrJ @ b $ 1 • 00 XXXXXXXXXX
S ADD - TOTAL
14 COMMISSIONS b S I . 00
Marriage Licenses No. 43
Marriage Certificates -- - - to No. 56
1 -- -- -- a 8_75 S 122 . 50
Marriage Transcripts @
@ LO 0 10 . 00
1255 TOTAL TOWN CLERK FEES . . . . . . .
1010 - 1090 REAL PROPERTY TAXES S
_ _ � 133 - 50
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
S
2007 PARK and RECREATION CHARGES INTEREST and PENALTIES S ___ _-
2110 ZONING FEES S - - - - --
2530 2115 PLANNING FEES S
GAMES OF CHANCE TOWN SHARE , . . , , . . LICENSE S - - FEE S -_
2540 BINGO TOWN SHARE 12 • . • . • . • • LICENSE S _ TOTAL _
DOG LICENSE - SPAYED AND NEUTERED 2777302 - C to 2777313 - DE $ 2 . - TOTAL
49 DOG LICENSE - UNSPAYED AND UNNEUTERED _R8961543 - C CO R8961591 —A 2-4 00
- - - - — - - - - - -- - @ S2 : 00 98 , 00
----- - -- — -- ------
2545 OTHER LICENSES
2555 BUILDING PERMITS ----- -_Tax Search 3 @ $ 5 . 00
2590 ---------_ -. - - Zonin Ordinance_ 9_@_ 55 . 00 15 . 00
OTHER PERMITS --
2655 MINOR SALES -- - Pfisc _ / Co ies - 45_00
2770 OTHER UNCLASSIFIED REVENUES _—_ Comprehensive Plan 1 @ $ 1 . 00 57 . 40
— — _— 61 . 00
-- - - - - -- - -- --- - - -- - -- - --- - -- -- - ---
TOTAL TOWN REVENUES
Games Of ha SUPERVISOR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Amount paid to SUPERVISOR for Games of Chance Licenses 443
Amount paid to SUPERVISOR for Slate Share of Bingo Licenses S ----
Amount paid to D. E. C. for Conservation Licenses �-
Amount paid to COUNTY TREASURER for Dog Licenses -
Amount paid to STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT for Marriage Licenses 13 • 00
Amount paid to 100 . 0
Amount paid to State for Sales Tax on Sale of Dogs for Lottery Tickets 157_50 -
Received Payment of these amounts: -'--- — SPCA Contract
— --- 288 . 30
TOTAL DISBURSED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
August 3 , 51_., 002 . 90
—_ 1994
STATE OF NEW YORK, COUNTY OF _ Tompkins Supervisor
- - - - -- -- - - -- - - TOWN OF Ithaca
Of the Town of Ithaca Joan Lent Noteboom
. being duly sworn. says that S he is the Clerk
of all Fees and Moneys received by h er
during o them n that the foregoing is a full and true statement
otherwise provided for by law. th above stated, excepting onl
y such Fees the application and payment of wnicn are
Subscribed and Sworn to before me This --- -_ -
---
dayol
19
Town Clef -'---'-----
Notary Pt,blic
Note — Prepare in Ouvi ca :e Remit origin -----
• . • . ^ . - - - - al 10 $uPervifsor retain COPY for
Clerk 's recorc
4� OF tT
o �9
1 , Y - 2i - cor, ri � , ue . . TOWN OF ITHACA
�6"�- 04� 126 EAST SENECA STREET , ITHACA , N . Y . 14850
TOWN CLERK 273- 1721 HIGHWAY 273- 1656 PARKS 273-8035 ENGINEERING 273- 1747 PLANNING 273- 1747 ZONING 273- 1783
FAX (607) 273- 1704
ASSISTANT BUDGET OFFICER
REPORT FOR THE MONTH OF JULY 1994
This month we started receiving our CHIPS money :
and $ 30 , 938 . 61 for capital improvements . Other receiptsb or tthei
month included $ 10 , 000 . 00 from Cornell University for their share
Of the Judd Falls sidewalk project and $ 98 , 074 . 00 in mortgage tax
from the Kendal Project .
Total interest for the second quarter 1994 was $ 14 , 491 . 34 .
A reminder to Board members - if you wish to make a request for
funding in the 1995 budget I must have your request no later than
August 19 , 1994 .
Submitted by ;
Sally E . Alario
Assistant Budget Officer /
Purchasing Agent
08 / 01 / 94
TOWN BOARD MEETING 8 / 08 / 94
PERSONNEL MANAGER ' S MONTHLY REPORT
AGENDA ITEM # 3h .
Every three years the Town ' s overall insurance coverages are
reviewed and requests for proposals sent out . I have begun the
insurance evaluation process and will meet with the Insurance
Review Committee , consisting of Fred Noteboom , Dan Walker , and
myself later this month .
Evaluation of the needs of the Planning Dept * has determined that
the Planner I position should be upgraded to the level of
Planner II . Interviews of six candidates are scheduled for
August 4 and 5 . It is hoped an appointment will be recommended
by August 12th .
The new salary process is being prepared for budgeting . I have set
up two employee meetings , one in Town Hall , the other at the
Highway Garage , to explain these changes and answer
Guidelines for allocation of merit increases have been determined
and added to the annual budget preparation instructions .
I am pleased with the success of the computer training sessions I
set up for Town employees . Many people have taken the opo
to independently expand and strengthen their computer skiplls rtunity
the past two months using our variety of training programs .
The Personnel Committee reviewed the following issues during its
monthly meeting on July 21 , 1994 :
Itel_ Reviewed the term " foreman " in Town Job Titles
Action : Recommendations sent to Town Board Aug . 8 meeting .
Item#?_ Considered Planner II Job Description and
Salary Range
Act— _ Recommendations sent to Town Board Aug . 8 meeting .
Items .9 Performed Annual Review of Town Salary Ranges
Act--1_ Requested Department Head input for discussion
on August 18 , 19940
Ite4: Reconsidered New Annual Salary Process
Action : Recommendations sent to Town Board July 26 meeting .
i
TOMPKINS COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
DIVISION OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEAL
3 August 1994 HEALTH
401 Harris B . Dates Drive
Ithaca , New York 14850- 1385
Louise ,`fudrak (607) 274-6688 -
CRCC Board Member
693 Coddington Road
Ithaca NY 14850
Re : Coddington Road Community Center - Water System
Dear Ms . Mudrak :
Thank you for the vield tests of the drilled well at CRCC . We concur that the
sustained yield is only about 0 . 25
gallons
that this flow is actually available over therlongute ( gpm ) . If we assume
o
( o
about 360 gallons per day o term , this translates to
Pd ) . This is totally inadequate in two areas :
first , talking about a yield this low gives it more weight than it
A yield under 5 gpm needs special scrutiny ; a well under 1 deserves .
water source at all . That yield could disappear totally ifggm is scarcer a
conditions change just a little . There is no mars ground or weather
min here for any change .
- second , the 360 gpd is less than needed .
system , which the CRCC is , is that the well ( s0 ) r must tbel able rto
" public water
to meet the maximum day with the best well ot � r_ of service . produce a yield
non - residential , systems like this we often ignore the second criteria ,
For small ,
the maximum day demand ( twice the w ; but
CRCC ' s case , the average average day need ) must be satisfied . In
( or 0 . 8 g oe need is about 600 gpd ; thus the maximum is 1200 gpd
Pin ) . Therefore , even with a large atmospheric storage tank with
related controls and extra pumps , the existing well is too low in yield .
It is clear to us that in order to keep the CRCC viable , a better water
must be found . This is obviously a municipal watermain extension , which we
source
support through this letter . If you or the Town of Ithaca feel we can
provide
additional information and impetus , please let me know .
If municipal water is not possible , or too far in the future ,
to take steps to manage with what is available . CRCC will have
installing the storage tank and These steps may include
saving Pumps ; reducing need by installing
o faucets and ultra - low flow toilets ; and redrilling water
well to increase its yield . I must point out , however , ° or fracturing '
Logether will not necessarily bring than all these the
the need down and yield up enoug
not , attendar_ce at the summer camp h . If
or day care activities may have to be
reduced , because loss of water is not just an inconvenience
of the Health Codes and a health threat , it is a violation
p ely ,
Andersson , PE
r , Division of Environmental Health
Pc : <Town" Supe�isor; John :, Whitcomb
Town Engineer Dan Walker , PE
4M a : crccwatr . p44 b - 2
�' Recycled paper
Agenda # 8
August 4 , 1994
Mr . John iJh i tcomb
Town Supervisor
233 Troy Road
Ithaca , N . Y . 1. 4850
Dear Pfr . vlhitco „ib ,
I reside on Coddington Road in the area under consideration
for an extension of water line service . _I am opposed to the
extension because I have an ample supply of very good quality
well water and , therefore , do not need the water line . I do not
want to pay for a service I don ' t need and I am concerned that
sewer lines would also be added . making my assessment even more
costly .
I am also concerned about the denser development water and
sewer lines would allow in our rural neighborhood . Please con -
sider the impact of this extenslon and vote against it .
Sincerely yours ,
Kathryn Smith
950 Coddington Rd .
Agenda # g
John Plh ; tcomb August 41 1994
Town Supervisor
233 Troy Road
4350
Dear John .
I am currently serving as a Town of Ithaca Conservation member but I am writing to
David Rubin You as a Of
of the Town , n Eoard
area of the , and I own a home and land on in husband ,
proposed water line extension . Road in the
Opposition to this proposal . I am writing
our water usage , Since our well adequately
In strong
wish at a g , we do not need or want the y supplies
pay for an unnecessary water line and do not
the additional costs that wouldsbevice . We are also concerned about
extension , generated by the inevitable sewer
More importantly , We are concerned about the impact the exten -
sion of the
water line would have on our rural
You not to remove the thin neighborhood .
development afforded b blanket of protection from extensive urge
SO would have a Y our lack of sewer and water lines .
one of the devastating effect on the neighborhood To do
remaining rural areas of the Tone . ghborhood character of
tive to this proposal ;Hakes Finding_ an alterna .
Please support the g good land use Planning
recommendations of goals of the Town Comprehensive Plan fand scal sense .
this the Six Mile Creek Valle the
proposal . y report by voting against
Sincerely ,
Mary Russell
955 Coddington Road
Town of Ithaca
r.� clIda 7f 8
:rte
? 6 Comfort Road
Ithaca , NY 14850
August 4 , 1994
John Whitcomb
Town Supervisor
233 Troy Road
Ithaca , NY 14850
Dear Mr . Whitcomb :
I am writing to support extending the city water to the Coddington
Community Center / Day Care Center facilities . I believe having good water
in the facility outweighs the little more it will cost tax payers , especially
when the provision of safe drinking water for the children is considered . I
do not believe just running water out there will alter the rural character
of the community any more quickly than will happen anyway . I will be
glad to have you enter my letter into the public record at the public hearing
on this issue Monday night .
Thank you for your concern .
Sincerely ,
C9 k� ,
Carolyn Klass
Candace E . Cornell
1456 Hanshaw Road
Ithaca , New York 14850
August 8 , 1994
Mr. John Whitcomb, Supervisor and
Members of the Town Board
Town of Ithaca Board
126 East Seneca Street
Ithaca , New York 14850
Dear John and Board Members ,
I am unable to attend tonight 's Town Board meeting deliberating the creation of a " Water System
Benefitted Area 1994 , Coddington Road . " This letter is intended to convey my opinions , as a
private citizen and a member of the Planning Board , to you and the entire Town Board . The
proposed extension of public water service , approximately 0 . 4 miies south along Coddington
Road to the Coddington Road Community Center, will benefit many of the existing residences .
This extension of services will also address the critical water shortage facing the operations of
the Community Center .
However , the Six Mile Creek watershed Is widely recognized as an important and sensitive
ecological region and must be protected from further human encroachment . Historically ,
extension of public water to undeveloped areas catalyzes increased development in the proximity
of these public services . Herein lies the difficult dilemma . There is a demonstrable need to
serve the residents on Coddington Road with public water but at what price to the environment ?
Is it in the best interest of the Town and its residents to have increased development in the area
bordering Coddington Road and the Six Mile Creek Watershed ?
Because of its many outstanding natural attributes ,the creek and surrounding stream corridor
was listed as Site IT - 9 : Six Mile Creek in the 1990 Tompkins County Unique Natural Areas
Report. This area is rich in fioral and faunal diversity and exemplary ecological communities .
Many uncommon species can be found here that are categorized by the NYS Department of
Environmental Conservation as species "of special concern , " threatened , rare , and endangered .
One avian survey alone , conducted In 1980 , recorded 192 species , including 3 "threatened "
species and 8 species "of special concern , "
The spectacular landscape in Six Mile Creek varies from streams , gorges , waterfalls ,
marshlands , forests . and wooded slopes to lush open fields. Its large , contiguous , and relatively
undisturbed woodlands support many declining neotropical migrant songbirds species . The
successional fields provide ideal habitat to many dwindling populations of open meadow birds and
vast varieties of goldenrods and asters . Spectacular geological formations , old beech woods , and
steep , highly erodible slopes line flank the Six Mile Creek corridor. The Mullholland
Wildflower Preserve , designated so for its abundant species and educational value , is found along
the northern creek floor while reservoirs supplying the Town and City of Ithaca with potable
water continue further south along the creek ,
J
Page Two - Coddington Road Public Water Service Extension
Clearly , the environs of Six Mile Creek have a wealth of sensitive and remarkable natural
beauty and provide the community with countless environmental , educational , and recreational
resources .
As a member of the Planning Board , I was asked for my recommendation of this project . I
believe public water service should be extended to the Community Center . However , prior to
the commencement of the project , the Town must enact environmentally protective regulations
to limit future development density in the Six Mile Creek area . These density regulations could
come In many forms such as overlay zones , special permits , or conservation districts . A sartrple
conservation district for this area was originally proposed in the Conservation Advisory Board ' s
1990 Report Six Mile Creek: A Heritage to Preserve.
In summary , public water service to this area is clearly needed . However , human
encroachment on the invaluable natural resources and ecological communities of the watershed
must be strictly controlled . Whatever density limitation measure is chosen , it must be enacted
before commencing with this works project public .
Sincerely yours ,
&aAtk,
Candace E . Cornell
PUBLIC HEARING, TOWN OF ITHACA
EXTENSION OF PUBLIC WATER TO CODDINGTON COMMUNITY CENTER
August 8 , 1994 7 : 00 p . m.
Comments from Nancy Rader, Treasurer, Board of Directors
Coddington Road Community Center
1 . The Coddington Road Community Center is a tremendous asset to the town of
Ithaca.
► It brings together people in the community with disparate backgrounds to
work in a positive way with each other, creating a strong social fabric .
► When people work together, they become more connected, less alienated from
each other. Their activities create a network of people who learn to work with
each other. Many different kinds of relationships are developed -- from
getting to know the business people in the community to getting to know the
parents of children in the local school district . People who are connected get
involved in their community and make it better.
► It has been wonderful to see events at the Center -- like the yearly
neighborhood Halloween party, the re-roofing of the center by volunteers from
the community, involvement by college volunteers at the Center, Kiwanis
sponsored softball , the summer youth camp . People getting together, kids
having fun and learning to get along, business people kicking in, helping to
make it all happen.
► The Center' s board of directors has recently had a proposal to start a 4-H club
at the Center. We think this is a wonderful idea, and a very appropriate
activity for the area the Center serves . However, the Center cannot
responsibly support such programs , however beneficial to the community,
because it does not have the water.
2 . As treasurer of the Board of Directors, I am very sensitive to issues that affect the
fiscal planning and hence the program planning of the Center.
► WE NEED TO KNOW NOW whether we will have water and when.
► The only practical approach to getting water to the Center is through the
extension of public water.
► It makes sense to link this project with the Troy Road project. I understand
that if the Troy Road project is approved, work on it would begin this fall .
Deciding on the Community Center extension at the same time makes sense.
► I am asking that the question of extending water as far as the Coddington
Community Center be called tonight.
For the Public Hearing Record and
To Be Read at the Public Hearing Rug . 8 , 1994
To : The Ithaca Town Board Members
From : Louise Mudrak , Coddington Road Resident of Town of Ithaca and
Board Member of the Coddington Road Community Center.
I am sorry I ' m unable to be here as I could haue on July 26 . 1 am
In Wisconsin dealing with previously scheduled family business .
Ouer the last seven months 1 haue argued as best I could for
eHtending public water 2000 feet along Coddington Road to the
Community Center.
These are the facts that I see :
1 . The Community Center is uirtuaily running out of water.
We ran out of water three times last week . The well we
drilled 10 years ago , was adequate for about 7 years . Then we began
to eHperience a decline in the water it produced . The situation has
steadily worsened. This spring we haue been hit with seuere water
shortages and the flow continues to deteriorate .
On July 13 , 1994 CRCC conducted a 4 Hour Well Flow Test . Within
three hours , the well had gone dry twice and the recharge rate neuer
aueraged more than . 25 gallons per minute .
On July 16 , 1994 a One Galion Per Minute Sustained Yield Test was
conducted . The well flowed at a rate of one gallon per minute for 12
minutes before the well went dry .
Now , the well does not produce enough water to fill a holding
tank . R period of drought would see the flow decline euen more .
We are not alone in our need or in our requests the Town of
Ithaca poll showed that euergone but one household along the
eHtension route also wants water. Other households beyond the
proposed eHtension haue said they do not want the water so the
eHtension should stop at CRCC .
2 . The Community Center supports community and family life , No
one argues that it is a uitai community asset. CRCC runs a quality
Childcare Program . When the Center reopened in 1984, the
overwhelming request of area residents was for quality daycare In the
area . The CRCC board responded by establishing the Coddington
Childcare Program - - It is a quality program operating at capacity with
i
constant waiting lists . Since reopening , four to fiue hundred area
working families haue used the program . It sets fees and schedules to
enable many working , single parents and self- employed people to use
its seruices .
CRCC started the South Hill After School Program in response to
community need . It runs a small summer camp , operates a safe
Haloween Program , and the ballfields are heavily used for tee - ball ,
softball , soccer and other teams . CRCC would like to broaden its
programs but lack of water prohibits It .
So much for the facts of the situation as I see them . Most of you haue
heard them before . So where does that leaue us ?
There is on your Board a strong sense of commitment to the Town
Comprehenslue Plan . One goal Is to preserue the ecological integrity of
the SIH Mile Creek Corridor. Another is to prouide water to existing
residents who need it . Another Is to support the social fabric of the
community . These are noble goals . How can they be accomplished ?
The way to preserve undeueloped lands In the Sin Mile Creek Corridor is
to purchase them outright , zone them or work for construation - based
taH assessments . Withholding public water from eHisting residents who
need it in the hopes of curtailing deuelopment of outlying properties is
unfair, of questionable legality and a weak and tenuous land planning
tool .
Rs more and more deuelopment takes place on the hills aboue us, we
have seen CRCC water quantity and quality seriously decline . This is a
pattern which is not recognized in the Comprehenslue Plan but it is
historically true along all of Coddington Road. No one is sure why it is
true but it is highly likely that construction uphill of Coddington Road
interrupts the aquifer recharge areas . Such new deuelopments are
being built constantly; you approued another one on Troy Road last
week .
The Center Is running out of water. We are In a water crisis . The need is
compelling . Without water, there will be no Center. The Center Is an
important part of the social life of the area ; its programs are needed
to keep working families working. Without the uolunteer labor and
goodwill of neighborhood residents , its programs would cost a fortune
for gouernmental bureaucracies to recreate and maintain .
FEE The Center needs a reliable , long term solution to Its
water needs so It can put its efforts Into operating nd creating
9
programs for residents of the Town of Ithaca . The more I study this
Issue , the more a 2000 foot , reasonably priced water eHtension looks
like the most effectiue solution .
i J ;
JUG_ 2 71994
Town Board
Agenda
Town of Ithaca
126 East Seneca Street
Ithaca, New York
14850
July 27, 1994
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,
The guest editorial written by Ellen Harrison in the July 25 Ithaca Journal
encourages the people of the town to provide input on the matter of the proposal to
extend public water on Coddington Road . As you know I have attended most of
the public discussions on this matter and know the area reasonably well having
lived on Updike Road for the past 37 years . During my tenure as town supervisor
we were able to address part of this request in 1984 by extending water to the
Coddington Road area of East King Road and Burns Road (without additional debt
to the townspeople) thereupon making it more affordable for the town to
accomplish the rest of the job at this time .
The focus of my thoughts will be on the matter of public sewer, on-site water
system, and fire protection policy issues . First the matter of public sewer. As
policy makers I would urge you to neither generalize nor automatically assume
that there will be a need for public sewer following the extension of public water.
Rather you should look at specific cases in the Town of Ithaca where water was
extended without sewer, and there are many of them. I will elaborate on three .
Example # 1 is Forest Home . Thanks to Cornell, the people of Forest Home
received public water in 1936 . Public sewer service did not come until 42 years
later in 1978 , and only then due to the dissolution of the sewer districts and our
success (with Ed Conley's help from the city) in getting an EPA/DEC grant. Of all
the areas of the town that should have gotten water/sewer at the same time (i . e .
small lots, shallow rock, major water source) this would have been top priority had
it been feasible . Fortunately, the 1936 town board wisely did not delay formation
of the water district.
Example #2 is Stone Quarry Road. This is actually quite similar to Forest Home .
Property owners in 1979 were desperately in need of public water, many having
been hauling water from Jennings Pond for a long time . Sewer was not affordable
because of the grant size limits and the town board decision that Forest Home,
Glenside, etc . were in an even more desperate need for sewer. Here we have again
small, pre-zoning lots on shallow rock and steep slopes . Again the 1984 town
board wisely moved forward with public water rather than forcing the property
owners so suffer through another 15 years or more until sewer could be provided .
In my humble opinion this area has a far more justifiable need for sewer than
Coddington Road at this time .
Example #3 is Coddington Road Southeast of Troy Road . Please note that water
was extended to about half of this area in the late 60's . You should ask why it has
taken 25 years in this example for some of the property owners to request sewer.
How is this different from the other two examples ? The answer is that most of
these properties were developed after zoning was initiated in the town . They are
primarily R- 30 lots most of which are far in excess of the minimum . While the
soils are tight there is plenty of room for replacement on- site sewage disposal
systems . Obviously I am not speaking for these property owners because a
connection to public sewer would be much cheaper for them . But we are talking
about town priorities here .
There is another factor on the general issue " no water without sewer" . Average
household water consumption is continuing to drop because average family size in
the Town of Ithaca has dropped considerably over the past 20 years, i . e. 3 . 5 down
to 2 . 5 . In the potential sewer service area the household size is even lower. In
conclusion, it is certainly appropriate from a fiscal and land use planning
perspective to look at the potential need for sewer when a water extension is
needed, but I believe in this case you have enough information to exclude sewer
from the critical equation of the need for water to the 14 properties .
As a policy the town, in my judgment, should not encourage or consider
contributing to private or public entities for the construction of on-site ground
water systems . Investing in such a system in the case of the Coddington Road
Community Center would be a no win situation . Even if the unlikely possibility
that sufficient water of acceptable quality is found it is quite possible that the
neighbors wells could be negatively impacted. Who would be liable for correction
of this situation following a decision of the town not to extend public water when
funds were known to be available without a borrowing ? Don't forget that it took
about 30 years to get rid of the last town venture into this arena, namely the
" Schickle Road water district" .
Finally there is a major benefit of public water which is all too often, including
these deep deliberations, glossed over too lightly. That is the benefit that public
water brings to the town's responsibility to provide fire protection. All taxable
property in the town outside of Cayuga Heights pays the same fire protection
ANIL district tax rate . This tax is in fact the largest component of our town taxes .
Unfortunately there is a wide disparity in the level of fire protection between those
2
areas with and those without public water. The town has had a long standing
commitment to do everything it can afford to do to equalize and improve the level
of protection throughout the town . In the early days of our community the need for
fire protection was one of the driving forces that led to the creation of the Village
of Ithaca . Most property owners who have acceptable wells do not realize the
extent to which they will benefit from improved fire protection . The town water
assessment survey made no reference to fire protection issues , nor is it addressed
in the engineers report. We recommend that you give this benefit proper weight
when you vote on this proposal .
Thanks for giving this water extension request your careful consideration as a high
priority . I urge you to support this request and vote in favor to this urgently needed
water extension following the public hearing on August 8 .
Sincerely,
oa�e
Noel Desch
132 Updike Road
3
� g
Coddington Road Community Center agenda
920 Coddington Road
Ithaca , New York 14850
( 607 ) 277 - 1434
MEMORANDUM JULY 26 , 1994
TO: TOWN AND PLANNING BOARD MEMBERS , TOWN OF I THACA , NY
FROM : LOUISE MUDRAK, CRCC BOARD MEMBER ( H : 273 - 3825 ) V n � l VV
l�C /
RE : RECENT WELL FLOW TESTS UNDERSCORE NEED FOR PUBLIC
WATER EXTENSION TO THE COMMUNITY CENTER .
o Flow Tests Show That CRCC Well has Remarkably Little Water,
On July 13 , 1994 CRCC conducted a 4 Hour Well Flow Test . Within
three hours , the well had gone dry twice and the recharge rate never
averaged more than . 25 gallons per minute .
On July 16 , 1994 CRCC conducted a One Gallon per Minute
Sustained Yield test . The flow was set at a rate of one - gallon - per -
minute ; It flowed for 12 minutes before the well went dry .
These tests followed procedures defined by Mr. Dan Walker , PE , Town
of Ithaca . Tests results were conveyed to Mr. Walker on July 18 , 1994.
( Copies enclosed . )
o CRCC Water Flow is Far Below Accepted Standards - This month ,
our well produces about 375 gallons of water in a 24 hour period . It would
produce less in a period of drought . We currently have 40 people per day in
our Childcare Program ; we also have 15 to 20 people day Involved in our
summer camp program . Design Standards for Wastewater Treatment sets 15
gallons , per person , per day as a minimum for new systems .
Bottom Line Health Standard for Daycare Program Only : 40 people x 15
gallons = 600 gallons per day
CRCC Weil Production: . 26 gpm x 24 hours = 3744 gallons per day
o Public Water is The Best Choice - Our well does not produce enough
water to fill a holding tank for even our Daycare Program . Our programming
has been curtailed because of lack of water. CRCC needs public water. We
are not alone in our request O VerlA &Y.,� b - I ho ►�sril� o (d al Q ,
� X 4sim v�o L also WCL Watu V
A local , not for profit corporation in support of community and family life.
wuulllvtull nudu uammunity uenter
920 Coddington Road
Ithaca , New York 14850
( 607) 277 - 1434
To - Interested Parties July 22 , 1994
From - Anne Morrissette , Director ; Coddington Road Community Center
Re : Water Survey for Coddington Rd _ Extension
Thr - %.. pring the To %,vn of Ithaca conducted a 'dater Assessment Needs Si_rrvey . The
�: L, r - t' ey revealed that of the residents who Vcould be affected bu an extension to the
Community Center .a clear majority said they want ti,, ater and would hook: up
The follo �Ying people_ live along the affected area and answered as follows .
NAME ADDRESS WANT ICONNECT
PEAP. SO1•-1 332 YES 1•' ES
G1EPE 833 'YES YES
BAI:; ER 836 UNSURE
BAKER, 840 UNSURE
HCCORD 853 r' ES YES
CONNERS 87 3 YES 'YES
IIELDPUH 902 'YES r' E
FI (ICH 904- YES YES
SILSBEE 915 N0 NO
r
[BACO1 - 111U111T '•r' CENTER 920 r' ES rES
I IER 921 `
* The Bauer ' s indicated to us that they ',frant water but ere avy, ay, y pit, hen the survey
11 . drst. rrbi.it. ed and compiled ,
OTHER NOTES
The Cernetary was 1ncli_rded a0; a nn '.;' cIte althor_tqh it does not represent ,a residence .
The residents at 80' 5 2: 6307 already have water.
The survey twas also sent to residents who live beyond the proposed extension
�:. i . e . they live between, the Center and the Town line ) . Of those returned , none
^ anted •;rater a I t h o u g h s. orne •,A! ould connect .
A local , not for profit corporation in support of community and family life .
Agenda # 8 FINAL
954 Coddington Rd ,
Ithaca , NY 14850
July 12 , 1994
To the Members of the Ithaca Town Board :
As residents of the Town of Ithaca it has come to our attention that
the Board is considering a petition to extend the water line along Coddington
Road . Since we will be out of town and cannot attend the duly 26th meeting
to express our opinion we wanted to let you know that we emphatically
object to the proposal .
There are both valid economic and environmental reasons why we do
not want to see the lines extended . First of all , we do not need the service .
We already have an excellent well ( we invested $ 2000 on it when we first
moved in in October "92 ) that has clean , tasty and non - chlorinated water
flowing out of it. Because we already have an adequate supply of water we
do not want to pay for the project . But more importantly we know that if
the water line is extended it will mean one thing : higher assessments
resulting in higher taxes . At this point there is only a petition for an
extension of the water line , but in the past sewers have come right along
with the water . This is an extremely expensive project and would mean a
significant increase in our taxes .
The Six Mile Creek Valley is a watershed area that is extremely
environmentally sensitive and worthy of protection from over development .
After being Ithaca City residents : for over 20 years we moved out of town to
enjoy the quiet and wide open mwild spaces . Please consider the effect
granting this petition would have on the area and on the residents .
Sincerely ,
Mitch Weiss & Martha Hamilton
Agenda
ROBERT & ANN SILSBEE
915 Coddington Road
so Ithaca, NY 14850
607-273-1436
Mr John Whitcomb
Member, Ithaca Town Board
233 Troy Road
Ithaca, NY 14850
Dear Mr Whitcomb, July 14, 1994
We are very concerned about the possibility of the extension of the water district to our section of
Coddington Road . We have made Mr Dan Walker, the Town Engineer, aware of our objections, and now
wish to make the members of the Town Board also aware of our reasons for not wishing the extension to
be made. We have several points to make :
1 . Our chief personal objection is the expense. It is our understanding that by the formula which is
used to calculate the "benefit" assessment we would have to pay for our two Coddington Road lots, one
of which is quite large, and both of which have considerable frontage, nearly a thousand dollars a vear !
This is a great deal of money to spend for water which we do not need . Our well has, up to now, never
run dry , and is of reasonable quality .
2 . Such a large assessment would force us to consider selling some of our land which we do not wish
to do . We have moved out here because we enjoy the rural character of the land . We love the woods,
walk there frequently, and love also the wide spacing between houses which permits the rural character
to be felt. I believe that this extension could not help but put pressure on others besides ourselves to sell
off land , allowing a degree of development which would make this area , to us at least, a less desirable
place to live.
3 . We cannot help but believe that the water extension would stimulate development along this
part of Coddington, and make inevitable the eventual extension of the sewer, transforming it from a
rural area into suburbia . I believe many of our fellow residents would not like such changes to occur too
fast.
4 . We live on the east side of the road, opposite the Coddington Road Community Center, which has
requested the extension . Is it possible that the Center has not exhausted all possibilities, such as water
holding tanks, etc, to give them a larger daily water supply ? While we do feel sympathetic with them in
their present difficulty, we would not feel happy if the water extension enabled them to expand their
buildings & activities, adding more children, traffic, & commotion to a very quiet neighborhood .
5 . As we understand that the proposed water line would be on our side of the road, we would be
forced to undergo a great deal of disruption of our land , and are in particular concerned about a huge &
beautiful old maple which is quite close to the road , as well as hedges which we have planted to shelter
us from traffic & other noises. While I understand that those in charge of construction have been in
many cases very considerate in terms of relocating the line somewhat to avoid such plantings,
nevertheless some damage would be done and we are not eager to have our settled old place undergo
such environmental stress .
I hope you will take our case seriously, and consider if there is not some alternative to this extension,
which we feel would cost us more than we should have to pay for a "benefit" we do not need.
Sincerely,,
i19Mk Robert and Ann Silsbee
Agenda # 8
Il UJ . Y ? 4g ;o
Ey hushand and I moved to the Codcington 'load area to raise a
family in a rural setting . Our well water was and is sufficient in both
quantity and quality . fie prefer the taste of the well Water Over the
" pool water " taste of tae chlorine in the city ' s water .
It was Ty �rioity to stay at home to raise our children , thus we relied
on a one - person income . A raise in taxes woule, be a curten on us . If water ,
then sewer were brought to our area , it is obvious to me that the land value
would go up ant cause a raise in taxes , I ' ve heard much about the government ' s
willingness to spend money to help child care centers , ii hat about the mom who
ca . : ses to stay home ? Are her needs disregarded ? The Coddinoton Rd . Community
Center was converted to a child care center after we moved to the area , taking
away t : _ e place we ' d go to enjoy the nlaycrou .^.dS a nd fielc .
i .ust the business
Of this one child care impinge on us again ' The tunny ^ rail child care facility
was built within the last few yea _ :, , : culd :, ' t they have considered the
availability Of water be -fore they built in the present location? Please try to
consider other alternatives to this problem . The two businesses mentioned who profess
to need gore Ovate = could : 1 , move to an area where the city ' s water is already
in ± act or 2 , -.irchase a 1000 oat . holding tan '.z aoo = . ed ± o a slow feed system for
day usage .
Since it is probable that sewer would be needed after water hoo -up to meet the
increaser' usage of water , I forsee that it would encourage Land developers to buy
up the availacle land and cause the housing to beco: e more c ^ or•rded . I o ew up in
It .^. ? c ?. on %5nrder Hill r4p in t !-io 1 '4 � c - 7r' I _
A similar--sit �!ation happened there .
fin dater was extended , along came sewer hook -up . "'he beautiful Pastures where
the Cornell polo horses grazed were crammed with house next to house - alias ,
Fastern ::eights . hat a shame to litter the hillsides that made Ithaca beautiful
with so many houses crowded together with little resuect for the land and natural
beauty . After increased housing , water became scarce wells went dry near Snyder
hill Ct . . 'HOOT -up became a necessity . In the case of the Coddington c. d , extension ,
it would be a want of a few .
I implore you to reject the request for water to be extended past Burns Rd , to the
o ;4nline ; W e do not need the water . do not want to pay for something we don ' t need
rlease consider the alternative§ idl-tire: 1V29 _ran&eneQns (tq*tences . Thank you .
Sincerely , /
930 Coddington Road
Ithaca , NY 14850
July 18 , 1994
Town Board Members
Town of Ithaca
126 East Seneca Street
Ithaca , NY 14850
Dear Board Member:
This is in response to the proposal to extend water on Coddington
Road . We are presently satisfied with our well water and find no
need to have water extended . It is an unnessary expense and we are
very concerned about the financial impact on us and our neighbors .
We plan to attend the public meeting at the community center to
discuss the proposal further.
Sincerely ,
Gale Smith
Nlarilynne Sommers
To:
Catherine Valentino Edward Conley
John Whitcomb Carolyn Grigorov
Karl Niklas David Klein
Ellen Harrison
Town Board Meeting 8 / 8 / 94 F I NAL
Agenda Item No . 9
SEQR : Coddington Road Water Extension
Resolution No . 162
WHEREAS , the Town of Ithaca has received a request for
extension of public water along Coddington Road from the end of the
existing water main at 803 Coddington Road south to the Coddington
Road Community Center ; and
WHEREAS , the extension of water is an unlisted action for
which the Town of Ithaca Town Board is legislatively determined to
act as Lead Agency in environmental review with respect to water
extensions ; and
WHEREAS , the Town Board authorized the Town Engineer to
prepare a preliminary design , cost estimate and Engineer ' s Report
for the extension of water on Coddington Road ; and
WHEREAS , the Town Engineer has prepared the preliminary design
and Engineering Report and has along with the Town Planner prepared
a Full Environmental Assessment Form for the proposed project with
a recommendation of a negative determination of environmental
significance ; now therefore be it
RESOLVED , that the Town of Ithaca Town Board hereby makes a
negative determination of environmental significance in accordance
with the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act for the
above referenced action as proposed and , therefore , an
Environmental Impact Statement will not be required .
a
MOVED : Councilwoman Valentino
Carried Unanimously
SECONDED : Councilman Klein
DATED : August 8 , 1994
Joan Lent Noteboom , Town Clerk
FINAL
Town Board Meeting 8 / 8 / 94
Agenda Item No . 10
Coddington Road Community Center
Possible Financing Well / Holding Tank
Resolution No . 163
WHEREAS , during a public hearing to consider the extension of
water to Coddington Road it was made clear there is a definite need
by the Coddington Road Community Center to solve a severe water
quantity and quality problem ; and
WHEREAS , the Town Board recognizing the need for water by the
Coddington Road Community wishes to investigate the possibility of
the Town contributing monies to the Coddington Road Community
Center to solve their water problems through solutions such as
drilling another well and installing a holding tank ; now therefore
be it
RESOLVED , the Attorney for the Town is hereby authorized and
directed to research the legalities of the Town of Ithaca financing
to the extent necessary , the drilling of a well and placement of a
water holding tank at the Coddington Road Community Center ,
MOVED : Councilwoman Grigorov
Supervisor Whticomb Nay
SECONDED : Councilwoman Harrison Councilwoman Valentino Aye
Councilman Klein Aye
DATED : August 8 , 1994 Councilwoman Grigorov Aye
Councilman Harrison Aye
Councilman Conley Nay
Motion Carried
Joan Lent Noteboom , Town Clerk
Town Board Meeting 8 / 8 / 94 F1
Agenda Item No , 11 NAL
Consent Agenda Items
Resolution No . 164
BE IT RESOLVED , that the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca
hereby approves and / or adopts the Consent Agenda Items resolutions
as presented to the Town Board on August 8 , 1994 .
MOVED : Councilwoman Harrison
Carried Unanimously
SECONDED : Councilman Klein
DATED : August 8 , 1994
Joan Lent Noteboom , Town Clerk
Town Board Meeting 8 / 8 / 94
Agenda Item No . lla rap
Town Board Minutes - July 11 , 1994 ri
Resolution No . 164a
WHEREAS , the Town Clerk has presented the Town Board Meeting
Minutes for the regular meeting held July 11 , 1994 to the Town
Board for their review and approval ; and
WHEREAS , the Town Board has reviewed said minutes as written ;
now therefore be it
RESOLVED , that the Town Board does hereby approves and adopts
the said minutes with the following amendments as the official
minutes of the Town Board for the meeting held July 11 , 1994 .
Page 4 . , Paragraph 2 . , 4th Sentence shall read ; Anything
negotiated , such as a discount for senior citizens or a better line
extension service can now be added to the cable rate charge .
Page 31 . , Last Paragraph , shall read Councilwoman Grigorov
said all Boards and Committees should be conscious of overloading
staff .
MOVED : Councilwoman Harrison
Carried Unanimously
SECONDED : Councilman Klein
DATED : August 8 , 1994
Q�q' Lit
Joan Lent Noteboom , Town Clerk
Town Board Meeting 8 / 8 / 94
Agenda Item No . llb
Town of Ithaca Warrants
Resolution No . 164b 11V 4
WHEREAS , the warrant with the following numbered listing of
vouchers has been presented to the Town Board for approval of
payment ; and
WHEREAS , said warrant has been audited for payment by the Town
Board ; now therefore be it
RESOLVED , that the Town Board does hereby authorize the
payment of said vouchers as numbered and listed on the warrant .
General Townwide Vouchers : No . 368 - 402 $ 14 , 116 . 53
No . 367 61696 . 76
No . 364 16 , 776 . 58
No . 365 18 , 918 . 95
General Part Town Vouchers : No . 198 12 , 054 . 73
No . 196 14 , 379 . 03
No . 201 - 219 91717 . 81
No . 200 41233 . 69
Highway Fund Vouchers : No . 213 91506 . 78
No . 215 29 , 627 . 10
No , 217 51192 . 65
No . 218 - 239 89 , 520 . 15
Water District Vouchers : No . 183 - 186 10 , 552 . 03
No . 172 7 . 05
No . 151 231 , 908 . 27
No , 152 100 , 000 . 00
No . 169 71 , 318 . 17
No . 171 538 . 25
No , 151 - 168 167 , 444 . 16
Sewer District Vouchers : No , 153 - 165 269 , 283 . 23
No . 167 - 168 13 , 131 . 23
No . 152 90 , 000 . 00
No . 166 64 , 991 . 25
No . 169 7 . 05
No . 170 , 144 , 584 . 21
172 - 180
Lighting District Vouchers : No . 19 - 21 11056 . 91
Capital Projects Vouchers : No . 20 - 21 200 . 84
MOVED : Councilwoman Harrison
Carried Unanimously
SECONDED : Councilman Klein
DATED : August 8 , 1994
Joan Lent Noteboom , Town Clerk
Town Board Meeting 8 / 8 / 94 I Y
Agenda Item No . llc
Bolton Point Warrants Al
Resolution No . 164c
WHEREAS , the warrant with the following number listing of
vouchers for Bolton Point has been presented to the Town Board for
approval of payment ; and
WHEREAS , said warrant has been audited for payment by the Town
Board ; now therefore be it
RESOLVED , that the Town Board does hereby authorize the
payment of said vouchers as numbered and listed on the warrant .
Operating Fund Vouchers : No . 482 - 542 $ 544 , 342 . 51
Capital Fund Vouchers : No . H41 21645 . 35
MOVED : Councilwoman Harrison
Carried Unanimously
SECONDED : Councilman Klein
DATED : August 8 , 1994
Jnag Lent Noteboom , Town Clerk
Town Board Meeting 8 / 8 / 94
Agenda Item No . lld � � �?
Financial Reports - June , July 1994
Resolution No . 164d
WHEREAS , the Assistant Budget Officer has presented the
Financial Reports of the Town of Ithaca for the months ending June
30 , and July 31 , 1994 to the Town Board for their review and
approval ; and
WHEREAS , the Town Board has discussed and reviewed the said
reports ; now therefore be it
RESOLVED , the Town Board does hereby adopt the said reports as
the official Financial Reports for the months indicated .
MOVED : Councilwoman Harrison
Carried Unanimously
SECONDED : Councilman Klein
DATED : August 8 , 1994
Joan Lent Noteboom , Town Clerk
` ,rJ(`L ♦ f
Town Board Meeting 8 / 8 / 94
Agenda Item No . lle 4
Quarterly Investment Report : 4 / 1 / 94 - 6 / 30 / 94
Resolution No . 164e
WHEREAS , the Assistant Budget Officer has presented the
Quarterly Investment Report for the months 4 / 1 / 94 through 6 / 30 / 94
to the Town Board for their review ; now therefore be it
RESOLVED , that the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca hereby
approves of and adopts the Quarterly Investment Report for 4 / 1 / 94
through 6 / 30 / 94 as the official Quarterly Investment for the period
indicated .
MOVED : Councilwoman Harrison
Carried Unanimously
SECONDED : Councilman Klein
DATED : August 8 , 1994
Q"' Lk 'n J",
Joan ent Noteboom , Town Clerk
F1 g , .
Town Board Meeting 8 / 8 / 94
Agenda Item No . llf
Records Management Program Final Report - Archival Grant 1993 / 94
Resolution No . 164f
WHEREAS , a requirement of receiving the grant from the State
Archives and Records Administration for the Records Management
Archival Project was that the Town of Ithaca file a Final
Expenditure Report and a Final Narrative Report for 1993 / 94 by July
31 , 1994 ; and
WHEREAS , the Records Management Officer has prepared and filed
the said reports by July 31 , 1994 as required ; and
WHEREAS , the Town Board has reviewed the said reports ; now
therefore be it
RESOLVED , that the Town Board does hereby ratify the
submission of the Records Management Final Expenditure Report and
the Final Narrative Report for 1993 / 94 , Archival Project , as
prepared by the Records Management Officer .
MOVED : Councilwoman Harrison
SECONDED : Councilman Klein Carried Unanimously
DATED : August 8 , 1994
Joan Lent Noteboom , Town Clerk
I
Town Board Meeting 8 / 8 / 94
Agenda Item No , 11g
Records Management Disposition Listing
Resolution No . 164g
WHEREAS , the Town of Ithaca has completed the inventory phase
of the Records Management Program as outlined by the State Archives
and Records Administration ( SARA ) ; and
WHEREAS , the Records Management Officer has determined that
the attached listing of outdated and duplicate copies of records
are eligible for disposition according to the Records Retention and
Disposition Schedule MU- 1 ; and
WHEREAS , the Supervisor , and Department Heads shall review and
approve disposition of said records before disposition ; now
therefore be it
RESOLVED , the Town Board does hereby authorize and direct the
Records Management Officer to dispose of the records as described
in the attached listing according to the procedure developed by
SARA .
MOVED : Councilwoman Harrison
SECONDED : Councilman Klein Carried Unanimously
DATED : August 8 , 1994
Joan Lent Noteboom , Town Clerk
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FINAL
A A
DISPOSITION LIST
DUPLICATE COPIES OF PLANNING BOARD MATERIALS
Central Office Area Boxes 8 / 1 / 94
Box BF - 12
( Box # 24 ) 1 / 2 CU . FT .
Copies of Planning Board Packet Materials 1986 - 1989
Box BF - 11
( Box # 22 ) 3 / 4 CU , FT .
Copies of Planning Board Packet Materials 1979 - 1981
Box BF - 7
( Box # 23 ) 1 / 2 CU , FT .
Copies of Planning Board Packet Materials 1984
Box BF - 13
( Box # 21 ) 1 / 3 CU , FT .
Copies of Planning Board Packet Materials 1 / 90 - 10 / 90
Box BF - 9
( Box # 17 ) 1 / 2 CU . FT .
Copies of Planning Board Packet Materials 1985 - 1986
TOTAL 2 1 / 2 CU . FT ,
PLEASE NOTE : All materials that were disposed of were duplicate
copies of information already contained in our
development review files located in the Central
Office Area ,
IMMEDIATE DISPOSITION
FINAL
Disposition List 6 / 28 / 94
The following is a list of duplicate copies removed from the development
review case files located in the Central Office area . Copies were disposed
of June 28 , 1994 .
LOCATION DRAWER DESCRIPTION CU , FT .
Central Office
CFO - 1 1A - 1D General Information Files 1
Duplicate Copies
CFO - 2 2A - 2D General Information Files 1
Duplicate Copies
Total Cubic Feet : 2
IMMEDIATE DISPOSITION
I
Town Board Meeting 8 / 8 / 94 ,rte
Agenda Item No . llh
Approval to Appoint Jeffrey S . Dean Bv � � '• ,
Regular Highway Laborer
Resolution No . 164h ( 1 )
WHEREAS , Jeffrey S . Dean has worked for the Town since
December 20 , 1993 as a highway laborer and as temporary mechanic ;
and
WHEREAS , Mr . Dean earned his Class B driver ' s license while
completing his six month probationary period in a satisfactory
manner ; now therefore be it
RESOLVED , the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca does hereby
appoint Jeffrey S . Dean to the position of regular full - time
highway laborer , at an hourly salary of $ 7 . 00 , retroactive to July
11 , 1994 . Full benefits apply .
MOVED : Councilwoman Harrison
Carried Unanimously
SECONDED : Councilman Klein
DATED : August 8 , 1994
Joan Lent Noteboom , Town Clerk
Town Board Meeting 8 / 9 / 94r � ` a
Agenda Item No . llh
, A
Appointment Edward Merrick Q►
Regular Highway Laborer
Resolution No . 164h ( 2 )
WHEREAS , Edward Merrick has worked for the Town since January
24 , 1994 as a highway laborer and possessed a Class A driver ' s
license at that time ; and
WHEREAS , Mr . Merrick has completed his six month probationary
period in a satisfactory manner ; now therefore be it
RESOLVED , the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca does hereby
appoint Edward Merrick to the position of regular full - time highway
laborer at an hourly salary of $ 7 . 00 , retroactive to July 24 , 1994 .
Full benefits apply .
MOVED : Councilwoman Harrison
SECONDED : Councilman Klein Carried Unanimously
DATED : August 9 , 1994
Joan Lent Noteboom , Town Clerk
I
Town Board Meeting 8 / 9 / 94 /'
Agenda Item No . lli
Approval of Job Description And
Salary Range for Planner II Position
Resolution No . 164i
WHEREAS , the Personnel Committee has reviewed the need for an
upgraded position in the Planning Department ; and
WHEREAS , the Personnel Committee recommends the attached Job
Description be approved for a Planner II position ; and
WHEREAS , the Personnel Committee has evaluated the salary
requirements of such a position and its place within the current
Town salary range structure and recommends a range of $ 22 , 000 -
$ 30 , 000 ; now therefore be it
RESOLVED , the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca does hereby
approve the new Planner II Job Description and a salary range of
$ 22 , 000 - $ 301000 .
MOVED : Councilwoman Harrison
SECONDED : Councilman Klein Carried Unanimously
DATED : August 8 , 1994
n,,,,, ia. TLtL,,
Joan ent Noteboom , Town Clerk
4t% OF 1 71 1
9 TOWN OF ITHACA
,� � �- 126 EAST SENECA STREET , ITHACA , N . Y . 14850
OWN CLERK 273-1721 HIGHWAY 273- 1656 PARKS 273-8035 ENGINEERING 273-1747 PLANNING 273-1747 ZONING 273-1783
FAX (607) 273- 1704
TOWN BOARD MEETING 8 / 08 / 94
AGENDA ITEM NO . 11i .
APPROVAL OF JOB DESCRIPTION AND
SALARY RANGE FOR PLANNER II POSITION
Resolution No .
WHEREAS , the Personnel Committee has reviewed the need for an
upgraded position in the Planning Department , and
WHEREAS , the Committee recommends the attached Job
Description be approved for a Planner II position , and
WHEREAS , the Committee has evaluated the salary requirements
of such a position and its place within the current Town salary
range structure and recommends a range of $ 22 , 000 - $ 30 , 000 , now
therefore be it
RESOLVED , the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca does hereby
approve the new Planner II Job Description and a salary range of
$ 22 , 000 - $ 30 , 000 .
MOVED :
SECONDED :
DATED :
Joan Lent Noteboom , Town Clerk
TOWN OF ITHACA
JOB DESCRIPTION
PLANNER II
JOB FUNCTION : Assist Town Planner and Assistant Town Planner in
the operation of the Town Planning Department . Work encompasses a
wide range of activities including ongoing comprehensive
planning , development review , research , analysis , writing
reports , and other duties assigned by the Town Planner .
JOB STATUS : This is a full - time , salaried position , eligible for
overtime compensation for time worked over 40 hours per week .
Attendance at evening meetings of the various boards and
committees may be required .
SUPERVISOR : Town Planner
MAJOR DUTIES :
Work with various Town boards and committees , planning
consultants , other staff , etc . to prepare and implement the Town
of Ithaca Comprehensive Plan . Research , write , and edit various
comprehensive planning documents .
Provide staff support and professional assistance to committees
as assigned .
Work on special projects as necessary .
Review development proposals , prepare environmental assessments ,
write related documents .
EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE : Bachelor ' s Degree in planning ,
landscape architecture or a related field with two years related
planning experience or equivalent combination of education and
work experience .
SPECIAL SKILLS : Good writing skills . Understanding of planning
and development processes in New York State , including SEQR .
Knowledge of comprehensive planning , planning analysis and
mapping . Computer literacy in IBM compatible and / or Macintosh
personal computers , j
i
8 / 8 / 94
I+
Town Board Meeting 8 / 8 / 94 jV � ,; .,:
Agenda Item No , l l j
Approval to Change " Foreman " Position Titles
To " Crew Supervisor "
Resolution No . 164j
WHEREAS , in keeping with modern management procedures as well
as the Town of Ithaca ' s position to remain gender neutral when
appropriate , the Personnel Committee reviewed the positions in
which the term " forman " is used and evaluated the actual duties and
responsibilities of these positions ; and
WHEREAS , the Personnel Committee recommends changing the term
" foreman " in the titles of the Highway Foreman and Parks and Open
Space Foreman positions to Crew Supervisor ; now therefore be it
RESOLVED , the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca does hereby
approve the new position titles of Highway Crew Supervisor and
Parks and Open Space Crew Supervisor ,
MOVED : Councilwoman Harrison
Carried Unanimously
SECONDED : Councilman Klein
r'-
DATED : August 8 , 1994
L
Joan q.eni7 Noteboom , Town Clerk
FINAL
Town Board Meeting 8 / 8 / 94
Agenda Item No . llk
Approval for Personnel Manager To
Attend Human Resource Management Seminar
Resolution No . 164k
WHEREAS , there are many new developments impacting the
personnel field regarding economic , demographic , political , legal
and regulatory issues ; and
WHEREAS , Cornell University , in cooperation with the Society
for Human Resource Management and the local Tompkins County Human
Resource Association is offering a 10 - session program to provide
area managers with the competencies required to meet the demands of
these new challenges in the personnel / human resource field ; and
WHEREAS , it will be beneficial to the Town and its employees
to send the Personnel Manager to this program ; now therefore be it
RESOLVED , the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca does hereby
approve the attendance of Patricia Punger , Personnel Manager , to
the SHRM Human Resource Management Program scheduled at Cornell
University from September 16 - November 18 , 1994 , at a cost of
$ 695 . 00 , which includes program and comprehensive course materials ,
charged to account A1430 . 400 .
MOVED : Councilwoman Harrison
SECONDED : Councilman Klein Carried Unanimously
DATED : August 8 , 1994
Q.,S) 1'1� 41 1
Joan Lent Noteboom , Town Clerk
Town Board Meeting 8 / 8 / 94
Agenda Item No . 13
Public Hearing Date - Amendment Local Law No . 4 / 1992
Ethics Rules
Resolution No . 165
WHEREAS , the Ethics Board has recommended that changes be made
to the Ethics Disclosure Statement related to Local Law No . 4 / 1992 ,
" ESTABLISHING ETHICS RULES APPLICABLE TO TOWN OF ITHACA OFFICERS
AND EMPLOYEES " ; and
WHEREAS , the Attorney for the Town has advised the Town Board
that in order to make the recommended changes to the Ethics
Disclosure Statement it is necessary to amend the said Local Law
No . 4 / 1992 ; now therefore be it
RESOLVED , the Town Clerk is hereby authorized and directed to
advertise for a Public Hearing to be held at the regular meeting of
the Town Board on September 12 , 1994 at 7 : 00 p . m . in order that the
Town Board may consider amendments to Local Law No . 4 / 1992 ,
ESTABLISHING ETHICS RULES APPLICABLE TO TOWN OF ITHACA OFFICERS
AND EMPLOYEES " ,
MOVED : Councilwoman Harrison
SECONDED : Councilman Klein Carried Unanimously
DATED : August 8 , 1994
Joan Lent Noteboom , Town Clerk
FINAL
Town Board Meeting 8 / 8 / 94
Agenda Item No . 14
1P Transportation and Human Services Agreement With Tompkins County
Resolution No . 166
WHEREAS , Tompkins County has provided the Town of Ithaca with
a prepared contract for reimbursing the Town for transportation and
human services ; and
WHEREAS , the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca approved the
contract subject to requiring certain modifications at its meeting
held on April 11 , 1994 ; and
WHEREAS , Tompkins County is unwilling to make the changes
desired by the Town of Ithaca ; and
WHEREAS , the Town of Ithaca , not withstanding such
unwillingness , wishes to have the agreement take place ; now
therefore be it
RESOLVED , that the Town Supervisor is authorized to execute
the contract with Tompkins County in its present form providing for
reimbursement to the Town of Ithaca for transportation and human
services for a total amount of approximately , $ 23 , 900 , and be it
further
RESOLVED , that the Town Supervisor notify Tompkins County that
next year and in future years Tompkins County can directly make
payment to Gadabout and the Senior Citizens Council for County - wide
services .
MOVED : Councilwoman Valentino
SECONDED : Councilwoman Grigorov Carried Unanimously
DATED : August 8 , 1994
Joan Lent Noteboom , Town Clerk
w
COPY
ADM94ITHACA
AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT, made by and between the COUNTY OF TOMPKINS , a municipal
corporation of the State of New York , having offices in the 125 East Court Street , Ithaca, New
York 14850, hereinafter referred to as the " COUNTY" , and TOWN OF ITHACA , of 126 East
Seneca Street , Ithaca , New York, hereinafter referred to as the "TOWN" .
WITNESSETH:
Whereas , the COUNTY wishes to enter into a contract with the TOWN to assist the
TOWN in partially covering its operating expenses ,
NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the promises , covenants , and agreements contained
herein , the parties agree as follows :
1 . The term of this contract shall be from January 1 , 1994 through December 31 , 1994 .
A . Cty/Town Program - Transport
6950 . 4660 $ 163550 $4 , 137 . 50
B . Cty/Town Program - Human Services
6951 . 4660 $ 7, 350 $ 1 , 837 . 50
Total per year. . . . . . . $23 , 900
Total per quarter in 1994 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 5 , 975 . 00
The COUNTY agrees to pay the TOWN $ 5 , 975 quarterly in 1994 as reimbursement for the
TOWN's payment to Gadabout and the Senior Citizens Council for County-wide services .
Payment of said sum shall be made by the County Comptroller on a quarterly basis based on
vouchers submitted to the County Comptroller at 125 East Court Street , Ithaca, New York .
2 . The TOWN agrees to pay $ 16 , 550 to Gadabout as the TOWN's contribution for County-
wide services . The TOWN agrees to pay $ 7, 350 to the Senior Citizens Council for County-wide
services .
3 . The CONTRACTOR shall indemnify, hold harmless and defend Tompkins County and
its officers , employees , agents and elected officials from and against any and all claims and actions
brought against Tompkins County and its officers , employees , agents and elected officials for injury
or death to any person or persons or damage to property arising out of the performance of this
contract by the CONTRACTOR, its employees , subcontractors or agents with the exception of all
actions and claims arising out of the negligence of Tompkins County.
- 2 -
1
4 . It is mutually agreed between the parties that an independent contractor relationship is
hereby established under the terms and conditions of this contract .
5 . The provisions of this agreement shall be construed under the laws of the State of New
York .
IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties hereto have executed this agreement as of the day and
year first above written .
DATE :
County of Tompkins
DATE:
)To n o Ithaca
t
Town Board Meeting 8 / 8 / 94 a
Agenda Item No , 15
Sale of Items at Auction
Resolution No . 167
WHEREAS , the Highway Department has purchased a new backhoe to
replace the old backhoe , and new cutting edges to replace old ones ;
and
WHEREAS , the Highway Department would like to put the old
backhoe and several cutting edges in an auction in September ; and
WHEREAS , the Engineering Department has purchased a new
vehicle to replace the old van and would like to put the old van in
an auction in September ; now therefore be it
RESOLVED , that the Town Board does hereby approve the backhoe ,
cutting edges , and engineering van to be placed in the auction for
sale .
MOVED : Councilwoman Grigorov
SECONDED : Councilman Conley Carried Unanimously
DATED : August 8 , 1994
j"+ Lta'�"
Joan Lent Noteboom , Town Clerk
i
Town Board Meeting 8 / 8 / 94 ` b ;,b +f A•
Agenda Item No . 17 e
Contract Change Order No . 1
Coddington Road and Danby Road Sewer Replacement
Resolution No . 168
WHEREAS , during the course of construction of the Coddington
Road and Danby Road Sewer replacements additional work as described
by Work Directive Changes 1 and 2 was determined to be necessary by
the Town Engineer ; and
WHEREAS , the unanticipated need to relocate a NYSEG gas main
resulted in additional cost to the contractor ; and
WHEREAS , the Town Engineer has prepared Change Order No . 1 to
the contract and has recommended approval ; now therefore be it
RESOLVED , the Town Board hereby approves Change Order No , 1 in
the amount of $ 5 , 139 . 70 for the Coddington Road and Danby Road
Sewer Replacement Project ,
MOVED : Councilwoman Harrison
SECONDED : Councilwoman Grigorov Carried Unanimously
DATED : August 8 , 1994
QerL� t 1--+ lnt
Joan tent Noteboom , Town Clerk
I
' z
Town Board Meeting 8 / 8 / 94 N, � `� ' p
if
Agenda Item No . 18
Forest Home Bridge Replacement Project
Resolution No . 169
WHEREAS , the Town of Ithaca and Tompkins County are planning
a combined replacement / rehabilitation project for the downstream
Forest Home bridge over Fall Creek ( BIN 3047440 ) , located in the
Town of Ithaca ; and
WHEREAS , the Town of Ithaca Town Board has discussed and
reviewed the replacement / rehabilitation plans for the said bridge
with members of the Tompkins County Department of Public Works , the
Forest Home Improvement Association , the Town Public Works
Committee , the Town Engineer , and Town Highway Superintendent ; and
WHEREAS , Forest Home Improvement Association has requested
that the said bridge be replaced / rehabilitated in a manner as to
preserve the historic appearance of the said bridge ; now therefore
be it
RESOLVED , the Town of Ithaca Town Board does hereby recommend
that the Tompkins County Department of Public Works effect the
replacement / rehabilitation of the downstream Forest Home bridge
over Fall Creek ( BIN 3047440 ) by using plan Option # 7 , with a four
foot wide wooden cantilever walkway .
MOVED : Councilman Conley
Carried Unanimously
SECONDED : Councilwoman Valentino
DATED : August 8 , 1994
OL,,, J,,- 7 WJtj,,,,
J an Lent Noteboom , Town Clerk
Agenda # 1 8
FHIAForest Home Improvement Association F I k
July 21 , 1994
Mr . Richard Lord
NYS Office of Parks , Recreation , and
Historic Preservation
Field Services Bureau
Peebles Island PO Box 189
Waterford , NY 12188 4189
Dear Mr . Lord :
I enjoyed discussing the downstream Forest Home bridge reconstruction
project with you over the phone on July 14 . It is nice to know that
historic preservation is valued in New York , and that you are willing
to take the time to ensure that it is fully understood and appropriately
integrated into ongoing projects within the state .
As you know , the Forest Home bridge work group has come to a general
agreement to pursue Option 7 . This design retains the driving deck ' s
original width and alignment , restores the historic trusses and re -
establishes their original position relative to the driving surface ,
and incorporates separate decks for vehicles and pedestrians . However ,
several key aspects of this option have yet to be resolved , and I would
appreciate any guidance which you could provide us as we work to
finalize the design .
Some of the major points that I got out of our conversation appear below .
Could you please confirm or clarify these for us ?
o The review which your office has already conducted , the results of
which were communicated in David Gillespie ' s June 10 letter to Liz
Cameron , was only a brief , SEQR - level review . Your office will conduct
a more thorough and in -depth review for ISTEA once we have refined and
focused this project a little better .
o The bridge ' s documented historical dimensions and materials should be
retained , with a 10% maximum variation acceptable if necessary to
maintain the historic components . A 507. increase in walkway width
would not be appropriate .
o As used here , "maintaining the historic components " means maintaining
the continued integrity of the bridge ' s historic elements , not every-
day maintenance , per se . Ease of snow removal would not be a valid
reason to alter the walkway ' s size or appearance .
Richard Lord July 21 , 1994 Page 2
There is also still some confusion locally regarding the role that your
office plays in the whole design process . In a recent memo to the Public
Works Committee , Tompkins County engineering staff indicated that "Since
the bridge is eligible for designation as a historic structure and we
will be receiving Federal funding , we are required to consider the
comments of the State Historic Preservation Office ( SHPO ) . " I had under -
stood that we had to do more than merely consider your comments .
Elizabeth Johnson of your office had once suggested that she could spell
out , step -by - step , the process that the Forest Home bridge work group
should follow as it works with your office to refine the bridge
reconstruction design . This would still be a good idea . It would also
be useful if we knew approximately how much time to budget for each step
along the way .
Thank you very much for your help and guidance in this matter . We
anticipate finalizing the design by mid -August , and so would appreciate
receiving your thoughts as soon as conveniently possible .
Sincerely ,
Bruce Brittain , Chair
FHLA Traffic Committee
135 Warren Road
Ithaca , NY 14850
xc : Elizabeth Johnson
I
FHIAForest Home Improvement Association
August 5 , 1994
TO : Members of the Ithaca Town Board
FROM : Bruce Brittain , Chair , FHIA Traffic Committee
RE : Downstream Forest Home Bridge
The Forest Home Improvement Association supports Option 7 for the design of
the downstream bridge . In addition , we favor retaining the cantilevered ,
4 ft . wide , wooden deck walkway , and favor retaining the current abutment
. width and a modest load limit rating . This design is more historically
accurate than the other alternatives , complies with the approved ISTEA
funding , and would satisfy the State Historic Preservation Office ' s stated
preference for documented dimensions and historic materials . It can also
be a very cost effective solution .
GENERAL BRIDGE DESIGN : Option 7 in preference to all other options
Retains the driving deck ' s original width and alignment , restores the historic
trusses and re - establishes their original position relative to the driving
surface , and incorporates separate decks for vehicles and pedestrians
Supported by FHIA , Bridge Work Group , SHPO , and Town Public Works Committee
WALKWAY SUPPORT : Cantilever in preference to 4th girder
Less visually intrusive and more historically accurate
Could cost up to $ 10 , 000 more , but would not require as wide an abutment ,
resulting in approximate break- even cost
Staff ' s proposed 4th girder support would mean that walkway would have same
load carrying capability as driving surface , and would allow for easier
conversion to unwanted two - lane bridge
WALKWAY WIDTH : 4 ft . in preference to 6 ft .
Current 4 ft . width works well and is the widest walkway facility in F . H .
More historically accurate , favored by SHPO , complies with ISTEA funding
Would require no more maintenance than current walkway
Staff ' s proposed 6 fc . walkway would oe designed for Towit Liactor equippcu
with snow plow . However , walkway would then collect more snow , and
tractor might not be most convenient way to clear it , since not currently
used in Forest Home
6 ft . walkway would noticeably change bridge ' s proportions , and would increase
cost for both walkway materials and support system
WALKWAY DECK MATERIAL : Wood in preference to concrete
Current material , more historically accurate , favored by SHPO , complies
with ISTEA funding
Less expensive to construct . Wood deck might need to be replaced every
30 years , but would have lower overall life - time cost
Would require no more maintenance than current walkway
Staff ' s proposed concrete walkway would be heavier and would require stronger
support , but could help to protect that support from the elements
ABUTMENT WIDTH : Current width in preference to wider
More historically accurate , less disturbance to adjacent area
Considerably less expensive to construct
Staff ' s proposed abutment would be significantly wider , wider than the
2 - lane roads in vicinity of bridge , and would allow for easier conversion
to unwanted 2 4ane bridge
BRIDGE LOAD LIMIT RATING : 15 - 20 tons in preference to unlimited rating
Original load limit , appropriate for Forest Home community
Bridge located within 5 ton weight limit zone
Less expensive to construct
Staff ' s proposed HS - 25 design is to accomodate high speed heavy truck traffic
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n New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
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LL
O NEW YORK STATE Peebles Island, PO Box 189, Waterford , New York 12188-0189 518-237- 8643
Joan K. Davidson
Commissioner
July 26 , 1994
Mr . Bruce Brittain , Chair
Forest Home Improvement
Association Traffic Committee
135 Warren Road
Ithaca , New York 14850
Dear Mr . Brittain : Re : ISTEA/ SEQRA
Forest Home Drive Bridge , Fall Creek
Ithaca , Tompkins County
94PRO748
Thank you for your letter of July 21 . I enjoyed speaking with you on
July 14 , and am pleased to confirm our discussions of that day .
The Office of Parks , Recreation and Historic Preservation ( OPRHP ) is the
state agency responsible for coordinating historic preservation programs and
encouraging local preservation efforts in New York State . In that capacity
we comment on projects that may affect historic or cultural resources under
several state or federal laws .
We offer comments on projects as requested under the State Environmental
Quality Review Act ( SEQRA ) , which is administered by the Department of
Environmental Conservation ( DEC ) . OPRHP also provides comments to state and
federal agencies whose undertakings ( funding , licensing or permitting ) may
affect significant historic and cultural resources ; those reviews are
authorized by Section 14 . 09 of the New York State Parks , Recreation and
Historic Preservation Law , and Section 106 of the National Historic
Preservation Act of 1966 , respectively .
I am happy to answer your specific questions about OPRHP ' s regulatory
review role and our comments for the new Forest Home Drive Bridge .
10 Our June 10 , 1994 letter for the project was written in response to
Ms . Elisabeth Cameron ' s request for comments . Because no specific
state or federal licenses , permits or funds were identified , our
comments were provided under SEQRA . Because the County had not
selected a preferred option , but instead provided the full range of
alternatives being considered , our comments were general in nature
and explained the criteria we would use to select an alternative .
If the project receives state or federal funds ( e . g . ISTEA ) or
requires state or federal permits ( e . g . Army Corps of Engineers ) ,
the specific selected proposal would be reviewed under applicable
state or federal statutes .
An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Agency
40 printed on recycled paper
Mr . Bruce Brittain
July 26 , 1994
Page 2
2 . I did explain that exact replication is the preferred alternative
for replacement features , but that we could consider some changes
within a 10 % range provided they were necessary for the structural
integrity of the new bridge or the material integrity of the reused
historic components .
3 . Our letter encouraged " adopting a scheme that recreates documented
relationships ( vertical and horizontal distances ) and historic
materials at the road deck and sidewalk , although we feel slight
modifications would be acceptable to address the preservation and
maintenance concerns cited above . "
That specific example recommended against placing historic trusses
in " pockets " if that would trap water , accelerate deterioration , or
prevent ongoing and timely maintenance of historic bridge materials
and components .
The specific example you discussed ( whether snow would be plowed or
shoveled off sidewalks ) would be difficult to justify , and a 50 %
increase would not be appropriate . There is a difference between
not being able to perform any maintenance at all , and the desire to
make maintenance " easier . "
40 " Consider " is a word used in the federal Section 106 language , but
a reading of Advisory Council on Historic Preservation regulations
36 CFR 800 makes it clear that preservation concerns must be
considered in good faith , and addressed if financially prudent ,
technically feasible , and consistent with the program needs or
overall goal of the undertaking . The Advisory Council must concur
that the Section 106 review has been satisfactorily completed .
Section 106 must be carried to its logical conclusion through
consultation with the State Historic Preservation Office , or SHPO
( OPRHP is the SHPO in New York under federal law ) and the Advisory
Council . Federal agencies are severely restricted in their ability
to fund , permit , license or otherwise participate in any part of a
project if the Advisory Council determines that anticipatory work
( including removals or demolition ) prevents them from exploring all
project alternatives , or that the Section 106 process has not been
satisfactorily completed .
Mr . Bruce Brittain
July 26 , 1994
Page 3
I hope this alleviates any concern you or the Forest Home Improvement
Association may have over this project . I appreciate the opportunity to
clarify our role , and look forward to working with you and the County to see
this project to a successful conclusion .
Please telephone me at 518 / 237 - 8643 , ext . 276 with any questions .
Sincerely ,
Richard M . Lord
Historic Sites Restoration
Coordinator
cc : Ms . Elisabeth Cameron
Tompkins County Engineering
Bostwick Road
Ithaca , New York 14850
Mr . Stuart Stein
11 Cornell Walk
Ithaca , New York 14850
L09079 / 072694
Town Board Meeting 8 / 8 / 94
Agenda Item No . 19 IL NA j
Agreement Between Owner and Architect
Town Hall Feasibility Study
Resolution No . 170
WHEREAS , the Town Board has authorized that an Architectural
Feasibility Study for the consideration of the acquisition and / or
construction of a new Town Hall be prepared ; and
WHEREAS , Councilman David Klein , the Town Engineer , and the
Town Clerk have been interviewing and negotiating with various
architectural firms for the preparation of the said Study ; and
WHEREAS , it has been recommended by the said Town Officials
that Hoffman O ' Brien Look Taube & Chiang , P . C . are the best
qualified of the architectural firms interviewed to prepare the
said study ; and
WHEREAS , the Town Board wishes to enter into a contract with
Hoffman O ' Brien Look Taube & Chiang , P . C . to prepare the said
study ; now therefore be it
RESOLVED , the Town Supervisor is hereby authorized and
directed to execute the said contract with Hoffman O ' Brien Look
Taube & Chiang , P . C . in a form and substance satisfactory to the
Town Supervisor and Attorney for the Town ; and be it further
RESOLVED , the cost of the services shall be as described or as
negotiated and revised by the Town Supervisor and the Attorney for
the Town with the first phase of the study not to exceed
$ 11 , 800 . 00 .
MOVED : Councilwoman Grigorov
SECONDED : Councilwoman Valentino Carried Unanimously
DATED : August 8 , 1994
0." Liz� %Xk"
Joan Lent Noteboom , Town Clerk
i
Town Board Meeting 8 / 8 / 94
/I
Agenda Item No , 20
Executive Session - Approval for Appraisal
Resolution No . 171
BE IT RESOLVED , the Town Supervisor is hereby authorized and
directed to contract for a market value appraisal to be done on the
property discussed in the Executive Session ,
MOVED : Councilman Conley
Carried Unanimously
SECONDED : Councilwoman Harrison
DATED : August 8 , 1994
Q'." L+ 'rXL"
Joa Lent Noteboom , Town Clerk
I
PARKS AND OPEN SPACE MANAGER ' S REPORT , JULY 1994
TOWN OF ITHACA TOWN BOARD MEETING , AUGUST 8 . 1994
10 The typical mid - summer slow down in lawn growth allowed us to
cut back to mowing every other week , thereby requiring only 64
hours for the month of July .
2 . The first application of Roundup was completed at all park and
trail sites , totaling 50 hours .
3 . Shrub and trail trimming was begun on a site by site basis .
A total of 103 hours were spent thus far .
4 . Wood sealer was applied to all park play structures . An
additional 28 hours were spent spraying in July .
5 . South Hill Trail access ramps were oiled and stoned on July
22 . requiring 28 hours of Highway and Parks time .
6 . Playground equipment purchased in honor of Shirley
Raffensperger was installed at Grandview and Hungerford
Heights Parks . This required some expansion of the play
structure area at Grandview . The projects took a total of 53
hours . A dedication ceremony honoring Shirley was held on
July 29 .
7 . Construction of the East Hill Walkway from Snyder Hill Road to
Ellis Hollow Road was begun late in the month by Highway and
Parks . Drainage pipes were installed , base gravel was laid
down and grading was begun in preparation for a double coat of
oil and stone . to be done on or about August 10 . Parks staff
spent 30 hours thus far on the Walkway .
8 . Routine maintenance tasks , totaling 166 hours , included
installation of dog curbing signs at all park and trail sites
and watering of all plantings done so far this year .
August Parks Projects
1 . Finish East Hill Walkway .
2 . Finish shrub and trail trimming .
3 . Continue staining park furniture and signs .
4 . 1995 budget preparation .
5 . Youth Conservation Corp . Program ends August 11 , 19949
6 . Resurface Dewitt Exercise Trail with lA gravel .
7 . Second mowing of water tank and pump station sites .
80 Continue routine grounds maintenance .
ghk
Agenda # 3
+� HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT ' S BOARD REPORT , JULY 1994
TOWN OF ITHACA BOARD MEETING , AUGUST 8 , 1994
July ' s weather has been cooperating quite nicely so the Highway
Department has been able to work on several projects this month .
We have worked 470 . 5 hours on Permanent Improvements . The Hopkins
Road reconstruction is our major project . We have hauled in
19842 . 2 tons of crusher run for this project , thus far . Other
projects include moving a ditch back on Whitetail and regrading
Evergreen Lane ' s circle .
Along with these projects we had Suit - Kote slurry seal Winston
Drive and Salem Drive .
During July several roads have been patched with hot mix . These
include Poole Road , Salem Drive ( to ready it for slurry sealing ) , ,
Culver Hill Road , Glenside Road , and Indian Creek Road . Another
duty that is considered general repairs is cleaning out ditches .
Several ditches , including Culver Hill Road , have been cleaned out
this month . These projects used 870 hours of our time .
Again , the Highway Department continues to mow along sides of Town
roads . This took 141 hours this month . Machinery repairs took 178
hours of time .
The Highway Crews worked on replacing a fire hydrant on LaGrande
Court . This consumed 44 hours of time to complete the project .
August Proiects
1 . Oil and Stone several roads .
2 . Continue work on Hopkins Road .
3 . Continue clearing ditches on various roads .
4 . Continue hot patching .
5 . 1995 Budget preparations .
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Agenda # 3
Towri IErrnss irneer ' S 13,e12520 r t for AuJZ 'LX S t 8 1994
Towri Bo a r ci Me e t i rz t�
DEVELOPMENT REVIEW
The Engineering Staff has been reviewing compliance on the
following projects that have received Planning Board approval and
are under construction :
Glendale Farms Subdivision . Bostwick Road
Health Department approval for subdivision and sewer
improvement has been received .
Saponi Meadows Subdivision . Seven Mile Drive
One house has been constructed as a model . Construction of
improvements has not been started .
Chase Pond Subdivision ( Saunders Road ) . East King Road
Water and sewer improvements have been completed . and road and
drainage construction has begun .
TRANSPORTATION
The Forest Home Bridge has been approved for ISTEA
funding based on the historic nature of the facility .
The NYS Office of Parks . Recreation and Historic
Preservation has reviewed the proposal and made some
comments . The Public works committee has discussed the
options with the Forest Home Committee and will be making
a recommendation to the Town Board . The final cost
estimates for the Town contribution for the project has
not been received from the county at this point .
The Judd Falls Road project will be discussed at a meeting of
Forest Home representatives and members of the public Works
committee of August 9 .
WATER & SEWER
The engineering department has begun final design of the Troy
Road water extension project .
The Town Engineer has provided technical assistance to the
CRCC on a flow test and has assisted in the preparation of the
LEAF for the Coddington Road water extension .
Survey field work and mapping for the final design of the
Westhaven Road and Mecklenberg Road sewer extension has been
completed by the engineering staff , and final design of the
project is proceeding with the goal of a fall contract
letting .
Agenda # 3
HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT ' S BOARD REPORT , JULY 1994
TOWN OF ITHACA BOARD MEETING , AUGUST 8 , 1994
July ' s weather has been cooperating quite nicely so the Highway
Department has been able to work on several projects this month .
We have worked 470 . 5 hours on Permanent Improvements , The Hopkins
Road reconstruction is our major project , We have hauled in
1 , 842 . 2 tons of crusher run for this project , thus far . Other
projects include moving a ditch back on Whitetail and regrading
Evergreen Lane ' s circle .
Along with these projects we had Suit - Kote slurry seal Winston
Drive and Salem Drive ,
During July several roads have been patched with hot mix . These
include Poole Road , Salem Drive ( to ready it for slurry sealing ) , ,
Culver Hill Road , Glenside Road , and Indian Creek Road . Another
duty that is considered general repairs is cleaning out ditches .
Several ditches , including Culver Hill Road , have been cleaned out
this month . These projects used 870 hours of our time .
Again , the Highway Department continues to mow along sides of Town
roads . This took 141 hours this month . Machinery repairs hook 178
hours of time .
The Highway Crews worked on replacing a fire hydrant on LaGrande
Court . This consumed 44 hours of time to complete the project .
August Proiects
19 Oil and Stone several roads .
2 . Continue work on Hopkins Road .
3 . Continue clearing ditches on various roads .
49 Continue hot patching .
50 1995 Budget preparations .
ghk
4i
PARKS AND OPEN SPACE MANAGER ' S REPORT , JULY 1994
TOWN OF ITHACA TOWN BOARD MEETING , AUGUST 8 , 1994
1 . The typical mid - summer slow down in lawn growth allowed us to
cut back to mowing every other week , thereby requiring only 64
hours for the month of July .
2 . The first application of Roundup was completed at all park and
trail sites , totaling 50 hours .
3 . Shrub and trail trimming was begun on a site by site basis .
A total of 103 hours were spent thus far .
4 . Wood sealer was applied to all park play structures . An
additional 28 hours were spent spraying in July .
5 , South Hill Trail access ramps were oiled and stoned on July
22 , requiring 28 hours of Highway and Parks time .
6 . Playground equipment purchased in honor of Shirley
Raffensperger was installed at Grandview and Hungerford
Heights Parks . This required some expansion of the play
structure area at Grandview . The projects took a total of 53
hours . A dedication ceremony honoring Shirley was held on
July 29 ,
7 . Construction of the East Hill Walkway from Snyder Hill Road to
Ellis Hollow Road was begun late in the month by Highway and
Parks . Drainage pipes were installed , base gravel was laid
down and grading was begun in preparation for a double coat of
oil and stone to be done on or about August 10 . Parks staff
spent 30 hours thus far on the Walkway .
89 Routine maintenance tasks , totaling 166 hours , included
installation of dog curbing signs at all park and trail sites
and watering of all plantings done so far this year .
August Parks Projects
1 . Finish East Hill Walkway ,
2 . Finish shrub and trail trimming .
3 . Continue staining park furniture and signs .
4 . 1995 budget preparation .
5 . Youth Conservation Corp . Program ends August 11 , 1994 ,
69 Resurface Dewitt Exercise Trail with lA gravel .
7 . Second mowing of water tank and pump station sites .
i
8 . Continue routine grounds maintenance .
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rccm 3a
SUPERVISOR ' S REPORT August 8 . 1994
INTERMUNICIPAL
County issues : The county has decided to delay adding :lie solid waste fee to the
tax bill until January 1996 . We have requested that a committee be formed to
address the concerns of the Towns well before the time of implementation .
Fire Contract : A draft revised fire contract is included in your packets . Several
issues remain to be decided . I hope the Board can provide guidance on how to
proceed . An executive session may be necessary .
I met with Cornell officials to discuss issues of joint interest, including economic
development, road and bridge reconstruction in East Ithaca, partnership possibilities
relating to the proposed lake water cooling project, and timing of the SLUR
discussions .
Sesser Joint Subcommittee : Town representatives on the SJS tnet to discuss the
Town 's position on various issues pertaining to the contract that is being revised . It
appears that some City officials are willing to abandon their stance on the City's
assumed power of approval in exchange for a joint long term planning effort that
addresses maintenance or construction of joint transmission facilities . A
redefinition of "excess capacity " a-rid its disposition is also an important issue that
remains to be resolved .
DEVELOPMENT ISSUES
Hospicare will host a ground breaking ceremony on August 25 at 3 PM.
We are working with Dryden officials to resolve issues pertainin; to the Peregrine
Hollow project on Snyder Hill . Items to be resolved include sewer capacities ,
impact on the Eastern Heights park and secondary road access .
FINANCIAL
The 1995 budget process has begun . Department heads are have received budget
worksheets to be returned to the budget officer by the end of August. Bolton Point
has also developed a draft preliminary budget to be submitted to the commission .
n D
Agenda Item #3
Town Planner' s Report for August 8, 1994 Town Board Meeting
DEVELOPMENT REVIEW
Planning staff has been working on the following projects under Planning Board
review jurisdiction:
Iacovelli Lot Line Modification, Coddington Road
This proposal to change the boundary between two previous subdivision
parcels received approval at the July 19th Planning Board meeting.
Foote / Varn Subdivision, Slaterville Road
Proposed two lot subdivision, including parcel that would be added to
adjacent Peregrine Hollow development in Dryden was before Planning Board
at July 19th meeting for sketch plan review. Issues raised included future use
of Town of Ithaca Park (Eastern Heights ), parkland reservation, potential road
access, and location of sewer line to serve Peregrine Hollow. Tentatively
scheduled for preliminary approval at August 16th Planning Board meeting.
Raponi Subdivision, Coddington Road
Proposed two lot subdivision is on agenda for preliminary and final approval
at August 2nd Planning Board meeting. Would create one new building lot.
East Hill Citgo Sign Variances, Judd Falls Road
Recommendation to Zoning Board on sign variances at gas station under
construction is on agenda at 8 / 2 Planning Board meeting.
Rogan Sign Variance, Danby Road
Recommendation to Zoning Board on sign variance at Rogan' s Corner
shopping center is on agenda at 8 /2 Planning Board meeting.
Ithacare Senior Living Center, Danby Road
Received preliminary site plan approval at July 5th Planning Board meeting.
Subsequently, a lawsuit was filed against the Planning Board challenging its
decision. Staff is working with Town Attorney's office on defense against
action. Originally scheduled for August 12th, court appearance has been
postponed to September 6th.
Fees in Lieu of Parkland : Staff has completed analysis of typical building lot prices in
different areas of town, so that fees in lieu of parkland can be related to market
. values of land . Planning Committee has prepared a recommendation on fee structure
and procedures, and is forwarding it to Codes and Ordinances Committee to work
out details.
Sunset Provisions for Subdivision Approvals : Staff is working with the Codes and
Ordinances Committee on the question of whether the subdivision regulations can be
amended to establish a time limit for completion of improvements in approved
subdivisions, after which approval would expire if work has not materially
commenced . Staff has contacted the New York State Department of State to discuss
planning and legal issues and has obtained sample provisions from other
communities .
Coddington Road Water Extension: Staff has provided assistance to Town Board,
including attendance at residents meeting at Coddington Road Community Center
and preparation of Full Environmental Assessment Form and SEQR resolution .
Recruitment of Planner: Interviews have been scheduled for August 4th and 5th for
the vacant planner position .
Filename: 1 staff\jon \ tpinrep mem
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TOWN BOARD MEETING 8 / 08 / 94
PERSONNEL MANAGER ' S MONTHLY REPORT
AGENDA ITEM # 3h .
Every three years the Town ' s overall insurance coverages are
reviewed and requests for proposals sent out . I have begun the
insurance evaluation process and will meet with the Insurance
Review Committee , consisting of Fred Noteboom , Dan Walker , and
myself later this month .
Evaluation of the needs of the Planning Dept . has determined that
the Planner I position should be upgraded to the level of
Planner II . Interviews of six candidates are scheduled for
August 4 and 5 . It is hoped an appointment will be recommended
by August 12th .
The new salary process is being prepared for budgeting . I have set
up two employee meetings , one in Town Hall , the other at the
Highway Garage , to explain these changes and answer questions .
Guidelines for allocation of merit increases have been determined
and added to the annual budget preparation instructions .
I am pleased with the success of the computer training sessions I
set up for Town employees . Many people have taken the opportunity
to independently expand and strengthen their computer skills over
the past two months using our variety of training programs .
The Personnel Committee reviewed the following issues during its
monthly meeting on July 21 , 1994 :
Item # 1 : Reviewed the term " foreman " in Town Job Titles
Action : Recommendations sent to Town Board Aug . 8 meeting .
Item # 2 : Considered Planner II Job Description and
Salary Range
Action : Recommendations sent to Town Board Aug . 8 meeting .
Item # 3 : Performed Annual Review of Town Salary Ranges
Action : Requested Department Head input for discussion
on August 18 , 19949
Item # 4 : Reconsidered New Annual Salary Process
Action : Recommendations sent to Town Board July 26 meeting .
4ty of I p V
Preq'� _ a iy o conr_ inue . . .
TOWN OF ITHACA
�4- 126 EAST SENECA STREET , ITHACA , N . Y . 14850
WN CLERK 273- 1721 HIGHWAY 273- 1656 PARKS 273-8035 ENGINEERING 273- 1747 PLANNING 273- 1747 ZONING 273-1783
FAX (607) 273- 1704
ASSISTANT BUDGET OFFICER
REPORT FOR THE MONTH OF JULY 1994
This month we started receiving our CHIPS money : $ 3r211 . 06 for 0 & 1.1
and $ 30 , 938 . 61 for capital improvements . Other receipts for the
month included $ 10 , 000 . 00 from Cornell University for their share
of the Judd Falls sidewalk project and $ 98 , 074 . 00 in mortgage tax
from the Kendal Project .
Total interest for the second quarter 1994 was $ 14 , 491 . 34 .
A reminder to Board members - if you wish to make a request for
funding in the 1995 budget I must have your request no later than
August 19 , 1994 .
Submitted by ;
Sally E . Alario
Assistant Budget Officer /
Purchasing Agent
08 / 01 / 94
TOWN CLERK 'S MONTHLY REPORT
TOWN OF Ithaca NEW YORK (Month ) July t9 94 agenda # 3
TO THE SUPERVISOR:
Pursuant to Section 27, Subd. 1 , of the Town Law, I hereby make the following statement of all lees and moneys received by me in connection
with my office, during the month above stated, excepting only such fees and moneys the application and payment of which are otherwise provided
for by law:
NUMBER OF LICENSES SOLD OR ISSUED
LICENSE CATEGORY COMMISSION COMMISSION FREE VOID TOTAL USED
SPORTSMAN
FISHING - SEASON 1100
HUNTING (SMALL GAME)
BIG GAME (DEER d BEAR)
TRAPPING
JUNIOR ARCHERY ( 14- 15 YEARS)
FISHING - 3 DAY
JUNIOR TRAPPING (UNDER 16 YEARS)
SENIOR (65 + / MILITARY DISABILITY)
NON - RESIDENT BIG GAME (DEER d BEAR)
NON - RESIDENT HUNTING SEASON (SMALL GAME)
NON - RESIDENT FISHING - SEASON
NON - RESIDENT HUNTING - 5 DAY SMALL GAME
NON - RESIDENT FISHING - 5 DAY
BOWHUNTING (BIG GAME LICENSE REQUIRED)
MUZZLELOADING (BIG GAME LICENSE REOUIRED)
JUNIOR HUNTING ( 12- 15 YEARS)
LOST LICENSE CERTIFICATE
TOTAL SOLD XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX FEES TO TOWN
COMMISSION @ b S 1 . 00 XXXXXXXXXXX
COMMISSION @ ADD - TOTAL
b S COMMISSIONS b S 1100
14 Marriage Licenses No. 43 56 @ 8 . 75 $ 122 , 50
Marriage Certificates @
1 Marriage Transcripts @ 10 . 00 10 . 00
1255 TOTAL TOWN CLERK FEES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . S 133 . 50
1010 - 1090 REAL PROPERTY TAXES S INTEREST and PENALTIES $ __
2001 PARK and RECREATION CHARGES
2110 ZONING FEES S 2115 PLANNING FEES 5 -
2530 GAMES OF CHANCE TOWN SHARE . . . . . . . LICENSE S FEE S TOTAL
2540 BINGO TOWN SHARE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . LICENSES FE S - _ TOTAL
2544 12 DOG LICENSE - SPAYED AND NEUTERED 2777302 - C to 2777313 -D $ 2 . 00 -72-4700
49 DOG LICENSE - UNSPAYED AND UNNEUTERED R8961543 _C tD R8961591 -A @ 52 . 00 98 . 00
2545 OTHER LICENSES _ Tax Search 3 @ $ 5__ . 00 15 . 00
2555 BUILDING PERMITS Zoning Ordinance 9 @ - $ 5 _ 00 45 . 00
2590 OTHER PERMITS Mist_. / Copies _ 57 . 40
2655 MINOR SALES _ Comprehensive Pl_ a_n_1_ @ $ 1 . DO 61 . 00
2770 OTHER UNCLASSIFIED REVENUES
TOTAL TOWN REVENUES TO SUPERVISOR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . S 443 . 90
Amount paid to SUPERVISOR for Games of Chance Licenses
Amount paid to SUPERVISOR for State Share of Bingo Licenses
Amount paid to D. E.C. for Conservation Licenses 13 . 00
Amount paid to COUNTY TREASURER for Dog Licenses 100 . 20_
Amount paid to STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT for Marriage Licenses 15_7 . 50
Amount paid to for Lottery Tickets
Amount paid to State for Sales Tax on Sale of Dogs
SPCA Contract 288 . 30
Received Payment of these amounts: TOTAL DISBURSED . . . . . . . . . $ -1 —� -
August 3 -- 1994
" --- - --- Supervisor
STATE OF NEW YORK, COUNTY OF Tompkins
-- - ---- -
--- - - - -- . TOWNOF ---Ithaca_
of the Town of Ithaca Joan Lent Noteboom being duly sworn, says that s he is the Clerk
that the foregoing is a full and true statement
of all Fees and Moneys received by h er during the month above stated, excepting only such Fees the application and payment of which are
otherwise provided for by law.
Subscribed and Sworn to before me this
day of ._ 19 Town ClerA
Notary Public
Note — Prepare in duplicate Remit original to Supervisor, retain copy for Clerk"s record
Agenda Item # 3f
TOWN OF ITHACA
RECEIVER OF TAXES
FINAL REPORT - 1994
Payments Other Than Warrant
Miscellaneous Payments to Town Supervisor
Installment Payment Charges - $ 442000
Fee : Checks Returned for Insufficient Funds - 93 . 00
Interest : Receiver of Taxes Checking Account - 210 . 44
Interest & Penalties / Notice Charges - 10 , 760007
Notice Charges : Unpaids on Warrants - 251 . 00
Total Misc . Payments to Supervisor : $ 11 , 756 . 51
1994 In Lieu of Taxes
Due : Tompkins County Medical Office Associates $ 9 , 613 . 30
National Cash Register ( NCR ) 10 , 926 . 30
Ellis Hollow Associates 38 , 009 . 31
Cornell University - ( Benefit Assessments ) 61420000
* * Ithaca Elm / Maple Houses Incorporated ?
TOTAL IN LIEU OF TAXES BILLED : $ 64 , 968 . 91
Payments Recv ' d : T Co . Medical Office Associates - 91613 . 30
National Cash Register ( NCR - 10 , 926 . 30
Cornell University - 61420000
Ithaca Elm / Maple Houses Inc . - 39 , 391 . 00
BALANCE DUE IN LIEU OF TAXES : $ ( 11381 . 70 )
* * In Lieu of Tax payment from Ithaca Elm / Maple Houses Incorporated ,
West Village Place , is unknown until received in April / May .
Payment based upon gross basic rents , calculated by HUD .
Miscellaneous Payments To Tompkins County
Installment Service Charges : $ 13 , 488 . 85
Interest : Receiver of Taxes Checking Account - Feb . 361 . 09
March 26 . 60
Apr . 46 . 95
May 25 . 86
$ 13 , 949 . 35
Agenda Item No . 3f
Town Clerk / Receiver of Taxes
Monthly Report
August 8 , 1994
Records Management : The Archival Grant for 1993 / 94 was completed
during the month of July . The Final Expenditure Report and the
Final Narrative Report have been included for review at the 8 / 8 / 94
Town Board Meeting . The total grant amount was for $ 2 , 378 . 00 . The
Town will receive the final revenues from the grant within the next
few weeks .
The annual disposition from the Inactive Storage Center and other
departments will continue through the month of August .
Town Clerk : Two meetings regarding cat licensing were attended in
July . The Task Force will be sending a random survey to 1000
residents in the County within the next two weeks . The survey will
help the Task Force decide if cat licensing is a feasible option to
address the problems of cats within the County . The Task Force
will put off the presentation of an ordinance to the County Board
for implementation January 1995 if they are unable to develop a
workable ordinance by the end of August .
There is a definite need to find a viable solution to the
overpopulation of feral cats and the rabies problem .
The SPCA has asked the Town to be involved in a pilot program for
a dog enumeration . The SPCA would help the Town coordinate a team
of people to conduct the enumeration in late fall . Training would
be provided to the enumerators . The Town Clerk ' s office would be
responsible to manage the administrative duties . If the pilot
program worked effectively the SPCA would negotiate with the Towns
to provide enumeration services in the future .
Hunting licenses go on sale beginning August 15 .
Work is progressing on the Newsletter to be sent out in early
September .
Tax Collection : No word has been received from the County
regarding the letter requesting a committee be formed early next
year to address adding the Solid Waste Fee to the tax bill .
Final payment was made to the Supervisor from the Receiver of Taxes
account for the final interest , penalties , and pennies from the
1994 taxes . Attached is the final report of miscellaneous payments
to the Supervisor . The tax collection season for 1994 is finally
over , Hip Hip Hooray !
TC Monthly Report
8 / 8 / 94
Page 2 .
Miscellaneous : The annual town picnic was held on July 22 , at
Buttermilk Falls Upper Pavilion . A fun time was had by all . It
rained during the Town of Ithaca Olympics , but all were good sports
and enjoyed the festivities . The staff beat the elected officials
and department heads in the tug of war , wait till next year !
The dedication of park equipment in honor of Shirley A .
Raffensperger was held on July 29 , at Grandview Park . Channel 7
News taped the dedication and played it on their program that
evening . Supervisor Whitcomb said a few words and refreshments
were served . Mrs . Raffensperger was very pleased . Thank you to
all department heads and staff who helped make it a memorable
occasion .
Deputy Clerk , Betty Poole will be the contact person in the Town
Clerk ' s Office from August 11 - August 21 while the Town Clerk is
on vacation .
Respectfully submitted ,
oan Lent Noteboom
Town Clerk / Receiver of Taxes