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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTB Minutes 1973-11-08TOWN OP ITHACA COMBINED REGULAR AND BUDGET MEETING November 8, 1973 - 5:00 p.m. At a regular meeting of the Town fedard of the Town of Ithaca, Tomp- kins County, New York, held at the Town of Ithaca Offices at 108 East Green Street, Ithaca> New Ydrk, on the 8th day of November, 1973, at 5:00 p.m., there were PRESENT; Walter J. Schwan, Supervisor Andrew W. McElwee, Councilman Noel Desch, Councilman Victor Del Rosso, Councilman ABSENT: Robert N. Powers,, Councilman ALSO PRESENT; Peter K. Prancese, Planning Consultant Barbara Hdlcomb, Chairman, Planning Board Kenneth Krdohs, Engineer-Planner David W. Cowan, Zoning Officer Reynolds Metz, Assistant Zoning Officer Marioh 24orey, Highway Superiiitendent Willis Bilker Radio, TV, and Press Supervisor Schwan called the meeting to order at 5:15 p.m. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Supervisor Schwan; seconded by Councilman McElwee, RESOLVED, that the minutes of August 27, October 3, October 8, and October 23, 1973 be approved as presented. Unanimously carried. Motion by Supervisor Schwan; seconded by Councilman McElwee, RESOLyED, that the minutes of September 10, 1973 with regard to the lighting of Pleasant Grove Road, be amended to indicate that the New York State Electric & Gas Corporation is authorized to install three 7,000 lumen lights on Pleasant Grove Road, the annual cost of which the Town will bill to Cornell University, the present cost being $135.00 per year. Carried. (Councilman Desch abstained from this vote, not having been present at the September 10, 1973 meeting.) PUBLIC HEARINGS I Proof of posting cuid publication having been presented, Supexnrisor Schwan declared all the public hearings open. PUBLIC HEARING - PRELIMINARY BUDGET The Supervisor reported that he had a report from Mr. Robert Cutia, Director of the Ithaca Youth Bureau on Youth Bureau activities and statistics, a breakdown of attendance at different projects, etc. The Supervisor said some of the same problems with the Youth Bureau still exist how to relate fees received to the programs the Town participates in, to what extent the Town pays for particular programs, and how what the Town pays relates to what the programs actually cost. He said the Youth Bureau had requested $16,672, an increase of $2,672 over the budgeted $14,000. The requested increase would raise the General Fund Town-Wide tax rate from .262/M to .298/M. The Town Board was inclined to grant the requested amount but ^^'rged that the - 2 - November 8, 1973 Youth Bureau project be watched closely in the coming year. The Town how has two representatives on the Ithaca Youth Bureau Board — Catherine Valentino and Joseph Cosentini, Jr.,and may have answers in the coming year to some of the matters of concern. Motion by Supervisor Schwan; seconded by Councilman McElwee, RESOLVED, that the amount of $14,000 budgeted for Joint Youth Project Contractual Expense be increased to $16,672 as requested by the Ithaca Youth Bureau for the year 1974. Unanimously carried. No persons appeared for or against any other items in the proposed budget. The hearing was thereupon closed. Motion by Supervisor Schwan; seconded by Councilman Del Rosso, RESOLVED, that the ToWn Board of the Town of Ithaca adopt the Pre liminary Budget for 1974 as the Annual Budget for the fiscal year beginning January 1, 1974, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Town Clerk of this Town shall pre pare and certify duplicate copies of the Annual Budget adopted pur suant to Section 202-a of the Town Law, and deliver one copy to the Supervisor of the Town to be presented by him to the Board of Cuptr- vi nrtrw of Tompkins County. Unanimously carried- (a Copy of the Budget as adopted is appended to these minutes.) PUBLIC HEARING - FIRE CONTRACT WITH THE VILLAGE OF CAYUGA HEIGHTS No persons appeared who wished to be heard on the matter of the pro posed fire contract with the Village of Cayuga Heights. The hearing was, therefore, closed. Motion by Supervisor Schwan; seconded by Councilman Desch, RESOLVED, that the contract with the Village of Cayuga Heights and the Town of Ithaca, at the contract price of $13,500, whereby the Village of Cayuga Heights agrees that its Fire Department will give fire protection for the year 1974 in the Hamlet of Forest Home and in that portion of the Town to the north of Forest Home and between the east boundary of Cayuga Heights and the east boundary of the Town of Ithaca, be renewed. Uneinimously carried. PUBLIC HEARING - FIRE CONTRACT WITH CITY OF ITHACA It was expected that City officials would be present to discuss this matter but they did not make an appearance. Therefore, the matter was tabled until November 19, 1973. Motion by Supervisor Schwan; seconded by Councilman Desch, RESOLVED, that the Town Board schedule a special meeting to be held November 19, 1973 at the Town Offices at 5:00 p.m. at which time full consideration will be given to the proposed fire contract with the City of Ithaca with respect to the annual amount proposed to be ex pended for fire protection and with respect to any other matters re lating to the proposed contract. Unanimously carried. PUBLIC HEARING ON SPECIAL LIGHTING IMPROVEMENT DISTRICTS AND VJATER AND SEWER IMPROVEMENT ASSESSMENT ROLLS AND APPORTIONMENTS Supervisor Schwan reported that the Town has a recommendation from the New York State Electric & Gas Corporation to replace incandescent bulbs with mercury vapor lights in the Glenside Lighting District and the Renwick Heights Lighting District. In the Glenside Lighting /o4^ - 3 - November 8, 1973 District contract the Town is paying for 8 250.0 Lumen. Incandescent lamps at $30.51 each and the electrid company is now recommending that the Town use 8 3,350 lumen mercury lights at $35.00 each. In the Renwick Heights Lighting District the Town is now paying for 11 2500 Lumen Incandescent lamps at $32.48 each. The electric company is recommending replacing them with 3,350 Lumen Mercury lights at I $35.00 each. The Supervisor said the budget is sufficient to cover the increased cost without raising the tax rate. It was suggested that the people in the districts should be consulted about these lights before the Board takes action on the new contracts. Decision on this matter was, therefore, postponed. No persons appeared who Wished to be heard regarding the Special Lighting Improv^ent Districts. The hearing was, therefore, closed and the following action taken; Motion by Supervisor Schwan? seconded by Councilman Desch, RESOLVED, that the tax roll for the Forest Home Lighting Special Improvement District, the Glenside Lighting Special Improvement District, and the Renwick Heights Lighting Special Improvement Dis trict for the taxable year 1974 as posted and published be approved as presented. Unanimously carried. 1974 BUDGET FOR LIGHTING DISTRICTS Motion by Supervisor Schwan? seconded by Councilman DOsch, RESOLVED, that the budgets for 1974 for the Forest Home Lighting Special Improvement District, the Glenside Lighting Special Improve- ^ ment District, and the Renwick Heights Lighting Special Improvement District be approved. Unanimously carried. WATER AND SEWER ASSESSMENT ROLLS - PUBLIC HEARING No persons appeared who wished to be heard regarding the Water and Sewer Improvement assessment rolls and apportionments. The hearing was, therefore, closed and the Board took the following action; Motion by Supervisor Schwan? seconded by Councilman Desch, RESOLVED, that the Town of Ithaca Water and Sewer Improvement assess ment rolls and apportionments, as presented, copy of which is on file in the Town Clerk's office, for the year 1974, be approved. Unanimously carried. 1974 BUDGET FOR WATER AND SEWER IMPROVEMENT DISTRICTS Motion by Supervisor Schwan? seconded by Councilman Desch^ RESOLVED, that the budget for 1974 for the Water Improvement District and the budget for 1974 for the Sewer Improvement District be ap proved. Unanimously carried. !. j DECEMBER MEETING DATES Motion by Supervisor Schwan? seconded by Councilman Desch, RESOLVED, that the regular meeting of the Town Board be held in the Town Offices on December 10, 1973 at 5:00 p.m. and that the Annual Audit meeting be held at the Town Offices on December 31, 1973 at 11:00 a.m. Unauiimously carried. - 4 -November 8, 1973 DELINQU^T WATER AND SEWER BILLS ^^otion by Supervisor Schwan; seconded by Councilman Desch, RESOLVpSv that the delinquent sewer bills for Cayuga Heights, the delinquetot water and sewer bills of the City of Ithaca, and the ^ i. delinqtuOTt water and sewer surcharge bills of the Town of Ithaca be added to the tax roll as a lien against the property smd become due and collectible as part of the tax bills of the Town of Ithaca which are mailed out in December, 1973, and become due in January of 1974. Unanimously carried. REMUNERATION OP ELECTION INSPECTORS Motion by Supervisor Schwan? seconded by Councilman Desch, RESOLVED, that T^own of Ithaca election inspectors be paid $25.00 per day on Primary and Registration days, and $30.00 a day on Election Day, the chairman in each district to be paid an additional $5.00 for each of these events; that each election inspector who attends the training class for election inspectors will be paid $5.00 for such attendance. Unanimously carried. BID AWARD - REPAINTING OF CHRISTOPHER CIRCLE WATER TANK Supervisor Schwan read a letter from Thomas Hooker, P.E., Lozier Engineers, Inc. dated October 30, 1973 advising the Board that the bid proposals for repainting the Christopher Circle watef tank have been reviewed and checked by their office, that they have found the financial stability of Virginia Erection Corporation, the low bidder, to be quite satisfactory, and that the quality of their work is also quite satisfactory, and that they, therefore recommend that the Town of Ithaca award the project contract to Virginia Erection Corporation. Motion by Supervisor Schwan; seconded by Councilman Desch, WHEREAS, on October 23, 1973, bids were received for the Repainting of the Christopher Circle 500,000 Gallon Steel Water Storage Tank for the Town of Ithaca, New York; and WHEREAS, the Town Board has carefully considered the Engineer's Report on these bids; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the contract for paint ing be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder, Virginia Erection Corporation, 445 Rochester Road, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15237 at an estimated contract sum of $9,085.00. Unanimously carried. RESIGNATION AND APPOINTMENT ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS Supervisor Schwan read a letter dated November 5, 1973 from David P. Powers, Chairman, Zoning Board of Appeals, to the Town Board, advising that Mr. Loran Marion had resigned from the Zoning Board of Appeals, effective October 31, 1973. In his letter he requested that Mr. Ed ward N. Austen, 255 DuBois Road, Ithaca, New York, be approved by the Town Board as a member of the Zoning Board of Appeals. Motion by Supervisor Schwan; seconded by Councilman McElwee, WHEREAS, Lorsm Marion has submitted his resignation from the Zoning Board of Appeals to David Powers, Chairman of that Board, effective October 31, 1973, and - 5 - November 8, 1973 WHEREAS, Loran Marion has faithfully served the Town of Ithaca as a member of the Planning Board from January 1959 to January 1965, having served as Chairman of that Board from July 1962 to July 1964, and has served as a member of the Town of Ithaca Zoning Board of Appeals from August 1966 to the time of his resignation in October 1973, 1 ! NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that this Board does hereby express its formal and sincere thanks to Loran for his six years of service to the Town of Ithaca as a member and as Chairman of the Plan ning Board and his over seven years of service as a member of the Town of Ithaca Zoning Board of Appeals, during which time he has been con stant and devoted to the welfare of the Town of Ithaca and its citi zens , and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be spread upon the minutas of the Board meeting of November 8, 19731 and that a copy of this resolution# accompanied by a formal testimonial, be presented to Loran with the thanks and appreciation of the members of the Town Board of the ^Town of Ithaca. Unanimously carried. Motion by Councilman Desch; seconded b;^ Councilman Del Rosso, RESOLVED, that Edward N. Austen, 255 DuBois Road, Ithaca, New York, be appointed, effective immediately, as a member of the Town of Ithaca Zoning Board of Appeals to fulfill the unexpired term of Loran Marion, ending December 31, 1974. frnj Unanimously carried. I i TRANSFER OF FUNDS Motion by Supervisor Schwany seconded by Councilman McElwee, RESOLVED, that $9,500.00 be transferred from the Town-Wide Surplus Fund to the Bolton Point Account to cover the cost of surveying the transmission right-of-way to date. Unanimously carried. ADDITIONAL TELEPHONE Llim - TOWN OFFICE The Supervisor reported that with additional personnel in the office there is need for another telephone line. Councilman McElwee suggested a rotary, a system which brings the call in by selecting the line not in use at the time of an incoming call. Motion by Supervisor Schwany seconded by Councilman McElwee, RESOLVED, that an additional telephone line be installed in the Town office, "rotary" type. Unanimously carried. COMMUNICATION FROM VINCENT FRANCIAMONE Supervisor Schwan read a letter from Vincent R. Franciamone of 108 ! j Ridgecrest Road, Ithaca, New York, dated October 29, 1973, in which he raised the matter of the ineligibility of David W. Cowan to serve as Zoning Officer of the Town of Ithaca since he is no longer an elector of the Town of Ithaca. The Board felt that inasmuch as Mr. Cowan is only serving part time, on an interim basis, pending the appointment of a full time Zoning Officer in the very near future the question is moot. The Supervisor read a letter dated November 7, 1973 from Vincent R. Franciamone to the Town Board requesting re-zoning of his property on Ridgecrest Road from R-30 to R-15 (Proposal B) so that he can split his lot and construct two two-family houses. The Town Board declined to entertain Mr. Franciamone's request for the following reasons; - 6 - November 8, 1973 (1) The existing building at 108 Ridgecrest Road may not be in compliance with the Zoning Ordinance of the Town of Ithaca» (2) Re^Zoning in accordance with the proposed plan would create two lots of insufficient size in an R-15 zone» (3) The proposed plan is not in accordance with the intent of the Zoning Ordinance of the Town of Ithaca, whether R-30 or R-15. REPORTS OF TOWN OFFICIALS Barbara Holcomb, Chairman, Planning Board. Reported that County Health Departments across New York State (local health depart ments) have had most of their approval powers removed with respect to non-p\iblic water and sewer systems. She reported that local Health Departments can now issue permits directly only if all the following conditions are met; a. Flow less than 1,000 gallons per day b. One or two families c. Less than nine persons d. Residential use only e. Discharge is into the ground All other permits must be obtained from the State of New York through the County Health Departments. Items which require these permits are (a) sand filters, (b) sewage systems for commercial and multiple family dwellings, (c) lagoons, and (d) private sewage treatment plants with surface discharge. It was estimated that it would take from two to six months to obtain SPDES (State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) permits from the State of New York after initial submission to the Health Department. NEW SITE PLAN - EAST KING ROAD - MONKEMEYER Mrs. Holcomb reported that Monkeiueyer had land on East King Road re-zoned for multiple residence (111 units) almost two years ago. Evan Monkemeyer has now presented a new site plan, a substantially different plan. She said that the Planning Board felt that since it is a new and different plan, it might be necessary for Mr. Monkemeyer to go through the same procedure that was required in the first in stance. The Planning Board at its meeting on November 6, 1973 gave conditional preliminary approval to Phase I of Site Plan #73-461, as revised November 6, 1973 by William Downing Associates for "Springwood" located on East King Road and to be developed by Evan Monkemeyer. The conditions are the following; 1. The developer shall supply a more detailed landscaping plan for Phase I of the proposed development. He is to show location of bridge crossings to the recreation area. 2. There is to be a calculation of the volume of water that will drain into the creek. 3. Any existing utility easements on the property should be shown on the site plan. 4o The size of the four proposed culverts are to be indicat ed. 5. Before presentation to the Planning Board on the 20th of November, 1973, site plan must have Tompkins County Health Department approval for water and sewer plans for Phase I. 6o The proposed Sign will be approved separately in accord ance with the Town of Ithaca Sign Ordinance. /oS - 7 " 7o The re-zoning o£ the former Beatty property (Tax Parcel 43-2-9) not included in the original re-z6ning to Multiple Residence must be completed. 8. Location of hydrants must be indicated. 9. The boundaries of Phase I of the proposed development are to be outlined. 10. The Planning Board intends to put a time limit on the completion of the buffer planting and the work on the deepening of the creek off-site. Motion by Supervisor Schwan; seconded by Councilman McElwee, RESOLVED, that the Town Board Of the Town of Ithaca schedule a public hearing to be held December 10, 1973 at 5;30 p.m. at the Town Offices to consider approval of Site Plan #73-461, as revised November 6, 1973 by William Downing Associates, for "Springwood", located on East King Road and to be developed by Evan Monkemeyer. Unanimously carried. Mrs. Holcomb said the £*lanning Board also recommended that Parcel 43-2-9 (Herbert and Lenora Monkemeyer) be included in the multiple residence zone and that a public hearing be scheduled for the purpose of considering re-zoning this parcel from R-30 to Multiple Residence to be considered a part of the "Springwood" Development. Motion by Supervisor Schwan; seconded by Councilman Desch, RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca schedule a public hearing to be held on the 10th day of December, 1973, at 5;35 p.m. in the Town Offices, to consider re-zoning Parcel No. 43-2-9, owned by Herbert and Lenora Monkemeyer, and considered a part of the "Spring- wood" Development, from R-30 to Multiple Residence. Unanimously carried. New Zoning Ordinance. Mrs. Holcomb reported that the Planning Board will have a completed rough draft of the new Zoning Ordinance in early January at which time there will be a joint meeting between the Planning Board and the Town Board to review the completed draft. If there is agreement on the concepts it will then go to the Town Attorney for legal review and wording. While the Town Attorney is reviewing the draft the Planning Board will have some public informal meetings on the concepts. When the draft is received from the Town Attorney there will be a public hearing to consider final adoption of the proposed Zoning Ordinance. Kenneth Kroohs, Town Planner-Engineer. Reported that Groff Associates, Beacon Hills and Eastwood Commons are all now under way with ground breaking and construction. David W. Cowan, Zoning Officer. Reported that he had deferred action on the Family Bargain Center sian because the Town Board v/as ^ still considering problems having to do with plantings along the road. Supervisor Schwan said the sign is .illegal and with the concurrence of the Board advised Mr. Cowan to take whatever action is required to have the sign removed. INVENTORY OF HIGHWAY MACHINERY, TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT Highway Superintendent Morey presented to the Board the Inventory of Highway Machinery, Tools, and Equipment, in accordance with Highway Law, Section 142(3), inventory dated September 12, 1973. - 8 - November 8, 1973 Motion by Supervisor Schwan; seconded by Councilman McElwee, RESOLVEDp that the inventory of Highway Machinery, Tools and Equipment, as presented by the Town Highway Superintendent in accordance with Highway Law, Section 142(3), be accepted. Unanimously carried. APPROVAL OF WARRANTS Motion by Supervisor Schwan? seconded by Councilman McElwee, RESOLVED, that the Warrants dated November 8, 1973 be approved for payment in the following amounts; General Fund $ 17,037.82 Highway Fund 6,769.53 Water and Sewer 3,820.53 Unanimously carried. adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 6;50 p.m. until November 12, 1973. Edward L. Bergen Town Clerk