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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPWC Minutes 2010-12-07 TOWN OF ITHACA Public Works Committee December 7, 2010 Present: Rich DePaolo, Chair; Bill Goodman; Susan Riha; Jim Weber; Bruce Bates, Jonathan Kanter, Wayne Sincebaugh, and Mike Smith Guests: Larry Frabbroni, Mark Mecenas, Holley Monkman, Chuck Bartosch, and Cindy Massicci The meeting began at 10:34 a.m. The October 26, 2010, minutes were not ready for review. Member Comments/Concerns None. Speed Limit Requests Dove Drive: The Town has received a request to reduce the speed limit on Dove Drive. There is not a lot of traffic on that road; it is mostly residents. It was pointed out that there is no sidewalk, and children and the elderly walk on the shoulder of the road. Currently, the speed limit is 30 MPH, and the community would like that reduced to 20 or 25 MPH. Snyder Hill Road (which Dove Drive is accessed from) is 40 MPH. It was pointed out that there is no posting on that road to indicate 30 MPH. The Committee agreed that it should be posted, and the Public Works Department will make sure it is. Jim Weber explained to the Committee that New York State makes the decision to change speed limits. Jim indicated that the State very rarely goes lower than 30 MPH. The criteria has been established by the State and we believe that site distance is a factor in their decision. Another issue that was discussed is signage such as “Children at Play” signs. Jim indicated that he would have to look at the Manual on Unified Traffic Control Devises (MUTCD) with the current regulations regarding that type of sign. Bill Goodman wondered if we could put more signs up, and Jim indicated that we can, but people don’t like them in their yards. Rich DePaolo thought that the signs should Public Works Committee Minutes, December 7, 2010 Page 2 be put up to see if it helps. Susan Riha said that sometimes people have the perception that cars are going faster then they are. Jim agreed with that. The Committee talked about the Town owned traffic counters, and that they do record the speed of vehicles. Jim said that he would look at the road and see if sidewalks could be put in. Bill felt that we should post the speed limit and use the counters to record the speed of the traffic. It was discussed that one of the curves is sharper than the other. Westhaven Road: There is a petition from the residents on Westhaven Road to have the speed limit reduced. There was a request in 2009 and it was rejected by the State. Cindy Massicci, resident, said this time there are more signatures and they have some accident data. Cindy indicated that there is a Sheriff Deputy helping them by patrolling more. Cindy indicated that there is more traffic on the road due to road work on Route 79 and the Linderman Creek expansion. She said that if the new development (Carrimore) comes in, there will be more traffic. The developers for the Carrimore project have not completed a traffic study yet. Susan indicated that Hanshaw Road is like Westhaven Road as it does not have sidewalks and there are many kids, bikers, etc. The Committee agreed that the design of the road (straight) is a factor. Jim indicated that sidewalks might help the situation. Cindy felt that the signage was poor. Jim said that he would look into the signage. Rich moved to have this subject reviewed by the Town Board. All agreed. Mecenas Water Main Expansion Mark Mecenas informed the Committee that he has a building permit, and it calls for a 2” water line. He would like a 6” water line. He said that the fire department requested he have a turn around and a fire hydrant at the end of the driveway. It was suggested that sprinklers could be installed. Mark said that if they try to use the hydrant on Elm Street, it is too far away. It is at least 500’ to his parent’s house. Wayne Sincebaugh said that if the fire department couldn’t have access, they would call for assistance from the Enfield Fire Department. A 6” water line would allow for future subdivision. Mark says that he does not want to Public Works Committee Minutes, December 7, 2010 Page 3 subdivide. Bill asked if the Town would be accepting this line as a public infrastructure. Jim indicated that if a hydrant was installed, the Town would have to accept maintenance to guarantee hydrant operation and water quality. There are currently two homes that need the water. The Committee talked about looping the water lines. Looping means water can come for both ways. If looping, the line would have to be an 8” main. Rich said that the Town will have to see a sketch plan and be reviewed by the Planning Board and the Town Board. Rich asked that a report be done, including costs to install a water line and loop and maintain it. Bill said that we need more information on the water quality, etc. Clarity Connect Co-Location on the Sapsucker Road Water Tank Chuck Bartosch, from Clarity Connect informed the Committee that they have received a grant to help build 12 towers in the Town of Dryden. They would be able to drop that down to 2 if the Town of Ithaca would give them approval to put a tower on the Town’s Sapsucker Road Water Tank. Chuck indicated that the Town of Ithaca has 80 percent coverage, but the Sapsucker Woods Road area is not well serviced. Susan indicated that this would have to be approved by the Planning Board, and then the Town Board. Chuck indicated that their grant has to be used by January 31, 2011. The Committee recommended the Town’s Attorney should look at an agreement, and Bill pointed out that the Town’s Attorney gets the Town Board packet and that will be in there. Chuck informed the Committee that Verizon has a tower, but they would charge them if Clarity Connect used their tower. Bill asked if the tank can handle another antenna. Jim said that the antenna is magnetic and would adhere to the tank. There would be no problems with the site since there is frontage on a pubic road. There are some language issues that need to be worked out. This project needs to be expedited. Clarity Connect needs to provide documentation to the Town Code Enforcement Officer identifying compliance to current Town code. Public Works Committee Minutes, December 7, 2010 Page 4 Susan said that she likes the idea and Bill agreed. Updates Warren Road Walkway: The curbing has been installed and the pavement for the driveways road repairs has been placed. In the spring, the porous pavement, driveways, sidewalk, and bridge will be complete. Jim informed the Committee that we have had some concerns about the use of the Christopher Circle water tank site as a staging area and raised concerns about safety for school children. Ridgecrest Water Tank: The paint that was applied to the inside of the tank has to cure for 14 days before the tank can be filled. It has only been 9 days, and it got really cold. The contractor had to put heaters in the tank to keep it warm enough to continue curing. Forest Home Traffic Calming: The lighting still needs to be turned on. The plow drivers said it was hard to see them in the large trucks. They also said the lane widths are narrower requiring the plows to cross into the other lane. Jim said the project is coming in close to the budgeted amount. Ithaca Estates III: This project has received preliminary approve from the Planning Board. We need schedule this before Public Works Committee to approve preliminary alignment of public infrastructures. Meeting was adjourned at 12:20 p.m. ghk