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Home My WebLink About2022-01 Newsletter Town of Ithaca Newsletter January 2022 Out with the old….Let’s pack away 2021 with our last fun picture of the year; the Ugly Sweater Gang. We try to have some fun each and every month, because let’s face it, we all need a smile these days. February fun will of course be on Valentine’s Day, Monday the 14th with “Cupids Corner” and lots of red and hearts and whatever else we can think of. You are always welcome to participate or simply come by for a smile or a laugh. SHORT TERM RENTAL LEGISLATION ADOPTED After an extensive public process lasting more than four years, the Town Board recently voted to enact regulations governing the practice of short-term rentals. Short-term rentals are residential rentals of 29 consecutive days or less. The Town Board had enacted long-term rental regulations in 2017. The new law goes into effect April 1, 2022. After that time, but before July 1, 2022, short-term rental “hosts” (those offering units/properties for rent) will need to have applied to the Code Enforcement Department for an Operating Permit. The Town encourages hosts, prospective hosts, and renters alike to become familiar with requirements of the law, which can be viewed and downloaded here. HERE WE GO AGAIN … SNOW A major issue during snow removal operations are trash and recycling bins in the rights-of-way (ROW) during and immediately after snow events. Road crews work hard to clear our roads as quickly as possible and follow up with additional clearing of the rights-of-way after the event. Please help them by delaying putting trash and/or recycling bins out during snow events and directly after, and if you must, please put them off the shoulder far enough not to hamper road clearing efforts. These containers become a hazard for our drivers when they are placed in the ROW and blow into the street or are pushed into the culverts by snow clearing operations. and of course, then there is parking …. PLEASE think ahead and when at all possible, park off the roads to allow our crews the space to clear the roads. This protects us, and your car. If your car is inhibiting snow removal, it may be towed at your expense. These plows pick up and move snow; parking on the street is a hazard for them and any damage that may occur from that moving snow is your liability. Why risk it?! Work with your neighbors, share driveways for a day, and work together to decide on one side of the street to park on when it is absolutely necessary. We want to get the roads clear for your safe travel. Please help us help you. Thank you in advance! Town Crews EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION SYSTEM - SWIFT 911 The Town has enrolled in the Swift 911 alert system and established two categories to communicate with our residents and interested members of the public: Emergency Notifications and Community Notifications. Emergency Notifications would be things such as “Town Facilities Closed due to Bad Weather” or “Severe Flooding on East Hill near the Plaza, use caution and avoid the area if possible.” Community Notifications would be things such as “Brush and Leaf pick-up begins next Monday, check the website for more details.” or “Town Offices will be closed for the Martin Luther King Holiday, Monday, January 15th.” Enrolling is easy, simply go to https://mp.swiftreach.com/ and register. Once you have registered, or if you are already registered, you will be able to select Town of Ithaca Emergency Notifications and Town of Ithaca Community Notifications and the method of delivery you would like; text, email, call. That’s it. You can modify your registration or cancel at any time. We are excited to have this convenient way to communicate with our residents and the public at large. We will be very careful not to overuse this, and again, you can always modify or cancel your notifications at any time. Any questions, please contact Paulette Rosa, Town Clerk/PIO at townclerk@town.ithaca.ny.us JOINT YOUTH COMMISSION WINTER ACTIVITIES Town Residents, do you have a child in grades 5 and up? Consider these FREE afterschool programs for youth offered by the 4-H Rural Youth Services, Joint Youth Commission (JYC) Program at Cooperative Extension! Mondays at Brooktondale Community Center - 1/24-2/28 3pm-6pm Join other youth for various activities including outdoor time (whenever possible) arts and crafts, building, carpentry, board games and more. Youth grades 5 and up are invited to bring your ideas and creativity! Tuesdays at Dewitt Middle School - 1/18-6/14 3:30-5:30pm Join new and experienced youth in not only games of Magic, but art, crafts, deck-building and other Magic related activities! Cards are available to use, so you do not need decks or knowledge--we will teach you! Open to Dewitt Middle School Students. Wednesdays at South Hill Business Park - 1/19-3/16 3pm-6pm Meet at the South Hill Business Park for games, crafts, art, woodworking, carving, and some outside time. Some basic outdoor cooking is possible as well if there is interest. The 5-6pm time is for youth who want to get more involved in intricate or advanced skill crafts. Register here: https://reg.cce.cornell.edu/TYS_Winter2022-2_250 Spirit of Tompkins – A Celebration in Portraits Spirit of Tompkins is still looking for Town of Ithaca (and others) to share their stories and create a snapshot of Ithaca, right here, right now, highlighting our diverse community in our beautiful shared space and time. Please consider participating in this wonderful collaboration happening throughout the County. Spirit of Tompkins WATER AND TAX BILL PAYMENTS FINAL REMINDER January 31st is the last day to pay water bills without penalty and you Town and County taxes in full or first payment option. We have heard from a lot of people that they did not receive their bill via the US Postal Service. Under New York State law, a property owner is responsible for paying the tax bill on time regardless of whether a paper bill makes it to them via the USPS. Tax bills are uploaded to our website under “How Do I” – “Pay Bills Online” and “Taxes” You can print your bill from there or simply make a notation on your check in the memo section indicating the bill # or the address. In Person, Drop Box, Online Portal, “Bill Pay” or USPS Mail Town Hall Offices are open to the public, M-F 8-4 for in-person payments and there is a drop box located to the left of the Buffalo Street entrance door. Although the drop box is locked, we do not recommend depositing cash. USPS postmarks are considered the payment date, regardless of when the envelope is delivered to us. When using a financial institution’s “bill pay” option, please be mindful that this type of payment is often delayed by 3-5 days the postmark on their payment is the payment date used. Questions: Debby Kelley, Receiver of Taxes: 607-273-1721 Ext 114 dkelley@town.ithaca.ny.us eBilling. You can choose to receive paper and digital, or just digital. Register here boltonpoint.org/ebilling Questions – Pam VanGelder 607-277-0660 xt 224 Low Income Household Water Assistance Program – LIHWAP The new NYS LIHWAP program helps low-income households pay the cost of drinking water and wastewater services. The program can assist households who have past due bills, paid directly to the service provider. Information available here LIHWAP FAQ MEMBERS NEEDED FOR ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS The Zoning Board of Appeals is a quasi-judicial board charged with ensuring the Town’s zoning ordinances are complied with or proper variances are granted after applying a balancing test based on certain criteria under the Town Code or State guidance. The ZBA has 5 regular and 2 alternate positions which are appointed by the Town Board. Meetings are held at 6 pm the second Tuesday of the month, residency requirement applies, and members receive a stipend for each meeting attended. Some knowledge of the application of municipal law or other rules and regulations is helpful but not required. Terms are 5-years or 1-year, so an alternate position is a great way to try it out and see if it fits you. Contact Paulette townclerk@town.ithaca.ny.us or www.town.ithaca.ny.us for an application. ENERGY AND SUSTAINABILITY INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY The Town of Ithaca is seeking a part-time Spring 2022 intern. The position will support the work of the Sustainability Planner, assisting in a variety of projects related to the Town’s Green New Deal. Applications are due January 24th. The Town of Ithaca encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds. Learn more here. NOMINATIONS SOUGHT The Conservation Board seeks nominations for its 19th annual Richard B. Fischer Environmental Conservation Award. Since 2003, the Board has honored a different individual or group who have taken the initiative to improve Ithaca’s natural environment. Nominations are due by February 28th.