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Home My WebLink About2022-02 Newsletter TOWN ADOPTS MISSION AND VISION STATEMENTS Parallel with the design and development of our new website we began discussing developing Mission and Vision statements to articulate how we feel about the town and our roles and goals in making the Town of Ithaca the “best town in the State” On January 10th, after months of drafting and redrafting, the Town Board adopted the: Town of Ithaca Vision Statement The Town of Ithaca will be a desirable place where any person can live, work, learn, and play, offering a vibrant mix of rural, suburban, and urban features, including treasured natural resources. Mission Statement We promote quality of life, equity, and safety of all Town of Ithaca residents through planning, innovation, and continual adaptation to change. The Town strives to: • provide responsive services • be fiscally responsible • protect and preserve its open spaces and water resources • implement sustainable initiatives • pursue beneficial intermunicipal collaborations. View from Trumansburg Road Water Tank looking west toward the lake. *Travis Mills Coming soon….target launch is end of March Town Website - the Town has been working for months with a consultant to rebuild, refurbish and reinvent our website to flow better, provide better information and navigation, and showcase the town and our community. We welcome your comments and feedback on the new website and any suggestions for additional information you would like to see. The site will have more drone pictures like the one above, along with videos, showcasing the viewsheds and scenery of our community. We hope you enjoy them. Town Services Management Software – OpenGov The Town is implementing a new management software program for applications, permitting and other services through all departments. We have been working for almost a year building out the program and all its features in an effort to provide more efficient and transparent application processes and communication. This program will allow users to have 24-7 access to submit applications for a variety of town services and will also accept credit card payment option for services. The system is hosted through the Viewpoint platform. Once you set up your account, much of the standard information you would have normally had to enter or write in will be auto filled, saving you time. Plus, reminders for renewals or similar actions will be automatically sent, saving staff time, town funds and increasing communication. For those without computer access or broadband, there is a computer station at Town Hall for your convenience, and we are here to help get you started. We missed Heart Health Awareness “wear red” on Friday due to the storm, but luckily Valentine’s Day was Monday – two for one! Town’s Swift 911 Alert Messaging Came in handy last Friday…. Last week’s winter storm gave us the first opportunity to use our new Town of Ithaca Swift911 Alert account to notify staff and residents that Town of Ithaca Offices would be closed on Friday, February 4th. Hopefully many of you signed up after reading last month’s newsletter, but, if not, here is the link again: http://tompkinscountyny.gov/doer/swift911ALERTS The Town has both Community Notification and Emergency Notification options. Thank you for considering signing up and giving us the opportunity to keep you informed. Joint Youth Commission Seeking Youth Member Share your expertise and experiences, and enhance your resume at the same time The JYC is an advisory body that oversees youth development and employment programs for the Towns of Ithaca and Caroline, and the Villages of Lansing and Cayuga Heights. Youth members have full participation and voting rights and are essential in helping communities understand the needs of their youth populations. This valuable community service ensures that resources are used effectively and that as many youths as possible are served. It is also a great way to enhance a resumé, either for college applications or future entry into the workforce. Applicants must be at least 16 years of age and a resident of one of the aforementioned municipalities. Please send a brief letter of interest to the Ithaca Town Clerk, Paulette Rosa, at prosa@town.ithaca.ny.us SPRING RABIES CLINIC Saturday, March 12, 2022 11:00 A.M. – 2:00 P.M. The Tompkins County Health Department is hosting a drive thru rabies clinic at the TCAT Bus Garage, 737 Willow Ave. Proof of prior vaccination required for a 3-year certificate. Preregistration required: https://tompkinscountyny.gov/health/eh/rabies or call (607) 274-6688 Surveys, surveys, surveys…We don’t know unless you tell us…. Be a part of the first New York State Bike Census The Cycling Census represents New York’s first statewide dataset on bicycle integration with mass transit. This is an exciting and unprecedented opportunity to help shape the future of cycling and document where, why and how New Yorkers are riding bikes! With this kind of information, we can help shape public policy that will foster safer streets, and more equitable transportation options across the state. Please help direct the future bicycling in New York by taking the survey linked above. No email addresses or other personal information will be saved or shared. Tompkins County is urging residents and local businesses to take this survey to help more accurately report where high speed broadband is available, and where it is not. This information is crucial in understanding issues related to broadband availability. The survey offers an optional “speed test & survey” to better understand the broadband speed of the actual device you are using to connect to Wi-Fi. Survey In addition, the New York State Department of Public Service has also announced eight public hearings on the issue of broadband mapping, which will be held from February 23rd to March 3rd via WebEx. Pre-register by following the directions in the public hearing announcement linked above. Conservation Richard B Fischer Environmental Conservation Award The deadline for submissions is approaching - February 28th This award honors the late Dr. Fischer, a Cornell Professor, nature lover and Conservation Board member and is for individuals, groups, or organizations who have taken the initiative to improve Ithaca’s natural environment. For more information, flick here: RBF Award How to spot Hemlock Woolly Adelgid training is on Tuesday, February 22nd from 6-7p.m. Presented by the Finger Lakes Institute and Finger Lakes PRISM Buffer in a Bag is a NYS DEC program that provides seedlings for property owners who own 50’feet or more along a stream or waterway to promote bank management and water quality. Annual Great Backyard Bird Count February 18th – 21st For more information: GBBC