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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-10 Newsletter TOWN BOARD MEETING on the 2022 TENTATIVE BUDGET October 7, 2021 at 5:30 p.m. The Town of Ithaca’s Tentative Budget, also known as the Supervisor’s Budget, will be presented to the full Town Board at the annual Budget Meeting, Thursday, October 7th at 5:30 p.m. The meeting will be broadcast via YouTube Link and ZOOM and a link is also on the Town’s website calendar. Our Budget Officer, Donna Shaw, prepares summary sheets for the overall budget as well as each fund to break down all the pertinent information for you. After discussion and any initial changes, the Tentative Budget becomes the Town’s Preliminary Budget and a public hearing is set for Monday, October 18th to hear comments from you, discuss any changes, and, if none are needed, the 2022 Town Budget can be adopted. Brush collection begins Monday, October 18th Leaf Collection begins Monday, November 8th All yard waste must be at the roadside by 7 a.m. on the first day of collection. There will be no second collection and no callbacks. Bagged leaves will continue to be picked up weekly through November as time allows Town of Ithaca Public Works Facility Open House Photos Fun was had by all. There is a link to a presentation on our webpage. October is Construction/Public Works Appreciation Month The Town is returning to a fun theme each month. We will be donning our hard hats and reflective vests on Friday, October 15th. Get a treat if you come in wearing a hard hat or vest, and especially if you give a quick “thank you!” to our crews. Fire Extinguisher Training at Town Hall Judy Drake, Personnel Manager is always looking for ways to keep us safe. Now we all know how to use the extinguishers, and we hold fire drills and even have an AED on site for emergencies. Hopefully we never have to put our skills to the test…. But she makes sure we have them! Please remember to check and replace batteries in your smoke detectors & carbon monoxide detectors. HALLOWEEN Town offices will have a Roaring 20’s / Gatsby theme on Friday, October 29th As with our Derby Day, we will have a backdrop for photos and a contest or two; Stop in, Dress up, Join the fun! WATER AND SEWER BILLS Unpaid water bills are re-levied to your Town and County property tax bill to balance out accounts on October 15th with any credit balance will simply roll over. There is a drop box on the Buffalo Street entrance to Town Hall, or you can put a check in the mail as the post mark counts as “on-time.” Why is my water bill so high? Check out these helpful tips from Bolton Point. CLEAN HEATING CAMPAIGN Final Reminder Time is almost out to take advantage of the Town’s Campaign for Clean Heating! You can get a free energy assessment for your home or businesses, access to pre-vetted installers, and financial incentives for energy improvements such as heat pumps, water heaters, and insulation. And if you sign up using the link below, you’ll help the Town win grant money for sustainability projects. Sign up for a free energy assessment at https://tinyurl.com/vtu8eenw. Learn more using the resources below Town’s Campaign for Clean Heating webinar (pre-recorded): https://tinyurl.com/rwkpwczz HeatSmart Lunchtime Webinar Series: https://www.solartompkins.org/events.html HeatSmart website: www.heatsmarttompkins.org Contact Nick Goldsmith at ngoldsmith@town.ithaca.ny.us with any questions SPIRIT OF TOMPKINS DOCUMENTARY The Spirit of Tompkins has posted a video documentary. Please take a minute to watch it and then, we welcome additional Town of Ithaca residents participating! Sign up form is on our website and Spirit of Tompkins HISTORIC PRESERVATION Learn more and provide feedback: Town of Ithaca Landmarks Law. The Town of Ithaca is considering enacting legislation that will protect our community’s valuable historic and cultural resources. The proposed law will establish a shared Town and City historic preservation program, create a process for identifying and designating significant historic properties and districts, and form a joint City and Town of Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission. Join us at a virtual information session presented by Bryan McCracken, City of Ithaca Historic Preservation and Neighborhood Planner and Secretary, Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission on Thursday, October 14th, 2021, at 4:00PM. His presentation will focus on the benefits of historic preservation, the City and Town collaboration, and the draft Landmarks Law. Time will be reserved for questions and opportunities to provide feedback on the proposal (via the chat feature). We hope to see you there. To join by Zoom or watch on the Town’s YouTube Link TOWN OF ITHACA BOARD VACANCIES! Planning Board consists of seven regular members with two alternates. The Planning Board is charged with reviewing land use and development issues and approving subdivisions, site plans and special permit requests. Planning Board meetings are generally held at 7 pm on the first and third Tuesday of the month. Zoning Board of Appeals consists of 5 regular and 2 alternate members who are appointed by the Town Board. The Zoning Board is a quasi-judicial board that is charged with ensuring that the zoning ordinances are complied with or that variances and/or special approvals are granted when certain criteria are met. Zoning Board meetings are generally held at 6 pm on the second Tuesday of the month. Some knowledge of the application of municipal law or other rules and regulations is helpful but not required. Both Boards have a residency requirement for members to live in the Town of Ithaca and both Boards’ members receive a small stipend. Members are appointed by the Town Board with Regular member appointments having a 7 and 5-year terms respectively and Alternate membership appointments having a 1-year term; a great way to try it out and see if regular membership is something you could commit to. Conservation Board How do you share your passion for the environment? What do you do to make our community a better place to live? The Town of Ithaca Conservation Board engages both the Town Board and the Planning Board to make sure our community's environmental concerns are heard. If you are interested in land conservation, proposed development projects, water and energy consumption or invasive species control, come to one of our meetings, held on the first Thursday of each month from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at the Ithaca Town Hall. Applicants must be Town residents and be interested in playing an active role in the Town’s planning and advisory process, as it relates to environmental concerns. Specialized knowledge is helpful, but not required. For more information about the Conservation Board and their current activities, please visit the Board’s website, or join them for any upcoming meeting (all meetings are open to the public). Please contact the Town Clerk at 273-1721 or via email at prosa@town.ithaca.ny.us or visit our website at www.town.ithaca.ny.us for an application. CODES CORNER As we welcome Fall with its vibrant colors and brisk mornings, please remember that building permits are required for all heating system/unit replacements or new installations. The Town’s Energy Code Supplement (ECS) is now in effect for all new construction, major renovations, and certain size additions. The ECS applies to both residential & commercial construction projects. Additional documentation is required during the application process. Information is on the Code Enforcement Department’s website page here: Town of Ithaca Code Enforcement and a direct link to Building Permit Applications is here: PERMIT APPLICATION. If you have any questions, feel free to call our offices at 607-273-1783 (option #2) or email us at codes@town.ithaca.ny.us. Thank you, Marty Moseley, Director JYC YOUTH PROGRAMS FALL OFFERINGS Do you live in the Town of Caroline, Town of Ithaca or the Villages of Cayuga Heights and Lansing, and have a child aged 10 or older? Consider the FREE afterschool programs for youth offered by the 4-H Rural Youth Services, Joint Youth Commission (JYC) Program at Cooperative Extension! Bird Habitat Restoration Board Games & More! Gift Making & Crafts Gaia Circle Photography What’s for Dinner? Register Here: https://reg.cce.cornell.edu/RYS-JYCfall21-2GaiaCircle_250 HUNTING AND HIKING REMINDERS The Town of Ithaca would like to remind everyone that whitetail deer hunting season will begin soon. In this area, bow hunting season will start on October 1st with regular shotgun starting on November 20th through December 12th. Additional information can be found here: DEC Hunting. If you are out hiking or walking your dog during hunting season, please remember to take some simple steps to help ensure your safety – wear bright clothing, know the rules and when hunting seasons are, make yourself heard, be aware, and respect other outdoor enthusiasts. Whether you are a hunter or hiker, please remember to respect private property and always ask permission to hike or hunt on private land, whether it is posted or not. Landowners who do post are more likely to say "yes" to people who show their respect for private property by asking first.