HomeMy WebLinkAboutPWC Minutes 2009-01-27 DISPOSITION DATE
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TOWN OF ITHACA
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE
TUESDAY,January 27,2009, 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Public Works Facility
NOTE: MEETING TIME HAS BEEN CHANGED TO 10:30 A.M.
1. Approval of Minutes
a. December 2, 2008
2. Set Meeting Dates
3. Discussion Northeast Drainage Schedule
4. Discussion on Air Quality at Town Hall
5. Discussion on Warren Road Walkway
6. Discussion on Street lights at Route 366 and Judd Falls Road
7. Discussion on Community Gardens—Site Plan
8. Discussion on Sewer Back-Up Claim
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TOWN OF ITHACA '*4
Public Works Committee
January 27, 2009, 9:00 a.m.
Present: Peter Stein, Pat Leary, Bill Goodman, Rich DePoalo, Dan Walker,
Fred Noteboom, Rich Schoch, Kristen Taylor,Gene Redman,
Wayne Sincebaugh, Mike Smith,
Guest: Judy Drake
The meeting began at 10:30 a.m.
The December 2, 2008, minutes were approved.
Setting Meeting Dates
The Committee decided that the current dates and time are good--the fourth
Thursday at 9:00 a.m.
Northeast Drainage Schedule
There was a meeting in November with Town staff,Susan Riha and Todd
Walters. Dan Walker said that they were going to have a meeting this month but
became short handed. He felt it could be scheduled in April, but we will try for
March.
The Committee felt that the meeting should be in March. Peter Stein wants to get
together with Dan and make sure things are ready.
Air Quality in Town Hall
There are several people working at Town Hall that have been having problems
with dry eyes, sinus problems,etc. Dan had PESH,namely Edward Schwab,
come to test the air quality at Town Hall. He said the tests indicated that there
were no real problems, but it still feels dry. Dan said that Ed will be performing
particle and CO tests and will test for radon in the basement. Some staff have
put their own testers out and said that it is really drier than the State test
indicated. The State's tester was there for one week. Dan indicated that there is
increased air intake in the winter. There is no humidifier in the ventilation
system.
The Committee felt that a consultant should be brought in. Dan will have a
Public Works Committee,January 27,2009 Page 2
.t proposal for the next meeting.
Dan indicated that the people in the back wing are saying it is cold now that the
heat has been turned down. The Committee felt the heat should be turned back
up to 74 degrees F.
The Committee asked who worked as our HVAC contractor. It is Climate
Control.
East Shore Drive water line will be out to bid in the Spring.
Warren Road Walkway--Grant
The Town has received a grant to build a walkway on Warren Road from
Hanshaw Road to Uptown Road.
This will be constructed on the east side of the road and cross at the crosswalk at
the Northeast Walkway (Dewitt Middle School).
The design should be finalized by March so we can move ahead. The design
calls for putting in curbing and drainage underneath. NYSEG will have to move
five poles. The Town will do the construction. The budget has money in a
capital projects line item for materials.
The Committee agreed that increased labor time for future maintenance needs to
be watched when developing these projects.
The Committee talked about the walkway on Winthrop Drive. Fred Noteboom
indicated that asphalt is better than concrete because it is more porous and dark
in color so the sun light aids in melting snow and ice.
Community Garden Site Plan
The Committee discussed making a community garden site on the west side of
the proposed West Hill Park above Oakwood Lane. The path to the site would
have to be cleared out to get to it and is about 2000 feet long. The path will
follow the Town's future road (extension of Conifer Drive). The group planning
this garden would like a garden shed that is pre-built,but this may have to be
put in at a later date due to funding constraints. The plan includes access to a
portable sanitary facility. There would be no parking facility for the site, but
there is some parking at the end of Conifer Drive. The group has talked to the
people at Linderman Creek apartments and they are happy about putting it in so
they can rent a garden plot.
Public Works Committee,January 27,2009 Page 3
Buying of Trucks
Fred informed the Committee that the trucks were approved as part of the 2009
budget. The information regarding buying trucks was available to the Town
Board since September 2008.
Fred indicated that we could put off buying a 10-wheeler truck,but this can hurt
in the long run because deferred maintenance goes up and the trucks deprecate
about 3 percent a year. We have a replacement plan in place and the 10-wheeler
trucks are on a 10 year cycle. Fred also said that we look at the fleet each year to
see if a vehicle is costing a lot of money for maintenance and if it depreciated
faster.
Fred indicated that the newer trucks have more "green" features on them.
Sewer Back-up Claim
There was a sewer back up at 109 Roat Street that caused damage to the home.
The Town's insurance denied the homeowner's claim. The insurance denied it
because the Town did not have prior notice of a problem there and that area is
not a problem area.
The Committee discussed that grease was probably the cause of this backup and
that is something we can not control. Wayne Sincebaugh said it is very flat in
that area making it easier for grease to collect. Roots from trees or brush affect
the sewer lines differently than grease.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:40 a.m.
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