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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPWC Minutes 2008-10-28 '' ' DISPOSITION DATE ?skv"--/?.-siJ 1441 TOWN OF ITHACA Public Works Committee October 28,2008, 9:00 a.m. Public Works Facility Present: Peter Stein, Bill Goodman, Dan Walker, Fred Noteboom, Rich Schoch,Creig Hebdon, Gene Redman,Wayne Sincebaugh, and Mike Smith Guest: Alfred DiGiacomo The meeting began at 9:00 a.m. The September 23, 2008, meeting minutes were approved. Forest Home Drive Bridge Agreement Fred Noteboom informed the Committee that the agreement between Tompkins County and the Town of Ithaca regarding maintenance of the upstream bridge is about to expire. This agreement is worded the same as the downstream bridge agreement. The agreement is based on some State Laws. Tompkins County has already passed a resolution for the agreement to be signed. This agreement will be before the Town Board so a resolution can be approved authorizing the Town Supervisor to sign the agreement. Dan Walker said the section regarding the sewer line needs to be modified. It was pointed out that in#6, the lettering goes from c to e. Fred will talk to John Lampman about the agreement. Leaf Pick Up Peter Stein said that some people feel the Town should have two pick ups in the fall. Peter asked why we couldn't do that. Fred explained that once the leaves get snow on them,we can no longer suck them up with the vacuums. Fred reminded the Committee that we do continue to pick up leaves that have been put in paper bio-degradable bags for the rest of the month of November. Fred also indicated that the work force has many other jobs in parks,water, sewer, and roads that also needs to be done. Another problem is with the equipped— the same trucks that pick up leaves also have to plow the roads. The trucks are 4 'N lblic Works Committee Minutes,October 28,2008 Page 2 M equipment with boxes to put the leaves in. If it snows, the boxes have to be removed so salt can be put in the trucks for snow removal. Bill Goodman feels that one time is enough. Peter felt that there should be more flexibility in the policy. Ditch Enclosure and Piping Policy Fred said the Town needs to develop a clear ditch enclosure and piping policy. This was brought about after a letter from the Conservation Board was sent to Public Works. The letter was referring to the piping job on Simsbury Drive that was done this summer. This project has been on the Capital Plan for some time. Fred said that we had a meeting with Diane Conneman, a member of the Conservation Board regarding the Towri s policy. It was pointed out that aesthetically, it looks better to have the ditch piped. Dan Walker pointed out that environmentally grass is better, but if there is a large amount of water, it is better to pipe the ditch. Fred said that the Town work forces put a small swale on top of the piped ditch, to filter the pollutants out. Fred feels that over the years, the Town will have more piped ditches with swales on top—mostly in the Northeast and Eastern Heights area. Fred researched this online and found a policy from a place in Ohio. We will rework this and bring it back to Committee. The policy needs to be worked into the Comprehensive Plan and Storm Water Management Plan. The Committee discussed that grass does filter the water. The Committee talked about using sand on the road (in the wintertime) instead of salt. Fred said that sand creates dust and fills up ditches and swales. Northeast Drainage Creig Hebdon informed the Committee that we are ready to meet with a small group of people to go over our ideas and get there ideas. We have collected a lot of data and have many alternatives. After this meeting, we will have a public meeting. Sand on the Roads Bill asked why we use salt instead of sand on the roads in the winter. Fred said that sand is dusty, in the spring we have to clean off the roads, and it builds up in the swales and ditches. Public Works Committee Minutes, October 28,2008 Page 3 Fred explained that we use salt mixed with Ice Ban Majic. The Ice Ban Majic is made from beer byproducts and helps the salt stick to the roads. It also will melt snow and ice at a lower temperature then just salt. The Ice Ban Majic allows us to use less salt and is better for the environment. Sewer Guidelines Peter asked if the changes had been made to the guideline. No one was sure if they had been made. We will make the changes and have Dan and Fred use the guideline for the Grippi s and the E. King Road project. This will be on the next meeting's agenda. Mr. DiGiacomo came to the meeting to discuss the leave pickups. We talked about the above. The meeting was adjourned at 10:00 a.m. ghk