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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPWC Minutes 2006-04-25MSPOSMON DAZE [1 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. TOWN OF ITHACA PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE fitesday, April, 25,2006,9:00 a.m. Public Works Facility Approval of Minutes a. February 28, 2006 Minutes Discussion on Adopt-a-Park/Street. Discussion on Briarwood Drive Subdivision. Discussion on Management Plan for Westhaven Preserve. Discussion on Right -of -Way Policy Discussion on Pew Trail Alignment Discussion on Intermunicipal Agreements DVO!",MON WE Or TOWN OF ITHACA public Works Committee April 25,2006,9:00 a.m. Public Works Facility Present: Cathy Valentino, Peter Stein, [.")an Walker, [��red Noteboom, Rich , , Jicwh, Gene Redman, Wayne Sincebaugh, and Mike SiuitK Guest: Susan Brock 'I'he meeting began at 9:07 a.m. "I'lle FebrUary 28, 2006, 111filUtes will be approved next time, Adopt -a -Park/ Aclopt-a-Street 'I'lle Colilrylittee reviewed the draft policy fear ach)pting a park street. Cathy Valentino suggested that two separate policies be written: One for parks and one for roads. She believes that the policy for the roads should be stricter. 'I'lie Cornniittecdecided that we should move ahead with just a policy for adopting parks. One of the reasons we Nvould like to start this program is to, hopefully, encourage the communities to take care of their parks. "I'lie question was asked if protective equipment would be provided. We would provide the organizations with gloves, garbage bags, and possibly litter poles. I The `f'own's grounds maintenance crew Would remove file, garbage bags during our Monday site checks. Other questions included if the'l'own's insurance will cover the people picking up the trash — we believe it does, but we Nvill make sure. If the'l`own's insurance covers the volunteers, then wc. would not require tile organization to have insurance. Another question raised would be if we should have only organizations or can we have a bunch of people from the neighborhood do this. I'lic Conlinittee felt that organizations WOUld be better. We need to establish what types of training the"Eow-n will provide. 0 PLIbliC Works, Committee Minutes, April 25, 2006 M It was felt that AVC S 11OUld change the aniount (,,)f "lead" thIle frorn t"Aro days to at least one week, ser that we Would be abk.� to get the necessary eqUipment ready and meet with \Arhomever is in charge of the cleaning. Briarwood Drive Subdivision "I'lle developers of the Briarvvood Drive subdivision would like to conlplete thell, l.,flanned subdivision. Dan Walker- said he had some concerns with their plans. The plan shows only one way out of the subdivision and that the extension of Sanctuary Drive would violate they Tow law regarding the lens ..,,tlr of dead end streets, Dan WOUld like to see them extend Briar\,vood Drive to Sapsucker Woods Road, There was as planned road C'Oulfilf,', Out onto Salem [Drive, which is also our sewc�r easement, but Cornell University does not want the wetlands divided by as road. The wetlands (-in the proposal will be owned by O)rnell University but the'Town WOUld need an easernent to clean out the drainage systern if th(:'y do not take care of theim Cathy Valentino asked if there would be any problems with. the Nvater pressure for residents that would be closest to the %vater tank. Dan said the pressure wOuld be less than'10 POLInds, but it is still legal according to the Flealth Department. We have received complaints frorn residents though, We do have the sewer capacity in that area as we have the capacity for 75 units, and this will be about 56, The Committee discussed if the water runoff will be controlled better, We get coniplaints frorn residents on Salern Drive, Pinelvood Drive, et1c. Dan said that Nvith the berinthat would be put in, the wetlands would help control the Nvater floov by holding the water for a few days, Dan will provide a study of the run off, The Corlitnittee inernbers expressed their concerns about the problem the'Town has had in the past with this develop(,�r. Most of the drainage problems are in tile residents' yards. We will be wor iraf with the developer or) the drainage systern, L,00king at the plan, the Corm-nittee expressed their concerns about building sites so close:" to the wetlands: they %vere concerned that frouses would get flooded and the yards would be very wet, Mike Smith said that the 13(,oarcf was concerned with the last two lots, Public Works Committee Minutes, April 25, 2006 Page 3 This plan needs to be reviewed by the Planning Board-. They are the lead agency. This plan should be presented to the Planning Board at their second meeting in May. Westhaven Preserve At a previous Town Board Meeting, a Board member suggested that a management plan for parks and trails should be in place before the Town starts building the facility. The Public Works Department staff has put together a draft of a management plan for Westhaven Preserve to use as a model for future projects. This will be presented to the Town Board at their May meeting and ask them for comments. Rights-of-Wayy Some of the Town's rights -of -way (ROW) are deeded and some are by use. Susan Brock, Town Attorney, explained that ROWs by use are not automatically 3 rods. The widths can vary. We would have to talk to residents to do work in the ROW, and, if there are problems, can get eminent domain. Fred Noteboom said that we want a policy that tells residents that the Town will not be responsible for items planted or built in the ROW. Susan explained that on a State maintained road they (the State) have the right to take trees down in the ROW. Town's do not have that right. We could pass a local law regarding tree removal. We would have to notify the resident that the tree needs to come down, if it is not taken down within 10 days, the Town would be allowed to take it down and resident would have to pay the Town for the removal. Fred and Susan will get together on this policy. Intermunicipal Agreements We would like to enter into an agreement with other municipalities to share equipment and materials. We are currently doing this but we would like to have it in writing. For insurance proposes, the Town Board needs to OK the sharing. Because this agreement includes so many municipalities and it will be a while before the agreement is finalized, we will ask the Town Board to pass a resolution authorizing the Highway Superintendent to share equipment and materials. Public Works Committee Minutes, April 25, 2006 Page 4 Pew Trail Section of the East Ithaca Recreation Way Alignment Dan said that one property owner would like to have the trail farther from his property. Dan said that we could move it 20 feet down and take out a culvert to make the drainage in that area better. These changes need to go to New York State for approval. A concern was voiced as to one person's ability to change the alignment. It was felt that re -designing that section would result in a better outcome with less future maintenance. Cathy needs to sign the easements with Ewings and Ngates. We will have to ask the Ewings for another easement so we can work further down the stream. Miscellaneous Coddington Road: The County has targeted to have a public meeting regarding the construction of Coddington Road in May, although we have not heard of a date and time. Fred will invite John Lampman to a Board meeting to discuss the plans for Coddington Road. Hanshaw Road: Susan is still looking into the noise and ROW issues on Hanshaw Road. The proposed walkway will be the Town's although it will be within the County's ROW. We would like to have a history on the Town roads ROW. Simsbury Drive: People continue to call to have their ditch piped. We will continue with our current policy and work on a storm water policy. We may need to think about setting up drainage districts. We also need to start water shed mapping and measurements. Dan said that there is money available (from Tompkins County) to help write storm water policies. He said that the Tompkins County Storm Water Working Group is working on polices that will match each other. The meeting was adjourned at 11:15 a.m. M2