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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPWC Minutes 1996-03-28 Maru l nun ui,t . cCel 4%p Town of Ithaca Public Works Committee Meeting March 28 , 1996, 8 : 00 a.m. Town of Ithaca Highway/Parks Facility 1 . Approval of Minutes David 2 . Discussion of Inlet Valley Cemetery Fred 3 . Discussion of Mail Box Policy Fred 4 . Discussion of Highway Specifications Fred 5 . Discussion of Dewitt Flood Retention Structure Fred 6 . Update on Forest Home Bridge Dan 7 . Discussion of Water and Sewer Benefits Dan ghk pc : Mary Bryant, Administrative Secretary Joan Lent Noteboom, Town Clerk Jon Kanter, Director of Planning Andrew Frost, Director of Building and Zoning MUUMIONDATE FINA TOWN OF ITHACA Public Works Committee Meeting Minutes March 28 , 1996 Present : David Klein, Chairperson; Ed Conley; Dan Walker; Cathy Valentino; and Fred Noteboom Guests : Jonathan Kanter and Mary Russell The meeting began at 8 : 05 a.m. The minutes for the February meeting were approved. Inlet Valley Cemetery Fred Noteboom discussed that the Inlet Valley Cemetery, which is on the Elmira Road across from the Wonderland Motel, has not been maintained for a while . Ed Conley explained that if the cemetery' s association ceases to maintain the cemetery, the Town will be liable for the maintenance . Fred indicated that the King Cemetery is still being maintained unlike Inlet Valley Cemetery. He also indicated that the cemetery on Bostwick road is maintained by the Town, we mow it a couple times a year. Ed also explained that the association must show that they are unable to support maintenance costs . They must also have a request for the Town to start maintaining it in writing. David Klein suggested that we wait until there is some direction (possibly from the State) , we should not accept responsibility too hastily. Mailbox Policy David asked if there was a current a policy on mailbox repairs . Fred said there was, but he would like to refine it some. Fred passed out a copy of the policy. There was a discussion regarding if a mailbox is in good shape and how it was determined if they were in disrepair. The mail carriers usually leave a note in the mailbox indicating that the box needs repair. Fred indicated that the model of the placement of a mailbox is represented on a road that has a greater width. On a narrow road it can be hard to put a mailbox up according to specifications . Public Works Committee Meeting Minutes Page 2 s Ed suggested that the mailbox policy be published in the newsletter each year. Cathy Valentino said that there are places in Town which clearly have room to put mailboxes up according to the specifications, but are not . She used Park Lane as an example, citing that there is no ditch on the one side. David asked if any manufacture makes a mailbox post using some type of cantilever swing arm system. Dan said he thought so, but there was quite a bit of maintenance involved with it . Fred suggested that the Town install a cantilever type post, if the Town is replacing the post . Fred also said that the money to replace some mailboxes is greater than others, citing the examples of a Town resident billing the Town for material and three hours of labor and a mailbox having to be replaced which cost $95 . David asked if the Town normally pays for materials only. Fred said yes . Fred would like to see the policy more explicit. Cathy agreed, stating the Policy should state that, before replacing a mailbox and/or post, the mailbox must meet the specifications . If it clearly can not (which some may not be able to due to landscape) , then we will repair it. David suggested using the wording "if it is possible" to meet the specifications, the Town is not responsible for repairs . Cathy said that if a post was obviously rotted or in disrepair, the Town should not be responsible to repair it. Cathy felt that we should set a dollar amount for repairs . It was decided that a $30 limit on materials would be imposed. The policy will be revised and the Public Works Committee will review it at the next scheduled meeting. Highway Specifications Fred said that he wanted the Committee to be aware that the Highway/Parks and Engineering Departments will be reviewing and revising the current Highway Specifications (for building roads) . Fred suggested that there are new types of asphalts being made which we should include in our specifications . David asked how long we will be working on this revisions. Fred said they should not take long. There was a discussion regarding if specifications had ever been approved. It was decided to review the Town Board minutes from (1989 or 1990) to see what was approved. Cathy stated that if we will be revising the specifications, we �. _ should do it soon, so that any new developments can benefit from Public Works Committee Meeting Minutes Page 3 i these . David asked if they were on the priority list. Dan said no, because they will not take long to revise. David then asked if there needs to be a Public Hearing to change them. Dan did not think so. Fred asked for Committee's input on any changes they feel need to be made . Cathy felt the Planning Department should be involved in the revisions. Dan felt that the planning end of the specifications have already been worked out, the changes now are more to make the wording more understandable, etc. Dewitt Flood Retention Structure Cathy said that she received a letter from Carol Anderson regarding putting in another retention pond further down. Dan showed the Committee a map from a study done in 1969 . There was a discussion regarding drainage problems in that section of the Northeast. Fred said that there is a stream in back of the houses on Brandywine that needs to be cleaned out. To do this, the Town needs to get easements from the landowners. There is also an 80' underground pipe that needs to be cleaned out. r David asked if Cayuga Heights is working with the Town regarding the retention pond. • Dan said they are cooperating with us. Dan said that after the frost is out of the ground we can start working on it. Dan said he was afraid the ditch will have to be 6 to 8 feet deep. Fred said no, the pipe is relatively flat . Cathy asked what the time frame for this project is. Fred said he would like to work on it this spring. Cathy then asked if there was a design in place. Dan said there will be one soon. Fred informed the Committee that some of this work is covered under the FEMA program. Fred also said that some money has been received, from the State, from FEMA. Dan suggested that the pipe on Brandywine be put underground. Fred said that there is quite a bit of rock there, so it may not be too easy. Update on Forest Home Drive Cathy said that some of the County Representatives have promised that the bridge will be built this year. Public Works Committee Meeting Minutes Page 4 Dan talked about the County' s time frame for this work. The County indicated that the maintenance agreement will be executed by the Town on April 1, 1996 . Cathy asked if we have a copy of this. Dan felt that the time line is not realistic. Cathy felt that the Town should continue to discuss the bridge with Beverly Livesey, Tim Joseph, Dooly Keefer, Barbara Blanchard to keep the "ball rolling" . Fred will set up a meeting with the Forest Home Improvement Association (FHIA) to discuss the approach work we need to do in conjunction with the bridge. Water and Sewer Benefits Dan explained that there are several adjustments to be made on the Water and Sewer benefits taxes. They will be submitted for the April 8, 1996, Board Meeting. After then, he will concentrate on reviewing the Town's Water and Sewer Benefit formulas . Dan said he needs to look at the required revenues and what impact a changed formula would have before he can make a recommendation. Mary asked if there are a larger number of adjustments this year. Dan said no. David inserted that with the Town-wide review, hopefully, these adjustments will decrease. Miscellaneous Cathy informed the Committee that she talked with the City of Ithaca Mayor regarding the Town' s pending Conservation District in the Six Mile Creek area. Jonathan Kanter informed the Committee that the City of Ithaca would like to purchase the land near the City' s water shed, on Six Mile Creek, to substitute it for land that has been already dedicated to park land. Jonathan said that none of the properties have road frontage. Mary asked what the procedure was for replacing dedicated park land. Dan said the lands had to be equal in value, etc. Cathy said that the procedure to substitute land is not an easy process . Letter from Mr. Ciaschi David asked to have this added to the agenda. Mr. Ciaschi would like to have the 'current water system changed. j Public Works Committee Meeting Minutes Page 5 \ H Dan explained that when the water system was put in (on West Hill) there was only one property at that site; now there are four. Dan said that the water for those properties goes through one meter on the far side of the road. Dan said that the water bill is sent to Mr. Ciaschi for that site, and Mr. Ciaschi would like to have the water bill split out. Dan said there are a couple of options . A separate water service to each property can be installed, or we use the main pipe and take ownership of the main. We would then need easements from the landowners . It would be very costly to install separate water services to each property. Dan said the meter going into the old Rebekah Hall would have to be replaced. PRI already has a meter. Dan said that the Town is currently surveying and monitoring the use of the main. This will be done for two months. Cathy asked if the current water lines meet the Town' s specifications . Dan said probably, it needs to be tested. David asked if Bolton Point furnished the meters. Dan said they charge for the meters. David then asked if there would have to be a water benefit, and Dan said probably not. David felt we should try limit the Town' s costs as much as possible. Dan said he will report more on this subject after the surveying is finished. The meeting ended at 10 :05 a.m. ghk