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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPWC Minutes 1994-12-01 Highway and Parke De artient 'laws ty 116 Nile • Ithaca, IT 11858 : TOWN OF ITHACA 21 i t �'_ , �� Yo4^� 126 EAST SENECA STREET, ITHACA, N.Y. 14850 Yar (687) 273-9239 TOWN CLERK 273-1721 HIGHWAY 273-1656 PARKS 273-8035 ENGINEERING 273-1747 PLANNING 273-1747 ZONING 273-1783 Town of Ithaca Public Works Committee Meeting December 1, 1994 Town of Ithaca Highway Barn 1 . Approval of Minutes David 2. Discussion of Leaf Bags for Leaf Collection Rich 3. Discussion of Procedures for Street Renaming Fred 4 . Discussion of New Building Uses Fred/Rich/Dan 5. Discussion of County Highway Utility Work Permits Dan 6 . Update Subdivision Construction Dan ghk pc: Mar ,Z clministrative Secretary etary L �en : o n � onKanter, TownPlanner George Frantz, Assistant Town Planner Andrew Frost, Code Enforcement Officer TOWN OF ITHACA Public Works Committee Meeting Minutes December 1 , 1994 Present: David Klein, Chairperson; Dan Walker; John Whitcomb; Ed ' Conely; and Fred Noteboom The meeting began at 8: 10 a. m. John Whitcomb moved to approve the minutes from the October meeting, so the minutes were approved. LEAF BAGS FOR LEAF COLLECTION Fred Noteboom introduced the idea of not using the leaf vacuum machines, in the future, by asking the Town residents to use only paper biodegradable bags . The main concern the Highway Department has is that the leaf vacs. are expensive to run, it is easier to pick up bags "as we go" . Meaning that during leaf pick-ups, if a bag was out before the dates set, a crew going by could pick up the bags. David Klein asked if there would be any savings. Fred indicted that the leaf vacs cost about $75 an hour to run, which does not include labor. Fred suggested that the Town could purchase bags and distribute them to Town residents. Possibly give 6 bags to each household, and if they need more , sell them to residents. The question of how to distribute them was asked, and Fred and Rich Schoch will look into this. They will also do a cost analysis. Fred suggested that residents could pick up bags at the Town Hall or Highway Barn. John asked if any other towns collect leaves. Fred indicted that no towns in Tompkins County do, but there are other towns in the state that do. At this point, the Committee skipped to agenda item #5 . COUNTY HIGHWAY UTILITY WORK PERMITS Dan informed the Committee that Tompkins County now has a formal procedure for obtaining work permits to work near or in County Roads. The Town has many utilities in or near these roads. There is a manual to explain them. The County wants the Town's contractors to put up a bond to work in these places. The Town is working on a "blanket" permit with the County to allow the Town to not have to put on any bonds. Public Works Committee Meeting Minutes Page 2 PROCEDURES FOR STREET RENAMING Fred discussed the procedure for renaming Town Roads. He said that the residents of the road have to be contacted, and the Town Board must approve the change. David asked if when the 911 system is put " in place, will they rename the streets. It was asked who is the Town representative with the Fire Coordinator. Dan indicated that Andy Frost is. David suggested that Andy should handle the changing of street name procedures and coordinate with the Fire Department. NEW BUILDING USES Dan informed the Committee that John Barney, Town Attorney, is working on the closing papers for the Town to acquire the property and storage barn out by the Highway barn. Fred indicated that the Highway Department would like to move the Park' s workshop over at the new building. There will also be room to accommodate water and sewer equipment. David was concerned about the heating in the building. Fred indicated that there was no heat at present, but it can be installed. The discussion evolved around to the payment of money for the Town to plow County roads. Each Town is very different in the amount they are paid. NEW TOWN HALL Dan talked about the possibilities for a new Town Hall . Several employees went on a tour of the Orthopedic Offices on Cliff Street ( in the City of Ithaca) . There was a discussion on the cost differences between building a new Town Hall (purchasing land and building) and buying and renovating the building on Cliff Street. The Committee felt the costs would probably be about the same. UPDATE ON SUBDIVISION CONSTRUCTION Dan informed the Committee that Saponi Meadows developers are getting ready to start building a road. Sanctuary Woods development is on hold because the road is not ready, the sub-base is not ready either. No building permit shall be issued until the road is ready. Eco-village is still in the planning stages. Dan indicated that he would not recommend a building permit until there are more concrete road improvements. Public Works Committee Meeting Minutes Page 3 The discussion evolved to the developers feeling that the Town makes it "hard" to get building permits. The problems cited are that the contractors want it one way, the Planning Board wants it another way, and the Planning Board is slow in making their decision. David indicated that contractors should come to Board • meetings and discussion their problems. PARK LANE EXTENSION Fred indicated that Park Lane has been opened down to Route 79 . There is no speed limit on newly opened section of Park Lane . Fred has been in contact with the State in regards to the procedure for extending the speed limit. The . Town must go through the proper procedures to extend the speed limit. Fred would like to add this to the December Board meeting. It will be added. MISCELLANEOUS Fred has received a request that the Town take over the private road, Hillcrest Road. Fred informed the Committee that the road was 915. 4 feet long, 12 feet wide, and dirt. We would have to take down some trees, but we could possibly make it 15 feet wide. The road would have to be brought up to Town Highway specifications. The residents would be responsible for that, before it could be accepted as a Town highway. Fred said he would talk to the resident and possibility Richard Burgman, owner of the road. Fred informed the Committee that the Highway Department will be conducting truck driver training in December. There is also training scheduled for March on confined space entry. Fred would like to send at least four employees. Fred told the Committee that Cornell University Transportation called about Campus Road and Route 366 . There have been 11 accidents since July 1993. They would like to do something about it. They talked about closing that end of Judd Falls Road in hopes of slowing down traffic. Fred indicated that it was not really a Town problem. David suggested that Cornell put speed bumps in at their parking areas. John indicated that if changes are to be made, the Town needs to be informed. John asked about the status of Judd Falls Road. Dan said there has been no change. Fred indicated that core samples have been taken. Dan informed the Committee that the Engineering Department would like to purchase a jet rodder ( sewer jet) . Fred indicated that the Highway Department could use it also. David said to add it to the December Board meeting agenda, so the advertisement can be put out and bids received before the December 30th Board meeting. • Public Works Committee Meeting Minutes Page 4 Dan told the Committee that the contractors working on the water. project on Coddington Road is about half way up Coddington Road. It is taking longer than expected. The residents who live 1000 feet past the Community Center on Coddington Road expressed an interest in having the water extended to them. The sewer project on West Haven Road should begin in December. The Town was having a problem getting a permit from the State to work near Route 79. This project will continue during the winter months. The meeting was adjourned at 9 : 35 a. m.