HomeMy WebLinkAboutTB Minutes 1976-02-09 TOWN OF ITHACA
REGULAR BOARD MEETING °
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February 9 , 1976
. At a regular meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca ,
Tompkins County , New York , held at the Town of Ithaca Offices
at 126 East Seneca Street , Ithaca , New York , on the 9th day of
February , 1976 , at 50100 p . m . , there were
PRESENT * Waliiter J . Schwan , Supervisor
Andrew W . McElwee , Councilman
Victor Del Rosso , Councilman
Noel Desch , Councilman
Robert N . Powers , Councilman
Catherine A . Valentino , Councilwoman
Shirley Raffensperger , Councilwoman
ALSO PRESENT : James V . Buyoucos , Town Attorney
Lawrence P . Fabbroni , Town Engineer/Building
' Inspector
Robert Bonnell , Assistant to Town Engineer
Barbara P . Holcomb , Planning Board Chairwoman
Robert Parkin , Highway Superintendent
Beverly Livesay , County Representative
Heinz Biesdorf , 702 Hudson Street
G . '' J . Messmer , New York State Electric & Gas
Corporation
Representatives of the Media
LIGHTING OF ROUTE 13
Mr . G . J . Messmer , Commercial Representative of New York
State Electric & Gas !ICorporation in the Ithaca area , appeared be -
fore the Board to explain New York State Electric & Gas Corpora-
tion s proposal as set forth in their letter of January 16 , 1976 ,
to change 18 fixtures on the main line from Town -owned 400 -watt
mercury ( 20 , 000 lumens ) to 250 -watt high pressure sodium ( 25 , 500
lumens ) fixtures to be owned and maintained by NYSE &G , and the 13
250 -watt mercury ( 11x000 lumens ) units on the entry/exits from
Town -owned to 150 -watt high pressure sodium ( 16 , 000 ) units owned
and maintained by NYSE &G .
Mro Messmer said this proposal would cost the Town $ 596 . 00
more per year , but would represent a considerable savings in long-
term maintenance costs for the Town . He said the change from
mercury to high pressure sodium will increase lighting 30 % but
would reduce electric load by more than 35 % and would represent
an energy savings of ;i, over 16 , 000 KWH per year . In short , for the
Town the benefits would be ( 1 ) better lighting , ( 2 ) more lighting ,
and ( 3 ) elimination of maintenance costs . Mr . Messmer said the
Company is upgrading 'lthe amount of lighting and lowering the wat-
j tage necessary .
Mr . Messmer was questioned closely by the Board about
present costs to the ,; Town and how the new proposal will affect
Town costs in the future and whether it would be better if the
Town bought its own ,fixtures . After the discussion the Board
acted as follows °
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Town Board Minutes - 2 - February 9 , 1976
Motion by Councilman Desch ; seconded by Councilman Del Rosso ,
RESOLVED , that the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca hereby
accepts and approves street lighting improvements along Rt . 13
from the Ithaca City line north , as proposed by New York State
Electric & Gas Corporation , to convert 18 fixtures on the main
line from Town -owned 400 -watt Mercury ( 20 , 000 Lumen ) to 250 -watt
high pressure Sodium ( 25 , 500 Lumen ) fixtures to be owned and main °
tained by New York State Electric & Gas Corporation , and to con-
vert the 13 250 -watt Mercury ( 11 , 000 Lumen ) units on the entry/
exits from Town-owned to 150 -watt high pressure Sodium ( 16 , 000
Lumen ) units owned and maintained by New York State Electric &
Gas Corporation , at '' an additional cost to the Town of Ithaca of
$ 596 . 60 ( it being understood that this conversion will represent
a considerable long ® term savings in maintenance costs to the Town
of Ithaca . )
Unanimously carried .
REPORT OF COUNTY REP ?FSrENTATIVES
Mrs . Livesay reported she has been appointed Chairman of
a Committee to looklinto the possibility of combining the City ,
County , and Town Planning Departments in one location so they may
share equipment , space , and thoughts . The space in question is
Boardman House . The City of Ithaca planners need additional space .
This arrangement would result in certain efficiencies - - sharing
of specialized equipment , sharing of documents , maps , drawings ,
etc . ( avoiding duplication of materials ) , and the planners would
get to discuss projects with each other at an earlier stage be°
fore individual ideas were too far along , thus making for a better
opportunity for interaction . Mrs . Livesay said if this were done
the Boardman House would become the Town of Ithaca Planning Office .
Councilman Powers said if that were the case he would be opposed
to it , especially since Mr . Fabbroni ` s work is not confined to
planning . rugs . Livesay will continue to look into this matter .
There was not a great deal of enthusiasm for the project on the
Town Board at this time .
Mrs . Livesay reported there has been some talk about a
similar arrangementlwith regard to ccnbined highway departments .
This idea did not generate too much enthusiasm on the Board , Mr .
Fabbroni indicatinglthat there is already considerable cooperation
between the County and Town highway departments . Mr . Fabbroni
said if a study is made notice should be taken of the fact that
Town and County highway departments already cooperate in terms of
snow removal and other activities . He felt it was not generally
known how much inter - action there already is among State , County ,
and local highway departments .
Mrs . Livesay said she had also been appointed Chairman
of a group to look ''into the SPCA contract with the County and
problems related toll it . She is to report on it in two weeks .
Mrs . Livesay reported that at a meeting two weeks ago
the County Board of Representatives approved going ahead with
hospital construction , the next step being the letting of bids .
She noted also that , it appears Cornell University is talking about
building a medical facility . This is causing a stir and the County
is trying to determine what Cornell University has in mind .
Mrs . Livesay reported that the County Board of Representa-
tives appointed a new Board of managers for the hospital last
Monday , February 2 , ° 1976 . They are expected to set up a new
governing syste.riz .
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Town Board Minutes - 3 - February 9 , 1976
Mrs . Livesay reported that the Tompkins County Social
Services Department will be moving into the space vacated by
the Town of Ithaca last March at 108 East Green Street ( City Hall
building ) , due to the great increase in the caseload . This is
space in addition to ' what they already have . Employables who are
unemployed have gone '' up from 225 to 425 . Their unemployment in -
surance has run out . " Therefore , Social Services needs new workers
and additional space .'
The Board of Representatives has approved the Solid Waste
Report which clears the way for the next stage .
Mrs . Livesay „ said it was reported to the County Board of
Representatives that the Ithaca City School District approached
the County regarding some kind of joint development of the high
school playing fieldso they would qualify for funding from the
Federal government under a community recreational and outdoor
facilities program .
REFUNDS OF TAX ASSESSMENTS
In order to reimburse taxpayers for water and sewer sur-
charges which were billed in error on the 1976 tax bills as
delinquent charges , the Board acted as follows °
Motion by Supervisor Schwan ; seconded by Councilman Desch ,
RESOLVED , that refunds for water and sewer surchages billed in
error on the 1976 tax bills' as delinquent charges be made to the
following taxpayers in the following amounts , contingent on- the
tax bill having been paid in full prior to refund .*
Jack and Nancy Hewitt , P
1518 Slaterville Road ( Tax Parcel 56 - 3 - 3 ao9agoe $ 7 . 33
E . G . Halgas,
1447 Slaterville Rd . ( Tax Parcel 58 - 1 - 25 ) 00M606 $ 4 . 03
Theodore J . Koch
1432 Hanshaw Rd . ( Tax Parcel 70 - 10 - 9 ) 090006000 $ 7 . 81
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Unanimously carried .
Parcels 54 - 4 - 33 and 54 - 4 - 341 in the name of Earl and Anita
Delarue , were consolidated as one tax parcel to be known henceforth
as Parcel 54x4 - 33 , per letter from Tompkins County Assessment
Division dated January 21 , 1976 . Therefore , the Board acted as
followso
Motion by Supervisor Schwan ; seconded by Councilman Desch ,
RESOLVED , in view of the consolidation of Tax Parcels Nos . 54 - 4 - 33
and 54 - 4 - 34 (which were each charged for one water benefit unit
and one sewer benefit unit on the 1976 Town and County tax bill ) , ,
in the name of Earl and Anita Delarue , 137 Kendall Avenue , into
one tax parcel to be known henceforth as Tax Parcel No . 54 - 4 - 33 ,
that a refund for one water unit in the amount of $ 48 . 00 and one
sewer unit in the amount of $ 50 . 00 , or a total refund of $ 98 . 00 ,
be made to Earl and Anita Delarue .
Unanimously carried .
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Town Board Minutes - 4 all February 9 , 1976
Two letters 'i, were received with regard to water and sewer
benefit assessmentsifor an additional unit based on an apartment
in the housing unit '; requesting a refund based on the fact that
I
n one case the apa '''rtment is occupied by a relative and no rental
is charged and the apartment is an is part of the house , and
in the other that although the house has an apartment in it , the
owners use the entire house as a single dwelling and do not rent
any portion of it .
This matter ' elicited considerable discussion but no
decision could be reached . It was suggested that Mr . Fabbroni
look at the two locations involved and with the assistance of the
Planning Board look ; 1into the matter with a view toward establish°
ing a. . policy , and report to the Board with some preliminary recom-
mendations . Councilman Del Rosso felt it was necessary to review
how an apartment is defined and how it must be altered to avoid
paying the water and sewer benefit charge for an additional unit .
The Board reviewed a letter dated January 26 , 1976 from
Attorney Armand L . Adams on behalf of the Odd Fellow Home , Parcel
24 - 4 - 5 . 2 , requesting that the 1976 assessment for water benefit be
refunded as well as ' the water benefit charges for 1974 and 1975 .
Mr . Adams contends the water charge against Parcel 24 - 4 - 5 . 2 is in®
cluded in the water 'ibenefit assessment on Parcel 24 - 3 - 3 . 2 . The
general sense of the Board was that water is available to both
parcels and is properly charged . However , it was agreed that the
Supervisor would set up an appointment with Mr . Adams to review
this in person , with the tax map available for reference .
The Board considered a request by Leonard Liberman for a
refund of $ 48 . 00 water benefit charge on Parcel 18 - 1 ° 10 ( 901 E .
Shore Drive ) , 20 fte frontage . A review of the tax map indicated
that no benefit was available to this narrow strip and , therefore ,
the following action was takeno
Motion by Councilman Descheo seconded by Councilman Powers ,
RESOLVED , that a refund of $ 48 . 00 be made to Leonard Liberman ,
Parcel 18 - 1 - 10 , property at 901 East Shore Drive , for the reason
that this parcel receives no water benefit .
Unanimously carried .
DOG CONTROL LATR
Mrs . Valentino reported she had had discussions with the
SPCA and it appears 'iithey are not able to take on any more respon -
sibilities with the ,, staff and equipment they have without some
kind of substantial 'icontract . They have no source of . income any
longer except what they receive from contract . Mrs . Valentino
reported that it has cost the City of Ithaca $ 13 , 000 to implement
a dog ordinance similar to the one proposed for the Town of Ithaca ,
and it is expected that dog control will cost them $ 17 , 000 in 1976 .
From fines the SPCA had income of only $ 1 , 540 . If the
Town of Ithaca is to enforce a dog law it must think in terms of
that amount of income and what it will cost . The leash law of
the Village of Cayuga Heights costs them very little , but they have
a police force . Under County contracts , which also cover the Town
of Ithaca , any dog picked up by the SPCA within the Town of Ithaca
that is unlicensed and not tagged and is taken to the SPCA is paid
for by the County . airs . Livesay said the County budget for dog
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Town Board Minutes - 5 - February 9 , 1976
control is $ 27 , 000 . It appears the SPCA did not tell Mrs . Valen -
tino what they considered a " substantial contract . " Mrs . Livesay
reported that she had talked to nor . Henry Theisen , formerly Presi -
dent of the Board of Directors of the SPCA , and he said that the
SPCA had reached the point where their people and equipment are
used full time , and to do anthing more they would need to buy
another vehicle and hire additional staff . The program seems to
be foundering for lack of funds .
Attorney Buyoucos outlined for the Board the various
options available - - adoption of leash law , adoption of " nuisance "
law , or both , or taking no action at all , as well as his inter -
pretation of Sect . 114 and 114 ( a ) of the Agriculture and Markets
Law , all as outlined , in a memo to Mrs . Valentino dated February
6 , 1976 ( attached to ' and made a part of these minutes ) .
Decision was ° deferred for further study .
SIGN APPROVALS
The Board reviewed a request by Leonard Liberman for a
sign reading " Noah ' s ' Boat Club " to be displayed on proposed club-
house/restaurant . A '' schematic (dated November 1975 , by Douglas
Keep ) of the building on which the sign is to be displayed and
the proposed sign was reviewed by the Board . The sign conforms
to the present Town of Ithaca sign ordinance . Mr . Liberman re -
quested approval of the sign only - - not the building . Mr . Fab -
broni said the Board, with respect to the building could make
informed comments to 'ithe Zoning Board of Appeals for the intended
use . Councilman Powers did not feel the Town Board should influ -
ence the Zoning Board of Appeals ; that they should make the deci -
sion on their own , without consideration of the sign . Councilman
Powers said he would rather withhold any decision on the sign un -
til the Zoning Boardl, of Appeals has acted on the building . This
was the sense of the " Board . Therefore , any action with respect
to the sign was held " in abeyance pending action _ by the Zoning
Board of Appeals on the building .
Regarding request of Paul Ridley for sign reading " Page
Book Bindery " , Mrs . 'Holcomb said the sign is within the require -
ments of the sign ordinance . The building is 12 x 36 and the sign
is on the side of the building that faces Ellis Hollow Road . Coun -
cilman Desch said it;; ought to be shown on the drawing . Mrs . Hol -
comb said the proposed sign' is . 15 _ "inches high and 15 .feet long .
Motion by Councilman ' Desch ; seconded by Councilman Powers ,
RESOLVED , that the request of haul Ridley for approval of " Page
Book Bindery " sign on his building between the entrance road to
the East Hill Plaza that comes off Ellis Hollow Road and the
elderly housing project , on Tax Parcel 6 - 62 - 2 - 1 . 125 , is hereby
granted .
Unanimously carried .
BEAUJOLAIS RESTAUR T;T PARKING
Mr . Fabbroni" reviewed the Beaujolais Restaurant parking
situation . The Heallth Department has foreclosed parking in the
rear of the restaurant because a parking area may not be estab -
lished over a septic field . Mr . O ' Malley did not make an appear -
ance at the January ,Town Board meeting and has not appeared at
this meeting to discuss the parking situation and the hazards that
exist at present because of cars parked on the shoulder of the
road . Councilman Powers recommended a no parking area along the
road . Councilman Desch said that neither the Town Board nor the
Town Board Minutes - 6 - February 9 , 1976
Town of Ithaca should be a party to allowing Mr . O ' Malley to have
cars parked where they ought not to be parked . He said the origi -
nal approval should 'ilbe re - examined to determine where exactly he
is permitted to have parking . The Town Board might have a basis
for rescinding his building permit . There was discussion of how
the parking might be arranged . Councilwoman Ra _f. fensperger asked
why the Town Board is trying to solve Mr . O ' Malley ' s parking probm
lems . Councilman McElwee recommended forbidding the hazardous
parking practices and leave it to Mr . O ' Malley to work out a park -
ing arrangement to the Board ' s satisfaction . Mr . Fabbroni said
his only recourse is to revoke Mr . O ' Malley ' s ability to operate .
Councilman McElwee said the Town will not accept the parking lot
across the road as an alternative . Councilman Powers was in favor
of initiating discussion to put " no parking " signs in the whole
area where Mr . O ' Malley is allowing hazardous parking . Mrs . I-iol °
comb said she did not think this could be done on a State highway .
Councilman Powers noted it can be done on a County highway . After
some further discussion , the Board acted as follows .
Motion by Councilman Desch * seconded by Councilman Del Rosso ,
RESOLVED , that this ! Board hereby recommends that Ivir . Robert
O ' Malley be advised ' he must make other arrangements for parking
in the area of his restaurant ( Beaujolais Restaurant ) and that in
view of the hazard created no parking will be permitted across the
road from the restaurant .
Unanimously carried .
NORTHVIEW ROAD WEST ;;' PARK ( South Hill Estates )
Mr . Fabbroni reported that although a deed was prepared
for the above -mentioned park in Willis Hilker ' s South Hill Estates
Subdivision on Northview Road West , it was never accepted by the
Town Board and thatdthe Board should consider accepting the deed .
Supervisor Schwan said it was not accepted because there was a
temporary road there . Mr . Fabbroni said there is a 20 ft . ease -
ment and access to the site . The Highway Superintendent said the
road is in satisfactory condition . The Town Attorney asked the
Board not to acceptlthe deed at this time * that he would examine
it and the abstract ; of title and check the description .
Motion by Supervisor Schwan ; seconded by Councilman Powers ,
RESOLVED , that the Town Attorney is hereby instructed to examine
deed from Willis Hzlker , developer of South Hill Estates , to the
Town of Ithaca , andlthe abstract of title for the Northview Road
West park in the Willis Hilker South Hill Estates Subdivision and
bring same up to date , and make a recommendation to the Board at
the next regular meeting .
Unanimously carried .
C0 MUNICATIONS
Supervisor Schwan read a letter dated January 27 , 1976
from the Belle Sherman PTA thanking the Town Board for its deci -
sion to provide a crossing guard for the Mitchell Street-Vine
Street intersectionifor the safety of the children in the area .
Supervisor ScY.wan read a letter from Lyman E . Baker to
the City of Ithaca Water Department ( dated January 5 , 1976 ) re -
garding sewer problems at his residence at 257 Pennsylvania Avenue .
It appears the sewer line was not set deep enough initially to
serve his baseme _r . . !�, There was discussion as to what the Town ' s
Town Board Minutes - 7 - February 9 , 1976
responsibility is in this case , if any . It was agreed that the
Town Engineer would Took at the Baker property , study the prob -
lem , and make a recommendation to the Board .
BOLTON POINT FINANCIAL REPORT
Supervisor Schwan reported that the Bolton Point note
is being renewed in an amount of $ 7 , 800 , 000 at 7 . 8 % with a group
of banks . He reported also that a committee of the Southern Cay-
uga Lake Intermunicipal Water Commission will be contacting FHA
officials in Syracuse and Albany in an attempt to push the pro -
ject ' s FHA application . In any event , it appears that the FHA
borrowing , if approved , would be approved only for a portion of
the total the municipalities would like to borrow through the FHA
- - perhaps $ 2 or $ 2 . 5 million . Supervisor Schwan reported that
the Commission is being advised to bond its obligations in August
or September , since interest rates on Bond Anticipation Notes are
very high and that this situation is not expected to change for
two or three years . The project rating now is A rather than AA ,
based on " accessibility to the market . " He noted also the Com-
mission is looking into insurance on the bonds . If the project
qualified for such insurance , it could result in a considerable
savings based on getting a lower interest rate .
Supervisor Schwan asked for authorization to have Bernard
P . Donegan , Inc . ( financial consultant of the Southern Cayuga Lake
Intermunicipal Mater Commission ) , put together material for a
brochure ( up to as many as 50 pages ) in order to sell Town of
Ithaca bonds in the amount of about $ 1 . 9 million ( a portion of
the Town ' s Bond Anticipation Notes which renew on March 3 , 1976 ) ,
in June or July . An , interest rate of 6 % is possible if the bonds
are insured . Supervisor Schwan said he would get from Donegan a
letter outlining their costs in terms of gathering material , pre -
paring it , and printing it in brochure form for a particular
amount of bonds . The Supervisor was authorized to proceed in
this manner .
Town Attorney Buyoucos noted that the municipalities
participating in the' Bolton Point project might need to discuss
bonding methods , that it might be necessary to pass some special
legislation , particularly because of the recent incorporation of
the Village of Lansing and the possibility of making it a part of
the Intermunicipal Water Commission . The problem is that Village
law does not take into account in any detailed way obligations
that a Town incurred prior to incorporation as a village .
REPORTS OF TOWI . OFFICIALS
Town Attorney Buyoucos reported as follows °
Vincent P , Franciamone . Mr . Franciamone ' s attorney filed
an appeal from the Court s decision regarding his premises at 108
Ridgecrest Road . The time to perfect the appeal expired and fol -
lowing that it was extended . The Town Attorney ' s office will pur -
sue the necessary steps to resolve this matter .
R . H . P . , Inc . Billboards . At a special meeting of the -
Town - Board on
January 26 , 1976 , the Town Board adopted a resolu-
tion that the removal of the R . H . P . , Inc . billboards would be
held in abeyance and that the date of removal of the billboards
has been extended thirty ( 30 ) days from wherever in the future
notice is given . The reasons for abating the order to remove
are stated in the minutes of the special meeting of the Town Board
on January 26 , 1976 .
Town Board Minutes - 8 - February 9 , 1976
Mr . Fabbroni reported - on the . following matters .
Vincent P . Franciamone . Water is running down Ridgecrest
Road from Mr . Franciamone s driveway . Complaints have been re °
ceived from homeowners on Ridgecrest Road that this has been
creating a hazardous icing situation . Most of the water appears
to be coming from the rear of Mr , Franciamone ' s residence . Exact-
ly where it is coming from has not yet been determined . The High-
way Department is trying to keep the road clear and have been at
the location at least five times . The road becomes impassible .
Mr . Franciamone ' s attorney has agreed to advise him to sign a stateR
ment agreeing that the Town may go on the property and make neces -
sary adjustments .
Finger Lakes , Construction billing . Mr . Fabbroni said he
had again looked into this billing (which has been discussed at
prior meetings of the Board ) , and , in general , the bill looks
reasonable except for one or two days ' time charged when it rained
very hard . He noted " they did not charge for truck time to pick up
fill and it is not charged in the bill except as part of the whole .
In view of the age of this bill , the difficulty of determining with
any precision that the bill is entirely proper , and based upon Mr .
Fabbroni ' s advice that the bill is for the most part a reasonable
one , the Board acted as follows .
Motion by Councilman Powers ; seconded by Supervisor Schwan ,
RESOLVED , that Finger Lakes Construction Company billing in the
amount of $ 9 , 790 . 20 dated November 18 , 1974 for sewer line repairs
be paid .
Unanimously carried .
Sewer Extension Project ( $ 970 , 000 ) . Mr . Fabbroni said
at this time he has more time to devote to acquiring easements
for the project . The project still requires approval from DEC
and the City of Ithaca Board of Public Works .
Town Highway Barn . Mr . Fabbroni presented sketch of plans
for additions to the '' Town barn . The proposal would provide two
additional truck bay's and a higher grade maintenance facility .
More space is needed at the Town barn . There was also some dis -
cussion_ of the traffic problem through the highway barn property
to Spencer Road . Mr . Fabbroni said the proposed layout would
alleviate the problem , but that at the " rush ° hour " the traffic
will still come through . It was agreed Mr . Buyoucos would research
the ownership of property which is traversed to get to Spencer Road .
Mr . Fabbroni ,� said he had preliminary estimates , not includ -
ing electricity and heat , of about $ 701000 . The electric and heat -
ing costs will bring the project rather close to the revenue shar -
ing funds available . The Board asked Mr . Fabbroni to prepare an
outline of the specifications showing what will be purchased , type .
of construction , total square footage , plumbing and electrical ,
and what is being done in the old buildings .
Zoning Ordinance . Mr . Fabbroni said Mr . Buyoucos would
have a draft of the revised Zoning Ordinance in his hands by
February 17 . March '15 , 1976 at 7000 p . m . has been set for a
public hearing . Mr . Fabbroni recommended a combined meeting of
the Planning Board and the Town Board on March 2 , 1976 . This was
agreed to and it was further agreed to have a work session on
February 24 , 1976 at 7030 p . m .
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Town Board Minutes - 9 - February 9 , 1976
Park Development - Salem Drive . Mr . Fabbroni said he
could have a student develop a site plan based on a meeting with
the Northeast Civic Association for the development of a park in
the Rocco Lucente development on Salem Drive . The Board urged Mr .
Fabbroni to go ahead 'with this .
Eastern Heights Park Area , Mr . Fabbroni reported that
people in Eastern Heights have requested two or three picnic tables
and materials to build a fire pit for the park area near Tudor Road .
This raised questions with regard to litter , vandalism , and also
possible requests from two other park areas . Councilmen Powers and
McElwee felt some guidelines or policy should be developed with
respect to this park and two other parks . PgLr . Fabbroni was asked
to gather together all the facts on all three parks and report to
the Board .
Coy Glen . Mr . Fabbroni reported that he has a graduate
student working on the Coy Glen area , on a technical basis , with
regard to making recommendations for the protection and preserva -
tion of the area .
Traffic Ordinance . Mr . Fabbroni said he was working , in
connection with the Traffic Ordinance , to officially designate
°° stop " and " yield " locations in the Town - - not merely those exist -
ing , but those which will be added through the sign program with
the State . He said if the second part of the funds is received
from the State , he plans to sign the whole Town . The Board urged
him to proceed with this .
Sidewalk Maintenance - Winthrop Drive . This is not main -
tained now since it is impossible to do so with the equipment
available . This is the narrow road which runs from the Northeast
Elementary School to the Village line . The people who live there -
clean it or the Town contracts to have it cleaned . There was some
discussion as to whether the Town should adopt an ordinance that
the owner must keep the sidewalk in front of his property clean .
No decision was made ' at this time . .
Mailboxes . 95 % of the mail box locations are in Town
right- of �ways . A number of complaints have been received from
homeowners whose mail boxes have been damaged by Town highway
equipment . The sense of the Board was that since the mail -boxes
are in the Town right-ofo -ways the Town has no responsibility to
replace or repair them .
Snow Emergency/Parking . This is a particular problem in
Eastern Heights It , appears provision for this should be included
in any revision or modification of the Traffic Ordinance .
Flood Plain taps . The Engineering Office of the Town of
Ithaca has been independently updating the Flood Plain maps since
there were major deficiencies in the Federal maps .
Building Permits , Permits for two homes were issued in
January , 1976 for a total improvement of $ 62 , 400 , as compared to
one home and two additions for a total of $ 39 , 500 in 1975 , for
the month of January.
Sign Violations . Thirty sign violations have been . pro -
cessed . These are sign owners who dick not get a permit or who
are in outright violation of the sign ordinance . All stores in
East Hill Plaza have been served with notice except P & C and the
Liquor Store . P &C has been served notice with regard to the ad -
vertising banners wh'�ich are illegal . Mr . Fabbroni noted that Mr .
Bonnell has done a thorough job in processing sign violations .
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Town Board Minutes m 0 -
1 February 9 , 1976
Beacon i
n lls . Information from Sibleys in Rochester
indicates Mr . Erdman has not signed an agreement yet . It is not
clear what the next step will be when the Erdmans sign an agreement ,
It appears that Sibieys will take over the part where the buildings
are and they will have an option on the land , and Erdman will have
the remainder of the land . It will be developed piecemeal or sold
off piecemeal . There does not appear to be any chance of it being
developed as the overall site plan that was originally approved .
The owners were served notice on July 21 , 1975 and given
90 days to clear the site . The 90 days expired and Mr . Erdman
advised that negotiations were going on . Matters at present are
at a standstill . Supervisor Schwan suggested that he might write
a letter to Beacon Hills advising them that if the matter is not
resolved by April 15 , 1976 , the Town will start legal proceedings .
Mr . Fabbroni said it be better to select an independent archi •
tect , engineer , or local builder to look at the site from the Town ' :
point of view and ask. Beacon Hills to appoint their man by a cer -
tain time to work out the site clearing . This would indicate the
Town means businessllas far as clearing the site is concerned . The
cost of clearing the site could then be determined . The Board
agreed that Mr . Fabbroni should follow this route . Mr . Fabbroni
said it was clear the project would never proceed as originally
planned .
STREET LI%GHTING
Winston Court Apartments . Supervisor Schwan reported he
had a letter dated January 16 , 1976 from Rocco P . Lucente request -
ing street lights at four locations to insure the safety of his
tenants . The letter was accompanied by a sketch showing location
of the four requested lights . In accordance with Town policy , the
Board agreed that two lights should be installed at Winston Court
intersection . They �did not feel the two corner lights came within
established Town policy .
Motion by Councilman Deschr seconded by Councilman McElwee ,
RESOLVED , that thisGBoard hereby authorizes New York State Electric
& Gas Corporation to install at Winston Court Apartments , owned by
Rocco P . Lucente , a 'ilight at each of the Winston Court intersec -
tions .
Unanimously carried .
Supervisor Schwan also reported he had a letter dated
January 9 , 1976 frog Mr . M . Rac_uibuz Zaman , 104 Sycamore Drive ,
requesting a streetlight at the corner of Sycamore Drive and
Salem Drive . In accordance with Town policy to light intersec -
tions of accepted To roads , the Board acted as follows °
Motion by Councilman'I Desch ; seconded by Councilman McElwee ,
PESOLVED , that this ;;Town Board hereby authorizes New York State
Electric & Gas Corpo°ration to install a 7 , 000 lumen street light
at the intersection ;'of Sycamore Drive and Salem Drive ,* further
resolved that New York State Electric & Gas Corporation be author -
ized to install street lights ( 7 , 000 lumen ) at the intersection
of Sycamore Drive and Pinewood Place , and at the intersection of
Pinewood Place and Birchwood Drive North .
Unanimously carried .
Town Board lolinutes - 11 February 9 , 1976
BOLTON POINT WARRANTS
The Board reviewed the Bolton Point warrants which were
recommended for payment by the Southern Cayuga Lake Intermunicipal
Water Commission .
Motion by Supervisor Schwan , seconded by Councilman Powers ,
RESOLVED , that this Town Board , after review , and upon the recom-
mendation of the Southern Cayuga Lake Intermunicipal Water Commis -
sion , hereby approves the Bolton Point warrants dated February 9 ,
1976 in the amount of $ 497 , 093 . 49 .
Unanimously carried .
TOWN OF ITHACA WARRANTS
Motion by Councilman McElwee , seconded by Councilman Desch ,
RESOLVED , that Town of Ithaca warrants , dated February 9 , 1976 ,
in the following amounts , be approvedo
General Fund 9 9 0 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 $ 1 0 , 5 9 X 2 5
Highway Fund c000coe@6909060006000 12 , 702 . 56
Water and Sewer Fund 27 , 959 . 22
Unanimously carried .
PURCHASE OF CALCULATOR
Supervisor Schwan recommended the purchase of a Victor
302 PD Calculator .
Motion by Councilman 'Desch ; seconded by Councilman Del Rosso ,
RESOLVED , that a Victor 302 PD Calculator be purchased at a price
of $ 299 . 00 .
Unanimously carried .
ASSOCIATION OF TOT=INS ' MEETING
Motion by Councilman ,. Powers ; seconded by Supervisor Schwan ,
RESOLVED , that the Town Engineer and a member of the Town Planning
Board are hereby authorized to attend the Association of Towns
meeting , at Town expense , which meeting is to be held in New York
City on February 16 , 17 , and 18 , 19769
Unanimously carried .
WORK SESSION
The Town Board agreed to have a work session on February
24 , 1976 at 7030 p . m to consider the proposed new Zoning Ordinance
and the proposed dog control law .
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was duly adjourned .
Edward L . Bergen
Town Clerk