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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTB Minutes 1978-10-10 TOWN OF ITHACA REGULAR BOARD MEETING October 10 , 1978 - 7 : 30 p . m . At a Regular Meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca , Tompkins County , New York , held at Ellis Hollow Road Apartments , Recreation Room , 1028 Ellis Hollow Road , Ithaca , New York , on October 10 , 1978 at 7 : 30 p . m . , there were PRESENT . Noel Desch , Supervisor Andrew W . McElwee , Councilman Catherine Valentino , Councilwoman Shirley Raffensperger , Councilwoman Gust L . Freeman , Jr . , Councilman ALSO PRESENT : Lawrence P . Fabbroni , Town Engineer Robert Bonnell , Assistant to Town Engineer James V . Buyoucos , Town Attorney Liese Bronfenbrenner , Planning Board Chairwoman Robert Cutia , Ithaca Youth Bureau Susan Hazlett , Ithaca Youth Bureau Larry O ' Neil , Gadabout Bus Service Judith E . Willis , Gadabout Bus Service Genevieve Bossack , 1028 Ellis Hollow Road Winona Brooks , 1028 Ellis Hollow Road Beverly Coe , 381 Stone Quarry Road Wayne Coe , 381 Stone Quarry Road Becky Cofu , 355 Stone Quarry Road John DeWire , 148 Pine Tree Road Esther Davis , 1028 Ellis Hollow Road Mary J . Farrell , 205 Stone Quarry Road Paul L . Hartman , 132 Pine Tree Road Eva B . Hoffmann , 4 Sugarbush Lane John and Frances Hull , 389 Stone Quarry Road Harriet Hull , 1028 Ellis Hollow Road Paul Kelsey , 379 Stone Quarry Road Mr . and Mrs . Imre Kovach , 201 King Road West Elizabeth Larkins , 1028 Ellis Hollow Road Montgomery May , 1360 Slaterville Road Nancy Hewett , 1518 Slaterville Road Daniel and Doris McCord , 218 Stone Quarry Road Hilda Nelson , 1028 Ellis Hollow Road Winifred C . O ' Malley , 386 Stone Quarry Road Ottilie Rumph , 1028 Ellis Hollow Road William Shipman , 375 Stone Quarry Road Gene Snyder , 371 Stone . Quarry Road Catherine Thompson , 1028 Ellis Hollow Road Jennifer Uotila , 207 West I: ing Road Representatives of the Media : Philip Lerman , Ithaca Journal Peter Schacknow , WTKO News ABSENT : Victor Del Rosso , Councilman Robert N . Powers , Councilman SUPERVISOR ' S REPORT Supervisor Desch reported as follows : " We have held a number of our regular monthly meetings in the various areas of the Town . This is the first one for East Hill and the first one held in a housing facility . We appreciate the opportunity to meet in your home and hope you will express to us any concerns you may have about your Town government . " Town Board Minutes - 2 - October 10 , 1978 " We do not have a heavy agenda since by law the tentative budget hearing is held before the 10th of October . Tonight we will consider changes in that tentative budget so that everyone will know when we have the final hearing on November 9th what we will be considering . " " We are pleased to announce that a public hearing will be held on the gravel extraction permit question for Coy Glen . This public hearing will give everyone in the Town the opportunity to express themselves on all matters pertaining to this gravel extrac - tion . The Town has a number of concerns dealing with property values , erosion , preservation of the unique Glen area , and last but not least , reclamation . The hearing will be held at the Masonic Temple in Ithaca so that sufficient capacity is available . " " The Town has received word from the State Department of Transportation that our area - wide speed limit request of 35 miles per hour for the portion of the Town north of Route 79 has been denied . I am , therefore , directing the Town Engineer to recommend a selective program of speed limit reductions such as the hazardous section of Pleasant Grove Road . We will base our case on the specific situation in each area and insist on a thorough on- site review with regional officials of the Department of Transportation . If we fail to bring reason into this process we may have to seriously consider conversion to a suburban town so that we can regulate our own speed limits . " " We have officially requested the County to add a deputy sheriff to the County force . This request is in part based on a recommendation in the Traffic Committee report which will be dis - cussed later in the meeting . " " The TV cable company has completed its survey for possible service to the Poole Road area . The details will be presented on October 18 at a meeting in the Town Hall . " " The sewer project is moving along very well . Clean - up work in completed areas is being done in excellent fashion . We had our first formal project meeting with the contractors today to review the status of all -items . The only possible delay is the electrical panels for the pump stations . This delay may mean that people in Forest Home and Slaterville Road may not be able to con - nect to the sewer until December or January . Every effort is being made to move this schedule up . " PLANNING BOARD CHAIRWOMAN ' S REPORT Liese Bronfenbrenner made the following report : " The Planning Board met on September 19th to consider the following matters : " A public hearing for consideration of a proposed rezoning of Tax Parcel 6 - 54 - 4 - 25 , 167 Kendall Avenue from Residential District 9 to Multiple Family District ( Lawrence and Trinna Iacovelli . ) The owners were represented by Mr . Mazza ( Edward ) . " " Mr . Mazza presented the Planning Board with a lengthy statement dealing with the legal implications of granting or not granting a variance to his clients . He also presented the Board with a pencil sketch of the lots and building in question . He said that Mr . Iacovelli wishes to convert a conforming two family house to a four family house . The additional two kitchens in the building Town Board Minutes - 3 - October 10 , 1978 were roughed in at the time of construction . He feels a one family house located on a plot consisting of three R- 9 lots of 50 by 150 square feet would be more desirable to the public and more profit - able to him , than three two - family units , one on each lot . " " A request for a variance was turned down by the Zoning Board of Appeals on January 10 , 1978 , Mr . Mazza came to the Planning Board to ask for a rezoning from R- 9 to Multi - Family . The Planning Board recommended to the Town Board that the rezoning rqquest be denied because it did not meet the requirements of tract size in a Multiple Residence District as given in Article VI , Section 281 of the Town of Ithaca Zoning Ordinance . The Planning Board did not rule on the question of spot zoning , nor the granting of the requested vari - ance , the latter not being the prerogative of the Planning Board . if " A second public hearing was held to consider the Site Plan Review , Phase II , Eastwood Commons , Tax Parcel 6 - 60 - 1 - 25 . 42 ( Norbert Schickel ) . " " Phase II to consist of 14 new buildings similar to the existing structures , except that some will contain three instead of four units . The developer will complete the road and install landscaping similar to the landscaping in Phase I . The request was approved contingent on Health Department approval . " " The Forest Home walkway from Warren Road ( uphill from the Blumen property ) to Forest Home Drive ( between Kelly and Whetzel ) was also discussed . The present owner , John P . Hertel , wishes to present a quit claim deed to the Town . The walkway is used by resi - dents and school children , rather than walking along Warren Road . " " The Planning Board also discussed the completed sections of the proposed Zoning Ordinance revision . The Planning Board com - ments have been presented to the Codes and Ordinances Committee . " " The Chairman has been approached by the Office of the Aging to assist with and support the Senior Citizen housing survey . This survey is related to the survey Eva Hoffmann is doing in the Town . This support would probably require staff attendance at the survey meetings . " TOWN ENGINEER ' S REPORT Five -Area Sewer Project Mr . Fabbroni reported that Elm Street is now totally complete with the exception of driveways . Coddington Road and Glenside will also be ready for hook - up within the next two weeks . Slaterville Road will be delayed until November for completion of pump stations . In terms of dollars the work is 50o completed , and the Town continues to be no more than $ 10 , 000 over the original esti - mates received from the contractor . Christopher Circle Tank The Christopher Circle tank has been painted and completed with the exception of the final chlorinization and disinfecting of the tank . The project has gone quite well and will be under the $ 20 , 000 budgeted for the painting of the tank . The Town budgeted $ 25 , 000 for cathodic protection and painting of the tank . Since the Town is under budget on the $ 20 , 000 for painting and since cathodic protection will cost $ 4 , 990 , the Town will be under the overall budget of $ 25 , 000 for the project . a-4 Town Board Minutes - 4 - October 10 , 1978 Salt Storage Shed Mr . Fabbroni reported that , basically , the project has been re - thought . The possibility of it being strictly a pole barn facility is being considered , in order to economize on the amount of lumber which might go into a small salt storage area . A pole barn structure would result in more flexibility . Construction , labor and materials will cost considerably less per square foot than for a salt storage shed . Mr . Fabbroni said he would have a more definite report on this by next Monday . Building Permits Mr . Fabbroni reported total building permits for new con - struction in September of 1978 as $ 448 , 225 as against $ 199 , 100 for September of 1977 . The major building permits for 1978 were four permits for one - family residence dwelling units ( $ 176 , 500 ) ; two - family residence dwelling units , one permit , ( $ 50 , 000 ) ; one permit for three - family residence dwelling units , multi - family , ( $ 160 , 000 ) . In September of 1977 the major building permits were three permits for one - family dwelling units ( $ 164 , 000 ) and one permit for a business unit ( $ 32 , 000 ) . TOWN ATTORNEY ' S REPORT Mr . Buyoucos reported that he had prepared and submitted to the Town Clerk a proposed local law proposed to be adopted after public hearing on an increase in dog license fees . Mr . . Buyoucos briefly reviewed the status of the bikeway agreement with Cornell University . In June , the Supervisor signed a license agreement ( Honness Lane to Mitchell Street bikeway ) , as submitted by Cornell University . In the agreement there was a pro - vision that the Town agrees to save and hold harmless Cornell Uni - versity from any and all lawsuits arising out of � the Town usage :-of the right - of -way " for a bicycle path . A response from Cornell Univer - sity appeared to indicate they were looking to the Town to take on the assumption of liability . Mr . Buyoucos said he could not recom- mend to the Town that it assume any liability for possible negligence of Cornell University . Nothing further has been heard from Cornell and the matter appears to be stalled at this time . Supervisor Desch commented that it is unfortunate because it was hoped that the bikeway would be operational for the fall term . Funds had - been budgeted to clear it and have the right - of -way prepared . Mr . Buyoucos said it may be that everything will eventually work out , but that he was not disposed to devote any further attention to this matter until there is some indication from Cornell University that they are ready to proceed . PUBLIC HEARING - 8 : 00 p . m . INCREASE IN BOLTON POINT BENEFIT LEVY Proof of posting and publication of notice of public hearing in the above matter having been presented by the Town Clerk , the Super - visor opened the hearing . Supervisor Desch recalled that at the Board meeting in September it was the Board ' s judgment that it would be wise to consider the likelihood that Revenue Sharing funds will be dis - continued at the end of the current authorized period , 1980 . The Town Board Minutes - 5 - October 10 , 1978 allocation , therefore , of Revenue Sharing funds toward the Bolton Point levy was reduced by about $ 19 , 000 from what had been allocated for it in each of the several past years . To generate an approxi - mately equivalent amount of money , it appears appropriate to raise the Bolton Point benefit levy from $ 25 . 00 to $ 29 . 00 per unit . Four dollars a unit ( approximately 5 , 000 units ) will generate the $ 20 , 000 required . With that background , Supervisor Desch opened the hearing . Supervisor Desch stated that he is hopeful that the benefit levy for Bolton Point will not increase beyond $ 29 . 00 per unit . He said there are a number of factors which will influence that , but they are not definite at this time . He noted that the Town Engineer , earlier in the meeting , reported increased building activity . There - fore , the number of units will increase . Whether they will increase sufficiently to sustain the $ 29 . 00 levy until the debt decreases is the question . Mr . Arthur Berkey said he was surprised to hear of a proposal to increase the benefit charge considering the fact that the Bolton Point construction is complete . Supervisor Desch said that the levy is to pay for retirement of principal with regard to the construction . Mr . Berkey inquired if there was any deficit beyond the $ 300 , 000 al - ready indicated . Supervisor Desch said the fact is that the Town of Ithaca has for several years been subsidizing the Bolton Point benefit levy with Revenue Sharing funds in order to keep it at $ 25 . 00 and that the proposed increase at this time has nothing to do with the $ 300 , 000 deficit . Supervisor Desch said that this proposal is nothing more than a shift of priorities , a shift to other Town needs rather than subsi - dizing the Bolton Point benefit levy . Supervisor Desch explained that when the Revenue Sharing allocations were made in each of the particular years , they were identified as allocations to keep the Bolton Point benefit levy at $ 25 . 00 per unit . What the Board is saying now at this public hearing is that the time has come to recognize that there may not be a Revenue Sharing appropriation by the Congress beyond 1980 , and , therefore , the Town should begin to think of what other Town needs must be considered which can be funded with Revenue Sharing funds . Mr . Berkey asked if there were a financial report available at this hearing with regard to the use of Revenue Sharing funds , showing the allocations . Supervisor Desch said that that material was available at the hearing on the use of Revenue Sharing funds ; that the arithmetic was straightforward ; that it was simply a matter of raising $ 20 , 000 ; that the Board ' s proposal is to raise the $ 20 , 000 via the Bolton Point benefit levy rather than using Revenue Sharing funds ; that the Revenue Sharing funds thus saved could be used for other Town priorities . He stated , further , that Mr . Berkey was ask - ing questions which were thoroughly answered and documented at the September Revenue Sharing hearing . Walter J . Schwan , former Town Supervisor , agreed with Super - visor Desch that Mr . Berkey was ill - informed , that his questions indicated he was " mixing apples and oranges . " Mr . Schwan recalled that when Bolton Point was first built there was no money to run it with . Therefore , the three towns and a village ( Towns of Ithaca , Lansing , and Dryden and the Village of Cayuga Heights ) established a benefit levy of $ 265 , 000 . This was before a drop of water was available to anyone . It was necessary to hire people , to train them , to buy equipment to put the system into operation . He noted there is no provision in State law for any Town Board Minutes - 6 - October 10 , 1978 way to finance a water system before it begins to raise money . That is why the benefit levy was established . The first two years of Revenue Sharing were allocated immediately to the Town of Ithaca ' s share of the benefit levy for Bolton Point . It was then that the $ 25 . 00 benefit levy was assessed and the difference between what was raised from that levy and the total required was made up by Revenue Sharing funds ( $ 162 , 000 ) in the first two years , 1973 and 1974 . Mr . Schwan said he had recommended to Supervisor Desch about a month ago that the levy be increased so that the Town in 1980 and 1981 would break even . He stated his opinion that Revenue Sharing is a " dead duck . " He doubted that the Congress of the United States would supply the money . He said the Town " must be prepared for the future . " Supervisor Desch said it should be noted that the present $ 25 . 00 benefit rate is very reasonable in view of the fact that it compares to other rates throughout the State of anywhere from $ 150 . 00 to $ 200 . 00 and higher . He said the question is : What does the Town want to use Revenue Sharing funds for ? Councilwoman Raffensperger said she wanted entered in the public record that the material with respect to the use of Revenue Sharing funds was made available at the last Town Board meeting . She said that from January of 1972 to October of 1973 , the Town of Ithaca subsidized the Bolton Point benefit levy by $ 179 , 871 . 21 . She said for the taxpayer there is no real increase . It is simply a matter of the allocation being made from a different source . Mr . Berkey insisted that all the figures should have been available at this meeting , and not presented prior to the meeting . Supervisor Desch again said that the information was made available at the hearing when the Board considered Revenue Sharing and how it was to be allocated . Mr . Berkey received support from several in attendance that a financial statement should have been made available at this meeting , saying they could not be present at all the Town Board meetings . Supervisor Desch said the material was available at the hearing on October 5 and that it would have been redundant to present it again at this meeting . No other persons appeared to be heard on this matter . Therefore , the Supervisor closed the hearing and the Board acted as follows : Motion by Supervisor Desch , seconded by Councilwoman Raffensperger , RESOLVED , that the Bolton Point benefit levy be increased from $ 25 . 00 to $ 29 . 00 per unit , the remainder of the benefit formula to remain unchanged . ( Valentino , Raffensperger , Freeman , McElwee , and Desch voting Aye . Nays - none ) Councilwoman Raffensperger noted for the record that the material distributed at the October 5 meeting is available in the Town Hall for inspection by any interested party . REVIEW OF TENTATIVE BUDGET Mr . Robert Cutia , Ithaca Youth Bureau , requested that the Town of Ithaca contribute $ 10 , 000 over and above the Town ' s 1978 contribution , for the year 1979 . This would , he said , provide funds for special children and adults who heretofore have not . benefited from City of Ithaca recreation programs . Mr . Cutia noted that the City of Ithaca budget for youth and recreation ( Ithaca Youth Bureau ) has been increased by 13 . 70 . He noted also Town Board Minutes - 7 - October 10 , 1978 that the amount of money that the City of Ithaca is presently re - ceiving from the Town of Ithaca for Youth and Recreation services has been the same in 1977 and 1978 . Mr . Cutia said he was ready to answer any questions in this matter . He had with him Susan Hazlett ( Ithaca Youth Bureau ) and Robert Kenerson , Chairman of the Ithaca Youth Bureau Finance Committee , whom he introduced . Councilwoman Raffensperger asked what the total request from the Town is . Mr . Cutia said approximately $ 42 , 000 . The Super - visor asked what the impact would be if the requested increase were not forthcoming . Ms . Hazlett said that with the Town contributing and the City contributing two more staff people could be supported . Half of the children in the community and one - third of the adults are affected , she said . Supervisor Desch asked what kind of support the Ithaca Youth Bureau received from the County . Mr . Cutia said they have an application pending for supporting part of the program , but that they cannot deal with the County for funding until after January 1 . He said when they deal with the County Youth Bureau they will present their programs as others do and see whether they qualify . He said he thought the County looks on their programs favorably be - cause they have already indicated that at the time of the last re - quest . Supervisor Desch said it would be helpful to the Town Board if it had a parallel recommendation with regard to the priorities being considered by the County Youth Bureau . Mr . Kenerson said that had not been explored , that some of the money might be used as matching funds . No commitment was made by the Town Board at this time for the additional funding requested by the Ithaca Youth Bureau . After the presentation of the Ithaca Youth Bureau request Supervisor Desch opened the discussion of the tentative budget which was first presented at the October 5 meeting . Walter J . Schwan , 231 Coy Glen Road , asked why Personnel ( page 2 of the proposed budget ) had gone up about $ 11 , 000 . Super - visor Desch said that hiring an account clerk/ typist accounted for $ 7 , 200 . 00 and the remainder is bits and pieces of salary increases . Mr . Schwan asked why Town Engineer is up $ 6 , 600 . 00 . Supervisor Desch said the increase there is to make what is now a part - time Engineer to a full time position ( Michael Ocello ) . What is now a half - time position is proposed as a full - time position . Mr . Schwan noted that under Shared Services , Buildings - Town Hall , Contractual Expense , there is an increase of about $ 6 , 600 . 00 . Supervisor Desch explained that a line item for building maintenance of $ 2 , 000 . 00 has been included and there is also reflected a telephone rate change , based on the telephone company changing to unit message rate . Mr . Schwan said he was most concerned over the fact that the total budget has increased by $ 56 , 000 , that when the deletion of the Town Controller is taken into account the budget is really up $ 69 , 800 . Councilwoman Raffensperger noted that two other posi - tions have been substituted . F Mr . Schwan said it should also be noted that there is a " one- shot windfall " with regard to the Town Policeman item ( $ 12 , 000 ) , going from $ 17 , 000 to $ 5 , 000 . He said he particularly quarrels with the item on page 8 of the proposed budget - Improvements ( Contractual Expense ) , the increase from ' $ 26 , 459 to $ 46 , 540 . Supervisor Desch said the primary reason for that increase ( about $ 20 , 000 ) is the result of reimbursement from the Federal government of flood control money in the amount of $ 30 , 000 , noting the increase in the revenue account , that money will be used for Town improvements , re - surfacing roads , etc . Town Board Minutes - 8 - October 10 , 1978 Mr . Schwan noted that on page 9 , under Equipment , there is a change from $ 25 , 423 to $ 42 , 000 , the increase , according to the Ithaca Journal , being for a bulldozer . Mr . Schwan said he questioned the need for the Town , owning a bulldozer . He said this type of equip - ment is very costly to maintain for one thing and he eas`3.Qd.d: : where it would be stored . He recommended , instead , that when needed such equip - ment should be rented . Such equipment , he said , would only be used for two or three months a year Mr . Schwan said this is the first time in the last 10 or 12 years that the Town has raised the machinery fund for a particular piece of equipment . He said that , according to Mr . Judd Welch , CPA , who audits the Town financial records , the audit of 1977 showed in the Town general fund a surplus of $ 123 , 000 . In 1978 , he said , $ 15 , 000 was budgeted for unexpended balance , which means that the surplus is still almost $ 109 , 000 . He recommended that if money was to be appropriated for a bulldozer it should be appro - priated out of the surplus . Supervisor Desch felt there was no prob - lem with the storage of the equipment , that in addition to work on park development there would also be drainage problems which would be well served by the use of a bulldozer . He said that it was a question of cost effectiveness and the judgment of the Board in balancing the hours or usage and retirement of the cost . Mr . Fab - broni , Town Engineer , felt that purchasing a bulldozer would be more economical than renting one and give the Town greater flexi - bility in its operations , that the equipment would be in use suf - ficiently to make the purchase worthwhile in the long term . Super - visor Desch said it is a matter of priorities and how rapidly the programs which have been proposed ( parks , drainage , etc . ) will be developed and implemented . Mr . Schwan said that , personally , as a taxpayer , he would be willing to fund the Town ' s share of a bus run to the Hospital on a one - year basis to see if it is used enough to make the Town ' s contribution worthwhile . He said , however , he saw no reason why the Town is funding a bus in the Northeast which benefits apartment houses in the Village of Lansing . Supervisor Desch said it also provides service in the Town of Ithaca and the Village of Cayuga Heights . Mr . Schwan suggested that if the Town continues to sup - port the Northeast bus run that it ought to be removed from the regular budget and appropriated out of Part - Town surplus . Super - visor Desch said he thought it was a matter of judgment with regard to whether it is a Town - wide budget item . He said the State budget guide recommends this type of item as a Town -wide item . He noted that the problem with part - Town surplus is that there are limita - tions on what it can be used for . With respect to the bulldozer , Supervisor Desch said he agreed it could be taken out of surplus , that the Board could consider that . Mr . Berkey asked why the appropriation for Town Policeman was being reduced . Supervisor Desch said that the Traffic Committee has recommended that the increase in traffic enforcement be handled by increasing the force in the County Sheriff ' s Office and that the Town ' s role would be to improve safety at intersections , use additional signage where necessary and permitted , and possibly the use of traf - fic devices . Mr . Berkey asked what kind of improvements were intended and at what locations . Supervisor Desch said that has not yet been determined ; that the traffic survey data identifies where the prob - lems are but the design of the improvements has not been firmly set at this time . • Mr . Berkey asked if the Traffic Committee had decided that having a Town policeman would not be effective . Supervisor Desch said the judgment of the Traffic Committee is that there are other aspects to the traffic volume problem which cannot be resolved by speed enforcement . There is the matter of circulation in Forest Home and other areas of the Town . Mr . Berkey asked if the Traffic Town Board Minutes - 9 - October 10 , 1978 Committee had found there was a speed problem . Supervisor Desch said there is a speed problem on Hanshaw Road and on Pine Tree Road to a lesser degree , and a truck problem on Rt . 79 which is a speed associated problem . Mr . Berkey asked if no money were being allo - cated toward speed control . Supervisor Desch said the Town has officially requested the County to include in their budget funds to increase the County Sheriff ' s staff ; that there is $ 6 , 000 in the Town budget for traffic control . The Traffic Committee did not recommend the specific amount of $ 6 , 000 but they did recommend the concept . Councilman McElwee is the Chairman of the Traffic Control Committee . Councilman McElwee said he agreed with Mr . Schwan with regard to the matter of the bulldozer . He said there was another possibility , however , that of using other towns ' equipment of County equipment . Mr . Fabbroni said the problem with that is that when the Town had a bulldozer everybody else used it - - the City of Ithaca among them . Further , he said , the County does not have a suitable bulldozer and the City of Ithaca only has an old D6 . Mr . Fabbroni said that officially his department proposed taking $ 20 , 000 out of the Park fund and $ 20 , 000 out of the machinery fund . He said so far as the " pay - back " the machine would pay for itself twice over . He said that . based on the Town ' s experience over the last four years , we have paid for a machine already . " Councilwoman Raffensperger said she would like the Board to consider using part -Town surplus , in accordance with Mr . Schwan ' s suggestion , insofar as it may properly be so used . Mr . Schwan said that any authentic surplus can be budgeted by the Board into a con - tingency account or any specific line item . Councilman McElwee said he would prefer to have the full Board present before any decision is made with respect to the bull - dozer , either to withdraw it or retain it . Supervisor Desch said it can be left in the budget at this time and withdraw it at the hearing on November 9 , if that is what the Board should wish to do . COMBINED REGULAR AND BUDGET MEETING Motion by Supervisor Desch ; seconded by Councilman McElwee , RESOLVED , that the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca shall hold a combined regular and budget meeting on November 9 , 1978 at the Town Offices at 5 : 15 p . m . ( Freeman , Valentino , Raffensperger , McElwee , and Desch voting Aye . Nays - none ) SCHEDULE PUBLIC HEARINGS Revenue Sharing Motion by Supervisor Desch ; seconded by Councilman McElwee , RESOLVED , that this Town Board shall conduct a Public Hearing on November 9 , 1978 at 7 : 45 p . m . at the Town Offices in connection with the enactment of the budget for Federal Revenue Sharing Funds for Entitlement Period # 10 . ( McElwee , Valentino , Raffensperger , Freeman , and Desch voting Aye . Nays - none ) Town of Ithaca Preliminary Budget Motion by Supervisor Desch , seconded by Councilman McElwee , RESOLVED , that the Town Board hereby prepare and approve as a Preliminary Budget of this Town for the fiscal year beginning 3� Town Board Minutes - 10 - October 10 , 1978 January 1 , 1979 , the itemized tentative budget statement of estimated revenues and expenditures , as prepared , a copy of whic1i is to be made a part of these minutes , and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED , that the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca will meet to hold a public hearing at 8 : 00 p . m . on Thursday , November 91 1978 at the Town Offices at 126 East Seneca Street , Ithaca , New York , for the purpose of hearing any person for or against any item or items therein , and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED , that the Town Clerk shall give notice of such public hearing in the manner provided in Section 108 of the Town Law providing that such notice shall be published in the Ithaca Journal at least twice . ( McElwee , Raffensperger , Valentino , Freeman , and Desch voting Aye . Nays - none ) Fire Contract with the City of Ithaca Motion by Supervisor Desch ; seconded by Councilman McElwee , RESOLVED , that a public hearing be held by the Town of Ithaca Board at 8 : 30 p . m . , November 9 , 1978 , in the Town of Ithaca Offices at 126 East Seneca Street , Ithaca , New York , for the purpose of hearing all persons interested in the renewal of the contract with the City of Ithaca for fire protection for a one - year period on the basis of $ 166 , 401 for the year 1979 in the Town of Ithaca , excepting the fol - lowing areas , to wit : a ) the Village of Cayuga Heights , b ) the area comprising all the territory lying between the east boundary of the Village of Cayuga Heights and the east boundary of the Town of Ithaca , C ) the Hamlet of Forest Home exclusive of the structure housing the Cornell University Filtration Plant . ( Valentino , Freeman , Raffensperger , McElwee , and Desch voting Aye . Nays - none ) Fire Contract with the Village of Cayuga Heights Motion by Supervisor Desch ; seconded by Councilman McElwee , RESOLVED , that a public hearing be held by the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca at 8 : 35 p . m . , November 9 , 1978 , at the Town of Ithaca Offices at 126 East Seneca Street , Ithaca , New York , for the purpose of hearing all persons interested in the renewal of a contract with the Village of Cayuga Heights for fire protection for a one - year period on the basis of $ 24 , 000 . 00 whereby the Village of Cayuga Heights agrees that its Fire Department will give fire protection for the year 1979 in the Hamlet of Forest Home and in that portion of the Town of Ithaca to the north of Forest Home and between the east boundary of the Village of Cayuga Heights and the east boundary of the Town of Ithaca . ( Freeman , Valentino , Raffensperger , McElwee , and Desch voting Aye . Nays - none ) _f 3 Town Board Minutes - 11 - October 10 , 1978 Lighting Districts and Water and Sewer Improvements Motion by Supervisor Desch , seconded by Councilman McElwee , RESOLVED , WHEREAS the Town of Ithaca has prepared assessment rolls on the parcels of land included in the following . ( 1 ) Forest Home Lighting District . ( 2 ) Glenside Lighting District . ( 3 ) Renwick Heights Lighting District . ( 4 ) Eastwood Commons Lighting District . ( 5 ) The Town of Ithaca water and sewer improvements now operated by the Town as a Town -wide function and covering all lands in the Town , pursuant to Section 209 - r of the Town Law ; this assessment roll includes not only all the parcels formerly included in all the former water and sewer districts , but also all other lands in the Town of Ithaca out - side of the Village of Cayuga Heights, and has apportioned and assessed upon such parcels of land in proportion to the amount of benefits the improve - ments shall confer upon the same , the costs chargeable to said districts , including the water and sewer systems therein , which charges are payable in the year 1979 and , therefore , pursuant to Section 239 of the Town Law , the said Town Board will hold a public hearing thereon at the Town Offices at 126 East Seneca Street , Ithaca , New York , on the 9th day of November , 1978 , in the order listed above , beginning at 8 : 40 p . m . , at which time it will consider any objections which may be made to said assessment rolls and apportionments . ( Raffensperger , Freeman , Valentino , McElwee , and Desch voting Aye . Nays - none ) Southern Cayuga Lake Intermunicipal Water Commission ( Bolton Point ) Budget Motion by Supervisor Desch ; seconded by Councilman McElwee , RESOLVED , that the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca /will conduct a public hearing on November 9 , 1978 at 9 : 00 p . m . at .the Town of Ithaca Offices at 126 East Seneca Street , Ithaca , New York'i, where it will meet and review the preliminary budget of the Southern Cayuga Lake Intermunicipal Water Commission ( Bolton Point water system ) for the year 1979 , and hear all persons in favor of or against any item or items therein contained . ( Raffensperger , Valentino , Freeman , McElwee , and Desch voting Aye . Nays - none ) PERSONS TO BE HEARD 7 Beverly Coe , 381 Stone Quarry Road , noted , on behalf of the residents of Stone Quarry Road , that some 25 residents responded to the Supervisor ' s letter in the matter of bringing water service to this area ( almost 700 of those involved ) . She said it appears now that it is the Town Board ' s place to take action of some kind . Town Board Minutes - 12 - October 10 , 1978 Supervisor Desch said it will be necessary for the Board to look at the options in terms of serving the area with water and what the costs will be for various parts of such an installation . He re - called that at the meeting at the Town Hall there was discussion of the possibility of FHA funding and that the County may be looking into that . Mrs . Coe said that Mr . Frank Liguori advised her that the County was looking into possible funding through HUD , FHA , and ARC , considering the possibility that rock in the area might be a prohibitive factor . Mrs . Coe expressed her concern about the resi - dents of Stone Quarry Road getting through the winter . She hoped that something might be done to move a water project along for this area . Supervisor Desch said that even if a source of funding were identified today , the process would involve retaining an engineer to design the system . It would require approval of the various health agencies . It would require processing through the funding agency . Even if all these things moved on schedule , he said , the most opti - mistic schedule would be construction starting next spring . He said , however , he could give no assurance that the project would be started even in a year . He noted that the Forest Home sewer project ( with similar problems in getting pipe in the ground ) ' to -R approximately six years from the point of conception to actual construction . He cautioned against over - optimism . He said , however , that the Town is at this time investigating the matter and will continue to pursue it vigorously . It will not be " put on the shelf . " Upon inquiry from the audience , Mr . Fabbroni reported with respect to the walkway from the Elderly Housing project to the shopping plaza , that Mr . Dusky has said he would put up barricades so that no vehicles pass over the walkway . Supervisor Desch said that should Mr . Dusky ( manager of the Elderly Housing ) not put up the barricades , the Town will erect them and bill the housing pro - ject . Nancy Hewett , 1518 Slaterville Road , commented that she likes the Town Newsletter . Mrs . Hewett noted again the speeding problem on Slaterville Road and insisted that something must be done about it . Supervisor Desch said that the Town ' s effort to have a person added to the County Sheriff ' s staff should be helpful in this regard . He said , however , with respect to the volume of traffic on that road , there is no solu - tion at this time ( the alternate route between Harford and Dryden being considerably longer ) . He said the City of Ithaca has a plan to prevent truck traffic from coming down the west side of Mecklen - burg Road , but doubted that their plan would be approved . A member of the public was concerned over a situation at the corner of Honness Lane and Pine Tree Road where , he said , a group of junior high school children collect in the middle of the road to wait for the bus . Councilman Freeman suggested that this might be a school problem . It was suggested in the audience that in most municipalities a policeman would be doing something about this . Supervisor Desch suggested that the parents have the greater responsibility here for it is a matter of discipline . Town Board Minutes - 13 - October 10 , 1978 Mrs . Hewett reported that her water bills appeared to be excessively high , the last one being approximately $ 80 . 00 . She said she had checked her bill against those of three of her neigh- bors . Supervisor Desch said the Town staff would make an analysis of her water bills and a comparison of them with those of her neigh- bors . REPORT OF TRAFFIC COMMITTEE Councilman McElwee reported that the Traffic Committee report distributed last week was not the final revision , that the verbiage has been changed but it is essentially the same report . Councilman McElwee read the revised report ( copy of which is attached to these minutes ) . After the reading of the report , Supervisor Desch noted there are certain jurisdictional problems involved since Town roads , County roads , and State roads must be considered . He said , further , that Cornell University ' s cooperation and active participation are required , without it there can be no real road improvements . Gertrude Bergen , 127 Pine Tree Road , suggested that there is a need to educate the public . How do you teach people that they are breaking the law? How do you get them not to break the law? Do they have to be caught and fined ? Would an educational program help ? She said that publishing the names of speeders and fines imposed would be helpful in reminding the public that they are being watched and that they will be punished . PARK COMMITTEE No report at this time . FOREST HOME WALKWAY Mrs . Bronfenbrenner , Planning Board Chairwoman , referred to the Forest Home walkway from Warren Road ( uphill from the Blumen property ) to Forest Home Drive ( between the properties of Kelly and Whetzel ) . She said the present owner , John P . Hertel , wishes to pre - sent a quit claim deed to the Town . The walkway is used by residents and school children , rather than walking the hazardous Warren Road . After brief discussion of this matter , the Board acted as follows : Motion by Councilman McElwee ; seconded by Councilwoman Valentino , RESOLVED , that the Town Engineer will prepare maps and detailed description of the walkway in Forest Home which runs from Warren Road to Forest Home Drive between the properties of Kelly and Whetzel , with a view to the Town taking this property via a quit claim deed from the owner , John P . Hertel . ( Valentino , Raffensperger , Freeman , McElwee , and Desch voting Aye . Nays - none ) COY GLEN AS A " CRITICAL AREA " Supervisor Desch reported that renewed gravel extraction close to the Glen suggests that the Town Board officially designate the Glen as a critical area . Such a designation would mean that all work proposed in the Glen would be considered a Type I action under SEQR . Motion by Councilman McElwee ; seconded by Councilwoman Raffensperger , RESOLVED , that this Town Board hereby adopts as a " critical area " the geographical area of Coy Glen , as designated by the Tompkins County Environmental Council in its Unique Natural Areas Inventory , pursuant FINAL REPORT TRAFFIC CONTROL AND SAFETY COMMITTEE October 6 , 1978 The charge to the Committee was as follows : " Identify and evaluate the need for and cost effectiveness of traffic control measures , including but not limited to speed control and highway safety devices . Enforcement alternatives to be explored include increasing County Sheriff Patrol , part - time Town traffic control force and contracting with other agencies . " The Committee collected information on several occasions from Robert ;Howard , Sheriff of Tompkins County , Lt . McCarthy , Regional Director of New York State Police located in Varna , Harlin McEwen , Chief Cayuga Heights Police , and William :'Wendt in 1 charge of Traffic Control at Cornell University . The Committee also consulted with i i Merton Wallenbeck and Warren Blye , Town Justices of The Peace . In addition ;, a speed survey was conducted by Town personnel with the aid of Cayuga Heights radar unit . i ( see appendix ) . s The Town of Ithaca is a residential community . But what are essentially resi- dential streets in the Town are being used as connecting highways . Clearly the essential residential character of the Town ' s neighborhoods is being destroyed . There is a general agreement that the Town has a persistent problem of traffic control and safety in many parts of the Town . The volume of traffic , speed , and the g .- owing intrusion of heavy trucks on residential streets , all combine to create conditions of noise , danger , and threats to property values in the areas particularly affected . The Town Board has received many complaints from residents about the traffic situation . The investigations of this Committee . confirm the complaints . As the September 1 , 1978 Newsletter of the Town accurately phrased it : the evi- dence gathered by this Committee " renew ( s ) the sense of urgency in finding solu- tions to these circulation needs and relief from the noise in residential areas . " r 2 . 37 SPEED CONTROL In discussions with the various units of our police agencies regarding the speeding problem , there was a concensus , with the exception of Cayuga Heights , that there is a lack of manpower to effectively control speed in the Town . Speed control is only one of the many responsibilities of these agencies . Additional duties of maintaining the jail , serving subpoenas , transporting prisoners , respond - "; ing to accidents , fires , burglaries , etc . , reduce the time that can be devoted to traffic control . CONCLUSIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS 1 . That Town does not employ a traffic control officer ( 40 hrs /wk) . i ! Estimated costs varied from $ 17 , 000 . 00 to $ 30 , 000 . 00 per year . Less than 50% of his time would be devoted to traffic because of the other duties required of the police officer . Our coverage by other police agencies would probably be reduced , . resulting in a minimal incr.ease in present coverage . 2 . That Town not establish a police department approximately the size of the Cayuga Heights Department . The cost would exceed our total Highway Department budget raised by taxes . To establish comparable coverage would require a department twice the size of Cayuga Heights department due to the size and configuration of the Town . 3 . It is the feeling of this Committee that the publishing of informa- tion regarding traffic violations is a deterrent to speeding . The Town has requested published coverage of arrests and fines within the Town , but to this date has been unable to secure co-operation of the Ithaca Journal on this matter . The Committee suggests that a discussion between all of the police agencies , including Justices of The Peace and the editor of the Ithaca Journal be arranged to establish policy concerning publishing of violations within the Town . 3 . 3 ' 4 . Frequently " speed -bumps " have been suggested as a deterrent to speeding . It has been shown by published research in California that speed bumps can be a traffic hazard especially to two -wheeled vehicles . It was also found that the faster a car travelled over them , the less noticable they were to the motorist . They also present a hazard to snow removal and emergency vehicles . OTHER TRAFFIC PROBLEMS AND CONTROL The Northeast part of the Town has the most serious traffic volume problem due to its high density , shopping areas and Cornell University ' s decision to close its campus to through traffic , restricting parking , and to build peripheral parking i lots . At this time , parking is not limited on these lots by the point of origin of the driver , as a result , there is a great deal of cross Town traffic . It has also been observed that there has been an increase in truck traffic apparently using Pine Tree Road and Northeast area as a by-pass between Route 79 and Route 13 , CONCLUSIONS AND RECOM ENDATIONS 1 . That Cornell be asked to limit parking in its peripheral lots by point of origin , do everything to encourage car pooling , and reopen its campus during commuting hours . 2 . That the Town in conjunction with other agencies increase the num- ber and visibility of road signs such as speed limits , children playing , school bus , etc . , in places where there may not be enough indication to travellers of such limits . The Committee is prepared to recommend specific signs placings . At the same time we favor the placing of 4 -way stop signs at a number of intersections to deter the speed of traffic . 3 . That the Town place truck weight limits on its roads . 4 . a ' 4 . That a Standing Committee be formed by the Town Board and charged with the responsibility of developing a Northeast by-pass ( Route 79 to Route 13 ) . 5 . That the Town Engineer develop a plan for a by-pass from Mecklenberg Road (Route 79 ) to Route 96 . Also study the feasibility of a one-way pat - tern for the Northeast area as a temporary relief to the traffic problem . ! 6 . That the Town conduct an in-depth survey of town traffic with equip- ment being acquired by the Town . The Committee wishes to extend its appreciation to the following people for their co- operation and assistance so unselfishly given : Robert Howard , Sheriff of Tompkins County Lt . McCarthy , Regional Director of New York State Police located in Varna Harlin McEwen , Chief Cayuga Heights Police William Wendt , Traffic Control , Cornell University Merton Wallenbeck , Justice of The Peace , Town of Ithaca Warren Blye , Justice of The Peace , Town of Ithaca Town of Ithaca Personnel . Members , Traffic Control and Safety Committee A . W . McElwee , Chairman Gust Freeman 4 Robert Spalding Joel Silbey AMcE / sa Town Board Minutes - 14 - October 10 , 1978 to the State Environmental Quality Review Act ; that for the purposes of this resolution , the designation of " critical area " shall also include the official adoption of Coy Glen as a " unique natural area . " Further , that this designation shall take effect immediately and shall be filed with the Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Con - servation . ( Raffensperger , Valentino , Freeman , McElwee , and Desch voting Aye . Nays - none ) NEW DOG CONTROL LEGISLATION Supervisor Desch recommended , in view of new State dog con - trol legislation , that the Board conduct a public hearing on October 16 , 1978 to consider raising dog license fees from $ 2 . 35 to $ 4 . 35 for males and spayed females and from $ 5 . 35 to $ 7 . 35 for unspayed females . Motion by Supervisor Desch , seconded by Councilman McElwee , 'RESOLVED , that this Town Board will conduct a public hearing on October 16 , 1978 at 7 : 00 p . m . at the Town of Ithaca Offices to consider the adoption of a local law amending Local Law No . 1 of the year 1976 , to increase dog license fees for 1979 from $ 2 . 35 to $ 4 . 35 for males and unspayed females and from $ 5 . 35 to $ 7 . 35 for unspayed females . ( Valentino , Raffensperger , Freeman , McElwee , and Desch voting Aye . Nays - none ) JUNK REMOVAL Supervisor Desch reported that he has had a number of letters from people in the Northview Road and Kendall Avenue areas expressing their concerns and frustrations with regard to getting adjoining properties cleaned up . He said the Health Department is cooperative but there is a limit to what they can enforce in terms of violations of the Sanitary Code . Supervisor Desch said this matter will be publicized more and more in the course of the next year and a decision mu $ t be made as to whether additional ordinances are required , and , if so , is the Town prepared to assume the additional costs that en - forcement will entail . He said the junk referred to is . construction materials , storage areas for construction , junk refrigerators , garbage , and all types of refuse . The Supervisor noted that Mr . Bonnell has been successful in getting some properties cleaned up , but there are many properties remaining which need to be cleaned up . REQUEST FOR RE - ZONING - IACOVELLI Mr . Edward Mazza , Attorney , appeared on behalf of Lawrence and Trinnia Iacovelli with respect to proposed re - zoning of Tax Parcel 6 - 54 - 4 - 25 , 167 Kendall Avenue , Ithaca , N . Y . Mr . Mazza stated that he had appeared before the Zoning Board of Appeals some time ago to request a variance in this matter . . The request for a variance was denied on the ground that there was no evidence of hardship presented . This decision was made by the Zoning Board of Appeals after a public hearing . Mr . Mazza stated it was his feeling that the real reason the request was denied was that the Zoning Board of Appeals considered this a matter for re - zoning . Mr . Mazza said he would like to make another appearance before the Zoning Board of Appeals since he now had new facts to present . He said that if the decision is the same , he would then take whatever legal action is open to him . Mr . Mazza made reference to the fact that Mr . Edward W . King ( Zoning Board of Appeals ) had said at the hearing this was a re - zoning matter . He said that the other members of the Board did not appear to do anything but listen and did not decide the matter on the merits . Ll Town Board Minutes - 15 - October 10 , 1978 Supervisor Desch said he did not think it was appropriate for the Town Board to take action on this matter , that it is no more appropriate for the Town Board than for the Planning Board since the parcel is too small to consider for re - zoning to multiple residence . Supervisor Desch said he would ask the Zoning Board of Appeals if they would consider re - hearing this matter . Mr . Mazza asked - if the Supervisor thought it within the power of the Zoning Board of Appeals to hear the case again , in view of the fact that he now has new facts . Mr . Buyoucos said he did not think Supervisor Desch could answer that question . He said the appeal , by law , is to the Zoning Board of Appeals , and after that to the State Supreme Court , that the Town Board is out of it . Supervisor Desch said that Mr . Mazza had the option at any time to go to the Zoning Board of Appeals and ask them to re - consider the case . He said he did not have any problem discussing it with the Chairman of the Zoning Board of Appeals , that he would ask the Chair - man of the Board if it is possible . He said , however , that he would not make a commitment for them . Mr . Buyoucos said he would be glad to discuss the matter with Mr . Mazza if he wished , that it is a rather complicated matter . Mr . Mazza said he wanted to abide by the Town Board ' s recommendations . Supervisor Desch said that his advice to the Town Board is that it is not appropriate for them to consider re- zoning . TOWN OF ITHACA WARRANTS Motion by Supervisor Desch , seconded by Councilwoman Raffensperger , RESOLVED , that Town of Ithaca warrants dated October 10 , 1978 in the following amounts are hereby approved : General Fund - Town -wide . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 28 , 335 . 00 General Fund - Outside Village . . . . . . 97 , 950986 Highway Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 , 635 . 39 Capital Sewer Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 306 , 558 . 27 Water and Sewer Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 , 824 . 73 Lighting 189 . 24 ( Raffensperger , Valentino , Freeman , McElwee , and Desch voting Aye . Nays - none ) BOLTON POINT WARRANTS Motion by Supervisor Desch , seconded by Councilman Freeman , RESOLVED , that Bolton Point warrants dated October 10 , 1978 , upon recommendation of the Southern Cayuga Lake Intermunicipal Water Commission that they are in order for payment , and after review by this Board , are hereby approved in the amount of $ 35 , 299 . 70 in the Operating Account . ( Raffensperger , McElwee , Freeman , Valentino , and Desch voting Aye . Nays - none ) Town Board Minutes - 16 - October 10 , 1978 EXTENSION OF CETA CONTRACT Motion by Supervisor Desch , seconded by Councilwoman Raffensperger , RESOLVED , that the Supervisor of the Town of Ithaca is hereby author - ized to execute the renewal of the contract with regard to the ex - tension of the CETA agreement from October 1 , 1978 through December 31 , 1978 . ( Raffensperger , Valentino , Freeman , McElwee , and Desch voting Aye . Nays - none ) ADJOURNMENT The meeting was duly adjourned at 10 : 20 p . m . Ed as L . Bergen Town Clerk