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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTB Minutes 1979-01-08 1156 TOWN OF ITHACA TOWN BOARD MEETING January 8 , 1979 - 5 : 30 p . m . 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 January 8 , 1979 , at 5 : 30 p . m . , there were PRESENT : Noel Desch , Supervisor Andrew W . McElwee , Councilman Robert N . Powers , Councilman Catherine Valentino , Councilwoman Shirley Raffensperger , Councilwoman Gust L . Freeman , Councilman ALSO PRESENT : James V . Buyoucos , Town Attorney Lawrence P . Fabbroni , Town Engineer/Building Inspector Robert Bonnell , Assistant to the Town Engineer Barbara Z . Restaino , Town Planner Robert Parkin , Highway Superintendent Beverly Livesay , County Representative Richard S . Booth , Sierra Club ( Finger Lakes Group ) Bruce Talbot , Sierra Club Paul Finger , Environmental Management Council , Tompkins County James W . Yarnell , Director of Real Estate , Cornell University Milo E . Richmond , Leader of Cooperative Wild Life Unit , Cornell University Richard B . Fischer , Environmental Education , Cornell University Robert I . Williamson , Attorney ( representing John B . Babcock ) Albert S . Becker , 115 Glenside Road Dr . Arthur P . Kraut , 635 Elm Street Extension Noemi Kraut , 635 Elm Street Extension Louis J . Mobbs , 619 Five Mile Drive James A . Ridall , 172 Seven Mile Drive Hilda Sine , 214 Culver Road Joy H . Yarnell , 145 Cascadilla Park Representatives of the Media : Philip Lerman , Ithaca Journal Stacey Cahn , WTKO Radio Bruce Ryan , WHCU Radio ABSENT . Victor Del Rosso , Councilman AMBULANCE REPORT Councilman Freeman reported that Harris Dates has appointed a committee consisting of James Mason ( Chairman ) , James Ray , Robert Watros , Richard Webster , Donald Culligan , and Loran S . Marion . This committee will meet on January 9th and will probably have recommenda - tions by January 15th . The primary charge of the committee is to determine whether this is a matter for the County to deal with or the five municipalities which do not have a volunteer service . 119 Town Board Minutes - 2 - January 8 , 1979 Supervisor Desch said the record should show that Mr . Mason has all the information based on the work done by the five municipalities ' committee . All their information has been made available to the County Committee and that the five municipalities are committed to working with the County . HOSPITAL BUS RUN Councilman Freeman reported that in the first week ' s operation there was a total ridership of 478 people on the Ithaca College/Hospital run . 295 people rode to the Hospital end . The on and off breakdown : City line to the Hospital , 31 off , 27 on ; at the Hospital 100 off and 94 on ; at the Professional Building , 23 on and . 19 off . 140 people rode within the Town . Councilman Freeman said the figures can be deceiving because there is no record of where the people originated on the Ithaca College end of the run . The bus driver said he could not keep that record ; someone , he said , would have to ride the bus to keep such a record . Councilman Powers reminded that point of origin was what the Board requested and the Board was advised that getting such a record would be no problem . This led to considerable discussion with regard to point of origin data . Councilman Freeman was advised to make it clear that the Town Board definitely considered it important to have expanded data , particularly " point of origin " data . REPORT OF TRAFFIC COMMITTEE No report at this time . REPORT OF CODES AND ORDINANCES COMMITTEE No report at this time . PARK COMMITTEE REPORT No report at this time DOG CONTROL COMMITTEE Councilwoman Valentino read letter of William Brothers ( undated ) . Mr . Brothers notes in his letter that the Town of Ithaca is considering a contract for animal control services with the SPCA . He said if the Town Board passes a resolution approving such a contract , the SPCA would begin service immediately . He said if the Town of Ithaca wants the SPCA to provide dog control services , it should specifically authorize them to enforce the . Town ' s dog control law and to issue appearance tickets . They would also want instructions on how the Town wanted the law en - forced with respect to dogs running loose ( when no complaint has been received ) , etc . Such instructions , he said , should be in writing and made public . Councilwoman Valentino will attend a meeting of the Municipal Officials Association to discuss the need for dog control in various areas of the Town . It appears some of the rural areas do not want the same level of service . Supervisor Desch said he did not envision any major^ changes inr-, the ° '. local. Aog .'_ c6ntrol law . REPORT OF TOWN ENGINEER Mr . Fabbroni noted that each Board member had been provided with a complete report of his activities in 1978 and proposed activi - ties in 1979 . Supervisor Desch suggested that he review the high - lights of the matters planned for the coming year , 1979 . Starting with page 6 of his report , Mr . Fabbroni reviewed the items with the Board . Mr . Fabbroni ' s complete report is appended to the minutes of the Board meeting of December 29 , 1978 . i Town Board Minutes - 3 - January 8 , 1979 SUPERVISOR ' S REPORT County Moves " We have learned indirectly that the County may move Motor Vehicles , Assessment , and several other offices to the old Hospital . " As you may recall , one major reason for buying a Town Hall in downtown Ithaca was the convenience for us to the various County offices , banks , and City offices . It would be unfortunate if our staff and Townspeople had to go all the way out to the Hospital area for these services . Obviously the Octopus will get worse . I have already talked with our County Representatives on this matter . It is true they have the dilemma of what to do with the old Hospital building and our bus service will help . I hope the County will involve our local governments in the review of plans before they become formalized into architectural working drawings . " Annexation " The City would like to annex the Tin Can . They are likely to vacate its present use as a Youth Center and are con - cerned that it might be turned into a ' messy ' commercial operation . It is in an R- 15 Zone . " There is also interest in annexing the Watershed and I have told several City Council members that the Town will expect an equal area of Elmira Road or West Hill to be annexed to the Town if they really want the Watershed . The Watershed comes up because of the big increase in assessed value . For example : Assessment Town and County Tax School Tax Total 1978 148 , 200 1 , 244 . 95 51707 . 95 61950 . 90 1979 1 , 004 , 100 31125 . 92 16 , 678 . 10 19 , 804 . 02 ( Increase of 2 . 85 times ) Assessment Town and County Tax School Tax Total 1978 14 , 590 151 . 65 561 . 86 713 . 51 1979 334 , 200 1 , 023 . 18 5 , 551 . 06 61574924 ( Increase of 9 . 21 times ) " I have told the City we would cooperate in getting a tax exemption for the Watershed and the Tin Can if the latter is still a community service related usage . " Town Staff Re -Alignment " We have developed a plan to provide more secretarial support for the engineering department and the Planning and Zoning Boards . The plan is now being reviewed by our staff and will be formalized following a staff meeting tomorrow . Basically , Deputy Town Clerk Nancy Fuller will be the primary support person to Plan - ning , Engineering , and Zoning . The Supervisor ' s secretary will be Deputy Town Clerk Gertrude Bergen insofar as the mail and paper flow , i . e . tickler and revolving file , is concerned , and my typing will be done by Mr . Bergen . We must try to avoid the addition of more staff support at least for 1979 . At budget preparation time for 1980 we can take another look to measure our success . " Town Board Minutes - 4 - January 8 , 1979 " The matters of the Planning Board are often rather com- plex and there are more occasions when the Planning Board needs the direct support of our Town Attorney . Chairman Aron and Attorney Buyoucos have already worked out arrangements for proper coverage where and when necessary on this matter . I do not expect signifi - cant budget difficulties as a result of this support change . " Town Hall Improvements " The Town Board has submitted requests for proposals to evaluate the feasibility of accomplishing a variety of improvements to upgrade the access and utility of the Town Hall not only for the handicapped but for the conduct of public meetings and other pre - sentations , by internal improvement of operating efficiency and repairs . " We have lived in the Town Hall for almost four years and have invested very little in our facilities and it is the Board ' s view that it is most cost effective to pursue an overall upgrading in a systematic way rather than piecemeal , which would inevitably result in re -work and wasted resources . Proposals will be avail - able for Board review . " Snowmobiles " Members of the Town Board have had a number of complaints about snowmobiles using Town roads . This is not permitted and there are no exceptions in the Town of Ithaca . I would like to encourage the Ithaca Journal to do an article to indicate the pro - visions of the law and the statutes with regard to Town and County roads . I will also talk with Sheriff Howard to make sure there are no misunderstandings on enforcement . " Note on Adjournment " This meeting will be adjourned to 5 : 30 p . m . on January 29 , 1979 to consider setting date for public hearings on Stone Quarry Road water project . " REPORT OF COUNTY REPRESENTATIVE Mrs . Livesay said she had no report at this time . However , she inquired what progress had been made in locating a Town Historian for the Town of Ithaca . Supervisor Desch said there has been con - siderable interest . He said there is a possibility that Mrs . Liese Bronfenbrenner might take this on ; she is very competent in such research . Supervisor Desch said the main problem is the amount of time it will take initially to get the project under way . Mrs . Livesay said that possibly Mrs . Bronfenbrenner , if she takes on the job could be assisted by the volunteer people at RSVP . . REPORT OF HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT Mr . Parkin had no particular items to report on . He said , however , that because of the unusual weather there has been a great deal of plowing and cindering . Supervisor Desch said that he had received some complimentary reports . on the highway operation this winter . Councilwoman Valentino said she had had some calls from the Eastern Heights and Snyder Hill Road area , regarding cars parked on the road making it impossible for the highway department to do as good a plowing job as it could if it were not for the cars . Mr . Parkin said there is a major problem in these areas with plowing . He said no parking signs have been posted , but that someone keeps knocking them down ; it is a real problem . It does not appear to be a matter of inadequate off - street parking ; the driveways there are simply not shoveled . Supervisor Desch said the Town may have to extend its " No Parking " ordinance . The Supervisor recommended that the Town Engineer add to his list of 1979 projects an evaluation of the Town ' s " No Parking " ordinance . Town Board Minutes - 5 - January 8 , 1979 SEWER SYSTEM EVALUATION STUDY - CITY/TOWN Supervisor Desch reported that he would be attending a meeting tomorrow at Common Council chambers in the City of Ithaca to hear a presentation on the Stearns & Wheler study , an inflow and infiltration analysis , as part of the EPA grant on the upgrad - ing of the City sewer system . The study recommends that the City and the Town authorize $ 1 , 130 , 000 for a very comprehensive survey on the rehabilitation of the collector systems owned by the City , Town and Cornell University . Supervisor Desch said that the inflow analysis of Stearns & Wheler shows an inflow of 15 , 000 , 000 gallons a day during storm conditions . The sanitary flow during dry weather that the City plant treats is 4 . 9 million gallons/day. :. The inflow problem , therefore , is very substantial - - three times the normal flow . Added to that there is an infiltration rate of 5 , 000 , 000 gallons a day . . If this is not corrected , he said , the size of the up - graded treatment plant will be a magnitude greater than is neces - sary to handle the sanitary waste under normal conditions . ( There is some doubt , he said , that the 15 , 000 , 000 gallons a day figure is correct . ) It does not necessarily project the amount of flow that is by- passed around the plant because it can only handle about 16 , 000 , 000 gallons a day hydraulically . There are a number of over - flows and by- passes out in the system to avoid overloading the system near the plant as well as overloading the plant itself . Supervisor Desch said one of the main matters to be dis - cussed will be the method of financing the $ 1 , 000 , 000 ( plus ) study . The Federal government EPA will finance 75 % of the cost ; the State will finance 12 . 50 . However the State share will not be available until the upgrading is under way and this is several years away . Therefore , there is the question of how to allocate the cost to the responsible municipality and also the matter of supervising how the work will be done . The Stearns & Wheler report suggests that at least 90 % of the inflow problem is located in the City of Ithaca which means that a very large share of this project cost will be theirs . Supervisor Desch said that he will suggest to the munici - palities that the need to pursue the survey indicates that now is the time to form the sewer commission because the City will have difficulty with the financing and the Town will not be interested in financing the City ' s responsibility nor the City the Town ' s . The comprehensive survey should serve as the base for getting into the larger project . The Town ' s share for the survey will be about $ 60 , 000 ( the local share before being reimbursed for the 12 . 5 % ) The Town will have to " front - end " about $ 60 , 000 but part will be reimbursed . The proposal by Stearns & Wheler is not detailed enough to break out the cost at this time , but they will eventually have to do that . Supervisor Desch said that as part of the survey , they will block off section by section the suspect sewers and test those sections and at the same time proceed with the system of repairs so that an integral project will result . It is difficult to by -pass while testing ; it might as well be done at the same time . This will not be true in all cases where there are direct connec - tions . The alternative to direct connections is fairly expensive . EPA certainly will not award a grant to build a sewage treatment plant that is sized to handle all this flow . Therefore , the muni - cipalities must get together and work it down to a reasonable efficiency level . Town Board Minutes - 6 - January 8 , 1979 PERSONS TO BE HEARD Councilman Powers recommended that the Town Board support a boycott of any State which does not ratify the Equal Rights Amend - ment . Town officials should not attend any conventions or confer - ences in such states , he said . Councilwoman Raffensperger noted that there have been many organizations which have supported this boycott , including the PTA , and others . Councilman Powers said the boycott has been well supported initially . Supervisor Desch said he was not completely convinced that it would be in the Town ' s interest . He said if there were an es - pecially good conference available in a state which had not ratified ERA , he would not want to be in the position of not being able to have a Town official attend that conference . He said it is an un - compromising position . Councilman Powers said that boycotts are not compromising , but that they are known to be effective if enough people institute the procedure . It was agreed that this matter will be an agenda item at the next regular Town Board meeting . COY GLEN HEARING ( continued ) DESIGNATION AS " CRITICAL AREA " Supervisor Desch recalled that at the year end meeting on December 29 , 1978 the Town Board held a public hearing to consider the designation of Coy Glen and the immediate area as a critical area . At that time he informed the Board that Cornell University had requested that the Town Board defer action on the matter . The Board agreed to re - open the matter at this meeting to consider the matter further . At this time Supervisor Desch read a letter dated January 8 , 1979 to the Town Board from Robert I . Williamson , attorney , repre - senting John B . Babcock , owner of property in Coy Glen . ( This letter is attached hereto and made a part of these minutes . ) He then read the proposed resolution to designate Coy Glen as a " critical area . " Supervisor Desch said the extraction operation has already had a substantial detrimental effect on the Glen . There has been considerable damage to the Glen walls and that damage will continue until a comprehensive reclamation effort has taken place . The Supervisor asked Ms . Barbara Z . Restaino , Town Planner , to describe the boundaries of the area in question , and using map she did so . She said the critical area would be that area substan - tially contiguous to the Glen ( most likely within a range of 200 ft . to 300 ft . However , she said it could be something as far away as 500 ft . or more , but not unless it impacted the Glen . Supervisor Desch said the distance would vary for many reasons , topography , drainage . Mr . Ridall asked questions as to where the line of demar - cation might be . Ms . Restaino described the boundaries more particu - larly . Albert Becker , 115 Glenside Road , asked who called for the DEC to investigate the extraction operation . Supervisor Desch said that through the newspaper ( Ithaca Journal ) it came to the Town ' s attention that the DEC was considering the extension of a gravel permit , and a certified letter from DEC was received to the same effect . At that point , he said , the Town indicated to DEC that it was the Town Board ' s judgment that a public hearing should be held , and eventually that came about . 1 Town Board. Minutes - 7 - January 8 , 1979 Mr . Becker asked whether , prior to that , the Town had taken any action to have Rumsey - Ithaca desist operations . The Supervisor said the Town had done so ; that there was a pending court action , that Rumsey- Ithaca had been ordered to show a recla- mation plan before the Town would issue a permit for continued excavation . Mr . Becker said he would remain neutral with regard to the mining matter . However , he said he did not want to see any park in Coy Glen . He said he is opposed to governmental interven- tion . He said he was opposed to designating Coy Glen as a " critical area " . He said he believe that if the mining is discontinued the Glen will remain as it is if left alone . He said he believed in leaving the care of the Glen to the people who own ; that so far they have done a good job . He said that the damage done by Rumsey- Ithaca is not irreversible at this time . Bruce Talbot ( Sierra Club ) said he was concerned primarily over the mining . He said the Coy Glen area is a very critical one , a unique area . He said there are not many places in the Finger Lakes , particularly adjacent to such a large population which are so spec - tacular in beauty as Coy Glen . He said the Town must recognize that it has special features and deserves special attention . Mr . Talbot said he was concerned about the boundaries of the critical area itself , that it should be outlined more clearly . He said the word " contiguous " needs to be clarified . He said there should be a statement in the document delineating , say , 200 feet , 300 feet , or 400 feet . Councilwoman Raffensperger said that the word " contiguous " comes from the SEQR Act ; that it dovetails with their regulations . Mr . Talbot asked if it was implied that the mining area is contiguous and critical . Supervisor Desch said that certainly that is the case . He said , however , that a gravel extraction plan could be developed which would not damage the Glen . The Supervisor said he did not think it feasible to indicate any particular number of feet in the document since it might well be different in every case depending on the nature of the activity proposed . Mr . James W . Yarnell ( Director of Real Estate , Cornell University ) made the following formal statement : " University response to Town of Ithaca proposed resolution to designate Coy Glen a ' Critical . Area of Environmental Concern ' . ( Critical Environmental Area under SEAR 617 . 4 and 617 . 12 ) . " Consistent with a bequest of Allan Treman Family , Cornell University in the Spring 1978 gained control of some 90 acres contiguous with Coy Glen stream . Over the years prior to April 1975 significant areas of this land parcel were affected by gravel mining operations , with a much smaller area used for gravel processing after April 1975 , now discontinued with equipment dismantled . " During recent months , the University has : a ) Assigned management responsibility for its Coy Glen property to the Natural Areas Committee of Cornell Plantations . This committee of faculty from Botany , Ecology , Floriculture , Forestry , Geology , Natural Resources and Science Education , has developed preserva - tion management policy , together with research and instruction pro - grams to build on information accumulated from the Glen area over some 50 years by Cornell scientists . b ) Worked closely with former mining operators and N . Y . S . D . E . C ." to develop procedures under N . Y . S . Mined Land Restriction Law which became effective April 1 , 19750 Town Board Minutes - 8 - January 8 , 1979 c ) Discussed frequently and exchanged information with Town of Ithaca officials and staff regarding their interest and ours for the future of Coy Glen area . These constructive discus - sions have indicated a good possibility of mutual interests over a wide area of common understanding regarding the nature of Coy Glen and its potential . We have agreed to continue these discussions toward determining coordinated action to improve preservation opportunities . " With little advance warning of the unilateral intention of the Town to declare Coy Glen gorge together with 200 feet on either side a " Critical Area of Environmental Concern " , we have reviewed SEQR to better comprehend the possible effects of this action . " Our tentative conclusions are these : 1 ) The basic intent of this Type I classification under SEQR is consistent with Cornell ' s Natural Areas Committee identifica - tion of the Glen ' s fragile ecology and the value of this en - vironmental resource for research and instruction . 2 ) Our reading of SEQR reassures that most research and instruc - tion activities are not likely to be thwarted by conflicting governmental controls . An exception to this could be a tenta - tive proposal already suggested to NYS DEC to conduct compara - tive studies of natural reclamation on selected areas , other - wise required to be re - graded to 1 / 2 slopes , where the develop - ing natural reclamation process would be destroyed by prescribed physical reclamation . 3 ) SEQR is not so reassuring regarding procedural requirements of a ' Lead Agency, ' for Type I actions within or contiguous to any ' Critical Environmental Areas ' . It appears possible that utilization by the University of its Coy Glen property for legitimate and worthy educational activities could be compro - mised either by misunderstanding or by prolonged procedures so as to frustrate research or instructional activities or to re - duce the University ' s capability to establish security of appropriate areas . " Aware of prior desires of the Town to establish Coy Glen for public utilization , we believe that immediate confirmation of the proposed action to create a ' Critical Environmental Area ' is premature . We urge that the Town first give consideration to determining a general plan of action for the Coy Glen area , joining with other interested parties , and especially the Uni - versity with its scientific knowledge and interest as a keystone partner , in continuing discussions already under way . Otherwise , it is possible we may lose valuable ' home - rule ' options to State regulation . " Town Attorney Buyoucos inquired whether Cornell University is opposed to the designation as a critical area . Mr . Yarnell said they are not opposed to the concept , but that they believe it may be premature . Under questioning by Mr . Buyoucos , Mr . Yarnell said that Cornell University has had discussions with the Depart - ment of Environmental Conservation with respect to the establishment of rules and procedures for the preservation of the Glen . Mr . Buyoucos asked Mr . Yarnell if he was satisfied with the actions of Rumsey - Ithaca in the vicinity of the Glen and whether he believed that Cornell University has nothing to fear from any action of Rumsey - Ithaca insofar as the inherent value of Coy Glen is concerned . Mr . Yarnell said that the University is satisfied with their intentions Buyoucos . " As they have been expressed , not by what they have done ? " Yarnell . " What is anticipated will be done " . Town Board Minutes - 9 - January 8 , 1979 When Supervisor Desch noted that the Town of Ithaca has a local law with regard to environmental review as a procedure , Mr . Yarnell asked if it were substantially different from State SEQR regulations . Supervisor Desch said that it expands on them , but it also includes the adoption of an assessment form , and the Town ' s procedure for processing a review , and it designates the Town Engineer as the Town ' s representative in following that imperative . Mr . Buyoucos asked Mr . Yarnell what modification of the designation might result from a delay for further study . Mr . Yar - nell said the area designated might be larger or smaller . Mr . Buyoucos said that would not appear to be necessary in view of the fact that the boundaries encompassing the Glen are indicated as substantially contiguous . Mr . Buyoucos did not consider it likely that Cornell University might say at a later date that there is no . reason to designate Coy Glen as a critical area because the criteria do not apply . He said that the University should know now that the Glen possesses the required features or that it does not have the . features designated in the regulations which make it a " critical area " . Mr . Yarnell reiterated the position of the University : ( 1 ) Cornell University believes that an overall plan of action for the Glen in the public interest should be established prior to the proposed designation . If such a plan were consistent with the designation as a critical area , Cornell University would favor it , he said . ( 2 ) Cornell ' s interest in the land has to do with the ability to use it for research and instruction . One of the important pieces of information to be gained from the Glen in its present condition is to determine how a despoiled area of this kind is restored through natural processes . He said the University has under way some research proposals to investigate just that . They had hoped to be able to conduct such research without having to answer numerous questions just to initiate the research . He said natural reclamation has taken place in the Glen . If that is destroyed , he said , a useful research tool will have been lost . He said the real concern of the University lies in this general area . Councilwoman Raffensperger said she did not understand Mr . Yarnell ' s point about security in relation to the action the Town Board is contemplating . Mr . Yarnell said the University is concerned about the fragility of the land . They feel there are certain areas of the Glen that are so fragile , there should not even be footsteps ; that there are rare species that need to be secured physically . He said it would be nice to be able to secure those without having to justify the action through a whole series of governmental procedures . He said the University is very uncomfortable about taking the actions proposed at this time until the Town , the University , and others with similar concerns have the chance to come to the same kinds of conclu - sions . Dr . Richard B . Fischer ( Environmental Education , Cornell University ) said he felt Cornell University has a good and valid research project , studying the natural reclamation of despoiled lands . He said he understood their concern . He said , however , that he was prompted to ask why it would not be in the interest of the University to regulate the mining going on in the area . He noted that the owner of the gravel operation moves a considerable amount of overburden and partly consolidated pebbles from sub - glacial stream ; that there is a great deal of moving of large masses of material . Dr . Fischer said he favored protection of the Glen as soon as possible ; that matters should not be left to the whims of the extractors . Mr . Yarnell said , " I wonder if this is the only regulatory tool we have available . Are we using penicillin when an aspirin might do ? " Town Board Minutes - 10 - January 8 , 1979 Mr . Fabbroni noted that there is a potential threat even to Cornell University land in the Glen by way of changes in land use or potential changes , specifically logging , which has been threatened . Such a threat leads the Town to consider the type of formal action which is being proposed . Supervisor Desch said that a delay in taking action might be more of a disservice than a service . He said the relationship between the Town and Cornell University is such that they can dis - cuss and make provision for doing the things that the University would like to do without conflicting with anything the Town envisions in terms of the whole Coy Glen area . He said he had not heard any - thing from Mr . Yarnell which could not be worked out quite easily . He said nothing specific has been designated in terms of what Cornell can or cannot do . He said it did not appear at this time that Cor nell ' s natural restoration research project would be inconsistent with the environmental protection of the area as a whole . However , the submittal of an environmental assessment form is required for proper review . Paul Finger ( Tompkins County Environmental Management Coun - cil ) said that the Town of Ithaca should be commended for its approach in designating the Coy Glen area as critical . The public is begin - ning to realize , he said , the need for more stringent procedures in environmental protection . This movement can be seen not only on the local level , but also at the State and Federal level , he said . The designation by the Town as proposed in no way prohibits development , it only encourages sound management policies and develop - ment plans , he said . Mr . Finger said he found nothing incompatible between the interests of Cornell University and the interests of the Town in participating in this progressive development to save natural resources for present and future generations . He said he felt that if Cornell had a program to use part of the mining area to determine whether natural reclamation would take place , such a program could proceed as long as they acknowledged the fact and protected the Glen from any future harm . Richard Booth , speaking on behalf of the Finger Lakes Sierra Club , said that the Sierra Club had participated in the recent DEC hearing in regard to the Rumsey- Ithaca mining operation . He said the Sierra Club strongly commends the Town of Ithaca for proposing the designation of Coy Glen as a critical area of environ - mental concern . He said its natural features , esthetic qualities , recreational open space , and educational benefits are resources of substantial note that have been documented for many decades in the Ithaca area . Mr . Booth said that the Sierra Club strongly urges the Town of Ithaca to go ahead with this particular proposal . He suggested , in agreement with Mr . Talbot , that the designation of areas substantially contiguous to the critical area be made more specific by including some measurable distinction from the bound - aries shown on the map presented by Ms . Restaino . He suggested , if possible , that thought be given to perhaps definint areas 400 to 800 feet on all sides of the boundary to be the area called " substantially contiguous . " He suggested further that the resolu - tion should include language which reflects the fact that the Town has given public notice and has held public hearings on the resolu - tion . He said he felt that the Town had more than met the burden of public involvement and that it ought to take credit for that . Mr . Booth emphasized that this action by the Town of Ithaca will not prohibit any specific type of activity , including mining operations . The Sierra Club said at the DEC hearing that mining in that area in an environmentally compatible way is fine , but that Rumsey - Ithaca historically have been so far removed from providing an environmentally specific plan that it is difficult to address the situation . He said , further , that the Town ' s proposed action will not require an environmental impact statement in every instance for actions in Coy Glen or areas contiguous thereto . He said it is �'6 Town Board Minutes - 11 - January 8 , 1979 not a question of people losing land , that it does not remove any land from private or corporate ownership ; that it will not make any cutting of any single tree in the Glen a reviewable action by the Town of Ithaca . He said the proposed action will promote the protection of this environmentally critical area , that it will pro - vide for badly needed local decision making and control of an area which the people of the Town of Ithaca , the City of Ithaca , and surrounding areas have long noted for its natural , esthetic , and recreational merits , and that it will be a declaration of concern by the Town of Ithaca for this important area . Mr . Booth said the Town could take pride in the fact that this is one of the very first acts by a municipal government in the State of New York to implement the new SEQR. regulations , designating an area as an area of environmental concern . He said he thought many areas will be so indicated in the .future . Mr . Booth said he felt that there was some confusion be - tween DEC regulations , regulations of the Mining Reclamation Act , and the proposed designation of Coy Glen as a critical area . He said that although they are related , he did not think the Town ' s proposed designation would substantially or materially interfere with the research projects or educational studies referred to by Mr . Yarnell . He said it appeared curious to him that Cornell University representatives or persons from the Cornell University community have spoken in many places throughout the country in favor of protecting various types of lands ( the Adirondacks , for example ) and that here is an opportunity to do the same on its own " doorstep . " He said he felt there was a need for a sense of responsibility from a major institution in the Ithaca community . He said he did not mean that Cornell does not want to accept that responsibility , but he was concerned that Cornell ' s description of the proposed action as premature might lead to a delay which might cause the action not to be taken . He said this is not a situation where people are losing home- rule powers . He said , in fact , that he saw this particular power provided for in DEC and SEQR regulations as an important re - affirma - tion of the power of home rule and the ability of local governments to deal with such problems . Dr . Arthur P . Kraut , 635 Elm Street Extension , noted that the three persons speaking in favor of the proposed designation do not live in the Coy Glen area , that they do not own property in Coy Glen , that they are not inherently involved in the ownership of the property in the Glen itself . Dr . Kraut said he deeply resented the fact that the concerns of the property owners in the Glen , individual property owners , have not been taken as seriously as the concerns of Cornell University . Mr . Kraut objected to the statement that . . . . " the many discussions and public hearings reveal a commonality of interest , concern and agreement by all the property owners that Coy Glen is a unique natural area and it must be preserved . . . " without the additional statement by the property owners that the Glen should be preserved in the hands of the property owners . He said that is in the record and should be stated . Dr . Kraut asked if in the proposed resolution there is any statement as to where the landowners stand . Supervisor Desch said there was not . Dr . Kraut asked if it was the mining that made the Coy Glen area critical . Supervisor Desch said it was not . There is , however , he said , a compelling need at this time based on recent experience , particularly with the gravel operation , that suggests to the Town Board that the designation should be made now to confirm the Town ' s commitment to the preservation of the Glen . Dr . Kraut asked the compelling reason was , beyond the mining . Supervisor Desch said there was no answer to that question ; that it would depend in each case on what type of activity might be proposed . Dr . Kraut contended that the proposed designation would decrease the value of his property should he wish to sell it . Supervisor Desch asked Town Board Minutes - 12 - January 8 , 1979 what there was about the designation which would have a negative effect . on the value of Dr . Kraut ' s property . Dr . Kraut said that he understood that if he made a change on his property ( a crop ) he would have to submit some kind of statement ; that the designation had a restricting effect on the ownership of the property and the property owner '. s ' ri: ghts . Such restrictions would lessen the value of the property . Dr . Kraut maintained that the Town itself had submitted an application outlining a plan that would inevitably destroy the Glen , that even environmentalists would say so . He said the Glen has been well taken care of by the owners for a long time . Mr . Fabbroni noted that a true evaluation of the present situation indicates that there is an immediate threat to the Glen the mining extraction operation . Supervisor Desch stated that the Town recognizes that if and when the proposal to proceed with public ownership and a public park goes forward , as a result of the proposed designation , that project would have the same scrutiny as any proposal by a private individual or by Cornell University . Should such scrutiny , or environmental review , show that the proposal will have a serious environmental impact , then the proposal will not go forward . Dr . Kraut asked why zoning could not take care of the problem . Why bring in another governmental agency ? Supervisor Desch said the procedure is like applying for a building permit . It falls into place the same as hearings for a subdivision . One is adding another dimension to the review , not another layer of government . It is the same as the zoning process . Dr . Kraut said he suspected that the real reason the mining cannot be controlled is that it has prior use . He said he deeply resented the proposed designation . Mr . Fabbroni said that since the Town is a municipality it was faced with a situation under the SEQR Act where it had to enact local legislation which could be locally enforced or let the option fall back to the State for their enforcement ; that by pas - sing its own local SEQR the Town has attempted to keep the option local . The designation of a critical area within that scope makes it clearer that this area is worthy of an environmental assessment ; that by taking that first action and adopting the local law the Town has maintained the local action . The State mandated that . The Town did not seek to involve the State , it has been the other way around . Dr . Kraut maintained that it appears the Town Board is giving up certain real powers and the State is taking it over . Supervisor Desch said the situation is just the opposite . Dr . Kraut said he would like to hear the opinion of the University . Milo E . Richmond , Leader of Cooperative Wild Life Unit , Cornell University , said it was not abundantly clear to the Uni - versity that home rule is being maintained in this case . He said he was not content that " contiguous " land which might involve a crop does not require an environmental impact statement . It would require an assessment statement . He said he drew this conclusion from the way the State uses its critical wetlands . Dr . Richmond said it would have been well for all to go through some of these deliberations about what the designation really means prior to this meeting . He said in a sense this is happening at " the eleventh hour " . He said the University is not comfortable with the meaning of the Type I designation . ` ) Town Board Minutes - 13 - January 8 , 1979 Dr . Kraut asked if they could have the courtesy of getting together will all people - concerned , particularly property owners on the Coy Glen area , for a meeting . He said he also is an environmentalist ; that he is wondering about what is going to happend to the land . He said property owners should have the same attention and response as Cornell University does . Supervisor Desch said the whole process has been conducted in a very public way . Immediate action was deferred at the request of a property owner - ( Cornell University ) . There does not appear to be any new information which would warrant another meeting . Mr . Yarnell said that he had no problem with the assur - ances that the Board is giving Cornell . He said their experience indicated that it is not what the law says ; it is the way the law is administered . . . . . " too much politics and it is there where we get into sticky business . " He said he applauded the proposed action ; but it is what comes after the regulations that concerns him . Mr . Buyoucos said he agreed with Mr . Yarnell on that point . He said there is a problem with the rules and regulations to determine which types of action would and which would not re - quire an environmental impact statement . Mr . Buyoucos spoke briefly about Type I and Type II actions . He asked Mr . Yarnell how much additional time Cornell University thought it would re - quire to decide whether it would feel comfortable with the pro - posed designation . Mr . Yarnell said he could not see that a decision could be reached in less than six months . The consensus of the Board appeared to be that such a delay would not be useful . Mrs . Arthur P . Kraut , 635 Elm Street Extension , agreed that the way the law is administered is a problem . She said , also , that in addition to that it is important to keep in mind that it is necessary to deal with the personalities of the people involved ( changing as they may be ) . She recalled that initially in talking to people about Coy Glen , that more than one person offered help and cooperation , people who felt that they were representing the land owners and their interests as private property owners . Over the course of months , however , some of those people have changed the thrust of their commitment . She asked those who have talked to her and who in the past seemed supportive of the interests of the property owners , to remember statements about running for office as Town Board members to help protect property owners ' rights . She asked those present to reflect that all may be getting into a situation deeper and deeper , with no one willing to call a halt and say maybe there is another way ; that maybe everyone who has something to lose is being asked to bear a burden . She agreed that the Glen is critical , but that already it has been noted that in many places there are too many footsteps coming . At this point Mrs . Kraut read a formal statement ( copy of which is attached to and made a part of these minutes ) . Mr . Williamson said there is the Mining Reclamation Act . In addition to that the DEC has had at least two days of hearings at great expense and a great deal of testimony which has not as yet been transcribed . He said it was his understanding that under the reining Reclamation Act the DEC will come forth with reasonable regulations and rules which will cover the mining of this particu - lar property . He asked whether , since the Town is going to make the proposed designation , there would be another hearing by DEC . Would the Town be the Agency ? Town Board Minutes - 14 - January 8 , 1979 Supervisor Desch reminded Mr . Williamson that the DEC did not come into the matter of the mining excavation automatically ; it was the Town that got the DEC ' s attention . The DEC should have had the responsibility to prevent the violation of a pre - existing permit , and further to take into account Rumsey - Ithaca ' s record when it came to. the matter of the extension of the permit , which they did not do . Mr . Williamson insisted that the proposed action on the part of the Town Board would lead to more environmental impact statements , more governmental hearings , and more expense to the taxpayer , or the property owner and the operator of the mining . He said he would like to know what exact area is involved . He said no one knows how many feet from the designated area is con - sidered significant . His client does not know . Supervisor Desch said the location of the boundary will be different in each case , depending on the . type of operations that the environmental impact statement will define the contiguous area and the environmental impact statement will be made by the Town ; and that it is done when a proposal is presented . Supervisor Desch said that if the review process is not performed by the Town it will , of necessity , revert to the DEC in Albany . The proposed designation keeps the review process in local hands . Mr . Williamson insisted that the DEC can promulgate reason - able rules and regulations with respect to the mining and that another layer of governmental regulation is not required . He said that by passing this resolution the Town Board is trying to prevent mining , that the Town is condemning property ; that the designation will place an encumbrance on property . Mr . Fabbroni stated that the proposal specifically does not deny any use of the property , but it does specify under what conditions the property can be developed for the particular use . Mr . Buyoucos stated that the Department of Environmental Conservation had advised him that no matter what they did , even under the Town ' s present zoning ordinance , the Town can proceed and make its own determinations as to how that area would be mined . They have said that DEC is not going to be the final arbiter of this matter in any event . Councilman McElwee inquired whether if the resolution were adopted it is rescindable . Supervisor Desch said it was not , but that it could be revised , the boundaries can be revised . The Town Attorney recommended that the Board retire into executive session . EXECUTIVE SESSION' :°- RESOLUTION No . 1 , 1979 Motion by Supervisor Desch , seconded by Councilman McElwee , RESOLVED , that this Board retire into executive session . ( Valentino , Freeman , Raffensperger , Powers , McElwee , and Desch voting Aye . Nays - none ) RECONVENE The Board duly reconvened in open session . Town Board Minutes - 15 - January 8 , 1979 Supervisor Desch stated that the Board in executive ses - sion reviewed the comments made by all parties . The Board reviewed the implications of the DEC hearing with regard to the Rumsey- Ithaca mining operation . The Board reviewed the comments by representatives of Cornell University and the implications with regard to future dis - cussions they might have in terms of the use of their property . The Board considered implications with respect to private property owners ' concerns , and the Board believes it is in the best interests of the Town of Ithaca to keep the use development responsibility locally and not pass it on to the State . Councilman McElwee asked if the resolution is comparable to a zoning regulation . Supervisor Desch said yes and no . The process by which a proposal goes through the review procedure is different , the administration is different , the points being con - sidered in the review are entirely different . He said the designa- tion does not conflict in any way with zoning . It is another dimen - sion of zoning . He said he did not concur with the notion that the designation places an unreasonable restriction on the use of one ' s property . In fact , he said , the people who are interested in pre - servation should want to be assured that their neighbors and the public at large are , in fact , being required to use the property in an environmentally responsible way . That is the purpose of the proposed action . Mr . Buyoucos said that on the question of establishing boundaries , he did not see the practicality of putting a limit of so many feet from the boundaries as determined . It would depend on each individual action . Supervisor Desch agreed that the variety of type of change which might be indicated in the future would sug - gest that the review agency would have to have the flexibility of considering each case on its merits . It would be far more useful in preserving the Glen to have the flexibility suggested in the proposed resolution . Mr . Buyoucos noted further that if the reso - lution is adopted it means that any action taken by the Town comes under study if it falls within either Type I action . Supervisor Desch agreed that that is correct . Councilman Freeman said he is on record as opposed to the taking of private property . The goal of the Town and the property owners both is to preserve Coy Glen . He said he felt that the proposed designation is a definite step towards the preservation of the Glen and the area , and without pub - lic ownership . Motion by Councilwoman Raffensperger ; seconded by Councilman Powers RESOLUTION NO . 2 , 1979 DESIGNATION OF COY GLEN AS A " CRITICAL AREA " WHEREAS , ( 1 ) the Town of Ithaca has , for a long period of time recognized the uniqueness of Coy Glen as a natural area of environmental value and importance because of ( a ) its natural setting , especially because of the vegetation ( rate botanical species ) growing in the area , and the open space and aesthetic values the Glen provides , and ( b ) the social , recreational and educational purposes it serves , and ( c ) the fact that it possesses an inherent ecological , geological , or hydrological sensitivity to change which could be adversely affected by any change , and ( 2 ) Studies have been conducted by the Town which support the findings set forth in paragraph ( 1 ) above , which studies and other documentation relating to Coy Glen are set forth in Appendix A to this resolution , and ( 3 ) The Tompkins County Environmental Management Council has designated the Coy Glen Area as a Unique Natural Area and has made an inventory of the Glen ' s natural features which are set forth in Appendix A , Town Board Minutes - 16 - January 8 , 1979 NOW , THEREFORE , BE IT RESOLVED , Section I . The area commonly known as Coy Glen , located in the westerly part of the Town of Ithaca be designated as a " critical area " of environmental concern pursuant to the provisions of 6 NYCRR 617 . 4 ( j ) and 617 . 12 ( 11 ) and pursuant to the State Environ - mental Quality Review Act , Article 8 NYS Environmental Conservation Law , Section II . A . The boundaries of the critical area are substantially as described in Appendix B to this resolution and as shown on Map entitled Coy Glen - Critical Area , dated January 7 , 1979 , copies of which are to be filed in the Office of the Town Clerk and in the Office of the Tompkins County Environmental Management Council . B . This resolution shall also apply pursuant to the pro - visions of 6' NYCRR Part 617 . 12 ( 11 ) to the areas which are substan- tially contiguous to the critical area . Section III . A copy of this resolution and the appendices and map referred to above shall be filed with the Commissioner of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation . ( Freeman , McElwee , Valentino , Raffensperger , Powers , and Desch voting Aye . Nays - none ) Mr . Buyoucos stated that the record should show that this resolution was adopted as the result of the scheduling of a public hearing which ordered the publication and posting of a notice to consider the adoption of a resolution designating Coy Glen as a critical area . The '"own• Attorney 8. aid he had been advised by the Town Clerk that the notice of public hearing was published in the Ithaca Journal on December 19 , 1978 and that the notice was simi - larly posted on the Town bulletin Board on December 19 , 1978 , cal - ling for a hearing at the offices of the Town of Ithaca on December 29 , 1978 at 11 : 30 a . m . ; that such hearing was commenced on that day and at that time , and that at the request of one of the interested land owners , namely , Cornell University , it was adjourned to the meeting of the Town Board of Ithaca which was to be held at 5 : 30 p . m . on January 8 , 1979 ; and that the resolution was adopted follow - ing all the foregoing procedures , and the holding of the hearing at which all interested parties present were heard . REFUND - STEIN BUILDERS ( Endicott , New York ) RESOLUTION No . 3 - 1979 The Town Clerk reported that Stein Buildings , Endicott , New York , were charged one unit for water benefit and one unit for sewer benefit on property at 106 Circle Lane . The proper charge should have been . 105 unit for water and . 105 unit for sewer . Therefore , a refund is due . Motion by Supervisor Desch , seconded by Councilman Powers , RESOLVED , that this Town Board hereby approves refund in the amount of $ 46 . 54 for water benefit charge and a refund of $ 44 . 75 for sewer benefit charge to Stein Builders , Endicott , New York , for property located at 106 Circle Lane , Parcel No . 57 - 1 - 8 . 155 , total refund of $ 91 . 29 . ( Raffensperger , Valentino , Powers , McElwee , Freeman , and Desch voting Aye . Nays - none ) APPENDIX A i IT -4 :! COY GLEN ; Site Description : Natural forest , forest brush . Glen and gorge . Stream . Springs . Waterfalls . Elev . 430 - 1000 ft . Area : 125 a . Location : . Streambed and surrounding forest vegetation from Elm Street Ext . on NW to Rt . 13A on SE ; bordered on NE by Elm Street Ext. , Coyglen Road ; on SW by Culver Road . Access from Elm Street Ext . , Rt . 13A , Culver Road . Ownership : Pr . Man-made Changes_ : Logging , foot trails . Gravel conveyor crosses SE - end gorge . Some garbage . Gravel extraction . Natural Features . Geology : Exposure of Genesee group shales and sandstones . Area known for excellent examples of hanging deltas now mostly destroyed by gravel extraction . Talus' slopes . Large granite erratics . Potholes . Excellent examples joint plane fracturing , fossil ripple - marks . Soils : __ HpF ; . BtF , HpE , BgC , Ab . .... Water bodies : Stream , many small springs ; some pass through limestone glacial rubble yielding marl springs : Vegetation : Extremely varied , rich with rare plants . Over 380 species vascular plants , - 140 bryophyte species . More than 50 species epiphytic non-vascular plants , including 22 spp . lichens , 9 liverworts ; 9 mosses (Brown , 1946 ) . Hemlock-yellow _ birch forest , with bee ch-sugar -maple . above , -white oak-northern - red oak-hickory dom . on S facing slope below middle - of glen . A number of rare species now extinct due to gravel extraction . NYSPNP - 26 species . Andrews ' - # - 136 , 50 . - *Bowman '. s root ( Gillenia trifoliata ( L . ) Moench ) , smooth false - foxglove ( Aureo - laria. flava ( L .. ) Farwell) , * ladies ' tresses ( Spiranthes lucida ( H . H . . Eaton) Ames ) , *large - yellow lady ' s slipper ( Cypripedium pubescens . Willd . ) , *butterfly : weed ( Asclepias .tuberoses L . ) , *beard . grass ( An- dropogon Gerardi - Vitman) , pinxter flower ( Rhododendron nudiflorum ( L . ) Torr . ) , walking fern ( Camptosaurus rhizophyllus ( L . ) Link) , pine-sap . ( Monotropa Hypopitys L . ) , American chestnut ( Castanea dentata ( Marsh . ) Borkh . ) , sassafras ( Sassafras albidum( Nutt . ) Nees ) , witch hobble ( Vi - burnum alnifolium Marsh . ) , stonewort - ( Chara sp . ) . Some . of the - above species - reports from Clausen , ( 1973 ) . Fauna . - Normal - for - area . *Winter . wren .( Troglodytes troglodytes black-throat_ 2 een-_warb-ler_1j( Dendroica -wens __Gmelin) , two- lined salamander - bislineata . Green) ., - , slimy salamander .. ( Plethodon _ glutinosus Green) , dusky salamander ( Desmog-nathous - fuscus Rafinesque) , brown trout ( Salmo trutta L . ) . Activities . Hiking ; . swimming , nature study , . birding , logging , gravel extraction . Reasons . for Selecting . Site : Requested by a - number.: of county citizens . Value as a green area near city , extremely valuable flora area en- dangered by gravel operations . • APPENDIX A . ( cont i IT - 4 : COY GLEN ( continued ) Comments : Some parts of Coy Glen , its plant communities , extremely fragile . APPENDIX A B I B L I O G R A P H Y Clausen ., Robert T . 1973 . _ Letter to L . . H . MacDaniels concerning rare plant species of Coy Glen . Colliton , Dennis C . Coy Glen , A Unique Natural Area of Tompkins County . A Special Project presented to the Faculty of the Graduate School . of Cornell University . Ithaca , New York : May , 1976 . Kelley , John W . " Some Natural Areas in Tompkins County Worth Saving . " Ithaca , New York : 1966 . ( unpublished ) New York State Geological Association . Geology of the Cayuga Lake Basin . 31st Annual Meeting . Ithaca , New York ; Cor - nell University , 19590 Tompkins County Environmental Management Councils, Tompkins County Unique Natural Areas Inventory . Ithaca , New York : 1976 . Tompkins County Resource Development Committee . , " Report and - Recommendations Made to the Tompkins -- County Environmental Management Council , September , 1972 . " Greenbelt Working Group of the Conservation Sub- committee . Tufts , Craig Ellery . A Preliminary Inventory of Some Unique Natural Areas on Tompkins . County , New York . A thesis. . . _ presented to the Faculty of the Graduate . School .of Cornell . . -. University . Ithaca , New York : January- ,. 1977 . Wiegand , Karl M . , and Arthur J . Eames . The Flora of the Cayuga Lake Basin , New York . . Cornell University Press , - 1925 . Von Engeln , O . D . The Finger Lakes Region , Its Origin and Nature . Ithaca , New York . Cornell University Press , 1961 . APPENDIX B Ii T � COMMENCING. at a point at the intersection of the West right of � way line of Route 13A and the South right of way line of Coy Glen Road , within the Town of Ithaca , State of New York ; thence in a Southwesterly direction along the West right of way line of Route 13A. a distance of 95 ' + to the point of beginning ; continu - ing in a Southwesterly direction along the West right of way line of Route 13A a distance of 325 ' + to a point ; thence North 85°35 ' West some 1 , 1001 + to a point ; thence North 55° 49 ' West a distance of 4 , 080 ' + to a point ; thence North 440281 _. West some 2 , 9301 + to a point ; thence in a Northeasterly direction following the South right of way line of Elm Street Extension a distance of 2 , 1251 + to a point ; thence South 46° 53 ' - East some 4 , 200 ' + to a point ; ° thence South 60 East . some 1 , 940 ' + to the point of beginning . Town Board Minutes - 17 - January 8 , 1979 RESOLUTION NO . 4 - 1979 TOWN OF ITHACA WARRANTS Motion by Supervisor Desch , seconded by Councilwoman Raffensperger , RESOLVED , that Town of Ithaca Warrants dated January 8 , 1979 in the following amounts are hereby approved : General Fund - Town - wide . . . . . . $ 3 , 600 . 98 General Fund - Outside Village . 49 . 90 Highway Fund . . . . . 000000 . 000900 41717 . 84 Water and Sewer Fund . . . . . . . . . . 5 , 482 . 30 Capital Sewer Project . . . . . . . . . 98 , 517 . 08 Lighting Districts . . . . . . . . . . . . 191 . 84 ( Raffensperger , Valentino , Freeman , Powers , McElwee , and Desch voting Aye . Nays - none ) RESOLUTION NO . 5 - 1979 BOLTON POINT WARRANTS Motion by Supervisor Desch ; seconded by Councilman McElwee , RESOLVED , that Bolton Point warrants dated January 8 , 1979 are hereby approved in the amount of $ 9 , 500 . 01 in the Operating Account , contingent upon review by the Southern Cayuga Lake Intermunicipal Water Commission . ( Raffensperger , Powers , Valentino , Freeman , McElwee , and Desch voting Aye . Nays - none ) ( Note : These warrants were approved by Southern Cayuga Lake Intermunicipal Water Commission members Desch , Schwan , Metzger , Myers , McElwee ( Margaret ) , and Beischer , a majority of said Com- missioners between the dates of January 9 and January 11 , 1979 . ) SAMUEL AND ANNE KRAMER MATTER Mr . Fabbrorii illustrated with map parcel of land which Samuel and Anne Kramer has asked that the Town of Ithaca deed to them and which they would agree to maintain . Supervisor Desch said that if the Board can come to an agreement that the Town does not need this small piece of land , the Kramers should have their attorneys prepare a description of the area , with metes and bounds . The Town would require an easement for access to sewer . STONE QUARRY ROAD WATER SERVICE Supervisor Desch stated that in order to consider the Stone Quarry Road water service matter , a report will be needed from the engineer . Such a report will be available near the end of the month . At that time a public hearing will be scheduled to consider the financing . ADJOURNMENT The meeting was duly adjourned to January 29 , 1979 at 5 : 30 p . m . and L . Bergen Town Clerk