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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTB Minutes 1979-12-31 TOWN OF ITHACA REGULAR BOARD MEETING December 31 , 1979 - 11 : 00 A . M . At a Regular Meeting . of the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca , Tompkins County , New York , held at the Town Offices at 126 East Seneca Street , Ithaca , New York , at 11 : 00 A . M . on the 31st day of December , 1979 , there were PRESENT . Noel Desch , Supervisor ® Victor Del Rosso , Councilman Robert N . Powers , Councilman Catherine Valentino , Councilwoman Shirley Raffensperger , Councilwoman ® George Kugler , Councilman ALSO PRESENT : Robert Parkin , Highway Superintendent Barbara Restaino , Planner Michael Ocello , Assistant to the Engineer Henry Aron , Chairman , Planning Board Gust L . Freeman , 258 Dubois Road Marc A . Cramer , 300 Cayuga - Heights Road ABSENT : Andrew W . McElwee , Councilman PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Supervisor led the assemblage in the Pledge of Allegiance . APPROVAL OF MINUTES RESOLUTION N09 258 , 1979 Motion by Supervisor Desch ; seconded by Councilman Kugler , RESOLVED , that the Minutes of October 30 and November 8 , 1979 are hereby approved as submitted by the Town Clerk . ( Powers , Valentino , Raffensperger , Kugler and Desch voting Aye . Nays - none . Del Rosso not present for the vote ) REPORTS OF TOWN OFFICIALS Town Engineer In the absence of the Town Engineer , Mr . Ocello reported that the three - area sewer project ( West Haven , Valley View , and Slaterville Roads ) is getting under way . It is laid out . Mr . Ocello reported that they are working on the salt barn and should be putting the roof on shortly . Supervisor Desch reported that Mr . Fabbroni will be away most of January taking care of the details of his father ' s estate . He said that Mr . Ocello has jumped into the breech very well . The salt barn is in a critical stage . He said that he , Henry Aron , Mr . Ocello and the Highway Superintendent are having daily discussions with respect to the salt barn . Planning Board Chairman Henry Aron read his report , as follows : " 1 . The December 4 ' , 1979 meeting of the Planning Board was the final meeting for the year 1979 . I have reported to you on that meeting at the December 10 , 1979 meeting of the Town Board . Town Board Minutes - 2 - December 31 , 1979 " 2 . I do , however , wish to report to you , for the record , that the following Resolution was unanimously passed by the Planning Board at its December 4 , 1979 meeting and is hereby presented for your consideration and action . WHEREAS , the Planning Board approved Section Two , Eastern Heights Subdivision , June 11 , 1968 , with no apparent provision for access to the Charles Foote property south of such subdivision , Block 5 , Lots 2 through 4 , plus Park ; and WHEREAS , over the last eleven ( 11 ) years no other access along more suitable grades has been provided through the lands • of Frandsen and Blanpied ( formerly Eipper ) to the west to said Foote property ; and WHEREAS , the property of Charles Foote within the Town of • Dryden to the east of his property here in question has no present designated access through adjacent lands in the Town of Dryden ; and WHEREAS , the Town of Ithaca was given a portion of Section Two , Eastern Heights Subdivision including Block 5 , Lots 2 through 4 as part for a park and part for general purposes ; and WHEREAS , access from Slaterville Road within the Foote property both in the Town of Ithaca and the Town of Dryden is undesirable because of topography , NOW , THEREFORE , BE IT RESOLVED , that the Planning Board of the Town of Ithaca recommend and hereby does recommend to the Town Board that the Official Map of the Town of Ithaca be amended to include a proposed access from the Frandsen property through the property taken for general purposes to the Foote property until such time that a more preferred and accessible access through the present Blanpied property or adjacent lands in the Town of Dryden is officially identified , and further RESOLVED , that any disposition of property by Mr . Foote in the Town of Dryden will keep open access through that land to his Town of Ithaca parcel with any failure to adhere to this stipulation invalidating any guarantee of access by the Town of Ithaca , and FURTHER RESOLVED , that Mr . Foote convey to the Town of Ithaca an equal amount of acreage of land taken to provide him with this access from his land immediately south of the present Town of Ithaca land , and FURTHER RESOLVED , that this resolution be recorded by • Mr . Foote in the Tompkins County Clerk ' s Office with suf - ficient identification that it will be included in any ab - stract of title compiled on any of the Foote property in the Town of Ithaca or the Town of Dryden . " 3 . I wish to take this opportunity to wish you all a Happy New Year , one that is marked by peace and understanding in the world . " 4 . Thank you . " Town Board Minutes - 3 - December 31 , 1979 Highway Superintendent Mr . Parkin said he would present a year - end report at the January meeting . Mr . Gust L . Freeman stated that he started out as a member of the Town . Board and then was appointed to the County Board of Representatives and . . " Tonight , I don ' t know what Board I be - long to . " He noted that the County Board of Representatives meets on January 7 , 19800 Supervisor Desch said , " No matter what happens , we appreci - ate that you have represented us very well . " ® DESIGNATION OF OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER RESOLUTION NO . 259 , 1979 Motion by Supervisor Desch ; seconded by Councilwoman Raffensperger , RESOLVED, that the Ithaca Journal is hereby designated as the official newspaper of the Town of Ithaca for the year 1980 . ( Kugler , Powers , Valentino , Raffensperger , and Desch voting Aye . Nays - none . Del Rosso not present for this vote ) DESIGNATION OF DEPOSITORIES OF TOWN FUNDS RESOLUTION NO . 260 , 1979 Motion by Supervisor Desch ; seconded by Councilman Powers , RESOLVED , that the Tompkins County Trust Company and the First Bank of Ithaca , New York , be and the same hereby are designated as depositories coming into the hands of the Supervisor , the Town Clerk , and the Receiver of Taxes , for the year 1980 . Id ( Kugler , Powers , Valentino , Raffensperger , and Desch voting Aye . Nays - none . Del Rosso not present for this vote ) RESOLUTION TO HIRE CPA FOR AUDIT OF TOWN RECORDS FOR THE YEAR 1979 Supervisor Desch said that each year the Board designates an independent Certified Public Accountant to audit Town finances . He noted that Francis E . ( Judd ) Welch has done an excellent job for the Town over the past several years at reasonable cost , and recommended that Mr . Welch be . hired to audit the 1979 financial records . RESOLUTION NO. . 261 , 1979 ® Motion by Supervisor Desch , seconded by Councilwoman Valentino , RESOLVED , that Franc-is E . Welch be , and he hereby is , appointed as the Certified Public Accountant who will audit the books and records of the Town of Ithaca for the year 1979 ; and who will also prepare a separate report on the Operation and Maintenance Account of the Southern Cayuga Lake Intermunicipal Water Commission , it being understood that the Southern Cayuga Lake Intermunicipal Water Commission will pay for the additional expense for that por - tion of the audit which relates to the Bolton Point operation . ( Kugler , Raffensperger , Powers , Valentino , and Desch voting Aye . Nays - none . Del Rosso not present for this vote ) Town Board Minutes - 4 - December 31 , 1979 SCHEDULE OF REGULAR MEETINGS Supervisor Desch said the Board would continue to meet at 5 : 30 p . m . on the first Monday after the first Tuesday in each month . RESOLUTION NO . 262 , 1979 Motion by Supervisor Desch , seconded by Councilman Powers , RESOLVED , that this Town Board hereby adopts the following schedule of meetings of the Town Board for 1980 , all meetings to begin at 5 : 30 p . m . ( unless otherwise specified in advance ) , it being under - stood that no public hearings will be scheduled before 7 : 00 p . m . . Monday , January 7 , 1980 • Monday , February 11 , 1980 Monday , March 10 , 1980 Monday , April 7 , 1980 Monday , May 12 , 1980 Monday , June 9 , 1980 Monday , July 7 , 1980 Monday , August 11 , 1980 Monday , September 8 , 1980 Thursday , October 2 ; 1980 '(another 'meeting ' n October , if necessary ) Thursday , November 6 , 1980 Monday , December 8 , 1980 Wednesday , December 31 , 1980 ( Kugler , Raffensperger , Valentino , Powers , and Desch voting Aye . Nays - none . Del Rosso not present for this vote . ) HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT PAY SCALE Supervisor Desch said that in the 1980 budget .a loo increase for Highway Department employees was included as the merit range . This , he said. , generates a payroll scale starting with a minimum of $ 4 . 50 per hour and a maximum of $ 7 . 20 per hour . The low end of the scale is set in the event a vacancy occurs in the Highway Depart - ment , in which case a person would probably be brought on at the low end of the scale . He said there are no vacancies at the moment . RESOLUTION NO . 263 , 1979 Motion by Supervisor Desch ; seconded by Councilman Powers , RESOLVED , that this Town Board hereby establishes for the Town of Ithaca Highway Department a salary scale ranging from a minimum of $ 4 . 50 per hour to a maximum of $ 7 . 20 per hour for Highway Depart - ment employees for the year 1980 . ( Kugler , Valentino , Raffensperger , Powers , and Desch voting Aye . Nays - none . Del Rosso not present for this vote . ) Mr . Aron asked if the foregoing pay scale is based on 40 hours and after 40 hours overtime would be paid . Supervisor Desch said this was the case . Mr . Mark Cramer asked how many Highway Department employees there area The Supervisor said there are eight . Mr . Aron asked how many would be at the $ 7 . 20 rate and how many in the $ 4 . 50 bracket , or in between . Supervisor Desch said there is one employee at $ 7 . 20 and virtually all the rest are at about $ 6 . 70 to $ 6 . 80 . There is only one at the low end , $ 4 . 50 . The average is about $ 6 . 50 . ( Councilman Del Rosso entered the meeting at 11 : 20 a . m . ) ilo Town Board Minutes - 5 - December 31 , 1979 APPROVAL OF OFFICIAL BONDS Supervisor Desch said he did not see any basis for increas - ing the amount of bond coverage for the Supervisor because the amount of funds he expected to handle in the coming year will not be sig - nificantly different from what has been handled in the past . He said the same holds true for the Town Clerk . RESOLUTION N0 . 264 , 1979 Motion by Supervisor Desch , seconded by Councilman Del Rosso , RESOLVED , that bonds for the following Town officials and Town employees in the following amounts be approved for the year 1980 : ® Town Supervisor , Noel Desch $ 350 , 000900 Town . Clerk , Jean H . Swartwood . . . . . . . . . 501000 . 00 Justice , Warren A . Blye . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51000 . 00 Justice , Merton J . Wallenbeck . . . . . . . . . 51000 . 00 Superintendent of Highways , Robert Parkin 5 , 000 . 00 All other Town employees , each . . . . . . . . . 5 , 000 . 00 ( Kel Rosso , Kugler , Raffensperger , Valentino , Powers , and Desch voting Aye . Nays - none ) . Tor . Marc Cramer asked if the Receiver of Taxes would have to be bonded separately . Supervisor Desch said he would . SALARY ADJUSTMENT - ACCOUNT CLERK/TYPIST Supervisor Desch said he was happy to report that Cynthia Schoffner has returned , day after Christmas ; that she is doing very well , a little weak , having gone through a difficult situation . He said that , as he wrote on December 5 , 1979 , for the period that Mrs . Schoffner was away from the office , Mrs . Alario accomplished Mrs . Schoffner ' s work , particularly things which had to be done on • clay to day basis . Therefore , he said it was appropriate to make • judgment as to an adjustment for the period when Mrs . Schoffner was . out . He recommended that Mrs . Sally Alario be paid one - half the . difference between her salary and Mrs . Schoffner ' s salary for the eight weeks that Mrs . Schoffner was out . He said that figured out to a salary of $ 11 , 450 ( pro - rated for eight weeks ) . RESOLUTION NO . 265 , 1979 Motion by Supervisor Desch ; seconded by Councilwoman Raffensperger , RESOLVED , that Mrs . Sally Alario shall be paid at the annual salary rate of $ 11 , 450 for the period of Mrs . Cynthia Schoffner ' s absence , ® being approximately eight weeks during November and December . ( Kugler , Del Rosso , Powers , Valentino , Raffensperger , and Desch voting Ave . Nays - none ) ® TOWN OF ITHACA WARRANTS AND BOLTON POINT WARRANTS Supervisor Desch said the Board had before it Bolton Point warrants and Town of Ithaca warrants to consider for approval . The Bolton Point warrants have not been audited by the Commission , but it is necessary to encumber these funds . The Town of Ithaca Board will , therefore , approve the Bolton Point warrants before the Southern Cayuga Lake Intermunicipal Water Commission does in this case , which is the reverse of the usual order . He recommended , therefore , that the. Board review these warrants carefully and raise ques - tions if necessary . He said they are basically routine bills . 1�\ Town Board Minutes - 6 - December 31 , 1979 WATER RATE INCREASE Supervisor Desch reminded the Board that in the 1980 budget process a water rate increase of 12 % was adopted . Part of that in - crease was based on the fact that a short - fall of $ 60 , 000 of revenue was expected for the current year . The Supervisor said he was happy to report that that forecase was slightly pessimistic . Councilman Del Rosso asked if the Bolton Point account controls are now in place so that there will be no problems in the future . Supervisor Desch said the controls have now been supplemented by a purchase order system . The spending limit set a year ago has been retained and that has helped tremendously to avoid any surprises . In the last two years there have been no surprises . The account controls , coupled with the purchase order • system , and the constant monitoring of Mrs . Allen , provide a good guarantee . CLERK SUPPORT- FOR TOWN JUSTICES Supervisor Desch said that the Town Board in the past has adopted a resolution authorizing each Town Justice to have a court clerk support to the extent of 30 hours a month . He said that the activity of both Justices since that time has increased tremendously and has resulted in phenomenal increases in revenue from fines . For 1980 at least $ 20 , 000 is forecast and this is far greater than the Justices ' salaries and clerk expenses . It is expected that the level of activity will continue at the same levels . Therefore , it is now turning out that 30 hours a month clerk support is not adequate to get all the paper work done . Supervisor Desch recommended that each Town Justice be authorized to continue the clerk support , but at a level of 45 hours per month rather than 30 hours per month at the same pay scale . This recommendation led to considerable discussion . There was some concern on the Board that setting a maximum of 45 hours might result in the use of the maximum set . Supervisor Desch pointed out that even in the past more than 30 hours has been used and that it is mainly a formality to recognize that additional clerk support is required . He said the Board will not supply less support than is needed . The revenue generated will be far greater than the in - creased expense . Mr . Aron suggested 40 hours but not to exceed 45 hours per month . Supervisor Desch agreed there should be a limit ; that there are some months when it will continue at 30 hours . The Supervisor felt that 45 hours as a maximum would provide sufficient scope for fluctuations , but at the same time would not necessarily have to be used . Councilman Powers suggested that a lower number of hours might be considered but make it an average . It might be set , he said , at 35 or 40 hours on the average over , say , a four or six month period . Further discussion settled upon an average of 35 hours per month over a year ' s time . Supervisor Desch agreed this was workable , but that the number of hours should be reviewed quarterly . RESOLUTION NO . 266 , 1979 Motion by Supervisor Desch ; seconded by Councilman Powers , RESOLVED , that this Town Board hereby authorizes an average of 35 hours per month of Town Justices ' clerk support , the number of hours to be reviewed quarterly by the Board and adjustments made as necessary to insure adequate clerk support for the Town Justices . ( Kugler , Del Rosso , Raffensperger , Valentino , Powers , and Desch voting Aye . Nays - none ) ll2 Town Board Minutes - 7 - December 31 , 1979 APPOINTMENT TO ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COUNCIL Supervisor Desch referred to a letter from Dooley Kieffer , Chairman of the Tompkins County Environmental Management Council . In her letter she indicated that the term of the Town of Ithaca appointment to the Environmental Management Council expires on January 1 , 1980 . The Town of Ithaca representative , Dr . Richard B . Fischer , who was . on Sabbatic leave from Cornell University , was temporarily replaced by Mr . Robert Schwarting . Dr . Fischer has now returned to Ithaca and is willing to continue to be a member of the EMC . Supervisor Desch noted that Dr . Fischer has represented the ® Town very well and that his attendance at the EMC meetings has been flawless . ® RESOLUTION NO . 267 , 1979 Motion by Supervisor Desch ; seconded by Councilwoman Raffensperger , RESOLVED , that Dr . Richard B . Fischer is hereby re - appointed as Town of Ithaca representative on the Tompkins County - Environmental Management Council for the year 1980 , and the completion of the term . ( Kugler , Powers , Del Rosso , Valentino , Raffensperger , and Desch voting Aye . Nays - none ) Mr . Gust L . Freeman noted that there are vacancies on the Tompkins County Health Board . He said the Board of Representatives would welcome suggestions as to appointments to fill these vacancies . EAST HILL PLAZA TRAFFIC PROBLEM Councilman Powers noted that he and Councilwoman Raffensperger had been charged with discussing with Mr . Knowlton the continuing traffic hazards on Judd Falls Road and the Pine Tree Road , and the access to the self - service gas station . This led to aolong review by Mr . Powers of the hazardous conditions in this area . He said Mr . � Knowlton is willing to co - operate in any reasonable way . However , his lease with Texaco is predicated on the access road being where it is ( and it is where the Town Board told him to put it ) . Mr . Knowlton has recommended that a barricade , barrier or island be placed at Pine Tree Road which would force traffic into two north bound lanes as it approaches the intersection of Judd Falls Road . This would have the effect of keeping- traffic from going too far out in Pine Tree Road . Council - man Powers said that he and Councilwoman Raffensperger are not en - thused about an island or barricade , but pavement markings might be ® useful . Councilman Powers said he has discussed the matter with Mr . Fabbroni , the Town Engineer , and Mr . Knowlton has discussed it with Mr . William Mobbs , Tompkins County Highway Superintendent . Mr . Mobbs ® sent a man out to investigate the matter and to make a recommendation . to the County and then the County will make a recommendation . Mr . Knowlton also recommended that something needs to be done about the 5 ft . ditch which can be seen on the right as one approaches Ellis Hollow Road . Supervisor Desch noted that that whole drainage system must be re -worked . Councilman Powers recommended that the Town Engineer follow up on this matter insofar as the Town is concerned . Mr . Knowlton has promised to follow up on the County investigation . Supervisor Desch said there is no action to be taken at this time by the Board , except for the Town Engineer to continue to follow up on the matter and also await the County investigation and recommendation . If a Town Board resolution is required , it will be done later . Supervisor Desch said he would like the drainage- aspect to be worked out at the same time . Town Board Minutes - 8 - December 31 , 1979 Councilwoman Raffensperger said that when Mr . Fabbroni looks into this matter he should determine whether the lease with Texaco actually does require that the access to the gas station remain as located now . She wondered about the " one - way system " originally con - sidered . She felt both these questions should be considered . Councilman Powers said Councilwoman Raffensperger had pointed out another problem . People at the busy hours are tempted to take a short cut through the parking lot rather than wait for traffic at the intersection of Ellis Hollow Road and Judd Falls Road . Councilwoman Valentino urged action as soon as possible • because of the extreme danger . Councilman Powers noted that it appears that so far there have been only " fender benders " because it is such a confusing intersection the public approaches it very • cautiously , not certain when or how fast to proceed . Councilwoman Valentino was much concerned that sooner or later there will be more serious accidents than " fender benders " . There was some discussion of signing the area . Supervisor Desch noted , however , this would require a structure to hang . them on . Councilwoman Raffensperger suggested the possibility of posting the service station area as ." Service Station Traffic Only . " It might cut down on the volume of traffic there . Mr . Aron said he would like to see a more permanent solution . For instance , take Pine Tree Road and re - route it further east , per - haps a quarter of a mile . He said 1980 should be a year when the Town should do something about this situation rather than just talk about it . Supervisor Desch said he felt the Board is moving in that direction . CHANGE ORDER NO . 1 SANITARY SEWER EXTENSIONS Supervisor Desch referred to a change order involving a credit resulting from the substitution of structural iron pipe in lieu of cement asbestos pipe in the amount of $ 1 , 155 as a decrease in the contract . o RESOLUTION NO . 268 , 1979 Motion by Supervisor Desch ; seconded by Councilman Powers , RESOLVED , that this Town Board hereby accepts Change Order No . 1 on the Sanitary Sewer Extensions Contract with Stan Payne Construc - tion Co . , Inc . resulting in a net decrease in the contract in the amount of $ 1 , 155 . 00 , as a result of the substitution of structural iron pipe for cement asbestos pipe . ( Kugler , Del Rosso , Raffensperger , Valentino , Powers , and Desch • voting Aye . Nays - none ) BIKEWAYS ORDINANCE Supervisor Desch reminded the Board that the hearing on the bikeways ordinance held on December 10 was adjourned , in order to have an opportunity to consider what coverage to include in the ordinance . He said there have been cases on the East Ithaca Bikeway where motorcycles have become a problem . It is necessary to decide on the final wording of the ordinance at the January 7 meeting . The Supervisor said he felt the draft should permit , -\ in ; additiori to - bicycles o ' ., cross - country skiing , but no motorized vehicles , whether snowmobiles , mopeds , or whatever . Councilwoman Raffensperger pointed out that barriers would have to be put up to keep veh icles "- off -.the - . bikeway . ll � Town Board Minutes - 9 - December 31 , 1979 BOLTON POINT WARRANTS RESOLUTION NO . 269 , 1979 Motion by Supervisor Desch ; seconded by Councilman Del Rosso , RESOLVED , that the Bolton Point warrants dated December 31 , 1979 , in the Operating Account , in the amount of $ 18 , 842 . 44 , are hereby approved . ® ( Kugler , Del Rosso , Powers , Valentino , Raffensperger , and Desch voting Aye . Nays - none ) TOWN OF ITHACA WARRANTS RESOLUTION NO . 270 , 1979 Motion by Councilman Del Rosso ; seconded by Councilman Powers , RESOLVED , that Town of Ithaca warrants dated December 31 , 1979 , in the following amounts are hereby approved : General Fund , Town Wide 00000 $ 42 , 623 . 75 General Fund , Outside Village 25 , 142 . 72 Highway Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 , 285 . 63 Water and Sewer Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 , 570 . 53 Capital Projects - Sewer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 431500 . 00 Fire Protection 83 , 200 . 50 Parks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 , 4 2 2 . 9 0 ( Kugler , Powers , Raffensperger , Valentino , Del Rosso , and Desch voting Aye . Nays - none ) CITY OF ITHACA PUBLIC HEARING ON WASTE WATER FACILITIES PLAN Supervisor Desch reported that he had received an official notice from the City of Ithaca that on February 5 , 1980 at 7 : 30 p . m . there will be a public hearing on the waste water facilities plan . This is now the formal public hearing to consider the $ 28 , 000 , 000 plan . Following the public hearing a decision will be made as to which treatment alternative will be recommended for approval to the Environmental Protection Agency , and that treatment alternative will include the details on the outfall into the lake . It will include all the details of the site plan of the new treatment system - - primary , secondary , and tertiary treatment facilities . The Super - visor encouraged anyone who is interested in the methodology or in the technical aspects ( not involving the managerial aspects which will be done later after the treatment alternatives ) to participate in this public hearing . The public hearing record will be open until February 19th to allow other submittal by the public . This project will be moving rapidly in the coming year . Those who will serve on the Planning Committee of that project will be very busy . The basic question is whether the Town of Ithaca will be owners of the system with the City of Ithaca or whether the Town should contract with the City , and , if so , on what basis . It will be extremely time consuming , hard - nosed negotiating , the Supervisor said . Councilwoman Raffensperger , Frank Liguori , and the Supervisor are on the Committee . Mr . Aron said he would like to know more about the matter before the public hearing . He said there are others , too , who would like to know what is in it . Mr . Aron recommended that all Town Plan - ning Board members be informed as to what is involved so that when they attend the meeting they will be sufficiently informed to make sound judgments . Supervisor Desch said this would not be possible . He said the . documents are two inches thick and that Mr . Aron and mem- bers - of the Town Planning Board are welcome to go through that data - - population , treatment alternatives , etc . It is all extremely tech - nical , he said . One needs an overview which can be provided . There II Town Board Minutes - 10 - December 31 , 1979 is also a shorter summary , but it is extremely difficult to come up with a " 25 -word overview " . It is an amazingly complex issue , the Supervisor said . Mr . Aron asked why the City of Ithaca has called a 'Public hearing when the public is not informed . Supervisor Desch said they have no reason to be uninformed . There is a public hearing scheduled a month from now and there is an opportunity to become educated . The best way is not to talk on the technical matters , but to talk to Stearns & Wheler . They are available to respond to questions from the public . The Supervisor said he would not defend the engineers ' judgment as to one alternative or another . Mr . Aron . said he puts himself in the public ' s position . He said he did not know the technical aspects , or how much it costs , or the feasibility . He said those are things the public would like to know . Supervisor Desch said those matters have been pretty thoroughly covered in newsletters . The press has given it good coverage . He said if Mr . Aron wanted to look at detailed charts in the report , he could see the breakdown of the various phases of the project , site work , and construction . For example , the four routes for the outfall , including - the Bird Sanctuary , Stewart Park , and the other locations . He said that is the kind of thing the pub - lic would be interested in . Councilwoman Raffensperger said she would be glad to fill Mr . Aron in on these matters and also the Town Planning Board . Mr . Aron said they would appreciate that and it was agreed this could be done at a meeting on January 23 . Super - visor Desch suggested it would be a good idea to show also briefly how the population figures were arrived at , that is , whether the new plant is adequate , over - designed , or under - designed , etc . Councilman Del Rosso asked how much is allocated to the present anticipated use. by the Town of Ithaca . Supervisor Desch said the capacity is unallocated. What has been done from a planning standpoint is that in the last ten years approximately 65 % of the service area is sewered and it is projected that that will increase in relation to the population another 5 - 10 % . The population projections reflect very small increases recognizing the fact that the economy is such that great influxes will not be seen . Councilman Del Rosso said it is a question of whether the Town wants to participate as owners or go on a contract basis . He said his experience with the City of Ithaca would make him opt for a seat on the Board because if the Town will pay its share it should have a voice in the decisions that are made . Supervisor Desch said it took approximately one yearito. convince the City of Ithaca that the planning process should in - volve equal representation from the City and outside the City . That sets the policy making pattern for the future . If it is done • on a contract basis , there is no use having a policy Board which has representation from outside participation . The leverage of that participation compared to part ownership basis is entirely different . Through a lot of agonizing , the Supervisor said , he and others neogtiating with the City have taken the position that from the treatment standpoint the Town of Ithaca customer will not be charged any for treatment of domestic sewage treated at the treatment plant than the City customer because there is no difference in the treatment cost , and , theoretically , it has no relevancy . The Town of Ithaca will insist that its contribution in terms of quality and quantity of flow at the City line is metered . There are not so many interconnections as to preclude doing this . The City system , being older , has a lot of infiltration . The City may or may not wish to spend the money . If they choose not to , the Town of Ithaca will not contribute to the treatment cost for that infiltration . Monitoring keeps our house in order . Our efficiency in terms of _flow is good . l � 6 Town Board Minutes - 11 - December 31 , 1979 The City should not have to pay for inefficiency in the Town ' s system . That ,pins it down very clearly and eliminates the problem of identifying what share of the cost from an operating standpoint the Town has and the City has . The debt recovery is a wholly dif - ferent situation - - the method of paying for shared capacity . That will be another difficult problem , the Supervisor said . SUPERVISOR ' S REPORT Supervisor Desch said , " As you know , this meeting is a milestone for a number of us . It marks the end of the first term of office for me . It marks the last meeting for Bob Powers , Andy ® McElwee , and Ed Bergen ( as Town Clerk ) , and Gertrude Bergen as Deputy Town Clerk . " I think that , speaking for myself ( I don ' t know whether the Board members concur or not ) , in the last two years we have accomplished virtually everything we set out to do , with the follow- ing exceptions : We had hoped to resolve the matter of the Pennsyl - vania Avenue non - access . I think we achieved the more difficult part of that project , achieving a consensus on the part of the property owner.s that they do wish to have Town support to have decent access to their property , rather than a " compacted " road sort of arrangement . " We did not quite finish the revision of the Zoning Ordi - nance , although progress has been exceptionally good . The rest of that process should be much easier than the work that has gone into it already . " Regarding Coy Glen , you can argue several ways . We accomplished . what we set out to do , although there was considerable agony involved on some people ' s part , apart from my own . I think we now have the commitment we need . There will be no excuses for damage to the Glen . " I went back through the minutes of the last four years to see if there were resolutions not needed in terms of taking up the time and deliberation of this Board . The only one that may have been unnecessary was the matter of the approving of the con - tract on Coy Glen . I think the authority was there for me to . execute the contract . On the other hand , recognizing the delicate and controversial nature , I was not going to put this Board in the position of not coming up for a total hearing process . I think that is the crux of how this Board should operate . It may take more time . I think we are measured on our service in evaluating needs expressed to use ® " We have put together a few statistics . 1977 , which was the last year of Walt Schwan ' s administration , we had 28 meetings , ® in 1978 , 26 meetings ; in 1979 , 22 meetings . I think we recognize first of all that being a Town Board member is a major commitment of one ' s . time . We constantly look for ways to accomplish what we need to accomplish in the least amount of time . If you look at the number of resolutions passed in the last year , we have spent about 17 to 18 minutes per resolution . That includes public hearings , and adjourned meetings like the Coy Glen matter . The junk law took a lot of time , as did the, Forest Home encroachment matter . That ' s not too bad . " As far as committee assignments , in the future , looking ahead , I am planning that each Town Board member should have what I consider one primary committee assignment and one secondary - - items such as serving on the Water Commission , the Tompkins County Town Board Minutes - 12 - December 3. 1 , 1979 Economic Advisory Council , the Sewer System Planning Committee , and whatever few Town committees we have . I don ' t think there will be any changes in that . There is also the Zoning Ordinance to finish . And parks . There is also the Traffic Committee . I am not sure we need this Committee , even for Pine Tree Road and Ellis Hollow Road . It should not take a committee to get the mechanics of that worked out . " I sent to each of you a list of what I consider the objectives for 1980 . Those Town Board members who will be serving after January lst should be prepared to formally adopt such a list of objectives at our meeting on January 7th . It is not appropriate to do that until the new Board comes into being . I would certainly entertain comments from anyone at this point as far as input is con - cerned . " You may remember that at the last meeting I sought your concurrence that Agriculture District # 8 is not properly constituted as far as the Town of Ithaca is concerned . The 40 - acre Hilker par - cel , in particular . I have convinced the County Board of Representa - tives that they should delay their action so that it would not be necessary for us to write to the Commissioner of Environmental Con - servation . Through Barbara Restaino ' s efforts we arranged an in - formation meeting of the property owners who might like to make their wishes known . Nobody showed up . Mr . Hilker is circulating petitions to those we informed about the meeting to see if they wish to have further information or wish to sign up for agriculture dis - trict participation . The deadline we agreed to so that the whole process is not unduly delayed is February lst . " Basically , in terms of participation of Board members in the year ahead to do the work we have to do , I think the Town Board should , including myself , expect the maximum participation , which means that committee meetings and Town Board meetings should be well attended . We have not had any problems with quorums in the past . 100 % attendance is a worth goal to accomplish what must be done . In terms of spreading the work load , a part time Supervisor will not be the person who constitutes , by himself , all the com- mittee work which must go on . It is no longer possible . The other areas which will take a tremendous amount of time are negotiat - ing with the City of Ithaca on fire contracts , youth service con - tracts , etc . " When you all receive your tax bill in the mail , you will be pleasantly surprised. . It is not only due to our keeping a lid on costs here , but also in terms of the work done to make sure that the sales tax revenues are properly documented as to whether they belong to the towns or the City. That is a continuing effort which I am involved with . I expect it will continue that way over the next two years . • " Mr . McCord ' s resignation will be received shortly after January 1st . I expect the appointment - of his replacement will take place at the meeting on January 7th , which may be adjourned . I • would expect a decision to be made no later than our meeting in February , probably earlier . It will probably mean that some Com- mittee • assignments will be held back until February . " Councilman Del Rosso asked on what basis the recommendation for a replacement for Mr . McCord would be made . Supervisor Desch said the Republican Committee would be interviewing applicants on January 8th or 9th , depending on how many there are . A recommenda - tion has already been received from the Democratic Party . Council - man Del Rosso asked if the interviews were open to the Board members . Supervisor Desch said they are . Councilwoman Valentino asked if Q Town Board Minutes - 13 - December 31 , 1979 the names of the people asking to be considered for an appointment would be made public . Supervisor Desch said he expected so , just prior to the January 8th meeting . He said there was no reason the names could not be made available now . It would be complete except for last minute applicants . Councilwoman Valentino said it only seemed fair to the public to have the names available to them as well as her own . She said the public should have some information about the other people who are interested . ADJOURNMENT ® RESOLUTION NO . 271 , 1979 Motion by Councilman Del Rosso ; seconded by Councilman Kugler , RESOLVED , there being no further business to come before the Board , this meeting is hereby adjourned . ( Powers , Raffensperger , Valentino , Kugler , Del Rosso , and Desch voting Aye . Nays - none ) The meeting was duly adjourned at 12 : 30 p . m . 5 A 131f Edw-414 L . Bergen Town Clerk