HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-05-13 - TB TOWN OF ULYSSES
REGULAR BOARD MEETING
MAY 13, 1997
PRESENT : Supervisor Douglas Austic, Peter Penniman, Catherine Stover, Carolyn
Duddleston, Robert Weatherby, Alex Rachun, Code Enforcement Officer; Marsha
Georgia, Town Clerk.
OTHERS : Tom Reitz, Peter Meskill, Mark Engels, Nancy Zahler, Judy Barringer,
Nancy Ramage, Peter Demjanec and daughter.
Meeting held at the Trumansburg Fair Department, due to construction at the Town
Hall.
Supervisor Austic called the meeting to order and led those assembled to the Pledge of
Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America.
PRESENTATION OF MURAL - Presented by Mark Engels. Mr. Engels stated that
Demjanec Assoc. has promised the Town Board that they would contribute a mural of
the Odyssey of Ulysses to the Town for the main hallway. The mural that is proposed is
one that is painted in Rome about two thousand years ago and buried and discovered
about 150 years ago. It was dug up, restored and installed in the Vatican. It consists of
eight or nine panels with shows some of the events that took place. It shows Ulysses and
his different adventures. It would go the length of the hall on both sides approximately
two thirds down, than a chair rail and below that a marbleizing painting effect would be
done. Mrs. Georgia had a list of residents that had come into the Town Hall and
looked at the sketch of the mural. They were all in favor of the project. No one that
had came into view the mural were negative. A couple of the residents in attendance
expressed their desire to have a mural predicting the town the way it ways years ago or
a history of how it came about. Several expressed how honored the town should be to
have a famous reproduction of these prints be in the Town Hall for you children and
students to come view. Another opinion was to have the Indians in a mural.
MINUTES
Mr. Weatherby moved, seconded by Mrs. Duddleston to approve the minutes of the
Regular Town Board Meeting of April 8th, 1997. Hearing no amendments a vote was
taken.
Mr. Austic aye
Mr. Penniman aye
Mr. Weatherby aye
Mrs. Duddleston aye
Mrs. Stover abstained
Adopted.
Mrs. Stover moved seconded by Mr. Penniman to approve the minutes of the Board
Meeting of April 29th, 1997. Hearing no changes or corrections the minutes were
unanimously approved.
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APPROVAL OF CLAIMS
Supervisor Austic presented the claims for payment. After review by the Board, Mrs.
Duddleston moved, seconded by Mrs. Stover the following ;
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Ulysses approve voucher # 124 -
#157 in the amount of 534,056.03.
Mr. Austic aye
Mr. Penniman aye
Mr. Weatherby aye
Mrs. Duddleston aye
Mrs. Stover aye
Adopted .
Supervisor Austic reviewed a voucher received after the abstract was completed from
Paul Briggs (the mason doing the stone work on the building) in the amount of $942 .70
for materials and supplies he has used to date. Hearing no objection ,
moved, seconded by Mrs. Duddleston for the payment of this voucher to make ahtotal of
$34,998.73.
Mr. Austic aye
Mr. Penniman aye
Mr. Weatherby aye
Mrs. Duddleston aye
Mrs. Stover aye
Adopted.
REPRESENTATIVES REPORT
Ben Curtis, Representative Cable Commission reported on the workings of the
commission on a model franchise agreement. They have submitted the model franchise
that they came up with to Time Warner Cable and they are going through this line by
line. They disagree with some entirely and other parts they can live with if modified .
Mr. Curtis stated that their goal in developing a model franchise is to try to secure the
best possible electronic infrastructure me could get in the county and have it distributed
in a way that would benefit the whole county. After Time Warner reviewed and gave
the copy back to us, we did a lot of thinking about it and currently going through it
again. We are being to iron out areas or at least find out the ares where there are real
disagreements. One option they are exploring is a right-of-way.
Another issue that has come up is Public Access and what goes on the air. They are
having meetings on this. There is a resolution being presented at the next meeting that •
will request the application of the section of the cable regulations to situations in
Tompkins County, to have it over seen by the County not just City of Ithaca .
Another area - each municipality will be exercising the franchise agreements with Time
Warner and one of the areas described in the appendix is a list of the buildings the
Towns would want wired for cable by Time Warner like Town Hall, Fire Hall etc.
Ben Curtis, Representative County Youth stated that he is sure the Board is a where
that there is a task force looking into the services that are being offered by the Ithaca
Youth Bureau in terms of which the county funds directly. Mr. Curtis has taken the
position of pushing for satellite service, where it seems to work out. Talked about some
programs. Ben also commented and praised our local youth group on how well their
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program works for the summer youth programs.
Supervisor Austic thanked Ben for the work on the cable franchise and asked him to
continue. Ben stated that if anyone had any questions or would like any information
please contact him.
Peter Meskill, County Board Representative reported that there is a task force working
on youth that will have a report in a couple of months to help us look at that better
before budget time. Reported on the overcrowded jail.
• REPORTS
Highway Superintendent, James Meeker absent
Code Enforcement Officer: Alex Rachun reported that seven permits have been issued,
two for new houses, one alteration, and four additions. They have had two ZBA hearing
for area variances, both on lake property and both granted. One ZBA bearing for a use
variance for a winery and apple cider brewery at the old ISA Babcock. That was
gran ed. Al had a mee ing wi It planning b and di cu an amendmen he Kline
Automotive PUD. The planning board has agreed to send a recommendation to the
town board that Mr. Kline would like to incorporate a cabinet making business on that
property as well as a boat repair business. In return his 21 acre PUD would be reduced
to 3 acres. The 3 acre PUD would included the apartment house that burned and the
businesses. Alex requested that a public hearing date be set. Doug stated that he has
talked with the attorney and he sees no problem. The planning board had just met last
evening so no minutes have been finished for the town board. Alex stated that he will
sent the attorney a copy of the minutes and the resolution from the planning board so
that he can come up with a resolution for the town board.
Town Clerk, Marsha Georgia reported that $1107. 50 was collected for the mouth of
April and of that $563. was turned over to the Supervisor along with the monthly
report. Taxes are coming in real slow. A check is being drawn tomorrow to be given to
the Supervisor for $600+ for interest.
Committees and Board Members
Recreation Partnership Board Mrs. Duddleston stated that there are a couple of
problems have come up -- if the State does not pass the budget there will be no money
for the scholarships. The Town of Ulysses bad $695 in scholarships last year. The
partnership is asking if any of the towns or city, county or any one out there and may
even go public, is willing to donated for these scholarships. She asked the board to
think about that - if they would be willing to come up with the $695. Mrs. Duddleston
handed out the program booklets and left extra for the clerk to hand out.
Mr. Penniman stated that he has a philosophical problem with bailing the State out in
• situations like this. Mrs. Duddleston stated that it 's not bailing the State out, but letting
kids take advantage of these programs. Some other ways are being tossed around.
Another item on the agenda -- there are around twenty kids in Ithaca that want to start
a teen center and Alice Green of the Recreation Board jumped in and they are using one
of their people half time to over see this teen center. A lot of objection because it 's
hitting kids in the City of Ithaca. They would like input from all of the Towns. Do you
want your money going towards a teen group that is situated in Ithaca?? She has asked
for list of the kids going and where they are from. What brought this to light is that
they came to the board asking for more money to sponsor a program. When told no
they stated that the recreation program is already paying S8 to $9 thousand a year for
half of a person. No one authorized that it was just done. They are not even sure what
goes on. The Recreation Partnership Board is looking into it. She asked for input from
the Town Board. She stated that her opinion was that she feels it is not recreation. The
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5-13-97
Board felt the same way.
Mrs. Stover asked about the previous request from the American Legion for funds.
Mrs. Duddleston stated that she had gotten in touch with the commander and that he
knew nothing about it. The Board felt they should come and ask maybe at budget time.
Supervisor's Financial Report
•Mr. Austic reviewed the financial report -- hearing no questions.
OLD BUSINESS
Re p a rt on Buildin = Pro a ess Court Room Ceilin ,
Mr. Austic reported that the building is coming along pretty good . A problem came up
when the ceiling fell in the court room - it was not installed properly back in the old
days. They are going to try and salvage what they can . The outside will be started soon.
The court room walls have been sheet rocked and finished. They will be painted later
this week. Doug feels they will be done with the inside in a couple of weeks.
Discussion / Comment Proposed Mural I Decision
Mr. Austic asked what the board wanted to do about the mural - let it go? An article
was run in the paper inviting the public to come in and view the proposed mural. Mrs.
Georgia stated that many came in and that there was no negative comments. Mr.
Weatherby stated that he was thinking the mural would be more on the line of
expanding on the way the town looked in the past. Mr. Penniman stated that it would
be really nice to have that some where in the town - the town hall, the library or the
historical society. But we do have this offer to do this mural and he thinks and trusts
their work. He feels that they will do a good job and that it would be an asset to have.
If it is all lined up to be done go for it. Nothing else is set up to be done or organized.
They talked about putting a time frame on the completion and having a reasonable
completion date. Mr. Austic stated that he does not have a problem with it but he does
not want to see it go on for ever. They would like it to go no longer than what the
outside takes.
Mr. Penniman moved, seconded by Mrs. Duddleston the following:
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Ulysses approve the proposal
presented by Demjanec Associates to do the mural of the Odessy of Ulysses, with
consideration given to the idea of also some where in the Town supporting a
historical scene.
FURTHER RESOLVED that it has to be completed by the time the outside of the •
building is done.
Mr. Austic aye
Mr. Penniman aye
Mrs. Duddleston aye
Mrs. Stover nay
J
Mr. Weatherby nay
Adopted.
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Regular Board Meeting
5-13-97
NEW BUSINESS
Grass Roots
A petition has been received stating " Our family has always enjoyed the variety of music
and dance brought to our community by the GRASSROOTS FESTIVAL " . We are
pleased that Trumansburg is, once again, hosting this event and we would like to thank
the Ulysses Town Board, the village of Trumansburg and the Fair Board Association for
• all their support in keeping GRASSROOTS in our community. " It was signed by forty-
five residents.
Mr. Austic stated that he doesn 't understand why the Town received this because we're
neither not supporting, nor our we not trying to have it here, we are just trying to
control it such as the parking. We did not start the meetings discussing this. Mr.
Weatherby stated that he has been discussing it with the Fair Board quite strongly and
they are going to try and address some of the concerns raised.
Mr. Austic stated that the Town has been asked by the Sheriffs Department and the
Sate Police to post some of our roads for no parking, tow away zones. These agencies
have discussed having no parking on several roads including restricting parking on both
sides of Rt. 96. Other County roads may be posted also.
Resolution To Establish Tow Away Zones
Mr. Austic introduced the resolution and stated that it would become a permanent
posting for Rabbit Run Road. In the past parking has been allowed on both sides and
this is becoming a hazard because emergency vehicles can not get through and or just
the traffic. The large question that is coming up is if all these roads are posted
"WHERE WILL THEY PARK " ? The Grassroots organizers are to come up with a
plan. Mr. Meskill stated that the community could all draw together and make a
positive situation out of the weekend.
Mrs. Duddleston moved, seconded by Mr. Weatherby the following ;
WHEREAS : It is becoming increasingly evident that large events held at the
Trumansburg Fairgrounds are overflowing the boundaries of the Fairgrounds
proper, for parking space,
WHEREAS : The Town of Ulysses is responsible to maintain its roads in allowing
access at all times to emergency vehicles,
BE IT RESOLVED : The Ulysses Town Board direct its Highway Superintendent
to establish " Tow Away Zones " on any or all of the town highways as he sees fit
to ensure the safe and even flow of traffic and emergency vehicles during such
• events held at the Fairgrounds. Signs shall be erected to designate these areas
and strict enforcement will be ensured by the Sheriffs Department and the New
York State Police.
Mr. Austic aye
Mrs. Stover aye
Mrs. Duddleston aye
Mr. Penniman aye
Mr. Weatherby aye
Adopted.
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Mr. Penniman stated that there is a meeting tomorrow with the GRASSROOTS Festival
staff and hopefully a lot of concerns will be addressed and they will have some answers.
Probation Department 1 Painting in Town Hall
Mr. Austic reminded the Board that he had talked with the Tompkins County Probation
Department about having a crew come in and paint the Town Hall. All that has to be
furnished is the materials. Monday they will come and prime the walls in the court
room and than come back Tuesday and paint them.
•
Alpha House Water
Mr. Austic asked Mr. Penniman what became of the workings of a new contract with
Alpha House and water. Mr. Penniman felt that Attorney Bruce Wilson is drafting a
new contract. Mr. Austic asked him to check on that.
Office Equipment for New Offices
Mr. Austic stated that we may need a little extra junk for the new offices. Grace Wolf
gave the town a desk. He build a counter top for his office and he may do that kind of
stuff instead of buy new stuff. We will need tables and chairs for the court room . He
feels the old can be used in the new conference room. The old have metal feet and
should not go back in where the new tile are. There is money to buy that kind of stuff.
So keep that in mind .
Other New Business
Mr. Weatherby asked when the next meeting will be. There is a Master Plan//Town
Board Meeting scheduled to be held at the Village Hall Thursday, 7: 00 pm , May 29th.
HEARING OF INDIVIDUALS OR GROUPS
Mr. Reitz stated that he has spoke with the project engineer on the re-paying on RT. 96
and he said that they will be coming in next week to do the sides of the road and them
they will start to pave a couple of weeks after Memorial Day from the Fairgrounds to
Perry City Road.
CORRESPONDENCE
None reviewed.
ADJOURNMENT
Hearing no further business Mr. Penniman moved, seconded by Mr. Weatherby for
adjournment. Hearing no objection the board unanimously approved to adjourn the
•
meeting. Meeting adjourned at 9: 35 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Marsha L. Georgia
Ulysses Town Clerk
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