HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-05-12 - TB KJ
TOWN OF ULYSSES
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING
MAY 12, 1998
PRESENT: Supervisor Douglas Austic; Councilpeople Carolyn Duddleston and
Andrew Hillman; Councilman Robert Weatherby and Peter Penniman absent; Highway
Superintendent James Meeker; Town Clerk Marsha L . Georgia.
Others Present : TC Representative Peter Meskill, Wayne Titterington, Free Press
Reporter, and Ann Stover.
Supervisor Austic called the meeting to order at 7 : 30pm and lead those assembled in the
Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mrs . Duddleston moved seconded by Mr. Hillman to approve the minutes of the Regular
Town Board Meeting of April 14th, 1998 . Unanimously approved .
APPROVAL OF CLAIMS
Mr. Hillman moved seconded by Mrs. Duddleston to approve previously examined
vouchers # 161 - 195 in the amount $ 16,974 . 37
Mr. Austic aye
Mrs. Duddleston aye
Mr. Hillman aye
Adopted
REPRESENTATIVES REPORTS:
County Board Representative Peter Meskill reported that the County has finished with
the double bunking proposal. The 18 beds are installed . There are a large number of
female inmates at this time and they are able to house everyone. The last jail count was
82 . There is a committee to study the space for the entire building.
The Electric Power Committee is moving along in an effort to work together with
different municipalities to try and buy electric power at a reduced rate. When Mr.
Meskill has more specifics he will provide this information back to the Town. They are
contracting with a consultant at this time. They are trying to move forward to buy a large
block of power at reduced rate and let the Town ' s and Village ' s take advantage of that .
They are re-interviewing for the County Administrator.
Trumansburg Fire Department No one in attendance.
TOWN REPORTS
Highway Superintendent James Meeker reported they cleaned ditches when weather
was permitting, installed culvert pipes, cleaned and removed salt boxes from trucks, took
out some trees and cleaned the ditches on Cold Springs and Halseyville Roads.
The house project at the intersection of Halseyville Road and Cold Springs Road is
progressing. He has heard that she has gotten settlement . He has talked with the County
Highway and together they will demolish the old house. Mr. Meeker stated that the
County would have their attorney come up with an agreement that nothing else will go in
close to that intersection.
The truck and air compressor is on the way to the auction. He would like permission to
advertise a F226 Continental engine block for sale to the highest bidder.
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Mrs. Duddleston moved seconded by Mr. Hillman to authorize the Highway
Superintendent to advertise the engine and receive bids for purchase .
Mr. Austic aye
Mrs . Duddleston aye
Mr. Hillman aye
Adopted .
Mr. Meeker will provide the information to the Clerk for advertisement .
Code Enforcement Officer Alex Rachun was absent . Mr. Austic read his report that 12
permits were issued and 2 Zoning permits issued .
Town Clerk Marsha L. Georgia reported that a total of $ 1 , 183 . Was collected in fees
and of that $ 577 . 15 was turned over to the supervisor along with the monthly report.
Committees and or Board Members
Mr. Hillman stated that he attended the Trumansburg/Ulysses Youth Commission
meeting last week . The Girl Scouts reported a big meeting being scheduled for this
summer. They will be staying at Wells College but they will be doing things in Ulysses
where the local Girl Scouts will be participating .
A training cession for yard workers is coming up at the Village Grounds again. Mr.
Hillman will be training in tree pruning and how to mow lawns .
The Youth commission is getting together a "Outcomes Measurement System", a way to
get feed back from participants and programs .
Mrs. Duddleston reported that yesterday was the Local Assessment Grievance Day and
they had nine people . One for the Star Program, two that they lowered assessment
immediately and the rest will be reviewed . Several did have legitimate complaints about
their assessment . Next year, Mrs . Duddleston suggested that, a Village Trustee be invited
to sit because they no longer do this in the Village.
The Recreation Partnership would like the Town to start thinking about commitment or
continuing with the partnership before they start working on their budget . Lansing is the
only town that has said they would continue.
They are doing some things to raise money . A police softball tournament in August
where local police forces are sending out invitations all over New York state for a fund
raiser tournament . They would like to make it an annual event . The agencies asked the
partnership if they could use Cass Park fields at no charge and in return they will donate
half the money back to them .
Supervisor' s Financial Report
Mr. Austic reviewed his financial report . No questions .
Mrs. Georgia presented the facts and figures that the board requested her to look up on
how much money is in the budget under health insurance. At the previous meeting she
had request, on behalf of the employees, the Board to consider adding a Dental Plan to
the health coverage for the active employees (not retirees) at a cost of $ 14 . 51 per
employee. There would be budgeted monies to cover this added benefit .
Mr. Hillman moved seconded by Mrs . Duddleston the following:
RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Ulysses approves to provide
single coverage for the active employees for dental coverage .
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FURTHER RESOLVED that if the employees choose to include their spouse or
family it will be at their expense .
Mr. Austic aye
Mrs. Duddleston aye
Mr. Hillman aye
Adopted .
OLD BUSINESS
Date for Moratorium Public Hearing
Supervisor Austic introduced an amendment to the Zoning Ordinance as follows:
A Local Zoning Ordinance providing for a moratorium for the issuance of building
permits for business purposes for a period of 180 days in designated business zones.
Be it enacted by the Town Board of Ulysses as follows :
WHEREAS the Town is currently finishing its comprehensive plan for the Town
pursuant to Town Law S272-a; and
WHEREAS the Town upon completion will consider re-zoning the Town pursuant
to said comprehensive plan and Town Law S263; and
WHEREAS the Comprehensive Plan Committee is considering re-zoning certain
areas currently zoned as business districts under Article IV Section 3 of the Town
Zoning Ordinance to residential; and
WHEREAS it is in the interest of the Town in order to accomplish its planning goals
to avoid excessive business development in the areas designated to change from
business to residential use prior to full enactment of the comprehensive plan and re-
zoning so as not to defeat the purposes in re-zoning by having excessive development
solely to grandfather the usage prior to enactment of the new zoning ordinance; and
WHEREAS the Town expects to have its comprehensive plan a re-zoning in place in
6 months.
WHEREAS public notice by publication has been duly given of a public hearing
relative to a moratorium for this purpose and a public hearing held; and
WHEREAS the Tompkins County Planning Board having issued a timely review
pursuant to S239- 1 and m of the New York General Obligation Law and found no
significant deleterious impact, and stated the Town Board was free to so act;
NOW THEREFORE to further the interests in maintaining the status quo as to
actual development pending adoption of a new zoning ordinance the Town Board
hereby enacts a six- month moratorium effective pursuant to law, to bar the issuance
of building permits by the Town in the areas set forth below as to the business use of
properties set forth under Article IV Section 3;
The properties so effected are as follow :
INSET 5 (FROM Zoning Map)
Route 96 and intersection of Perry City Road—Beginning from the southwest
intersection of the Perry City Road and Route 96, moving south to and through the
intersection of the VanDorns Corners Road on south to the northern most lot line of
Lot # 34-3- 13, as shown on the Tax Map. From the southeastern intersection of the
Perry City Road and Route 96 south to the most southern lot line being 300 feet
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deep of Lot # 34-2-9. 2, as shown on the Tax Map. At the northwest intersection of
Route 96 and the Perry City Road the entire Lot No. 26-2- 14. 1 as shown on the Tax
Map. At the northeast intersection of the Perry City Road and VanDorns Corners
Road moving 300 feet along the east property line of No. 26-2- 14.2 thence westerly
450 feet, plus or minus to center of the branch of Willow Creek, thence
southwesterly 340 feet plus or minus, to the northeasterly line of the highway line of
Route 96.
INSET 6 (from Zoning Map)
Krums Corners Road from the intersection of the Krums Corners Road on the East
Side of Route 96 south to the intersection of the Wilkins Road and Route 96. From
the south side of the Wilkins Road, at intersection with Route 96, south for 600 feet
on the east side of Route 96 being 300 feet deep, on the west side of Route 96.
And it hereby prohibited for a period of 180 days from the date of enactment of this
local ordinance to have any town official accept for filing any application for a
building permit for a business district use within said areas designated and the
Town Board of Zoning Appeals and Town Planning Board shall not grant any
approvals, preliminary or final, for and site plan or subdivision relating thereto or
special approval or special permit, variance or other permission for same.
The Building Code and Zoning Enforcement Officer shall not issue any building or
other permit for any construction or use related to same that would result in a
business use in the areas designated .
The Town may enforce this moratorium by any lawful means under New York Law
including the Town Law and existing Town Zoning Ordinance.
The local ordinance shall take effect upon adoption and publication of a summary
here of as provided by law.
The Board' s unanimous opinion was to pursue the moratorium . Mr. Austic will check
with the Master Plan Committee and see what lead-time they may need to finish up the
comprehensive plan.
Mr. Weatherby stated that he would like any existing business in these two areas to be
able to have a building permit if they needed to do any renovations within this 180
process .
Having introduced the resolution into record Mr. Hillman moved seconded by Mrs .
Duddleston to set the date of June 2nd, 1998 at 7 : 00 PM for the Public Hearing on the
amendment to the Zoning Ordinance .
Mr. Austic aye
Mrs. Duddleston aye
Mr. Hillman aye
Adopted .
Cayuga Nature Center Lighting
Mr. Austic stated that Cayuga Nature Center had requested that a street light be installed
by their driveway. The Board had tabled this until more information could be obtained
from them. Well it seems that the light has been installed . The street light bill to the
Town for this month does not include it although. NYSEG never called the Town about
the installation. Mr. Hillman mentioned that NYSEG should have gotten the permission
from the Town to do this installation .
NEW BUSINESS
No new business introduced .
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HEARING OF INDIVIDUALS OR GROUPS
Mr. Wayne Titterington of the Town of Ulysses, Mekeel Road, would like to know why
the Town is challenging the unemployment insurance of Christine Springer.
Mr. Austic stated that it is because she is still employed here .
Mr. Titterington said that he understood that but that she is only part-time and that he
understands through some sources that she was the Town Justice and before that she was
court clerk for some years and there was a new computer system coming in. Is that
correct?
Mr. Austic replied that she could not hold the position of clerk and is justice at the same
time.
Mr. Titterington states that he understands that some town justices do some of their own
clerking.
Mr. Austic stated that she could do that. At election time she decided to run for the office
of Town Justice and therefor she could not be clerk . She chooses not to be clerk. So how
can you apply for unemployment when you choose not to do the job ?
Mr. Tittering-ton says that he is under the understanding that the computer skills were
necessary for her to do her job.
Mr. Austic stated that the court was not mandated to use a computer that she could do the
work by hand . She was given the training on the computer when the court office decided
to go that way.
CORRESPONDENCE
Mr. Austic reviewed the correspondence. He is receipt of a request from Ben Curtis ;
Representative to Cable asking if anyone has questions, want particular requests from the
Cable Company, or just want their concerns and/or complaints with the Cable Company
addressed . The next meeting will be June 18th, 1998 .
Mr. Curtis would like responses by June 8"' . Mr. Austic feels that the town building
should be hooked up to cable.
Mr. Meeker aired his concern about the buried cable along the roadside. He feels that it
is installed in the ditches to close to the surface . He will address this directly.
Correspondence received from Tompkins county Area Development that there is a
meeting on May 22nd, 1998, 11 : 30 AM till 1 PM. If anyone is interested in going please
make reservations .
Hearing no further business Mr. Hillman moved seconded by Mr. Penniman to adjourn.
Respectfully submitted,
Marsha L. Georgia
Ulysses Town Clerk