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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-08-10 - TB r):9 TOWN OF ULYSSES REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING AUGUST 1OT", 1999 PRESENT: Supervisor Doug Austic, Councilpeople Carolyn Duddleston, Sue Poelvoorde and Robert Weatherby. Councilman Andrew Hillman absent. Code Enforcement Officer Alex Rachun, Highway Superintendent James Meeker, and Town Clerk Marsha Georgia . Others present: Tompkins County Representative Peter Penniman , Free Press Reporter Grace Wolf, Ithaca Journal Reporter Lauren Bishop, Catherine Stover and Tom Reitz . Supervisor Austic opened the meeting at 7 : 30 PM and led those assembled in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America . APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mrs. Duddleston moved and seconded by Ms . Poelvoorde to approve the minutes of the Regular Town Board Meeting of July 13th, 1999, after submitting a few corrections to the Clerk. Unanimously approved . APPROVAL OF CLAIMS Mr. Austic entertained a motion to approve claim numbers 274 through 308 in the amount of $ 16987 . 59 that have been previously examined by the Board . Mrs . Duddleston moved and seconded by Mr. Weatherby to approve the claims . Unanimously approved . REPORTS OF REPRESENTATIVES Tompkins County Representative Peter Penniman reported that he did not have much to report this month . The County is getting into the heavy budget season coming up . One of the issues being faced is that the County Library will be moving next year so they are submitting their request for that, which includes new staff. Other interesting budget requests are coming in next month . Mr. Penniman stated that he is interested in hearing more about the Grass Roots Festival . He hasn 't heard the whole story on how things turned out. He thinks it went pretty smoothly . Mr. Austic stated that he did not have any calls this year. He heard from residents that it was quieter this year. The Fire Chief had called Alex Rachun, Fire Inspector to check out an on going Ring of Fire and that proved to be safe . Mrs. Duddleston stated that she got one call and in turn the person called the local police department and after that he said the noise was better. There were many cars towed that were parked illegally, over one hundred . Overall everything went well was the opinion of the Board . Representative Penniman stated that putting the information of assessment on the Internet has been put on hold for now . Next summer they may come back to the towns with a proposal of what could go on the Internet. They are not giving the City authorization to use the data but they may get it by going through freedom of information � A i JJ " t , Town of Ulysses 2J Regular Town Board Meeting 081099 TRUMANSBURG FIRE DEPARTMENT No one in attendance from the department. JACKSONVILLE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION President Thomas Reitz is here to make the Board aware of the "Well Awareness" seminar that the Association is planning . In October 1997 the Water Committee was formed and last February they got interested in private wells and thinking also about the Town efforts of bringing in municipal water to Jacksonville . Mr. Reitz stated that they want to head up an educational program for "What Does Your Well Mean to You ", "What Does it Do", "What is Your Capacity" and also they want to provide an opportunity to test wells . He handed out a highlight of what they plan on doing . They have scheduled activities for September. All are open to any resident of the Town of Ulysses . They plan on getting help from Community Links and Cornell Cooperative Extension . If any residents have suggestions or would like to be a volunteer they may contact Richard Coogan or any other officer of the Association . • September 14th, 1999 " Living With a Well " • September 16th, 1999 "Well Testing " • September 25th, 1999 "Well and Water Fair" Supervisor Austic asked Mr. Reitz what had happened with the grant application for revitalization and if the Association had gotten it in on time . Did they get the plan done? Mr. Reitz stated that they understood from the people who are working with it (Jacksonville Assoc . , Cooperative Ext. and County Planning) was that they wanted intent. That is as far as the Association has gone with it. Mr. Austic replied that the dead line was July 3e , 1999 so chances are they would be out for this year. A " Plan " has to be established before you can be considered for the grant. The Town of Ulysses Elm Street property qualified because the Village of Trumansburg has a plan . Mr. Reitz said that they gave the information to one of the members, "a wish list", and hopefully he gave it to the County . Mr. Austic stated that the deal was that a representative from Tompkins County Planning would come to Jacksonville and help them put together a " Plan " when they had this wish list done . He stated that he had talked to Mr. Reitz and several others and the list was not complete so they never came . Mr. Reitz stated that he did not know and no one had contacted him about it. Mr. Austic said to Mr . Reitz to get ready for next year . He stated that the Association might better give up on some of this water stuff and work on a plan that could make some improvements to Jacksonville . Mr. Austic said that the Jacksonville Community Association is not a municipality and cannot go for water but to give pp an opp9gH !Jy to ciEt several nipow 09Uf qrs t9 revitalize the Jacksonville Comniyr*. : ;t INgyJ� . �eem like it rvpt( , is .:a_ at .more- sense to orb spend the time working a 'pia& = Considering the Town is involved in the water supply •sitgatlpn and is working for this full force . He feels that the "well awareness" is a good project but that they don't have their priorities in-order. Mr. Austic stated that the Town had set this all up and told Mr. Reitz several Town of Ulysses 3 a 33 Regular Town Board Meeting 081099 times so that the Association could get together with the County Planning and they would design a plan fqr Jacksonville free of charge . That was for this year only as far as he knew . If you want money for §jdewalks or that kind of thing you should have spent time doing a plan . Mr. Reitz said that what ' portant to the Aopciation may be different than what's important to Mr. Au5c. Mr. Austic said the Association should not coge to the Town and ask for money for sidewalks if they are not interested in getting a plan . Mr. Reitz said he would get together with Mr. Austic . But he had one more thing he wanted to bring up to the Board about this well and that is the leak that occurred a year or so ago and the MTEB . Mr. Austic stated that the people from Mobil Oil , who were here for a meeting, said that they could not say that was a new leak. They said that there was a new flow . Mr. Reitz stated that his point is that the Federal Government and others, which it is more of a serious nature than the BTX that was discovered before have, now discovered the MTEB. There is a possible lawsuit going to come up from a group in Washington, DC . The Association has been advised to talk to them since the amount of MTEB's that entered the ground water flow from the newest leak maybe significant. Perhaps the home wells adjacent to the previous leak should be toted . A group in Ithaca called "Toxic Targeting " does these kinds of testing . Mr, W#therby asked who paid "Air pir Mr. Reitz said that he did n k maypg private homeowners . I'• fir. RRchun asked Tom when NUB was introduced as an additive into rolqJm products? l Mr. Reitz stated that it was re back in the 1980's when the Jacksonville oil spill was reported . The Federa tvernment is indicating that it was an addive to make it burn faster an tter. They are now having second thougrts about MTEB testing resul Mr. R4chun asked than what would, indicate that it is from a new flow as opposed to the previous one? He knows that the representative from the engineering firm that is working for ' dbil said that they feel strongly that it is a new product but if MTEB in fact has n in gasoline since 1982, how can they tell that this is something new and be;' nd . kl Mr. Reitz stated that he is not sure whether the concentration of MTEB's is different for gas stations or petroleum products . However the contaminants they found in the latest discover was major compared to past years . Mr. Austic stated that however the engineer did say that the stuff they discovered has been in gasoline since the 1980's . So, therefore, he could not say that this is new . It could have:been sitting there and just moved . Test results are on file . Mr. Reitz ended his report and handed out literature on "Toxic Targeting ". He also stated that there must have been a miscommunication about the Revitalization Grant. C)-b\--\ Town of Ulysses 4 Regular Town Board Meeting 081099 Mr. Austic stated that he can't understand how because he had attended two Jacksonville Association meetings and also talked to him four or five times about this . He asked Grace Wolf of the Association if she understood and she answered yes . Mr. Reitz said again that he understood from Richard Coogan, Associate Member, who reported back to them that the intent of the Association would be enough . He assumes that Mr. Coogan got this information from talking with Joan from County Planning and Susan Motherall of Community Links . So he _ guesses that it's the Association problem then . TOWN REPORTS Highway Superintendent James Meeker reported that they finished working on the one salt box and has one more that needs a lot of work this year. They will try and fix it up so it will last another year, hopefully . Roadsides are pretty much mowed , helped Enfield with stoning and oiling , helped Village, and dug out bad spots in preparation to patch and get ready for paving, of some of the Town roads. As far as the addition to the Town Barns he has not received the bids back yet. Code Enforcement Officer Alex Rachun reported that four building permits have been issued . He stated that he wanted to make the Board aware of the fact that the Town has a couple of very major chronic zoning violations and he's not sure what to do about them . One is the Marguerite Smith property on Dubois . An unfortunate situation developed there when a couple of relatives moved in and made difficult living at best and Marguerite has moved out. Mrs . Smith is in her mid eighties and is the owner of record . She is not in anyway cooperating with Alex trying to rectify the situation . She pays all the bills for the property . The property is becoming less than desirable in the neighborhood, a difficult place to be . They also have many dogs with the SPCA issuing many tickets . Alex stated that if he goes after anyone it will have to be Mrs . Smith and this will not be an easy thing for her. Alex stated another one is the Ledger property on Mekeel Road . He is like a tide going in and out. He has not received many complaints lately from residents, but expects to . He takes stuff out than brings stuffs back, pays his fines etc . etc. The third one, Mr. Rachun feels, he can do something about and is doing something about is Joe Allan on Brook Road, the "junk yard ', Perry City Auto Parts. It has gotten a little out of control . The road is becoming narrower because of junk parked on the side of the road . The thing about Joe is that he helps out when someone has a junk car on his or her property and he will come and take it away for free . Alex stated that he try's to stay on a good working relationship with him because he will respond . Mr. Austic and Mr. Meeker both feel that it is a serious situation . It is difficult to get through on Brook Road . Mr. Austic stated that Orson Sr. owns the Ledger property and Alex should contact him not the son and just like the Smith property jump on the owner . Mr. Rachun states the last thing he wants to talk to the Board about is the building permit for Frontier Cell Tower that will run out October 18th, 1999 . To Town of Ulysses 5 Regular Town Board Meeting ` 081099 date he has not found a contact person . He has tried several numbers with no luck. Mr. Austic asked if he had tried the central office? Mr. Rachun stated there was no central office . Mr. Austic said that there has to be a central office . Mr. Rachun stated if there is he does not know the number and maybe we should have the Town Attorney take care of notification . Mr. Austic and the Board directed Alex to pursue all the zoning regulations to the fullest, make them comply ! Town Clerk. Marsha Georgia reported that a total of $ 1 , 245 . 50 was collected for the month of July and $586 . 25 was turned over to the Supervisor along with the monthly report. She announced that the 1999-2000 Conservation Licenses would go on sale Monday August 16th, 1999 . BOARD MEMBERS AND COMMITTEES Councilwoman Duddleston reported that the Recreation Partnership budget has passed . Actually she said that they had passed two budgets, one with a zero percent increase and the other with a minus three- percent. The City wanted to see figures for both and they have heard through the grapevine that the City is going to approve the zero percent increase budget. Which would mean all the municipalities would stay at the same level of contribution as 1999 . One of the increases was an employee raise . Mrs. Duddleston asked the County Representative if he has heard anything as far as what the County may intend to do . County Representative Penniman stated that they have a resolution discussing a willingness to fund the same level and asking for a plan by June of 2000 . Mr. Austic asked Ms . Poelvoorde how the mass gathering talks were going . Ms. Poelvoorde stated that she and Andy were to get together for that, however in light of the Zoning Ordinance work on revisions they should wait to see what provisions the Zoning Ordinance applies . She and Carolyn need to get together for a policy to address Planning Board and/or Zoning Board members related to attendance . This will take place soon . Supervisor Austic reviewed the Supervisor's Financial Statement distributed previously to the Board . No questions were heard on the report. OLD BUSINESS Draft Copy of Water Study Discussion Mr. Austic asked if everyone had a chance to look at the draft copy of the Water Study from Barton & Loquidice? Everyone had . Mr. Austic stated that after the review he feels that they need to change the plan, because this study is way high and would never get approved . The alternatives in the study range from 4 . 198 million to 5 . 846 million . This would relate somewhere between $ 1 , 200 and $2,000 per user per year for 38 years . We need to work with the engineers to try and figure out where they are to go or how we're going to get there. Mr . Austic knows that everyone is saying that there is grant money out there . The engineers have looked at this and a possibility of partial funding is Town of Ulysses 6 Regular Town Board Meeting 081099 governed by medium income . The break out point for medium income is somewhere around $32,000 . The total Town medium income is at $37, 500 . Mr . Austic suggested to the engineers that they break Jacksonville from Route 89 and look at it as two groups and see if maybe they could get some funding to the one in Jacksonville . Even with the help of funding it could end up with the same cost because the number of users would be less . Mr. Austic said that there is an independent organization that will come here and do an income survey at no cost. It is possible that the Route 89 area could have a higher level of income than Jacksonville . Mr. Austic does not want to present this study at this time because it is too high . The State most likely would not allow this to take place . When the study is re-done he will have a public meeting to explain the study. At this time the water from Bolton Point is $2 . 05 per thousand . When Bolton Point redesigns the system the Town of Ulysses would have to pay Lansing, City of Ithaca and the Town of Ithaca a little bit to get the water here . Also if the water was to come into Jacksonville it CAN NOT go through the contaminated area . State Member Monies Mr. Austic announced that Randy Kuhl and Martin Luster awarded the Town of Ulysses together $27, 000 from " members" monies . Meeker-Town Barn Addition Previously discussed under Mr. Meeker's report. He has not received bids as of yet. NEW BUSINESS Resolution for Cayuga Nature Center Mr. Austic moved a resolution that endorses the application of the Cayuga Nature Center for a grant under the Recreation Trails Program for a trails project know as the Nature Trail for all Abilities Project. Mrs . Duddleston seconded the following : WHERAS, the Cayuga Nature Center is applying to the New York Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation for a grant under Recreation Trails Program for a trails project to be located at 1420 Taughannock Boulevard, Ithaca, NY, a site located within the territorial jurisdiction of this Board . WHERAS, as a requirement under the rules of these programs said not- for-profit corporation must obtain "endorsement of the governing body of the municipality in which the project will be located ", NOW THEREFORE, be it resolved by this august body that the Board of the Town of Ulysses hereby does endorse the application of the Cayuga Nature Center for a grant under the Recreational Trails Program for a trail project know as the Nature Trail for all Abilities Project, located within this community. Mr. Austic . Mrs . Duddleston ti$4 • Ms . Poelvoorde aye Mr. Weatherby aye Adopted . .. . 4.d. .. . .. 1 '1 Town of Ulysses 7 rot 37 Regular Town Board Meeting 081099 Municipal Officials Meeting Mr. Austic stated that there is a meeting scheduled for August, which he did not have the date for . Hearinat �� - _ ` 7or Individuals No one in CM wished to spealc. Adiourrrm - . Hearing n9litirtlier iness Mr. Weatherby moved seconded by Mrs . Duddleston . ygppi Unanimouty app t . Meeting adjourned at 9 : 15 PM . Respectfully submitted Marsha L. Georgia Ulysses Town Clerk MLG : mig