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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-06-12 - TB l C2k, MINUTES TOWN OF ULYSSES REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING 6 / 12 / 2001 PRESENT: Supervisor Douglas Austic, Councilpeople Carolyn Duddleston, Andrew Hillman, Sue Poelvoorde, and Robert Weatherby, Highway Superintendent James Meeker, Code Enforcement Officer Alex Rachun, Deputy Town Clerk Karin Lanning, and Town Attorney Bruce Wilson ALSO PRESENT: David Allen, Ed Brown, Tom and Sue Sheridan, Fred Vanderzee, Daniel Peck, and Richard and Peg Coogan, Tompkins County Sheriff Peter Meskill, and Peter Penniman of the Tompkins County Board of Representatives . Supervisor Austic called the meeting to order at 7 : 30 PM and led the assembled in the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States Flag . APPROVAL OF MONTHLY MINUTES : REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING OF MAY 8T", 2001 . Noting minor corrections, Ms. Poelvoorde moved, seconded by Mrs. Duddleston to approve the minutes of the Regular Town Board meeting of May 8th 2001 as presented . Mr. Austic aye Mrs. Duddleston aye Mr. Hillman aye Ms. Poelvoorde aye Adopted . APPROVAL OF MONTHLY CLAIMS Mr. Hillman moved, seconded by Ms. Poelvoorde to approve monthly voucher numbers 208 through 250, totaling $38, 394. 15 . Mr. Austic aye Mrs. Duddleston aye Mr. Hillman aye Ms. Poelvoorde aye Adopted . REPORTS OF REPRESENTATIVES Fred Vanderzee, Village of Trumansburg Annexation Mr. Fred Vanderzee and Mr. Daniel Peck presented the project Mr. Vanderzee is proposing for annexation to the Village of Trumansburg as well as development. Mr. Vanderzee stated that the project consists of the construction of a Hotel and Catering Hall, with a seniors' manufactured home park. A walking park along a wetlands area running through the property would provide recreation for residents and guests. Mr. Vanderzee and Mr. Peck laid out a model of the site, noting that the project would include the protection of wetlands on Mr. Vanderzee's property. Mr. Vanderzee stated that his hope is to open the 111 Town of Ulysses Regular Board Meeting 6/12/2001 proposed facilities in two years, and that his intent would be to remove the manufactured homes that are currently on his property. Mr. Vanderzee stated that he would like to annex the property to the Village of Trumansburg in order to obtain municipal water and sewer. Mr. Vanderzee noted that the project would be good for the community, bringing tax revenues and employment of about 50 individuals into the Village. The acreage to be annexed totals 13.2 acres, and Mr. Vanderzee stated that the architecture and character of the buildings would be designed to fit well with the decor of the Village of Trumansburg . Mr. Peck noted that there is a buffer on one side of the property and that Mr. Vanderzee's intent is to plant an attractive hedge border on the other side. Supervisor Austic stated that the Trumansburg Fair Board has also requested annexation . Mr. Austic noted that the Town would not lose anything by having Mr .Vanderzee's property annexed to the Village of Trumansburg . David Allen. Village of Trumansburg Annexation. Mr. David Allen, representing Smith Woods and the Cemetery Board spoke, stating a request for annexation to the Village of Trumansburg for approximately 31 acres each . Mr. Allen stated that since the two properties are tax exempt, the Town would not lose anything in the annexation, although the two properties would gain the ability of the Village of Trumansburg Police Department to respond directly to situations in Smith Woods or at the cemetery. Mr. Allen reported that a letter has been sent to the Village of Trumansburg, but the representatives have not spoken to the Village Board as of yet. Mr. Weatherby noted that the annexation would allow for the extension of the reduced speed limit of 30 miles per hour. Supervisor Austic stated that the representatives of the Cemetery and Smith. Woods should wait to hear back from the Village. Su • .. m eridan T . • I . nn f_kt F • s nn Mr. Tom and Mrs. Sue Sheridan introduced the project they are proposing for their business, Taughannock Farms Inn . The proposed project is to construct a 10-room guest-house, on the southwest (rear) corner of their property, across the street from the Taughannock Farms Inn, near the home, where they currently live and let guest rooms. Mrs. Sheridan stated that in the five years the Sheridan's have owned Taughannock Farms Inn, the demand for rooms has increased immensely. The additional 10 rooms would increase business, and would mean significantly less potential customers will have to be turned away. Mr. Sheridan stated that the rooms would be let at costs comparable to the other rooms at the Inn, letting for between $ 100 and $130 per night. Mr. Sheridan discussed the implications of the project. Mr. Sheridan stated that the project would be beneficial to the neighborhood and to the Town overall in that it would increase tax revenues and would bring in more tourism, while not being very visible at all to the neighboring Taughannock Falls State Park. The guest house would be designed to be comparable to the architectural and decorative styles of the Taughannock Farms Inn main building and the residence, with the color scheme probably consisting of forest green with gold trim . 2 II I t f t 1 II I i y1 r { ' y sr a " ; y ; " yi r { 1 '15 Town of Ulysses ` Regular Board Meeting 6/ 12/2001 Mr. Rachun stated that the issue with the proposed project is the fact that Taughannock Farms Inn is a grandfathered commercial property, located within a residential area, with regulations against growth in place. However, Mr. Rachun noted, the property does fall within an area that is designated for Cl (tourism industry) Commercial use on the Comprehensive Plan . In order to allow the project, the Town Board will have to make a zoning change for the property. Supervisor Austic suggested, and the Board agreed, to send the information on the project prepared by Mr. and Mrs. Sheridan to the Town Planning Board with a request for recommendation regarding the change of zoning of the property within ten days. Mr. Austic then briefly outlined the process that the project will follow, if a zoning change is pursued . Tompkins County Board of Representatives ', Peter Penniman Mr. Penniman reported on a tour about watershed issues, called "Water in, Water Out", which is being held for elected officials, and on the final draft of the Bylaws of the Recreation Partnership Board . Mr. Penniman discussed the Town 's inability to pursue funding from the Appalachian Regional Commission (A. R. C. ) . Mr . Penniman reported that his understanding of the situation is that, when Tompkins County dropped out of membership in the Southern Tier Eastern Region Planning Board, the Board would still be able to act as administrator for Tompkins County or any of its municipalities that should seek funds from the A . R. C. Mr. Penniman stated that he will look into the matter, as he does not believe the inability of Tompkins County municipalities to pursue A . R. C. funds is in keeping with the contract between the Southern Tier Eastern Region Planning Board and Tompkins County, Supervisor Austic asked why Tompkins County dropped its membership with the Board . Mr. Penniman reported that the benefits were not balancing out the monies required for annual dues. Although Mr. Penniman did not have a specific figure for the annual dues, he stated that he believed they were between $3,000 and $5,000 per year. Mr. Penniman also reported on the Census report of growth in the Town of Ulysses and on the Tompkins County Redistricting project. The Census reported a 2% increase in enrollment at the Trumansburg Central School District, with total numbers rising from 1 ,429 students to 1 , 500 students in the past decade. Mr. Penniman stated that appeals concerning these results are due by mid-summer. If it appears that a number of households have been omitted from the results as compiled for the Census Report, an appeal would be justified . Although a 17 member Board of Representatives has received much support, Mr. Penniman reported that this option for reapportionment was not seen as significantly better than other possibilities by the Board of Representatives. The creation of a 17 district Board would cost the County a good deal in the purchase of additional voting machines that would be required to set up a number of districts that are made up of portions of more than one Township. Tompkins County Sherriff, Peter IMeskill 3 ,I Town of Ulysses 1 Regular Board Meeting 6/12/2001 Tompkins County Sheriff Peter Meskill reported on progr* ss in addressing the issues raised by the Ithaca Yacht Club about the NYS Route 89 Glenwood Bridge Project, and introduced the Sheriffs Department new K-9 . Mr. Meskill reported that he was told by the highway project head that the traffic lights, which control traffic through the construction zone, need to be repaired. He was told that the repairs are underway, and the Sheriffs Department will monitor the situation throughout the next couple of weeks. In addition to I patrolling, the traffic cart will be set up to get an accurate idea of the traffic situation. Mr. Meeker noted that, while everyone needs to keep in mind that the road designated for a pedestrian detour is a public highway, the law allows for the reduction of speed in a construction zone to 20 miles per hour below the normal speed limit. Mr. Meskill introduced the Sheriff's Department new K-9;, and urged the Town Board to report any specific problems and areas of concerns to the Department. Mr. Meeker noted the continuing problem of speeding along Perry City Road. Supervisor Austic asked about the uneven ticket caseload's that are received by the two Town justices. Mr. Meskill stated that the Sheriff's Department officers are urged to assign tickets evenly, but that matters of time and date convenience do weigh inn Mr. Meskill further stated that some Towns have the court clerk assign cases, to guarantee an even caseload . TOWN REPORTS , i Highway Superintendent Jim Meeker Mr. Meeker reported that the 1981 Mac was auctioned off for $2,200, a good price. Mr. Meeker reported on highway work for the month . The Highway Department installed driveway pipes on Garrett Road, Cold Springs Road and NYS Route 96; helped the Village of Trumansburg to haul hot mix for the Lake Street Bridge project, patched up Curry Road, and is currently working on mowing . The Highway Department also has helped Tompkins County with the project on Podunk Road . A Tompkins County mower is available to the Town one day each week to assist with the mowing . Mr. Meeker reported that there has been some difficulty in finding replacement axle parts for the rubber roller. This piece is at Caskey's Garage, with the hopes that they will be able to repair it. Mr. Meeker also reported repairs for the 1988 Mac Truck and sill work on the salt box. Mr. Meeker re-noted the situation surrounding the bridge construction project on NYS Route 89 in the Town of Ulysses. After brief discussion, Mr. Hillman moved, seconded by Ms. Poelvoorde the following resolution : WHEREAS, The Town has received complaints from the Ithaca Yacht Club about fast moving cars on Glenwood Road, and WHEREAS, the Yacht Club's summer youth program begins shortly, adding to their concern, and 4 Town of Ulysses 1 �, Regular Board Meeting 6/12/2001 WHEREAS, New York State Law Article 30, Section 1180f allows for the reduction of speed in a construction zone by no more than 20 miles per hour, and WHEREAS, Glenwood Road is located within the detour established by NYSDOT for the reconstruction of the Glenwood Creek Bridge on NYS Route 89, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Ulysses Town Board authorizes the highway superintendent to install temporary 35 mile per hour speed limit signs on Glenwood Road for the duration of the Route 89 bridge construction project. Mr. Austic aye Mrs. Duddleston aye Mr. Hillman aye Ms. Poelvoorde aye Mr. Weatherby aye Adopted . Mr. Meeker will arrange to temporarily obtain some 35-miles per hour speed zone signs from Tompkins County . Code Enforcement Officer Alex Rachun Mr. Rachun reported that he has issued 10 permits this month . Permits were issued for 1 single-family residence, 2 accessory buildings, and 7 additions. Total construction costs totaled $388, 200, and $ 1,442 was collected in fees. Mr. Rachun noted a full slate of business for the Planning Board, including a reconvened public hearing for the Franziska Racker Center, presentation of a proposed tower construction project from Sprint, and recommendations concerning changing the zoning for Mr. Fred Vanderzee's property and the Taughannock Farms Inn . Town Clerk Marsha Georgia Mrs. Georgia was not present, Deputy Town Clerk, Kahn Lanning presented the monthly report. Mrs. Lanning reported that fees collected totaled $ 1 , 163 . 70, $656. 95 of which was turned over to the Supervisor for the general fund, and $ 15 .00 more of which was turned over for the part-Town fund . Mrs. tanning reported that the taxes have been turned over to Tompkins County Budget and Finance Department. $ 1 , 589,669.44 was collected, and the 82 outstanding bills total $ 103,307. 71 . Mrs. Georgia wrote a final check to Tompkins County, totaling $25, 123 .89 . Mrs. Lanning also reported that Suzanne Etherington, of the NYS Local Government Records Management Improvement Fund has asked if the Town of Ulysses would like to host a workshop at some point in the next few months. The Town Board felt this would be acceptable . Board Members and Committees Mrs. Duddleston reported on a quiet assessment grievance day. Four individuals appeared to file a grievance. Three of these were matters where the levy for a split property had not been removed from the overall tax bill, and one was a grievance claiming that a property was assessed too high, which will be reviewed by Tompkins County. 5 Town of Ulysses Regular Board Meeting 6/12/2001 Supervisor No questions were heard about the Supervisor's Financial Report. Mr. Austic reported that Chris Kimball-Peterson, of the Trumansburg Area Chamber of Commerce contacted him with a request to he put on the agenda for next months meeting to discuss with the Town Board this perceived anti- commerce attitude that exists about the Town of Ulysses area. OLD BUSINESS Water District3 Supervisor Austic reported that he and Town Attorney Bruce Wilson met with Eric Pond of Barton & Loguidice, P.C. concerning the official map of Water District #3. Mr. Austic noted that the district has been extended up Perry City Road, after it was determined that to do so would, indeed be economical . The color- coded map has not been completed as of yet. Mr. Austic reported that Barton & Loguidice has drawn up a schedule, which indudes the expectation to put the project out for bid by October 15"', 2001 . Mr. Austic also noted that the Town needs to pass a resolution, declaring itself as the Lead Agency for the project in regards to S.E.Q. R.A. requirements. After brief discussion, Ms. Poelvoorde moved, seconded Icy Mr. Hillman, the following resolution : WHEREAS, the Town of Ulysses Town Board has determined that the Town of Ulysses Water District Number 3 should be formed, WHEREAS, at the direction of the Board, the Town's Engineers, Barton & Loguidice, P.C. , have been authorized to prepare a Draft Map, Plan and Report WHEREAS, said Report is intended to delineate proposed distribution system facilities, options, and estimated costs for construction; end WHEREAS, the Project is an "action" as defined by the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA); and WHEREAS, a Full Environmental Assessment Form (FEAF) must be completed and circulated to all Involved Agencies for establishing the Town Board as "Lead Agency" in accordance with 6NYCRR Part 617.6 for the purpose of conducting a SEQRA/SERP review of the Project; and WHEREAS, it is the intent of the Board to assume the role of " Lead Agency" for purposes of Project environmental review. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED AND DETERMINED, that Barton & Loguidice, P.C. , as Engineers to the Town, be authorized' to prepare Part I of the Full Environmental Assessment Form; and it is further RESOLVED AND DETERMINED, that the Supervisor be and is hereby authorized to sign the Full Environmental Assessment Form; and it is further 6 d I I i ' rt [4111 I ni jt4 ;. ! kL I ! f I ∎ ." 1 . ! w � &t � qJs .dtl. Town of Ulysses 1 Regular Board Meeting 6/12/2001 RESOLVED AND DETERMINED, that this Board will circulate said Full Environmental Assessment Form to the following "Involved Agencies" under cover of the attached "Notice of Intent to Establish Lead Agency" letter for purposes of establishing Lead Agency status under SEQRA/SERP : NYS Departments of Environmental Conservation, Health, Environmental Facilities Corporation, Transportation, Agriculture and Markets, and Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation ; Tompkins County Offices of Health, Planning and Agriculture and Farmland Protection Board ; Town of Ithaca and City of Ithaca, and it is further RESOLVED, that the Supervisor, together with the Town Board, and the Town's Engineers are hereby authorized to take all actions, serve all notices, and complete all documents in order to give full force and effect to this determination . Mr. Austic aye Mrs. Duddleston aye Mr. Hillman aye Ms. Poelvoorde aye Mr. Weatherby aye Adopted . Mr. Austic reported that a resolution is needed in order for him to be able to sign the preliminary notice of intent to form a water district, part of which will lie within an agricultural district, for the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets. Ms. Poelvoorde moved, seconded by Mrs. Duddleston the following : BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED, that the Town of Ulysses Town Board authorizes the Town Supervisor to sign a preliminary letter of intent notifying the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets of the Town's intent to form a water district, a portion of which will be located within an agriculture district. Mr. Austic aye Mrs. Duddleston aye Mr. Hillman aye Ms. Poelvoorde aye Mr. Weatherby aye Adopted . Mr. Austic also stated that a resolution authorizing Barton & Loguidice to proceed with Phase lA of a Cultural Resources Survey Worksheet is needed . Mr. Weatherby moved, seconded by Mrs. Duddleston the following : BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED, that the Town of Ulysses Town Board hereby authorizes Barton & Loguidice, P . C . to proceed with Phase IA of the Cultural Resources Survey. Mr. Austic aye Mrs. Duddleston aye Mr. Hillman aye Ms. Poelvoorde aye Mr. Weatherby aye Adopted . 7 To of Ulysses i ■CC) Regular Board Meeting 6/12/2001 Mr. Austic reported that the Town and City of Ithaca officials he needs to meet with are currently out of .town . He hopes to schedule a meeting to take place in the next couple of weeks, to review the project and identify issues pertaining to it. Mr. Austic also reported that he needs to contact the property owner at the corner of Iradell and Van Doms Corners Road, concerning the possible placement of the water tank at that location . Supervisor Austic discussed the process of final approval of Water District #3. The final decision can be made based on a Board initiative, subject to permissive referendum or a petition . Both possibilities have downsides: with a permissive referendum, if 5% or more of the residents who would be included in the district contact the Town in opposition to the proposal, the residents in the proposed district will have to vote on the matter; with a petition, it would be very difficult to gather complete information because of the summer :season . The general consensus of the Town Board was that a Board initiative subject to permissive referendum would be more feasible because of the season . Rabbit Run Water Reauest The Keil's request for municipal water on Rabbit Run Road is on hold until the Town of Ulysses and the Village of Trumansburg discuss the Vanderzee Annexation Request. NEW BUSINESS Es • * Iasi 2 IN . • • • nd i D • . o n i • hw .. S iperintendent positions . Mrs. Duddleston moved, seconded by Mr. Hillman the following resolution : BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED THAT, the Town of Ulysses Town Board hereby establishes two Machine Equipment Operator positions and one Deputy Town Highway Superintendent position, in the Town, and FURTHER, authorizes the Town Supervisor to notify the Tompkins County Personnel Department of this resolution . Mr. Austic aye Mrs. Duddleston aye Mr. Hillman aye Ms. Poelvoorde aye Mr. Weatherby aye Adopted . Lake Street Bridge The Lake Street Bridge Project has been completed . The Town of Ulysses will be paying approximately $25,000 for its share of the project. It was noted that the bridge has a nice sidewalk, which ends abruptly, and that the Town had agreed to share a grant with the Village of Trumansburg for the establishment of a sidewalk across the bridge and beyond . The consensus was 8 Town of Ulysses g•- 0 I Regular Board Meeting 6/ 12/2001 that Mr. Austic will contact the Village of Trumansburg concerning the continuation of the sidewalk. ARC Grant Status The status of the A. R. C. grant is, for now, unobtainable. Mr. Penniman discussed the situation that has come up concerning the grant in his report. 1 Other: Mr. Austic reported that the Village of Trumansburg has agreed to allow the Town to assess agricultural land at the agricultural rate when determining fire taxes. Doing so will allow much of farmers' agricultural land to be exempt from fire tax levy. Mr. Austic noted that agreeing to do this would reduce the Town's income by about $3,000 per year. PUBLIC COMMENTS No comments were made. CORRESPONDENCE Mr. Austic reported that he received a letter concerning a meeting about urban waterfront rediscovery through the Clean Water Clean Air Bond Act, which is to be put on by the NYS Department of State on June 14th, 2001 , from 1 pm to 3 pm . Ms. Poelvoorde stated that she would probably be able to attend . Mr. Austic also reported that the Jacksonville Community Association has submitted a grant application to Tompkins County for a sidewalk project. The J .C.A. expects to hear back on the application by the end of July, if it is awarded, the Town would have to put out some matching funds. The project could be the first of several steps for revitalizing downtown Jacksonville. Mr. Meeker called the Board's attention to the fact that the NYS budget has not yet passed . It is not expected to pass until September. Consequently, road work that will be done this summer will be completed without assurance of the requested funding from New York State. Mr. Meeker also stated that he will have to speak to a local property owner concerning an easement that will be needed in order to redo the Seneca Road bridge near Curry Road . The project is scheduled to take place in two years, all of which Mr. Meeker stated , the Town will need to plan and budget. ADJOURNMENT Hearing no further business, Mr. Hillman moved, seconded by Ms. Poelvoorde to adjourn the meeting . Mr. Austic aye Mrs. Duddleston aye Mr. Hillman aye Ms. Poelvoorde aye Mr. Weatherby aye The meeting adjourned at 9 : 45 pm . 9 I r Town of Ulysses Regular Board Meeting 6/ 12/2001 Respectfully submitted, Karin T. Lanning Ulysses Deputy Town Clerk KTL: Id 10