HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-03-12 - TB TOWN OF ULYSSES
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING
3/12/2002
PRESENT : Supervisor Doug Austic , Councilpeople Carolyn Duddleston, Sue
Poelvoorde, Lee Scott, and Robert Weatherby, Highway Superintendent Jim Meeker,
Code Enforcement Officer Alex Rachun, Deputy Town Clerk Karin Lanning.
-° ALSO PRESENT : Tom Niederkorn and Richard Manning, Consultants for Tompkins
, - County Planning Department ; George Kennedy, Ulysses Planning Board Member;
Richard Coogan, Jacksonville Community Association/Planning Board Candidate;
Tompkins County Sheriff Peter Meskill , Sergeant Lampman; Grace Wolf, Trumansburg
Free Press.
Supervisor Austic called the meeting to order at 7 : 30 pm and led those assembled in the
Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America.
TOMPKINS COUNTY PLANNING DEPT : CAYUGA LAKE WATERFRONT
PLAN-WATERFRONT REVITALIZATION PLAN
Richard Manning began the Planning Department's presentation of the Waterfront
Revitalization Plan by providing some background information on this project .
The Waterfront Revitalization Plan ( W. R. P .) was developed in accordance with the
recommendation of 1997 Tompkins County Waterfront Plan. The W.R. P. includes six
municipalities (The Town of Ithaca, the City of Ithaca, the Town of Lansing, the Village
of Lansing, the Village of Cayuga Heights, and the Town of Ulysses projects that fall
within the guidelines of the W. R. P . and are located in the W. R. P . boundaries (only
portions of the involved municipalities fall within the W. R.P . boundaries) will be eligible
for matching funds from New York State. Later in his discussion, Mr. Manning noted
that the City of Oswego, after adopting a plan, has received on the average of $ 100,000 to
$300,000 per year in NYS grant funds for waterfront improvement projects addressed by
its W.R. P . ; the W. R. P . could prove a valuable source of funds for lakefront development
projects in the involved municipalities.
Mr. Manning stated that, at present, the Planning Department is seeking feedback on this
draft document from the municipalities who are to be included in the W.R.P . area in the
hopes of paving the way for ready adoption of the final document by all involved
municipalities. Mr. Manning explained that, in order for the W.R. P. to be submitted for
review and legal adoption by New York State, it would need to be adopted by all
involved municipalities.
Mr. Manning noted some key issues that emerged during the inventory phase of the
W. R.P. development process. Five issues were identified as most critical : increase public
access by trail development and the enhancement of waterfront parks, provide better
noise control and boater safety by enforcement of boating regulations, dredge the Cayuga
Inlet for better boat access and flood protection, stimulate water-dependent and water-
enhanced development in the City of Ithaca, and protect/improve the water quality of
Cayuga Lake.
Mr. Tom Niederkorn continued the presentation on the W. R.P . , and noted that there
really is only one future project and one current project addressed by the W.R. P . that are
likely to directly impact the Town of Ulysses; this is due to the fact that the only real
potential for public access to the lakefront in the Town of Ulysses is Taughannock Falls
State Park. The potential goal identified in the W. R. P . with potential in Ulysses is public
access at Taughannock Falls State Park . The Black Diamond Trail is an integral part of
the W. R.P . and includes multiple municipalities included in the W.R. P .
Mr. Niederkorn next discussed planning/zoning issues related to the W.R. P . He
commended the fact that all involved municipalities have Zoning Ordinances in place.
Mr. Niederkorn stated that Site Plan Review regulations must be encouraged, as this
allows municipal Planning Boards to be aware in their proceedings of unique view-sheds
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Regular Town Board Meeting
3/ 12/2002
along and in sight of Cayuga Lake. In concluding, Mr. Niederkorn noted that while the
Tompkins County Planning Department strongly encourages use of Site Plan Review
regulations and adoption of other view-shed-sensitive regulations, such as side-yard
regulations, the Department is pushing these measures with a measure of restraint in the
hope that all involved municipalities will see fit to adopt the W . R.P .
Finally, Mr. Niederkorn reported that the Town of Lansing has agreed to serve as lead
agency in SEQR proceedings for the W.R.P. , involved municipalities should expect to
receive a letter stating this and opening a 30-day period for municipalities to file a
disagreement with this declaration if any are so inclined. Mr. Manning and Mr.
Niederkorn opened the floor for questions and comments.
Supervisor Austic asked if the strictness of control over projects would be in measure
with their relative impact on the lake? Mr. Niederkorn stated that this would be the case.
Projects that are merely within aesthetically pleasing view-sheds of the lake will pretty
much only be addressed so far as their impact on such view-sheds, while lake-front
properties will be addressed on a variety of points.
The Board asked whether or not individual homes will be affected by the W.R.P. , and
was informed that this would not be the case. The W.R.P. will not affect simple
residential development.
Hearing no further comments on the W.R.P. , the Board thanked Mr. Manning and Mr.
Niederkorn for their presentation and their time.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Noting minor corrections, Mrs. Duddleston moved, seconded by Mr. Scott to approve the
minutes of the Public Hearing of 2/ 12/2002, the Regular Town Board Meeting of
2/ 12/2002, the Joint Town/Planning Board Meeting of 2/7/2002, the Joint Town/Planning
Board Meeting of 2/19/2002, and the Special Town Board Meeting of 2/ 19/2002 .
Mr. Austic aye
Mrs. Duddleston aye
Ms. Poelvoorde aye
Mr. Scott aye
Mr. Weatherby aye
Adopted.
APPROVAL OF MONTHLY CLAIMS
Ms. Poelvoorde moved, seconded by Mrs. Duddleston to approve monthly voucher
numbers 71 - 115 , totaling $29,909 .26 .
Mr. Austic aye
Mrs. Duddleston aye
Ms. Poelvoorde aye
Mr. Scott aye
Mr. Weatherby aye
Adopted.
REPORTS . OF REPRESENTATIVES
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Tompkins County Sheriff, Peter Meskill
Mr. Meskill introduced Sergeant Lampman, the department's primary 3 - 11 shift
supervisor, and asked for feedback on any issues that have come to the Board's attention.
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Regular Town Board Meeting
3/ 12/2002
The Board noted that the same issues, including speeding in Jacksonville and on Perry
City Road continue to be heard regularly . Mr. Richard Coogan noted for Mr. Meskill and
Mr. Lampman that the problem in Jacksonville tends to be particularly taking place late
on Friday and Saturday nights/very early on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Mr. Austic
encouraged the Sheriffs Department to place a speed meter or traffic wires on Perry City
Road in order to assess the situation there.
Mr. Austic also noted that the issue of "judge shopping " is still very prevalent in the
Town of Ulysses. Mr. Meskill stated that he has addressed this situation many times;
typically deputies take care to evenly distribute tickets for a few weeks, and then drop the
I effort . Mr. Meskill noted that it does not encourage even distribution of tickets when one
judge in a Township habitually requires the extra paperwork of a supporting deposition or
drops issued tickets. In concluding, Mr. Meskill noted that the only successful means of
addressing this problem that he has seen is random rotation of judges at one court time
per week.
Mr. Meeker noted that there seems to be a traffic safety problem caused by parking along
Route 96 in Jacksonville. Cars parked at the curb often are not very visible, and it would
be unfortunately very easy for a plow or personal vehicle to run into one. This is true, of
course, particularly throughout the winter months when snow diminishes visibility. Mr.
Meskill will look into the situation.
Tompkins County Board of Representatives, Peter Penniman
Mr. Penniman was absent. No report was presented.
Trumansburg Fire Department
No representative was present and no report was presented.
TOWN REPORTS
Highway Superintendent Jim Meeker
Mr. Meeker reported that the Highway Department plowed and salted as needed, hauled
stone and installed a culvert pipe on Agard Road .
Mr. Weatherby asked Mr. Meeker about the purchase of more salt, despite the extremely
mild winter. Mr. Meeker stated that he is required by NYS contract to purchase 60% of
the estimated amount of salt he will need per season. He has used just over 50% of this
figure, and consequently had to purchase more whether it was needed or not.
Code Enforcement Officier Alex Rachun
Mr. Rachun reported that he has issued 5 permits during the past month for 1 new single-
family residence, 3 additions and 1 BZA Area Variance . Total construction costs for
these projects were estimated at $248 ,000, and Mr. Rachun collected $719 in fees.
Town Clerk, deputy Karin Lanning
Deputy Town Clerk Karin Lanning reported that the Clerk's Office collected a total of
$3 , 816. 38 in fees. Of this, $3 ,693 . 51 was turned over to Supervisor Austic. It also should
be noted that these figures include $ 3 , 009 . 08 in franchise fees.
Mrs. Lanning reported that $511 . 92 was turned over to the Supervisor for February late
tax payment penalties and that Mrs. Georgia wrote a check for $ 100,000 to Tompkins
County Budget and Finance Department for payment on the 2002 tax warrant .
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Board Members and Committees
Mrs. Duddleston reported as the Town liaison to the Trumansburg Fire Department. The
Ambulance reviewed goals and objectives. Among other goals, they would like to hire 3 -
4 more per diem employees to fill in for vacations, illness and other absences. After
officially determining that it is illegal to pay volunteers, the Department is researching
possible means of providing " in kind" payment to its unpaid staff. The ambulance reports
that it's response time averages 2 minutes to get out the door when the paid staff is there,
10 minutes on off-hours. Shortly, the paid employees of the ambulance will be
conducting a phone satisfaction survey with individuals whom they have responded to in
emergencies.
The department has made an inventory of equipment and cleaned all equipment and the
ambulance has purchased a new defibrillator, which cost about $ 17,000. The old one will
be used for backup.
In the future, an "EMS Week" is planned, to give the staff of the ambulance an
opportunity to get to know the residents of our community. A basic EMT course will be
offered at the Trumansburg Firehouse through TC3 . Also in the works, is research into
ways of "hybridizing " the Fire department from the Ambulance. This process will most
likely take a year or two . A survey to determine a " mission statement" for the Ambulance
will also be getting underway soon. Mrs. Duddleston reviewed a copy of the draft survey
questionnaire.
Finally, the Fire Department and the Ambulance urge homeowners to clearly mark their
properties with reflective house numbers.
Supervisor' s Financial Report
No questions were posed on the Supervisor's Financial Report
OLD BUSINESS
Update on Water District #3
Mr. Austic reported that he has sent copies of bills for services pertaining to Water
District #3 and a request for funds to the Dormitory Authority.. A response is expected
within 30 days. Both the property for the water tank and the property for the pump station
have been obtained, although there are some minor details to be worked out with the
seller for the tank's parcel. In particular, she is asking that the tank be fenced. The
closings for both properties are expected to take place before the end of March.
Water District : areas currently serviced by Village of Truinansburg
Mr. Austic reported that he met with Eric Pond and the new Highway Superintendent of
the Village of Trumansburg. Mr. Pond is looking into what they Village and the Town
respectively would need to do and would be responsible for in creating a water district.
Mr. Pond is looking into setting the Babcock's Water District #3 water lines as a backup
source for the Village of Trumansburg and this to-be-formed water district. To do so
would require a larger line to Babcock's, but would save all concerned in the long run by
bringing multiple municipal water system development projects together as aspects of
one effort.
Zoning Ordinance Revision
Mr. Austic called the Board's attention to a New York State Association of Towns
booklet entitled, "Planning and Design Manual for the Review of Applications for
Wireless Telecommunications Facilities" . The information in this document should be
looked at in regards to inclusion in the revised Town Zoning Ordinance. Of particular
interest, Mr. Austic noted, is the fact that municipalities have more control than we
understood over the siting of telecommunications towers. Mr. Austic asked if the
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Regular Town Board Meeting
3/ 12/2002
Planning Board members have received copies of this document, and Mrs. Lanning stated
they have.
Festival of Flowers
The Trumansburg Area Chamber of Commerce has decided it would like to start a
" Festival of Flowers " , which would be something of a springtime version of the Festival
of Lights. The "Festival of Flowers" would take place around Mother's Day, and will
highlight the Taughannock Garden Club's annual plant sale, held at the Presbyterian
Church. The Chamber of Commerce has asked for a donation from the Town of Ulysses
as well as the Village of Trumansburg to put on a "Festival of Flowers" this spring .
After some discussion, Mr. Weatherby moved, seconded by Mrs. Duddleston to donate
$ 100 to the Trumansburg Area Chamber of Commerce to help put on a "Festival of
Flowers" during the spring of 2002 .
Mr. Austic aye
Mrs. Duddleston aye
Ms. Poelvoorde aye
Mr. Scott aye
Mr. Weatherby aye
Adopted.
NEW BUSINESS
NYS Audit Report
Supervisor Austic reported that he filed the New York State Audit Report on February
28 . This document is available to the public during the normal operating hours of the
Town Clerk's Office.
Appointment of Planning Board Member
Mr. Austic noted the Board received an official letter of resignation from Planning Board
Member Paula Horrigan, dated 3/ 11 /2002 . Mr. Austic stated that there are two
individuals who were previously interviewed for the position of Planning Board member,
still interested in serving in this capacity.
Noting that Mr. Richard Coogan has attended all the Joint Town/Planning Board
meetings to review the revised draft Zoning Ordinance to date, and that his familiarity
with this current project would make his appointment to fill the last nine months of Ms.
Horrigan's term very sensible, Mr. Austic moved to appoint Mr. Richard Coogan to the
Ulysses Planning Board, to fill the remainder of Ms. Paula Horrigan's term (remainder of
2002) .
Mrs. Duddleston seconded.
Mr. Austic aye
Mrs. Duddleston aye
Ms. Poelvoorde aye
Mr. Scott aye
Mr. Weatherby aye
Adopted. Mr. Austic noted that Ms. Horrigan states in her letter that she would be willing
to offer her expertise in the field of Landscape Architecture to the Planning Board, as she
is able and as needs arise.
HEARINGS FROM GROUPS/INDIVIDUALS
Mr. George Kennedy presented a letter of complaint with attached photos regarding
alleged zoning violations on a Maplewood Road property .
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3/ 12/2002
Mr. Richard Coogan stated that the Jacksonville Community Association would hold its
Government Awareness Day on April 3 " 1, 2002 at the Jacksonville Methodist Church.
CORRESPONDENCE
Mr. Austic reminded the Board of the need to review and consider the Cayuga Lake
Waterfront Revitalization Plan.
ADJOURNMENT
a .
Hearing no further business, Mr. Weatherby moved, seconded by Ms. Poelvoorde to
adjourn the meeting.
Mr. Austic aye
Mrs. Duddleston aye
Ms. Poelvoorde aye
Mr. Scott aye
Mr. Weatherby aye
The meeting adjourned at 9 : 05 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Karin T. Lanning ���
Deputy Ulysses Town Clem
KTL : kl
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